Simple Will - Iowa

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF [TESTATOR FULL LEGAL NAME]

(A Simple Will Compliant with the Laws of the State of Iowa)

Effective Date: [DATE]
Domicile: [COUNTY], Iowa

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Article I – Preliminary Matters
2. Article II – Revocation & Statement of Family
3. Article III – Appointment of Fiduciaries
4. Article IV – Disposition of My Property
5. Article V – Administrative & Fiduciary Powers
6. Article VI – Risk Management & Contest Provisions
7. Article VII – Governing Law, Forum & Miscellaneous
8. Execution & Attestation
9. Self-Proving Affidavit (Optional)

ARTICLE I

PRELIMINARY MATTERS

1.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Will, the following capitalized terms have the meanings assigned below:
a. “Beneficiary” means any person or entity receiving property under this Will.
b. “Estate” means all probate assets owned by me at death.
c. “Personal Representative” means the executor, executrix, or administrator of my Estate appointed herein and by the Iowa District Court sitting in probate.
d. “Residuary Estate” means all property not effectively disposed of by other provisions of this Will.
e. “Testator,” “I,” “me,” and “my” refer to the undersigned, [TESTATOR FULL LEGAL NAME].

1.2 Competency. I declare that I am of legal age to make a will, of sound mind, and under no duress or undue influence.

ARTICLE II

REVOCATION & STATEMENT OF FAMILY

2.1 Revocation of Prior Instruments. I hereby revoke all prior wills and codicils.

2.2 Family Information.
a. Spouse: [NAME]
b. Children: [NAME(S) & DATE(S) OF BIRTH]
c. Other Heirs: [NAME(S) & RELATIONSHIPS, if desired]

ARTICLE III

APPOINTMENT OF FIDUCIARIES

3.1 Personal Representative. I nominate [PRIMARY EXECUTOR NAME] as Personal Representative. If that individual is unwilling or unable to serve, I nominate [ALTERNATE EXECUTOR NAME] as successor.

3.2 Guardian of Minor Children. If at my death any child of mine is a minor, I nominate [PRIMARY GUARDIAN NAME], residing at [ADDRESS], as guardian. [ALTERNATE GUARDIAN NAME] is nominated as successor.

3.3 Bond. No bond shall be required of any fiduciary, except as the court may otherwise order.

ARTICLE IV

DISPOSITION OF MY PROPERTY

4.1 Payment of Debts, Expenses, and Taxes. My Personal Representative shall first pay all enforceable debts, funeral expenses, administration costs, and estate taxes from my Estate.

4.2 Specific Bequests. I give the following:
a. [TANGIBLE ITEM OR AMOUNT] to [BENEFICIARY NAME].
b. [ADD ADDITIONAL BEQUESTS AS NEEDED].

4.3 Residuary Estate. I give my Residuary Estate to [RESIDUARY BENEFICIARY NAME(S)] in [equal shares / percentage shares described].

4.4 Lapse & Survivorship. A Beneficiary must survive me by 120 hours to take under this Will; otherwise, the gift shall lapse into the Residuary Estate.

ARTICLE V

ADMINISTRATIVE & FIDUCIARY POWERS

5.1 In General. My Personal Representative shall have, without court order, all powers granted by Iowa law — including those set forth in Iowa Code ch. 633, Division III, Part 2 (§§ 633.63–.100, Powers Applicable to All Fiduciaries) and in Iowa Code §§ 633.386–.387 (sale, mortgage, pledge, lease, or exchange of estate property) — and the following supplementary powers:

a. To retain, sell, exchange, lease, or mortgage Estate property.
b. To settle or compromise claims for or against the Estate.
c. To invest Estate assets in any prudent investment.
d. To employ professionals and pay them reasonable compensation.
e. To exercise all rights and powers granted to a fiduciary with respect to digital assets under Iowa Code § 633.90 and Iowa Code ch. 638 (Iowa Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act).

5.2 Delegation. The Personal Representative may delegate ministerial duties and rely on professional advice, and shall not be liable for any act or omission if performed in good faith and with reasonable care.

ARTICLE VI

RISK MANAGEMENT & CONTEST PROVISIONS

6.1 Executor Indemnity & Liability Cap. The Personal Representative and any guardian serving hereunder shall be indemnified from the assets of the Estate against all claims, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from the performance of fiduciary duties, except for willful misconduct or gross negligence. Liability, if any, shall be limited to the total value of Estate assets.

6.2 No-Contest Clause & Injunctive Relief. Any Beneficiary who, directly or indirectly, contests this Will or my testamentary intent through litigation or other proceedings shall forfeit all gifts otherwise provided, and his or her share shall pass as though such Beneficiary predeceased me. Consistent with Iowa law, this forfeiture shall NOT apply to, and no Beneficiary shall lose any gift on account of, a contest or challenge that is brought and maintained in good faith and with probable cause. The Personal Representative is authorized to seek injunctive or declaratory relief in the Iowa District Court sitting in probate to enforce this provision.

ARTICLE VII

GOVERNING LAW, FORUM & MISCELLANEOUS

7.1 Governing Law. This Will shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the probate laws of the State of Iowa.

7.2 Exclusive Forum. Subject to mandatory probate jurisdiction, all matters relating to this Will shall be heard exclusively in the Iowa District Court for [COUNTY] sitting in probate.

7.3 Severability. Should any provision be deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force.

7.4 Headings. Headings are for convenience only and shall not affect interpretation.

7.5 Counterparts & Electronic Copies. This Will may be executed in counterparts, each of which is an original. A copy, facsimile, or electronically stored reproduction shall be considered authentic for all non-execution purposes.

EXECUTION & ATTESTATION

I, [TESTATOR FULL LEGAL NAME], the Testator, sign my name to this Will on the date written below and declare that I sign willingly, that I am of eighteen (18) years or older, of sound mind, and under no constraint or undue influence.

__________________________________
[TESTATOR FULL LEGAL NAME], Testator
Date: ______________________

ATTESTATION OF WITNESSES

We, the undersigned, witnessed the signing of this Will by the Testator, who declared it to be the Testator’s Last Will and Testament. Each of us is disinterested, at least sixteen (16) years of age, and signs hereunder in the Testator’s presence and in the presence of each other.

1. __________________________________
   Printed Name: ________________________
   Address: _____________________________
   Date: ________________________________

2. __________________________________
   Printed Name: ________________________
   Address: _____________________________
   Date: ________________________________

SELF-PROVING AFFIDAVIT (Optional but strongly recommended — Iowa Code § 633.279(2))

State of Iowa
County of [COUNTY]

We, the undersigned, [TESTATOR NAME], [WITNESS 1 NAME], and [WITNESS 2 NAME], the Testator and the witnesses, respectively, whose names are signed to the attached or foregoing instrument, being first duly sworn, declare to the undersigned authority that on the date of the instrument we all knew the identity of each other; the instrument was exhibited to the witnesses by the Testator, who declared it to be the Testator's Last Will and Testament and signed it, or directed another to sign it, at [CITY OR LOCATION], in [COUNTY] County, Iowa, on the date shown in the instrument and in the presence of each other as subscribing witnesses; each witness, in the Testator's presence, at the Testator's request, and in the presence of the other witness, signed the Will as an attesting witness; and each witness was sixteen (16) years of age or older.

__________________________________
[TESTATOR NAME], Testator

__________________________________
[WITNESS 1 NAME], Witness

__________________________________
[WITNESS 2 NAME], Witness

__________________________________
[NOTARY PUBLIC NAME]
Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa
My Commission Expires: ______________

(Seal)

DRAFTING NOTES

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Iowa Code § 633.264 – Disposal of property by will: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/633.264.pdf
• Iowa Code § 633.279 – Signed and witnessed; self-proved will: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/633.279.pdf
• Iowa Code § 633.280 – Competency of witnesses: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/633.280.pdf
• Iowa Code § 633.281 – Interest of witnesses: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/633.281.pdf
• Iowa Code § 633.90 – Power of a fiduciary to access digital assets: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/633.90.pdf
• Iowa Code Chapter 638 – Iowa Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/638.pdf
• Iowa Code Title XV, Chapter 633 – Probate Code (Justia): https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/title-xv/chapter-633/
• In re Estate of Felten, No. 24-1053 (Iowa Nov. 25, 2025, amended Feb. 6, 2026): https://www.iowacourts.gov/courtcases/24032/embed/SupremeCourtOpinion

© 20XX. Prepared by [LAW FIRM / ATTORNEY NAME]. All rights reserved. This template is provided for attorney use only and must be reviewed for each specific matter.