Overview
Connecticut has not adopted the Uniform Probate Code (UPC), instead maintaining its own probate statutes under the Connecticut General Statutes, Title 45a. Connecticut has a unique court structure: each of its 54 probate districts has its own probate court, making probate a local, accessible process.
Connecticut offers two main probate tracks:
- Simplified Probate — for estates valued at $40,000 or less, allowing a streamlined process without formal administration
- Full Probate Administration — standard court-supervised proceedings for larger estates
A significant consideration for Connecticut estates is the state's estate tax, which applies to estates exceeding approximately $13.61 million (2025 threshold, which has been increasing). Connecticut is also one of the few states with a gift tax. The estate tax rates range from 12% to 12% (flat rate on the taxable amount above the exemption).
Connecticut's probate fees are based on the gross value of the estate, using a statutory fee schedule. These fees can be substantial for larger estates — up to $40,000 for the largest estates.
When Probate is Required
Probate is required in Connecticut when a decedent owned assets in their sole name that do not transfer automatically at death. Common examples include:
- Real property titled solely in the decedent's name or as tenants in common
- Bank accounts and investments without payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) designations
- Vehicles and titled personal property in the decedent's sole name
- Business interests held individually
Probate is generally not required for:
- Joint tenancy property with right of survivorship — passes automatically to the surviving joint tenant(s)
- Beneficiary-designated assets — life insurance, retirement accounts, POD/TOD accounts
- Property held in a revocable living trust
- Small estates valued at $40,000 or less — eligible for simplified probate
Connecticut requires that all wills be filed with the probate court within 30 days of death, even if probate is not needed. Failure to file a will is a misdemeanor under Connecticut law.
Small Estate Options
Connecticut provides a simplified probate process for estates valued at $40,000 or less.
Eligibility requirements:
- The total value of all probate assets must not exceed $40,000
- The estate must not include complex assets requiring formal administration
How the process works:
- The proposed fiduciary files a petition with the probate court in the district where the decedent was domiciled
- The court reviews the petition and may waive certain formal requirements
- The simplified process allows for reduced notice requirements and a shorter administration timeline
- The probate court fee is based on the estate value — for estates under $40,000, the fee is minimal (as low as $25)
- The fiduciary can collect and distribute assets without the full range of formal accounting requirements
Important limitations:
- Even simplified probate requires court involvement — there is no pure affidavit process that bypasses the court entirely in Connecticut
- The fiduciary remains liable for proper administration of the estate
- If disputes arise, the court may require full administration regardless of estate size
- Real property may still require additional steps for title transfer
Step-by-Step Process
1. File the will within 30 days
Connecticut law requires that the will be filed with the probate court in the district where the decedent was domiciled within 30 days of death. This is mandatory even if you do not plan to open probate immediately.
2. File the petition for administration
File a Petition for Administration (Form PC-200) or Petition for Probate of Will with the probate court. Include the original will, certified death certificate, and the filing fee. The probate fee is based on the gross value of the estate.
3. Appointment of fiduciary
The probate court reviews the petition and appoints the fiduciary (Connecticut's term for executor or administrator). The court issues a Certificate of Appointment (fiduciary certificate), granting authority to act for the estate.
4. Post bond if required
Connecticut may require the fiduciary to post a surety bond unless the will waives it or the court determines a waiver is appropriate.
5. Provide notice to heirs and creditors
Publish a Notice to Creditors in a newspaper. Mail notice to all known creditors, heirs, and beneficiaries. Creditors generally have 150 days from the date of the fiduciary's appointment to present claims.
6. File the inventory
Within 2 months of appointment, file an Inventory (Form PC-441) with the probate court listing all estate assets and their fair market values.
7. Pay debts, claims, and taxes
Review and pay valid creditor claims in priority order. File the decedent's final federal and Connecticut state income tax returns. If the estate exceeds the Connecticut estate tax threshold, file the Connecticut Estate Tax Return (Form CT-706/709).
8. File the final financial report
File the Administration Account (Form PC-442) with the court, detailing all assets received, debts paid, expenses incurred, and proposed distributions.
9. Obtain court approval
The probate court reviews the final account and issues a Decree of Distribution approving the proposed distributions.
10. Distribute assets and close the estate
Distribute remaining assets according to the will or Connecticut's intestacy laws. Obtain receipts from beneficiaries. The fiduciary files a final report and the estate is formally closed.
Timeline & Costs
Typical timeline:
- Simplified probate (under $40,000): 2 to 4 months
- Regular probate: 6 to 12 months
- Complex or contested estates: 1 to 3+ years
The 150-day creditor claim period sets the minimum practical timeline for regular probate.
Probate court fees (based on gross estate value):
Connecticut probate fees are established by statute and are uniform throughout the state. The fee schedule is progressive:
- Estates under $5,000: as low as $25
- Estates of $50,000: approximately $150
- Estates of $200,000: approximately $700
- Estates of $500,000: approximately $2,500
- Estates of $1,000,000: approximately $5,500
- Estates of $5,000,000: approximately $20,000
- Maximum fee: $40,000
Fiduciary compensation:
Connecticut allows reasonable compensation for the fiduciary. Compensation is typically based on the time and complexity involved, subject to court approval.
Attorney fees:
Connecticut probate attorneys typically charge between $3,000 and $6,000 for straightforward probate, and $6,000 to $15,000+ for complex or contested proceedings. Hourly rates generally range from $250 to $450 per hour.
Connecticut estate tax:
Estates exceeding the exemption threshold ($13.61 million in 2025) are subject to a 12% estate tax. The return (Form CT-706/709) is due 9 months after death.
Additional costs:
- Newspaper publication: $50 to $200
- Certified copies: varies by court
- Surety bond premiums: varies by estate size
- Appraisal fees: varies by asset type
Required Forms
Connecticut probate forms use the PC prefix and are available from the Connecticut Probate Courts website (ctprobate.gov). Key forms include:
Starting the case:
- PC-200 — Petition for Administration / Petition for Probate of Will
- PC-210 — Application for Voluntary Administration (simplified estates)
- Certificate of Appointment — issued by the court to the fiduciary
Notices:
- Notice to Creditors — published in a newspaper
- Notice to Heirs and Beneficiaries — mailed to all interested parties
Inventory and accounting:
- PC-441 — Inventory (listing of all estate assets and values, due within 2 months)
- PC-442 — Administration Account (financial report of all transactions)
- PC-443 — Affidavit in Lieu of Administration Account (for simplified estates)
Tax forms:
- CT-706/709 — Connecticut Estate and Gift Tax Return (for taxable estates)
Closing:
- Decree of Distribution — court order approving distributions
- Final Account — submitted for court approval
- Release of Fiduciary — formal discharge from duties
Other:
- PC-160 — Application for Probate Fees (fee calculation)
- Bond — surety bond form if required
Executor Duties
In Connecticut, the estate administrator is called the fiduciary — whether named as executor in a will or appointed by the court as administrator. Their duties include:
Immediate responsibilities:
- File the will with the probate court within 30 days of death (mandatory under Connecticut law)
- File the petition for administration or probate of will
- Post a surety bond if required by the court
- Obtain the Certificate of Appointment from the probate court
- Secure and protect all estate assets from loss, damage, or waste
Administrative duties:
- Open an estate bank account for all financial transactions
- Notify the Social Security Administration, employers, pension plans, and insurance companies
- Publish the Notice to Creditors in a local newspaper
- Mail notice to all known creditors, heirs, and beneficiaries
- File the Inventory (Form PC-441) within 2 months of appointment
- Manage the decedent's ongoing obligations (mortgage, utilities, insurance)
- Maintain detailed records of all transactions
Financial obligations:
- Collect and inventory all estate assets
- Obtain appraisals for real property, business interests, and other assets requiring valuation
- File the decedent's final federal and Connecticut state income tax returns
- Determine whether the estate exceeds the Connecticut estate tax threshold
- If applicable, file the Connecticut Estate and Gift Tax Return (CT-706/709)
- Review and pay valid creditor claims in statutory priority order
- Pay estate administration expenses and probate court fees
Distribution and closing:
- Prepare and file the Administration Account (Form PC-442)
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries according to the will or Connecticut intestacy laws
- Obtain signed receipts from each beneficiary
- Obtain the court's Decree of Distribution and formal discharge
Unique State Rules
54 probate districts
Connecticut has a unique probate court structure with 54 separate probate districts, each covering one or more towns. Each probate court has its own elected judge of probate. This local structure means probate is accessible and handled in the community where the decedent lived, but it also means there may be slight procedural variations between districts.
30-day will filing requirement
Connecticut law requires that a will be filed with the probate court within 30 days of death, even if probate is not being opened. Failure to file a will is a misdemeanor. This strict requirement is unique among states and ensures that the court has the will on record regardless of whether formal administration is needed.
Value-based probate court fees
Connecticut charges probate court fees based on the gross value of the estate, ranging from as low as $25 for small estates up to a maximum of $40,000 for the largest estates. These fees are in addition to attorney fees and other costs. The fee schedule is statutory and uniform across all 54 probate districts.
State estate tax and gift tax
Connecticut imposes a state estate tax on estates exceeding the exemption threshold ($13.61 million in 2025), at a flat 12% rate. Connecticut is also one of only two states (along with Minnesota, which recently repealed its gift tax) that imposes a gift tax, making lifetime transfers a consideration in estate planning.
Fiduciary terminology
Connecticut uses the term fiduciary rather than executor or personal representative. This is a formal designation that carries specific legal responsibilities under Connecticut law.
150-day creditor claim period
Creditors in Connecticut have 150 days from the date of the fiduciary's appointment to present claims. This is measured from the date of appointment, not from publication, which differs from many other states.
No state inheritance tax
While Connecticut has an estate tax, it does not impose an inheritance tax. The distinction matters: the estate tax is assessed against the estate, while an inheritance tax would be assessed against individual beneficiaries.
Electronic filing available
Connecticut probate courts support electronic filing through their online system, making it easier to submit forms and track case progress remotely.
How SwiftProbate Helps
Connecticut's probate system — with its 54 probate districts, value-based court fees, and potential estate tax obligations — requires careful navigation. SwiftProbate generates a tailored roadmap for your specific Connecticut estate.
What SwiftProbate does for Connecticut estates:
- Determines the right track — evaluates whether your estate qualifies for simplified probate ($40,000 threshold) or needs full administration
- Calculates probate court fees — estimates the statutory fee based on your estate's gross value
- Flags estate tax obligations — identifies whether the estate may exceed Connecticut's estate tax threshold and generates tasks for CT-706/709 preparation
- Generates Connecticut-specific deadlines — including the 30-day will filing requirement, 2-month inventory deadline, and 150-day creditor claim period
- Creates asset-specific task lists — with steps for transferring real property, closing financial accounts, and retitling vehicles through the Connecticut DMV
Start with a free account to get your Phase 1 estate administration checklist, covering the essential first steps for opening and managing a Connecticut estate.