What to Do When Someone Dies in Larimer County, Colorado
Probate in Larimer County runs through the Combined 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 Larimer County, settling their estate runs through the Combined 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
Combined Court
Larimer County · 8th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
Departments
- Court Resource Center970-494-3581Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Tue/Thu 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Email: 08CourtResourceCenter@judicial.state.co.us
- Collections970-494-3530 · 08Collections@judicial.state.co.us
- Loveland County Court970-622-2100Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM; 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Email: 08RecordsRequest@judicial.state.co.us
8th Judicial District. Email: 08RecordRequest@judicial.state.co.us. Court Resource Center hours vary by day. Probate clinic 2nd Tuesday monthly 3-5 PM.
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Larimer 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 Larimer County, probate runs through the Combined Court at 201 LaPorte Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Collins. The court sits in the 8th Judicial District. The same 8th Judicial District also serves Jackson.
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 Larimer County
What probate costs in Larimer 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 201 LaPorte Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Collins. The court is part of the 8th Judicial District.
Probate matters are handled through Court Resource Center, Collections, and Loveland County Court. 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 Combined 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 Combined Court
If you're handling probate yourself in Larimer County, Colorado, you can file at the Combined 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 8th Judicial District.
Filings here are routed through Court Resource Center, Collections, and Loveland County Court. 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 Larimer 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 Combined Court is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Larimer County Self-Filing Assessment.
Larimer 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 Combined 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 Larimer 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
Larimer 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 Larimer County
Colorado allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Larimer 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 Larimer 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.
Fort Collins & Northern Front Range Firms
Althoff Law
Solo PracticeSpecializes in wills, trusts, estate planning, estate administration, and probate, serving Greeley, Loveland, and Fort Collins in Northern Colorado.
Location
713 Sandpiper PointFort Collins, CO 80525
Phone
(970) 223-5913
Established
2005
Service Area
2 counties
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
Charles C. Tucker PLLC
Solo PracticeFort Collins attorney serving Larimer and Weld counties, including Windsor and Loveland, in estate planning, probate, and trust administration since 2002. Maintains an active subspecialty in planning for owners of businesses, rental properties, and agricultural land. Opens with a free 30-minute phone or video meeting.
Location
155 East Boardwalk Drive, Suite 487Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone
(970) 237-2394
Service Area
2 counties
Gant Law Office
FirmGreeley firm handling probate and estate planning for Weld and Larimer counties alongside family law and criminal defense, serving Windsor, Fort Collins, and Loveland. Offers secure virtual appointments to clients anywhere in Colorado.
Location
8213 W 20th St Ste GGreeley, CO 80634
Phone
(970) 368-3684
Service Area
2 counties
Gookin Law, LLC
Solo PracticeLoveland practice where attorney Jill Gookin focuses on wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate for Larimer and Weld county families, with a sideline in planning that provides for pets. Offers a free initial consultation.
Location
1931 N. Boise Ave, Suite #114Loveland, CO 80538
Phone
(970) 414-0849
Service Area
2 counties
Ores Law
FirmLoveland attorney representing personal representatives and family members through probate across northern Colorado (Larimer and Weld counties), including Fort Collins, Estes Park, Berthoud, Greeley, Johnstown, and Longmont. Also drafts wills and trusts, with free consultations and virtual appointments available.
Location
107 W 29th St, Ste 205Loveland, CO 80538
Phone
(970) 461-0754
Service Area
2 counties
Randy L. Williams, Clark and Williams, LLC
FirmLoveland attorney representing northern Colorado clients in estate planning, probate administration and litigation, drafting wills, trusts, powers of attorney and living wills. In private practice since 1980 after serving as a Loveland deputy district attorney, with four decades in the Larimer and Weld County courts.
Location
2881 North Monroe Ave Suite 1Loveland, CO 80538
Phone
(970) 744-4974
Service Area
2 counties
Sacco Law Firm, LLC
FirmGreeley/Loveland firm (est. 1984) serving Weld, Larimer, Morgan, and Logan counties with simple and complex estate plans, probate, and asset-protection planning, alongside business and real-estate work. Uses alternative billing to keep costs low for northern Colorado families and small businesses.
Location
3553 Clydesdale Parkway, Suite 230Loveland, CO 80538
Phone
(970) 356-8000
Service Area
4 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
W.B. Moore Law LLC
Solo PracticeExperienced Fort Collins attorney with over 40 years in practice, specializing in estate planning and business law with flexible consultation options.
Location
2809 E. Harmony Road, Suite 100Fort Collins, CO 80528
Phone
(970) 425-0800
Service Area
2 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 Combined Court in Larimer 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 Larimer 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 Combined Court in Larimer 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 Larimer County probate.
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