Estate Law · Colorado
Colorado estate planning rules
State-specific rules that affect how your estate is distributed, how probate works, and what planning steps matter most for Colorado residents.
- Colorado intestacy gives the spouse the entire estate when descendants are mutualCO intestacy: spouse takes entire estate with mutual descendants; with prior-relationship descendants, formula varies by which spouse has prior children.
- Colorado recognizes attested wills, holographic wills, and harmless-error willsColorado recognizes attested wills, holographic wills (material provisions handwritten), and harmless-error wills. Flexible UPC framework.
- Colorado collection by affidavit handles personal property up to $80,000 without probateColorado collection by affidavit allows personal property collection up to $80,000 (indexed) without probate. Only 10-day waiting period.
- Colorado's Uniform Power of Attorney Act provides default-durable POAsColorado POAs are durable by default under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (2010). Hot powers require express enumeration. Third-party acceptance protections.
- Colorado beneficiary deed transfers real property without probateColorado beneficiary deed transfers real property to named beneficiary at death without probate. Adopted 2004 — one of the earliest TOD deed states.
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Check your situationThis information is educational, not legal advice. For complex situations, consult a licensed Colorado attorney.