How Long Does Probate Take in Colorado? Here's What You Can Do to Make the Process Smoother

If you’re settling a loved one’s estate, one of the first questions you’ll ask is how long does probate take in Colorado . The honest answer: it depends on the type of probate, the complexity of the estate, and how smoothly everyone cooperates. Below is a practical timeline—with tips to prevent delays—so you know what to expect.

The Short Answer

• Informal, uncontested probate: ~ 6–18 months for many estates.
  
  
• Formal or contested probate: often 12–24+ months , especially if there are disputes or complex assets.
  
  

What Speeds Up - or Slows Down - Probate in Colorado

Factors that can speed up the process

• Clear, valid will and cooperative family → more likely to qualify for informal probate with less court oversight.
  
  
• Complete and correct pleadings (including but not limited to accurate Personal Representative appointment documents, appropriate notices to beneficiaries, a death certificate) at the start.
  
  
• Comprehensive asset records (accounts, deeds, titles) to streamline inventory and valuation.
  
  
• Modest estates under Colorado’s threshold (e.g., $86,000 in 2025) with no real property may use a small estate affidavit instead of opening a probate—often much faster.
  
  

Factors that can delay the process

• Disputes or uncertainty (will contests, unclear heirs) can require formal probate proceedings that involve additional notice and hearing requirements as well as increased court supervision.
  
  
• Difficult-to-value assets  that require appraisals (such as closely held business interests, art, jewelry, antiques and unique collectibles) can take extra time to administer.
  
  
• Creditor issues —claims related to debts, disputes, or missed notices can extend administration. Note: Colorado’s creditor period is 4 months after proper notice.
  
  
• Incomplete or incorrect filings trigger delays or create additional work.
  
  

Step-by-Step: Where the Time Goes

You’ll generally file in the District (Probate) Court where the decedent lived.

1. Open the case & request appointment of Personal Representative (PR)
   An attorney can assist you with filing the petition and related forms for informal or formal probate. If eligible for informal, appointment can be quicker. The court (or registrar) issues Letters Testamentary/Administration authorizing the PR to act.
   
   
2. Notify heirs/beneficiaries & publish creditor notice
   Proper notice starts the creditor claims period (often ~ 4 months ). Providing proper notice is essential to keeping the process moving.
   
   
3. Inventory & appraise assets
   The PR will gather information regarding the decedent’s bank/investment accounts, real estate, vehicles, and personal property, and obtain appraisals where needed. Complex assets that are difficult to appraise can add weeks or months to this process.
   
   
4. Pay valid debts, expenses, and taxes
   The PR pays approved valid creditor claims, funeral/administrative expenses, and files tax returns owed by the decedent and the estate (if applicable); disputed claims can require additional court hearings.
   
   
5. Distribute remaining assets
   After the PR pays debts and expenses, the PR distributes the remaining assets under the terms of the will—or Colorado intestacy rules if there’s no will.
   
   
6. Close the estate
   The PR files closing statements or a final accounting for court approval, which formally ends the PR’s duties.
   
   

Estimated timing: Informal, uncontested matters often fall in the 6–18 month range; formal/contested matters frequently run 12–24+ months .

 

When Probate Is (and Isn’t) Required

Probate is typically required when the decedent owned assets solely in their name or owned real estate individually. Examples: a home titled only in the decedent's name; a bank or brokerage account titled in the decedent's name and without beneficiary designations.

Probate may not be required for:

• Beneficiary assets subject to a beneficiary designation form (Life insurance, pay-on-death/transfer-on-death accounts).
  
  
• Property held in joint tenancy (passes to the surviving joint tenant or tenants).
  
  
• Small estates under the statutory limit with no real property , may be eligible to be handled by a small estate affidavit. As always, we encourage you to contact an attorney to determine whether this is appropriate for you. 
  
  

Practical Tips to Avoid Delays

• Start small: Early on, ask whether you need to use formal or informal probate or whether you can rely on a small estate affidavit (which ONLY works if the estate is modest and there's no real estate. 
  
  
• Get organized fast: Gather all key papers - will, death certificate, account information, deeds, and names and addresses of heirs and beneficiaries- before filing. 
  
  
• Handle required notices promptly: Send out notices to heirs and beneficiaries right away and publish the notice to creditors so the claims period can begin.
  
  
• Document everything: Save copies of every document, payment on behalf of the estate, asset valuation, and communication with heirs, beneficiaries, and financial institutions- it'll make closing out the estate a lot smoother.
• Be Proactive About Potential Issues: If you think there might be family conflict or unclear terms in the will, expect a longer process and get help from an attorney early.

Need Help Getting Started?

If you’re wondering how long does probate take in Colorado for your specific situation, we can walk you through it—step by step. Our family-owned Denver firm helps PRs and families move efficiently from filing to final distribution.

 

Contact our Denver probate attorney for guidance through the process. We’ll review your case, outline a timeline, and help you avoid common delays.