CERTIFICATION OF TRUST
State of Colorado
Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes Section 15-5-1013
(Colorado Uniform Trust Code)
// GUIDANCE: Colorado enacted the Colorado Uniform Trust Code (CUTC) effective
// January 1, 2019 (C.R.S. § 15-5-101 et seq.). Section 15-5-1013 governs
// certifications of trust. The CUTC replaced prior trust provisions in
// Title 15. For trusts created before 1/1/2019, the CUTC applies but
// pre-existing rights and powers are preserved under transitional provisions.
I. PURPOSE OF THIS CERTIFICATION
This Certification of Trust is furnished pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes Section 15-5-1013, which authorizes a trustee to provide this certification to any person other than a beneficiary in lieu of furnishing a copy of the trust instrument. This Certification is intended to establish the existence of the Trust, the identity and authority of the Trustee(s), and such other facts as are required by law, without disclosing the dispositive terms of the Trust.
II. TRUST IDENTIFICATION AND EXISTENCE
// GUIDANCE: C.R.S. § 15-5-1013(a)(1) requires a statement that the trust
// exists and the date the trust instrument was executed.
2.1 The undersigned hereby certifies that a trust exists under the following identification:
Trust Name: [________________________________]
Date of Execution of Original Trust Instrument: [__/__/____]
2.2 Amendments, Restatements, and Decanting:
☐ The Trust has not been amended, restated, or decanted.
☐ The Trust has been amended or restated as follows:
| No. | Date | Nature of Modification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | [__/__/____] | [________________________________] |
| 2 | [__/__/____] | [________________________________] |
| 3 | [__/__/____] | [________________________________] |
// GUIDANCE: Colorado enacted the Uniform Trust Decanting Act (C.R.S.
// § 15-1-1301 et seq.), effective August 5, 2016. If the trust has been
// decanted, the new trust instrument governs. Verify whether a decanting
// has occurred before completing this certification.
☐ The Trust has been decanted pursuant to the Colorado Uniform Trust Decanting Act (C.R.S. § 15-1-1301 et seq.) on [__/__/____]. The resulting trust is known as: [________________________________]
2.3 Trust Classification:
☐ Revocable Living Trust (Inter Vivos)
☐ Irrevocable Trust
☐ Testamentary Trust (created under the Last Will and Testament of [________________________________], admitted to probate in [________________________________] County, Colorado, Case No. [________________________________])
☐ Supplemental/Special Needs Trust
☐ Charitable Remainder Trust (☐ Annuity Trust ☐ Unitrust)
☐ Charitable Lead Trust
☐ Qualified Personal Residence Trust
☐ Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)
☐ Colorado Beneficiary-Controlled Trust
☐ Other: [________________________________]
2.4 Trust Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN): [________________________________]
// GUIDANCE: C.R.S. § 15-5-1013(a) does not explicitly list the TIN as a
// required element in the Colorado version, but it is customary practice
// and financial institutions require it.
III. SETTLOR IDENTIFICATION
3.1 Settlor(s):
| Settlor 1 | Settlor 2 (if applicable) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Legal Name | [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
| Date of Birth | [__/__/____] | [__/__/____] |
| Address | [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
| City, State, ZIP | [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
3.2 Status of Settlor(s):
| Settlor 1 | Settlor 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Living | ☐ | ☐ |
| Deceased | ☐ Date: [__/__/____] | ☐ Date: [__/__/____] |
| Incapacitated | ☐ | ☐ |
IV. TRUSTEE IDENTIFICATION
// GUIDANCE: The CUTC requires the identity of the currently acting
// trustee(s). Include addresses for all serving trustees.
4.1 Currently Acting Trustee(s)
Individual Trustee 1:
Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
Residential Address: [________________________________]
City: [________________________________] State: Colorado ZIP: [____________]
Date Appointed: [__/__/____]
Manner of Appointment: ☐ Original Trustee ☐ Successor Trustee ☐ Court-Appointed ☐ Other
Individual Trustee 2 (if applicable):
Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
Residential Address: [________________________________]
City: [________________________________] State: Colorado ZIP: [____________]
Date Appointed: [__/__/____]
Manner of Appointment: ☐ Original Trustee ☐ Successor Trustee ☐ Court-Appointed ☐ Other
Corporate/Institutional Trustee (if applicable):
Entity Name: [________________________________]
Type: ☐ Bank ☐ Trust Company ☐ Other
State of Organization: [________________________________]
Principal Office: [________________________________]
Authorized Representative: [________________________________]
Title: [________________________________]
// GUIDANCE: If a corporate trustee is a national bank, it acts under
// federal authority. If a Colorado state-chartered trust company, it is
// regulated under C.R.S. § 11-23-101 et seq.
4.2 Successor Trustee(s)
First Successor: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
Second Successor: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
Mechanism for Selecting Additional Successors:
☐ Named in the Trust instrument.
☐ Selected by remaining Trustee(s).
☐ Selected by a majority of qualified beneficiaries.
☐ Appointed by the court per C.R.S. § 15-5-704.
☐ Other: [________________________________]
V. REVOCABILITY AND POWER TO REVOKE
// GUIDANCE: C.R.S. § 15-5-1013(a)(2) requires disclosure of the
// revocability or irrevocability of the trust and the identity of any
// person holding a power to revoke.
5.1 Revocability Status:
☐ REVOCABLE. The Trust is presently revocable. The Settlor has retained the power to amend, modify, or revoke the Trust in whole or in part during the Settlor's lifetime, pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-5-602.
☐ IRREVOCABLE. The Trust is irrevocable and cannot be amended, modified, or revoked.
☐ BECAME IRREVOCABLE. The Trust was originally revocable but became irrevocable:
☐ Upon the death of the Settlor on [__/__/____], pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-5-602(a).
☐ Upon the occurrence of: [________________________________]
☐ By the express terms of the Trust instrument on [__/__/____].
5.2 Person(s) Holding Power to Revoke:
☐ No person holds a current power to revoke the Trust.
☐ The following person(s) hold power to revoke:
| Name | Nature of Power | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| [________________________________] | ☐ Full ☐ Partial | [________________________________] |
| [________________________________] | ☐ Full ☐ Partial | [________________________________] |
5.3 Method of Revocation Required:
☐ Written instrument delivered to Trustee, pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-5-602(c).
☐ Substantially compliant written instrument, pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-5-602(c).
☐ Other method specified in the Trust instrument: [________________________________]
// GUIDANCE: Under C.R.S. § 15-5-602(c), a settlor may revoke or amend a
// revocable trust by substantial compliance with the method provided in the
// trust terms, or if the trust does not specify, by a later will or codicil
// or other writing delivered to the trustee.
VI. CO-TRUSTEE AUTHORITY
// GUIDANCE: C.R.S. § 15-5-1013(a)(3) requires disclosure of co-trustee
// signing authority. Also reference C.R.S. § 15-5-703 regarding co-trustee
// default rules.
6.1 Number of Currently Serving Trustees: [____]
6.2 Action Requirements:
☐ All co-trustees must participate in and consent to every exercise of a trust power (unanimity required).
☐ A majority of co-trustees may exercise trust powers, per C.R.S. § 15-5-703(a).
☐ Any one trustee may act independently.
☐ The Trust instrument allocates authority as follows: [________________________________]
6.3 Signing Authority for Documents:
☐ All co-trustees must sign all documents and instruments.
☐ A majority of co-trustees must sign documents and instruments.
☐ Any one co-trustee may sign documents and instruments on behalf of all co-trustees.
☐ Special signing requirements apply: [________________________________]
// GUIDANCE: Under C.R.S. § 15-5-703(a), co-trustees who are unable to
// reach a unanimous decision may act by majority decision. A co-trustee
// who does not join in the action is not liable for the action. Review
// the trust instrument for any modifications to this default rule.
VII. TRUSTEE POWERS
// GUIDANCE: Include powers relevant to the pending transaction. Reference
// C.R.S. § 15-5-816 for the statutory enumeration of trustee powers.
The Trustee(s) of the Trust possess the following powers, as granted by the Trust instrument and by operation of law under C.R.S. § 15-5-816:
7.1 Real Property Powers
☐ To acquire, hold, manage, and dispose of real property (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(2)).
☐ To sell or exchange trust property, including real property, on terms the trustee considers appropriate (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(2)).
☐ To execute deeds of conveyance, including warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, and quitclaim deeds.
☐ To encumber trust real property by mortgage, deed of trust, or other security instrument (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(6)).
☐ To lease trust property (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(3)).
☐ To grant or accept easements, restrictions, and covenants.
☐ To manage, develop, improve, or raze improvements on real property.
☐ To insure trust property (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(8)).
7.2 Financial Powers
☐ To deposit funds in financial institutions (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(7)).
☐ To borrow money and encumber trust property (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(6)).
☐ To invest and reinvest trust assets (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(2)).
☐ To open, maintain, and close bank and brokerage accounts.
☐ To authorize wire transfers and electronic transactions.
☐ To collect trust income and principal.
7.3 Administrative Powers
☐ To employ and compensate agents, attorneys, and advisors (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(13)).
☐ To prosecute, settle, or abandon claims (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(11)).
☐ To make distributions to beneficiaries according to trust terms (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(18)).
☐ To execute and deliver instruments and documents.
☐ To make tax elections and file returns (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(12)).
☐ To allocate receipts and disbursements (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(23)).
7.4 Business Entity Powers
☐ To continue, participate in, or sell any business or entity interest (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(9)).
☐ To vote proxies and exercise stock rights (C.R.S. § 15-5-816(5)).
☐ To form or dissolve entities.
7.5 Pending Transaction
Description of Transaction: [________________________________]
Specific Trust Authority: [________________________________]
Relevant Trust Article/Section: [________________________________]
VIII. MANNER OF HOLDING TITLE
// GUIDANCE: C.R.S. § 15-5-1013(a)(4) requires the name in which title to
// trust property may be taken.
8.1 Title to trust property shall be taken as follows:
☐ [________________________________], Trustee of the [________________________________] Trust, dated [__/__/____]
☐ [________________________________] and [________________________________], Co-Trustees of the [________________________________] Trust, dated [__/__/____]
☐ The [________________________________] Trust, dated [__/__/____]
☐ Other: [________________________________]
IX. STATUTORY CERTIFICATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS
The undersigned Trustee(s) hereby certify and represent, pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-5-1013:
9.1 Existence. The Trust identified herein was validly created and is currently in full force and effect.
9.2 No Material Changes. As required by C.R.S. § 15-5-1013(c), the Trust has not been revoked, modified, or amended in any manner that would cause the representations contained in this Certification of Trust to be incorrect.
9.3 Authority. The undersigned is/are the duly appointed, currently acting, and qualified Trustee(s) with authority to act on behalf of the Trust.
9.4 No Dispositive Terms. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-5-1013(d), this Certification does not contain the dispositive terms of the Trust.
9.5 Accuracy. All information contained herein is true, correct, and complete as of the date of execution.
9.6 Compliance with CUTC. This Certification complies with the requirements of the Colorado Uniform Trust Code, C.R.S. § 15-5-101 et seq.
9.7 No Pending Challenges. There are no pending judicial proceedings challenging the validity of the Trust, the authority of the Trustee(s), or the pending transaction, except: [________________________________]
9.8 No Limitation on Powers. There are no restrictions or limitations on the Trustee's powers that would prevent completion of the pending transaction, except: [________________________________]
X. THIRD-PARTY RELIANCE AND PROTECTIONS
10.1 Reliance. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-5-1013(f), a person who acts in reliance upon this Certification without knowledge that the representations contained herein are incorrect is not liable to any person for so acting and may assume without inquiry the existence of the facts contained in this Certification. Knowledge of the terms of the Trust may not be inferred solely from the fact that a copy of all or part of the Trust instrument is held by the person relying upon this Certification.
10.2 Enforcement. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-5-1013(g), a person who in good faith enters into a transaction in reliance upon this Certification may enforce the transaction against the Trust property as if the representations contained herein were correct.
10.3 Right to Excerpts. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-5-1013(e), a recipient of this Certification may require the Trustee to furnish copies of those excerpts from the original trust instrument and later amendments that designate the Trustee and confer upon the Trustee the power to act in the pending transaction.
10.4 Demand Liability. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-5-1013(h), a person making a demand for the full trust instrument in addition to this Certification or excerpts may be liable for damages if a court determines that such person did not act in good faith.
10.5 Judicial Proceedings. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-5-1013(i), this Certification does not limit the right of any person to obtain a copy of the trust instrument in a judicial proceeding concerning the Trust.
XI. COLORADO-SPECIFIC PROVISIONS
// GUIDANCE: These provisions address matters specific to Colorado trust
// law and practice.
11.1 Colorado Uniform Trust Code (CUTC)
This Trust is governed by the Colorado Uniform Trust Code (C.R.S. § 15-5-101 et seq.), effective January 1, 2019. For trusts created before January 1, 2019, the CUTC applies as provided in the transitional provisions of C.R.S. § 15-5-106.
11.2 Colorado District Court Jurisdiction
Colorado district courts have exclusive jurisdiction of proceedings involving trusts, pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-5-203. The Trust is subject to the jurisdiction of the District Court in and for [________________________________] County, Colorado.
11.3 Colorado Real Property Considerations
// GUIDANCE: Colorado real property conveyances by trustees should be
// recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder. Colorado uses both deeds of
// trust and mortgages. The documentary fee is governed by C.R.S. § 39-13-102.
☐ This Certification relates to real property located in [________________________________] County, Colorado.
☐ The property is described as: [________________________________]
☐ This Certification will be recorded with the [________________________________] County Clerk and Recorder.
☐ This Certification does NOT relate to a real property transaction.
11.4 Colorado Transfer Declaration
// GUIDANCE: Colorado requires a Real Property Transfer Declaration
// (TD-1000) for most real property transfers. Ensure the TD-1000 is
// completed in addition to this certification if applicable.
☐ A Real Property Transfer Declaration (TD-1000) is being filed in connection with the underlying transaction.
☐ Not applicable.
11.5 Trust Decanting
// GUIDANCE: If the trust has been modified through decanting under
// C.R.S. § 15-1-1301 et seq., the certification should reflect the
// decanted trust's terms.
☐ The Trust has NOT been decanted.
☐ The Trust was decanted pursuant to C.R.S. § 15-1-1301 et seq. on [__/__/____], and this Certification reflects the terms of the resulting trust.
11.6 Trust Protector
☐ The Trust instrument designates a trust protector.
Name: [________________________________]
Powers: [________________________________]
☐ The Trust instrument does not designate a trust protector.
11.7 Beneficiary-Controlled Trust
// GUIDANCE: Colorado practitioners sometimes use beneficiary-controlled
// trusts where the beneficiary also serves as trustee with limited powers.
// If applicable, note any limitations on trustee/beneficiary powers.
☐ The Trust is a beneficiary-controlled trust with limitations as specified in the Trust instrument.
☐ Not applicable.
XII. EXECUTION
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Trustee(s) have executed this Certification of Trust as of the date set forth below, in accordance with Colorado law.
Date of Execution: [__/__/____]
Trustee:
Signature: ________________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Capacity: Trustee of the [________________________________] Trust
Date: [__/__/____]
Co-Trustee (if applicable):
Signature: ________________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Capacity: Co-Trustee of the [________________________________] Trust
Date: [__/__/____]
NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT
// GUIDANCE: The CUTC does not expressly require notarization, but it is
// customary practice in Colorado and is required for recording with the
// County Clerk and Recorder. Use the standard Colorado acknowledgment form
// per C.R.S. § 12-55-203.
STATE OF COLORADO
COUNTY OF [________________________________]
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this [____] day of [________________], [________], by [________________________________], as Trustee(s) of the [________________________________] Trust dated [__/__/____].
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature of Notary Public: ________________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]
My Commission Expires: [__/__/____]
Notary Public, State of Colorado
[NOTARIAL SEAL]
XIII. ADDITIONAL NOTES
A. Effective Duration
This Certification is effective as of the date of execution. Third parties should verify the continued accuracy of this Certification if relying upon it for transactions occurring more than [____] days after execution.
B. Colorado Prudent Investor Act
The Trustee's investment powers are subject to the Colorado Uniform Prudent Investor Act (C.R.S. § 15-1.1-101 et seq.) unless the Trust instrument provides otherwise.
C. Principal and Income
Allocation of receipts and disbursements between income and principal is governed by the Colorado Uniform Trust Decanting Act and, where applicable, the Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act as adopted in Colorado.
D. Electronic Signatures
Colorado recognizes the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (C.R.S. § 24-71.3-101 et seq.). Electronic signatures may be acceptable for this Certification depending on the requirements of the receiving party and the nature of the transaction.
END OF CERTIFICATION OF TRUST
This document consists of [____] pages, constituting the complete Certification of Trust.
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