Quick answer: Colorado is a moderate-cost probate state. Costs are reasonable (not percentage) PR and attorney fees, a flat $229 filing fee, and no state estate or inheritance tax. On a $500,000 estate the total often runs $15,000–$27,000, mostly the PR and attorney fees. Get your own figure with the Colorado probate cost calculator.
The costs, line by line
1. Personal representative fee — reasonable, no %
Under C.R.S. § 15-12-719, the PR gets "reasonable compensation" — no fixed percentage. In practice, about 1.5%–3% of the estate for a routine case.
2. Attorney fees — also reasonable
Same standard (C.R.S. § 15-10-602), no percentage. Typically $3,500–$5,000 for informal probate, $5,000–$15,000+ for formal or contested. See Colorado probate attorney fees.
3. Court filing fee — a flat $229
Under C.R.S. § 13-32-102, opening an estate costs a flat $199 docket fee + $30 equal justice fee = $229, statewide, regardless of estate value. Details in our Colorado filing fees guide.
Worked examples by estate size
Assumes a 2% PR fee, informal administration, and the flat $229 filing fee:
| Estate value | PR fee (2%) | Attorney (informal) | Filing + notice | Approx. total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $2,000 | $3,500 | $479 | ≈ $5,979 |
| $500,000 | $10,000 | $4,500 | $479 | ≈ $14,979 |
| $1,000,000 | $20,000 | $6,000 | $479 | ≈ $26,479 |
Filing + notice + misc = $229 + $100 + $150. A 3% PR fee or formal administration pushes the total higher (up to ~$27,000 on $500k). If the PR waives the fee, subtract that column. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
How to reduce Colorado probate costs
- Use the small estate affidavit for personal property up to $88,000 (2026 deaths) under C.R.S. § 15-12-1201 — no court filing, just a 10-day wait.
- Use informal administration — Colorado's low-cost registrar track.
- PR waives the fee if a family member and heir.
- A living trust or beneficiary deed avoids probate entirely.