Colorado Guardianship Costs and Fees

The True Cost Is More Than the Filing Fee

When families start researching guardianship costs in Colorado, the first number they find is the $229 filing fee. That's the statutory fee set under C.R.S. § 13-32-102(1)(b) and it's uniform across all District Courts in the state.

But $229 is just the entry ticket. The full cost of establishing an adult guardianship involves several additional expenses that aren't always obvious upfront.

Breaking Down Every Cost

Court Filing Fee: $229

This covers the initial petition and is the same whether you're filing for limited or full guardianship, in any county. Denver Probate Court charges the same amount.

CBI Background Check

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation charges a fee for the required name-based criminal history check. This is mandatory for every proposed guardian — even biological parents.

Credit Report

A current credit report from TransUnion, Experian, or Equifax must be submitted with your petition. If you're pulling it specifically for this purpose (beyond the free annual report), there may be a small fee. Redact all but the last four digits of account numbers before filing.

Court Visitor Fees

This is often the most variable cost. The Court Visitor — the independent investigator the court appoints to assess the situation — bills hourly under Chief Justice Directive 04-05. Simple, uncontested cases might cost a few hundred dollars. Complex situations involving multiple interviews, record reviews, and follow-up investigations cost more.

The petitioner typically pays, but indigent petitioners can apply for state-paid Visitor fees through JDF 208.

Attorney Fees: $2,000–$5,000+

Attorney representation isn't required — you can file pro se using the state's standardized JDF forms. But many families hire attorneys, and the cost range depends on complexity:

• Uncontested filing with standard scope: $2,000–$3,000
• Limited guardianship with custom provisions: $3,000–$4,000
• Contested hearing or combined guardianship/conservatorship: $4,000–$10,000+

Contested cases drive costs up significantly because of additional court appearances, witness preparation, and legal research.

Certified Copies of Letters

After appointment, you'll need certified copies of JDF 849 (Letters of Guardianship) to present to banks, hospitals, schools, and other institutions. The current court instructions list a $20 certification fee for orders, and you'll want several.

Conservatorship Add-Ons

If you're also filing for conservatorship (separate from guardianship), add:

• Another $229 filing fee (unless combined in the same petition — check with your court clerk)
• A surety bond (amount set by the court based on estate size)
• Additional attorney fees ($2,500–$6,000+ for conservatorship)

The Fee Waiver Option

Colorado offers fee waivers for families who can't afford the filing costs. To apply, submit:

• JDF 205: Motion to File Without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit — you'll document your income, assets, expenses, and debts
• JDF 206: Finding and Order Concerning Payment of Fees (blank — the judge fills this out)

The court reviews your financial situation and can waive the filing fee entirely, reduce it, or set up a payment plan. The fee waiver applies only to the court filing fee, not to attorney fees, background checks, or Court Visitor costs.

Hidden Time Costs

Beyond the dollar figures, guardianship imposes ongoing time costs that families don't always account for:

• Initial care plan (JDF 850): Due within 60 days of appointment
• Annual reports (JDF 850): Due within 30 days of the anniversary of appointment
• Service requirements: Annual reports must be served on the ward and all interested persons within ten days of filing

These reports require documenting the ward's current condition, medical status, living situation, and care goals. For conservators, the annual financial accounting (JDF 885) requires documenting every transaction in the estate.

Missing a report deadline can trigger court action, so this is an indefinite commitment of time and attention.

The Real Question: Do You Need to Spend This?

Before investing in the guardianship process, consider whether less expensive tools can accomplish the same goals:

A combination of these tools — costing a few hundred dollars at most, or nothing if you use free forms — covers many of the same situations that guardianship addresses. The key difference: these are voluntary tools that require your child's participation and some level of understanding, while guardianship is court-ordered and doesn't require consent.

The Colorado Guardianship & Alternatives Guide includes a cost comparison worksheet and decision matrix so you can evaluate whether the guardianship investment is justified for your situation — or whether a less expensive, less restrictive combination of alternatives will serve your family better.

See more Colorado guides →