Northglenn, CO estate planning & probate attorney Jeff Althaus discusses why you should hire a lawyer to help you carry out your duties as a personal representative in CO. He explains that whether someone should hire an attorney to serve as a personal representative in Colorado ultimately depends on the individual’s choice. However, based on his experience, he strongly recommends doing so. While he acknowledges his professional bias as an attorney who represents personal representatives, he notes that failing to hire legal counsel often proves more costly in the long run.

Many personal representatives attempt to navigate probate on their own, only to make errors that later require correction. At that point, an attorney must not only resolve those mistakes but also restart the process properly, which can add significant time and expense. By retaining an attorney from the outset, a personal representative gains guidance through the legal obligations imposed under Colorado law and avoids costly missteps.

He emphasizes that the attorney’s role in probate is to ensure compliance with all requirements, protect the personal representative from liability, and prevent unnecessary complications with the court or the IRS. In his view, having qualified legal counsel saves time, conserves resources, and provides peace of mind throughout the probate process.