Free Colorado Small Estate Affidavit

Complete Colorado's official JDF 999 Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit for estates up to $88,000. C.R.S. §§ 15-12-1201, 15-12-1202.

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Your Information

The Colorado affidavit identifies the claiming successor and the basis of entitlement.

Skipping probate?Settle the whole estate in one place.

State Where the Property Is Collected*

The decedent's state. Only states where this tool prepares the affidavit are listed; other states' pages explain their procedure.

Your Full Legal Name*

The successor signing the affidavit.

Your Entitlement to the Property*

Street Address*

City*

State

ZIP Code*

Telephone

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Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Small Estate Affidavits

Yes — JDF 999 Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit. This tool completes the official form with the estate, successor, and property details.

$88,000, per C.R.S. §§ 15-12-1201, 15-12-1202. This tool checks the entered estate value against the limit and does not prepare an affidavit for an estate over it.

10 days after the death (C.R.S. §§ 15-12-1201, 15-12-1202). The affidavit states that the waiting period has elapsed, so it cannot be signed earlier.

A person claiming to be a successor of the decedent, or a person acting on behalf of a successor; the affidavit is made by or on behalf of the successor. A person acting on behalf of a successor owes the successor the duties of an agent (§ 15-12-1201(4)), and JDF 999 requires the affiant be 18 or older. C.R.S. § 15-12-1201(1), (4).

The person or institution indebted to the decedent or holding the decedent's personal property — funds on deposit at or safe-deposit-box contents at a financial institution, tangible personal property, or instruments evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, chose in action, or stock brand. A transfer agent must re-register securities (§ 15-12-1201(2)) and the public official with cognizance over registered title must change registered ownership (§ 15-12-1201(3)) on the same affidavit.

The Colorado affidavit is signed before a notary (C.R.S. § 15-12-1201(1) ("affidavit"); JDF 999 § 3 (notarized signature)).

The person paying, delivering, transferring, or issuing property pursuant to the affidavit is discharged and released to the same extent as if dealing with a personal representative (§ 15-12-1202(1)); a holder who refuses without reasonable cause is liable for all costs including reasonable attorney fees once right is proven (§ 15-12-1202(3)); the recipient is answerable and accountable to any personal representative or other person having a superior right (§ 15-12-1202(4)).

The affidavit is not valid for the transfer of real estate (stated on JDF 999). Where an indebtedness collected by affidavit is secured by real property (mortgage/deed of trust), the affiant must record a copy of the affidavit and the death certificate with the clerk and recorder of the county where the real property is located (§ 15-12-1201(3.5)). C.R.S. § 15-12-1201(3.5).

Small Estate Collection in Colorado

In Colorado, the collection of personal property by affidavit is prepared on the state's own JDF 999 Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit. It is the instrument that collects a small estate's property without probate administration.

The C.R.S. §§ 15-12-1201, 15-12-1202 limit is $88,000. The affidavit can be signed 10 days after the death. An estate over the limit is administered through probate instead.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Small Estate Affidavits

Yes — JDF 999 Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit. This tool completes the official form with the estate, successor, and property details.

$88,000, per C.R.S. §§ 15-12-1201, 15-12-1202. This tool checks the entered estate value against the limit and does not prepare an affidavit for an estate over it.

10 days after the death (C.R.S. §§ 15-12-1201, 15-12-1202). The affidavit states that the waiting period has elapsed, so it cannot be signed earlier.

The Colorado affidavit is signed before a notary (C.R.S. § 15-12-1201(1) ("affidavit"); JDF 999 § 3 (notarized signature)).

Small Estate Collection in Colorado

The C.R.S. §§ 15-12-1201, 15-12-1202 limit is $88,000. The affidavit can be signed 10 days after the death. An estate over the limit is administered through probate instead.

Free Colorado Small Estate Affidavit

Your Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Small Estate Affidavits