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.

Trusts in Divorce Property Divisions

James R. Wade will be speaking at the Colorado Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Live Seminar in Denver on September 30, 2011 regarding Trusts in Divorce Property Divisions.

Program Description: Beneficial interests in trusts are being included in the pool of divisible assets in divorce in Colorado and a number of other jurisdictions.

Mr. Wade will specifically be discussing whether beneficiary withdrawal rights (including Crummey powers and 5x5 powers) are property, and also what the beginning time point is for measuring appreciation in value of trust interests which are characterized as property under the dissolution of marriage statutes. Mr. Wade often serves as a consulting or testifying expert regarding the characterization of such trust interests.

For more information, go to Colorado Bar Association or you can visit our website at www.wadeash.com.