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Docket No. 08005 · Colorado

Arapahoe County
Probate Court

In Colorado, estates are probated in the District Court (Probate Division) / Denver Probate Court. This page gathers where to file in Arapahoe County, the state rules that apply, and where every detail comes from.

Call (303) 645-6600 Court website ↗ Directions ↗
County seat
Littleton
Population
656,061
Court
District Court
Record
Office checked
CO · 0800539°39′ N · 104°20′ W
● Arapahoe County Government Center
located via OpenStreetMap
Small-estate limit
$88,000
Wait 10 days after death
Creditor window
4 months
C.R.S. § 15-12-801 & § 15-12-803
Executor fee
Reasonable
Reasonable fee set by the court
Death taxes
None
No state death tax
§ I

Where to file in Arapahoe County

Handled by
District Court (Probate Division) / Denver Probate CourtIn Colorado, probate is administered by the District Court in 63 counties, and by the specialized, standalone Denver Probate Court in the City and County of Denver.
Probate office
Arapahoe County District Court - Arapahoe County Justice Center 7325 S Potomac St, Centennial, CO 80112 (303) 645-6600 Checked on the court's website, Sept 2026 · coloradojudicial.gov
County building
Arapahoe County Government Center 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, CO 80120 OpenStreetMap · view the map entry
Phone
(303) 645-6600court website
Opening hours
Not published in an open source. Check the court or county website before you go.
County website
co.arapahoe.co.usWikidata
Court website
coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/arapahoe-county
State courts & e-filing
coloradojudicial.govCase search: Colorado Judicial Branch CoCourts Public Record Search
§ II

How probate runs in Arapahoe County

Six stages, with the Colorado rules that set the pace.

  1. 01

    Secure the original will

    Find the original signed will and order certified death certificates. Colorado deadline: Custodian must deliver (lodge) will with the court within 10 days after death or as soon as death becomes known (C.R.S. § 15-11-516); 3-year limit for most probate proceedings.

  2. 02

    Pick the right track

    If the probate estate is under $88,000, a small-estate procedure (C.R.S. § 15-12-1201 (Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit)) may avoid full administration.

  3. 03

    Petition the court

    File the petition with the District Court (Probate Division) / Denver Probate Court for Arapahoe County. The court appoints the executor or administrator and issues letters.

  4. 04

    Inventory the estate

    Open an estate bank account (the IRS issues the EIN), list assets at date-of-death values and file the inventory if the court requires it.

  5. 05

    Notify creditors

    Publish or send notice to creditors. Window: 4 months from the date of first publication of notice to creditors, or 1 year from death if no notice.

  6. 06

    Account and distribute

    Pay debts, taxes and fees (C.R.S. § 15-12-719 (review under § 15-12-721)), file the final account if required, distribute to heirs and ask to close the estate.

Need help with an estate in Arapahoe County, Colorado?

Where to get help.

We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.

  1. 01 Colorado courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
  2. 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
  3. 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
§ III

Colorado rules that apply here

Probate law is state law — these apply in all 64 Colorado counties.

Small estates
$88,000 for 2026 deaths ($86,000 for 2025), CPI-adjusted annually; personal property onlyC.R.S. § 15-12-1201 (Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit) · wait 10 days
Filing the will
Custodian must deliver (lodge) will with the court within 10 days after death or as soon as death becomes known (C.R.S. § 15-11-516); 3-year limit for most probate proceedings
Creditor claims
4 months from the date of first publication of notice to creditors, or 1 year from death if no noticeC.R.S. § 15-12-801 & § 15-12-803
Executor fees
Reasonable compensation (C.R.S. § 15-12-719); subject to court review under § 15-12-721C.R.S. § 15-12-719 (review under § 15-12-721) · estimate the fee
Handwritten wills
Recognized. Colorado recognizes holographic wills if signature and material portions are in testator's handwriting (C.R.S. § 15-11-502).
Estate tax
No state estate tax.Colorado has no state estate tax.
Inheritance tax
No.No state inheritance tax in Colorado.
Typical duration
6 to 12 monthsA lawyer is not required by statute, though most formal estates use one.

Rules re-checked Sept 2026 against: coloradojudicial.gov (courts) · colorado.public.law · coloradojudicial.gov (courts)

§ IV

Neighbouring probate courts

ArapahoeAdamsElbertDenverDouglasBroomfield
Related officeArapahoe County Clerk & RecorderDeath certificates, recorded deeds and marriage records for the estate file.uscountyclerks.com ↗ Related officeArapahoe County Property AppraiserAssessed values and parcel records for the estate inventory.uspropertyappraisers.com ↗
§ V

Questions about Arapahoe County probate

Where is the Arapahoe County Probate Court located?
Probate matters in Arapahoe County are handled by the Arapahoe County District Court - Arapahoe County Justice Center, 7325 S Potomac St, Centennial, CO 80112 (phone (303) 645-6600). These details were checked on the court's own website in September 2026; confirm hours before visiting.
What is the small estate affidavit limit in Arapahoe County, CO?
Small-estate rules are set by state law, so they are the same in every Colorado county: $88,000 for 2026 deaths ($86,000 for 2025), CPI-adjusted annually; personal property only (C.R.S. § 15-12-1201 (Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit)). The waiting period is 10 days.
How do I search probate case records in Arapahoe County?
Start with the Colorado judiciary website (coloradojudicial.gov), which points to Colorado Judicial Branch CoCourts Public Record Search. Older files and certified copies are requested from the probate clerk in Littleton.
What are the deadlines for filing a will and creditor claims in Arapahoe County?
Will: Custodian must deliver (lodge) will with the court within 10 days after death or as soon as death becomes known (C.R.S. § 15-11-516); 3-year limit for most probate proceedings. Creditors: 4 months from the date of first publication of notice to creditors, or 1 year from death if no notice (C.R.S. § 15-12-801 & § 15-12-803).
How much can an executor charge in Arapahoe County?
Colorado rule: Reasonable compensation (C.R.S. § 15-12-719); subject to court review under § 15-12-721 (C.R.S. § 15-12-719 (review under § 15-12-721)). You can estimate the amount with our executor fee calculator.