How Does Estate Planning Work in Connecticut?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Connecticut costs an estimated $29,174 and takes 6 months to 12 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 2.2% to 3.5% of the estate. Estates under $40,000 can use a small-estate procedure instead.

A simple estate in Connecticut typically takes 6 months to 12 months through probate, and an average estate 12 months to 18 months; a contested one runs longer. The creditor claim period of 5 months is the floor. A funded revocable trust avoids probate entirely.

Connecticut has adopted the Uniform Trust Code and does not require witnesses for trust execution. Notarization is not required for validity, though many financial institutions require notarized trust documents. Connecticut has no separate trust creditor-notice step — the settlor's debts stay subject to the general claims and limitations period (up to 5 months), which the trustee settles before distributing.

A healthcare power of attorney in Connecticut requires 2 witnesses to be valid. A financial power of attorney requires 2 witnesses. A financial power of attorney is durable by default, so it stays in effect if you become incapacitated.

In Connecticut, the executor files an inventory of the estate's assets within 60 days of appointment. A revocable trust skips the court-supervised inventory, so a trustee distributes without filing one.

In Connecticut, divorce does not automatically revoke a beneficiary designation that names a former spouse; the former spouse stays the named beneficiary until the designation is changed.

Estate Planning in Connecticut

Estate planning in Connecticut is shaped most by the Uniform Trust Code. The trade-off between a will and a revocable trust comes down to how that single feature affects your estate's probate path.

A will goes through probate, with attorney fees of typically 2.2% to 3.5% of the estate. A simple estate typically closes in 6 months to 12 months, and the 5 months creditor-claim window sets the floor. Estates under $40,000 can use the Small Estate Affidavit (Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration, PC-212) and avoid full probate administration. Real property cannot be transferred through this procedure in Connecticut; an estate that includes real estate uses a separate process. In Connecticut the affidavit is filed with the court, and holders honor the court's certified copy — but no letters testamentary or of administration issue.

For a revocable trust, Connecticut does not require witnesses for trust execution. Notarization isn't required for validity, though banks and title companies typically expect a notarized trust before they'll work with it. Connecticut has adopted the Uniform Trust Code, so trust administration follows the same baseline rules used in most states.

Connecticut doesn't currently offer transfer-on-death deeds or full remote online notarization, so a revocable trust remains the primary tool for keeping property out of probate. Beneficiary designations on retirement and life-insurance accounts still bypass probate by default.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated October 17, 2026

Legal Sources

Show 4 more sources

Data sourced from Connecticut statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

New Baby or Adoption

Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.

Learn more