Detailed Answer
Overview. When a parent dies in Connecticut, you will usually need to sort through the will (if there is one), identify and protect assets, open a probate case when required, notify creditors, pay valid debts and taxes, and distribute the remaining property according to the will or state law. The steps below describe a typical process under Connecticut law and point you to the official resources you will need.
1. Confirm basic facts and gather documents
- Obtain several certified copies of the death certificate from the funeral home or the town clerk. You will need these for banks, insurers, and the probate court.
- Locate the decedent’s will and any estate-planning documents (trusts, powers of attorney, life insurance policies, deeds, beneficiary designations).
- Collect recent bank statements, mortgage statements, insurance policies, titles for vehicles, lists of accounts and safe-deposit keys, and recent tax returns.
2. Decide whether probate is required
Not every estate requires a formal probate administration. Assets owned jointly with rights of survivorship, property with a named beneficiary (life insurance, retirement accounts), and small assets may pass outside probate. When the probate court does need to get involved, it supervises appointment of a personal representative and the estate administration process under Connecticut probate law (Conn. Gen. Stat. Title 45a and related provisions).
3. Open a probate case in the correct court
If the decedent lived in Connecticut, file with the probate court in the town of their legal residence. The court accepts the will (if any), issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration naming the personal representative, and provides forms and instructions for inventories, notices, and final accounting. See the Connecticut Probate Courts site for local contact information and forms: Connecticut Judicial Branch — Probate Courts.
4. Personal representative’s duties
- Secure and inventory estate assets. Create a clear list and retain records and original documents.
- Open an estate bank account to keep estate funds separate from personal funds.
- Provide notice to known creditors and follow the probate court’s rules for publishing any required notices.
- Pay valid debts and normal administration expenses (funeral, utilities, probate costs). Do not distribute estate assets to beneficiaries until debts and taxes are resolved.
- File any required estate income tax and estate tax returns. Connecticut has an estate tax regime; confirm filing obligations with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services: CT Department of Revenue Services.
5. Inventory, appraisal, and creditor claims
The probate court will require an inventory or account listing estate assets and their values. The court also enforces deadlines and procedures for creditor claims; follow the court’s instructions carefully. The probate court provides forms and local guidance on timelines and required filings: Connecticut Probate Court Information.
6. Distribute assets and close the estate
Once debts, taxes, and administrative costs are paid and the court has approved the accounting, the personal representative may distribute the remaining assets to beneficiaries according to the will or, if there is no will, under Connecticut intestacy rules. After distribution you file a final accounting and petition the court to close the estate.
When to hire an attorney
Consider hiring a Connecticut probate attorney if any of the following apply: the estate is large or has complex assets (business interests, out-of-state property), disputes among heirs arise, creditor claims are contested, taxes are significant, or you simply want help complying with court procedures and filings. A lawyer can prepare and file probate documents, help value assets, and represent the estate in contested matters.
Where to find official statutes and forms: Connecticut General Assembly (statutes): https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/ (see Title 45a and related provisions). Connecticut Judicial Branch (probate courts and forms): https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/. Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (estate tax information): https://portal.ct.gov/DRS.
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For guidance tailored to your situation, consult a licensed Connecticut probate attorney or the probate court in the decedent’s town.
Helpful Hints
- Get at least 10 certified death certificates right away — many institutions require originals.
- Keep meticulous records: every check, bill, and communication about the estate should be saved.
- Do not distribute gifts or sell assets until you know whether probate is required and creditors are paid.
- Check beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance before initiating probate — these often pass outside probate.
- If the estate appears small, ask the probate court about simplified procedures or small-estate processes for Connecticut.
- Contact the probate court early for forms and timelines; local clerks can often answer procedural questions for self-represented personal representatives.
- Consider a brief consultation with a probate attorney to review the situation and avoid common mistakes that can delay closing the estate.