Yes.  Iowa law allows for a wife (not an ex-wife) to elect against her husband’s will.  Electing against a will entitles a surviving spouse to claim 1/3 of the value of all real property owned at anytime during the marriage provided that the surviving spouse did not sign off on those sales at the time they were made. All exempt personal property i.e. Clothing, $2,000 worth of household goods. Life insurance policies, pension benefits, 1 car, farming tools, a right to live in the couple home for the rest of the surviving spouse’s life, and 1/3 of all other personal property.