Does Connecticut Allow Transfer on Death Deeds?

Why TOD deeds aren't available in Connecticut

Connecticut has not adopted the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act or any TOD deed statute.

TOD deed bills have been raised in five sessions and none has been enacted. HB 5266 (2026), "AN ACT ADOPTING THE UNIFORM REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER ON DEATH ACT," was referred to the Joint Committee on Judiciary on 2/19/2026 and heard 2/27/2026; it took no further action and died in committee when the 2026 Regular Session adjourned on May 6, 2026. HB 6896 (2025, Joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate, heard 2/11/2025) and SB 211 (2025, Joint Committee on Judiciary) died the same way. HB 5209 (2020, raised by the Aging Committee) went furthest — the Aging Committee gave it a Joint Favorable Change of Reference to Judiciary on 3/4/2020 and the House and Senate each entered a Favorable Change of Reference to Judiciary on 3/5/2020 — and it was still never enacted; SB 117 (2016, Judiciary) died after a 2/24/2016 hearing. No TOD deed bill is pending today: the 2026 session has adjourned, no special session has convened, and the next regular session convenes in January 2027. Public hearing testimony on HB 5266 was split. Supporting testimony framed the deed as a way for seniors to avoid the cost and delay of probate, noting Connecticut already lets accounts and vehicles pass by beneficiary designation. Opposing testimony from a Connecticut trust and estate attorney raised elder fraud and undue influence, conflicts with an existing will or trust, exposure to creditor claims and Medicaid estate recovery, and title insurers' treatment of TOD deeds. No Connecticut statute authorizes an enhanced life estate ("Lady Bird") deed. Connecticut does not recognize tenancy by the entirety: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47-14a treats a conveyance to two grantees "as tenants by the entirety" as one that creates a joint tenancy in fee simple with right of survivorship. Connecticut has a small estate affidavit process (Form PC-212, Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration) for solely owned personal property up to $40,000 (Conn. Gen. Stat. 45a-273), but it is available only if the decedent had no solely owned Connecticut real property. Connecticut has no statute authorizing or recognizing a transfer on death deed, including one executed under another state's law.

Alternatives for Connecticut

These mechanisms transfer real property at death without probate in Connecticut:

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  Revocable living trust
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  Joint tenancy with right of survivorship
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  Survivorship deed forms (including survivor life-estate/remainder forms)
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  Life estate deed

Consult a licensed attorney for help choosing the right mechanism for your situation.