Civil Unions and Court Forms

By Laurie A. Hunter, Esq.

The Colorado Supreme Court has released updated court JDF forms for dissolution of marriage, child custody and support actions, and other forms involved in family law, to add partners in a civil union, pursuant to the Colorado Civil Union Act that took effect May 1, 2013. The Rules and Forms Committee of the Trust and Estate Section of the CBA is working on suggested changes to the probate JDF forms to add partners in a civil union; Laurie Hunter is the new chair of that committee. In addition, a subcommittee of the Orange Book Committee of the Trust and Estate Section of the CBA is working on a review of all of the Orange Book estate planning forms, for the addition of partners in a civil union. Laurie Hunter is a member of that subcommittee.

“Temporary” Reduction in Probate Filing Fees

Effective January 23, 2012, the Colorado Supreme Court has temporarily reduced filing fees in court actions, including probate matters. At least temporarily, the fee for filing an application or petition for probate is $127 instead of $164, and the fee for filing a trust registration statement is $126 instead of $163. The fee for certifying Letters is also reduced from $20 to $13. While the directive on the Supreme Court website says that the reduction is temporary, it does not say when the fees will go back up to prior levels. See Filing Fees.