Connecticut Estate Planning: Free Wills, Forms & Calculators

Like all states, Connecticut recognizes formally executed wills and living trusts as valid estate planning tools. A standard will here requires 2 adult witnesses, and adding a notarized self-proving affidavit can streamline the probate process later.

The amount a surviving spouse inherits without a will depends on whether your parents are still alive. If they are, your spouse may have to share the estate with them—a result that surprises many people and underscores why having a will matters.

Unlike states with formal independent administration statutes (such as California and Texas), Connecticut doesn't offer a simplified procedure for executors to petition for reduced court oversight. However, executors typically have statutory authority to manage routine estate matters. For families looking to avoid probate court involvement entirely, a revocable living trust remains the most reliable option.

Connecticut imposes its own estate tax on estates exceeding $15,000,000, with a top rate of 12%. This exemption currently matches or is close to the federal estate tax exemption of $15,000,000. Families with estates near this threshold often use trusts and lifetime gifting to reduce exposure.

Connecticut does not allow transfer-on-death deeds for real estate. Without this option, real property must pass through probate or be held in a trust to avoid court proceedings. Transferring property into a revocable trust does not trigger a property tax reassessment in Connecticut, so property taxes remain at their current level.

Connecticut provides a statutory homestead exemption protecting up to $250,000 in home equity from creditors. While not as strong as the constitutional protections in states like Texas or Florida, this still provides meaningful protection for the family home. Executors must publish a notice to creditors, who then have 5 months to file claims against the estate.

Connecticut does not automatically revoke an ex-spouse as beneficiary upon divorce. Without updating beneficiary designations after a divorce, an ex-spouse may still inherit life insurance proceeds and retirement accounts—regardless of what a will says.