Full question:
what forms besides the death certificate and where do I send them for closing my mothers bank account (with $3700) in it, in Clinton Iowa
- Category: Wills and Estates
- Subcategory: Small Estates
- Date:
- State: Iowa
Answer:
The answer will depend in part on whether there was a will and the value of the estate. If small estate procedures may be used, an affidavit may be used to distribute the assets of the deceased in a summary process. If the estate doesn't qualify as a small estate, it may be necessary to have the estate probated and receive letters testamentary. The court will issue testamentary letters to the executor or administrator, giving the authority to handle the affairs of the deceased.
When a person dies, their assets are distributed in the probate process. If a person dies with a valid will, an executor is named to handle the distribution of the estate. If the person dies without a valid will, the court appoints an administrator to distribute the decedent's assets according to the state's laws of intestacy. In cases where the decedent didn't own property valued at more than a certain amount, which varies by state ($100,000 in Iowa), the estate may go through a small estate administration process, rather than the formal probate process.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.
