Settling an Estate in Connecticut
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Connecticut · Last updated August 27, 2026
Connecticut runs probate through Probate Courts organized by district rather than by county, and a petition is filed in the court for the probate district where the decedent resided. The small estates procedure under Connecticut General Statutes 45a-273 is available only where the decedent left no solely owned real estate and the total value of all personal property does not exceed $40,000, which means a house in the decedent's own name puts the estate into a full administration no matter how modest it is. In a full administration the Probate Court itself places the newspaper notice to creditors within 14 days of appointment, and creditors generally have at least 150 days from the fiduciary's appointment to present claims. Connecticut is also unusual in charging a statutory probate fee computed on the gross estate under Connecticut General Statutes 45a-107, including assets that never enter the probate estate, so the court's bill can be large even where very little passes through the court.
Find out where you stand in Connecticut
Where are you in settling the estate?
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Is probate required in Connecticut?
Not for every asset. Survivorship property, beneficiary designated accounts, life insurance, and trust assets pass outside probate. An estate must be opened when the decedent owned property in his or her name alone. Connecticut also offers a small estate procedure that settles qualifying estates without a full administration in the Probate Court.
Which court handles probate in Connecticut?
The Probate Court for the probate district where the decedent resided. Connecticut does not run probate through its counties. It divides the state into 54 probate districts, each with its own elected probate judge, and the Probate Courts are separate from the Superior Court, which hears appeals from probate decrees.
What is the small estate limit in Connecticut, and does real estate qualify?
Real estate does not qualify. Under Connecticut General Statutes 45a-273 the small estates procedure is available only if the decedent owned no solely owned real estate and the total value of all personal property does not exceed $40,000. Survivorship real estate does not defeat eligibility. The affidavit is Probate Court form PC-212.
How long does probate take in Connecticut?
A full administration usually runs about a year. The Probate Court publishes the creditor notice within 14 days of appointment, creditors generally have at least 150 days from appointment to present claims, and the final financial report is normally filed within 12 months of death. A small estate can finish far sooner.
Districts, not counties, and a probate fee charged on the gross estate
Connecticut organizes probate by district. The state is divided into 54 probate districts, each with its own Probate Court and elected probate judge, plus six regional children's probate courts, and the petition belongs in the court for the district where the decedent resided rather than in a county courthouse. Appeals from a Probate Court decree go to the Superior Court, generally within 30 days of the date the court sent the decision. Connecticut offers exactly two routes for a decedent's estate. The small estates procedure under Connecticut General Statutes 45a-273 is filed on Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration, form PC-212, and the form states that the procedure may be used only if both conditions are met: the decedent had no solely owned real estate, and the total value of all of the decedent's personal property does not exceed $40,000. Survivorship real estate does not disqualify the estate, and the decedent may hold survivorship assets worth well over $40,000 and still use the procedure. Everything else is a full administration opened on Petition/Administration or Probate of Will, form PC-200, which the Probate Courts advise filing within 30 days of death. In a full administration the court, not the fiduciary, places the newspaper notice to creditors within 14 days after appointment, and creditors generally have at least 150 days from appointment to present their claims to the fiduciary. The fiduciary can shorten that exposure for a particular creditor by sending a certified mail notice on form PC-234 fixing a deadline at least 90 days out, after which that creditor's claim is barred. The distinctive Connecticut cost is the statutory probate fee under Connecticut General Statutes 45a-107, which is computed on all assets in which the decedent had ownership whether or not they are part of the probate estate, running to a maximum of $40,000 on estates over $8,877,000, with the value of any asset passing to a surviving spouse reduced by 50 percent for fee purposes. Connecticut is not a community property state. A surviving spouse who is dissatisfied with the will may elect the statutory share under Connecticut General Statutes 45a-436, defined as a life estate of one third in value of all the property passing under the will after payment of debts and charges, by filing written notice with the Probate Court within the 150 day period that section fixes.
Relevant Laws
Connecticut General Statutes 45a-273 (Settlement of small estates)
Authorizes settlement of a decedent's estate without probate of the will or letters of administration. Form PC-212 states that the procedure may be used only if both conditions are met: the decedent had no solely owned real estate, and the total value of all of the decedent's personal property does not exceed $40,000. The petition is filed in the court for the probate district where the decedent resided.
Connecticut Probate Courts, Administration of Decedents' Estates (full administration)
The Probate Courts' official user guide to a full administration, covering the PC-200 petition within 30 days of death, appointment of an executor or administrator, the bond rule and its exceptions, Inventory PC-2407 within two months of appointment, the claim procedure, Financial Report PC-246 usually within 12 months of death, and Affidavit of Closing PC-213.
Creditor claims in a Connecticut administration (150 days, PC-234, PC-237)
Within 14 days after appointment the Probate Court places the newspaper notice to creditors. Creditors generally have at least 150 days from the fiduciary's appointment to present claims, and that period does not by itself preclude a later presentation. The fiduciary may send a certified mail notice on form PC-234 fixing a deadline at least 90 days from the date of the notice, after which the claim is barred. Return of Claims PC-237 is filed within 60 days after the end of the 150 day period.
Connecticut General Statutes 45a-107 (probate fees on the gross estate)
Connecticut computes a statutory fee on the greatest of the gross estate for succession tax purposes, the inventory, the Connecticut taxable estate, or the gross estate for estate tax purposes. For deaths on or after July 1, 2016 the schedule runs to $5,615 plus 0.5 percent of the excess over $2,000,000 and caps at $40,000 for estates over $8,877,000, with any portion passing to a surviving spouse reduced by 50 percent and a $150 minimum where a full estate is opened on a basis under $10,000.
Regional Variances
Connecticut probate tracks by estate size
No solely owned real estate and personal property of $40,000 or less
Small estates procedure under Connecticut General Statutes 45a-273, filed on Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration, form PC-212, in the Probate Court for the district where the decedent resided. No fiduciary is appointed, no bond is set, and no inventory or 150 day claim cycle follows. The judge authorizes transfer of assets to reimburse whoever paid expenses and debts, or directly to the persons entitled. Request for Order of Distribution, form PC-212A, is added where assets exceed expenses and claims. A Connecticut estate tax return is still required.
Any solely owned real estate, at any value
Full administration, because the real estate condition in 45a-273 is absolute. A single parcel titled in the decedent's own name pushes the estate into the full track even where the total value is well under $40,000. Survivorship real estate is different and does not disqualify the small estates route. This carve out is the most common reason a modest Connecticut homeowner's estate cannot use PC-212.
Personal property over $40,000
Full administration opened on Petition/Administration or Probate of Will, form PC-200, in the Probate Court for the decedent's district, filed within 30 days of death. Letters issue to an executor named in the will or to an administrator appointed by the court, the court publishes the creditor notice within 14 days of appointment, and Inventory PC-2407 is due within two months of appointment.
Estate insufficient to pay debts
The estate may be settled as insolvent, and the Probate Courts note that the procedure for an insolvent estate is substantially different from a solvent one. Before paying anything, a fiduciary who suspects the estate is short should determine the statutory order of priority, since funeral expenses take precedence over virtually all other expenses for which the estate is responsible.
Connecticut deadlines, bond, and the court's own duties
Creditor claims, 150 days from appointment
The Probate Court places the newspaper notice within 14 days after appointment, and creditors generally have at least 150 days from appointment to present claims to the fiduciary. A fiduciary who distributes in good faith after that period is not liable to creditors who present later, though beneficiaries may be. Form PC-234 can cut a specific creditor's window to at least 90 days from the notice date, and Return of Claims PC-237 is due within 60 days after the 150 day period ends. None of this applies on the PC-212 small estates track.
Bond in a full administration
The Probate Court generally requires a probate bond and sets the amount, but may decide not to require one if the will excuses bond, if the assets of the estate are less than $20,000 or the amount not restricted by court order is less than $10,000, or if all heirs or beneficiaries waive the requirement. No bond arises on the small estates track because no fiduciary is appointed.
Inventory and land records, two months from appointment
Inventory PC-2407 is filed with the Probate Court within two months of appointment, valued at fair market value as of the date of death, and it excludes property passing outside probate by survivorship, beneficiary designation, or trust. Where the decedent owned Connecticut real estate, Notice for Land Records/Appointment of Fiduciary PC-251 is recorded with the town clerk in each town where the property sits, also within two months.
Probate fee computed on the gross estate
Unlike states that charge a flat filing fee, Connecticut assesses a statutory fee under 45a-107 on all assets in which the decedent had ownership, whether or not they are part of the probate estate. The maximum is $40,000 for estates over $8,877,000, the value of any asset passing to a surviving spouse is halved for the calculation, and interest of 0.5 percent per month runs on an invoice unpaid after 30 days or on a late estate tax return.
Spousal statutory share
Connecticut is not a community property state. Under Connecticut General Statutes 45a-436 a surviving spouse may elect the statutory share instead of what the will provides, meaning a life estate of one third in value of all property passing under the will, real and personal, after payment of all debts and charges against the estate. Written notice of the intention to take the statutory share must be filed with the Probate Court within the 150 day period that section sets.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Identify the correct probate district and lodge the original will
Within 30 days of death days after startingConnecticut probate is organized into 54 districts rather than by county, so confirm the right Probate Court with the court locator on the Connecticut Probate Courts site before filing. A person holding the original will must deliver it to the court for the district where the decedent lived within 30 days after the death, and failing to produce a will can carry criminal penalties.
Apply both small estate conditions before choosing a track
Weeks 1-3 days after startingThe small estates procedure under Connecticut General Statutes 45a-273 requires both that the decedent left no solely owned real estate and that the total value of all personal property is $40,000 or less. Confirm how any real estate was titled, since survivorship property does not disqualify the estate. If either condition fails, a full administration is the only route regardless of size.
File the small estate affidavit, or open a full administration
Within 30 days of death days after startingFor a qualifying estate, prepare Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration, form PC-212, listing the solely owned assets, funeral expenses, administration expenses, taxes, and debts, with the death certificate and Confidential Information Sheet PC-212CI. Add Request for Order of Distribution PC-212A where assets exceed expenses and claims. Otherwise file Petition/Administration or Probate of Will, form PC-200.
File the inventory within two months of appointment
Within 2 months of appointment days after startingFile Inventory, form PC-2407, with the Probate Court within two months of appointment, valuing every asset at fair market value as of the date of death and excluding survivorship, beneficiary designated, and trust property. Attach a copy of the deed and the mortgage balance for any real estate, and certify that copies went to each party and attorney involved.
Hold distribution until the 150 day claim period has run
150 days from appointment days after startingThe Probate Court publishes the creditor notice within 14 days of appointment and creditors generally have at least 150 days from appointment to present claims. A fiduciary who distributes in good faith after that period is not liable to creditors who present afterward, so the safe harbor depends on waiting. Use form PC-234 to fix a shorter deadline for a known creditor, and file Return of Claims PC-237 within 60 days after the period ends.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify the correct probate district and lodge the original will | Connecticut probate is organized into 54 districts rather than by county, so confirm the right Probate Court with the court locator on the Connecticut Probate Courts site before filing. A person holding the original will must deliver it to the court for the district where the decedent lived within 30 days after the death, and failing to produce a will can carry criminal penalties. | - | Within 30 days of death |
| Apply both small estate conditions before choosing a track | The small estates procedure under Connecticut General Statutes 45a-273 requires both that the decedent left no solely owned real estate and that the total value of all personal property is $40,000 or less. Confirm how any real estate was titled, since survivorship property does not disqualify the estate. If either condition fails, a full administration is the only route regardless of size. | - | Weeks 1-3 |
| File the small estate affidavit, or open a full administration | For a qualifying estate, prepare Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration, form PC-212, listing the solely owned assets, funeral expenses, administration expenses, taxes, and debts, with the death certificate and Confidential Information Sheet PC-212CI. Add Request for Order of Distribution PC-212A where assets exceed expenses and claims. Otherwise file Petition/Administration or Probate of Will, form PC-200. | small-estate-affidavit | Within 30 days of death |
| File the inventory within two months of appointment | File Inventory, form PC-2407, with the Probate Court within two months of appointment, valuing every asset at fair market value as of the date of death and excluding survivorship, beneficiary designated, and trust property. Attach a copy of the deed and the mortgage balance for any real estate, and certify that copies went to each party and attorney involved. | asset-inventory | Within 2 months of appointment |
| Hold distribution until the 150 day claim period has run | The Probate Court publishes the creditor notice within 14 days of appointment and creditors generally have at least 150 days from appointment to present claims. A fiduciary who distributes in good faith after that period is not liable to creditors who present afterward, so the safe harbor depends on waiting. Use form PC-234 to fix a shorter deadline for a known creditor, and file Return of Claims PC-237 within 60 days after the period ends. | - | 150 days from appointment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Connecticut General Statutes 45a-107 bases the fee on all assets in which the decedent had ownership, whether or not those assets are part of the probate estate, so retirement accounts, survivorship property, and life insurance can drive the bill even though the court never touches them. For deaths on or after July 1, 2016 the schedule reaches $5,615 plus 0.5 percent of everything over $2,000,000, and caps at $40,000 for estates over $8,877,000. The value of any asset passing to a surviving spouse is reduced by 50 percent for this calculation.
Connecticut gives a fiduciary a clear safe harbor. A fiduciary who distributes estate assets in good faith after the 150 day period has expired is not liable to creditors who present their claims after the distribution. Beneficiaries, however, may still be liable for legitimate claims properly brought after distribution. Distributing before that period runs, or paying claims out of the statutory order of priority in an estate that turns out to be short, is where personal exposure arises.
Not on the executor's own authority. The fiduciary may convert non specifically bequeathed personal property to cash, but must obtain permission from the Probate Court to sell, mortgage, or otherwise convey real estate unless the will specifically authorizes it. When personal property is being sold and the fiduciary is not named in the will as executor and is not a family member, the fiduciary must send the inventory and a notice of intent to sell to all interested parties, who then have five days to object.
It depends on who else survives. Where the decedent leaves a spouse and children who are also children of that spouse, the spouse takes the first $100,000 plus one half of the remainder and the children share the other half. Where at least one child is not a child of the surviving spouse, the spouse takes one half and the children share the rest. Where the decedent leaves a spouse and parents but no descendants, the spouse takes the first $100,000 plus three quarters of the remainder.
Yes, and this surprises families with small estates. A Connecticut estate tax return is required for every decedent's estate whether or not any tax is due, and it is due six months from the date of death. For deaths on or after January 1, 2026 the exemption is $15 million. Estates at or below that file Form CT-706 NT with the Probate Court only. Larger estates file Form CT-706/709 with the Department of Revenue Services and a copy with the court.
Other Connecticut guides
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