Instructions For Probate With A Will

There are all sorts of forms executors, beneficiaries, and probate court clerks have to fill out and correspond with during probate and estate settlement, including affidavits, letters, petitions, summons, orders, and notices.

Instructions For Probate With A Will is a commonly used form within Colorado. Here’s an overview of what the form is and means, including a breakdown of the situations when (or why) you may need to use it:

Atticus Fast Facts About Instructions For Probate With A Will

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Instructions For Probate With A Will:

• This form pertains to the State of Colorado

• The current version of this form was last revised on February 1, 2021

Government forms are not typically updated often, though when they are, it often happens rather quietly. While Atticus works hard to keep this information about Colorado’s Form JDF 906 - Instructions For Probate With A Will up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.

Step 1 - Download the correct Colorado form based on the name and ID if applicable

Double check that you have both the correct form name and the correct form ID. Some Colorado probate forms can look remarkably similar, so it’s best to double, even triple-check that you’re using the right one! Keep in mind that not all States have a standardized Form ID system for their probate forms.

Step 2 - Complete the Document

Fill out all relevant fields in Form JDF 906, take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in CO are long enough to begin with, and making a silly error can push your timeline even farther back. No thank you!

Note: If you don’t currently know all of the answers and are accessing Form JDF 906 online, be sure to avoid closing the browser tab and potentially losing all your progress (or use a platform like Atticus to help avoid making mistakes).

Step 3 - Have Form JDF 906 witnessed or notarized (if required)

Some States and situations require particular forms to be notarized. If you have been instructed to get the document notarized or see it in writing on the document, then make sure to hire a local notary. There are max notary fees in the United States that are defined and set by local law. Take a look at our full guide to notary fees to make sure you aren’t overpaying or getting ripped off.

Step 4 - Submit Instructions For Probate With A Will to the relevant office

This is most often the local probate court where the decedent (person who passed away) is domiciled (permanently resides) or the institution involved with this particular form (e.g. a bank). Some offices allow you to submit forms online, other’s don’t, and we while we generally recommend going in-person to expedite the process, sometimes that simply isn’t an option.

It’s also a generally good idea to establish a positive working relationship with any probate clerk (unfortunately there’s enough people & process out there making things more difficult and unnecessarily confusing for them), so a best practice is to simply ask the probate clerk proactively exactly how and where they’d prefer you to submit all forms.

Need help getting in touch with a local probate court or identifying a domicile probate jurisdiction?

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Different probate forms or processes can require different deadlines or response times for completing the appropriate form.

While some steps in the process are bound to specific deadlines (like petitioning for probate, having to submit an inventory of assets, or filing applicable notices to creditors and beneficiaries), many probate forms or processes are not tied to a specific deadline since the scope of work can vary based on situational factors or requirements involved.

Either way, there are a bunch of practical reasons why personal representatives should work to complete each step as thoroughly and quickly as possible when completing probate in Colorado.

5 reasons you should submit JDF 906 as quickly as possible:

1. The sooner you begin, the faster Colorado can allow heirs and beneficiaries to get their share of assets subject to probate. Acting promptly can also decrease the costs & overall mental fatigue through an otherwise burdensome process.
   
   Helpful Context: What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?

2. In general, creditors of an estate usually have around 3-6 months from the time you file notice to creditors to file any claims for debt against the deceased’s assets. If they don’t, then that debt is forfeited (and more importantly, the executor won’t be held personally responsible). So doing this sooner means you have a better idea of who is owed what and ensures you won’t get a surprise collector months later.

3. Not filing a will within 30 days (on average) could mean that the probate process proceeds according to intestate laws (laws that govern what happens to someone's stuff without a will) or is subject to unnecessary supervision by the probate court. And if you aren't directly related to the deceased (a.k.a. next of kin), this could also mean you lose your inheritance.

4. It’s important to file any necessary state tax returns on behalf of the deceased or estate by the following tax season in Colorado. If you don’t, you could owe penalties and interest. This also includes any necessary federal tax returns such as Forms 1040, 1041, or even a Form 706 estate tax return.

5. If a house in the State of Colorado is left empty (or abandoned) for a while, insurance can get dicey. For example, if the house burns down and no one has been there for a year, an insurance company may get out of paying your claim.

If you’re not using Atticus to get specific forms, deadlines, and timelines for Colorado probate, then try and stay as organized as possible, pay close attention to the dates mentioned in any correspondence you have with the State’s government officials, call the local Colorado probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form JDF 906, and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

Instructions For Probate With A Will is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.

It may also be available through some Colorado probate court sites, such as . In order to access the latest version, be updated with any revisions, and get full instructions on how to complete each form, check out the Atticus Probate & Estate Settlement software or consider hiring a qualified legal expert locally within Colorado.

While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form JDF 906 - Instructions For Probate With A Will f using any other site or resource in order to avoid having to re-complete the form process and/or make another trip to the Colorado probate court office.

Instructions For Probate With A Will is a .pdf, so opening it should be as simple as clicking “View Form” from within the Atticus app or by clicking the appropriate link found on any Colorado-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.

Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on Colorado Form JDF 906 - Instructions For Probate With A Will. You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

JDF 906 – Instructions for Probate with a Will R: February 18, 2021 Page 1 of 8 These standard instructions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice about your case. There may be exceptions to the information outlined below. Please consult with an attorney if you have specific questions about the Decedent’s estate. If you choose to represent yourself, you are bound by the same rules and procedures as you would be if you were an attorney. If you need assistance with legal decisions, you should contact an attorney. Court staff cannot advise you. Instructions for Probate with a Will Do I Need to File Probate Documents with the Court? 1. Did the Decedent own real estate? ❑Yes ❑No The following assets are not counted in number 1 above: ◆ Real Estate titled in joint tenancy with a surviving joint tenant. ◆ Real Estate titled with a beneficiary deed. 2. Did the Decedent own non-real estate assets with a total value greater than $68,000.00? ❑Yes ❑No The following assets are not counted in number 2 above: ◆ Assets owned in joint tenancy with a surviving joint tenant. ◆ Assets with beneficiary designations, such as Payable-on-Death (POD) or Transferable on Death (TOD) accounts, and some life insurance policies and retirement accounts. If you answered “No” to number 1 and 2, you may not need to file court documents. See Instructions for Completing Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property - JDF 998. If you answered “Yes” to either 1 or 2, please read the information below: How Can I File – Informally or Formally? A probate case may be commenced in one of two ways. 1. By Application to the Registrar (Informal Proceeding). The Registrar may appoint a Nominee as Personal Representative without prior notice to any Interested Persons, if the Nominee has priority for appointment. The Applicant must provide the Registrar with proof of priority for appointment, which may include documents in addition to the Application such as JDF 912 – Renunciation and/or Nomination of Personal Representative. See §15-12-203, C.R.S. 2. By Petition to the Court (Formal Proceeding). The Probate Judge, Magistrate or Registrar may appoint a Personal Representative and determine Heirs after notice to all Interested Persons and after hearing on any objections. JDF 906 – Instructions for Probate with a Will R: February 18, 2021 Page 2 of 8 Common Terms  Applicant: A person who files an Application for Informal Appointment of a Personal Representative.  Creditor/Claimant: A person or entity to whom the Decedent or the estate has a financial or other obligation.  Decedent: The person who passed away.  Devisee: A person or entity designated in a Will to receive real or personal property.  Estate: All of the property (real or personal – non-real estate) owned by a person on the date of death that is subject to probate.  Formal: Opening an estate after prior notice to Interested Persons.  Heir: Person(s) entitled to the property of the Decedent under statutes of Intestate Succession. See Heirship Tree on page 6.  Informal: Opening an estate without prior notice to Interested Persons.  Interested Persons: Persons identified by Colorado Law who must be given notice of a court proceeding. The term may include heirs, children, spouse, devisees, beneficiaries, creditors, claimants, and persons having priority to serve as personal representative, depending on the circumstances.  Intestate: Estate in which the Decedent did not leave a will.  Intestate Succession: By Colorado law, a list of who will inherit the property when someone dies without a Will. (§15-11-101, et. seq., C.R.S.)  Letters: A document issued by the Court, identifying the authority of the Personal Representative.  N ominee: The person seeking appointment as Personal Representative.  Petitioner: A person who files a Petition for Formal Appointment of Personal Representative and/or Determination of Heirs.  Personal Representative: A person at least 21, resident or non-resident of Colorado, who has been appointed to administer the estate of the Decedent; previously referred to as Executor/Executrix.  Right of Survivorship: Property that is owned by two or more people, such that upon the death of one of the co-owners, his or her share passes to the remaining co-owners without the necessity of probate.  Tenants in Common: Property that is owned by two or more people, such that upon the death of one of the co-owners, his or her share passes to his or her estate rather than to the remaining co-owners. Probate is necessary.  Testate: Estate in which the Decedent left a will. JDF 906 – Instructions for Probate with a Will R: February 18, 2021 Page 3 of 8 If you do not understand this information, please contact an attorney. General Information to File Your Case in Probate Court ◆ If the Decedent resided or was domiciled in a Colorado county, the Application/Petition must be filed in that county. ◆ If the Decedent resided or was domiciled in another state, the Application/Petition may be filed in the Colorado County where the Decedent owned property. ◆ The Court cannot act on an Application or Petition before 120 hours have elapsed since the time of death. ◆ The nominated Personal Representative must be 21 years of age or older. ◆ A creditor cannot file an Application/Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative until 45 days have elapsed from the date of death. ◆ For additional information, please review §§15-12-101 through 1102, C.R.S. ◆ If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to access the courts, please contact your local ADA Coordinator. Contact information can be obtained from the following website: http://www.courts.state.co.us/Administration/HR/ADA/Coordinator_List.cfm Fees A filing fee of $199.00 is required. If you are unable to pay, you must complete the Motion to File without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit (JDF 205) and submit it to the Court. Once you submit the completed JDF 205 form and a blank Order (JDF 206), the Court will decide whether you need to pay the filing fee. Other fees that a party to the case may encounter are as follows: ❑ Certification of Orders and Letters $ 20.00 ❑ Copy of Documents $ .75 per pageForms To access a form online go to www.courts.state.co.us and click on the “Forms” tab. The packet/forms are available in PDF or WORD by selecting Probate - Decedent’s Estate - New Case - With a Will. You may complete a form online and print or you may print it and type or print legibly in black ink. Read these instructions carefully to determine what forms you may need. You have two choices on how to file. You can file informally or formally as described above. The table below identifies the forms that you may need to open the estate. Informal Formal JDF 910 - Application for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative JDF 920 - Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative JDF 911 - Acceptance of Appointment JDF 911 - Acceptance of Appointment JDF 912 - Renunciation and/or Nomination of Personal Representative JDF 912 - Renunciation and/or Nomination of Personal Representative JDF 721 - Irrevocable Power of Attorney JDF 721 - Irrevocable Power of Attorney JDF 711 - Notice of Hearing JDF 913 - Order for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative JDF 921 - Order Admitting Will to Formal Probate and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative JDF 915 - Letters Testamentary JDF 915 - Letters Testamentary JDF 906 – Instructions for Probate with a Will R: February 18, 2021 Page 4 of 8 Steps to Filing Your Case Step 1: Complete Forms. The caption must be completed on all forms filed. Be sure to make a copy for your own records of all of the forms you file with the Court. District Court Denver Probate Court County, Colorado Court Address: ▲ COURT USE ONLY ▲ In the Matter of the Estate of: Deceased Attorney or Party Without Attorney (Name and Address): Phone Number: Email: FAX Number: Atty. Reg. #: Case Number: Division: Courtroom: NAME OF FORM ❑ Application for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative (JDF 910). Or ❑ Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative (JDF 920). ❑ Complete all applicable sections on the form. ❑ All heirs living on the Decedent’s date of death must be listed. (§15-11-101, C.R.S. to §15-11- 108, C.R.S.) Create a family tree, if necessary. See heirship tree on page 6 of the Instructions. All devisees must be listed. This may include charities, friends, and trusts. Use the following as a guide when completing paragraph 8. Name Address (or date of death) Age (if Minor) Relationship (e.g. spouse, child, brother, guardian for spouse, etc.) John Smith, Date of Death 10.15.08 N/A Spouse of Decedent Joe Smith, incapacitated 456 North Street, Denver, CO 80123 N/A Brother of Decedent Robert Jones 850 Clark Street, Denver, CO 80266 N/A Guardian for Joe Smith Sandy Clark Date of Death 10.1.05 N/A Sister of John Smith John Clark 989 North Avenue, Paris, CA 90222 12 Nephew, son of Sandy Clark Joe Smith Trust, Sandy Clark Trustee 989 North Avenue, Paris, CA 90222 N/A Devisee ABC Charity 456 East Avenue, Denver, CO 80222 N/A Devisee ❑ All addresses must be complete and include zip codes. ❑ List all names previously used by the Decedent in the caption, for example Robert Smith aka Bob Smith, aka Robert A. Smith, aka Robert Aaron Smith. This is important because assets cannot be released if the name on a deed, bank account, etc. is different from the name identified in the Letters. JDF 906 – Instructions for Probate with a Will R: February 18, 2021 Page 5 of 8 ❑ This form must be signed and dated. ❑ Will ❑ The original Will must be filed with the Court. ❑ Acceptance of Appointment (JDF 911). ❑ The Nominee should complete the form and sign and date. ❑ Renunciation and/or Nomination of Personal Representative (JDF 912). ❑ To file informally, file this form for any heir who has priority for appointment. To file formally, file this form for any heir who has priority for appointment or give notice of hearing to such persons. ❑ If there are heirs under the age of 18, the Court may require a Conservator to be appointed. ❑ This form must be signed and dated. ❑ Irrevocable Power of Attorney (JDF 721). ❑ The nominated Personal Representative must complete this form and sign it before a Notary Public if he or she lives out-of-state. ❑ Notice of Hearing (JDF 711). ❑ For Formal Probate only, obtain a hearing date by contacting the Court to determine whether an appearance hearing is required. ❑ If an appearance hearing is required, the court will set a date for a hearing before a Judge or Magistrate. That date and time will be used for completing JDF 711 - Notice of Hearing. ❑ If an appearance hearing is not required, you may set a hearing without appearance for 8:00 a.m. on any weekday (excluding holidays), by completing and filing JDF 712 – Notice of Hearing Without Appearance Pursuant to C.R.P.P. 24 (Rule 24 of the Colorado Rules of Probate Procedures). If no objection is filed, the Court will rule on the matter as soon as practical after the hearing or hearing without appearance date. Parties are not expected to appear for matters set on the non-appearance docket. ❑ Mail or deliver the completed Notice of Hearing and all documents filed with the Court to the persons listed in paragraph 9 of the Petition. ❑ If the address of any person listed in paragraph 9 or the identity of any heir is unknown, notice must be given by publication (JDF 716). ❑ The Court may require notice to the Colorado Attorney General’s Office on behalf of any heir whose address or identity is unknown. ❑ Order for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative (JDF 913). or ❑ Order Admitting Will to Formal Probate and Formal Appointment of Personal Representative (JDF 921). ❑ Complete all applicable portions in preparation for the Court’s signature. ❑ Letters Testamentary (JDF 915). ❑ Complete only the caption on this form. The Court will complete the remainder of the form. ❑ Letters are evidence of the Personal Representative’s appointment and proof of authority to act on behalf of the estate. ❑ More than one set of certified Letters may be needed during the administration of the estate. Provide the Court with the number of Letters that are needed immediately. Third parties may require Letters to have been certified within the past 60 days. Letters may be requested as JDF 906 – Instructions for Probate with a Will R: February 18, 2021 Page 6 of 8 The Colorado Bar Association has various brochures regarding estate administration at www.cobar.org needed. ❑ The cost to certify Letters is $20.00 for certification and $.75 copy fee. Step 2: You are ready to file your papers with the Court. Provide the Court with the documents completed in Step 1 above, the original Will and pay the filing fee. Step 3: Requirements after the Court appoints a Personal Representative. It is the responsibility of the Personal Representative to administer the estate. This includes collecting assets, valuing the assets, paying claims and distributing the remaining assets in accordance with the law. In addition, the Personal Representative is required to complete the forms listed below: ❑ Information of Appointment (JDF 940). ❑ This form informs heirs that the Personal Representative has been appointed and they may contact the Personal Representative with their questions about the estate. ❑ This completed form must be sent to all heirs within 30 days from appointment. If the address or identity of any heir is unknown, this form must also be sent to the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. ❑ This form, including the completed Certificate of Service, must be filed with the Court. ❑ Notice to Creditors by Publication (JDF 943). ❑ This form is used to notify any potential creditors of the Decedent’s estate of the deadline for filing any claims. ❑ Unless one year or more has elapsed since the death of the Decedent, the Personal Representative must publish notice to creditors in a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks. ❑ Complete the form and provide to a local newspaper. ❑ The newspaper will provide you with Proof of Publication. File the Proof of Publication with the Court. ❑ Notice to Creditors by Mail or Delivery (JDF 944). ❑ This form is used to notify any known and unpaid creditors of the Decedent’s estate of the deadline for filing any claims. ❑ Unless one year or more has elapsed since the death of the Decedent, a Personal Representative must send this form to any known creditors. ❑ Decedent’s Estate Inventory (JDF 941). ❑ This form must be completed within three months from the date of appointment. ❑ Identify all assets and encumbrances. ❑ Send the completed form to Interested Persons who request it or file the original with the Court. ❑ Send a copy of the Inventory to the Attorney General, if heirs are unknown or if there is not a person qualified to receive the distribution. ❑ This form does not need to be filed with the Court at this time. ❑ Interim/Final Accounting (JDF 942). ❑ Send the completed form to Interested Persons who request it. ❑ This form does not need to be filed with the Court at this time. JDF 906 – Instructions for Probate with a Will R: February 18, 2021 Page 7 of 8 Step 4: Closing the Estate. The Personal Representative must complete forms to close an estate. Instructions are available. To determine which forms to file and to access the forms and instructions online go to www.courts.state.co.us and click on the “Forms” tab and then select Probate. JDF 906 – Instructions for Probate with a Will R: February 18, 2021 Page 8 of 8 And If decedent was married at the time of death, the spouse is an heir, unless the decedent is survived by a person with the right to inherit property pursuant to a designated beneficiary agreement. In that case, the designated beneficiary is an heir. See §15-11- 102.5. If decedent had children (or descendants of pre-deceased children), the children/descendants are also heirs, unless all of them are children/descendants of the surviving spouse AND the surviving spouse does not have any surviving children/descendants with any other person. If the spouse is not an heir because the decedent is survived by a designated beneficiary, then the children/descendants are heirs regardless of their relationship to any surviving spouse. Decedent's grandparents, or if both grandparents on either side (maternal or paternal) are deceased, the descendants of the pre-deceased grandparents are also heirs. Heirs are those people who are entitled by statute to the decedent’s property when there is no will (or when the will does not dispose of all assets). If none of the above, then: If none, then: Important Note: If any person who would be an heir died before decedent, then their children substitute for them and become the decedent’s heirs. Therefore, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc., must be considered when determining heirship. Heirs must survive the decedent by at least 120 hours. Decedent’s brothers and sisters (and descendants of any pre-deceased brothers and sisters) are the heirs. And If no descendants survive the decedent, surviving parents are also heirs, unless the decedent is survived by a designated beneficiary.