Denver County small estate affidavit: where to take it, fee and local requirements
In Denver County, Colorado, a small estate affidavit is never filed with a court — it goes straight to the bank, DMV or employer. The state rule is the same everywhere in Colorado: $82,000, 10-day wait, with or without a will. What the county controls is below.
| Where it goes | No court filing — present to the holder |
|---|---|
| Fee | $0 |
| Local note | No county-specific requirement beyond the state form |
| State limit | $82,000 — for deaths in 2025 or later (adjusted annually) |
| Waiting period | 10 days from death |
| Form | Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit (JDF 999) C.R.S. §15-12-1201 · official source |
| Signing | Notarized; the affiant must wait 10 days after death and no personal representative may have been appointed |
Check the estate against the Colorado rule
Denver County · six questions
Some states file with the county court; others never go to court — the affidavit goes straight to the bank or DMV. The county decides the office and the fee.
Bank accounts, vehicles, final paychecks, personal property. Leave out joint accounts, accounts with a named beneficiary, and life insurance — those pass without probate anyway.
Most states make you wait 10–45 days before the affidavit can be signed or filed.
Your next 60 days
Denver County procedure
- Certified death certificates from Colorado vital records or the county registrar — five or more.
- Inventory everything in the person's sole name; stop if the total is over $82,000.
- Wait 10 days — the affidavit cannot be presented earlier.
- Complete the Colorado form — Notarized; the affiant must wait 10 days after death and no personal representative may have been appointed.
- Present it to each holder — $0. Bring a certified death certificate for each.
- Collect, pay debts, distribute — keep every receipt; the affiant is liable up to the amount collected.
What makes Colorado different
Colorado's 10-day wait is the shortest of any large state, and the judicial branch publishes the affidavit (JDF 999) with instructions. Most banks in the Denver area recognise the form on sight.
The limit is indexed every year; the affidavit itself states the figure for the year of death, so check the JDF form's current revision date before signing.
Common questions
Where do I file a small estate affidavit in Denver County?
Nowhere — Colorado affidavits are not filed with a court. No court filing — present to the holder. $0.
How much does a small estate affidavit cost in Denver County?
$0. Court forms are free; certified death certificates are $10–$25 each; a notary is $10–$15 per signature.
What is the small estate limit for Denver County?
The limit is set by Colorado law, not the county: $82,000 — for deaths in 2025 or later (adjusted annually).
Does Denver County have its own form?
No county-specific version; use the Colorado form (Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit (JDF 999)).
Other Colorado counties: El Paso County · Arapahoe County · Jefferson County · Colorado overview