Colorado Probate Costs: Reasonable Fees (No % Schedule)

Colorado does not set probate attorney or personal-representative fees as a percentage of the estate. Instead, both are entitled to reasonable compensation (C.R.S. §15-10-602), judged by factors like time and complexity. On top of fees, expect a court filing fee (about $229 to open a standard decedent's estate as of early 2025) plus costs like publication and appraisals.

Current as of 2026. Court fees change — confirm the current amount on the Colorado Judicial Branch fee list before relying on it.

If you’ve read about California’s hefty percentage-based probate fees, here’s good news: Colorado works differently.

No statutory percentage fee

Colorado does not set attorney or personal-representative compensation as a percentage of the estate. Instead, a personal representative (a fiduciary) and their attorney are entitled to “reasonable compensation for services rendered” (C.R.S. §15-10-602). What’s “reasonable” is judged by factors in §15-10-603 — the time and labor required, the complexity and responsibility involved, and the results — with no presumption that any particular way of charging (hourly, flat, etc.) is automatically unreasonable.

In practice, that usually means hourly or flat-fee legal billing rather than a fixed cut of the estate.

The court filing fee

To open a standard (unsupervised) decedent’s estate, the court filing fee was about $229 as of early 2025 (lower for a small estate or a will deposit). These change, so check the Colorado Judicial Branch fee list for the current amount.

Other typical costs

Publication of notice to creditors in a local newspaper.
Appraisals of real estate or valuables.
Bond premium, if the court requires the personal representative to post one.
Tax preparation (final income and any estate taxes).

Keeping costs down

The smallest estates skip court fees entirely with the small-estate affidavit. For everything else, see the probate process and do you need a lawyer. To get matched with a local attorney, connect with a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

Does Colorado charge a percentage fee for probate like California?

No. Unlike California's statutory percentage schedule, Colorado allows only 'reasonable compensation' for the personal representative and the attorney (C.R.S. §15-10-602), based on factors such as the time spent and the estate's complexity (§15-10-603).

How much does it cost to open a probate case in Colorado?

The court filing fee for a standard (unsupervised) decedent's estate was about $229 as of early 2025, with lower fees for a small estate or will deposit. Fees change — confirm the current amount on the Colorado Judicial Branch fee list.

What other costs are there?

Beyond attorney/PR compensation and the filing fee, common costs include publishing notice to creditors, appraisals of property, bond premiums (if required), and tax preparation.

How are 'reasonable' fees decided?

By factors in C.R.S. §15-10-603 — such as the time and labor required, complexity, the responsibility involved, and results — with no presumption that any particular billing method is automatically unreasonable.

Related guides

Colorado Personal Representative Duties A Colorado personal representative is a fiduciary who must notify interested parties (within 30 days of appointment), inventory the estate's assets (within 90 days), give notice to creditors and handle their claims, pay valid debts and taxes, and distribute what remains before closing the estate.

Colorado Small Estate Affidavit If a Colorado estate's personal property is at or under the inflation-adjusted limit — $88,000 for deaths in 2026 — heirs can collect it using a Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit, with no court case, once 10 days have passed since the death. It can't be used to transfer real estate.

Do You Need a Lawyer for Colorado Probate? Colorado doesn't require a lawyer for probate, and its informal probate process is relatively DIY-friendly with the Judicial Branch's self-help forms. But because Colorado attorneys charge reasonable (often hourly) fees rather than a percentage, hiring counsel is usually worth it for formal probate, disputes, real estate, or larger estates.

The Colorado Probate Process: Informal vs. Formal Colorado offers three paths to settle an estate: a small-estate affidavit (no court case), informal probate handled by a registrar with no hearing, and formal probate before a judge when there's a dispute. Most cases are filed in the county District Court — except in Denver, which has its own Probate Court.

Colorado Probate Costs & Fees