Disclaimer

This article explains general Connecticut probate practice and is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Consult a Connecticut probate attorney or the local probate court for advice about your specific situation.

Detailed Answer

If your sister died without a will (intestate) and you want to be appointed administrator (sometimes called a personal representative) of her estate in Connecticut, here is what you should expect and the steps to take. The probate court in the district where your sister lived handles appointment and administration.

1. Who can be appointed and priority for appointment

Connecticut law gives priority to certain people for appointment as the estate’s fiduciary. Typically the surviving spouse has the highest priority. When there is no spouse, priority usually follows to children, parents, then siblings and other next-of-kin. If you are a sister, you may be eligible to serve only if there is no surviving spouse, children, or parents who are willing and able to serve.

Because priorities and details are set by Connecticut probate law and court practice, confirm your relative priority with the probate clerk or an attorney in the district where your sister lived.

2. Which probate court to contact

File the application with the probate court for the district where your sister was domiciled at the time of death. The Probate Court directory and contact information are available from the Connecticut Probate Court website (see Resources below).

3. Paperwork you will file

Common documents the probate court requires include:

• A verified application or petition for appointment as administrator (often titled “Application for Appointment of Fiduciary” or similar).
• Certified copy of the death certificate.
• A list of known heirs and their contact information (so the court can notify interested persons).
• Estimate of estate assets and debts; sometimes courts require a preliminary inventory.
• A proposed bond (see below) or a request to waive bond if allowed.
• Identification and proof of your eligibility to serve (ID, relationship proof).

4. Bond and security

Most probate courts require the personal representative to post a fiduciary bond (insurance protecting the estate against misconduct or mistakes). The court sets the bond amount based on the estate’s value. The court may waive or reduce the bond in limited circumstances (for example, if all heirs consent), but expect a bond unless the court orders otherwise.

5. Notice and objections

After you file, the court will usually require notice to heirs and other interested parties. Anyone with higher priority or another interested person may object to your appointment. If there is a dispute, the court will hold a hearing to decide who should be appointed.

6. Appointment and Letters of Administration

If the court approves your application, it will issue letters of administration or similar documentation (sometimes called “letters testamentary” when there is a will, but for intestacy the term “letters of administration” or “letters of appointment” is used). These letters give you legal authority to collect assets, pay debts, sell property (with court approval where required), and distribute the estate according to Connecticut intestacy rules.

7. Duties after appointment

Once appointed, your main duties include:

• Inventorying estate assets and filing the inventory with the court.
• Notifying and paying creditors according to statutory procedures.
• Managing estate property prudently (maintain insurance, preserve value).
• Filing required tax returns and paying estate taxes if due.
• Distributing remaining assets to heirs under Connecticut’s intestacy rules and filing a final accounting with the court.

8. How intestate distribution generally works in Connecticut

If someone dies without a will, Connecticut law determines who inherits. Generally, the estate passes first to a surviving spouse and descendants; if none, to parents; if none, to siblings and their descendants. The exact share each heir receives depends on who survives the decedent. The probate court applies Connecticut intestacy law when you ask to distribute assets. For details, see Connecticut statutes on probate and intestate succession (Resources below).

9. Timeline and costs

Typical uncontested appointments can be completed in a few weeks; full administration frequently takes several months to a year depending on estate complexity, creditor claims, tax issues, and whether property must be sold. Costs include probate court filing fees, bond premium, attorney fees (if you hire counsel), appraisal fees, and executor expenses paid from the estate.

10. Common complications

• Another person with higher priority wants the appointment.
• Creditor claims or unresolved debts exceed available assets.
• Real property in multiple states (may require ancillary administration elsewhere).
• Heir disputes about distribution or alleged misconduct by the administrator.

11. When to get a lawyer

You do not always need a lawyer to be appointed administrator; small or straightforward estates are often handled without counsel. Hire an experienced probate attorney if the estate is large or complex, if there are likely disputes between heirs, or if tax and creditor issues are significant. A lawyer can prepare filings, advise on bond, handle sales of property, and represent you at hearings.

Practical Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Confirm your sister’s domicile (which probate district).
2. Contact that probate court to ask for the required forms and filing fees.
3. Gather and bring the death certificate and identification documents.
4. Prepare a list of known heirs and a basic inventory of assets and debts.
5. File the application for appointment and proposed bond (or request bond waiver if eligible).
6. Serve or provide notice to heirs as required by the court.
7. Attend any court hearing if there are objections or questions.
8. Obtain letters of administration and begin administering the estate per court rules.

Helpful Hints

• Begin at the local probate court’s website or call the clerk; clerk staff often explain required forms and local procedures.
• Collect original documents (death certificate, titles, bank statements) and keep detailed records and receipts for estate transactions.
• Get multiple appraisals for valuable items or real estate if required by the court.
• Ask the court about small-estate procedures if the estate’s value is under statutory thresholds—small procedures can simplify administration.
• Communicate early with other heirs and keep them informed; written consent from heirs can simplify bond and court requirements.
• Check whether your sister had jointly held property, beneficiary designations, or payable-on-death accounts—those often pass outside probate.
• Keep an eye on creditor deadlines; timely notice and handling of claims protect you from personal liability.

Resources

Official Connecticut probate and statutory resources:

• Connecticut Probate Court (general information, court locations, forms): https://portal.ct.gov/Probate-Court
• Connecticut Judicial Branch — Probate information: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/
• Connecticut General Assembly — statutes and searchable code (search Title 45a for probate/estate statutes): https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/