Iowa Code Title I. State Sovereignty and Management [Chs. 1-38D] § 9I.11. Escheat

If the court finds that the land in question has been acquired in violation of this chapter or that the land has not been converted to the purpose other than farming within five years as provided for in this chapter, the court shall declare the land escheated to the state. When escheat is decreed by the court, the clerk of court shall notify the governor that the title to the real estate is vested in the state by decree of the court. Any real estate, the title to which is acquired by the state under this chapter, shall be sold in the manner provided by law for the foreclosure of a mortgage on real estate for default of payment, the proceeds of the sale shall be used to pay court costs, and the remaining funds, if any, shall be paid to the person divested of the property but only in an amount not exceeding the actual cost paid by the person for that property. Proceeds remaining after the payment of court costs and the payment to the person divested of the property shall become a part of the funds of the county or counties in which the land is located, in proportion to the part of the land in each county.