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
- Small Estate Affidavit
- $0Personal property under $88K (2026)
- Open an Estate
- $229$199 docket + $30 equal justice fee
- Supervised Add-On
- $198Plus the estate-opening fee
- No Statutory Fee %
- 0%Reasonable compensation only
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. Colorado organizes its 64 counties into 23 judicial districts, after the 23rd district opened in January 2025; the exception is the City and County of Denver, where the standalone Denver Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over estates (C.R.S. 13-9-103). Counties may still differ on certified copies, certification, payment methods, and e-filing details, so confirm those with the county district court.
Typical Total Cost Ranges
Estimate your county’s exact feesProbate Cost by Procedure
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| 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 The old percentage schedule in C.R.S. 15-12-719 was repealed in 2011, so do not assume a fixed percentage.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.
Summary Administrative Procedure Docket Fee
First papers in an estate eligible for summary administrative procedures under C.R.S. 15-12-1203, with no real property, docket for $83; the $30 equal justice fee brings the total to $113. Estates that qualify open for the reduced fee and close on a sworn statement.
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. Certified copies of letters cost $20 plus $0.25 per page. CDPHE charges $25 for the first certified death certificate copy and $20 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, as of January 1, 2026.
Publication and Creditor Notice
When a probate estate is opened, published notice to creditors can add cost. If you publish under C.R.S. 15-12-801, the newspaper charges for three weekly insertions. Colorado uses a creditor period (generally four months after first publication) that affects timing.
Bond Premium
No bond is required in informal proceedings unless a special administrator is appointed, the will expressly requires bond, or an interested person demands it; courts can also order bond in formal proceedings (C.R.S. 15-12-603). When bond applies, the premium depends on estate value and surety pricing, and wills commonly waive bond.
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.
One more cost source to check: if the person who died received Medicaid long-term care benefits, the state may file a recovery claim against the estate. The Colorado Medicaid estate recovery guide explains when that applies.