Forms for Settling an Estate in Colorado

Free forms for settling an estate in Colorado: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.

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Petition for Probate and Letters

In Colorado, the petition asks the District Court of the county where the decedent lived to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableC.R.S. § 15-12-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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Renunciation of Executor

In Colorado, a person named as personal representative may renounce the right to serveC.R.S. § 15-12-203(3)Verified Sep 22, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.

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Affidavit of Heirship

In Colorado, heirs put their identity on the land records with a recorded affidavit of facts affecting title that states who the heirs areC.R.S. §§ 38-35-113, 38-35-109; 15-12-1302 to 15-12-1306; 42-6-114Verified Sep 24, 2026View source; once recorded it is prima facie evidence of the facts stated.

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Small Estate Affidavit

In Colorado, the Collection of Personal Property by AffidavitC.R.S. § 15-12-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates with personal property of $88,000C.R.S. § 15-12-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 10 daysC.R.S. § 15-12-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.

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Estate Inventory

In Colorado, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysC.R.S. § 15-12-706Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.

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Estate Closing

In Colorado, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsC.R.S. § 15-12-1003(2), § 15-12-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.

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Letter of Instruction

Prepare the letter a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement, addressed to its claims department.

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Digital Assets Recovery Letter

Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.

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Tools for Settling an Estate in Colorado

Free tools for settling an estate in Colorado: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Colorado pays executors reasonable compensationC.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.

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Can I Self-File Probate?

In Colorado, informal probate is availableC.R.S. § 15-12-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.

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How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

In Colorado, the District Court of the county where the decedent lived appoints the personal representative and the Probate registrar in informal proceedings issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableC.R.S. § 15-12-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

In Colorado, creditors have 4 monthsC.R.S. § 15-12-801(1) (4 months from first publication); § 15-12-803(1)(a)(III) (one-year-from-death outer bar)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.

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What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

When an estate owes more than it holds, Colorado pays the claims in 10C.R.S. § 15-12-805Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with property held by decedent as fiduciary or trustee.

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How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?

Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.

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What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.

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Hire a Colorado Probate Attorney

Browse 96 probate firms in Colorado with addresses, contact info, and practice details.

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Colorado Estate Settlement Resources

In-depth guides covering Colorado probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.