Detailed Answer

Short answer: In Connecticut you must ask the probate court for written authorization (an order) before a fiduciary—an executor/administrator, conservator, or guardian—sells estate or protected-person real property. If the probate clerk’s office will not explain filing requirements, you can still get permission by filing the appropriate petition/motion with the probate court, providing basic supporting documents, giving required notice to interested persons, and asking for a hearing or ex parte order. If you are unsure which form to use or how to proceed, the Judicial Branch probate website and the statutes that govern probate courts (Title 45a of the Connecticut General Statutes) explain the court’s powers and the overall process.

How this works under Connecticut law

Connecticut law gives probate courts authority over administration of decedents’ estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. That authority includes approving sales of real estate that belong to those estates or to a protected person. The Connecticut statutes and the Probate Court rules define what filings the court needs and the notice or consent requirements. See the Connecticut probate laws: Conn. Gen. Stat., Title 45a (Probate Courts), and the Connecticut Judicial Branch probate pages for forms and local procedures: CT Judicial Branch – Probate.

Typical step-by-step process to get permission to sell property

Identify your legal status. Are you the named executor in a will, an appointed administrator, a trustee, a conservator, or a guardian? Only a person with fiduciary authority under Connecticut law (or someone authorized by the court) can ask the court to sell property.
Open the matter if it hasn’t been opened. If there is no pending probate or conservatorship, you normally must open administration or seek appointment (letters testamentary/administration or letters of conservatorship/guardianship) before asking to sell estate property.
Prepare the petition or motion to sell. The petition should state who you are, your authority (copy of letters or petition for appointment), identify the property (address, legal description if available), explain why sale is needed (pay creditors, unequal distribution, best interest of protected person, etc.), show proposed sale terms (purchase agreement or proposed price), and include proposed court order. Attach any appraisal, broker listing or contract of sale if available.
File with the correct probate court. File the petition where the estate or conservatorship is pending. If you don’t know which court, use the Judicial Branch probate pages to find the proper court. Filing can often be done in person or by mail; some courts accept e‑filing or email for initial contact — check the court’s page.
Provide notice to interested persons. Connecticut courts require notice to interested parties (heirs, beneficiaries, next of kin, creditors, and sometimes the Attorney General in public‑interest cases). The court will tell you who must be notified and how. If beneficiaries consent in writing, the court may approve a sale faster.
Request a hearing or an ex parte order. If no one objects and the court’s rules allow, you may obtain authorization without a contested hearing; otherwise the court will schedule a hearing. Present the evidence showing the sale is fair and necessary.
Receive the court order authorizing the sale. The judge signs an order authorizing the sale and usually specifying conditions (e.g., minimum price, form of closing, payment of commissions). Record or present the order as required for closing and for the town clerk’s records.
Complete the sale and file closing papers. After closing, file an accounting, receipts, and any additional required documents with the probate court so the sale and distribution are reflected in the estate file.

When the clerk’s office won’t explain filing requirements

Probate clerks typically cannot give legal advice, but they can provide procedural information and court forms. If you get minimal help or only general instructions, do the following:

Check the Connecticut Judicial Branch probate web pages for forms, local court contact information, and published instructions: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/.
File a simple petition to request authority to sell the property. Even if you are unsure about every requirement, filing a clear, concise petition with the facts and requested relief starts the court process and allows the judge to direct further steps.
Ask the court clerk for the court’s local rules, fee schedule, and any required form names so your filing will be accepted. If the clerk refuses to help with procedural questions, request the Probate Court Administrator’s office or the supervising judge’s desk for guidance on where to file or what the basic filing must contain.
Put key requests in writing (mail or email) to the clerk. A written request creates a record if you later need the court to intervene regarding lack of assistance.
If the filing is time‑sensitive, consider filing a petition and simultaneously asking the court for expedited handling or an emergency hearing explaining the urgency (e.g., pending sale deadline, mortgage payments, risk of loss).

Documents and information you will usually need

Copy of the decedent’s will (if any) and proof of death.
Letters testamentary or letters of administration / conservatorship letters.
An accurate description of the property and current market information (listing, contract, appraisal).
Names and addresses of beneficiaries, heirs, next of kin, and known creditors.
Proposed purchase contract or terms you are asking the court to approve.

Common obstacles and how to handle them

Clerk won’t explain forms: Use standard petition language and attach the sale contract or appraisal. The judge can deny or schedule a hearing if something is missing.
Objection by beneficiaries or heirs: Expect a hearing. Be prepared to show fair price, necessity for sale, and evidence that the sale benefits the estate or protected person.
Title or mortgage issues: Coordinate with the buyer and lender; sometimes the judge will allow sale subject to clearing title or payoff at closing.

When to get a lawyer

If issues are contested, the clerk refuses to provide even procedural guidance, the estate is complex, or you face creditor challenges or disputes among beneficiaries, hire a Connecticut probate attorney. An attorney will draft the petition, serve notice correctly, represent you at the hearing, and help ensure the court order is properly worded for closing and title transfer.

Where to find forms and further resources

Connecticut Judicial Branch — Probate main page (forms, local court contacts): https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/
Connecticut General Assembly — Title 45a (probate statutes): https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/title_45a.htm

Helpful Hints

Start the process: filing a petition starts the court’s clock and gives you a paper record if the clerk’s office won’t provide detailed guidance.
Put requests in writing to the clerk so there is a documented trail if you need judicial intervention about access to information.
Attach a proposed order with your petition. Judges often sign a clear, proposed order if it contains all requested terms.
If you need quick action, ask the court for an expedited or emergency hearing and explain the urgency in your petition.
Keep beneficiaries informed; a signed consent from all beneficiaries often speeds approval and can avoid a contested hearing.
Get a valuation or broker CMA (comparative market analysis) before asking for approval—courts want to see the sale is commercially reasonable.
If the property is subject to mortgage, confirm the lender’s payoff figures and whether the lender requires a court order to release liens at closing.
When in doubt, consult a probate attorney to prepare the petition or represent you at hearing—this often saves time and avoids costly errors.