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Estate administration in Connecticut typically runs 6–12 months for simple estates and 18–36 months for complex ones. The minimum timeline is largely set by the creditor claim period (5 months), during which the executor can't safely distribute assets. Living trusts bypass this entirely because they don't go through probate. The Connecticut estate settlement checklist walks through the steps.
Connecticut allows executors to receive "reasonable compensation," typically 2%–4% of the estateCT Probate Court Rules of Procedure, Rule 39 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 30, 2026. Executors can also waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. When the executor is a family member who is also a beneficiary, waiving the fee is common because beneficiary distributions aren't taxed as income while executor fees are. See the Connecticut executor fee calculator.
Estate planning attorneys in Connecticut average $388 per hourClio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jan 1, 2025 for wills and estates work. Flat-fee packages run roughly $1,164–$2,328 for a simple individual will and $4,460–$6,690 for a basic revocable trust. Online and DIY services cost $30–$300 for the same documents — see the will cost calculator for a side-by-side comparison.
Connecticut allows estates under $40,000 to use a simplified Small Estate Affidavit (Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration, PC-212) procedure, which is a form rather than a court case and typically doesn't require an attorney. For larger estates, formal probate is involved enough that retaining counsel is usually practical — the procedural work is what they're there for. Use the Connecticut probate calculator to estimate the costs.
In Connecticut, the situations where retaining counsel is typically worth the cost are: blended families with children from prior relationships; ownership of a business, rental property, or significant investment assets; special-needs dependents who need a special-needs trust to preserve benefits; estates near or above the Connecticut estate tax threshold; substantial property held in multiple states. If none of these describe your situation, the simpler online and DIY tools are often enough.
Search 4,003 estate law firms across 51 states.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.
33 firms
Glastonbury estate and probate practice serving families in the Glastonbury-Hebron Probate District and the greater Hartford area. Prepares wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives, and handles probate administration, probate litigation, and special needs and business-succession planning. Works on a fixed-fee basis with the attorney handling matters directly.
Location
2389 Main StreetGlastonbury, CT 06033
Phone
(860) 920-5644
Established
2008
Service Area
1 county
Fairfield County probate lawyer serving Stamford and Fairfield with expertise in probate administration, will contests, and estate litigation. Practicing since 1996.
Location
183 Sherman StreetFairfield, CT 06824
Phone
(203) 259-5251
Service Area
1 county
Groton general practice firm with a physical office within the Southeastern CT Regional Probate District (PD-30), serving Groton, Ledyard, Waterford, and surrounding towns. Two-generation family practice handles wills, probate, trusts and estates alongside family law and civil litigation.
Location
100 Fort Hill Road, Suite 2Groton, CT 06340
Phone
(860) 445-8521
Established
1991
Service Area
1 county
Darien law firm providing estate planning, wills, trusts, and fiduciary representation. Glen J. Moore leads the trusts and estates practice with nearly three decades of experience serving Darien and surrounding communities.
Location
777 Post Road, 2nd FloorDarien, CT 06820
Phone
(203) 202-3100
Service Area
1 county
Cheshire estate and probate office on Highland Avenue serving the Cheshire-Southington Probate District (PD-18) and New Haven County. Drafts wills and trusts and handles probate administration, inventories, creditor claims, and estate settlement. Offers a free initial consultation, with evening and weekend appointments available.
Location
515 Highland AvenueCheshire, CT 06410
Phone
(203) 271-1614
Service Area
1 county
New Britain firm handling probate and estate matters before the Berlin Probate District. Work includes estate administration, asset valuation and distribution, debt and tax settlement, and intestate succession, along with contested matters such as will contests and breach of fiduciary duty claims. Practicing in central Connecticut since 1945.
Location
35 Pearl Street, #301New Britain, CT 06051
Phone
(860) 854-3809
Established
1945
Service Area
1 county
Litchfield solo practice on West Street serving the Litchfield Hills Probate District (PD-24) and Litchfield County. Concentrates in estate planning, wills and trusts, and probate and estate administration, with related individual tax and business planning work.
Location
62 West StreetLitchfield, CT 06759
Phone
(860) 567-2461
Service Area
1 county
One of Bridgeport's longest-standing law firms, practicing since 1939. The firm helps families and individuals with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, business succession planning, and probate administration. Has served Fairfield County clients for over 85 years.
Location
1087 Broad StreetBridgeport, CT 06604
Phone
(203) 334-9421
Established
1939
Service Area
1 county
West Haven attorney serving the West Haven Probate District and New Haven County, in general practice since 1981. Handles probate and estate administration and the residential real estate transfers that follow a death. Holds Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent rating and offers a free consultation.
Location
140 Captain Thomas Boulevard, Suite 116West Haven, CT 06516
Phone
(203) 931-9722
Service Area
1 county
Simsbury practice serving the Farmington Valley, with probate handled through the Simsbury Regional Probate District. Drafts wills and trusts, plans for incapacity through decision-maker designations and living wills, and applies Connecticut law to direct how assets pass. Attorney Charles D. Houlihan, Jr. has served Simsbury and Farmington Valley clients for more than 25 years.
Location
75 West StreetSimsbury, CT 06070
Phone
(860) 495-1493
Service Area
1 county