Colorado Probate Costs: Fees and Estate Expenses
Colorado probate filing fees are set statewide and do not scale with estate value. Start with the C.R.S. 13-32-102 fee table, then add publication, certified copies, bond, and professional help only if the estate needs them.
Quick Summary
Colorado district court probate filing fees are statewide under C.R.S. 13-32-102, so the opening fee is the same in every county. Counties may still differ on certified copies, certification, payment methods, and e-filing details, so confirm those with the county district court.
Probate Cost by Procedure
| Procedure | Estate Size | Court Fee | Timeline | Attorney? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit | $88,000 or less for 2026 deaths (net of liens); no real property | $0 (no court filing) | At least 10 days after death | No | Small personal-property estates with no appointment pending |
| Informal Probate | No simple dollar cap | $199 to open the estate ($229 with the $30 equal justice fee) | Roughly 6 months to 1 year | No (often useful) | Uncontested estates handled by a court registrar |
| Formal Probate | No simple dollar cap | $199 to open the estate ($229 with the $30 equal justice fee) | Often a year or more | No (often useful) | Disputes, will-validity questions, or unclear heirs |
| Supervised Administration | When the court orders closer oversight | $198 additional supervised-administration fee plus the estate-opening fee | Longer than unsupervised; needs court approval | No (often useful) | Estates needing protection for heirs or creditors |
Additional Costs to Expect
Personal Representative Compensation
Colorado does not use a statutory fee percentage. C.R.S. 15-10-602 and 15-10-603 allow reasonable compensation judged on all the facts and circumstances. The old percentage schedule in C.R.S. 15-12-719 was repealed in 2011, so do not assume a fixed percentage.
Attorney Fees
Colorado has no statutory probate attorney fee schedule. Costs depend on the engagement, estate complexity, real estate, disputes, and tax work. Many small estates are handled without an attorney.
Certified Copies and Death Records
Certified death certificates and certified copies of letters or orders may be needed for banks, transfer agents, and title work. Costs vary by ordering method and office.
Publication and Creditor Notice
When a probate estate is opened, published notice to creditors can add cost. Colorado uses a creditor period (generally four months after first publication) that affects timing.
Bond Premium
The court may require a fiduciary bond unless waived by the will or by the heirs. The premium depends on estate value and surety pricing.
Real Estate, Recording, and Appraisal
Real property can add deed, recording, title, appraisal, and sale costs. Colorado has no state estate or inheritance tax, but federal estate tax and final income tax can still apply to larger estates.
Typical Total Cost Ranges
Source Notes
- Statute / Authority
- Colorado Probate Code (C.R.S. Title 15) and C.R.S. 13-32-102
- Fee Source
- Colorado Judicial Branch JDF 1 fee schedule and C.R.S. 13-32-102
- Last Verified
- June 2026
- Notes
- Colorado district court probate filing fees are statewide and do not vary by estate value. A $30 equal justice fee applies to first-filing and small-estate filings (C.R.S. 13-32-102(7), collected since January 1, 2025). Colorado has no statutory probate fee percentage and no state estate or inheritance tax.
Sources
- C.R.S. 13-32-102, Fees in probate proceedings - equal justice fee collectionColorado General Assembly. Current statute text, accessed June 16, 2026.
- JDF 1, Court Filing Fees and Costs in Colorado State CourtsColorado Judicial Branch. Accessed June 16, 2026.
- C.R.S. 15-10-602 and 15-10-603, Reasonable compensation and cost recoveryColorado General Assembly. Current statute text, accessed June 16, 2026.
- List of FeesColorado Judicial Branch. Accessed June 16, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does probate cost in Colorado?
The court filing fee to open a decedent estate is $199, or $229 with the $30 equal justice fee, the same in every county. Fees do not scale with estate value. The total cost then depends on publication, certified copies, bond, real estate work, and whether you hire an attorney.
Are Colorado probate fees the same in every county?
Yes for the court filing fee. C.R.S. 13-32-102 sets statewide probate fees, so opening an estate costs the same regardless of county. Counties may still differ on certified copies, certification, payment methods, and e-filing details.
What is the cheapest way to settle an estate in Colorado?
For qualifying small estates, collection of personal property by affidavit (JDF 999) is the lowest-cost path because it has no court filing fee. It works only for personal property within the year-of-death cap ($88,000 for 2026 deaths), with no real estate and no pending appointment.
How much does a Colorado personal representative get paid?
Colorado does not use a statutory percentage. Under C.R.S. 15-10-602 and 15-10-603, a personal representative is entitled to reasonable compensation judged on the facts and circumstances. The old percentage schedule (C.R.S. 15-12-719) was repealed, so the fee is not a fixed percentage of the estate.
Does Colorado have an estate or inheritance tax?
No. Colorado has no state estate tax and no state inheritance tax. Larger estates may still face the federal estate tax, and the estate or beneficiaries may owe final income taxes, but those are separate from Colorado probate filing fees.
Why does this page not give one Colorado probate total?
A single total would be misleading. The court filing fee is fixed statewide, but publication, certified copies, bond, appraisal, real estate work, tax preparation, and attorney involvement all change the final cost from one estate to the next.
Estimate Your Colorado Probate Path
Use the Colorado assessment and calculator tools to see which probate process may apply and what it may cost.