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Probate & Estate Administration

Settling a loved one’s estate in Colorado — informal probate, formal probate, and the small-estate shortcut, without the guesswork.

Charles E. Liken Jr., Esq. — On Colorado's Legal Front Lines Since 1995 · Government Investigator, Denver Human Services (1997–2003) · Licensed Colorado Attorney Since 2003 ~ 20+ Years in Private Practice · Colorado Deputy District Attorney (2018–2020) · Colorado Court-Appointed Child and Family Investigator

How We Help

Steady guidance when you’re grieving and in charge

Under the Colorado Probate Code (Title 15), the person settling an estate carries real legal duties — and real personal liability for getting them wrong. Most estates are simpler than families fear; the job is matching your estate to the right track and doing it cleanly.

Do you even need probate? — small estates can skip it with a collection-by-affidavit for estates under the statutory threshold (C.R.S. § 15-12-1201), plus non-probate transfers like beneficiary designations and joint title.
Informal probate — the common, paperwork-driven path when the will is valid and no one is fighting (C.R.S. § 15-12-301).
Formal probate — court-supervised administration when a will is unclear or contested, heirs disagree, or the assets are complex.
Personal-representative duties — inventory, notifying and paying creditors, taxes, and distributions — done in the right order to protect you personally.
No will (intestate) — who inherits, and in what shares, under C.R.S. § 15-11-101 when there is no valid will.
Will contests & creditor claims — challenging or defending a will, and meeting the strict creditor-claim deadline.

Ready when you are — talk it through with Charles.

Your choice: no-charge 20-minute phone call OR in-depth hour ($300) — both directly with Charles.

Planning ahead? We do that too

The best probate is the one your family barely notices. If you’re here for a loved one’s estate, we’ll settle it — and we can build your own estate plan so your family never has to.

Fees you can plan around: clear fee agreements, flexible payment plans through Affirm, and secure payments with Square.
THE LONGMONT LAW FIRM
Charles E. Liken Jr., Esq.
Attorney & Counselor at Law

Take the first step. We'll take it from there.

No-charge 20-minute phone consultation, or an in-depth hour ($300) — both directly with Charles.