When Is Probate Required in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, estates with personal property of $40,000C.G.S. § 45a-273Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less use the Small Estate Affidavit (Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration, PC-212)C.G.S. § 45a-273Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysC.G.S. § 45a-273Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, a court filing short of full probate.
Connecticut allows estates with personal property of $40,000C.G.S. § 45a-273Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less to use the Small Estate Affidavit (Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration, PC-212)C.G.S. § 45a-273Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, which avoids full probate administration. In Connecticut the affidavit is filed with the court, and holders honor the court's certified copy — but no letters testamentary or of administration issue. The waiting period is 30 daysC.G.S. § 45a-273Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.
Real property cannot be transferred through this procedure in Connecticut — an estate that includes real estate uses a separate process. Real estate held in a trust, or otherwise titled to pass outside the probate estate, transfers without probate. The Connecticut trust vs. will comparison sets the two routes side by side.
In Connecticut, the assets that pass outside probate are property held in a living trust, accounts with a named beneficiary (retirement accounts, life insurance, payable-on-death bank accounts), and property owned jointly with right of survivorship. Everything the decedent owned alone, with no beneficiary named, is the probate estate.
In Connecticut, a simple estate typically takes 6 months to 12 months through probate, and an average estate 12 months to 18 months. An estate with a dispute, real estate in another state or an unusual asset runs longer. The creditor claim period of 5 monthsC.G.S. § 45a-356 (formerly § 45-230e) (150 days from appointment of the first fiduciary); § 45a-357(a)-(b) (optional notice, 90-day minimum); § 45a-375(c) (two years from death)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source sets the floor: final distribution waits for it to run.
The common ways to avoid probate in Connecticut are a funded revocable living trust, beneficiary designations on accounts, and titling property as joint tenants with right of survivorship. A trust covers every asset titled to it in one document; the other routes work asset by asset.
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Death of a Parent
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Named as Executor
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Learn moreForms for Settling an Estate in Connecticut
Free forms for settling an estate in Connecticut: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Affidavit of Death
In Connecticut, a surviving joint owner records the “Affidavit of facts relating to title or interest in real estateConn. Gen. Stat. § 47-12aVerified Oct 26, 2026View source”.
IRS Form 56
Notify the IRS that you are the fiduciary of an estate, a trust or a person, or end a notice filed before, on the official form.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
In Connecticut, the petition asks the Connecticut Probate Court to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the courtC.G.S. § 45a-286 (hearing required before proving or rejecting a will; no registrar/clerk appointment track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Renunciation of Executor
In Connecticut, a person named as executor may decline to serveConn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-290(a); Probate Court form PC-200, REV. 07/23Verified Sep 22, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Connecticut, heirs put their identity on the land records with a recorded affidavit of facts affecting title that states who the heirs areC.G.S. § 47-12aVerified Sep 24, 2026View source; once recorded it is prima facie evidence of the facts stated.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Connecticut, the Small Estate Affidavit (Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration, PC-212)C.G.S. § 45a-273Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates with personal property of $40,000C.G.S. § 45a-273Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 30 daysC.G.S. § 45a-273Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, filed with the court.
Estate Inventory
In Connecticut, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysC.G.S. § 45a-341 (extendable to 4 months for cause, § 45a-341(b)(2)); Probate Court Rules §§ 30.12, 30.14; Form PC-2407Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Connecticut
Free tools for settling an estate in Connecticut: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
In Connecticut, certified death certificates come from the Connecticut Department of Public Health - State Vital Records OfficeConnecticut Department of Public Health - State Vital Records OfficeVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $20Connecticut Department of Public Health - State Vital Records OfficeVerified Oct 15, 2026View source.
What Happens to Jointly Owned Property When an Owner Dies?
When a joint owner dies in Connecticut, what the survivor records is the “Affidavit of facts relating to title or interest in real estateConn. Gen. Stat. § 47-12aVerified Oct 26, 2026View source”.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Connecticut requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-700Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Connecticut: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysC.G.S. § 45a-341 (extendable to 4 months for cause, § 45a-341(b)(2)); Probate Court Rules §§ 30.12, 30.14; Form PC-2407Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 5 monthsC.G.S. §§ 45a-354, 45a-356, 45a-357, 45a-358, 45a-363, 45a-365, 45a-375Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
After a death in Connecticut, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $40,000C.G.S. § 45a-273Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 5 monthsC.G.S. § 45a-356 (formerly § 45-230e) (150 days from appointment of the first fiduciary); § 45a-357(a)-(b) (optional notice, 90-day minimum); § 45a-375(c) (two years from death)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims after notice.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Connecticut levies an estate taxConn. Gen. Stat. § 12-391Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $15,000,000Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-391Verified Sep 15, 2026View source (top rate 12%Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-391Verified Sep 15, 2026View source) and no inheritance tax; the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
In Connecticut, beneficiaries owe no inheritance tax and the estate pays any estate taxConn. Gen. Stat. § 12-391Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $15,000,000Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-391Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 6 months to 12 months for a simple estate.
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Connecticut Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Connecticut probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.