Estate Planning & Probate in Arapahoe County, Colorado
Most Arapahoe County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. Pick the path that fits, then work from the local District Court details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the District Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Arapahoe County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Arapahoe County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Arapahoe County→The Probate Process in Arapahoe County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Arapahoe County, probate runs through the District Court at 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial. The court sits in the 18th Judicial District.
Full Arapahoe Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
District Court
Arapahoe County · 18th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk and Recorder
Arapahoe County
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
$43 flat, regardless of page count; TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt.
Full recording details →Verified September 4, 2026 · Source
Frequently Asked Questions
The District Court for Arapahoe County is located in Centennial, Colorado. Full address, phone, hours, and e-filing details are listed on this page.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys in Arapahoe County, but families handling probate without an attorney are exempt. Self-represented filers can submit paper documents at the District Court in person or by mail.
No. Colorado allows estates under $88,000 to use a Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit and skip formal probate. The waiting period is 10 days after death. Use the Colorado probate decision tool to see if the estate qualifies.
When there is no will, Colorado's intestate succession rules decide who inherits. Spouses, children, and parents are prioritized in that order. The Arapahoe County probate court applies the state rules without variation. See who inherits in Colorado for the exact order.
A revocable living trust is the cleanest way for most families to skip probate entirely. Assets titled to the trust pass to beneficiaries without court involvement, filing fees, or the Arapahoe County probate docket. Create a revocable trust online to avoid putting your family through this process later.
Colorado Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Arapahoe County.
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