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Colorado Probate Cost Calculator

Estimate the full cost of settling an estate through probate in Colorado — reasonable personal representative and attorney fees (C.R.S. § 15-12-719), the flat $229 court filing fee, and the inflation-adjusted $88,000 small estate — based on your estate value, with the Colorado Revised Statutes cited.

Based on C.R.S. § 15-12-719 Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Your Colorado estate

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$
Waived (0%)
Typical (2%)
Higher (3%)
Informal
Formal
Estimated total probate cost in Colorado
$0
— of the estate
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How probate costs work in Colorado

Probate in Colorado runs through the District Court in the county where the person lived — or, uniquely, the dedicated Denver Probate Court for Denver residents. The state follows the Uniform Probate Code and offers three tracks: the out-of-court small estate affidavit, informal probate (handled by a court registrar, no hearing), and formal probate (before a judge or magistrate for disputes). Most uncontested estates use the low-cost informal track.

Colorado keeps probate relatively affordable: a flat $229 filing fee, reasonable (not percentage) fees, and no state estate or inheritance tax.

1. Personal representative fee — reasonable, no %

C.R.S. § 15-12-719: the personal representative is entitled to reasonable compensation for services — Colorado sets no percentage. In practice this runs about 1.5% to 3% of the estate for a routine case, based on the time, complexity and responsibility involved.

On a $500,000 estate, 2% is $10,000. Family members who are also heirs often waive the fee, since it is taxable income while an inheritance is not.

2. Attorney fees — also reasonable

Colorado attorney fees follow the same reasonable-compensation standard (C.R.S. § 15-10-602), with no percentage schedule. Typical fees are $3,500–$5,000 for straightforward informal probate and $5,000–$15,000+ for formal or contested cases; hourly rates run $250–$450.

3. Court filing fee — a flat $229

C.R.S. § 13-32-102: opening a decedent's estate costs a flat $199 docket fee plus a $30 equal justice fee = $229, the same in every county regardless of estate value. Certified Letters cost $20 plus $0.75 per copy.

4. When probate can be skipped in Colorado

  • Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit (Form JDF 999) — for personal property at or below an inflation-adjusted threshold of $88,000 for 2026 deaths (C.R.S. § 15-12-1201). It needs only a 10-day wait (the shortest in the country), is not filed with a court (so it's free), and cannot transfer real estate.
  • Beneficiary deeds, joint tenancy, POD/TOD accounts — pass assets outside probate.

A revocable living trust avoids probate entirely. Note: Colorado has no estate tax and no inheritance tax.

Cost componentColorado figureSource
Personal representative feeReasonable (no statutory %); ~1.5–3%§ 15-12-719
Attorney feeReasonable; ~$3,500–$5,000 informal§ 15-10-602
Court filing feeFlat $229 ($199 + $30)§ 13-32-102
Small estate limit (2026 deaths)$88,000 (inflation-adjusted)§ 15-12-1201
State estate / inheritance taxNoneColorado DOR

Colorado probate cost — frequently asked questions

How much does probate cost in Denver / Colorado Springs?

The filing fee is the same statewide — a flat $229. Denver uses the dedicated Denver Probate Court; Colorado Springs (El Paso County), Aurora (Arapahoe), Boulder and the other counties use the District Court. A $500,000 informal estate often totals $15,000–$27,000, mostly the PR and attorney fees (both reasonable, no statutory percentage).

Why is Colorado's small estate limit different every year?

Because C.R.S. § 15-12-1201 ties the threshold to inflation, adjusting it annually by year of death. It was about $82,000 for 2024, $86,000 for 2025, and $88,000 for 2026 deaths. This is unusual — most states use a fixed number — and it keeps the small estate option useful as asset values rise.

Is the personal representative fee in Colorado taxable?

Yes. The IRS treats it as ordinary income, not inheritance. That is why family members who are also heirs often waive it — the inheritance is generally tax-free, but the fee would be taxed at their income rate.

How fast can I use the Colorado small estate affidavit?

Just 10 days after death — the shortest waiting period of any state. As long as the personal property is at or below $88,000 (2026 deaths), there's no real estate, and no personal representative has been appointed, the affidavit (JDF 999) is presented directly to banks and asset holders, with no court filing.

How long does probate take in Colorado?

All Colorado probate cases must stay open at least 6 months for the creditor claim period. Informal probate usually takes 6–12 months; formal probate 9–18 months.

Colorado probate tools & guides

Colorado Probate Cost: Full BreakdownEvery cost, explained, with examples Probate Attorney Fees in ColoradoWhat lawyers charge and how to keep it down Colorado Probate Filing FeesThe flat $229 fee explained Colorado Executor Fee CalculatorWhat "reasonable" looks like Colorado Probate Timeline CalculatorHow long probate would take Colorado Probate vs Living TrustWould a trust have been cheaper?

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal or financial advice. Colorado sets no statutory fee percentage; personal representative and attorney fees are "reasonable compensation" under C.R.S. § 15-12-719 and § 15-10-602. The court filing fee is a flat $229 ($199 docket + $30 equal justice fee) under § 13-32-102. The small-estate threshold is inflation-adjusted ($88,000 for 2026 deaths) under § 15-12-1201. Bond and publication costs vary. Confirm current figures with the District Court, Denver Probate Court, or a licensed Colorado attorney before acting.