How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Colorado?
Colorado pays executors reasonable compensationC.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 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 the estate.
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. Courts consider the size and complexity of the estate, the time spent, and the executor's skill and experience. Executors can waive the fee entirely or accept a reduced amount.
Colorado law says only that compensation must be reasonable; it names no percentage, so no exact figure exists to look up. The estimate is built from the 16 states whose legislatures set an executor fee schedule: each schedule is applied to an estate of the same size, and the middle half of those results is the range, 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 a $500,000 estate. It is an estimate anchored in what other legislatures decided the same work is worth, not a figure from Colorado law; the probate court has the final say.
Colorado statute does not address how co-executors share compensation. The court sets one reasonable amount for the estate and allocates it among the executors serving.C.R.S. § 15-10-602Verified Jul 25, 2026View source
Colorado does not require a bond of the personal representative by defaultC.R.S. § 15-12-603Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. A court can still order one. The bond protects beneficiaries against executor misconduct or mismanagement.
Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Colorado 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, and executor compensation is set separatelyC.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Both are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries. Estimate the attorney fee with the Colorado probate attorney fee calculator.
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Colorado
Free forms for settling an estate in Colorado: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Petition for Probate and Letters
In Colorado, the petition asks the District Court of the county where the decedent lived to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableC.R.S. § 15-12-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Notice to Creditors
In Colorado, the notice to creditors is published for 3C.R.S. §§ 15-12-801, 15-12-803, 15-12-805, 15-12-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and 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 to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Colorado, a person named as personal representative may renounce the right to serveC.R.S. § 15-12-203(3)Verified Sep 22, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Colorado, heirs put their identity on the land records with a recorded affidavit of facts affecting title that states who the heirs areC.R.S. §§ 38-35-113, 38-35-109; 15-12-1302 to 15-12-1306; 42-6-114Verified Sep 24, 2026View source; once recorded it is prima facie evidence of the facts stated.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Colorado, the Collection of Personal Property by AffidavitC.R.S. § 15-12-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates with personal property of $88,000C.R.S. § 15-12-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 10 daysC.R.S. § 15-12-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
In Colorado, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysC.R.S. § 15-12-706Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Colorado, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsC.R.S. § 15-12-1003(2), § 15-12-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
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.
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.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
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.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
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.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
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.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Colorado costs an estimated $26,082C.R.S. § 15-10-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 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 under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Hire a Colorado Probate Attorney
Browse 96 probate firms in Colorado with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
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Colorado Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Colorado probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.