How to Navigate Iowa Medicaid Estate Recovery Without Losing the Family Home
Step-by-step guide to handling Iowa's Medicaid estate recovery program. Deferrals, hardship waivers, the 30-day deadline, and how to protect the family home.
Blog
All articles about When Someone Dies in Iowa — Estate Settlement Guide.
Best Iowa Estate Settlement Guide for Surviving Spouses
Iowa surviving spouses have specific legal protections — elective share, homestead rights, fee waivers, Medicaid deferrals. The best guide covers all of them in sequence.
Alternatives to Piecing Together Free Iowa Government Forms for Estate Settlement
Iowa estate forms are free but scattered across 15+ agency websites with no instructions on sequence or eligibility. Here are structured alternatives that connect the dots.
Iowa Estate Settlement Guide vs Hiring a Probate Attorney
Comparing a $24 Iowa estate settlement guide against hiring a probate attorney at $200-$400/hour. When each option makes sense and how to decide.
Does Iowa Allow Transfer on Death Deeds? No — And Here's What to Do Instead
Iowa does not allow transfer-on-death deeds for real estate. If a family member died with solely owned property, here's what actually happens and your options.
Best Iowa Estate Settlement Guide for Out-of-State Executors
The best estate settlement resource for executors managing an Iowa estate from another state. Iowa-specific deadlines, remote filing options, and what requires a physical trip.
Iowa Medicaid Estate Recovery Program: What Families Need to Know
Iowa Medicaid can claim estate assets after death — including the family home. Here's how recovery works, what triggers it, and the 30-day hardship waiver window.
Iowa Declaration of Value Form: When You Need It and When You Don't
The Iowa Declaration of Value form is required for most real estate transfers — but estate heirs are often exempt. Here's exactly how it works.
Iowa Small Estate Limit: The $100,000 Threshold That Lets You Skip Probate
Iowa's small estate affidavit threshold is now $100,000 (effective July 2026). Here's exactly who qualifies, the 40-day rule, and how to use it.
Iowa Inheritance Tax 2025: Fully Repealed — Here's What Changed
Iowa inheritance tax is fully repealed for deaths on or after Jan 1, 2025. Rates, repeal timeline, and what heirs actually owe now.
Iowa DOT Form 411083: Transferring a Vehicle Title After Death Without Probate
Iowa DOT Form 411083 transfers a vehicle title when someone died with a will but no probate was opened. Here's what it requires and common mistakes to avoid.
Iowa Probate Fees and Timeline: What to Budget and How Long It Takes
Iowa probate costs 0.2% of estate assets plus executor fees. Timeline runs 9–15 months for full probate. Here's what drives each of those numbers.
Iowa Intestate Succession: Who Inherits When There's No Will
Iowa intestate succession laws determine who gets what when someone dies without a will. Here's the order of heirs and what it means for your family.
Iowa Executor Fees: What the Law Allows and How They're Calculated
Iowa sets statutory limits on executor and attorney fees in probate — roughly 2% of gross assets. Here's how the calculation works and what to negotiate.
Iowa Estate Tax: What Families Need to Know in 2025 and Beyond
Iowa has no state estate tax. Here's what that means for your family, plus what taxes actually apply when settling an Iowa estate.
Iowa Death Certificate: How to Order, How Many, and What to Expect
How to get a certified Iowa death certificate, who qualifies, current fees, and how many copies to order for a typical estate.