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What are the requirements for a will to be valid in Iowa? To be legally valid in Iowa, a will must be signed by the testator (creator) of the will and two witnesses in the presence of each other. Additionally, all three individuals must be at least 18 years old and mentally competent.

A holographic will is a handwritten and signed document that is not witnessed or notarized. Although holographic wills are not recognized in Iowa, they may be accepted if the holographic will was made and executed in a jurisdiction that acknowledges them.

Insufficient or Inappropriate Witnesses In Iowa, two competent, uninterested witnesses must be present when a person signs their will for the document to be legally binding. Every will needs to comply with Iowa state laws during the drafting and signing process.

In the state of Iowa, a holographic will, like the one described above, is not enforceable. However, Iowa does recognize a handwritten will as enforceable if it meets both: It is signed by the testator (the person making the will). It is signed in front of two competent witnesses.

No, in Iowa, you do not need to notarize your will to make it legal. However, Iowa allows you to make your will "self-proving" and you'll need to go to 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.

How Do You Avoid Probate in Iowa? If the individual has a revocable living trust with estate assets and names a beneficiary, you can avoid probate. You can also skip the process if the individual names a beneficiary for all assets.