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Ch. 178 Probate, Trusts, and Fiduciaries &+$37(5 178 _______________ PROBATE, TRUSTS, AND FIDUCIARIES _______________ SENATE BILL 94-043 BY SENATORS Mares and Meiklejohn; also REPRESENTATIVE Kaufman. AN ACT CONCERNING THE "COLORADO PROBATE CODE", AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AMENDING ARTICLE 10 OF TITLE 15, COLORADO REVISED STATUTES, AND ENACTING A REVISED ARTICLE 11 OF THE "COLORADO PROBATE CODE" RELATING TO INTESTACY, WILLS, AND DONATIVE TRANSFERS. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. 15-10-107, Colorado Revised Statutes, 1987 Repl. Vol., is REPEALED AND REENACTED, WITH AMENDMENTS, to read: 15-10-107. Evidence of death or status. (1) IN ADDITION TO THE RULES OF EVIDENCE IN COURTS OF GENERAL JURISDICTION, THE FOLLOWING RULES RELATING TO A DETERMINATION OF DEATH AND STATUS APPLY: (a) DEATH OCCURS WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL IS DETERMINED DEAD UNDER SECTION 12-36-136, C.R.S. (b) AN AUTHENTICATED COPY OF A DEATH CERTIFICATE PURPORTING TO BE ISSUED BY AN OFFICIAL OR AGENCY OF THE PLACE WHERE THE DEATH PURPORTEDLY OCCURRED IS PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE FACT, PLACE, DATE, AND TIME OF DEATH AND THE IDENTITY OF THE DECEDENT. (c) AN AUTHENTICATED COPY OF ANY RECORD OR REPORT OF A GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN, THAT AN INDIVIDUAL IS MISSING, DETAINED, DEAD, OR ALIVE IS PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE STATUS AND OF THE DATES, CIRCUMSTANCES, AND PLACES DISCLOSED BY THE RECORD OR REPORT. (d) IN THE ABSENCE OF PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF DEATH UNDER PARAGRAPH &DSLWDO OHWWHUV LQGLFDWH QHZ PDWHULDO DGGHG WR H[LVWLQJ VWDWXWHV GDVKHV WKURXJK ZRUGV LQGLFDWH GHOHWLRQV IURP H[LVWLQJ VWDWXWHV DQG VXFK PDWHULDO QRW SDUW RI DFW Probate, Trusts, and Fiduciaries Ch. 178 (b) OR (c) OF THIS SUBSECTION (1), THE FACT OF DEATH SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE, INCLUDING CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. (e) AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE DEATH IS NOT ESTABLISHED UNDER PARAGRAPHS (a) TO (d) OF THIS SUBSECTION (1) WHO IS ABSENT FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS, DURING WHICH HE OR SHE HAS NOT BEEN HEARD FROM, AND WHOSE ABSENCE IS NOT SATISFACTORILY EXPLAINED AFTER DILIGENT SEARCH OR INQUIRY, IS PRESUMED TO BE DEAD. HIS OR HER DEATH IS PRESUMED TO HAVE OCCURRED AT THE END OF THE PERIOD UNLESS THERE IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE FOR DETERMINING THAT DEATH OCCURRED EARLIER. (f) IN THE ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE DISPUTING THE TIME OF DEATH STATED ON A DOCUMENT DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (b) OR (c) OF THIS SUBSECTION (1), A DOCUMENT DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (b) OR (c) OF THIS SUBSECTION (1) THAT STATES A TIME OF DEATH ONE HUNDRED TWENTY HOURS OR MORE AFTER THE TIME OF DEATH OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL, HOWEVER THE TIME OF DEATH OF THE OTHER INDIVIDUAL IS DETERMINED, ESTABLISHES BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL SURVIVED THE OTHER INDIVIDUAL BY ONE HUNDRED TWENTY HOURS. (2) IN THE EVENT THAT THE FACT OF DEATH OF AN ABSENTEE IS ENTERED IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT BEFORE A FINDING OF DEATH IS ENTERED IN A FORMAL TESTACY PROCEEDING UNDER THIS CODE, THE FINDING RELATING TO DEATH OF THE ABSENTEE IN SUCH ACTION SHALL NOT BE DETERMINATIVE OF ANY FINDING TO BE MADE IN ANY PROCEEDING UNDER THIS CODE. SECTION 2. 15-10-201, Colorado Revised Statutes, 1987 Repl. Vol., as amended, is REPEALED AND REENACTED, WITH AMENDMENTS, to read: 15-10-201. General definitions. SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS CONTAINED IN THE SUBSEQUENT ARTICLES THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO SPECIFIC ARTICLES, PARTS, OR SECTIONS, AND UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES, IN THIS CODE: (1) "AGENT" MEANS AN ATTORNEY IN FACT UNDER A DURABLE OR NONDURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY, AN INDIVIDUAL AUTHORIZED TO MAKE DECISIONS CONCERNING ANOTHER'S HEALTH CARE, AND AN INDIVIDUAL AUTHORIZED TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR ANOTHER UNDER THE "COLORADO PATIENT AUTONOMY ACT". (2) "APPLICATION" MEANS A WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE REGISTRAR FOR AN ORDER OF INFORMAL PROBATE OR APPOINTMENT UNDER PART 3 OF ARTICLE 12 OF THIS TITLE. (3) "AUGMENTED ESTATE" MEANS THE ESTATE DESCRIBED IN SECTION 15-11-202. (4) "AUTHENTICATED" MEANS CERTIFIED, WHEN USED IN REFERENCE TO COPIES OF OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, AND ONLY CERTIFICATION BY THE OFFICIAL HAVING CUSTODY IS REQUIRED. Ch. 178 Probate, Trusts, and Fiduciaries (5) "BENEFICIARY", AS IT RELATES TO A TRUST BENEFICIARY, INCLUDES A PERSON WHO HAS ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE INTEREST, VESTED OR CONTINGENT, AND ALSO INCLUDES THE OWNER OF AN INTEREST BY ASSIGNMENT OR OTHER TRANSFER; AS IT RELATES TO A CHARITABLE TRUST, INCLUDES ANY PERSON ENTITLED TO ENFORCE THE TRUST; AS IT RELATES TO A "BENEFICIARY OF A BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION", INCLUDES A BENEFICIARY OF AN INSURANCE OR ANNUITY POLICY, OF AN ACCOUNT WITH PAYMENT ON DEATH (POD) DESIGNATION, OF A SECURITY REGISTERED IN BENEFICIARY FORM (TOD), OR OF A PENSION, PROFIT SHARING, RETIREMENT, OR SIMILAR BENEFIT PLAN, OR OTHER NONPROBATE TRANSFER AT DEATH; AND, AS IT RELATES TO A "BENEFICIARY DESIGNATED IN A GOVERNING INSTRUMENT", INCLUDES A GRANTEE OF A DEED, A DEVISEE, A TRUST BENEFICIARY, A BENEFICIARY OF A BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION, A DONEE, APPOINTEE, OR TAKER IN DEFAULT OF A POWER OF APPOINTMENT, AND A PERSON IN WHOSE FAVOR A POWER OF ATTORNEY OR A POWER HELD IN ANY INDIVIDUAL, FIDUCIARY, OR REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY IS EXERCISED. (6) "BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION" MEANS A GOVERNING INSTRUMENT NAMING A BENEFICIARY OF AN INSURANCE OR ANNUITY POLICY, OF AN ACCOUNT WITH POD DESIGNATION, OF A SECURITY REGISTERED IN THE BENEFICIARY FORM (TOD), OR OF A PENSION, PROFIT SHARING, RETIREMENT, OR SIMILAR BENEFIT PLAN, OR OTHER NONPROBATE TRANSFER AT DEATH. (7) "CHILD" INCLUDES AN INDIVIDUAL ENTITLED TO TAKE AS A CHILD UNDER THIS CODE BY INTESTATE SUCCESSION FROM THE PARENT WHOSE RELATIONSHIP IS INVOLVED AND EXCLUDES A PERSON WHO IS ONLY A STEPCHILD, A FOSTER CHILD, A GRANDCHILD, OR ANY MORE REMOTE DESCENDANT. (8) "CLAIMS", IN RESPECT TO THE ESTATES OF DECEDENTS AND PROTECTED PERSONS, INCLUDES LIABILITIES OF THE DECEDENT OR PROTECTED PERSON WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, IN TORT, OR OTHERWISE, AND LIABILITIES OF THE ESTATE WHICH ARISE AT OR AFTER THE DEATH OF THE DECEDENT OR AFTER THE APPOINTMENT OF A CONSERVATOR, INCLUDING FUNERAL EXPENSES AND EXPENSES OF ADMINISTRATION. THE TERM DOES NOT INCLUDE ESTATE OR INHERITANCE TAXES, OR TAXES DUE THE STATE OF COLORADO, OR DEMANDS OR DISPUTES REGARDING TITLE OF A DECEDENT OR PROTECTED PERSON TO SPECIFIC ASSETS ALLEGED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ESTATE. (9) "CONSERVATOR" MEANS A PERSON WHO IS APPOINTED BY A COURT TO MANAGE THE ESTATE OF A PROTECTED PERSON. (10) "COURT" MEANS THE COURT OR DIVISION THEREOF HAVING JURISDICTION IN MATTERS RELATING TO THE AFFAIRS OF DECEDENTS AND PROTECTED PERSONS. THIS COURT IS THE DISTRICT COURT, EXCEPT IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER WHERE IT IS THE PROBATE COURT. (11) "DESCENDANT" MEANS ALL OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S DESCENDANTS OF ALL GENERATIONS, WITH THE RELATIONSHIP OF PARENT AND CHILD AT EACH GENERATION BEING DETERMINED BY THE DEFINITIONS OF CHILD AND PARENT CONTAINED IN THIS CODE. (12) "DEVISE", WHEN USED AS A NOUN, MEANS A TESTAMENTARY DISPOSITION Probate, Trusts, and Fiduciaries Ch. 178 OF REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY AND, WHEN USED AS A VERB, MEANS TO DISPOSE OF REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY BY WILL. (13) "DEVISEE" MEANS A PERSON DESIGNATED IN A WILL TO RECEIVE A DEVISE. FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 12 OF THIS TITLE, IN THE CASE OF A DEVISE TO AN EXISTING TRUST OR TRUSTEE, OR TO A TRUSTEE IN TRUST DESCRIBED BY WILL, THE TRUST OR TRUSTEE IS THE DEVISEE AND THE BENEFICIARIES ARE NOT DEVISEES. (14) "DISABILITY" MEANS CAUSE FOR A PROTECTIVE ORDER AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 15-14-401. (15) "DISTRIBUTEE" MEANS ANY PERSON WHO HAS RECEIVED PROPERTY OF A DECEDENT FROM HIS OR HER PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OTHER THAN AS A CREDITOR OR PURCHASER. A TESTAMENTARY TRUSTEE IS A DISTRIBUTEE ONLY TO THE EXTENT OF DISTRIBUTED ASSETS OR INCREMENT THERETO REMAINING IN HIS OR HER HANDS. A BENEFICIARY OF A TESTAMENTARY TRUST TO WHOM THE TRUSTEE HAS DISTRIBUTED PROPERTY RECEIVED FROM A PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IS A DISTRIBUTEE OF THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PROVISION, "TESTAMENTARY TRUSTEE" INCLUDES A TRUSTEE TO WHOM ASSETS ARE TRANSFERRED BY WILL, TO THE EXTENT OF THE DEVISED ASSETS. (16) "DIVORCE" INCLUDES A DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE, AND "ANNULMENT" INCLUDES A DECLARATION OF INVALIDITY, AS SUCH TERMS ARE USED IN THE "UNIFORM DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE ACT", ARTICLE 10 OF TITLE 14, C.R.S. (17) "ESTATE" MEANS THE PROPERTY OF THE DECEDENT, TRUST, OR OTHER PERSON WHOSE AFFAIRS ARE SUBJECT TO THIS CODE AS ORIGINALLY CONSTITUTED AND AS IT EXISTS FROM TIME TO TIME DURING ADMINISTRATION. (18) "EXEMPT PROPERTY" MEANS THAT PROPERTY OF A DECEDENT'S ESTATE WHICH IS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 15-11-403. (19) "FIDUCIARY" INCLUDES A PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE, GUARDIAN, CONSERVATOR, AND TRUSTEE. (20) "FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE" MEANS A PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTED BY ANOTHER JURISDICTION. (21) "FORMAL PROCEEDINGS" MEANS PROCEEDINGS CONDUCTED BEFORE A JUDGE WITH NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS. (22) "GOVERNING INSTRUMENT" MEANS A DEED, WILL, TRUST, INSURANCE OR ANNUITY POLICY, MULTIPLE-PARTY ACCOUNT, SECURITY REGISTERED IN BENEFICIARY FORM (TOD), PENSION, PROFIT SHARING, RETIREMENT OR SIMILAR BENEFIT PLAN, INSTRUMENT CREATING OR EXERCISING A POWER OF APPOINTMENT OR POWER OF ATTORNEY, OR A DONATIVE, APPOINTIVE, OR NOMINATIVE INSTRUMENT OF ANY OTHER TYPE. (23) "GUARDIAN" MEANS A PERSON WHO HAS QUALIFIED AS A GUARDIAN OF A MINOR OR INCAPACITATED PERSON PURSUANT TO TESTAMENTARY OR COURT Ch. 178 Probate, Trusts, and Fiduciaries APPOINTMENT, BUT EXCLUDES ONE WHO IS MERELY A GUARDIAN AD LITEM. (24) "HEIRS", EXCEPT AS CONTROLLED BY SECTION 15-11-711, MEANS PERSONS, INCLUDING THE SURVIVING SPOUSE, WHO ARE ENTITLED UNDER THE STATUTES OF INTESTATE SUCCESSION TO THE PROPERTY OF A DECEDENT. (25) "INCAPACITATED PERSON" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL DESCRIBED IN SECTION 15-14-101 (1). (26) "INFORMAL PROCEEDINGS" MEANS THOSE CONDUCTED WITHOUT NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS BY AN OFFICER OF THE COURT ACTING AS A REGISTRAR FOR PROBATE OF A WILL, APPOINTMENT OF A PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE, OR DETERMINATION OF A GUARDIAN UNDER SECTIONS 15-14-202 (2) AND 15-14-301.