Can You Self-File Probate in New London Probate District (PD-31), Connecticut?
In Connecticut, informal probate is not availableC.G.S. § 45a-286 (hearing required before proving or rejecting a will; no registrar/clerk appointment track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing. In New London Probate District (PD-31), the petition is filed at the New London Probate District (PD-31) Probate Court, which requires e-filing.
Yes. Self-filing in New London Probate District (PD-31) works best for a straightforward estate with a clear will and few beneficiaries. The estate settlement plan tracks each New London Probate District (PD-31) filing step alongside the estate's accounts and deadlines.
File at the Probate Court, 181 State Street, Room 2, 1st Floor, New London, CT 06320. Phone: 1-860-443-7121. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.
New London Probate District (PD-31) requires e-filing for probate matters. Attorneys must e-file in every probate matter, and self-represented parties may e-file if they choose. A person who opens a matter online, or whom the court grants e-filing access to an existing matter, files every later document in that matter electronically; anyone without access files on paper. Court fees are paid online at the time of filing unless a fee waiver request is filed with the documents.
The Connecticut court filing fee is $150 - $40,000 (graduated by the estate value)Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-107(b)Verified Sep 8, 2026, and publication of the creditor notice is a separate cost set by the newspaper. Connecticut requires a bond of the personal representative by defaultC.G.S. § 45a-289 (bond required); § 45a-169 and § 45a-139 (waiver); Conn. Probate Court Rules § 35.6 (amount = assets under the fiduciary's control, reducible by unsaleable real property and restricted-account assets), § 35.1(b)(3)(B) (waiver on written waiver by every heir or beneficiary), § 35.3(a) (corporate surety required)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so a bond premium is a cost too unless the will or the heirs waive it. The filing fee is a fraction of what probate costs with counsel: attorney fees are the largest line, and self-filing removes that line while court costs, publication and executor compensation stay the same.
A simple estate in Connecticut typically takes 6 months to 12 months. The creditor claim period of 5 monthsC.G.S. § 45a-356 (formerly § 45-230e) — 150 days from appointment of the first fiduciary; this period exonerates the fiduciary for good-faith distributions and does not itself bar a claim. Claims are barred only by the optional 90-day-minimum notice under § 45a-357(a)-(b) or by the outer limit in § 45a-375(c) (two years from death, or the applicable statute of limitations, whichever occurs first).Verified Sep 8, 2026View source is the floor: final distribution waits for it to run. Self-filed probate takes the same time as attorney-filed probate; the court's calendar, not the filer, sets the pace.
Sources
Data sourced from Probate Court primary sources (6 pages reviewed). How we research.
Self-File Probate Assessment in Nearby Counties
- More Connecticut counties: New Haven Probate District (PD-38) (New Haven) · Newington Probate District (PD-07) (Newington)
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Forms 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.
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.
Estate Closing
In Connecticut, the personal representative is discharged by court orderC.G.S. §§ 45a-176, 45a-175(g); Probate Court Rules § 36.12Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
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 Much Can an Executor Charge?
Connecticut pays executors reasonable compensationCT Probate Court Rules of Procedure, Rule 39 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Connecticut, the Connecticut Probate Court appoints the personal representative and the Probate Court issues 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.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Connecticut, the 5 monthsC.G.S. § 45a-356 (formerly § 45-230e) — 150 days from appointment of the first fiduciary; this period exonerates the fiduciary for good-faith distributions and does not itself bar a claim. Claims are barred only by the optional 90-day-minimum notice under § 45a-357(a)-(b) or by the outer limit in § 45a-375(c) (two years from death, or the applicable statute of limitations, whichever occurs first).Verified Sep 8, 2026View source period after the personal representative's appointment protects a representative who distributes after it; late claims can still reach undistributed assets.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Connecticut pays the claims in 7C.G.S. § 45a-365Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with funeral expenses.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Connecticut costs an estimated $29,174CT 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 Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 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 Sep 8, 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 Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Connecticut, a surviving spouse takes the first $100,000 plus half of the restConn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-437Verified Sep 10, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesConn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-438Verified Sep 10, 2026View source.
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Connecticut Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Connecticut probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.