PROBATE ATTORNEY & PROBATE ADMINISTRATION
What is probate?
Probate is the legal process used to transfer title of property from the decedent to their beneficiaries or heirs. An experienced probate attorney can help guide families through the probate process and ensure the estate is administered properly. All wills and intestate estates (an estate without a will) must be probated, but the degrees of court involvement and complexity range from simple and inexpensive to complicated and costly.
In Colorado, there are three types of probate proceedings for both wills and intestate estates, and a probate lawyer can help determine which type applies to your situation.
Small estates (under $64,000 and no real property),
Uncontested estates (“informal”), and
Contested estates and invalid or questionable wills (“formal”).
Both informal and formal probates must be open with the court for at least six months, though the full probate administration process may take longer depending on the complexity of the estate.
Whether or not you die having a will, if you have $64,000 or less and no real property, your beneficiaries or heirs may collect your assets using a small estate affidavit without needing full probate court involvement. This procedure requires the beneficiary or heir collecting the property to swear they are entitled to it and will distribute it to any other entitled beneficiaries or heirs.
The second type of probate, the informal probate process, is generally allowed when there is a valid will or clear intestacy, no contests are expected, and there is a clearly qualified personal representative ready to be appointed. The court has a limited role in the administration, but ensures that the directions in the will or intestacy law are followed.
A formal probate proceeding is required in situations where a will is contested, or legal issues arise that require court supervision, including when a will is contested, unclear, invalid, or when there are apparent or actual significant challenges (i.e., identifying heirs, property title disputes) in administration. The court may require that the personal representative get its approval for every transaction or may allow the personal representative to administer the estate unsupervised.
Will my estate have to go through the probate process?
All wills and intestate estates must be probated. Depending on how your assets are owned, your estate may not have to go through the probate process because your will may not control the distribution of some or all of your assets. There are certain types of assets that are not governed or distributed per the terms of a will. Only property that was owned by you in your individual name (and that does not have a beneficiary designation) is controlled by the will. Assets that are owned in joint tenancy, such as real property or a bank account, or assets that have a beneficiary designation like a life insurance policy or IRA, pass to the beneficiaries by operation of a contract, and are not subject to the provisions in the will or the probate process.
How do probate assets get passed to the heirs?
As described above, Probate assets are generally administered through one of three probate procedures. 1) through the use of an affidavit if the total probate estate assets are less than $64,000 and there is not any real property; 2) through a informal probate procedure; or 3) through a formal probate procedure.
If using a an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property, the affiant goes to the institution or individual holding the decedent’s asset, presents the affidavit, and collects the property. The affiant then distributes the property to those entitled to it, whether per the terms of the decedent’s will or the intestacy laws.
In an informal and formal probate procedure, the court appoints a personal representative or special administrator who is given the authority to essentially step into the decedent’s shoes and wrap up their business affairs and distribute their property. The personal representative may be supervised by the court or conduct the administration without supervision, but is considered a fiduciary for purposes of dealing with the decedent’s property.
Colorado law requires that the personal representative notify potential creditors during the probate administration period (by publication in a local newspaper or by mail) any possible and known creditors of the decedent, and to pay legitimate claims. During the creditors’ period, the personal representative will likely deal with valuing, consolidating, and/or liquidating the estate’s assets. After the creditors’ period is over, the personal representative may make distributions to creditors, heirs, and/or beneficiaries. An estate can close once all of the assets are transferred out of the decedent’s name, all legitimate claims are satisfied, all beneficiary interests are satisfied, and applicable tax returns are filed and paid.
Who administers an estate during probate?
The court will appoint a personal representative (formerly called an “executor”) and issue letters, or a document that evidences the personal representative’s authority to administer a decedent’s estate. The personal representative has many duties, rights, and responsibilities, including the ability to open and maintain an estate bank account; to sell, transfer, or encumber real property; to sell and/or transfer assets; to consolidate bank accounts; and to deal with creditors.
A personal representative has specific duties to the estate, including: (1) to deal with the interests of the creditors and beneficiaries impartially; (2) to administer the estate solely with regard to the interest of the creditors and beneficiaries (as opposed to the personal representative’s own interests); (3) the duty of undivided loyalty; and (4) to act prudently.
Other responsibilities of a personal representative include creating an estate inventory of all of the decedent’s assets (real and personal) that includes applicable titling and date-of-death values, managing the estate assets until the court approves the closing of the estate, keep accurate records of the estate’s transactions, and making distributions to creditors, heirs, and/or beneficiaries.
Can probate be avoided with estate planning?
Yes. A revocable living trust that is properly funded does not need to go through probate at the death of a trustee. Additionally, the use of beneficiary designations and transfers-on-death (TOD) avoids the need for probate.
