What to Do When Someone Dies in Pueblo County, Colorado
Probate in Pueblo 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 Pueblo 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
Pueblo County · 10th Judicial District
Address
501 North Elizabeth StreetPueblo, CO 81003
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysWalk-ins acceptedSelf-filing allowed
Departments
- Probate (Room 116)
- Self-Help Center719-404-8752
- Judge Chostner Chambers719-404-8890
- Judge Markenson Chambers719-404-8720
10th Judicial District. Self-Help hours: Mon-Thu 9 AM - 4 PM, Fri 9 AM - 12 PM. No fax filings.
Verified June 2, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Pueblo 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 Pueblo, probate runs through the Combined Court at 501 North Elizabeth Street, Pueblo. The court sits in the 10th 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 monthsC.R.S. § 15-10-602Verified Jun 10, 2026View source to 9 monthsC.R.S. § 15-10-602Verified Jun 10, 2026View source to move through this process. The 4 monthsC.R.S. § 15-12-801Verified Jun 10, 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 Pueblo County
What probate costs in Pueblo 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 501 North Elizabeth Street, Pueblo. The court is part of the 10th Judicial District.
Probate matters are handled through Probate (Room 116), Self-Help Center, Judge Chostner Chambers, and Judge Markenson Chambers. 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 $229C.R.S. § 13-32-102(1)(b), (7); HB 2024-1286Verified Jun 10, 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 Jun 10, 2026View source to 4%C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 10, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation runs 2%C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 10, 2026View source to 4%C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 10, 2026View source of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. 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 monthsC.R.S. § 15-10-602Verified Jun 10, 2026View source to 9 monthsC.R.S. § 15-10-602Verified Jun 10, 2026View source, and costs accrue throughout. The 4 monthsC.R.S. § 15-12-801Verified Jun 10, 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 Pueblo 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 10th Judicial District.
Filings here are routed through Probate (Room 116), Self-Help Center, Judge Chostner Chambers, and Judge Markenson Chambers. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Pueblo County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
E-Filing Also Available
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 Pueblo County Self-Filing Assessment.
Pueblo 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
Walk-ins accepted
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 Pueblo 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
Pueblo County
Address
215 West 10th StreetPueblo, CO 81003
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
E-recording
Available via CSC / eRecording Partners Network / IndecommE-recording info →
Recording fees
| Base recording fee | $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 + $3.00 surcharge under CRS 30-1-103.5). No fee is charged for recording death certificates or verification of death documents (HB24-1269). E-recording is available in most counties via Simplifile or CSC.
CRS 30-1-103 (recording fee); CRS 30-1-103.5 (surcharge); 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 consideration exchanged at recording. Documentary fee under CRS 39-13-102 applies only to instruments conveying real property for value exceeding $500. TOD deeds involve no present transfer of ownership or consideration.). 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 is exchanged.
Verified June 3, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Pueblo County
Colorado allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Pueblo 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 Jun 10, 2026View source to 4%C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 10, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Pueblo 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.
Pueblo Firms
Banner, Bower & Coultrip, P.C.
FirmPueblo firm practicing for over 85 years, handling estate planning and probate for Pueblo County alongside business, real estate, and elder law. Drafts self-proving wills and trusts and represents personal representatives in Colorado probate court.
Location
115 E. Riverwalk, Suite 400, Pueblo, CO 81003Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone
(719) 544-5086
Established
1938
Service Area
1 county
Estate PlanningProbateHealthcare Law
Visit site
Chapman Law, PLLC
FirmEstate planning and probate firm with offices in Pueblo and Denver. Foundation of the practice is estate planning, trusts, and probate.
Location
310 S Victoria Street, Suite GPueblo, CO 81003
Phone
(719) 497-9790
Service Area
4 counties
Estate PlanningProbateWillsTrustsCivil Litigation
Free consultationVisit site
Johnston Law Firm, LLC
Solo PracticePueblo estate planning attorney serving southern Colorado, including Huerfano, Otero, Crowley, and Las Animas counties. Prepares wills, trusts, and special-needs plans, and structures assets for long-term-care Medicaid eligibility. Offers free initial consultations and flat-fee pricing.
Location
421 N. Main St., Suite 315, Pueblo, CO 81003Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone
(719) 309-9484
Service Area
7 counties
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsSpecial Needs PlanningAsset ProtectionElder LawMedicaid PlanningGuardianship
Free consultationVisit site
Kwitek McMillan Law
FirmPueblo firm serving Pueblo County with estate planning, probate, elder law, and Medicaid planning, alongside business, real estate, and water law. Attorney Linda McMillan serves as the Pueblo County Public Administrator, giving the firm deep familiarity with the local probate court.
Location
601 N. Main Street, Suite 200Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone
(719) 544-5081
Service Area
1 county
Estate PlanningProbateElder LawMedicaid PlanningBusiness LawReal EstateWater Law
Visit site
Mullans, Piersel & Reed, P.C.
FirmPueblo general-practice firm founded in 1989, serving Pueblo County families with estate planning aimed at avoiding probate where possible. When probate is required, guides executors through the process, including out-of-state estate property and creditor claims, alongside wills, trusts, and business matters.
Location
1311 N. Greenwood StPueblo, CO 81003
Phone
(719) 543-2040
Established
1989
Service Area
1 county
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateBusiness Law
Visit site
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.
Location
343 W Drake Road, Suite 270Fort Collins, CO 80526
Phone
(970) 893-8857
Established
2021
Service Area
11 counties
ProbateEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigation
Free consultationVisit site
Law Office of Dan Slater
Solo PracticeCanon City native attorney serving Fremont and the Arkansas Valley corridor (Florence, Westcliffe, Salida, Buena Vista, Pueblo, Colorado Springs). Drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, and handles probate, guardianships, conservatorships, and estate litigation including will contests.
Location
1415 Main StreetCanon City, CO 81212
Phone
(719) 269-3315
Service Area
5 counties
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateGuardianshipConservatorshipEstate LitigationPowers Of Attorney
Visit site
Naylor, Geisel & Boda, P.C.
FirmPueblo law firm with over 40 years of service providing estate planning, probate, guardianship, and family law services across southern and southeastern Colorado, including all six SECED counties. Offers free consultations.
Location
1123 N. Elizabeth St.Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone
(719) 543-7243
Service Area
15 counties
Estate PlanningProbateWillsTrustsPowers Of AttorneyGuardianshipConservatorshipProbate LitigationFamily Law
Free consultationVisit site
Peakstone Law Group, LLC
FirmColorado Springs firm serving the Pikes Peak region (El Paso, Pueblo, Teller, Park, and Fremont counties) with estate planning, wills and trusts, estate administration, and will-contest and probate litigation. Also handles special-needs trusts and asset protection, with free confidential consultations.
Location
5475 Tech Center Dr Suite 210, Colorado Springs, CO 80919Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Phone
(719) 689-8861
Service Area
5 counties
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateSpecial Needs TrustCriminal Defense
Free consultationVisit site
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. § 13-32-102(1)(b), (7); HB 2024-1286
- C.R.S. § 15-10-602
- C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- C.R.S. § 15-12-801
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 Pueblo 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 usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Pueblo 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 Pueblo 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 Pueblo County probate.
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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