The Public Administrator in Colorado

In Colorado, a district court can appoint a Public Administrator, a private individual and not a government employee, to protect property and run an estate when no family member or named representative is able or willing to act. The law has hospitals, nursing homes, funeral homes, landlords and similar places notify the Public Administrator in certain situations. Virginia was sworn in as Public Administrator for the 1st Judicial District, which is Jefferson and Gilpin counties, in February 2014. For a referral I take the details and the attorneys take it from there.

The firm's page lists these duties. A Public Administrator files reports with the court every year and must be bonded.

• Acting as administrator or trustee of an estate when someone has died, until a family member or a person the decedent chose can be found, or when no family member is willing or able, or when it would be inappropriate for a particular family member to act.
• Administering conservatorships and trusts when a person cannot manage their finances and no one else suitable can.
• Protecting, managing and collecting assets.
• Acting as a neutral fiduciary in disputes involving protected persons, meaning people who have a conservator.
• Preserving and protecting the assets of a deceased person, or of an estate in a dispute, when an independent fiduciary is needed.
• Acting as special administrator when family members do not trust one another.
• Acting as special administrator in a personal injury or wrongful death claim brought against an estate.
• Assisting the 1st Judicial District with financial exploitation cases when appointed.

Hospital and nursing home social workers, funeral homes and mortuaries, coroners and police, landlords and apartment managers, county human services, banks, creditors and their attorneys, and relatives who live far away and cannot serve. Colorado law asks the person in charge of a hospital, nursing home, mortuary, residence or similar place to notify the Public Administrator in certain situations.

• Who is calling, their organization and a call-back number
• The person's name, the county and the date of death if known
• Whether any family or a will is known
• Nothing more at intake. The attorneys take it from there.