For anyone planning an estate in Colorado or settling one: what a will or trust costs, whether an estate needs probate, what executors and trustees are paid, and the taxes on an inheritance, each answered under Colorado law.
36 tools for Colorado
Probate in Colorado takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of 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; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
Colorado authorizes transfer on death deedsC.R.S. 15-15-401 to 15-15-415Verified Jul 15, 2026: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.
Colorado allows a transfer-on-death beneficiary designation on a vehicle titleColo. Rev. Stat. 42-6-110.5Verified Aug 25, 2026View source, filed through the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Revenue (title transfers are processed through county motor vehicle offices) using Form DR 2009.
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.
In Colorado, the District Court of the county where the decedent lived appoints the personal representative and the Probate registrar in informal proceedings issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableC.R.S. § 15-12-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
In Colorado, creditors have 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 from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
When an estate owes more than it holds, Colorado pays the claims in 10C.R.S. § 15-12-805Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with property held by decedent as fiduciary or trustee.
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
Compare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
Colorado requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040C.R.S. § 39-22-104(1.7)(c); § 39-22-627 (temporary TABOR rate reductions)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
In Colorado, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of 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; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
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 Sep 15, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
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 Jul 15, 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.
After a death in Colorado, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $88,000C.R.S. § 15-12-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 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 to file claims after notice.