Free Colorado Petition for Probate

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 available.

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You & the Will

Colorado provides an official fillable petition; we complete it for you.

State Where the Estate Will Be Probated*

The state where the decedent was domiciled. Only states where a self-represented filer can prepare this document are listed.

Did the decedent leave a will?*

Yes — there is a will (request Letters Testamentary)No — there is no will (request Letters of Administration)

Your First Name*

Middle Name

Your Last Name*

Your Relationship to the Decedent*

How you are related to the person who died. Being named executor in the will is asked separately.

Your Street Address*

City*

ZIP Code*

Email Address*

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Yes. Colorado publishes Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative (JDF 920) (JDF 920), filed with the District Court of the county where the decedent lived. Colorado's e-filing is attorneys only, so a self-represented filer files on paper.

The petition. Letters are issued, never filled out: Probate registrar in informal proceedings issues Letters Testamentary (with a will) or Letters of Administration (no will) after the court grants the petition. The petition asks the District Court of the county where the decedent lived to admit the will where there is one and to appoint you, and it states who died, when and where, whether there is a will, who the heirs or beneficiaries are, and what the estate is worth.

Beside the petition, the Colorado packet carries: Original will and any codicils (lodged/deposited with the court) (C.R.S. §§ 15-11-515 "Deposit of will with court in testator's lifetime", 15-11-516 "Duty of custodian of will; lodging of will after death"); Acceptance of Appointment (JDF 911); Proposed order submitted with the application/petition: informal JDF 913 (with a will) / JDF 917 (no will); formal JDF 921 (with a will) / JDF 923 (no will); Renunciation and/or Nomination of Personal Representative where a higher-priority person yields (JDF 912). The court's own checklist runs longer for particular cases.

Colorado's court filing fee is $229, paid to the District Court of the county where the decedent lived when the petition is filed. Publication, certified copies and any bond premium are charged separately. The Colorado probate cost calculator sets the fee beside attorney and executor fees.

The District Court of the county where the decedent lived reviews the petition and, where it is in order, grants it. Colorado does not require a bond by default, though the court can order one. Probate registrar in informal proceedings then issues the Letters. With Letters in hand the representative opens the estate account, gives creditor notice and collects the assets; the Colorado estate settlement plan carries each step in order.

Opening Probate in Colorado

To settle an estate in Colorado, a personal representative is appointed first, an executor where there is a will and an administrator where there is none, and Letters issue to that person. The application is a petition filed with the District Court of the county where the decedent lived. The Probate registrar in informal proceedings issues Letters Testamentary (with a will) or Letters of Administration (no will) after the court grants the petition.

Colorado publishes Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative (JDF 920) (JDF 920) as the statewide petition; the document is that form, completed from the facts of the decedent, the estate and the heirs or beneficiaries. Signed, it is filed with the District Court of the county where the decedent lived. Colorado's e-filing is attorneys only, so a self-represented filer's petition goes in on paper.

In Colorado, filed with the petition: Original will and any codicils (lodged/deposited with the court) (C.R.S. §§ 15-11-515 "Deposit of will with court in testator's lifetime", 15-11-516 "Duty of custodian of will; lodging of will after death"); Acceptance of Appointment (JDF 911); Proposed order submitted with the application/petition: informal JDF 913 (with a will) / JDF 917 (no will); formal JDF 921 (with a will) / JDF 923 (no will); Renunciation and/or Nomination of Personal Representative where a higher-priority person yields (JDF 912).

The court filing fee is $229, paid to the District Court of the county where the decedent lived when the petition is filed; publication, certified copies and any bond premium are charged separately. A bond is not required by default; the court can order one. The District Court of the county where the decedent lived reviews the petition and, where it is in order, grants it; the Probate registrar in informal proceedings then issues the Letters.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated September 8, 2026

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Colorado statutes and official state code. How we research.

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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 available.

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When an estate owes more than it holds, Colorado pays the claims in 10 classes in statutory order, beginning with property held by decedent as fiduciary or trustee.

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Free Colorado Petition for Probate

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Opening Probate in Colorado

Free Colorado Petition for Probate

You & the Will

Is this your situation?

Named as Executor

Death of a Parent

Loss of a Spouse

Forms for Settling an Estate in Colorado

Notice to Creditors

Renunciation of Executor

Affidavit of Heirship

Small Estate Affidavit

Estate Inventory

Estate Closing

Letter of Instruction

Digital Assets Recovery Letter

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Can I Self-File Probate?

How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?

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

Hire a Colorado Probate Attorney

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Colorado Estate Settlement Resources

Free Colorado Petition for Probate

You & the Will