Opinion ID: 2105865
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: issues

Text: When the estate was opened, the executor was required to publish notice on two consecutive weeks and mail notice to each creditor of the estate whose identity was reasonably ascertainable. Any claim against the estate was to be commenced within the later of either four months from the date of the second publication or one month after service of notice by ordinary mail to claimant's last known address to all reasonably ascertainable claimants. Iowa Code § 633.410. Due process requires that all known or reasonably ascertainable creditors of an estate must be given notice by mail, instead of mere notice by publication. See Tulsa Prof'l Collection Servs., Inc. v. Pope, 485 U.S. 478, 489, 108 S.Ct. 1340, 1347, 99 L.Ed.2d 565, 579 (1988); In re Estate of Weidman, 476 N.W.2d 357, 360 (Iowa 1991). Susan contends that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment because the time limitation of section 633.410 had not run. She argues that upon filing her claim in February of 1994, she became a readily ascertainable creditor entitled to notice by mail. Accordingly, she contends the estate's failure to provide her with such notice prevents the limiting statute from running. In response, the estate argues that Rasmussen's claim was barred on May 6, 1994, four months after publication of the second notice to creditors. The estate contends, and the trial court agreed, that once Rasmussen filed her original claim, nothing in section 633.410 entitled her to additional notice.