What to Do When Someone Dies in Lake County, Colorado

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

Probate Court Record

Lake County Combined Court

Lake County · 5th Judicial District

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM

Office

505 Harrison Avenue, Leadville, CO 80461

Filing in person

Walk-ins accepted

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

E-filing

Required for attorneysAttorneys file probate cases through Colorado Courts E-Filing. 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

  • Self-help service1-970-328-7036 · 05SelfHelp@judicial.state.co.us · Friday 11:00 AM-1:00 PMThe 5th Judicial District's self-represented litigant coordinator gives information on court procedures, rules and forms to people without a lawyer and holds virtual office hours on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the coordinator does not give legal advice.

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Lake 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 Lake County, probate runs through the Combined Court at 505 Harrison Avenue, Leadville. The court sits in the 5th Judicial District. Lake County shares the 5th Judicial District with Clear Creek, Eagle and Summit.

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 Lake County

What probate costs in Lake 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 Combined Court at 505 Harrison Avenue, Leadville. The court is part of the 5th 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 Combined Court

Probate cases in Lake County, Colorado are filed at the Combined Court. The court sits in the 5th Judicial District.

The 5th Judicial District's self-represented litigant coordinator gives information on court procedures, rules and forms to people without a lawyer and holds virtual office hours on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the coordinator does not give legal advice.

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 Lake County Self-Filing Assessment.

Lake 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

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the Combined 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 Lake 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 Lake County are recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder at 505 Harrison Avenue, Leadville, CO 80461. Phone: 1-719-486-4131. Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM-noon and 12:30 PM-5:30 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 917, Leadville, CO 80461.

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

Lake County accepts electronic recording through CSC.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk and Recorder

Lake County

Hours

Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM-noon and 12:30 PM-5:30 PM

Office

505 Harrison Avenue, Leadville, CO 80461

Mail

P.O. Box 917 Leadville, CO 80461

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Lake County

Colorado allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Lake 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 a Lake County firm to quote a structure up front.

A probate attorney files the petition with the Combined 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.

FirmBuena Vista, CO

JVAM Law (JVAM PLLC)

Serves 5 counties

Serves Chaffee, Pitkin, Garfield, Delta, and Grand counties from seven offices in Buena Vista, Salida, Aspen, Basalt, Glenwood Springs, Paonia, and Winter Park. Handles probate and trust administration and probate litigation for beneficiaries, personal representatives, and trustees, and builds wills, trusts, and succession plans. Managing partner Ann Jefferson leads the estate practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more

Office
315 W. Main StreetBuena Vista, CO 81211

Solo PracticeMinturn, CO

Law for Locals, LLC

Since 2010 · Serves 4 counties

Serves Eagle, Summit, Lake, and Clear Creek counties from Minturn. Attorney Melissa Decker handles probate paperwork and accounting for personal representatives, and prepares wills, trusts, durable medical powers of attorney, and living wills. Posts hourly rates of $175 to $225 for legal services.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBankruptcyBusiness Lawand 2 more

Office
291 Main St., 2nd FloorMinturn, CO 81645

Solo PracticeIdaho Springs, CO

Law Office of Sara Russell, LLC

Serves 5 counties

Serves the mountain communities west of Denver from Idaho Springs, from Evergreen and Georgetown to Leadville, Breckenridge, and the Vail Valley. Prepares estate plan packages and updates existing plans when circumstances change, alongside family-law, criminal, and property matters. Sara Russell is a former Deputy District Attorney for the Fifth Judicial District.

PracticesEstate PlanningCriminal DefenseFamily LawReal Estate

Office
PO Box 22Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Virtual consultations

Solo PracticeSteamboat Springs, CO

Berkey Law Firm, LLC

Serves the whole state

Serves Colorado statewide from Steamboat Springs, including Northwest Colorado and the mountain resort communities. Handles probate and trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, and drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and gift plans. Offers a free initial consultation, including by telephone.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipand 5 more

Office
1041 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 220Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmDenver, CO

Chayet & Danzo, LLC

Serves the whole state

Serves Colorado from offices in Denver and Edwards, and travels statewide to meet clients. Represents personal representatives, trustees, beneficiaries, and heirs in estate and trust administration and probate litigation, and handles guardianships and conservatorships. Managing partner Marco D. Chayet is Public Administrator for the 18th Judicial District. Consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more

Office
650 S. Cherry St., Suite 710Denver, CO 80246
Free consultation

FirmArvada, CO

Colorado Estate Planning Law Center

Since 1990 · Serves the whole state

Serves clients throughout Colorado from an Arvada office, including Sterling, Wray, Burlington, La Junta, and Ouray. A Probate and Trust Administration Department led by attorney Caroline Poole guides families through probate and trust settlement, alongside estate, business succession, elder law, and special needs planning. Founded in 1990; initial meetings are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 7 more

Office
6870 W 52nd Ave, Suite 103Arvada, CO 80002
Free consultation
See all 21 firms serving Lake 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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