How to File in Connecticut Probate Court
Filing in Connecticut probate court starts with identifying the correct district, preparing the right forms, and submitting them with the required fee. Most filings can now be made electronically, though certain documents still require physical submission.
This guide covers the mechanics of getting your documents into the court’s hands, whether you are an attorney or a self-represented party.
Step 1: Identify the Correct Probate District
Jurisdiction in Connecticut probate court is determined by geography, not by choice. For a decedent’s estate, the correct district is the one that includes the town where the decedent was domiciled at the time of death (CGS Section 45a-273). For conservatorship, guardianship, and most other proceedings, jurisdiction lies in the district where the subject of the petition resides.
Use the CT Probate Court District Finder to determine which of Connecticut’s 54 probate districts serves the relevant town.
Filing in the wrong district will result in a rejection or transfer, costing you time.
Step 2: Select and Complete the Correct Forms
Connecticut probate courts use standardized forms published by the Probate Court Administrator. All current forms are available at ctprobate.gov/forms-list. See our forms guide for details on which forms apply to common proceedings.
For the most frequently filed matters:
- Estate administration: PC-200 (Application for Probate of Will / Administration of Estate)
- Small estate affidavit: PC-212 (Affidavit in Lieu of Administration)
- Conservatorship: PC-300 (Application for Appointment of Conservator)
- Guardianship of a minor: PC-500 (Application for Appointment of Guardian of the Person of a Minor Child)
- Name change: PC-900 (Petition for Change of Name)
Complete every field on the form. Courts frequently return incomplete filings, which causes unnecessary delay. If a field does not apply to your situation, write “N/A” rather than leaving it blank.
Step 3: Assemble Supporting Documents
Most petitions require supporting documents beyond the primary form. The specific requirements depend on the type of proceeding.
For estate administration (PC-200), you will typically need:
- Original will (and any codicils), if the decedent had a will
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Proposed fiduciary appointment (executor named in the will, or proposed administrator)
- List of heirs and beneficiaries with addresses
For conservatorship (PC-300), you will typically need:
- Physician’s report or evaluation (PC-302)
- Proposed care plan
- Financial information about the respondent
For guardianship of a minor (PC-500), you will typically need:
- Information about the minor, the proposed guardian, and the parents
- Consent of the parents (if available) or evidence supporting the petition
- Background check authorization
Check the instructions that accompany each form for the full list of required attachments.
Step 4: Calculate and Pay the Filing Fee
Filing fees depend on the type of matter.
Estate proceedings: Fees are calculated on the gross estate value under CGS Section 45a-107. The fee ranges from $25 (for estates under $500) to a maximum of $40,000 (for estates over $8,877,000 where the decedent died on or after July 1, 2016). See our complete fee schedule.
Non-estate matters: Most petitions carry a flat $250 filing fee under CGS Section 45a-106a. This covers guardianship, conservatorship, adoption, trust matters, commitment proceedings, and other filings.
Fee waivers: CGS Section 45a-111 provides for fee waivers in cases of indigency. File a fee waiver request with your petition if applicable.
Payment methods vary by court. The eFiling system accepts electronic payment. For paper filings, most courts accept checks or money orders payable to the specific probate court.
Electronic Filing (eFiling)
Connecticut’s probate courts support electronic filing through the CT Probate Court eFiling system. The system is administered by the Probate Court Administrator and is available to both attorneys and self-represented parties.
What You Can eFile
Most petitions, motions, accounts, inventories, and supporting documents can be filed electronically. The system covers filings for estates, conservatorships, guardianships, trust matters, and other probate proceedings.
What You Cannot eFile
Original wills must be submitted in physical form to the court. Certain other documents that require original signatures or notarization may also need physical submission, depending on the court’s requirements.
How eFiling Works
- Create an account at ctprobate.gov/efiling.
- Select the probate district where you are filing.
- Choose the type of filing and upload your completed forms and attachments.
- Pay the filing fee electronically.
- Submit. You will receive confirmation of receipt, and the court will process your filing.
The system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Filings submitted outside of business hours will be processed on the next business day.
Paper Filing
For those who prefer paper or whose filing cannot be made electronically, every probate court accepts documents in person during business hours or by mail.
When filing by mail, include:
- All completed forms and supporting documents
- The filing fee (check or money order payable to the specific probate court)
- A self-addressed stamped envelope if you want a file-stamped copy returned to you
Send your filing to the mailing address of the relevant probate court. Court addresses are available through the District Finder and on each of our district guide pages.
Service and Notice Requirements
After you file, the court will issue an order of notice directing how and to whom notice of the proceeding must be given. The authority for orders of notice is found in CGS Section 45a-124, which provides that the judge, clerk, or assistant clerk may issue orders of notice for any hearing or for notice of the right to request a hearing.
Notice requirements vary by proceeding type. Common methods include:
- Certified mail to known interested parties
- First class mail in certain proceedings
- Newspaper publication when an interested party cannot be located or when required by statute
- Personal service in some contested or commitment matters
The Probate Court Rules of Procedure, approved by the Connecticut Supreme Court under CGS Section 45a-78, specify the notice requirements for each type of filing. The court clerk will typically prepare the order of notice and advise you on what is required, but the petitioner is responsible for ensuring notice is actually given and for filing proof of notice with the court.
Failure to provide proper notice can delay proceedings or result in orders being set aside.
The Probate Court Rules of Procedure
Connecticut’s probate courts operate under the Probate Court Rules of Procedure, a comprehensive set of rules governing practice and procedure in all 54 districts. The rules are promulgated by the Probate Court Administrator and approved by the Connecticut Supreme Court pursuant to CGS Section 45a-78.
The rules cover:
- Filing requirements and form standards
- Notice and service procedures
- Hearing procedures
- Accounting rules and requirements
- Fiduciary duties and reporting
- Fee assessment and payment
- Mediation and alternative dispute resolution
The current rules are available on the CT Probate Court website. Practitioners should be familiar with these rules, as they often contain requirements beyond what the statutes specify.
Getting Certified Copies
You may need certified copies of court orders, death certificates filed with the court, or other documents. To obtain certified copies:
- In person or by mail: Request certified copies from the probate court that issued the document. The fee is $5 for the first two pages and $2 for each additional page, per CGS Section 45a-109.
- Through eFiling: Some courts provide certified copies through the electronic system. Check with the specific court.
Fiduciaries receive one uncertified copy of each court order at no charge (CGS Section 45a-109(4)). Additional copies, or certified copies, are subject to the standard fee.
Practical Tips
- Call ahead. Each probate court has a clerk’s office that can answer procedural questions. If you are unsure about form selection, fee amounts, or supporting documents, a brief phone call can save significant time.
- Keep copies. Maintain copies of everything you file, along with proof of mailing or delivery.
- Track deadlines. Many probate matters have statutory deadlines for filing documents, submitting inventories, or providing notice. Missing a deadline can result in penalties or adverse orders. For estate administration deadlines, see Connecticut probate timeline.
- Use the forms guide. Complete the correct form for your specific matter. Using the wrong form is a common source of delay.