2022 Colorado Code
Title 15 - Probate, Trusts, and Fiduciaries
Article 2.5 - Uniform Powers of Appointment Act
Part 4 - Disclaimer or Release; Contract to Appoint or Not to Appoint
§ 15-2.5-403. Method of Release

1. A powerholder of a releasable power of appointment may release the power in whole or in part:
   1. By substantial compliance with a method provided in the terms of the instrument creating the power; or
   2. If the terms of the instrument creating the power do not provide a method, or the method provided in the terms of the instrument is not expressly made exclusive, by:
      1. Delivering a writing declaring the extent to which the power is released to a person who could be adversely affected by an exercise of the power;
      2. Joining with some or all of the takers in default in making an otherwise-effective transfer of an interest in the property that is subject to the power, in which case the power is released to the extent that a subsequent exercise of the power would defeat the interest transferred;
      3. Contracting with a person who could be adversely affected by an exercise of the power not to exercise the power, in which case the power is released to the extent that a subsequent exercise of the power would violate the terms of the contract; or
      4. Communicating in any other appropriate manner an intent to release the power, in which case the power is released to the extent that a subsequent exercise of the power would be contrary to manifested intent.

Source: L. 2014: Entire article added, (HB 14-1353), ch. 209, p. 780, § 1, effective July 1, 2015.

A powerholder may release the power of appointment by substantial compliance with the method specified in the terms of the instrument creating the power or any other method manifesting clear and convincing evidence of the powerholder's intent. Only if the method specified in the terms of the creating instrument is made exclusive is use of the other methods prohibited. Even then, a failure to comply with a technical requirement, such as required notarization, may be excused as long as compliance with the method specified in the terms of the creating instrument is otherwise substantial.

Examples of methods manifesting clear and convincing evidence of the powerholder's intent to release include: (1) delivering (by the same method of delivery that would make an instrument of transfer effective, see Restatement Third of Property: Wills and Other Donative Transfers § 20.3, Comment b) an instrument declaring the extent to which the power is released to an individual who could be adversely affected by an exercise of the power; (2) joining with some or all of the takers in default in making an otherwise effective transfer of an interest in the appointive property, in which case the power is released to the extent a subsequent exercise of the power would defeat the interest transferred; (3) contracting with an individual who could be adversely affected by an exercise of the power not to exercise the power, in which case the power is released to the extent a subsequent exercise of the power would violate the terms of the contract; and (4) communicating in a record an intent to release the power, in which case the power is released to the extent a subsequent exercise of the power would be contrary to manifested intent.

The black-letter of this section is based on Uniform Trust Code § 602(c). The rule of this section is fundamentally consistent with, and this Comment draws on, Restatement Third of Property: Wills and Other Donative Transfers § 20.3 and the accompanying Commentary.