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Iowa Last Will and Testament Form |
An Iowa last will and testament is a legal document provided so that a testator/declarant may design a document that will specify their instructions with regard to how they would like their entire estate to be distributed among their beneficiaries. This document will provide guidance for the Declarant, in the statement of distribution. The document will also guide the Declarant through the process of choosing and delegating powers to an executor that they trust. This individual would be referred to as an attorney in fact/agent or an executor. The executor would agree to take over when the Declarant/Testator passes away and shall agree to responsibly take all of the necessary steps to distribute any property exactly as described in the document. Once the document has been completed, signatures of witnesses are required in order to be effective from a legal standpoint. This document may be changed or revoked by the Testator/Declarant as long as they are of sound mind to make changes.
Laws – §§633.264, et seq.
How to Write
Step 1 – Once the document has been downloaded, establish the Declarant of the document by entering their full name into the first line of the document – In the next paragraph, provide the following
- Testator’s full name
- City
- County
- Review the remainder of the paragraph section
- Read the section titled “Expenses and Taxes”
Step 2 – Executor/Agent – The Declarant may then appoint their selected executor who will oversee the distribution of the estate. Enter the following information:
- Name of the appointed agent
- Address
- County
- State
Should the initial representative become unable or unwilling to serve in the needed capacity, the declarant may appoint an alternate agent. Submit the following:
- Alternate agent’s full name
- Alternate’s agent’s complete address
- County
- State
Step 3 – Disposition of Property –
- The testator may enter the information required regarding their beneficiaries. Any bequeathed property may be entered into this form. If there are more than three (3) beneficiaries or if more room is needed, add the additional beneficiary’s information on a separate sheet. Attach the added sheet to the document:
- Enter the name of each respective beneficiary
- Beneficiary’s current address
- Relationship
- Submit the required last four digits of the beneficiary’s Social Security Number (SSN)
- The declarant must agree to the next two paragraphs.
- If the testator would like to provide additional information they may do so by adding a sheet and attaching it to this form
Step 4 – Titled Sections – The Testator should read all the following titles and subtitles before proceeding to completion of the document:
- Omissions
- Bond
- Discretionary Powers of Personal Representative (subsections A – K)
- Contesting Beneficiary
- Guardian Ad Litem Not Required
- Gender
- Assignment
- Governing Law
Step 5 – Binding Agreement – The Declarant should read the first paragraph. In the second paragraph, submit the following information:
- Testator’s name
- The date of document exectution in dd/m/yy format
- Testator’s name
- Declarant’s printed name
- Date signature ( in dd/m/yy format)
- Submit the Declarant’s name
Step 6 – Witness Signatures
Witnesses –
- Respective Witnesses must enter their signatures in the lines provided
- Witnesses must enter their current addresses
Testamentary Affidavit (Optional) –
- A notary must acknowledge this document once it’s been completed with witness signatures
- The notary will submit the signatories information
- Enter the signature of the Declarant
- Provide the signatures of the witnesses
