A legal, valid, and enforceable Colorado last will and testament can make your family's entire probate and inheritance process much easier. They won't have you to spend long hours going to-and-fro the court. Your family would be well provided for, as you've mentioned in your will. Your minor children would have the guardian you choose, and they could carry on their life with the support of a loved one. You would get to decide all these things rather than a stranger with no clue about your family's dynamics.

That's why making a legal will following your state requirements is essential. If you live in Colorado, here's what you should follow:

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Table of contents

‍1. Requirements for a Colorado Last Will and Testament  ‍

2. Who can be your witnesses?

‍3. Colorado rules for a personal representative

4. Colorado Last Will and Testament Notarization

5. Last Will Revocation rules

6. Last Will Amendment rules

7. Colorado rules for divorce after making your last will

8. What happens if you don't have a will in Colorado?

9. Last Will and Testament Colorado free template

‍10. How can TrulyWill help with your online will?

11. FAQs

Requirements for a Colorado Last Will and Testament 

• Written will: A Colorado last will and testament can be on paper or digital to be legal. Colorado allows electronic wills and self-written wills.
• Must be of at least 18 age 
• Have a sound mind and memory: The testator for a Colorado last will must fully understand the will procedure, the extent of their estate, and beneficiaries. For their last will to be legal, they must have a sound mind and memory.
• Signed by the testator: To make it your will, you must sign your Colorado last will and testament before your two eligible witnesses.
• Signed by two witnesses: You must have two witnesses for the last will. They should acknowledge and sign the will.
• You could also make a legal Colorado last will by signing before a notary. Follow this step if you don't want any witnesses. 

Who can be your witnesses for a Colorado Last Will and Testament? 

Your witnesses for a Colorado last will must follow these conditions:

• Colorado allows anyone competent to become a witness. 
• They should be able to testify about what they saw and the will-making process.
• It's better not to select beneficiaries as witnesses as it leaves the will to be easily challenged. 

Colorado rules for a personal representative or an executor 

Choosing an executor for your Colorado last will would be better than leaving it to uncertainty. However, an executor should follow these guidelines to be eligible for the role:

1. Must be at least 21 or above
2. Capable of performing the job, i.e., of a sound mind.
3. Colorado doesn't restrict people convicted of a felony from being executors.
4. Colorado allows you to choose someone out of state.

Last will and Testament Notarization in Colorado 

There's no need to notarize your Colorado last will and testament. However, you should add a self-proving affidavit to the last will to speed up the probate process. Here's how you can do that:

• Find a notary public to make a self-proving affidavit for the will. 
• You and the witnesses must go to the notary and sign the affidavit, stating who you are and that you know you're signing a will.

You could also sign your will before a notary if you don't want to use any witnesses. 

Colorado last Will Revocation

You could follow any of the following methods to revoke your Colorado last will and testament:

• Destroy your last will by tearing, burning, obliterating, and shredding.
• Making a new legal will that revokes any part or the entire previous will.

Colorado last Will Amendment Rules 

If you wish to make some minor and simple changes to your Colorado last will, you can do it through a Codicil. It will allow you to introduce changes to your existing will and avoid revoking it.

However, you must follow the same guidelines to make a legal codicil as for an original will. If you want to make multiple amendments, it's better to make a new will that revokes the previous one.

Colorado rules for divorce after making your last will

• Colorado law revokes any gift you leave to your spouse.
• Revokes any appointment of your spouse as the trustee or executor 
• However, the provisions will stand if you state otherwise in your Colorado will.

What happens if you don't have a will in Colorado?

Last Will and Testament Colorado Free Template

You can quickly create a simple estate plan by downloading a Last Will and Testament Colorado free template. It will be the best option if you don't have a large estate or complicated finances. You could check out the template and follow the necessary requirements to make your new Colorado last will and testament. Once you go through the details and follow the required steps:

1. Connect on TrulyWill and create your account.
2. Discuss any issues or complications about your finances and personal relationships with our attorneys.
3. Sign or notarize the document, depending on your state requirements. 

This template and sample last will and testament would allow you to examine what your will would look like. You can change the will template depending on your personal preferences for estate distribution. Here are some instances where it would be prudent to consult one of our attorneys before finalizing your will:

• You have a high net worth and considerable assets. 
• You have complicated family and personal relationships, affecting who would inherit the estate. 
• You have multiple financial obligations and other matters that are still open and would be the beneficiary's responsibility.
• You are not sure that the simple last will and testament template fulfills all your requirements for a will.

If you're facing any of these issues, it's essential to consult an expert before proceeding. They could personally help you out with any doubts and create a solid and legally enforceable Colorado last will and testament. 

How can TrulyWill help with an online Will and Testament? 

TrulyWill is the perfect option to create a hassle-free online last will. You could go to the platform from your home's comfort and make your online will and testament. Online wills are a straightforward process; you should opt for them rather than spend hours in a lawyer's office. Furthermore, the process is pretty simple; you just add details, review for mistakes, read the guidelines, and download. That's it!

What else can TrulyWill do?

TrulyWill helps fulfill your varying needs for a will. You can opt for a simple last will and testament online or seek professional help. We offer everything from one-on-one legal support to solve your will issues.

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Furthermore, you could opt for a trust-based plan depending on what suits you better. TrulyWill can help you figure out the process and help avoid substantial legal fees. So, you should go to the platform and get your online will in just a few minutes. 

FAQs

1. What would happen to my estate if I had no immediate family?

If you create a will before you pass away, your estate will go to the beneficiaries you've mentioned. However, if you die without a will, it could go to your extended family or even the state if there are no relatives. 

2. What would it cost me to make a will?

Depending on your location and estate, the cost varies between $500 to $1000 if you hire a lawyer. However, you can use the TrulyWill platform to create a legal and valid will at a fraction of this price.

3. What would happen if someone passes away without a will?

The state's intestacy laws will be followed if someone dies without a will. The interested parties, like the spouse or children, would have to go through a probate process to get their share in the estate. 

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