Northglenn, CO estate planning & probate attorney Jeff Althaus discusses how a personal representative’s deed works in Colorado. He points out that there are several types of deeds—such as quitclaim deeds, warranty deeds, and beneficiary deeds—each serving a specific purpose. In the probate context, one commonly used instrument is the Personal Representative’s Deed.

If a property owner passes away and the home must go through probate, the decedent obviously cannot sign a deed to transfer title to heirs or to a third-party buyer. In such cases, the court appoints a personal representative to handle the estate. That individual is authorized to sign the necessary deed on behalf of the deceased, ensuring the property is legally transferred to the appropriate beneficiary or buyer.

This document, known as a Personal Representative’s Deed, functions simply as the legal instrument that conveys title from the decedent’s estate. Once property transfers are completed, the estate can pay creditors, distribute remaining assets, and move toward closing the probate process.