How to Make a Will in Iowa

If you're a resident of Iowa and thinking about making a will, you should understand what a will is and how to create one. A will, also called a "last will and testament," can help you protect your family and your property.

You can use a will to:

• leave your property to people or organizations
• name a personal guardian to care for your minor children
• name a trusted person to manage property you leave to minor children, and
• name an executor, the person who makes sure that the terms of your will are carried out.

Below you'll find an overview of what a will can do for you, what Iowa laws require for making a valid will, and what the process looks like.

Steps to Create a Will in Iowa

Here's a quick checklist for making a will in Iowa:

1. Decide what property to include in your will.
2. Decide who will inherit your property.
3. Choose an executor to handle your estate.
4. Choose a guardian for your children.
5. Choose someone to manage children's property.
6. Make your will.
7. Sign your will in front of witnesses.
8. Store your will safely.

What Happens If I Die Without a Will in Iowa?

In Iowa, if you die without a will, your property will be distributed according to state "intestacy" laws. Iowa's intestacy law gives your property to your closest relatives, beginning with your spouse and children. If you have neither a spouse nor children, your grandchildren or your parents will get your property. This list continues with increasingly distant relatives. If the court exhausts this list to find that you have no living relatives by blood or marriage, the state will take your property.

Can I Make My Own Will in Iowa?

Yes. You can make your own will in Iowa, using Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust. However, you might want to consult a lawyer in some situations. For example, if you think that your will might be contested or you have especially complicated goals, you should talk with an attorney. See Do I Need an Attorney to Make My Estate Plan?

Legal Requirements for a Valid Will in Iowa

To make a will in Iowa, you must be:

• of "full age," and
• of sound mind.

(Iowa Code § 633.264 (2025).)

In this situation, "full age" means that you:

• are at least 18 years old, or
• have been married, even if your marriage ended in divorce.

(Iowa Code § 633.3 (2025).)

You must make your will in writing on actual paper. It can't be on audio, video, or a digital file. (See "Can I Make a Digital or Electronic Will?," below.) (Iowa Code § 633.279 (2025).)

How to Sign and Execute My Iowa Will

To finalize your will in Iowa:

• you must sign your will in front of two witnesses
• declare to your witnesses that it's your will, and
• your witnesses must sign your will in your presence.

(Iowa Code § 633.279 (2025).)

"Presence" traditionally has meant being in the same room. But Iowa now lets witnesses sign your will remotely if they're able to watch and hear you in real time using audio-video technology. Their signatures then will be combined into your final will. (Iowa Code § 633.279 (2025).)

Your witnesses must be 16 years of age or older. Neither witness should stand to inherit under the will or they can lose the gift left to them. (Iowa Code §§ 633.280; 633.281 (2025).)

Do I Need to Have My Will Notarized?

No, in Iowa, you don't need to notarize your will to make it legal. However, Iowa allows you to make your will "self-proving," and you'll need to use a notary if you want to do that. A self-proving will speeds up probate because the court can accept the will without contacting the witnesses who signed it.

To make your will self-proving, you and your witnesses must use a notary and sign an affidavit that proves who you are and that each of you knew you were signing the will. You may use a remote notary who is able to hear and see you in real time through audio-video technology. (Iowa Code §§ 9B.14A; 633.279 (2025).)

Can I Make a Digital or Electronic Will?

In a handful of states, you can make a legal will digitally—that is, you can make the will, sign it, and have it witnessed without ever printing it out. Although such electronic wills are currently available in only a minority of states, many other states are considering making electronic wills legal. Iowa currently doesn't allow e-wills, but that could change in the future.

Can I Choose and Appoint an Executor in My Will?

Yes. In Iowa, you can use your will to name an executor who will ensure that the provisions in your will are carried out after your death. Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust produces a letter to your executor that generally explains what the job requires. If you don't name an executor, the probate court will appoint someone to take on the job of winding up your estate.

Can I Revoke or Change My Will in Iowa?

In Iowa, you may revoke or change your will at any time. You can revoke your will by:

• canceling or destroying it with the intent to revoke it
• instructing someone else to cancel or destroy it with the intent to revoke it, or
• making a new will that says it revokes the old one.

If you cancel or destroy your will to revoke it, it must also be witnessed by two people. (Iowa Code § 633.284 (2025).)

If you and your spouse divorce or your marriage is annulled, any gift you gave your spouse or their relative in the will and any provision that named your spouse or their relative as an executor or trustee is automatically revoked unless your will expressly says otherwise. (Iowa Code § 633.271 (2025).)

If you need to make changes to your will, it's best to make a new will that expressly revokes it. However, if you have only very simple changes to make, you could add an amendment to your existing will—this is called a codicil. In either case, you will need to finalize your changes with the same formalities you used to make your original will (see above).

Next Steps

You can find Iowa's laws about making wills here: Title XV Judicial Branch and Judicial Procedures, Subtitle 4 Probate - Fiduciaries, Chapter 633 Probate Code, Subchapter VI Wills.

To make your own will—as well as other estate planning documents, such as powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and living trusts—try Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're still looking for information, check out these answers to frequently asked questions on Iowa wills.

Can a will help me avoid probate?

No. A will doesn't avoid probate. Instead, it acts as instructions to the probate court. If you want to avoid probate in Iowa, consider other estate planning strategies like a living trust or joint tenancy.

What's the cost of making a will in Iowa?

The cost for a lawyer to make a will depends on several factors, including the complexity of your finances, where you live in Iowa, and whether you want an entire estate plan with multiple documents. A simple will without other estate planning documents likely will cost at least a few hundred dollars—and potentially more than $1,000. DIY resources, like Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust, will cost significantly less than hiring an attorney.

Where should I store my will after it's signed?

There are several options for places to store your will, and each has pros and cons. Some options are the court (discussed below), your home, your lawyer's office, or a safe deposit box (but ensure the bank will let your executor or other trusted people access it after your death). Wherever you store it, make sure the right people know where it is, so the probate process can start as soon as possible without confusion or delay. For more information, read How to Safely Store Your Will.

Do I need to file my will with the court or government after making it?

No. Your will doesn't need to be filed with the court or government until after your death. However, Iowa does allow will makers to deposit their wills with the probate court for safekeeping before they die. Wills deposited with the court will be kept under seal until the will maker's death. (Iowa Code §§ 633.286, 633.287 (2025).)

Can a will help me avoid estate taxes?

No. A will won't help you avoid estate taxes. The good news is that Iowa doesn't have an estate tax, and very few people need to worry about federal estate taxes. Only people with estates worth several million dollars need to think about federal estate taxes, but a will won't help them avoid taxes. For more information on estate taxes, read Estate Tax: Will Your Estate Have to Pay?

Can someone challenge my will?

Yes, it's theoretically possible that someone could challenge your will. But very few wills are challenged in court because it's difficult to challenge a will.