2020 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 15 - Probate, Trusts, And Fiduciaries
Article 1. Fiduciary
Section 15-1-404.5. Conversion - unitrusts - administration.

(1) Conversion by trustee. Unless expressly prohibited by the governing instrument, a trustee may release the power to adjust described in section 15-1-404 and convert a trust to a unitrust as described in this section if all of the following apply:

1. The trust describes the amount that may or must be distributed to a beneficiary byreferring to the trust's income and the trustee determines that conversion to a unitrust will enable the trustee to better carry out the purposes of the trust;

2. The trustee sends a written notice of the trustee's decision to convert the trust to aunitrust specifying a prospective effective date for the conversion, which may not be sooner than sixty days after the notice is sent, and including a copy of this section to the qualified beneficiaries, determined as of the date the notice is sent and assuming nonexercise of all powers of appointment;

3. There are one or more legally competent beneficiaries described in section 15-1-402 (10.5)(a), and one or more legally competent remainder beneficiaries described in either section 15-1-402 (10.5)(b) or 15-1-402 (10.5)(c), determined as of the date the notice is sent; and

4. No beneficiary has objected in writing to the conversion to a unitrust and deliveredsuch objection to the trustee within sixty days after the notice was sent.

2. Conversion, reconversion, and adjustment of the distribution percentage by agreement. Conversion to a unitrust or reconversion to an income trust may be made by agreement between the trustee and all qualified beneficiaries of the trust. The trustee and all qualified beneficiaries may also agree to modify the distribution percentage; except that the trustee and the qualified beneficiaries may not agree to a distribution percentage less than three percent or greater than five percent. The agreement may include any other actions a court could properly order pursuant to subsection (7) of this section.

3. Conversion or reconversion by court. (a) The trustee may, for any reason, elect to petition the court to order conversion to a unitrust, including without limitation the reason that conversion under subsection (1) of this section is unavailable because:

1. A beneficiary timely objects to the conversion to a unitrust;

2. There are no legally competent beneficiaries described in section 15-1-402 (10.5)(a);or

3. There are no legally competent beneficiaries described in section 15-1-402 (10.5)(b) or (10.5)(c).

2. A beneficiary may request the trustee to convert to a unitrust or adjust the distribution percentage pursuant to this subsection (3). If the trustee declines or fails to act within six months after receiving a written request from a beneficiary to do so, the beneficiary may petition the court to order the conversion or adjustment.

3. The trustee may petition the court prospectively to convert from a unitrust to anincome trust or to adjust the distribution percentage if the trustee determines that the reconversion or adjustment will enable the trustee to better carry out the purposes of the trust. A beneficiary may request the trustee to petition the court prospectively to reconvert from a unitrust to an income trust or adjust the distribution percentage. If the trustee declines or fails to act within six months after receiving a written request from a beneficiary to do so, the beneficiary may petition the court to order the reconversion or adjustment.

4. (I) In a judicial proceeding instituted under this subsection (3), the trustee may present opinions and reasons concerning:

1. The trustee's support for, or opposition to, a conversion to a unitrust, a reconversionfrom a unitrust to an income trust, or an adjustment of the distribution percentage of a unitrust, including whether the trustee believes conversion, reconversion, or adjustment of the distribution percentage would enable the trustee to better carry out the purposes of the trust; and

2. Any other matter relevant to the proposed conversion, reconversion, or adjustment ofthe distribution percentage.

(II) A trustee's actions undertaken in accordance with this subsection (3) shall not be deemed improper or inconsistent with the trustee's duty of impartiality unless the court finds from all the evidence that the trustee acted in bad faith.

5. The court shall order conversion to a unitrust, reconversion prospectively from aunitrust to an income trust, or adjustment of the distribution percentage of a unitrust if the court determines that the conversion, reconversion, or adjustment of the distribution percentage will enable the trustee to better carry out the purposes of the trust.

6. If a conversion to a unitrust is made pursuant to a court order, the trustee may reconvert the unitrust to an income trust only:

1. Pursuant to a subsequent court order; or

2. By filing with the court an agreement made pursuant to subsection (2) of this sectionto reconvert to an income trust.

7. Upon a reconversion, the power to adjust, as described in section 15-1-404 and as itexisted before the conversion, shall be revived.

8. An action may be taken under this subsection (3) no more frequently than every twoyears, unless the court for good cause orders otherwise.

(4) Administration of a unitrust. During the time that a trust is a unitrust, the trustee shall administer the trust in accordance with the provisions of this subsection (4) as follows, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of the trust:

1. The trustee shall invest the trust assets seeking a total return without regard to whether the return is from income or appreciation of principal;

2. The trustee shall make income distributions in accordance with the governing instrument subject to the provisions of this section;

3. The distribution percentage for any trust converted to a unitrust by a trustee in accordance with subsection (1) of this section shall be four percent, unless a different percentage has been determined in an agreement made pursuant to subsection (2) of this section or ordered by the court pursuant to subsection (3) of this section;

4. (I) The trustee shall pay to a beneficiary in the case of an underpayment within areasonable time, and shall recover from a beneficiary in the case of an overpayment, either by repayment by the beneficiary or by withholding from future distributions to the beneficiary:

1. An amount equal to the difference between the amount properly payable and theamount actually paid; and

2. Interest compounded annually at a rate per annum equal to the distribution percentage in the year or years during which the underpayment or overpayment occurs.

(II) For purposes of this paragraph (d), accrual of interest may not commence until the beginning of the trust year following the year in which the underpayment or overpayment occurs.

(e) A change in the method of determining a reasonable current return by converting to a unitrust in accordance with this section and substituting the distribution amount for net trust accounting income is a proper change in the definition of trust income and shall be given effect notwithstanding any contrary provision of subparts 1 through 6 of this part 4. The distribution amount shall in all cases be deemed a reasonable current return that fairly apportions the total return of a unitrust.

(4.5) For purposes of subsection (4) of this section:

1. "Income", as that term appears in the governing instrument, shall be deemed to meanthe distribution amount.

2. (I) The "distribution amount" shall be an annual amount equal to the distributionpercentage multiplied by the average net fair market value of the trust's assets.

(II) For purposes of this paragraph (b), the average net fair market value of the trust's assets shall be the net fair market value of the trust's assets averaged over the lesser of:

1. The three preceding years; or

2. The period during which the trust has been in existence.

(5) Determination of matters in administration of unitrust. The trustee may determine any of the following matters in administering a unitrust as the trustee deems necessary or helpful for the proper functioning of the trust:

1. The effective date of a conversion to a unitrust pursuant to subsection (1) of thissection;

2. The manner of prorating the distribution amount for a short year in which a beneficiary's interest commences or ceases, or if the trust is a unitrust for only part of the year, or the trustee may elect to treat the trust year as two separate years, the first of which ends at the close of the day on which the conversion or reconversion occurs and the second of which ends at the close of the trust year;

3. Whether distributions are made in cash or in kind;

4. The manner of adjusting valuations and calculations of the distribution amount toaccount for other payments from, or contributions to, the trust;

5. Whether to value the trust's assets annually or more frequently;

6. Which valuation dates to use and how many valuation dates to use;

7. Valuation decisions concerning any asset for which there is no readily available market value, including:

1. How frequently to value such an asset;

2. Whether and how often to engage a professional appraiser to value such an asset;and

3. Whether to exclude the value of such an asset from the net fair market value of thetrust's assets for purposes of determining the distribution amount. For purposes of this section, any such asset so excluded shall be referred to as an "excluded asset", and the trustee shall distribute any net income received from the excluded asset as provided for in the governing instrument, subject to the following principles:

1. The trustee shall treat each asset for which there is no readily available market valueas an excluded asset unless the trustee determines that there are compelling reasons not to do so and the trustee considers all relevant factors including the best interests of the beneficiaries;

2. If tangible personal property or real property is possessed or occupied by a beneficiary, the trustee may not limit or restrict any right of the beneficiary to use the property in accordance with the governing instrument regardless of whether the trustee treats the property as an excluded asset; and

3. By way of example and not by way of limitation, assets for which there is a readilyavailable market value include cash and cash equivalents; stocks, bonds, and other securities and instruments for which there is an established market on a stock exchange, in an over-the-counter market, or otherwise; and any other property that can reasonably be expected to be sold within one week of the decision to sell without extraordinary efforts by the seller. By way of example and not by way of limitation, assets for which there is no readily available market value include stocks, bonds, and other securities and instruments for which there is no established market on a stock exchange, in an over-the-counter market, or otherwise; real property; tangible personal property; and artwork and other collectibles.

(h) Any other administrative matter that the trustee determines is necessary or helpful for the proper functioning of the unitrust.

(6) Allocations. (a) Expenses, taxes, and other charges that would otherwise be deducted from income if the trust was not a unitrust may not be deducted from the distribution amount.

(b) Unless otherwise provided by the governing instrument, the distribution amount each year shall be deemed to be paid from the following sources for that year in the following order:

1. Net income determined as if the trust was not a unitrust;

2. Other ordinary income as determined for federal income tax purposes;

3. Net realized short-term capital gains as determined for federal income tax purposes;

4. Net realized long-term capital gains as determined for federal income tax purposes;

5. Trust principal comprising assets for which there is a readily available market value;and

6. Other trust principal.

(7) Court orders. (a) The court may order any of the following actions in a proceeding brought by a trustee or a beneficiary pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of subsection (3) of this section:

1. Select a distribution percentage other than four percent, except that the court may notorder a distribution percentage less than three percent or greater than five percent;

2. Average the valuation of the trust's net assets over a period other than three years;

3. Reconvert prospectively from a unitrust, or adjust the distribution percentage of aunitrust;

4. Direct the distribution of net income, determined as if the trust were not a unitrust,in excess of the distribution amount as to any or all trust assets if the distribution is necessary to preserve a tax benefit; or

5. Change or direct any administrative procedure as the court determines is necessaryor helpful for the proper functioning of the unitrust.

(b) Nothing in this subsection (7) shall be construed to limit the equitable jurisdiction of the court to grant other relief as the court deems proper.

(8) Restrictions. Conversion to a unitrust shall not affect any provision in the governing instrument that:

1. Directs or authorizes the trustee to distribute the principal;

2. Directs or authorizes the trustee to distribute a fixed annuity or a fixed fraction of thevalue of trust assets;

3. Authorizes a beneficiary to withdraw a portion or all of the principal; or

4. Diminishes in any manner an amount permanently set aside for charitable purposesunder the governing instrument unless both income and principal are set aside.

(9) Tax limitations. If a particular trustee is also a beneficiary of the trust and conversion or failure to convert would enhance or diminish the beneficial interest of that trustee, or if possession or exercise of the conversion power by a particular trustee alone would cause any individual to be treated as owner of a part of the trust for federal income tax purposes or cause a part of the trust to be included in the gross estate of any individual for federal estate tax purposes, then that particular trustee may not participate as a trustee in the exercise of the conversion power; except that:

1. The trustee may petition the court under paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of this section to order conversion in accordance with this section; and

2. A co-trustee or co-trustees to whom this subsection (9) does not apply may convertthe trust to a unitrust in accordance with subsection (1) or (2) of this section.

10. Releases. A trustee may irrevocably release the power granted by this section if the trustee reasonably believes the release is in the best interests of the trust and its beneficiaries. The release may be personal to the releasing trustee or it may apply generally to some or all subsequent trustees. The release may be for any specified period, including a period measured by the life of an individual.

11. Remedies. (a) A trustee who reasonably and in good faith takes any action or omits to take any action under this section is not liable to any person interested in the trust. An act or omission by a trustee under this section shall be presumed to be reasonable and undertaken in good faith unless the act or omission is determined by the court to have been an abuse of discretion.

(b) If a trustee reasonably and in good faith takes or omits to take any action under this section and a person interested in the trust opposes the act or omission, the person's exclusive remedy shall be to seek an order of the court directing the trustee to:

1. Convert the trust to a unitrust;

2. Reconvert from a unitrust;

3. Change the distribution percentage; or

4. Order any administrative procedures the court determines are necessary or helpfulfor the proper functioning of the trust.

(c) A claim for relief under this subsection (11) that is not barred by adjudication, consent, or limitation, is nevertheless barred as to any beneficiary who has received a statement fully disclosing the matter unless a proceeding to assert the claim is commenced within six months after receipt of the statement. A beneficiary is deemed to have received a statement if it is received by the beneficiary or the beneficiary's representative in a manner described in section 15-10-403 or 15-1-405.

12. No duty. A trustee has no duty to inform a beneficiary about the availability and provisions of this section. A trustee has no duty to review the trust to determine whether any action should be taken under this section unless the trustee is requested in writing by a qualified beneficiary to do so.

13. Application. (a) This section shall apply to trusts in existence on May 22, 2003, and to trusts created on or after that date.

(b) This section shall be construed to apply to the administration of a trust that is administered in Colorado under Colorado law or that is governed by Colorado law with respect to the meaning and effect of its terms unless:

1. The trust is a trust described in the federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", section642 (c)(5), 664 (d), or 2702 (a)(3);

2. The governing instrument expressly prohibits the use of this section by specific reference to one or more provisions of subparts 1 through 6 of this part 4;

3. The terms of a trust in existence on May 22, 2003, incorporate provisions that operate as a unitrust. The trustee or a beneficiary of such a trust may proceed under section 15-1405 to adopt provisions in this section that do not contradict provisions in the governing instrument.

(14) Application to express trusts. (a) This subsection (14) does not apply to a charitable remainder unitrust as defined by section 664 (d), federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", 26 U.S.C. sec. 664, as amended.

(b) As used in this section:

1. "Unitrust" means a trust, the terms of which require or permit distribution of a unitrust amount, without regard to whether the trust has been converted to a unitrust in accordance with this section or whether the trust is established by express terms of the governing instrument.

2. "Unitrust amount" means an amount equal to a percentage of a unitrust's assets thatmay or are required to be distributed to one or more beneficiaries annually in accordance with the terms of the unitrust. The unitrust amount may be determined by reference to the net fair market value of the unitrust's assets as of a particular date each year or as an average determined on a multiple-year basis.

Source: L. 2003: Entire section added, p. 2103, § 3, effective May 22. L. 2006: (1), (2),

(3), (4), IP(5), (5)(a), (5)(b), (5)(g)(III)(C), (5)(h), (6)(a), (6)(b)(I), (7)(a), (8), (9), (11)(b), and (13) amended and (14) added, p. 382, § 15, effective July 1. L. 2009: (4)(e) and (13)(b)(II) amended, (HB 09-1241), ch. 169, p. 743, § 4, effective April 22.