Intestate Succession in Colorado
State-specific overview · Estate & Probate
Colorado distributes intestate property to spouses and descendants first, then to other relatives in a fixed statutory order.
How Colorado treats Intestate Succession
If the deceased leaves a surviving spouse and children, the spouse receives the first $150,000 plus half of any remainder, while children share the rest equally. If no spouse exists, all property passes to children in equal shares, or to their descendants if a child has died. Colorado follows the Uniform Probate Code model, prioritizing direct descendants before more distant relatives.
The general definition of Intestate Succession
The legal process of distributing a deceased person's property when they leave no valid will.
If someone dies without a will (or with an invalid will), state law determines who inherits their property. Each state has a set order of priority—usually spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings. The court appoints an administrator to manage the estate and follow these statutory rules, even if the deceased person's wishes were different.
Read the full Intestate Succession entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.