Going Through Probate Without a Lawyer

Probate in Colorado is a legal process enforced to protect the estate of a deceased person and ensure that the terms in the person’s will are carried out properly. Just the term probate can be intimidating to a lot of people, especially those without any legal training specific to the laws of Colorado.

While Colorado’s probate process is fairly straightforward, there can still be obstacles that make the probate executor’s role very difficult to handle. Situations may arise – even in small estates – that will require a lawyer get involved in order to complete the probate process.

However, if the estate is small and the terms quite simple, the probate executor (the person assigned to authenticate the will, distribute the estate and finalize financial obligations of the estate) may be able to manage the probate process without a lawyer. If you are planning to handle the probate process without a lawyer in Colorado, make sure you are fully informed about these potential roadblocks:

• Estate funds vs. debts: make sure the estate can cover its debts and taxes
• Tax laws: the estate may be able to avoid federal estate taxes but may have to pay a state estate tax
• Probate avoidance: the estate may qualify for a shortened probate process
• Will disputes: lawsuits may occur if there are challenges to the will
• Common vs. complicated assets: estates that include complex real estate or business situations may require appraisals, sales or management

If you are unfamiliar with any of these topics or are unsure how to handle any of these situations, it may be advisable to seek legal help. The Denver estate administration lawyers at The Brown Law Firm LLC are experts at Colorado probate law and can help you navigate and simplify this process. Let our team of experts handle the details and wrap up the probate process as quickly and effectively as possible. Contact us at (303) 339-3750 or send us a message online to meet with our experts.