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Home→Tools→Estate Settlement Checklist→Colorado

How Do I Settle an Estate in Colorado?

Generate a personalized checklist of steps to settle an estate. A few questions about the situation produce a full process plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Settling an estate in Colorado involves gathering assets, notifying creditors, paying debts, and distributing property to beneficiaries. Estates with a living trust typically settle within 6-12 months without court involvement. Estates requiring probate take 6-9 months on average, with a minimum 4-month creditor claim period.C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (fees), § 15-12-1201 (small estate), § 15-12-801 (creditor claims), § 15-12-603 (bond), CO DoR Probate_Index_2026, Colorado Judicial Branch JDF 998 (R: March 19, 2026), JDF 943SC, JDF 906 (R: January 9, 2025)Verified May 30, 2026

Colorado allows estates valued at $88,000 or less to use a Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit, which avoids formal probate.C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (fees), § 15-12-1201 (small estate), § 15-12-801 (creditor claims), § 15-12-603 (bond), CO DoR Probate_Index_2026, Colorado Judicial Branch JDF 998 (R: March 19, 2026), JDF 943SC, JDF 906 (R: January 9, 2025)Verified May 30, 2026 The waiting period is 10 days after death.

Creditors in Colorado have 4 months to file claims against the estate after proper notice is published.C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (fees), § 15-12-1201 (small estate), § 15-12-801 (creditor claims), § 15-12-603 (bond), CO DoR Probate_Index_2026, Colorado Judicial Branch JDF 998 (R: March 19, 2026), JDF 943SC, JDF 906 (R: January 9, 2025)Verified May 30, 2026 The executor or personal representative must publish notice in a local newspaper and may also need to send direct notice to known creditors. No final distribution should occur until this period expires.

In Colorado, simple estates typically settle in 4-6 months. Average estates take 6-9 months. Complex estates with disputes, tax issues, or unusual assets can take 9-18 months or longer.C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (fees), § 15-12-1201 (small estate), § 15-12-801 (creditor claims), § 15-12-603 (bond), CO DoR Probate_Index_2026, Colorado Judicial Branch JDF 998 (R: March 19, 2026), JDF 943SC, JDF 906 (R: January 9, 2025)Verified May 30, 2026

An executor (or personal representative) in Colorado is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property to beneficiaries. The specific duties depend on whether the estate goes through formal probate or qualifies for simplified procedures. See the Colorado executor checklist for a step-by-step guide.

Estate settlement costs in Colorado include court filing fees, attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and potentially a probate bond. Total costs generally range from 3-8% of the estate value depending on complexity. Use the Colorado probate calculator for a detailed cost estimate.

Settling an Estate in Colorado

The first step in settling an estate in Colorado is evaluating the estate's size and how assets are titled. Estates under $88,000§ 15-12-1201Verified May 30, 2026 may bypass formal probate entirely. Trust-held assets transfer outside probate regardless of value.

Creditors in Colorado have 4 monthsC.R.S. § 15-12-801Verified May 30, 2026 to file claims after notice is published. This claim period sets a minimum timeline for estate settlement. Simple estates typically close in 4 monthsC.R.S. § 15-10-602Verified May 30, 2026 to 6 monthsC.R.S. § 15-10-602Verified May 30, 2026, while contested or complex estates take longer.

The executor or personal representative in Colorado manages all estate affairs during the settlement period. Bond requirement: NoC.R.S. § 15-12-603Verified May 30, 2026. Budget for the bond premium as an additional settlement cost. The Colorado executor checklist details each responsibility.

Total settlement costs depend on estate size, complexity, and whether disputes arise. Attorney fees, executor compensation, court filing fees, and publication costs typically total 3-8% of estate value. A revocable living trust bypasses this entire process — assets transfer privately without court involvement.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 30, 2026

Legal Sources

  • § 15-12-1201
  • C.R.S. § 15-10-602
  • C.R.S. § 15-12-603
  • C.R.S. § 15-12-801

Data sourced from Colorado statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Colorado Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Colorado probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

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This checklist provides general guidance for estate settlement. Requirements vary by state and circumstance. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.

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