It can be difficult to make decisions after a loved one passes. Naturally, you will be in mourning and knowing what to do, when, and where to do it seems impossible.
There is a very precise process for dealing with the disposition of a will, lack of a will or trust. This very precise process is probate. This is true of any area, including Wheat Ridge, Colorado. You need to make sure that you do everything correctly.
Where to file a probate petition in Jefferson County, Colorado?
You file a probate petition with the First Judicial District Court, Clerk of Courts. You can locate the clerk in the county courthouse. During the probate process, this is a place you will visit several times.
What to do during the probate process?
Probate is a complex process with quite a few steps.
After the initial preparation of your documents, you or your representative must file them with the clerk of courts. The court will look at the documents and appoint you or the person the deceased specified as the personal representative.
Once appointed, you must open a bank account and calculate income taxes, debts and assets. Then it is time to take a look at personal and real property. This is often the most difficult part of the process.
When the real, personal and intangible property is given to all the heirs, you must close all accounts and finalize the estate. This is when you close the estate. Once you do this, the courts will close the probate case.
Probate is a complex and difficult process that takes time. You can expect probate in Colorado to take six months at a minimum.