Connecticut Statewide Probate Guide

Losing someone is difficult, and Connecticut’s probate system has its own distinct structure worth understanding up front. This guide covers what’s consistent across the whole state – thresholds, deadlines, and costs. For your specific probate district’s address and local filing details, see the relevant page for that district (Connecticut organizes probate by district, not by county, since county government was abolished in 1960).

Where Probate Happens

Connecticut probate is filed with the Probate Court for the district covering the town where the deceased lived. Connecticut has 54 separate probate districts, each with its own elected probate judge – this makes probate a very local, community-level process compared to many other states. Connecticut uses the term “fiduciary” rather than “executor” or “personal representative” throughout its probate code.

Important: File The Will Within 30 Days

Connecticut law requires that a will be filed with the Probate Court within 30 days of the decedent’s death – even if you don’t plan to open probate. Failing to file the will within 30 days is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 1 year, or both.

Step 1: Does The Estate Qualify For The Small Estates Procedure?

Unlike many states, Connecticut does not have a pure affidavit process that bypasses the court entirely – even the simplified route still requires filing with the Probate Court. The threshold is also lower than in many states, so it applies to fewer families than similar procedures elsewhere.

Small Estates Procedure (C.G.S. § 45a-273)

The decedent must have owned no real property solely in their own name (jointly-owned real estate with right of survivorship passes directly to the surviving owner and doesn’t count against this).
The total value of the decedent’s solely-owned personal property, valued as of the date of death, must not exceed $40,000.
Standard non-probate assets (jointly held property, assets with named beneficiaries like life insurance or retirement accounts, payable-on-death accounts) don’t count toward the $40,000 – so some larger estates can still qualify once those are excluded.
File Form PC-212 (“Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration”) along with the Confidential Information Sheet.
The estate’s assets can be used to pay funeral expenses, administration expenses, last-illness claims, and other debts the decedent owed.
There’s a 30-day waiting period before the court can approve final distribution.
Small estates procedures typically take just a few weeks to complete, compared to 9+ months for regular probate.

STEP 2: FULL PROBATE (for estates that don’t qualify for the small estates procedure)

File a petition with the Probate Court in the relevant district; the court appoints the fiduciary.
File an Inventory (Form PC-441) within 2 months of appointment, listing all estate assets at fair market value.
Publish a Notice to Creditors in a local newspaper and mail notice to known creditors, heirs, and beneficiaries.
Creditors have 150 days from the date of the fiduciary’s appointment to present claims.
Pay debts and expenses, then file a final accounting and distribute the estate.

Estate Tax Return – Required Even When No Tax Is Owed

Connecticut requires filing a CT-706/709 Estate Tax Return within 6 months of death, regardless of estate size – even estates well under the exemption threshold must file. As of 2025, Connecticut’s estate tax exemption matches the federal exemption (approximately $13.99 million), though some sources note a scheduled decrease to roughly $7 million in 2026 – confirm the current exemption when preparing the return, since this figure has been subject to change.

Timeline

Small estates procedures can wrap up in a few weeks after the 30-day waiting period. Full probate in Connecticut typically takes 6-12 months or longer, and can extend further due to court backlogs, tax processing delays, or missing documentation.

Costs

Interest of 0.5% per month accrues on unpaid probate fees starting 30 days after invoice – a detail worth knowing since it’s more aggressive than some other states’ fee structures. Connecticut does not recognize transfer-on-death deeds for real property, which is a notable difference from many states and something to plan around in advance if avoiding probate is a goal.

Taxes

Connecticut is one of the few states with its own state estate tax – 12% on the amount above the exemption threshold. It’s also one of the few states with a state gift tax. Confirm the current exemption threshold when filing, since it has been subject to legislative change.

Where This Guide Fits

This page covers what’s consistent statewide. For your specific probate district’s address, phone number, and local filing details, visit that district’s page.