Johnston, IA Consumer Law

Tools and Resources for Johnston, IA Consumers

Iowa Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Iowa PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Polk County: Key information about your local probate court (District Court in Iowa) for Polk County.
• How Probate Works in Iowa: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Polk County's probate court.
  • Here are links to Iowa probate forms from the Iowa probate court website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Iowa: Learn how to use Iowa's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In Iowa, you can use an Affidavit if the value of the estate is $50,000 or less, and there is no real property. There is a 40-day waiting period.

    Iowa Code 633.356.

    You can use a summary probate procedure if the gross value of the property subject to probate does not exceed $100,000. (This excludes the value of all joint tenancy property and other assets that pass by beneficiary designation, such as life insurance and transfer on death accounts.)

    Iowa Code 635.1.

• Iowa Estate Taxes:

  • Iowa, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.

• Avoiding Probate in Iowa. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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Iowa Wage & Hour Law

• Iowa Minimum Wage:  

  • The minimum wage in Iowa is the same as the federal minimum wage: $7.25 an hour.

    Polk County Minimum Wage

    The minimum wage in Polk County is $7.25 an hour, the state minimum wage. Iowa law prohibits city and county governments from adopting a local minimum wage that's higher than the state minimum wage. 

  • See FAQs on Iowa’s minimum wage and other wage laws at https://www.iowadivisionoflabor.gov/wage-frequently-asked-questions.

• Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Iowa and whether they apply to you.

  • Iowa has adopted the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime rate of 1-1/2 times your regular wage for every hour you work over 40 hours in a given workweek.

• Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Iowa. 

  • The Iowa Division of Labor has posted a wage claim form, with instructions, at its website. 

• Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Iowa.

  • In Iowa, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $4.35 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $7.25 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

• State Labor Board:
  • Learn more about your rights under Iowa law from the Iowa Division of Labor. 515-725-5619

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Iowa Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Iowa: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • In Iowa, unemployment benefits range from $82 per week to $582 per week.
  • Formula:

    If you have no dependents, your weekly benefit in Iowa will be the amount you earned in the highest paid quarter of the base period divided by 23. 

  • Duration:

    Iowa changed its benefit duration in July of 2022. Those who file their initial claim for unemployment on or after July 3, 2022 will be eligible for only 16 weeks of unemployment benefits. However, if you applied before that date, you will be eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Iowa.
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• Free Iowa MEANS TEST CALCULATOR for Polk County (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for April 1, 2024)
• Free Iowa BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Iowa law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
• Iowa BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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Child Custody & Family Courts in Iowa 

• State Standards For Custody Decisions: How Iowa Courts make child custody decisions
• Family Court for Polk County: Polk County Family Court information, including maps, forms and links.
• Enforcement of Custody Orders: Can you enlist local police to help enforce a custody court order?
• Child Custody Lawyers: To help you handle your child custody matters.

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Iowa Obamacare

• Sign Up: We have the latest on how to sign up for Obamacare Insurance in Iowa!
• Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Iowa? Learn about whether Iowa imposes tax penalties for not having health insurance.
• Special Enrollment Periods: How to enroll because of a "special enrollment period."
• Rates & Providers in Your County: Information and rates for providers for Polk County if you live in a state served by Healthcare.gov.

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Democracy In Iowa, Polk County, Johnston 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Johnston, IA.
• Gerrymandering in Iowa: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 

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Find a Lawyer in Johnston, IA

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration

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