What to Do When Someone Dies in Arapahoe County, Colorado
Probate in Arapahoe County runs through the District Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Arapahoe County, settling their estate runs through the District Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
District Court
Arapahoe County · 18th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Departments
- Records Requests
- Littleton Courthouse
18th Judicial District. Email: 18records@judicial.state.co.us. Does not accept faxed documents.
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works 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.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Colorado intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Colorado estates take 6 months to 9 months to move through this process. The 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 creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What Probate Costs in Arapahoe County
What probate costs in Arapahoe County, Colorado comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the District Court at 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial. The court is part of the 18th Judicial District.
Probate matters are handled through Records Requests and Littleton Courthouse. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Local procedures at this court: Self-represented parties may file in paper format. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
Colorado charges $229CO Judicial Branch List of Fees (probate); C.R.S. § 13-32-102(1)(b), (7); HB 24-1286. Verified 2026-09-08 against CRS 2026 Title 13 and the live CO Judicial Branch List of FeesVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the District Court (https://www.jbits.courts.state.co.us/efiling/web/login.htm). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Colorado are negotiated, typically 2%C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.1%C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 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 estate value. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Colorado requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
Probate in Colorado typically runs 6 months to 9 months, and costs accrue throughout. The 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 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
How to File Probate at the District Court
If you're handling probate yourself in Arapahoe County, Colorado, you can file at the District Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms. The court sits in the 18th Judicial District.
Filings here are routed through Records Requests and Littleton Courthouse. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Arapahoe County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationCan You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the District Court is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Arapahoe County Self-Filing Assessment.
Arapahoe County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Self-represented parties may file in paper format
Self-represented (pro se) litigants are not required to use ICCES electronic filing per Chief Justice Directive 11-01. Paper filings may be submitted in person or by mail, and court staff will scan and upload documents into the E-Filing system.
SourceBefore You Go
You can file in person without an appointment. No appointment required to file; self-represented filers may bring paper probate filings to the clerk counter during business hours and staff scan them into ICCES (Chief Justice Directive 11-01).
What to Bring
To file at the District Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Transferring Property in Arapahoe County
Clearing title to real estate after a death—recording a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order—happens at the County Clerk and Recorder.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk and Recorder
Arapahoe County
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $43 |
Effective July 1, 2025, Colorado recording fees changed from a per-page structure to a flat $43.00 per document ($40.00 base fee under CRS 30-1-103(1) + $3.00 in surcharges under CRS 30-10-421(1) and CRS 24-21-403(2)). No fee is charged for recording a certificate of death, a verification of death document, or a certified copy thereof (CRS 30-1-103(1), as amended by HB24-1269). E-recording is available in most counties via Simplifile or CSC.
CRS 30-1-103(1) (recording fee, $40 flat); CRS 30-10-421(1)(b) (filing surcharge, $1); CRS 24-21-403(2) (electronic recording technology board surcharge, up to $2); CRS 39-13-102 (documentary fee); HB24-1269 (flat fee amendment)
Transfer tax
Documentary fee of $0.01 per $100 of consideration when consideration exceeds $500 (CRS 39-13-102). Transfer-on-death deeds are generally exempt (No documentary fee is due on a Colorado beneficiary deed. CRS 15-15-402(1): "A beneficiary deed need not be supported by consideration." CRS 39-13-102(2)(a): "When there is no consideration ... no documentary fee shall be payable." The deed transfers nothing until the owner's death (CRS 15-15-402(1)).). The documentary fee is collected by the County Clerk and Recorder at the time of recording. It applies to warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, personal representative deeds, and other instruments where consideration exceeding $500 is exchanged.
Verified September 4, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Arapahoe County
Colorado allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Arapahoe County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Colorado are based on reasonable compensation — typically 2%C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.1%C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Arapahoe County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the District Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Denver Metro Firms
Chayet & Danzo, LLC
FirmDenver boutique elder law and estate planning firm in business over 25 years, handling Medicaid and long-term-care planning, probate administration and litigation, guardianships, conservatorships, and special needs trusts. Offers free initial consultations and will travel to meet clients across the metro area.
Location
650 S. Cherry St., Suite 710Denver, CO 80246
Phone
(303) 951-9243
Service Area
5 counties
Coan Payton & Payne (CP2 Law)
FirmColorado business and estate firm with offices in Denver, Fort Collins, and Greeley, serving the Front Range and northern counties on estate planning, probate and trust administration, and probate and trust litigation. Strong bench for fiduciaries and for family-owned business and agricultural succession.
Location
999 18th Street, Suite S-3100Denver, CO 80202
Phone
(303) 861-8888
Service Area
5 counties
Don A. McCullough, Attorney at Law
Solo PracticeDenver-based attorney with 35+ years of experience in wills, trusts, estate planning and probate law. Serves Denver metropolitan area and Boulder.
Location
950 S. Cherry Street, Suite 418Denver, CO 80246
Phone
(303) 782-4900
Service Area
5 counties
Duncan Legal, P.C.
FirmCentennial estate planning firm established in 2004, providing individuals, families, and businesses with reliable legal guidance for estate planning and probate matters.
Location
6436 S Racine Cir, Ste 227Centennial, CO 80111
Phone
(303) 394-2358
Established
2004
Service Area
3 counties
Ellmann & Ellmann, P.C.
FirmCastle Rock estate planning firm where attorneys Kevin and Martina Ellmann handle wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate for Douglas, Elbert, and Arapahoe county families. Offers free estate planning consultations.
Location
3740 Dacoro Lane, Suite 200Castle Rock, CO 80109
Phone
(303) 814-2600
Service Area
7 counties
Evans Case, LLP
FirmFull-service Denver law firm specializing in probate law, estate planning, elder law, and related litigation matters.
Location
1660 S. Albion Street, Suite 1100Denver, CO 80222
Phone
(303) 757-8300
Service Area
5 counties
Frigon & Beversluis Law (formerly BJF Law)
FirmEnglewood firm (formerly BJF Law) serving the south Denver metro on probate, trust administration, and estate and trust litigation, plus simple and complex estate plans. Nationally known for special needs trusts and the public-benefit and tax issues that arise in personal injury settlements, including Medicaid liens and Medicare set-asides.
Location
7887 E. Belleview Ave., Suite 1100Englewood, CO 80111
Phone
(720) 200-4025
Service Area
3 counties
Gantenbein Law Firm
Solo PracticeDenver firm providing holistic estate planning, probate, elder law, real estate, business, and tax services across the Denver metro area.
Location
1760 Gaylord StDenver, CO 80206
Phone
(303) 618-2122
Service Area
4 counties
Glatstein & O'Brien LLP
FirmDenver firm that limits its practice to Colorado probate administration, probate litigation, elder law, and estate planning, handling contested estates, guardianships, and conservatorships across the Front Range. Schedules phone appointments for out-of-state heirs and personal representatives dealing with a Colorado estate.
Location
2696 South Colorado Boulevard, Suite 350Denver, CO 80222
Phone
(303) 731-3986
Service Area
6 counties
Jones Law Office, LLC
Solo PracticeEvergreen attorney with 25+ years in trust and estate work, serving Jefferson and the foothill and mountain counties including Golden, Georgetown, Black Hawk, and Fairplay. Builds customized estate plans and supervises probate and trust administration, representing heirs, beneficiaries, and successor trustees, and serving as a professional fiduciary in conservatorship and trustee roles.
Location
32186 Castle Ct, Suite 301Evergreen, CO 80439
Phone
(303) 469-2340
Service Area
7 counties
Kroll Law Offices, P.C.
FirmEstate planning firm with Lakewood and Denver offices serving Jefferson, Denver, and Arapahoe counties. Handles wills, trusts, asset protection, and tax planning, plus probate and estate and trust administration after a death. Offers free consultations and remote/virtual appointments.
Location
165 S Union Blvd, Suite 456Lakewood, CO 80228
Phone
(720) 680-0015
Service Area
3 counties
Law Office of Anna L. Burr
FirmAurora firm serving Arapahoe, Denver, and Douglas counties with estate planning and probate. Builds wills, trusts, and special-needs and Medicaid plans for blended families, unmarried partners, and families with special-needs children, and handles trust administration, guardianship, and conservatorship. Offers complimentary initial consultations.
Location
2851 S. Parker Road Suite 230Aurora, CO 80014
Phone
(720) 500-2076
Service Area
3 counties
Miller & Steiert, P.C.
FirmLittleton firm founded in 1959, serving Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Denver counties. Drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, and handles probate and estate administration, including contested probate litigation.
Location
1901 West Littleton BlvdLittleton, CO 80120
Phone
(303) 798-2525
Established
1959
Service Area
3 counties
Mitchell & Faix
FirmDenver estate firm (formerly Ambler Keenan Mitchell Johnson, renamed January 2026) serving the metro counties from the Cherry Creek area. Practice is limited to estate planning, probate, and trust administration, with depth in special needs planning, blended-family protection, and LGBTQ estate planning. Consultations are free for anyone facing an estate administration after a death.
Location
950 S Cherry Street, Suite 1650Denver, CO 80246
Phone
(303) 407-1542
Service Area
4 counties
Poskus & Klein, P.C.
FirmDowntown Denver firm handling probate, estate planning and administration for Denver-metro families. Also takes trust administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and will contests, with 30-plus years of combined experience in the Denver and Boulder-area probate courts.
Location
303 East 17th Avenue, Suite 900Denver, CO 80203
Phone
(303) 835-0049
Service Area
8 counties
Robinson & Henry, P.C.
FirmMulti-office Colorado firm (Denver, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Centennial) handling probate and estate administration from court filings through asset distribution, plus will and trust drafting and probate disputes for Front Range families. Free consultations on most matters.
Location
7555 East Hampden Ave, Ste 600Denver, CO 80231
Phone
(303) 688-0944
Service Area
8 counties
Scarola Law, LLC
Solo PracticeFemale-owned Castle Rock estate planning firm founded in 2016, specializing in estate planning, probate administration, and business law matters.
Location
610 Jerry St, Ste 200Castle Rock, CO 80104
Phone
(720) 463-3573
Established
2016
Service Area
3 counties
Solem Woodward & McKinley, P.C.
FirmEnglewood firm founded 1990, dedicated full-service estate planning and probate practice with strong elder law and Medicaid planning depth. Serves the south Denver metro area.
Location
750 W. Hampden Ave, Suite 505Englewood, CO 80110
Phone
(303) 761-4900
Established
1990
Service Area
4 counties
The Hickey Law Firm, LLC
Solo PracticeLakewood firm serving Jefferson, Denver, and Arapahoe counties, in practice since 2002. Drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney with flat-rate plans, and handles probate and estate administration for personal representatives and beneficiaries. Offers discounts for couples, seniors, and military or first responders.
Location
1075 South Yukon St, Ste 260Lakewood, CO 80226
Phone
(720) 316-2074
Service Area
3 counties
Wade Ash LLC
FirmSophisticated estate planning firm with offices in Denver and Glenwood Springs, with unparalleled experience in estate and tax planning, probate, trust administration, and estate litigation.
Location
5251 DTC Parkway Suite 825Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone
(303) 322-8943
Service Area
7 counties
Firms from Neighboring Regions
Anzen Legal Group
FirmFort Collins probate attorneys who help individuals and families navigate probate efficiently, resolve disputes, and ensure that estate administration is handled correctly. Statewide service. Consultations are free.
Location
343 W Drake Road, Suite 270Fort Collins, CO 80526
Phone
(970) 893-8857
Established
2021
Service Area
11 counties
Anderson Law Group
FirmSalida firm serving the Upper Arkansas Valley (Chaffee, Lake, and Fremont) since 1998, with a second office in Denver. Handles estate planning alongside real estate, business, family law, and civil litigation. Consultations are free at either office.
Location
7385 W US Highway 50Salida, CO 81201
Phone
(719) 539-7003
Established
1998
Service Area
4 counties
Chapman Law, PLLC
FirmPueblo estate planning and probate firm, with a second office in the Denver Tech Center. Foundation of the practice is estate planning, trusts, and probate, alongside trust administration and related civil litigation. Consultations are available by phone or video where appropriate.
Location
310 S. Victoria Ave., Suite GPueblo, CO 81003
Phone
(719) 497-9790
Service Area
4 counties
Mason Law & Planning Group
Solo PracticeMonument firm with a second office in Castle Rock, serving the Tri-Lakes corridor and northern El Paso County (plus Teller, Park, and Douglas) with estate and business planning since 2012. Prepares wills, trusts, succession plans, and charitable-giving strategies, and handles trust administration and probate. Runs free public estate planning dinner seminars.
Location
16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 301Monument, CO 80132
Phone
(719) 428-4495
Established
2012
Service Area
4 counties
Maynes, Bradford, Shipps & Sheftel LLP
FirmDurango firm practicing in Colorado and the Four Corners region since 1961, serving La Plata, Archuleta, and Montezuma counties. Estate attorneys handle personal estate planning, probate, and trust administration, with a partner whose practice centers on estate and trust litigation.
Location
835 E 2nd Ave (Suite 123)Durango, CO 81301
Phone
(970) 247-1755
Service Area
3 counties
Stone Law LLC
FirmMulti-location firm serving Colorado's Front Range from Loveland to Lakewood, creating customized estate plans with asset protection and elder law expertise. Estate planning consultations are free.
Location
430 E 6th StLoveland, CO 80537
Phone
(877) 897-6591
Service Area
4 counties
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Legal Sources
- C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- C.R.S. § 15-12-801(1) (4 months from first publication); § 15-12-803(1)(a)(III) (one-year-from-death outer bar)
- CO Judicial Branch List of Fees (probate); C.R.S. § 13-32-102(1)(b), (7); HB 24-1286. Verified 2026-09-08 against CRS 2026 Title 13 and the live CO Judicial Branch List of Fees
- Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)
Data sourced from Colorado statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
You open probate by filing a petition with the District Court in Arapahoe County, attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee ($229). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.
Total probate costs on a $500,000 estate run about $26,082 statewide in Colorado. For Arapahoe County, that means filing fees ($229 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
Yes. The District Court in Arapahoe County accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.
Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The Colorado self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.
A simple Colorado probate typically closes in 4–6 months; average estates run 6–9 months. The mandatory creditor-claim period accounts for much of that, so even uncontested estates rarely close quickly.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Arapahoe County probate.
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