Procedure in Lieu of Conservatorship for Minors

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House File 232, which was discussed in my article of last month was signed by the Governor on June 1, 2023.  Said bill also amends Section 633.555 to provide that in situations where a conservator has not been appointed for a minor, property due to a minor, not exceeding the aggregate of $50,000.00, shall be…

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Amendment to Trust Code

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House File 232, which is currently before the Governor for signature, provides a mechanism whereby new trusts and existing trusts will have a new tool to obtain information from third parties.  The new provision allows a Trustee to present a written request to any person for the purpose to obtain information required to perform the Trustee’s duties or any information on property owned by the Trust and which is owned by the Trust Settlor at the time of death, including information about the property that has passed or will pass by beneficiary designations or joint tenancy ownership. The request must

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Gifted and Inherited Assets in a Divorce Case

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On December 21, 2022, the Court of Appeals of Iowa issued an opinion in the case of In Re:  The Marriage of Derek W. George and Debra A. George, and Upon the Petition of Derek W. George, Petitioner-Appellee, and concerning Debra A. George, Respondent-Appellant (No. 21-1998). Derek and Debra were married in 1998 and had four children.  The District Court made a finding of the pre-marital assets of Debra which consisted of gifted and inherited assets.  The District Court concluded that Debra’s inherited and gifted funds “became so invested in marital assets that the Court could not fully compensate her

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Probate Court Jurisdiction

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On February 8, 2023, the Iowa Court of Appeals issued an opinion In the Matter of the Estate of Mark D. Levine, Margarita Cervera Levine, Appellant, vs. Sara Lunn Keown, Appellee (No. 22-0654).  Mark Levine died intestate in the country of Belize on February 8, 2021.  Mark owned a joint interest in a mobile home and adjoining real estate in Polk County, a condominium in Belize, along with various bank and investment accounts. Mark married Margarita Cervera Levine in September of 2020, in Belize.  Mark had an adult daughter Sara Keown who resides in Polk County Iowa.  After the marriage,

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Transfer of Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship Property to Revocable Trust

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On January 27, 2023, the Supreme Court of Iowa issued an opinion in the matter of Richard Grout as Trustee of the Helen Schardein 2018 Revocable Trust v. Dan R. Sickels (No. 21-0556).  In the Spring of 2014, Helen Schardein, who was in her nineties, purchased a lake lot at Sun Valley Lake for $85,000.00 and titled it in joint tenancy with right of survivorship, with Dan R. Sickels, who provided various services to her.  Helen had worked as a real estate broker and abstractor.  Dan met Helen in 2012, and performed work on Helen’s rental properties and assisted her

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Recent Undue Influence Case

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On November 2nd, 2022, the Iowa Court of Appeals issued an opinion in the matter of the Estate of Helen M. Halter, Deceased, v. Kim Barber, Appellant. The case involves the Estate of Helen M. Halter. Judy Conn is Helen’s daughter in law, and she was married to Bruce Halter until his death in 1982. Judy’s son, Chad Halter, is Helen Halter’s only living grandchild. The other parties in the case are Phyllis Green, who is Helen Halter’s half-sister and the daughter of Phyllis, Kim Barber. In May of 2013, Helen Halter executed her Last Will and Testament, a General

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Ned P. Miller Retirement

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After 50 plus years of the practice of law, Ned P. Miller, has decided to retire from the practice effective December 30, 2022.  Ned will be missed by the firm and by his clients.  Ned is looking forward to retirement and plans to keep busy with his many interests. Thank you, Ned, for your long service to the practice of law.  I will miss you and I wish you well on your future endeavors. — Jim Beatty

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Recent Undue Influence Case in Iowa

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On August 3, 2022, the Iowa Court of Appeals issued an opinion In the Matter of the Estate of Sam Vernon Elsen, deceased, Michelle Lynn Davila, Plaintiff and Chad Michael Elsen, Plaintiff-Appellant, vs. Emily Jean Elsen-Cox, individually and as Trustee of the Sam Vernon Elsen Revocable Trust and Executor of the Estate of Sam Vernon Elsen, Defendant-Appellee. Sam Vernon Elsen was born in 1946. He was the father of three children, all with his first wife Marjorie. Sam adopted Michelle who was Marjorie’s daughter from a prior relationship. Emily and Chad were born out of the marriage of Sam and

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Creditor Has No Claim to Wrongful Death Claim Settlement

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On June 15, 2022, the Court of Appeals of Iowa issued an opinion in the matter of the Estate of Kevin L. Barz, Brad Staley and Susan Staley, Appellants (No. 21-0563). The case involves Kevin Barz and his spouse who both died in a motor vehicle accident. The Barz’s were survived by three children who were the co-executors of the estate. The co-executors filed a wrongful death action against the tortfeasor and his insurance company. A settlement was reached with the tortfeasor for $622,264.15. The settlement provided that it “was paid solely as compensation for the individual loss of consortium”.

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Iowa Court of Appeals Abatement Case

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On May 11, 2022, the Iowa Court of Appeals issued an opinion in the case of In the Matter of the Estate of Dennis R. Peterson, Deceased, Joseph Parcell, Appellant. The decedent Dennis Peterson executed a Will on August 27, 2018. The Will provided in part “I hereby give to Joe Parcell lifetime use of the 2nd and 3rd bays at 207 Collins Street… so long as he pays 35% of overhead”. The Will went on to give the residue of the estate to the decedent’s daughter, Donna Sue Peterson. The Will Appointed Donna Sue Peterson as the executor. Dennis

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