When someone passes away in Iowa, their estate may need to go through probate. Probate is the legal process of making sure the person’s debts are paid and their remaining property is passed on to the right people. It can be confusing and often comes with costs that many families aren’t prepared for.
That’s why we created this Iowa Probate Cost Calculator. It gives you an estimate of what probate might cost based on the size of the estate and other common expenses in Iowa. Let’s walk through what the numbers mean—and how this applies to your situation.
Here are the main items that make up the cost of probate in Iowa:
This is the combined value of everything the person owned. It includes real estate, bank accounts, retirement funds, cars, personal items, and anything else that has value. You’ll want to use the gross value—what it’s worth before subtracting any debts.
Next, we look at what the estate owes. This can include mortgages, credit card bills, car loans, medical bills, and even funeral expenses. These debts must be paid out of the estate before anything goes to beneficiaries.
In Iowa, filing a probate case with the court usually costs about $250 to $300, depending on the county. This is a one-time fee paid to open the case.
Probate attorneys in Iowa typically charge a percentage of the estate value—usually around 2%. This percentage can be higher or lower depending on how simple or complex the estate is. Some attorneys may also charge hourly rates or flat fees.
The executor is the person in charge of managing the estate. Iowa law allows the executor to be paid for their time and effort—often around 2% to 3% of the estate. Some executors (especially family members) may choose not to take a fee.
Probate often involves smaller costs like newspaper notices, certified copies of documents, postage, appraisals, or even travel. In Iowa, these extra costs often range from $500 to $1,000 or more, depending on the estate.
Our calculator takes all these numbers and gives you a total estimated cost. You’ll enter:
Once you hit "Estimate," the calculator adds everything together to give you a total.
Understanding probate costs ahead of time helps you plan. If you're an executor, you’ll know what expenses to expect and how to manage the estate properly. If you're a beneficiary, this can help you avoid surprises and understand why probate takes time.
Yes. If the estate is small—under $100,000—Iowa offers a simplified process called small estate administration or an affidavit procedure. This is faster and often avoids many of the typical fees and court steps. But not every estate qualifies, so it’s best to talk to a lawyer.
This calculator is a great first step, but every case is different. If you have questions, need help avoiding probate, or want to make the process easier, we’re here for you.
Contact O’Flaherty Law today. Our Iowa probate attorneys can help you handle the legal process with less stress and more confidence.
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