Colorado Code § 15-11-214

Protection of payers and other third parties
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
(1) Although under this part
2, a payment, item of property, or other benefit is included in the decedent's nonprobate transfers
to others, a payer or other third party is not liable for having made a payment or transferred an
item of property or other benefit to a beneficiary designated in a governing instrument or for
having taken any other action in good-faith reliance on the validity of a governing instrument,
upon request and satisfactory proof of the decedent's death, before the payer or other third party
received written notice from the surviving spouse or the spouse's representative of an intention to
file a petition for the elective-share or that a petition for the elective-share has been filed. A
payer or other third party is liable for payments made or other actions taken after the payer or
other third party received written notice of an intention to file a petition for the elective-share or
that a petition for the elective-share has been filed. Any form or service of notice other than that
described in subsection (2) of this section is not sufficient to impose liability on a payer or other
third party for actions taken pursuant to the governing instrument.
(2) A written notice of intention to file a petition for the elective-share or that a petition
for the elective-share has been filed must be mailed to the payer's or other third party's main
office or home by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested or served upon the
payer or other third party in the same manner as a summons in a civil action. Notice to a sales
representative of the payer or other third party does not constitute notice to the payer or other
third party.
(3) Upon receipt of a written notice of intention to file a petition for the elective-share or
that a petition for the elective-share has been filed, a payer or other third party may pay any
amount owed or transfer to or deposit any item of property held by it to or with the court having
jurisdiction of the probate proceedings relating to the decedent's estate or, if no proceedings have
been commenced, to or with the court having jurisdiction of probate proceedings relating to
decedents' estates located in the county of the decedent's residence. The availability of such
actions under this section does not prevent the payer or other third party from taking any other
action authorized by law or the governing instrument. The court is the court having jurisdiction
of the probate proceedings relating to the decedent's estate or, if no proceedings have been
commenced, the court having jurisdiction of probate proceedings relating to decedents' estates
located in the county of the decedent's residence. If no probate proceedings have been
commenced, the payer or other third party shall file with the court a copy of the written notice
received by the payer or other third party, with the payment of funds or transfer or deposit of
property. The court shall not charge a filing fee to the payer or other third party for the payment
to the court of amounts owed or transfer to or deposit with the court of any item of property even
if no probate proceedings have been commenced before such payment, transfer, or deposit.
Payment of amounts to the court or transfer to or deposit with the court of any item of property
pursuant to this section by the payer or other third party discharges the payer or other third party
from all claims under the governing instrument or applicable law for the value of amounts paid
to the court or items of property transferred to or deposited with the court.
(4) The court shall hold the funds or item of property and, upon its determination under
section 15-11-211 (5), shall order disbursement in accordance with the determination. If no
petition is filed in the court within the specified time under section 15-11-211 (1), or, if filed, the
demand for an elective-share is withdrawn under section 15-11-211 (4), the court shall order
disbursement to the designated beneficiary. A filing fee, if any, may be charged upon
disbursement either to the recipient or against the funds or property on deposit with the court in
the discretion of the court. Payments or transfers to the court or deposits made into the court
discharge the payer or other third party from all claims for amounts so paid or the value of
property so transferred or deposited.
(5) Upon petition to the court by the beneficiary designated in a governing instrument,
the court may order that all or part of the property be paid to the beneficiary in an amount and
subject to conditions consistent with this section.

‹ Prev All Colorado sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.