Rule 7.5 - Referees in probate7. 5(1)Duties.a. Referees as masters. Unless otherwise directed by the court, a referee in probate appointed by the district court pursuant to Iowa Code section 633.20, and determined by the court to be qualified to serve as a master, shall have the powers to perform all the duties required of masters appointed by the court in civil actions (Iowa Rs. Civ. P. 1.935 - 1.942 ) and shall examine all reports, applications and petitions in probate and in trusts requiring action by the court.b. Other referees. A referee in probate not determined by the court to be qualified to serve as a master shall have authority to examine probate files to make the report provided by rule 7.4.c. Referee reports. The report of the referee shall be in writing on a form which substantially complies with the form that accompanies these rules and shall contain such matters as the court may request as shown by the files and reports in the clerk's office. If the referee is authorized to act as a master, the report shall also contain recommendations of the referee as to what ought to be done relative to the reports when considered by the court. No final report will be approved until the report of the referee is presented to the court, it being contemplated that such presentation shall be made expeditiously and without delay.d. Other duties. In addition to the powers and duties of the referee in probate prescribed by this rule, the referee shall perform such duties as the court may require.7. 5(2)Fees.a. The referee shall be paid a fee for services as permitted under a schedule established under Iowa Code section 633.21, unless a referee and any assistant are appointed for the county for all matters in probate in the county and are paid an annual compensation.b. Referee fees shall be taxed and collected by the clerk as other costs, and such fees shall be in addition to all other fees charged and collected by the clerk in probate matters as required by Iowa Code section 633.31.c. In such cases where a referee and any assistant are paid an annual compensation, any excess of fees remaining after payment of such other expenses as are approved by the court shall be disbursed pursuant to the Code. Court Order December 18, 1980, effective January 1, 1981; Report November 9, 2001, effective February 15, 2002.