Iowa Code » Chapter 633 — PROBATE CODE
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 633.553 (2026)

Basis for appointment of conservator for an adult

✓ Iowa Code 2026 (laws through the 2025 session)
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1. On petition and after notice and hearing, the court may appoint a conservator for an adult if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that both of the following are true:

a. The decision-making capacity of the respondent is so impaired that the respondent is unable to make, communicate, or carry out important decisions concerning the respondent’s financial affairs.

b. The appointment of a conservator is in the best interest of the respondent.

2. Section 633.551 applies to the appointment of a conservatorship under subsection 1. 2019 Acts, ch 57, §11, 43, 44 Referred to in §633.563, 633.567, 633.642, 633.675, 633B.102 \n

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1977–2026 · leading case: Patten ex rel. Patten v. Patrick, 276 N.W.2d 390 (Iowa 1979).
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Patten ex rel. Patten v. Patrick, 276 N.W.2d 390 (Iowa 1979). · cites it 38× “Relating to notice when a minor is the proposed ward, section 633.553 provides: No notice of the filing of such petition need be given when the proposed ward is a minor and such petition is filed by the person having custody of the proposed ward.”
In re the Guardianship & Conservatorship of Sams, 256 N.W.2d 570 (Iowa 1977). “The first relates to the constitutionality of Code §§ 633.553 and 633.567 which provide, regarding guardianship and conservatorship petitions: *572 No notice of such petition need be given when the proposed ward is a minor and such petition is filed by the person having custody…”
In the Interest of the Conservatorship of Dillon W. Vierkant, 967 N.W.2d 569 (Iowa Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 4× “To decide whether this finding was correct, we look to section 633.553, which contains the criteria for establishing a conservatorship.”
In re the Matter of the Guardianship of A.S. & G.S., 922 N.W.2d 105 (Iowa Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “They neither gave notice of the guardianship to Shadden, as required under Iowa Code section 633.553(2)(b)(1) (2015), nor sought appointment of a guardian ad litem to represent the children, as required under Iowa Code section 633.”
In the Matter of the Guardianship & Conservatorship of Stanley Wayne Worthington, 37 N.W.3d 441 (Iowa Ct. App. 2026). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code § 633.553 . Related to the limited conservatorship, the court may establish conservatorship powers that consider if “the protected person has a limited ability to handle the protected person’s own funds.”
In the Matter of the Guardianship & Conservatorship of Davies, No. 25-0797 (Iowa Ct. App. June 24, 2026). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code § 633.553 (1). While the evidence touched on the fear that the protected person might be scammed by people on the internet, we find more concerning the 12 lack of understanding that the protected person had of his finances and how that also interrelated with his wife’s…”
In the Interest of the Guardianship & Conservatorship of S.M.P., 972 N.W.2d 214 (Iowa Ct. App. 2021). “§ 633.553(1)(a), (b). It was undisputed that the mother oversaw her finances.”
Richard Jeffery, III v. Tim Townsend, 165 F.4th 1065 (8th Cir. 2026). “” Iowa Code § 633.553 (1)(a). Rich does not challenge the state court conservatorship proceedings or Tim’s appointment as conservator.”
Iowa Code § 633.553(1)(a): 1 case
In the Interest of the Guardianship & Conservatorship of S.M.P., 972 N.W.2d 214 (Iowa Ct. App. 2021). “§ 633.553(1)(a), (b). It was undisputed that the mother oversaw her finances.”
Iowa Code § 633.553(2)(b)(1): 1 case
In re the Matter of the Guardianship of A.S. & G.S., 922 N.W.2d 105 (Iowa Ct. App. 2018). “They neither gave notice of the guardianship to Shadden, as required under Iowa Code section 633.553(2)(b)(1) (2015), nor sought appointment of a guardian ad litem to represent the children, as required under Iowa Code section 633.”
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