Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. This article explains general Connecticut probate practice to help you understand the process and prepare to talk with a probate court or an attorney.

Short answer — the main steps you will take

1. Confirm the estate qualifies for the small-estate or simplified process used by the Connecticut Probate Court.
2. Gather required documents (death certificate, list of assets and creditors, title documents for real property, any will, and identification).
3. Prepare and file the appropriate application/petition with the Probate Court for appointment as a limited personal representative (sometimes called a short certificate, small estate application, or appointment for limited purposes).
4. Follow the court’s directions to give notice to creditors (publication and/or service) and to known interested persons.
5. Obtain the court’s issuance of letters or an order appointing you with the limited authority requested.
6. If you need to sell real property, obtain the court’s express authority (an order or decree) to sell and comply with any sale procedure the court requires.

Detailed answer — what each step looks like under Connecticut practice

Connecticut probate courts handle smaller or simplified estate administrations differently than full administrations. If the decedent’s assets and the particular estate circumstances make the case eligible for a small-estate or limited appointment, a person can ask the Probate Court for appointment as a limited personal representative so that person can run a notice to creditors and perform limited tasks, such as collecting assets or selling property after court approval.

1. Confirm eligibility for a simplified or limited appointment

Before filing, verify whether the estate qualifies for a small-estate or limited-administration process in Connecticut. Qualification depends on the type and value of assets, whether there is a will, and whether anyone else has already been appointed. If the estate is not eligible for a simplified procedure, you must file a standard petition for appointment of a fiduciary.

For official guidance and forms, start with the Connecticut Probate Court website (forms, fees, and procedural guidance): https://www.ctprobate.gov. For the statutes that govern probate practice, consult the Connecticut General Assembly website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/.

2. Gather required documents

Typical documents you will need to file include:

• Certified death certificate for the decedent.
• Any original will (if one exists).
• A list of assets and their estimated values, especially any real property (include deeds or title documents).
• A list of known creditors and heirs/beneficiaries with addresses, if known.
• Your photo ID and contact information.

3. File the appropriate application with the local Probate Court

Go to the Probate Court for the district where the decedent resided. File the application or petition to be appointed as a limited personal representative (sometimes called an application for limited appointment or small estate application). The court will set a hearing or will review the paperwork and specify any additional information required.

The court will tell you the filing fee and whether a bond is required. For many limited appointments the court may waive or limit bonding, but the court has discretion.

4. Notice to creditors — running the notice

Once you seek appointment, the Probate Court will require that creditors be notified. Notice to creditors typically involves two steps:

• Publication of a legal notice in a newspaper approved by the court (the court’s order will specify publication requirements).
• Service or mailed notice to known creditors and potential claimants if the court requires it.

The court will indicate the form of the notice and the period during which claims must be presented. Follow the court’s form or instructions exactly so the notice will be effective. Keep proof of publication and service — the court will require affidavits showing you ran the notice as ordered.

5. Appointment and scope of authority

If the court approves your petition, it will issue an order appointing you as a limited personal representative and will define the exact powers you have (for example: collection of certain assets, payment of debts, sale of a particular parcel of real property). A limited appointment gives only the authority the court grants. Read the order carefully.

6. Selling real property

Selling real estate almost always requires explicit court permission. Even with a limited appointment, you will usually need a specific court order authorizing the sale, which may require:

• Notice to heirs and beneficiaries and an opportunity for them to object;
• The court to approve the terms of sale (or to approve a sale after a public auction, depending on the circumstances); and
• Compliance with any upset-bid or confirmation process the court sets.

Title companies and buyers will generally ask to see the court order authorizing the fiduciary to sell, and may require additional documentation such as an order confirming the sale and authorizing transfer. Expect the court to guard the interests of heirs and creditors when authorizing any sale.

7. Closing out the limited appointment

After you collect assets, pay authorized debts, and complete authorized acts (including sale of realty, if permitted), the court will require an accounting or a final report before you are discharged. Keep accurate records and receipts for all transactions.

Practical checklist — papers and steps to bring to the Probate Court

• Certified death certificate.
• Original will (if any).
• Inventory of assets and valuations (bank accounts, vehicles, real property, personal property).
• Deeds or title evidence for real property.
• List of known creditors and their addresses.
• Your ID and contact information.
• Completed petition/application form (use the form from the Probate Court website).
• Proof of payment of filing fee or request for waiver if applicable.

Helpful hints

• Start at the Connecticut Probate Court website for forms and local office contact information: https://www.ctprobate.gov.
• If you are unsure whether the estate qualifies for a small-estate or limited process, ask the local probate clerk before filing. Clerks can explain required forms and local publication rules but cannot give legal advice.
• Keep originals and certified copies of documents. The court often needs certified copies of the death certificate and original will.
• Keep a detailed paper trail of notices published and mailed. The court will require proof of publication and service timelines.
• When selling real property, expect the court to require a separate order approving the sale, and plan for extra time to get the court’s approval.
• If creditors appear, the court will supervise payment priorities. Do not distribute estate funds until the court authorizes final distributions or you confirm creditors’ claims are resolved.
• Consider a short consultation with a probate attorney if the estate includes real property, disputed heirs, significant creditor claims, or unclear title. Even a one-hour consult can clarify what the court will require.
• Review Connecticut statutes and rules yourself if you want the precise legal requirements; the Connecticut General Assembly website is the official source for the statutes: https://www.cga.ct.gov/.