How does probate work in Colorado?

1. Governing Code. Colorado Probate Code, C.R.S. Title 15. Colorado has adopted the Uniform Probate Code and closely follows it.

2. Court. District Court in the county of the decedent's domicile; in Denver, the Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction (C.R.S. § 15-10-302).

3. Petition to Open. Application or Petition for Probate filed by the named personal representative or interested person under C.R.S. § 15-12-301 (informal) or § 15-12-401 (formal).

4. Letters Testamentary / Letters of Administration. Issued under C.R.S. § 15-12-103 after appointment, oath, and any required bond.

5. Notice to Creditors. Published once a week for 3 consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation under C.R.S. § 15-12-801. Direct notice to known creditors. Creditor claim deadline is 4 months after first publication, or 60 days after actual notice (C.R.S. § 15-12-803).

6. Inventory. Filed with the court or distributed to interested persons within 3 months of appointment under C.R.S. § 15-12-706.

7. Informal/Unsupervised Administration. Colorado's default is Informal, Unsupervised Administration under C.R.S. § 15-12-301, with minimal court involvement. Supervised Administration is available on request under § 15-12-501.

8. Small-Estate Procedure. Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit under C.R.S. § 15-12-1201 for estates not exceeding the inflation-adjusted limit ($80,000 for 2024) when no real property is owned. Summary Administrative Procedure under C.R.S. § 15-12-1203.

9. Closing. Informal: Verified Statement Closing Administration under C.R.S. § 15-12-1003. Formal: Petition for Complete Settlement under C.R.S. § 15-12-1001.

10. Probate Avoidance. Colorado Beneficiary Deed for real property under C.R.S. § 15-15-401 et seq., revocable living trust, joint tenancy with right of survivorship, POD/TOD accounts, beneficiary designations.

This is legal information, not legal advice.