What to Do When Someone Dies in Arapahoe County, Colorado

How probate works in Arapahoe County: the District Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

Probate Court Record

Arapahoe County District Court

Arapahoe County · 18th Judicial District

Hours

Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-4:30 PM

Office

7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, CO 80112

Filing in person

Walk-ins accepted

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

E-filing

Required for attorneysAttorneys must e-file probate cases through Colorado Courts E-Filing, under the district's mandatory e-filing order. An attorney who files on paper is charged $50 a document. A filer without a lawyer files on paper; e-filing for self-represented parties is open only in domestic relations and eviction cases.

Filing in person

Walk-ins acceptedProbate papers and the original will are filed with the clerk at the courthouse during office hours.

Self-represented filing

AllowedColorado's estate forms are statewide: JDF 910 or 916 to open an estate informally and JDF 920 or 922 to open one formally, with instructions on the Judicial Branch's Open an Estate page. The estate is opened in the district court of the county where the decedent lived.

Self-help center

  • Courthouse II, Room 131, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial1-303-645-6845 · 18SelfHelp@judicial.state.co.us · Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-4:00 PMThe Self-Help Center gives procedural information to people without a lawyer, including the probate forms to open an estate. It does not give legal advice, and filings sent to its email address are not accepted.

Verified October 15, 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. Creditors have 4 monthsC.R.S. §§ 15-12-801, 15-12-803, 15-12-805, 15-12-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.

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.

Colorado charges $229CO Judicial Branch List of Fees (probate); C.R.S. § 13-32-102(1)(b), (7); HB 24-1286Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Colorado are negotiated, typically 2%Modeled estimate under C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.1%Modeled estimate under C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Colorado allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payC.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Colorado requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.

Probate in Colorado typically runs 6 months to 9 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the District Court

Probate cases in Arapahoe County, Colorado are filed at the District Court. The court sits in the 18th Judicial District.

Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Probate and mental health, Records, and Littleton Courthouse.

The Self-Help Center gives procedural information to people without a lawyer, including the probate forms to open an estate. It does not give legal advice, and filings sent to its email address are not accepted.

Can You File Without an Attorney?

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.

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 filers file on paper

A filer without a lawyer files probate papers on paper with the clerk.

Source

Probate filings may be emailed or mailed instead of filed in person

The court's probate sheet invites filings in Word or PDF format by email to AcjcClerk@judicial.state.co.us, or by mail to 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, as an alternative to filing in person. Original documents, including the will, are sent to the court.

Source

The court does not accept faxed documents

Source

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the District Court: 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)C.R.S. §§ 15-12-301 to 15-12-311 (informal probate & appointment); §§ 15-12-401 to 15-12-414 (formal); § 15-12-701 et seq. (powers / Letters as proof of authority)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Transferring Property in Arapahoe County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Clerk and Recorder.

Deeds and other real property documents for Arapahoe County are recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder at 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, CO 80120. Phone: 1-303-795-4520. Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-4:00 PM.

The County Clerk and Recorder charges $43 flat, regardless of page count.

Arapahoe County accepts electronic recording through Neumo, CSC, ePN and Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk and Recorder

Arapahoe County

Hours

Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-4:00 PM

Office

5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, CO 80120

Fees

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$43
Transfer tax on a TOD deedTOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax

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)

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

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, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask an 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.

Solo PracticeDenver, CO

Don A. McCullough, Attorney at Law

Serves 9 counties

Serves the Denver metropolitan area and other Colorado cities from an office on South Cherry Street in Denver. Attorney Don A. McCullough handles wills, trusts, and probate alongside business, contract, and real estate matters. He has practiced law for more than 35 years and is an inactive Certified Public Accountant.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
950 S. Cherry Street, Suite 418Denver, CO 80246

Solo PracticeCentennial, CO

Duncan Legal, P.C.

Serves 3 counties

Serves Centennial, Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, and Denver from an office near the Arapahoe County Courthouse. Attorney Carolyn Duncan guides personal representatives through informal and formal probate and handles trust administration, guardianships, and conservatorships, alongside wills, revocable trusts, and special needs trusts.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipand 2 more

Office
6436 S Racine Cir, Ste 227Centennial, CO 80111

FirmCastle Rock, CO

Ellmann & Ellmann, P.C.

Serves 7 counties

Serves Douglas, Elbert, Arapahoe, Denver, Adams, Lincoln, and Jefferson counties from Castle Rock. Attorney Martina Ellmann focuses on probate matters, and the firm drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and living wills and handles guardianships and conservatorships, alongside criminal defense and family law.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
3740 Dacoro Lane, Suite 200Castle Rock, CO 80109
Free consultation

Solo PracticeEnglewood, CO

Frigon & Beversluis Law

Serves 2 counties

Serves clients from offices in Englewood and Steamboat Springs. Advises personal representatives and trustees on estate and trust administration, including tax returns, creditors, and distribution, and handles will contests and breach of fiduciary duty claims. Nationally recognized for special needs planning and tax matters, including Medicaid liens in personal injury settlements.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 8 more

Office
7887 E. Belleview Ave., Suite 1100Englewood, CO 80111

FirmAurora, CO

Law Office of Anna L. Burr

Serves 3 counties

Serves Arapahoe, Denver, and Douglas counties from Aurora, with location pages for Aurora, Centennial, Parker, and Denver. Supports executors and administrators through probate inventories, notices, and petitions, and guides trustees through trust administration, conservatorships, and guardianships. Plans for blended families, unmarried partners, and families with special-needs children.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 6 more

Office
2851 S. Parker Road Suite 230Aurora, CO 80014
Free consultation

FirmLittleton, CO

Miller & Steiert, P.C.

Since 1959 · Serves 5 counties

Serves Denver and Northern Colorado communities including Boulder, Fort Collins, and Greeley from Littleton. Handles informal and formal probate, from appointing a personal representative through inventory, creditor claims, distribution, and closing, plus will contests, guardianships, and conservatorships. A litigation-based practice since its founding in 1959.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationConservatorshipand 7 more

Office
1901 West Littleton BlvdLittleton, CO 80120
See all 32 firms serving Arapahoe County →

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.

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Legal Sources

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Data sourced from Colorado statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.

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 Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Colorado: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysC.R.S. § 15-12-706Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsC.R.S. §§ 15-12-801, 15-12-803, 15-12-805, 15-12-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.

Get Plan

How Do I Settle a Trust?

Settling a trust in Colorado happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeC.R.S. § 15-5-101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysC.R.S. § 15-5-813Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.

Get Plan

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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