2020 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 15 - Probate, Trusts, And Fiduciaries
Article 5. Colorado Uniform Trust Code
Section 15-5-604. Limitation on action contesting validity of revocable trust.
(1) (a) A person must commence a judicial proceeding to contest the validity of a trust that was revocable at the settlor's death within the earlier of:
Three years after the settlor's death; or
One hundred twenty days after the trustee sent the person a copy of the trust instrument and a notice informing the person of the trust's existence, of the trustee's name and address, and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding. A trustee is not liable to any person for giving or failing to give notice under this section.
(b) The applicable time limit described in subsection (1)(a) of this section is an absolute bar that may not be waived or tolled.
(2) Upon the death of the settlor of a trust that was revocable at the settlor's death, the trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust. The trustee is not subject to liability for doing so unless:
The trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of thetrust; or
A potential contestant has notified the trustee of a possible judicial proceeding tocontest the trust and a judicial proceeding is commenced within sixty days after the contestant sent the notification.
(3) Unless a distribution or payment no longer can be questioned because of adjudication, estoppel, or limitation, a beneficiary of a trust that is determined to have been invalid, or a distributee of property improperly distributed or paid, or a claimant who is improperly paid, is liable for the return of the property improperly received and its income, if any, since the distribution, if he or she has the property. If he or she does not have the property, then he or she is liable for the return of the value as of the date of his or her disposition of the property improperly received, and its income and gain, if any received by him or her.
Source: L. 2018: Entire article added, (SB 18-180), ch. 169, p. 1167, § 1, effective January 1, 2019.
