What to Do When Someone Dies in Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19), Connecticut
Probate in Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19) runs through the Probate Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19), settling their estate runs through the Probate Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Probate Court
Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19) · PD-19
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
Serves Bristol and Plymouth.
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19)
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Bristol, probate runs through the Probate Court at 240 Stafford Avenue, Bristol. The court sits in the PD-19.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Connecticut intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Connecticut estates take 12 monthsC.G.S. § 45a-107Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 18 monthsC.G.S. § 45a-107Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to move through this process. The 5 monthsC.G.S. § 45a-356 (formerly § 45-230e) — 150 days from appointment of first fiduciaryVerified Jul 14, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What Probate Costs in Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19)
What probate costs in Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19), Connecticut comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Probate Court at 240 Stafford Avenue, Bristol. The court is part of the PD-19.
Connecticut charges Sliding-scale statutory formula with $150 full-estate minimumConn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-107(b)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the Probate Court (https://efile.ctprobate.gov/). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Connecticut are negotiated, typically 2.2%CT Probate Court Rules of Procedure, Rule 39 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; Hayward v. Plant factors). Note: C.G.S. § 45a-294 covers will contest expenses only and is not the fee authority.Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 3.5%CT Probate Court Rules of Procedure, Rule 39 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; Hayward v. Plant factors). Note: C.G.S. § 45a-294 covers will contest expenses only and is not the fee authority.Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 2.23%Estimated from the 17 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 3.82%Estimated from the 17 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of estate value. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Connecticut requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%C.G.S. § 45a-289 (bond required); § 45a-169 and § 45a-139 (waiver)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Connecticut typically runs 12 monthsC.G.S. § 45a-107Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 18 monthsC.G.S. § 45a-107Verified Jul 14, 2026View source, and costs accrue throughout. The 5 monthsC.G.S. § 45a-356 (formerly § 45-230e) — 150 days from appointment of first fiduciaryVerified Jul 14, 2026View source creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
How to File Probate at the Probate Court
If you're handling probate yourself in Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19), Connecticut, you can file at the Probate Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms. The court sits in the PD-19.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19), families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationPaper Filing Required For
- •Original wills or codicils (paper only)
- •Original probate bonds (paper only)
- •Original adoption or parentage records (paper only)
- •Exemplified copies required by statute (paper only)
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Probate Court is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19) Self-Filing Assessment.
What to Bring
To file at the Probate Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Transferring Property in Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19)
Clearing title to real estate after a death—recording a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order—happens at the Town Clerk.
Recording Office Record
Town Clerk
Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19) · Town Clerk
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $70 |
| Each additional page | $5 |
| Conveyance data reportable to the state (OPM/DRS)RequiredDeeds conveying title to real property for considerationCGS 7-34a(a)(1) adds two dollars to the regular recording fee for any document whose data the town clerk must submit to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management under CGS 10-261b. Town clerks bill a one-page deed with consideration at $72. | $2 |
| Missing grantee mailing address surchargeAny deed, except a mortgage deed, conveying title to real estateCGS 7-34a(a)(1): five dollars in addition to the regular recording fee when the deed does not contain the current mailing address of the grantee. | $5 |
Total first page fee is $70: $10 base (CGS 7-34a(a)(1), unchanged by P.A. 25-168) + $10 land-records fee (CGS 7-34a(d)) + $50 community investment surcharge (CGS 7-34a(e), raised from $40 by P.A. 25-168 effective July 1, 2025). Each additional page is $5. The $50 surcharge is distributed: $2 retained by the town clerk, $3 to municipal general revenue for local capital improvement projects, $45 remitted to the State Treasurer for the Donald E. Williams, Jr. community investment account (CGS 4-66aa). A deed conveying title for consideration carries an extra $2 (CGS 7-34a(a)(1) / 10-261b), so town clerks bill it at $72. Nominee (MERS/DART) documents have a separate higher schedule -- CGS 7-34a(a)(2): $116 first page + $5 per page, $159 flat for a nominee assignment or release; town clerks publish these as $160. Connecticut does NOT authorize TOD deeds or Lady Bird (enhanced life estate) deeds for real property.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 7-34a (as amended by P.A. 25-168, § 412)
Transfer tax
State conveyance tax (CGS 12-494(a)(1), (b)): 0.75% of the consideration; 1.25% on property used for any purpose other than residential use (except unimproved land); for a residential estate with consideration of $800,000 or more, 0.75% on the portion up to $800,000, 1.25% on the portion over $800,000 up to $2,500,000, and 2.25% on the portion over $2,500,000. Tax applies only when consideration equals or exceeds $2,000. State; Municipal conveyance tax: 0.25% in every municipality (CGS 12-494(a)(2)). A targeted investment community (CGS 32-222) or a municipality containing a designated manufacturing plant (CGS 32-75c) may impose an additional tax of up to 0.25% (CGS 12-494(c)) -- e.g. New Britain publishes a combined municipal rate of 0.5%. local. Conveyance tax applies to transfers for consideration of $2,000 or more. CGS 12-498(a) exempts, among others, deeds to which the state or a political subdivision is a party (a)(3), deeds where the consideration is less than $2,000 (a)(10), deeds between spouses (a)(14), and transfers effectuating a mere change of identity or form of ownership with no change in beneficial ownership (a)(17). Since CT does not authorize TOD deeds, the TOD exemption question is moot.
District includes Bristol and Plymouth. Each town has its own Town Clerk for land records. This entry is for Bristol Town Clerk.
Verified July 13, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19)
Connecticut uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19) — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in Connecticut are based on reasonable compensation — typically 2.2%CT Probate Court Rules of Procedure, Rule 39 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; Hayward v. Plant factors). Note: C.G.S. § 45a-294 covers will contest expenses only and is not the fee authority.Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 3.5%CT Probate Court Rules of Procedure, Rule 39 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; Hayward v. Plant factors). Note: C.G.S. § 45a-294 covers will contest expenses only and is not the fee authority.Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19) firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Probate Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Hartford & Capitol Region Firms
Allaire Elder Law, LLC
FirmBristol elder law and estate firm serving the Bristol Probate District and greater Hartford County. Handles probate and estate administration, Medicaid (Title 19) planning, conservatorships, special needs trusts, and veterans benefits. Member of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association.
Location
271 Farmington AveBristol, CT 06010
Phone
(860) 259-1500
Service Area
1 county
Furey, Donovan, Cooney & Dyer, PC
FirmBristol firm in the Federal Hill district, practicing since 1960 and serving the Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19). Drafts wills, trusts, and advance directives, structures special needs trusts, and handles probate and guardianship proceedings for area families. Offers a free consultation.
Location
43 Bellevue AvenueBristol, CT 06010
Phone
(860) 589-4343
Established
1960
Service Area
1 county
Brown Paindiris & Scott, LLP
FirmGlastonbury firm with six Connecticut offices, including Hartford, Simsbury, New Hartford, East Hampton, and Essex. Represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries through estate settlement, testamentary and living trust administration, conservatorships and guardianships, and contested matters including will contests and trustee removal. Also handles federal and state estate tax audits.
Location
2252 Main StreetGlastonbury, CT 06033
Phone
(860) 659-0700
Service Area
4 counties
Bulkovitch Law, LLC
Solo PracticeMarlborough solo practice serving families in the Region #14 Probate District, which covers East Haddam, East Hampton, Marlborough, and Portland. Prepares wills and trusts, handles probate, and files Medicaid (Title 19) applications, alongside residential real estate closings. Attorney Linda Bulkovitch sits on the Connecticut Bar Association Elder Law Executive Committee.
Location
9 Austin Drive, Suite 202Marlborough, CT 06447
Phone
(860) 295-1600
Established
2014
Service Area
2 counties
Cummings & Lockwood LLC
FirmConnecticut private-wealth firm with offices in West Hartford and Stamford, founded 1909. Its Private Clients Group handles trust and estate administration, estate-tax planning, and business succession for individuals, families, and family offices. Ranked Chambers High Net Worth Tier 1 for Private Wealth Law in Connecticut for ten consecutive years.
Location
75 Isham Road, Suite 400West Hartford, CT 06107
Phone
(860) 313-4900
Established
1909
Service Area
2 counties
Cummings and Lanza, LLC
FirmSouth Windsor law firm founded in 1948, providing estate planning utilizing wills and trusts, probate matters, and elder law. Depth of experience not commonly found in small firms.
Location
1610 Ellington RoadSouth Windsor, CT 06074
Phone
(860) 644-3473
Established
1948
Service Area
1 county
Daly Perri Arnold & Knierim (formerly Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri)
FirmConnecticut elder care law and estate planning firm (renamed from Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri in January 2026) with five offices statewide. Practice areas include estate and tax planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, special needs trusts, and probate litigation. Attorney Carmine Perri serves on the Probate Court Rules Advisory Committee.
Location
15 Massirio DriveBerlin, CT 06037
Phone
(860) 236-7673
Service Area
3 counties
Diana, Conti, Tunila, Sheridan & McCann, LLP
FirmManchester law firm established in 1932, serving central and eastern Connecticut from a single Main Street office. Handles probate and estate administration, estate planning, and elder law alongside real estate matters. Offers a free case evaluation to new clients.
Location
1091 Main StreetManchester, CT 06040
Phone
(860) 643-2181
Established
1932
Service Area
2 counties
Drew Law, P.C.
FirmBoutique trusts and estates firm established in 1974, specializing exclusively in estate planning, estate administration, and closely held business matters. Serves Farmington Valley including Farmington, Simsbury, and Avon.
Location
47 West Main StreetAvon, CT 06001
Phone
(860) 677-1974
Established
1974
Service Area
1 county
Estate Planning Law Center, LLC
FirmHartford estate planning firm located on the Hartford-West Hartford border providing comprehensive wills, trusts, and probate services.
Location
543 Prospect AveHartford, CT 06105
Phone
(860) 232-1920
Service Area
1 county
Falkenstein, Meggers, Paul & Robinson, P.C.
FirmManchester law firm with over 100 years of service to the Hartford area community including East Hartford. Strong elder law and estate planning practice with NAELA membership.
Location
113 East Center StreetManchester, CT 06040
Phone
(860) 281-7567
Service Area
1 county
Hajosy Law, LLC
Solo PracticeWest Hartford elder law and estate practice that works with families through Connecticut probate estate settlement after a death. Handles decedents' probate estates, conservatorships and other protective proceedings, and trustee representation for special needs trusts, along with Medicaid (Title 19) eligibility. Attorney Rebecca Hajosy is an accredited VA claims attorney.
Location
28 North Main Street, Suite 201West Hartford, CT 06107
Phone
(860) 969-0669
Service Area
1 county
Jackson O'Keefe, LLP
FirmWethersfield firm practicing in Connecticut for over 60 years, with satellite offices in Farmington and East Haddam. Handles estate administration and probate, will and trust drafting, and guardianship and conservatorship matters. Offers virtual visits for clients who cannot travel to an office.
Location
433 Silas Deane HighwayWethersfield, CT 06109
Phone
(860) 278-4040
Service Area
2 counties
Kahan, Kerensky & Capossela, LLP
FirmVernon law firm established in 1964 with 15 attorneys providing estate planning, probate, elder law, and trusts services to Tolland and Hartford county families.
Location
45 Hartford TurnpikeVernon, CT 06066
Phone
(860) 646-1974
Established
1964
Service Area
2 counties
Kocian Law Group
FirmMulti-specialty law firm with offices in Hartford, Manchester, and New Britain serving families and individuals. Estate planning and probate among practice areas.
Location
356 West Middle TurnpikeManchester, CT 06040
Phone
(860) 730-6100
Service Area
2 counties
Law Office of Bonnie C. Mangan, P.C.
Solo PracticeSouth Windsor practice serving the greater Hartford area with wills, trusts, and living wills, and representing executors and families through Connecticut probate after a death. Handles will validation, claims against the estate, and distribution of assets through the Greater Windsor Probate District. Attorney Bonnie C. Mangan has practiced since 1992.
Location
1050 Sullivan Avenue, Suite A3South Windsor, CT 06074
Phone
(860) 644-4204
Established
1992
Service Area
1 county
Law Office of John M. Stober, LLC
Solo PracticeNewington law office with more than 30 years of combined experience serving clients in estate planning, probate, elder law, and real estate matters.
Location
81 Market Square, Suite 7Newington, CT 06111
Phone
(860) 953-5687
Service Area
1 county
Law Office of Kevin L. Mason
Solo PracticeNewington solo practice handling probate administration of decedents' estates, will preparation, and guardianships or trusts for minor children, along with healthcare agent designations, living wills, and powers of attorney. Attorney Kevin L. Mason has practiced from the same Newington office since 1985.
Location
47 East Cedar StreetNewington, CT 06111
Phone
(860) 666-6022
Established
1985
Service Area
1 county
Law Office of Patrick C. Roy, LLC
Solo PracticeWindsor Locks solo attorney serving the Windsor Locks-East Windsor area and northern Hartford County. Prepares wills and trusts and handles probate, estate administration, and residential real estate transfers. Selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars for four consecutive years.
Location
487 Spring Street, Suite 201Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Phone
(860) 752-2308
Service Area
1 county
Law Offices of Charles D. Houlihan, Jr.
Solo PracticeSimsbury 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
Law Offices of Ericson, Scalise & Mangan, P.C.
FirmNew 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
Law Offices of Matthew J. Lefevre, Esq., P.C.
Solo PracticeHartford probate and estate planning attorney with offices in Hartford and Torrington serving Connecticut families and businesses. AV Preeminent rated with over 30 years of experience.
Location
38 Woodland StreetHartford, CT 06105
Phone
(860) 967-3033
Service Area
2 counties
Law Offices of Steven M. Basche, LLC
Solo PracticeGlastonbury 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
LeFoll & LeFoll
FirmRocky Hill estate planning and probate firm established in 1969 with over 75 years of combined legal experience across three attorneys. Serves Hartford, New Britain, West Hartford, Bristol, Manchester, Wethersfield, East Hartford, Glastonbury, Middletown, and Cromwell.
Location
2270 Silas Deane HighwayRocky Hill, CT 06067
Phone
(860) 563-2355
Established
1969
Service Area
1 county
Leone, Throwe, Teller & Nagle
FirmFull-service general practice firm physically located in East Hartford within the East Hartford Probate District (PD-05). Estate planning and probate are listed practice areas alongside collaborative divorce, real estate, and civil litigation.
Location
33 Connecticut BoulevardEast Hartford, CT 06108
Phone
(860) 528-2145
Established
1996
Service Area
1 county
McCaffrey Law Firm, P.C.
Solo PracticeWoman-owned Enfield practice led by Attorney Carolyn McCaffrey, who also serves as Judge of Probate for the North Central CT Probate District (elected 2018). Over 25 years of legal experience in estate planning, probate, and real estate. Licensed in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Location
64 Palomba Drive, Suite 1Enfield, CT 06082
Phone
(860) 741-8888
Established
2011
Service Area
1 county
Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates, P.C.
FirmEstate and elder law firm with offices in Glastonbury and Westport, serving the Hartford and Fairfield County probate districts since 1987. Handles probate and trust administration, Medicaid (Title 19) planning, conservatorships and guardianships, and special needs and LGBTQ estate planning.
Location
200 Glastonbury Boulevard, Suite 202Glastonbury, CT 06033
Phone
(860) 548-1000
Established
1987
Service Area
2 counties
Smith & Bishop, LLC
FirmFamily-run Windsor Locks firm handling estate planning, last wills, and probate of decedents' estates filed through the Tobacco Valley Probate District serving the Windsor Locks area. Founder Paul W. Smith, admitted in Connecticut since 1977, practices alongside attorneys P. Timothy Smith and Gwendolyn Bishop. The firm also handles real estate transactions.
Location
27 South Main StreetWindsor Locks, CT 06096
Phone
(860) 627-0513
Service Area
1 county
Steinberg & Cathcart, LLC
FirmFarmington estate planning and probate firm with over 35 years of combined legal experience. Attorneys Jeff Steinberg and Frank Cathcart serve Farmington, Avon, Simsbury, West Hartford, Newington, New Britain, and surrounding communities with estate planning, probate, elder law, and real estate services.
Location
231 Farmington AvenueFarmington, CT 06032
Phone
(860) 947-6543
Service Area
1 county
Tyler & Tyler, Attorneys at Law
FirmEnfield general practice handling wills, living wills, powers of attorney, and probate administration before the North Central Connecticut Probate District, which serves Enfield, Somers, Stafford, and Union. Settles estates through probate and pairs that with the real estate transactions common to estate settlement. Founded by brothers Tom and Russ Tyler in 1978.
Location
92 High StreetEnfield, CT 06082
Phone
(860) 745-0832
Established
1978
Service Area
1 county
Watterworth Law Offices, LLC
Solo PracticeSimsbury estate planning and probate firm specializing in estate administration, conservatorships, elder law, and Medicaid Title 19 planning. Serves Hartford, Litchfield, and Tolland counties.
Location
714 Hopmeadow Street, Suite 9Simsbury, CT 06070
Phone
(860) 650-1916
Service Area
3 counties
Weatherby & Associates, PC
FirmBloomfield estate planning and elder law firm serving greater Hartford including West Hartford, Farmington, Simsbury, and Bristol. Super Lawyers 2018-2025 with Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent and Avvo 10.0 ratings.
Location
693 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite 200Bloomfield, CT 06002
Phone
(860) 769-6938
Service Area
1 county
Weber Carrier Chace LLP
FirmCentral Connecticut law firm (formerly Weber, Carrier, Boiczyk & Chace) serving the New Britain area since 1968 with community-rooted legal counsel. Provides estate planning and probate administration alongside personal injury, family law, and real estate services.
Location
24 Cedar StreetNew Britain, CT 06052
Phone
(860) 225-9463
Established
1968
Service Area
2 counties
Firms from Neighboring Regions
Attorney Thomas Drew
Solo PracticeAttorney Thomas Drew in Westport, CT providing estate planning, probate, elder law, and business formation services. CPA background with expertise in estate and business planning.
Location
55 Post Road West, 2nd FloorWestport, CT 06881
Phone
(203) 221-4799
Service Area
5 counties
Blondin Law Office LLC
FirmTorrington's oldest woman-owned law firm, serving the community since 1980. Mother-daughter practice providing estate planning, probate, and elder law services to Litchfield County.
Location
379 Prospect StreetTorrington, CT 06790
Phone
(860) 489-8997
Established
1980
Service Area
1 county
Cipparone & Zaccaro, P.C.
FirmEastern and Western Connecticut estate planning and elder law firm serving families over 50 since 1986. Deep roots in the community with comprehensive probate and trust services.
Location
261 Williams StreetNew London, CT 06320
Phone
(860) 442-0150
Established
1986
Service Area
2 counties
Cohen and Thomas
FirmDerby general practice firm serving the Naugatuck Valley including Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, and Shelton. Probate and estate planning services provided by five attorneys with decades of combined experience. Additional office in Litchfield.
Location
315 Main StreetDerby, CT 06418
Phone
(203) 735-9521
Service Area
1 county
Collins Hannafin, P.C.
FirmFull-service Danbury law firm serving Fairfield and Southern Litchfield County communities since 1963. Trusts and estates practice provides estate planning, will and trust drafting, probate administration, and elder law. 12 attorneys; firm holds Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating.
Location
148 Deer Hill AvenueDanbury, CT 06810
Phone
(203) 885-1938
Established
1963
Service Area
2 counties
Cramer & Anderson, LLP
FirmOne of Connecticut's oldest law firms, founded in 1854, with flagship office on the Green in New Milford. Estate planning attorneys focus on preserving, handling, and maintaining client wealth and assets. Over 20 practice areas.
Location
51 Main StreetNew Milford, CT 06776
Phone
(860) 355-2631
Established
1854
Service Area
2 counties
Drapp Law PLLC
FirmConnecticut estate planning and elder law attorneys with offices in Milford and Cheshire. Comprehensive probate and trust services.
Location
53 River Street, Suite 12Milford, CT 06460
Phone
(203) 871-0356
Established
2005
Service Area
1 county
Fisher Law Firm, LLC
FirmSeymour-based firm with two attorneys handling estate planning and probate as a primary practice alongside family law. Located within the Derby Probate District (PD-41), serving clients throughout New Haven, Fairfield, and Litchfield Counties.
Location
7 Wakeley StreetSeymour, CT 06483
Phone
(203) 828-6191
Established
2010
Service Area
3 counties
Fournier Legal Services, LLC
FirmEast Haven law firm with additional offices in Madison and Woodbury providing estate planning, business, and corporate services across Connecticut.
Location
64 Thompson Street, Suite A101East Haven, CT 06513
Phone
(860) 670-3535
Service Area
1 county
Gina M. Petrokaitis, Attorney at Law
Solo PracticeWaterbury solo attorney serving the Waterbury Probate District and the Naugatuck Valley since 1994. Prepares wills and trusts and handles probate, estate administration, and elder-law matters. Se habla espanol.
Location
678 Chase ParkwayWaterbury, CT 06708
Phone
(203) 756-6955
Service Area
2 counties
Guion, Stevens & Rybak, LLP
FirmLitchfield general practice firm with a focus on trusts and estates, probate, taxation, real estate, and zoning law serving Litchfield County.
Location
93 West StreetLitchfield, CT 06759
Phone
(860) 567-0821
Service Area
1 county
Law Office of Michelle M. Liguori
Solo PracticeNew Milford practice on Bridge Street, serving the Housatonic Probate District and Litchfield County. Handles probate, estate planning, elder law, and Medicaid asset-protection matters for individuals and families. Attorney Michelle Liguori has practiced in the area for over 20 years and takes appointments through online booking.
Location
30 Bridge Street, Suite 101New Milford, CT 06776
Phone
(860) 210-1111
Service Area
1 county
Owens, Schine & Nicola, PC
FirmConnecticut law firm serving the community since 1928 with offices in Trumbull, New Britain, and Norwalk providing estate planning and probate services.
Location
799 Silver LaneTrumbull, CT 06611
Phone
(203) 375-0600
Established
1928
Service Area
2 counties
Peck & Tuneski, P.C.
FirmSoutheastern Connecticut estate planning and probate attorneys with offices in New London, Norwich, and Old Saybrook. Full-range trust and estate services since 1979.
Location
10 Pearl StreetNew London, CT 06320
Phone
(860) 447-3370
Established
1979
Service Area
2 counties
RWC LLC (Reed Wilson Case)
FirmWoman-owned firm with offices in Middletown and Wethersfield, serving the Middletown and greater Hartford County probate districts. Drafts wills and trusts and handles probate, estate administration, Medicaid planning, and elder-law matters.
Location
330 South Main StreetMiddletown, CT 06457
Phone
(860) 669-1222
Service Area
3 counties
Secor, Cassidy & McPartland, P.C.
FirmServing Connecticut since 1865 with offices in Waterbury and Southbury. Main office located in a historic building listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Location
41 Church StreetWaterbury, CT 06702
Phone
(203) 757-9261
Established
1865
Service Area
2 counties
Sullivan Estate Law
Solo PracticeLitchfield practice on West Street, serving the Litchfield Probate District and surrounding Litchfield County. Concentrates on probate estate administration and estate planning, with Attorney Carole Sullivan handling each matter personally. Offers a client portal and online appointment booking.
Location
174 West Street, Unit 102-103Litchfield, CT 06759
Phone
(860) 361-6053
Service Area
1 county
The Nicholas Law Firm, LLC
FirmTorrington estate and probate firm on Prospect Street serving Litchfield County, with a second office in Waterbury. Prepares wills and revocable trusts, structures plans to keep assets out of probate, and handles probate administration and estate settlement. Offers a free initial consultation.
Location
365 Prospect StreetTorrington, CT 06790
Phone
(860) 489-1878
Service Area
1 county
The Prue Law Group, P.C.
FirmElder law and estate planning lawyers serving eastern Connecticut for over four decades. 85+ years combined experience and 10,000+ clients served across offices in Willimantic, Brooklyn, Coventry, and Colchester.
Location
720 Main StreetWillimantic, CT 06226
Phone
(860) 423-9231
Service Area
2 counties
Wasikowski Law Firm
FirmMilford, Orange, and Shelton, CT estate planning law firm serving South Central Connecticut with comprehensive probate services. Over 20 years in practice.
Location
26 Cherry StreetMilford, CT 06460
Phone
(203) 301-8838
Service Area
1 county
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Legal Sources
- C.G.S. § 45a-107
- C.G.S. § 45a-289 (bond required); § 45a-169 and § 45a-139 (waiver)
- C.G.S. § 45a-356 (formerly § 45-230e) — 150 days from appointment of first fiduciary
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-107(b)
- CT Probate Court Rules of Procedure, Rule 39 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; Hayward v. Plant factors). Note: C.G.S. § 45a-294 covers will contest expenses only and is not the fee authority.
- Estimated from the 17 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)
Data sourced from Connecticut statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
You open probate by filing a petition with the Probate Court in Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19), attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee (about $1865). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.
Total probate costs on a $500,000 estate run about $32,199 statewide in Connecticut. For Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19), that means filing fees (about $1865 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
Yes. The Probate Court in Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19) accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.
Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The Connecticut self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.
A simple Connecticut probate typically closes in 6–12 months; average estates run 12–18 months. The mandatory creditor-claim period accounts for much of that, so even uncontested estates rarely close quickly.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Bristol-Plymouth Probate District (PD-19) probate.
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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