(1) Within ten days after a testator's death or as soon thereafter as the death becomes known to the custodian of an instrument purporting to be the testator's will, the custodian shall deliver the will to the court having probate jurisdiction in the Colorado county where the decedent resided or was domiciled at death for lodging in the records of such court. If the decedent was not a Colorado resident or domiciliary, the custodian shall deliver the will to the court having probate jurisdiction where the decedent was a resident or domiciliary at death, if known to the custodian, but if such residence or domicile is not known, to the court having probate jurisdiction in any Colorado county where property of the decedent was located at death. If the domicile, residence, and location of property are unknown to the custodian, or if the court having probate jurisdiction outside of Colorado refuses to accept delivery of the will, the custodian shall deliver the will to the court having probate jurisdiction in the Colorado county where the will was located. Upon being informed of the testator's death, a court holding a deposited will shall lodge the will in its records.
Upon the filing of a petition or application showing appropriate venue to be in another state or in another Colorado county, the court shall order the lodged will transferred to the court having probate jurisdiction in that state or county. Any person who willfully fails to deliver an instrument purporting to be a will is liable to any person aggrieved for the damages that may be sustained by the failure.
Any person who willfully refuses or fails to deliver an instrument purporting to be awill after being ordered by the court in a proceeding brought for the purpose of compelling delivery is subject to penalty for contempt of court.
Source: L. 94: Entire part R&RE, p. 1003, § 3, effective July 1, 1995. L. 96: Entire section amended, p. 658, § 9, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 15-11-902 as it existed prior to 1995.