What to Do When Someone Dies in New London Probate District (PD-31), Connecticut
Probate in New London Probate District (PD-31) 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 New London Probate District (PD-31), 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
New London Probate District (PD-31) · PD-31
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
Serves New London and Waterford. Mailing: P.O. Box 148, New London CT 06320.
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in New London Probate District (PD-31)
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 New London, probate runs through the Probate Court at 181 State Street, Room 2, 1st Floor, New London. The court sits in the PD-31.
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 New London Probate District (PD-31)
What probate costs in New London Probate District (PD-31), 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 181 State Street, Room 2, 1st Floor, New London. The court is part of the PD-31.
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 New London Probate District (PD-31), 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-31.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in New London Probate District (PD-31), 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 New London Probate District (PD-31) 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 New London Probate District (PD-31)
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
New London Probate District (PD-31) · 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 New London and Waterford. Each town has its own Town Clerk for land records. This entry is for New London Town Clerk.
Verified July 13, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving New London Probate District (PD-31)
Connecticut uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in New London Probate District (PD-31) — 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 New London Probate District (PD-31) 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.
Connecticut River Valley Firms
Brodeur Law Firm, LLC
Solo PracticeMiddletown estate planning and business law firm with additional office in Mystic. Practice includes asset protection, business succession, incapacity planning, and probate administration.
Location
73 Main StreetMiddletown, CT 06457
Phone
(860) 535-1989
Service Area
2 counties
Cloutier & Cassella, LLC
FirmOld Saybrook law firm serving clients for over 57 years across Middlesex, New London, Hartford, and New Haven counties. Estate planning and elder law practice anchored by D. Jeanne Messick with decades of experience.
Location
29 Elm StreetOld Saybrook, CT 06475
Phone
(860) 388-3456
Established
1969
Service Area
2 counties
Ed Lowe Law LLC
Solo PracticeOld Saybrook trusts-and-estates office on the Boston Post Road serving the Saybrook Probate District (PD-33) and the lower-river shoreline. Handles estate planning, wills, powers of attorney, conservatorships, asset protection, and probate and trust administration. Also assists with Medicaid planning.
Location
1480 Boston Post RoadOld Saybrook, CT 06475
Phone
(203) 951-5435
Service Area
2 counties
Firms from Neighboring Regions
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
Conway, Londregan, Sheehan & Monaco, P.C.
FirmNew London law firm established in 1962 providing estate planning, elder law, wills, trusts, and special needs trust services across southeastern Connecticut.
Location
38 Huntington StreetNew London, CT 06320
Phone
(860) 868-4952
Established
1962
Service Area
3 counties
Deasy & Moriarty LLC
FirmMystic firm on Denison Avenue, established 1985, serving the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Probate District (PD-30) and New London County. Drafts simple and complex wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and living wills, and handles probate and guardianship and conservatorship matters for shoreline families.
Location
86 Denison AvenueMystic, CT 06355
Phone
(860) 572-8585
Established
1985
Service Area
1 county
DiFrancesca & Steele, P.C.
FirmNorwich law firm formed in 1996 by Attorneys Donald DiFrancesca and Beth Steele. Practice includes estate planning, wills, probate, real estate, and general civil matters. Both attorneys are graduates of Villanova Law.
Location
811 Boswell AvenueNorwich, CT 06360
Phone
(860) 889-3871
Established
1996
Service Area
1 county
Grenger Law Offices
Solo PracticeMystic estate planning and probate law office led by Ellin Grenger, a former Judge of Probate for Ledyard. Practice focuses on estate settlement, probate, real estate, and small business transactions.
Location
12 Roosevelt Avenue, Packer Bldg Office SuiteMystic, CT 06355
Phone
(860) 536-0701
Established
2002
Service Area
1 county
Holland Law Offices, LLC
Solo PracticeTrust and estate boutique law firm in New London County serving Groton, Stonington, Mystic, and southeastern Connecticut. Attorney Paul Holland gained complex estate planning experience at Cummings & Lockwood before establishing his own practice. Member of the CT Bar Association Estates and Probate Section.
Location
107 Wilcox Road, Suite 102Stonington, CT 06378
Phone
(860) 415-0075
Service Area
1 county
Hoops & Associates, LLC
FirmGroton firm on Thames Street serving the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Probate District and the surrounding New London County towns. Handles probate and estate administration alongside estate and tax planning, wills, and trusts, a short walk from the regional probate court.
Location
19A Thames StreetGroton, CT 06340
Phone
(860) 445-8911
Service Area
1 county
Lahan & King, LLC
FirmNorwich estate planning and elder law firm focusing on all aspects of estate planning, probate administration, and elder law. Now led by Daniel L. King following the passing of founding attorney P. Michael Lahan in 2023.
Location
53 Lafayette StreetNorwich, CT 06360
Phone
(860) 886-0011
Service Area
1 county
McKeever & McKeever PC
FirmNiantic firm on Pennsylvania Avenue serving the Niantic Regional Probate District (PD-32) in the town of East Lyme. A two-attorney practice handling wills, trusts, and Connecticut probate matters along the southeastern shoreline, alongside real estate and family law.
Location
81 Pennsylvania AvenueNiantic, CT 06357
Phone
(860) 739-6296
Service Area
1 county
McNamara & McNamara, P.C.
Solo PracticeNiantic law firm providing estate planning and probate services to the East Lyme and Niantic area of southeastern Connecticut.
Location
100 Pennsylvania AvenueNiantic, CT 06357
Phone
(860) 739-3918
Service Area
1 county
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
Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law
FirmThe largest law firm in eastern Connecticut, with roots dating back to the 1930s. Estate planning team led by former Regional Probate Judge Nicholas Kepple. Serves New London, Norwich, Groton, Waterford, East Lyme, Stonington, and surrounding communities.
Location
2 Union Plaza, Suite 200New London, CT 06320
Phone
(860) 364-6937
Established
1930
Service Area
3 counties
The Bartinik Law Firm, LLC
FirmGroton general practice firm with a physical office within the Southeastern CT Regional Probate District (PD-30), serving Groton, Ledyard, Waterford, and surrounding towns. Two-generation family practice handles wills, probate, trusts and estates alongside family law and civil litigation.
Location
100 Fort Hill Road, Suite 2Groton, CT 06340
Phone
(860) 445-8521
Established
1991
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
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
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
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
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 New London Probate District (PD-31), 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 New London Probate District (PD-31), 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 New London Probate District (PD-31) 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 New London Probate District (PD-31) probate.
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