Access to Justice for Colorado Consumers
LegalConsumer.com has been providing free tools and legal information to Colorado consumers since 2006.
Free Tools and Information
for Colorado Consumers
Colorado Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure
- Colorado PROBATE COURT FINDER:
- Probate Court for Your County: Key information about your local probate court (District Court in Colorado) for Your County.
- How Probate Works in Colorado: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Your County's probate court.
- Here are links to:
- Small Estates Procedures in Colorado: Learn how to use Colorado's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.
In Colorado, there's an Affidavit procedure for estates that are less than $70,000. This limit only applies to assets that would otherwise pass through probate, so excludes all joint tenancy property and all assets that pass by beneficiary designation, like life insurance and payable on death accounts. There is a ten-day waiting period.
You can get the forms required here.
Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. 15-12-1201
There's also a summary probate procedure for estates whose value is less than the value of personal property held by the decedent as trustee (so living trust assets don't count), exempt property allowance, family allowance, costs of administration, funeral expenses, and medical expenses for last illness.
Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. 15-12-1203
- Colorado Estate Taxes:
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Colorado, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.
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- Avoiding Probate in Colorado. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
Bankruptcy & Debt
- MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
- for Your County, Colorado (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for May 15, 2024)
- Colorado BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Colorado law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy.
- Federal Exemptions available in Colorado?:
No. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-54-107
- Colorado Homestead Exemption
Real property, mobile home, manufactured home, or house trailer you occupy to $250,000; $350,000 if owner, spouse, or dependent is disabled or age 60 or older; sale proceeds exempt 2 years after received (husband & wife may double)
- Colorado Vehicle Exemption
Motor vehicles or bicycles used for work to $12,000; to $25,000 if used by a debtor or by a dependent who is disabled or age 60 or older
- Federal Exemptions available in Colorado?:
- Colorado BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
- FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.
Colorado Unemployment Benefits
- Benefit Amounts in Colorado: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
- Minimum:
- $25 per week
- Maximum:
- $781 per week
- Duration:
In Colorado, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law.
- Minimum:
- Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
- How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Colorado.
- Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
- 800-388-5515
- Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
- Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
- COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.
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Colorado Wage & Hour Law
- Colorado Minimum Wage:
The minimum wage in Colorado is $14.42 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in Colorado must be paid at least $14.42 an hour.
El Paso County Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in El Paso County is $14.42 an hour, the state minimum wage. To find out if El Paso County has passed its own minimum wage law, visit https://www.elpasoco.com/.
Colorado Springs Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is $14.42 an hour, the state minimum wage. However, cities in Colorado are free to adopt their own higher minimum wage, and dozens of cities across the country have done so. To find out whether Colorado Springs has passed its own minimum wage law since we last updated, visit the city's website at https://coloradosprings.gov/.
- Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Colorado and whether they apply to you.
- Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Colorado.
- Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Colorado.
In Colorado, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $11.40 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $14.42 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.
- Colorado Minimum Wage:
Democracy In Colorado, Your County, your city
- Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
- How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Colorado.
- Gerrymandering in Colorado: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
- Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about
Find a Lawyer in Colorado
- Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
- DUI, Criminal Defense
- Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
- Immigration
- Legal Aid