Connecticut Wills, Probate and Estate Law
The rules in Connecticut for wills, inheriting without a will, probate and small estates, deeds, powers of attorney and estate taxes — each linked to the statute or official court page. Probate is handled by the Probate Court (local probate districts).
Quick answers for Connecticut
- Small estate affidavit
- If the decedent's solely owned personal property (not counting property that passes outside probate, such as joint or beneficiary-designated assets) is worth $40,000 or less and the decedent owned no real estate in Connecticut in their sole name, the surviving spouse (or, if none, next of kin, or another person with a sufficient interest) can file an affidavit with the Probate Court for the district where the decedent lived instead of opening a full probate. The affidavit lists the assets, any state aid received, and the claims, expenses and taxes owed. The court sends a copy to the Department of Administrative Services and cannot issue its decree until 30 days later; the decree then authorizes asset holders to pay creditors and transfer assets to the people entitled to them. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-273
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- No, not for wills signed in Connecticut: a will must be signed by two witnesses to be valid. A handwritten will that was validly made under the law of the state or country where it was signed can be admitted to probate in Connecticut. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-251
- Transfer-on-death deed
- Connecticut's statutes do not provide a transfer on death deed for real estate. Connecticut law allows transfer on death registration for securities and accounts. Common alternatives for real estate include joint ownership with right of survivorship and a living trust. Conn. Gen. Stat. Chapter 802b (Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act)
- State estate or inheritance tax
- Connecticut has an estate tax (and a gift tax) but no inheritance tax. For deaths on or after January 1, 2023, the exemption equals the federal basic exclusion amount, and the tax is 12% of the Connecticut taxable estate above it. For deaths on or after January 1, 2026, the exemption is $15 million. A Connecticut estate tax return is required for every decedent's estate (Form CT-706 NT filed with the Probate Court for estates under the exemption), due six months after death. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-391; Probate Court Administration of Decedents' Estates User Guide
Last verified: 2026-10-25
Wills
| Requirements for a valid will | Anyone 18 or older and of sound mind may make a will. The will must be in writing, signed by the will-maker, and signed by two witnesses, each signing in the will-maker's presence. A will made outside Connecticut that follows the law of the place where it was signed can also be admitted to probate. |
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| Handwritten (holographic) wills | No, not for wills signed in Connecticut: a will must be signed by two witnesses to be valid. A handwritten will that was validly made under the law of the state or country where it was signed can be admitted to probate in Connecticut. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-251 |
| Self-proving affidavit | Yes. The attesting witnesses can sign an affidavit before an officer authorized to give oaths (such as a notary), either at the will-maker's request while living or after death, stating the facts they would testify to in court. The affidavit is written on or attached to the will, and the Probate Court accepts it as if the witnesses testified in court. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-285 |
If there is no will
| Who inherits without a will | Surviving spouse: everything if the decedent left no descendants and no parent; the first $100,000 plus three-quarters of the rest if the decedent left a parent but no descendants; the first $100,000 plus half of the rest if all of the decedent's descendants are also the spouse's; half if any of the decedent's descendants are not the spouse's. The rest (or everything, with no spouse) goes to the children equally (a deceased child's share to that child's descendants), then parents, then brothers and sisters and their descendants, then next of kin of equal degree, then stepchildren and their descendants. Half-blood relatives take the same share as whole-blood relatives. |
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| Surviving spouse's share | A surviving spouse may elect a statutory share instead of what the will provides: a life estate (lifetime use) in one-third of the value of the property passing under the will, after debts and charges. The spouse must file written notice of the election with the Probate Court no later than 150 days after the decree admitting the will to probate is mailed. A spouse who abandoned the decedent without sufficient cause loses this right, and a valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can replace it. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-436 |
Probate
| Probate steps | Main steps: (1) file the will and Petition/Administration or Probate of Will (PC-200) within 30 days of death; (2) the court appoints the executor or administrator, usually with a probate bond; (3) if there is real estate, record a Notice for Land Records/Appointment of Fiduciary (PC-251) in each town within two months; (4) file an inventory (PC-2407) within two months of appointment; (5) the court publishes notice to creditors within 14 days of appointment, and the fiduciary handles claims and files a Return of Claims (PC-237); (6) file the Connecticut estate tax return (CT-706 NT or CT-706/709) within six months of death; (7) file a final financial report or account, usually within 12 months of death; (8) distribute assets and file an affidavit of closing if the court requires one. |
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| Simplified probate | The small estate affidavit procedure (up to $40,000 in solely owned personal property and no solely owned Connecticut real estate) is the main simplified option. In a regular estate, the court may skip a hearing if everyone entitled to notice waives it, or use a 'streamline' notice that lets the court act unless someone asks for a hearing by a set date. |
| Small estate affidavit | If the decedent's solely owned personal property (not counting property that passes outside probate, such as joint or beneficiary-designated assets) is worth $40,000 or less and the decedent owned no real estate in Connecticut in their sole name, the surviving spouse (or, if none, next of kin, or another person with a sufficient interest) can file an affidavit with the Probate Court for the district where the decedent lived instead of opening a full probate. The affidavit lists the assets, any state aid received, and the claims, expenses and taxes owed. The court sends a copy to the Department of Administrative Services and cannot issue its decree until 30 days later; the decree then authorizes asset holders to pay creditors and transfer assets to the people entitled to them. The Probate Court form is the Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration, PC-212. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-273 |
| Deadline for creditor claims | The Probate Court publishes newspaper notice to creditors within 14 days after the first fiduciary is appointed. A fiduciary who pays or distributes in good faith after 150 days from that appointment is not liable for claims presented later. The fiduciary may also send a creditor written notice setting a deadline at least 90 days away; a notified creditor who misses it is barred. In general, no claim may be presented or sued on more than two years after the date of death (or the earlier date the claim's own statute of limitations runs out). |
| Who can be executor | The executor named in the will must apply to probate the will within 30 days after death. Without a will, the court appoints an administrator from those entitled to share in the estate, in this order: surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, brothers and sisters, next of kin; or another suitable person if they refuse or cannot serve. A nonresident cannot take office until filing an acknowledged certificate appointing the probate judge as agent to receive legal papers. A probate bond is generally required, but the court may waive it if the will excuses bond, if it is not needed to protect interested parties, or (under court practice) if the estate is under $20,000 or all beneficiaries waive bond. |
| Finding probate court records | Wills and estates are handled by Connecticut's Probate Courts, organized by probate district (the Probate Court's case lookup lists districts such as Hartford Probate Court, plus regional children's probate courts). The Probate Court's online Case Lookup covers decedent estate and trust matters from January 5, 2011 to the present; earlier records may be incomplete. |
Deeds and transferring a house
| Signing and recording a deed | A deed must be in writing, signed by the grantor (or an authorized agent), acknowledged (for example, before a notary), and signed by two witnesses. It must include the grantee's current mailing address. Deeds are recorded on the land records of the town where the land is located (with the town clerk). A real estate conveyance tax applies when the price is $2,000 or more: a state tax of 0.75% (residential homes over $800,000 pay 1.25% on the part from $800,000 to $2.5 million and 2.25% above $2.5 million; most nonresidential property pays 1.25%) plus a municipal tax of generally 0.25%. Some towns may charge an additional municipal conveyance tax, and certain transfers are exempt; ask the town clerk. |
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| Transfer-on-death deed | Connecticut's statutes do not provide a transfer on death deed for real estate. Connecticut law allows transfer on death registration for securities and accounts. Common alternatives for real estate include joint ownership with right of survivorship and a living trust. Check for later legislation before relying on this. |
Power of attorney and health care directives
| Financial power of attorney | Connecticut has statutory short-form and long-form durable powers of attorney under its Uniform Power of Attorney Act. A power of attorney must be dated, signed by the principal (or by someone at the principal's direction in their conscious physical presence), and signed by two witnesses. Notarization is not strictly required, but a signature acknowledged before a notary is presumed genuine, and a power of attorney used to convey real estate must be acknowledged and witnessed like a deed. A power of attorney is durable (it survives incapacity) unless it says otherwise. |
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| Health care directive | Any person 18 or older can sign a document with health care instructions (living will), appointment of a health care representative, designation of a future conservator and an anatomical gift. The statute provides optional forms. The document must be signed and dated by the person in the presence of two adult witnesses, who also sign; the person named as health care representative cannot be a witness. Extra witness rules apply to residents of certain state-licensed mental health and developmental services facilities. Notarization is not required. |
| Official power of attorney forms | Connecticut has two statutory financial forms: the "Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Short Form" and the "Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Long Form" (Conn. Gen. Stat. 1-352(a)). A power of attorney must be dated, signed by the principal (or by another person in the principal's conscious physical presence at the principal's direction), and witnessed by two witnesses; the signature is presumed genuine if acknowledged before a notary public, commissioner of the Superior Court or other authorized person (1-350d), and the statutory forms include a notary acknowledgment block. For health care, Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-575a provides a combined form for health care instructions, appointment of a health care representative, designation of a conservator for future incapacity and anatomical gift; any adult may sign and date it in the presence of two adult witnesses who also sign, and the person appointed as representative may not be a witness (19a-576(a)). Health care form: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_368w.htm |
Estate and inheritance tax
| State estate or inheritance tax | Connecticut has an estate tax (and a gift tax) but no inheritance tax. For deaths on or after January 1, 2023, the exemption equals the federal basic exclusion amount, and the tax is 12% of the Connecticut taxable estate above it. For deaths on or after January 1, 2026, the exemption is $15 million. A Connecticut estate tax return is required for every decedent's estate (Form CT-706 NT filed with the Probate Court for estates under the exemption), due six months after death. The exemption follows the federal basic exclusion amount, which changes each year. |
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Planning documents and avoiding probate
| Living will / advance directive | Connecticut calls a living will a document of "health care instructions." Any person 18 or older can sign one, alone or combined with an appointment of a health care representative, designation of a future conservator, and anatomical gift. The statute provides optional forms. The document must be signed and dated by the person in the presence of two adult witnesses, who also sign; the person named as health care representative cannot be a witness. Extra witness rules apply to residents of certain state-licensed mental health and developmental services facilities. Notarization is not required. |
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| Medical power of attorney | Connecticut calls the health care agent a "health care representative." An adult appoints one in writing, signed and dated in front of two adult witnesses who also sign; the health care representative cannot be a witness. The statutory form allows the representative to make health care decisions, including decisions about life support, when the person cannot. Notarization is not required. The appointment can be combined with health care instructions (living will) and a designation of conservator in one document. |
| Revocable living trust | Connecticut has adopted the Uniform Trust Code as the Connecticut Uniform Trust Code. For trusts created by instruments signed on or after January 1, 2020, a trust is revocable unless its terms expressly say it is irrevocable, and the settlor may revoke or amend it. Assets must be retitled to the trustee to be governed by the trust; trust property passes under its terms without probate, while assets left in the decedent's own name may still require probate or the small estate affidavit. |
| Ways to avoid probate | Non-probate options in Connecticut include: transfer-on-death (beneficiary form) registration of securities and brokerage accounts (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 45a-468 to 45a-468m); property held in a funded revocable trust (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-499oo); joint ownership with right of survivorship and accounts with named beneficiaries, which pass outside probate; and the small estate affidavit procedure when solely owned personal property is $40,000 or less and there is no solely owned Connecticut real estate (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-273). Connecticut has no transfer-on-death deed for real estate. |
Executors and heirs
| Executor's duties | The probate court publishes notice to creditors within 14 days after the fiduciary is appointed. If the estate includes real estate, the fiduciary records a Notice for Land Records (PC-251) in each town within two months. The fiduciary files a sworn, appraised inventory (PC-2407) within two months after the bond is accepted or the fiduciary otherwise qualifies (the court may extend to four months). The fiduciary handles claims (and may send creditors a written notice setting a deadline at least 90 days away), files the Connecticut estate tax return within six months of death, files a final financial report or account (usually within 12 months of death), and distributes the assets. |
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| Letters testamentary | Connecticut probate courts issue a "Fiduciary's Probate Certificate" (form PC-450) as proof of the executor's or administrator's authority, rather than documents called letters testamentary. The process starts by filing the original will and a Petition/Administration or Probate of Will (PC-200) with the probate court for the district where the decedent lived; the named executor must apply within 30 days after death. The court appoints the executor (or, with no will, an administrator from the surviving spouse, children and other next of kin), usually requires a probate bond unless waived, and issues the certificate once the fiduciary qualifies. A nonresident fiduciary must appoint the probate judge as agent for service. |
| Affidavit / determination of heirship | Connecticut does not use an affidavit of heirship. Instead, when real estate passes by will or descends to heirs, the fiduciary must obtain a certificate of devise, descent or distribution signed by the probate judge or clerk and record it in the land records of each town where the property is located, within one month after distribution (or, for descent to heirs, within one month after the court accepts the final account). The certificate names each person receiving the property and describes their share. For small estates with no solely owned Connecticut real estate, the Affidavit in Lieu of Probate (PC-212) is available. |
| Transferring a car after death | Through the Connecticut DMV, by appointment at a hub or branch office. The executor or administrator (as seller) assigns the Connecticut Certificate of Title to the new owner (both executors sign if there are two). The new owner brings the assigned title (or Form Q-1 if no title is required), a certified probate document naming the fiduciary (for example PC-450 Fiduciary's Probate Certificate, PC-260, PC-160, PC-212B, or PC-264/PC-264S transfer without probate for small estates), a completed Application for Registration and Title (H-13B), Connecticut insurance, the latest registration and photo ID. No sales tax is due on a transfer to an immediate family member (parent, sibling, child or spouse) if the vehicle was registered to the decedent for at least 60 days; complete Section 5 of H-13B. |
Official Connecticut forms
- Connecticut Probate Courts Trusts & Estates forms (including Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration PC-212, Petition/Administration or Probate of Will PC-200, Inventory PC-2407, Financial Report PC-246)
- Administration of Decedents' Estates User Guide (Probate Court Administrator, 2026)
- Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Short Form and Long Form (text in statute, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-352)
- Health care instructions and appointment of health care representative forms (text in statute, Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 19a-575a, 19a-577)
- Connecticut Probate Courts Trusts & Estates forms (PC-200, PC-212, PC-2407, PC-450)
- Administration of Decedents' Estates User Guide (Probate Court Administrator)
- Health care instructions and appointment of health care representative forms (text in statute)
- Connecticut DMV — Transfer Vehicle Ownership (estate transfers, Form H-13B)
Connecticut court self-help: probate and estates
Connecticut estate law FAQ
What makes a will valid in Connecticut?
Anyone 18 or older and of sound mind may make a will. The will must be in writing, signed by the will-maker, and signed by two witnesses, each signing in the will-maker's presence. A will made outside Connecticut that follows the law of the place where it was signed can also be admitted to probate.
Is a handwritten will valid in Connecticut?
No, not for wills signed in Connecticut: a will must be signed by two witnesses to be valid. A handwritten will that was validly made under the law of the state or country where it was signed can be admitted to probate in Connecticut.
Does a will need to be notarized in Connecticut?
Yes. The attesting witnesses can sign an affidavit before an officer authorized to give oaths (such as a notary), either at the will-maker's request while living or after death, stating the facts they would testify to in court. The affidavit is written on or attached to the will, and the Probate Court accepts it as if the witnesses testified in court.
Who inherits if someone dies without a will in Connecticut?
Surviving spouse: everything if the decedent left no descendants and no parent; the first $100,000 plus three-quarters of the rest if the decedent left a parent but no descendants; the first $100,000 plus half of the rest if all of the decedent's descendants are also the spouse's; half if any of the decedent's descendants are not the spouse's. The rest (or everything, with no spouse) goes to the children equally (a deceased child's share to that child's descendants), then parents, then brothers and sisters and their descendants, then next of kin of equal degree, then stepchildren and their descendants. Half-blood relatives take the same share as whole-blood relatives.
What is a surviving spouse entitled to in Connecticut?
A surviving spouse may elect a statutory share instead of what the will provides: a life estate (lifetime use) in one-third of the value of the property passing under the will, after debts and charges. The spouse must file written notice of the election with the Probate Court no later than 150 days after the decree admitting the will to probate is mailed. A spouse who abandoned the decedent without sufficient cause loses this right, and a valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can replace it.
What is the small estate limit in Connecticut?
If the decedent's solely owned personal property (not counting property that passes outside probate, such as joint or beneficiary-designated assets) is worth $40,000 or less and the decedent owned no real estate in Connecticut in their sole name, the surviving spouse (or, if none, next of kin, or another person with a sufficient interest) can file an affidavit with the Probate Court for the district where the decedent lived instead of opening a full probate. The affidavit lists the assets, any state aid received, and the claims, expenses and taxes owed. The court sends a copy to the Department of Administrative Services and cannot issue its decree until 30 days later; the decree then authorizes asset holders to pay creditors and transfer assets to the people entitled to them.
Is there a simplified probate process in Connecticut?
The small estate affidavit procedure (up to $40,000 in solely owned personal property and no solely owned Connecticut real estate) is the main simplified option. In a regular estate, the court may skip a hearing if everyone entitled to notice waives it, or use a 'streamline' notice that lets the court act unless someone asks for a hearing by a set date.
How does probate work in Connecticut?
Main steps: (1) file the will and Petition/Administration or Probate of Will (PC-200) within 30 days of death; (2) the court appoints the executor or administrator, usually with a probate bond; (3) if there is real estate, record a Notice for Land Records/Appointment of Fiduciary (PC-251) in each town within two months; (4) file an inventory (PC-2407) within two months of appointment; (5) the court publishes notice to creditors within 14 days of appointment, and the fiduciary handles claims and files a Return of Claims (PC-237); (6) file the Connecticut estate tax return (CT-706 NT or CT-706/709) within six months of death; (7) file a final financial report or account, usually within 12 months of death; (8) distribute assets and file an affidavit of closing if the court requires one.
How long do creditors have to file claims against an estate in Connecticut?
The Probate Court publishes newspaper notice to creditors within 14 days after the first fiduciary is appointed. A fiduciary who pays or distributes in good faith after 150 days from that appointment is not liable for claims presented later. The fiduciary may also send a creditor written notice setting a deadline at least 90 days away; a notified creditor who misses it is barred. In general, no claim may be presented or sued on more than two years after the date of death (or the earlier date the claim's own statute of limitations runs out).
Who can be an executor in Connecticut?
The executor named in the will must apply to probate the will within 30 days after death. Without a will, the court appoints an administrator from those entitled to share in the estate, in this order: surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, brothers and sisters, next of kin; or another suitable person if they refuse or cannot serve. A nonresident cannot take office until filing an acknowledged certificate appointing the probate judge as agent to receive legal papers. A probate bond is generally required, but the court may waive it if the will excuses bond, if it is not needed to protect interested parties, or (under court practice) if the estate is under $20,000 or all beneficiaries waive bond.
Does Connecticut allow transfer-on-death deeds?
Connecticut's statutes do not provide a transfer on death deed for real estate. Connecticut law allows transfer on death registration for securities and accounts. Common alternatives for real estate include joint ownership with right of survivorship and a living trust.
What does a quitclaim deed need to be valid in Connecticut?
A deed must be in writing, signed by the grantor (or an authorized agent), acknowledged (for example, before a notary), and signed by two witnesses. It must include the grantee's current mailing address. Deeds are recorded on the land records of the town where the land is located (with the town clerk). A real estate conveyance tax applies when the price is $2,000 or more: a state tax of 0.75% (residential homes over $800,000 pay 1.25% on the part from $800,000 to $2.5 million and 2.25% above $2.5 million; most nonresidential property pays 1.25%) plus a municipal tax of generally 0.25%.
What are the requirements for a power of attorney in Connecticut?
Connecticut has statutory short-form and long-form durable powers of attorney under its Uniform Power of Attorney Act. A power of attorney must be dated, signed by the principal (or by someone at the principal's direction in their conscious physical presence), and signed by two witnesses. Notarization is not strictly required, but a signature acknowledged before a notary is presumed genuine, and a power of attorney used to convey real estate must be acknowledged and witnessed like a deed. A power of attorney is durable (it survives incapacity) unless it says otherwise.
What are the requirements for a health care directive in Connecticut?
Any person 18 or older can sign a document with health care instructions (living will), appointment of a health care representative, designation of a future conservator and an anatomical gift. The statute provides optional forms. The document must be signed and dated by the person in the presence of two adult witnesses, who also sign; the person named as health care representative cannot be a witness. Extra witness rules apply to residents of certain state-licensed mental health and developmental services facilities. Notarization is not required.
Does Connecticut have an estate or inheritance tax?
Connecticut has an estate tax (and a gift tax) but no inheritance tax. For deaths on or after January 1, 2023, the exemption equals the federal basic exclusion amount, and the tax is 12% of the Connecticut taxable estate above it. For deaths on or after January 1, 2026, the exemption is $15 million. A Connecticut estate tax return is required for every decedent's estate (Form CT-706 NT filed with the Probate Court for estates under the exemption), due six months after death.
How do I make a living will in Connecticut?
Connecticut calls a living will a document of "health care instructions." Any person 18 or older can sign one, alone or combined with an appointment of a health care representative, designation of a future conservator, and anatomical gift. The statute provides optional forms. The document must be signed and dated by the person in the presence of two adult witnesses, who also sign; the person named as health care representative cannot be a witness. Extra witness rules apply to residents of certain state-licensed mental health and developmental services facilities. Notarization is not required.
How do I make a medical power of attorney in Connecticut?
Connecticut calls the health care agent a "health care representative." An adult appoints one in writing, signed and dated in front of two adult witnesses who also sign; the health care representative cannot be a witness. The statutory form allows the representative to make health care decisions, including decisions about life support, when the person cannot. Notarization is not required. The appointment can be combined with health care instructions (living will) and a designation of conservator in one document.
How do living trusts work in Connecticut?
Connecticut has adopted the Uniform Trust Code as the Connecticut Uniform Trust Code. For trusts created by instruments signed on or after January 1, 2020, a trust is revocable unless its terms expressly say it is irrevocable, and the settlor may revoke or amend it. Assets must be retitled to the trustee to be governed by the trust; trust property passes under its terms without probate, while assets left in the decedent's own name may still require probate or the small estate affidavit.
What does an executor have to do in Connecticut?
The probate court publishes notice to creditors within 14 days after the fiduciary is appointed. If the estate includes real estate, the fiduciary records a Notice for Land Records (PC-251) in each town within two months. The fiduciary files a sworn, appraised inventory (PC-2407) within two months after the bond is accepted or the fiduciary otherwise qualifies (the court may extend to four months). The fiduciary handles claims (and may send creditors a written notice setting a deadline at least 90 days away), files the Connecticut estate tax return within six months of death, files a final financial report or account (usually within 12 months of death), and distributes the assets.
How do I get letters testamentary in Connecticut?
Connecticut probate courts issue a "Fiduciary's Probate Certificate" (form PC-450) as proof of the executor's or administrator's authority, rather than documents called letters testamentary. The process starts by filing the original will and a Petition/Administration or Probate of Will (PC-200) with the probate court for the district where the decedent lived; the named executor must apply within 30 days after death. The court appoints the executor (or, with no will, an administrator from the surviving spouse, children and other next of kin), usually requires a probate bond unless waived, and issues the certificate once the fiduciary qualifies. A nonresident fiduciary must appoint the probate judge as agent for service.
Does Connecticut have an affidavit of heirship?
Connecticut does not use an affidavit of heirship. Instead, when real estate passes by will or descends to heirs, the fiduciary must obtain a certificate of devise, descent or distribution signed by the probate judge or clerk and record it in the land records of each town where the property is located, within one month after distribution (or, for descent to heirs, within one month after the court accepts the final account). The certificate names each person receiving the property and describes their share. For small estates with no solely owned Connecticut real estate, the Affidavit in Lieu of Probate (PC-212) is available.
How can you avoid probate in Connecticut?
Non-probate options in Connecticut include: transfer-on-death (beneficiary form) registration of securities and brokerage accounts (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 45a-468 to 45a-468m); property held in a funded revocable trust (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-499oo); joint ownership with right of survivorship and accounts with named beneficiaries, which pass outside probate; and the small estate affidavit procedure when solely owned personal property is $40,000 or less and there is no solely owned Connecticut real estate (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-273). Connecticut has no transfer-on-death deed for real estate.
Where can I get a power of attorney form in Connecticut?
Connecticut has two statutory financial forms: the "Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Short Form" and the "Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Long Form" (Conn. Gen. Stat. 1-352(a)). A power of attorney must be dated, signed by the principal (or by another person in the principal's conscious physical presence at the principal's direction), and witnessed by two witnesses; the signature is presumed genuine if acknowledged before a notary public, commissioner of the Superior Court or other authorized person (1-350d), and the statutory forms include a notary acknowledgment block. For health care, Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-575a provides a combined form for health care instructions, appointment of a health care representative, designation of a conservator for future incapacity and anatomical gift; any adult may sign and date it in the presence of two adult witnesses who also sign, and the person appointed as representative may not be a witness (19a-576(a)).
How do I search probate court records in Connecticut?
Wills and estates are handled by Connecticut's Probate Courts, organized by probate district (the Probate Court's case lookup lists districts such as Hartford Probate Court, plus regional children's probate courts). The Probate Court's online Case Lookup covers decedent estate and trust matters from January 5, 2011 to the present; earlier records may be incomplete.
How do I transfer a car title after someone dies in Connecticut?
Through the Connecticut DMV, by appointment at a hub or branch office. The executor or administrator (as seller) assigns the Connecticut Certificate of Title to the new owner (both executors sign if there are two). The new owner brings the assigned title (or Form Q-1 if no title is required), a certified probate document naming the fiduciary (for example PC-450 Fiduciary's Probate Certificate, PC-260, PC-160, PC-212B, or PC-264/PC-264S transfer without probate for small estates), a completed Application for Registration and Title (H-13B), Connecticut insurance, the latest registration and photo ID. No sales tax is due on a transfer to an immediate family member (parent, sibling, child or spouse) if the vehicle was registered to the decedent for at least 60 days; complete Section 5 of H-13B.
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.