✍️ Sarah Mitchell
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⚖️ Legally reviewed by James Hartley
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Last reviewed: July 2026
Affiliate Disclosure: Law-Trust.com may earn a commission when you click links to Trust & Will on this page, at no extra cost to you. Our rankings are editorially independent. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
🏆 Colorado is one of the most permissive states for online will-making. Colorado has enacted the Uniform Electronic Wills Act (UEWA), meaning wills can be executed entirely remotely via audiovisual technology — fully legally. Combined with UPC-based probate and no state estate tax, Colorado is an excellent environment for digital estate planning.
Colorado is at the forefront of digital estate planning law. Whether you're in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, or a mountain town, making a legally valid will online is not just achievable — it's actively supported by state law. Colorado was among the early adopters of the Uniform Electronic Wills Act, making it possible to execute your will entirely without an in-person gathering.
This guide covers everything Colorado residents need to know about making a will online in 2026.
Is an Online Will Legal in Colorado?
Yes — and Colorado goes further than most states. Traditional paper wills are fully legal under Colorado's Uniform Probate Code. But Colorado has also enacted the Uniform Electronic Wills Act, making it one of the most progressive states for digital estate planning.
Under C.R.S. § 15-11-502, a valid Colorado will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and signed by at least two witnesses within a reasonable time after witnessing the testator's signing or acknowledgment. Colorado is a UPC state, so it also recognizes holographic wills under § 15-11-502(2) — where the signature and material portions are in the testator's handwriting.
Colorado's Electronic Wills Act (UEWA)
Colorado enacted the Uniform Electronic Wills Act, codified at C.R.S. § 15-11-1201 through § 15-11-1210. This is a landmark development for online estate planning. Under the UEWA:
- An electronic will is a valid will in Colorado
- The testator must sign (or direct another to sign) an electronic record constituting the will
- Two witnesses must sign — but they may appear via electronic presence (audiovisual communication) rather than physical presence
- A self-proving electronic affidavit may be executed via remote online notarization (RON)
In practice, this means a Colorado resident can create, execute, and notarize a will entirely online — via videoconference with witnesses and a remote notary — with full legal validity. This is one of the most forward-thinking estate planning frameworks in the United States.
Holographic Wills in Colorado
Colorado recognizes holographic wills under C.R.S. § 15-11-502(2). A holographic will is valid if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's own handwriting. No witnesses are required. However, holographic wills are easier to contest and create more uncertainty. A properly executed witnessed will — paper or electronic — is always the better choice.
Colorado Will Requirements Checklist
✔ Colorado Legal Will Requirements (C.R.S. § 15-11-502)
- You are at least 18 years old and of sound mind
- The will is in writing (paper or electronic under UEWA)
- You sign the will (or direct another to sign in your conscious presence)
- At least two witnesses each sign within a reasonable time after witnessing the signing or acknowledgment
- For electronic wills: witnesses may appear via audiovisual communication
- Notarization is NOT required — but a self-proving affidavit under § 15-11-504 is strongly recommended
- Holographic wills: signature and material portions must be in testator's handwriting
Colorado Probate: UPC-Based and Relatively Efficient
Colorado is a Uniform Probate Code (UPC) state, which generally means a more streamlined probate process than non-UPC states. Probate in Colorado is handled by the District Court in the county where the deceased resided.
Informal vs. Formal Probate
Colorado's UPC framework offers:
- Informal probate — Most common; no court hearing required. The personal representative is appointed by filing with the court and can administer the estate with minimal judicial oversight.
- Formal probate — Required when there are disputes about the will, unclear heirs, or other contested issues. Requires a court hearing.
- Supervised administration — Court oversight throughout; unusual and typically reserved for contested estates.
Small Estate Affidavit in Colorado
For estates with personal property totaling $80,000 or less (C.R.S. § 15-12-1201), heirs can use a simplified affidavit to collect assets without probate. This threshold was increased to make it more accessible. Real property above this value generally requires formal probate unless it passes outside the estate through joint tenancy, beneficiary designations, or a living trust.
No Colorado State Estate Tax
Colorado has no state estate tax and no state inheritance tax. Colorado repealed its estate tax and has not reinstated it. Only the federal estate tax applies, with a 2026 exemption of $13.61 million per individual. Colorado is one of the better states from an estate tax perspective.
Best Online Will Services for Colorado Residents
Given Colorado's UEWA adoption, we specifically evaluated how well each service supports electronic will execution, not just document drafting:
Best overall for Colorado — streamlined process, all essential documents, living trust option
Will plan from
$199
Colorado UPC Compliant
Living Trust Available
Advance Directive Included
Durable POA
Free Updates
Trust & Will is our top pick for Colorado residents. The guided questionnaire produces Colorado-compliant documents including a will, power of attorney, and advance medical directive. If you want to avoid probate entirely, the Trust Plan ($299) adds a revocable living trust. For most Colorado residents, the Will Plan is the ideal starting point.
✅ Pros
- Colorado UPC-compliant documents
- Living trust option available
- Clean, guided process
- Free lifetime updates
❌ Cons
- Electronic will execution via UEWA not yet native
- Higher price than budget options
Start Your Colorado Will at Trust & Will →
Good choice with attorney access for more complex Colorado estates
Will plan from
$99
Colorado-Compliant
Attorney Network
Business Documents
LegalZoom works well for Colorado residents, especially those with business interests (common in the Denver startup scene) who want attorney access alongside their estate planning documents. Watch for upsell prompts that can inflate the total cost.
✅ Pros
- Attorney subscription available
- Handles business needs too
- Colorado-compliant documents
❌ Cons
- Upsells add cost
- Updates billed extra
Visit LegalZoom →
Flexible subscription — good for Colorado's active remote workforce
From
$39.99/mo
CO Templates
Attorney Q&A
Unlimited Documents
Rocket Lawyer's subscription gives Colorado residents access to will templates, advance directives, and power of attorney forms, plus attorney Q&A access. Well-suited for Colorado's entrepreneurial population who may have ongoing legal document needs.
✅ Pros
- Unlimited document access
- Attorney questions included
- Cancel any time
❌ Cons
- Monthly recurring cost
- Less guided than Trust & Will
Visit Rocket Lawyer →
Budget-friendly option for simple Colorado estates
From
$9.95/mo
Low Cost
CO-Compliant
Fast Completion
LawDepot provides affordable Colorado will templates. Best for straightforward estates without complex asset situations. The guided experience is less comprehensive than Trust & Will, but the documents are legally sound for simple situations.
✅ Pros
- Very affordable
- Quick to complete
- Colorado-compliant output
❌ Cons
- Subscription model
- Less comprehensive guidance
Visit LawDepot →
Colorado Service Comparison
| Service | Price | Best For | Colorado Notes |
|---|
| Trust & Will (Will Plan) | $199 | Best overall | UPC-compliant, advance directive, free updates |
| Trust & Will (Trust Plan) | $299 | Avoid probate | Revocable living trust for CO estates |
| LegalZoom | $99+ | Attorney access | CO-compliant + attorney subscription |
| Rocket Lawyer | $39.99/mo | Multiple documents | Unlimited CO templates + Q&A |
| LawDepot | $9.95/mo | Budget/simple | CO-compliant basic will |
| CO Attorney | $1,200–$2,500 | Complex estates | Full planning + electronic will under UEWA |
Step-by-Step: Making a Will in Colorado Online
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1
Choose your service For most Colorado residents, Trust & Will is the top choice. If your estate approaches $1M+ or you have complex business interests, consider the Trust Plan or an attorney consultation.
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2
Complete the questionnaire Provide information about your family, assets, beneficiaries, and executor. Takes 20–40 minutes. Colorado's UPC framework means the process is relatively straightforward.
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3
Review your documents Carefully review the generated Colorado will, power of attorney, and advance directive before signing. Confirm all names, beneficiaries, and asset distributions.
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4
Execute your will Print and sign in front of two witnesses, or — under Colorado's UEWA — arrange electronic execution via videoconference. Complete the self-proving affidavit before a notary (or RON notary for electronic wills).
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5
Secure and communicate Store the original in a fireproof safe or safe deposit box. Give your executor access information. Review after major life events.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online will legal in Colorado?
Yes — and Colorado is one of the most permissive states. Online wills are fully legal under C.R.S. § 15-11-502. Colorado has also enacted the Uniform Electronic Wills Act (C.R.S. § 15-11-1201 et seq.), making wills executed via audiovisual technology with remote witnesses fully valid.
Are electronic wills valid in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado enacted the UEWA (C.R.S. § 15-11-1201 through § 15-11-1210). An electronic will is fully valid if signed by the testator and witnessed by two witnesses, who may appear via audiovisual communication (electronically present). This means you can execute a Colorado will entirely by videoconference with remote witnesses and a RON notary.
How many witnesses does a Colorado will require?
Colorado requires at least two witnesses (C.R.S. § 15-11-502), each signing within a reasonable time after witnessing the testator's signing or acknowledgment. For electronic wills under the UEWA, witnesses may appear via audiovisual communication — physical presence is not required.
Are holographic wills valid in Colorado?
Yes, under C.R.S. § 15-11-502(2). A holographic will is valid if the signature and material portions are in the testator's handwriting. No witnesses are required. However, holographic wills are more easily contested. A properly executed typed will is always safer.
Does Colorado have a state estate tax?
No. Colorado has no state estate tax and no state inheritance tax. Only the federal estate tax applies, with a 2026 exemption of $13.61 million per individual. The vast majority of Colorado residents will never owe any estate tax.
How does Colorado probate work?
Colorado is a UPC state with informal, formal, and supervised probate options. Informal probate (most common) requires minimal court appearances. The District Court handles probate in the deceased's county. Colorado's small estate affidavit threshold is $80,000 for personal property (C.R.S. § 15-12-1201).
What is the Colorado small estate threshold?
Colorado's small estate affidavit threshold is $80,000 for personal property (C.R.S. § 15-12-1201). Estates below this can use a simple affidavit to collect assets without probate. Real property above this value generally requires probate unless it passes outside the estate via joint tenancy, beneficiary designations, or a living trust.
How much does an online will cost in Colorado?
Online will services for Colorado residents cost $89–$199 for a complete will package. Trust & Will's will plan is $199 and includes a will, power of attorney, and advance directive — compared to $1,200–$2,500 for a Colorado estate planning attorney.