What to Do When Someone Dies in Ellington Probate District (PD-12), Connecticut
Probate in Ellington Probate District (PD-12) 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 Ellington Probate District (PD-12), 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
Ellington Probate District (PD-12) · PD-12
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
Serves Ellington and Vernon. Mailing: P.O. Box 268, Vernon CT 06066.
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Ellington Probate District (PD-12)
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 Ellington Probate District (PD-12), probate runs through the Probate Court at 32 Park Place, Vernon. The court sits in the PD-12.
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 Ellington Probate District (PD-12)
What probate costs in Ellington Probate District (PD-12), 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 32 Park Place, Vernon. The court is part of the PD-12.
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 Ellington Probate District (PD-12), 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-12.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Ellington Probate District (PD-12), 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 Ellington Probate District (PD-12) 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 Ellington Probate District (PD-12)
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
Ellington Probate District (PD-12) · 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 Ellington and Vernon. Each town has its own Town Clerk for land records. This entry is for Vernon Town Clerk (district seat).
Verified July 26, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Ellington Probate District (PD-12)
Connecticut uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Ellington Probate District (PD-12) — 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 Ellington Probate District (PD-12) 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
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
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
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
Draghi & Coyne Law Offices
FirmEllington law firm serving the community for over 50 years from their Main Street location. Practice focuses on estate planning, probate, and real estate. Attorney Draghi served on the Statewide Grievance Committee and as Trial Referee for CT Superior Court.
Location
18 Main StreetEllington, CT 06029
Phone
(860) 871-1900
Established
1970
Service Area
1 county
Law Office of April C. Teveris, LLC
Solo PracticeTolland solo practice serving families in the Tolland-Mansfield Probate District and nearby Connecticut towns, focused on estate, elder, and special needs planning. Prepares wills, trusts, and related planning documents and assists with probate. Attorney April C. Teveris has been admitted to the Connecticut bar since 1982.
Location
229 Slater RoadTolland, CT 06084
Phone
(860) 871-7753
Service Area
1 county
Smith Law Group, LLC
Solo PracticeTolland practice handling estate planning and probate for families in the Tolland-Mansfield Probate District, which serves Coventry, Mansfield, Tolland, and Willington. Prepares wills, revocable trusts, healthcare directives, durable powers of attorney, special needs trusts, and Medicaid asset-protection trusts, and assists families through probate after a death. Led by attorney Meghan Smith.
Location
12 Goose LaneTolland, CT 06084
Phone
(860) 310-1414
Established
2020
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
Firms from Neighboring Regions
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
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
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
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 Ellington Probate District (PD-12), 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 Ellington Probate District (PD-12), 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 Ellington Probate District (PD-12) 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 Ellington Probate District (PD-12) probate.
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
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