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Docket No. 19125 · Iowa

Marion County
Probate Court

In Iowa, estates are probated in the District Court (Probate Division). This page gathers where to file in Marion County, the state rules that apply, and where every detail comes from.

County website ↗ Directions ↗
County seat
Knoxville
Population
33,770
Court
District Court
Record
Courthouse mapped
IA · 1912541°20′ N · 93°06′ W
● Marion County Courthouse
located via OpenStreetMap
Small-estate limit
$50,000
Wait 40 days after death
Creditor window
4 months
Iowa Code § 633.410
Executor fee
By statute
Percentage set by statute
Death taxes
None
No state death tax
§ I

Where to file in Marion County

Handled by
District Court (Probate Division)In Iowa, probate proceedings are conducted in the District Court of the county where the decedent resided, supervised by District Associate Judges and Clerks of Court.
County building
Marion County Courthouse In Knoxville, IA — street address not tagged in OpenStreetMap. OpenStreetMap · view the map entry
Phone
No phone number published in an open source. Use the county website's contact page — we don't list numbers we can't source.
Opening hours
Not published in an open source. Check the court or county website before you go.
County website
marioncountyiowa.govWikidata
State courts & e-filing
iowacourts.govCase search: Iowa Judicial Branch Case Search (Iowa Courts Online)
§ II

How probate runs in Marion County

Six stages, with the Iowa rules that set the pace.

  1. 01

    Secure the original will

    Find the original signed will and order certified death certificates. Iowa deadline: Custodian must deliver will to the court after learning of death, no fixed day count (Iowa Code § 633.285); probate barred after 5 years from death (Iowa Code § 633.331).

  2. 02

    Pick the right track

    If the probate estate is under $50,000, a small-estate procedure (Iowa Code § 633.356 (Distribution of Property by Affidavit)) may avoid full administration.

  3. 03

    Petition the court

    File the petition with the District Court (Probate Division) for Marion County. The court appoints the executor or administrator and issues letters.

  4. 04

    Inventory the estate

    Open an estate bank account (the IRS issues the EIN), list assets at date-of-death values and file the inventory if the court requires it.

  5. 05

    Notify creditors

    Publish or send notice to creditors. Window: Later of 4 months after second publication of notice to creditors, or 1 month after mailed notice to reasonably ascertainable creditors.

  6. 06

    Account and distribute

    Pay debts, taxes and fees (Iowa Code § 633.197), file the final account if required, distribute to heirs and ask to close the estate.

Need help with an estate in Marion County, Iowa?

Where to get help.

We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.

  1. 01 Iowa courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
  2. 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
  3. 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
§ III

Iowa rules that apply here

Probate law is state law — these apply in all 99 Iowa counties.

Small estates
$50,000 gross value of probate personal property; no real property may pass by affidavit (deaths on/after Jan 1, 2025)Iowa Code § 633.356 (Distribution of Property by Affidavit) · wait 40 days
Filing the will
Custodian must deliver will to the court after learning of death, no fixed day count (Iowa Code § 633.285); probate barred after 5 years from death (Iowa Code § 633.331)
Creditor claims
Later of 4 months after second publication of notice to creditors, or 1 month after mailed notice to reasonably ascertainable creditorsIowa Code § 633.410
Executor fees
Statutory maximum (Iowa Code § 633.197): 6% of first $1,000; 4% of $1,000–$5,000; 2% of gross assets over $5,000 (life insurance excluded unless payable to estate); extraordinary services may be allowed under § 633.199Iowa Code § 633.197 · estimate the fee
Handwritten wills
Not recognized without witnesses. Iowa does NOT recognize holographic wills without two competent witnesses (Iowa Code § 633.279).
Estate tax
No state estate tax.Iowa has no state estate tax.
Inheritance tax
No.Iowa inheritance tax was completely phased out and repealed as of January 1, 2025.
Typical duration
6 to 12 monthsA lawyer is not required by statute, though most formal estates use one.

Rules re-checked Sept 2026 against: legis.iowa.gov (statute) · legis.iowa.gov (statute) · legis.iowa.gov (statute) · legis.iowa.gov (statute)

§ IV

Neighbouring probate courts

MarionMahaskaMonroeLucasJasperWarren
Related officeMarion County Clerk & RecorderDeath certificates, recorded deeds and marriage records for the estate file.uscountyclerks.com ↗ Related officeMarion County Property AppraiserAssessed values and parcel records for the estate inventory.uspropertyappraisers.com ↗
§ V

Questions about Marion County probate

Where is the Marion County Probate Court located?
In Iowa, probate is handled by the District Court (Probate Division). Probate filings in Marion County are normally made in the county seat, Knoxville — OpenStreetMap places the Marion County Courthouse there. Confirm the exact office on the official county website (marioncountyiowa.gov).
What is the small estate affidavit limit in Marion County, IA?
Small-estate rules are set by state law, so they are the same in every Iowa county: $50,000 gross value of probate personal property; no real property may pass by affidavit (deaths on/after Jan 1, 2025) (Iowa Code § 633.356 (Distribution of Property by Affidavit)). The waiting period is 40 days.
How do I search probate case records in Marion County?
Start with the Iowa judiciary website (iowacourts.gov), which points to Iowa Judicial Branch Case Search (Iowa Courts Online). Older files and certified copies are requested from the probate clerk in Knoxville.
What are the deadlines for filing a will and creditor claims in Marion County?
Will: Custodian must deliver will to the court after learning of death, no fixed day count (Iowa Code § 633.285); probate barred after 5 years from death (Iowa Code § 633.331). Creditors: Later of 4 months after second publication of notice to creditors, or 1 month after mailed notice to reasonably ascertainable creditors (Iowa Code § 633.410).
How much can an executor charge in Marion County?
Iowa rule: Statutory maximum (Iowa Code § 633.197): 6% of first $1,000; 4% of $1,000–$5,000; 2% of gross assets over $5,000 (life insurance excluded unless payable to estate); extraordinary services may be allowed under § 633.199 (Iowa Code § 633.197). You can estimate the amount with our executor fee calculator.