Letters Testamentary in Iowa

Iowa district courts issue "letters of appointment" to the executor (with a will) or administrator (without one) after a petition is filed in the district court with the original will, if any. Any competent adult Iowa resident the court does not find unsuitable may serve; a nonresident may be appointed with an Iowa resident co-fiduciary, or alone if the court allows for good cause. A bond is generally required, but a will can waive it and the court may waive it for good cause. For small estates (gross Iowa probate assets of $200,000 or less), the clerk issues letters on a petition and the estate may close by sworn statement.

Any Iowa resident adult who is competent and whom the court does not find unsuitable can serve; qualified banks and trust companies can also serve. A nonresident individual can be appointed if an Iowa resident serves with them, or alone if the court allows it for good cause. A fiduciary who moves out of state can be removed. A bond is generally required, but a will can waive it (unless the court finds good cause to require one), and the court can waive bond for good cause if creditors and heirs will not be harmed.