2021 Colorado Code
Title 15 - Probate, Trusts, and Fiduciaries
Article 12 - Probate of Wills and Administration
Part 12 - Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit and Summary Administration Procedure for Small Estates
§ 15-12-1202. Effect of Affidavit

1. The person paying, delivering, transferring, or issuing personal property or the evidence thereof pursuant to affidavit is discharged and released to the same extent as if he or she dealt with a personal representative of the decedent. He or she is not required to see to the application of the personal property or evidence thereof or to inquire into the truth of any statement in the affidavit.
2. If any person to whom an affidavit is delivered refuses to pay, deliver, transfer, or issue any personal property or evidence thereof, it may be recovered or its payment, delivery, transfer, or issuance compelled upon proof of the right of persons entitled thereto in a proceeding brought for the purpose by or on behalf of such persons.
3. If a proof of right has been established in a proceeding under subsection (2) of this section, any person to whom an affidavit was delivered and who refused, without reasonable cause, to pay, deliver, transfer, or issue any personal property or evidence thereof belonging to the decedent, as provided in section 15-12-1201, shall be liable for all costs, including reasonable attorney fees and costs, incurred by or on behalf of the persons entitled thereto. The person to whom an affidavit was delivered bears the burden of proving reasonable cause by a preponderance of the evidence.
4. Any person to whom payment, delivery, transfer, or issuance is made is answerable and accountable therefor to any personal representative of the estate or to any other person having a superior right.

History. Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 1608, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 153-3-1202. L. 2014: Entire section amended,(HB 14-1322), ch. 296, p. 1235, § 7, effective August 6. History. Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 1608, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 153-3-1202. L. 2014: Entire section amended,(HB 14-1322), ch. 296, p. 1235, § 7, effective August 6.

Law reviews. For article, “JDF 999 Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit Pursuant to CRS §§ 15-12-1201 and -1202”, see 42 Colo. Law. 49 (June 2013). For article, “The Affidavit for Small Estates: How, When, and Why to Use It”, see 46 Colo. Law. 43 (June 2017).