Open an Estate

Step 1: Determine

If the value of the estate is below a certain amount (see JDF 998 Instructions for Completing Affidavit for the Collection of Personal Property for more information), and you do not have to transfer any real estate, you may be able take care of everything without having to file anything with the court.  You can use JDF 999 Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property if you determine that you do not need to go through the court process.  This form does not get filed with the court.

Review JDF 998 Instructions for Completing Affidavit for the Collection of Personal Property to see if you qualify to use this process and for instructions on how to fill out JDF 999 Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property.

Step 2: Options

When you are ready to open an estate, you can choose to open the estate formally or informally.

• Opening an estate informally takes less time and paperwork because the court does not review what you are asking for or give approval.  The probate registrar reviews the paperwork and there is no court hearing.  Once you have filed all of the correct paperwork with the court, your case will be accepted without having to give notice to anyone.  However, anyone who has an interest in the estate can come forward later if they disagree with anything you have done.  If you do not think there will be any problems or disagreements, you may want to use this option.
• Opening an estate formally takes more time and paperwork because the court will review everything you are asking for and give final approval. Everyone who has an interest in the estate will have the chance to come forward with any disagreements before the court gives final approval.  If you think there may be problems or disagreements, you may want to use this option.  Also, if you cannot find the original will and you only have a copy, you will need to use this option.

You must decide which option to use. The court cannot make this decision for you.

If you are not sure of which option to use, you may want to talk to an attorney.

Step 3: When and Where

The person who died is referred to as "the Deceased" or the Decedent.

You can file your paperwork to open the estate 120 hours (5 days) after the Decedent has died. The court cannot take any action before then.

If you are a creditor of the Decedent and you want to file paperwork to open an estate, you must wait at least 45 days.

You should file your paperwork to open the estate in the District Court in the county where the Decedent lived. If the Decedent lived in another state, you can file your paperwork in any county in Colorado where they owned property. To find a District Court, click on Courts by County.

If you are filing your paperwork in Denver County, you will need to file in the Denver Probate Court.

If you decide to open an estate formally, follow these steps.

Step 0: Instructions

• JDF 906 Instructions for Probate with a Will.

Step 1: Forms

Download and complete these forms:

• JDF 920 - Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative
• JDF 911 - Acceptance of Appointment
• JDF 711 - Notice of Hearing
• JDF 921 - Order Admitting Will to Formal Probate and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative
• JDF 915 - Letters Testamentary/of Administration
• JDF 721 - Irrevocable Power of Attorney (use only if you do not live in Colorado)
• JDF 912 - Renunciation and/or Nomination of Personal Representative (anyone who has the same or greater priority to be appointed personal representative of the estate who is not asking to be appointed must fill out this form.
  • Also, any person named as personal representative in the will who decides they do not want to be the personal representative must fill out this form as a renunciation, or the application must state that the person has died).

Form Tips:

• JDFs 915 & 921: Only the top caption. The court will fill out the rest.
• JDF 915: Check the box that says Testamentary at the top.  Make sure you have the original will to give to the court.

Step 2: File 

After you have filled out all of the paperwork in Step 1 above, take the forms to the probate registrar at the courthouse. Give the forms and the original will to the probate registrar to file your case.

The court will ask you to pay a filing fee. If you do not think you can afford it, you can request a waiver of the filing fee by completing form JDF 205 Motion to File Without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit, and the caption box of JDF 206 Finding and Order Concerning Payment of Fees. For more information check out the File Without Payment page.

Step 3:  Hearing

After you file your paperwork with the court, you will need to contact the court to get a date for a hearing.

After you get a hearing date, you must give notice of the hearing date along with JDF 920 Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative to all persons who have an interest in the estate (the people you listed in #9 on the Petition form).

Fill out JDF 711 Notice of Hearing and mail or hand-deliver a copy, along with a copy of JDF 920 Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative, to all of the people who you listed in #9 of JDF 920.  After you mail or hand-deliver a copy of your forms, fill out the Certificate of Service part of JDF 711 Notice of Hearing and file it with the court.

* After the hearing, if the judge names you as the Personal Representative of the estate, the judge will sign JDF 921 Order Admitting Will to Formal Probate and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative.  You will also get a signed, certified copy of JDF 915 Letters Testamentary.  This document proves that you are the person in charge of the estate.

STEP 4: Complete

Within 30 days after you are named as the Personal Representative of the estate, you must give people with an interest in the estate (the people you listed in #9 of JDF 920) notice that you have been named, and that you have opened an estate.

To give notice, you must fill out JDF 940 Information of Appointment. You must mail or hand-deliver a copy of this form to the people you listed in #9 of JDF 920. After you mail or hand-deliver a copy to everyone, fill out the Certificate of Service part of the form and then file it with the court.

Within 90 days after you are named as the Personal Representative of the estate, you must do an inventory of all of the money and property of the Decedent by filling out JDF 941 Decedent's Estate Inventory. You do not need to give this form to the court. You do not need to give this form to people with an interest in the estate unless they ask for it. If someone with an interest in the estate asks for your inventory form, you must give it to them.

If you decide to open an estate informally, follow these steps.

Step 0: Instructions

• JDF906 - Instructions for Probate with a Will.

Step 1: Forms

Download and complete these forms:

• JDF 910 - Application for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative
• JDF 911  - Acceptance of Appointment
• JDF 913 - Order for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative
• JDF 915 - Letters Testamentary/of Administration
• JDF 721 - Irrevocable Power of Attorney (use only if you do not live in Colorado)
• JDF 912 - Renunciation and/or Nomination of Personal Representative
  • (anyone who has the same or greater priority to be appointed personal representative of the estate who is not asking to be appointed must fill out this form.
  • Also, any person named as personal representative in the will who decides they do not want to be the personal representative must fill out this form as a "renunciation", or the application must state that the person has died).

Form Tips

• JDFs 913 & 915: Fill out only the top "caption". The court will fill out the rest.
• JDF 915: Check the box that says "Testamentary" at the top.

NOTE: Make sure you have the original will to give to the court.

Step 2: File

After you have filled out all of the paperwork in Step 1 above, take the forms to the clerk at the courthouse. Give the forms and the original will to the probate registrar to file your case.

The court will ask you to pay a filing fee. For information on fees and fee waivers, visit the File Without Payment page.

Once the probate registrar decides that all of your paperwork is complete and correct, he/she will name you as the Personal Representative of the estate and give you a signed and certified copy of JDF915  Letters Testamentary/of Administration. This document proves that you are the person in charge of the estate.

Step 3: Complete

Within 30 days after you are named as the Personal Representative of the estate, you must give people with an interest in the estate (the people you listed in #8 of JDF 910) notice that you have been named, and that you have opened an estate.

To give notice, you must fill out JDF 940 Information of Appointment. You must mail or hand-deliver a copy of this form to the people you listed in #8 of JDF 910.  After you mail or hand-deliver a copy to everyone, fill out the Certificate of Service part of the form and then file it with the court.

*Within 90 days after you are named as the Personal Representative of the estate, you must do an inventory of all of the money and property of the Decedent by filling out JDF 941 Decedent's Estate Inventory. You do not need to give this form to the court. You do not need to give this form to people with an interest in the estate unless they ask for it. If someone with an interest in the estate asks for your inventory form, you must give it to them.

Step 1: Determine 

If the value of the estate is below a certain amount (see JDF 998 Instructions for Completing Affidavit for the Collection of Personal Property for more information), and you do not have to transfer any real estate, you may be able take care of everything without having to file anything with the court. You can use JDF 999 Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property if you determine that you do not need to go through the court process. This form does not get filed with the court.

Review JDF 998 Instructions for Completing Affidavit for the Collection of Personal Property to see if you qualify to use this process and for instructions on how to fill out JDF 999 Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property.

Step 2: Which 

When you are ready to open an estate, you can choose to open the estate formally or informally.

Opening an estate informally takes less time and paperwork because the court does not review what you are asking for or give approval.  The probate registrar reviews the paperwork and there is no court hearing.  Once you have filed all of the correct paperwork with the court, your case will be accepted without having to give notice to anyone.  However, anyone who has an interest in the estate can come forward later if they disagree with anything you have done.  If you do not think there will be any problems or disagreements, you may want to use this option.

Opening an estate formally takes more time and paperwork because the court will review everything you are asking for and give final approval. Everyone who has an interest in the estate will have the chance to come forward with any disagreements before the court gives final approval.  If you think there may be problems or disagreements, you may want to use this option.  Also, if you cannot find the original will and you only have a copy, you will need to use this option.

You must decide which option to use. The court cannot make this decision for you.

If you are not sure of which option to use, you may want to talk to an attorney.

Step 3: Where

The person who died is referred to as "the Deceased" or the Decedent. 

You can file your paperwork to open the estate 120 hours (5 days) after the Decedent has died. The court cannot take any action before then.

If you are a creditor of the Decedent and you want to file paperwork to open an estate, you must wait at least 45 days.

You should file your paperwork to open the estate in the District Court in the county where the Decedent lived. If the Decedent lived in another state, you can file your paperwork in any county in Colorado where they owned property. To find a District Court, click on Courts by County.

If you are filing your paperwork in Denver County, you will need to file in the Denver Probate Court.

Step 0: Instructions

• JDF 907 - Instructions for Probate without a Will.

Step 1: Forms

Download and complete these forms:

• JDF 916 - Application for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative
• JDF 911 - Acceptance of Appointment
• JDF 917 - Order for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative
• JDF 915 - Letters Testamentary/of Administration
• JDF 721 - Irrevocable Power of Attorney (use only if you do not live in Colorado)
• JDF 912 - Renunciation and/or Nomination of Personal Representative (anyone who has the same or greater priority to be appointed personal representative of the estate who is not asking to be appointed must fill out this form.
  • Also, any person named as personal representative in the will who decides they do not want to be the personal representative must fill out this form as a "renunciation", or the application must state that the person has died).

STEP 2: File

After you have filled out all of the paperwork in Step 1 above, take the forms to the probate registrar at the courthouse. Give the forms to the probate registrar to file your case.

The court will ask you to pay a filing fee. For fee information and waivers, visit File Without Payment.

Once the probate registrar decides that all of your paperwork is complete and correct, he/she will name you as the Personal Representative of the estate and give you a signed and certified copy of JDF 915 Letters Testamentary/of Administration. This document proves that you are the person in charge of the estate.

STEP 3: Complete

Within 30 days after you are named as the Personal Representative of the estate, you must give people with an interest in the estate (the people you listed in #8 of JDF 916) notice that you have been named, and that you have opened an estate.

To give notice, you must fill out JDF 940 Information of Appointment. You must mail or hand-deliver a copy of this form to the people you listed in #8 of JDF 916. After you mail or hand-deliver a copy to everyone, fill out the Certificate of Service part of the form and then file it with the court.

Within 90 days after you are named as the Personal Representative of the estate, you must do an inventory of all of the money and property of the Decedent by filling out JDF 941 Decedent's Estate Inventory. You do not need to give this form to the court. You do not need to give this form to people with an interest in the estate unless they ask for it. If someone with an interest in the estate asks for your inventory form, you must give it to them.

Step 0: Instructions

• JDF 907 - Instructions for Probate without a Will.

Step 1: Forms

Download and complete these forms:

• JDF 922 - Petition for Adjudication of Intestacy and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative
• JDF 911 - Acceptance of Appointment
• JDF 711 - Notice of Hearing
• JDF 923 - Order of Intestacy, Determination of Heirs and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative
• JDF 915 - Letters Testamentary/of Administration
• JDF 721 - Irrevocable Power of Attorney (use only if you do not live in Colorado)
• JDF 912 - Renunciation and/or Nomination of Personal Representative (anyone who has the same or greater priority to be appointed personal representative of the estate who is not asking to be appointed must fill out this form.
  • Also, any person named as personal representative in the will who decides they do not want to be the personal representative must fill out this form as a "renunciation", or the application must state that the person has died).

Form tips:

• JDFs 915 & 923: Fill out only the top "caption". The court will fill out the rest.
• JDF 915: Check the box that says "Of Administration" at the top.

Step 2: File

After you have filled out all of the paperwork in Step 1 above, take the forms to the probate registrar at the courthouse. Give the forms to the probate registrar to file your case.

The court will ask you to pay a filing fee. If you do not think you can afford it, you can request a waiver of the filing fee by completing form JDF 205 Motion to File Without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit, and the caption box of JDF 206 Finding and Order Concerning Payment of Fees.

Step 3: Hearing

After you file your paperwork with the court, you will need to contact the court to get a date for a hearing.

After you get a hearing date, you must give notice of the hearing date along with JDF 922 Petition for Adjudication of Intestacy and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative to all persons who have an interest in the estate (the people you listed in #9 on the Petition form).

Fill out JDF 711 Notice of Hearing and mail or hand-deliver a copy, along with a copy of JDF 922 Petition for Adjudication of Intestacy and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative, to all of the people who you listed in #9 of JDF 922.  After you mail or hand-deliver a copy of your forms, fill out the Certificate of Service part of JDF 711 Notice of Hearing and file it with the court.

After the hearing, if the judge names you as the Personal Representative of the estate, the judge will sign JDF 923 Order of Intestacy, Determination of Heirs and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative. You will also get a signed, certified copy of JDF 915 Letters Testamentary/of Administration. This document proves that you are the person in charge of the estate.

Step 4: Complete

Within 30 days after you are named as the Personal Representative of the estate, you must give people with an interest in the estate (the people you listed in #9 of JDF 922) notice that you have been named, and that you have opened an estate.

To give notice, you must fill out JDF 940 Information of Appointment. You must mail or hand-deliver a copy of this form to the people you listed in #9 of JDF 922. After you mail or hand-deliver a copy to everyone, fill out the Certificate of Service part of the form and then file it with the court.

Within 90 days after you are named as the Personal Representative of the estate, you must do an inventory of all of the money and property of the Decedent by filling out JDF 941 Decedent's Estate Inventory. You do not need to give this form to the court. You do not need to give this form to people with an interest in the estate unless they ask for it. If someone with an interest in the estate asks for your inventory form, you must give it to them.