A straightforward Connecticut probate estate commonly takes about six months to a year, largely because creditors have 150 days from the fiduciary's appointment to present claims. Connecticut probate court fees follow a statutory schedule (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-107), running from $25 up to a $40,000 cap, separate from any attorney or fiduciary fees.
If you're trying to picture how long this process will take or what it might cost, you're not alone — it's one of the first questions most families ask once they're appointed to settle a loved one's estate. There's no single answer that fits every estate, but Connecticut law does set out a fairly predictable sequence of deadlines, and the court fees follow a published formula rather than a judge's discretion. This page walks through both in plain terms. For anything specific to your situation, a Connecticut probate attorney or a HUD-approved housing counselor can look at your facts directly — this is general information, not legal or financial advice.
How long does probate take in Connecticut?
For a relatively simple, uncontested estate, families commonly see the process close out somewhere between six months and a year. That range exists largely because of one fixed waiting period: creditors have 150 days from the date the court appoints the estate's first fiduciary to present any claims against the estate. Since the estate generally can't be fully settled until that window closes and any claims are resolved, it sets a practical floor under the timeline even when everything else goes smoothly.
Larger or more complicated estates — those with real estate, business interests, out-of-state property, a will contest, or disagreements among heirs — can take considerably longer, sometimes well beyond a year. If you're an executor or administrator trying to understand your specific duties and options, our page on executor vs administrator in Connecticut walks through the role in more detail.
What are the first deadlines after a death?
Connecticut law requires that whoever has the original will apply for its probate within 30 days of the death, filing it with the probate court in the district where the person was domiciled. In practice, this is usually done with the Petition/Administration or Probate of Will (Form PC-200), along with the original will and a copy of the death certificate.
- Within 30 days of death: the will is filed and a petition for administration or probate is submitted to the probate court.
- Within 14 days of the first fiduciary's appointment: the court publishes newspaper notice to creditors.
- 150 days from the fiduciary's appointment: the deadline for creditors to present claims against the estate.
- 6 months after the date of death: the Connecticut estate tax return is due.
What does Connecticut probate cost?
Connecticut charges one statewide probate court fee, set by statute (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-107), that applies the same way in all 54 probate districts — no local court charges a different rate. The fee is based on the gross value of the estate (generally the greater of the inventory, the taxable estate, or related tax figures), and it's separate from any fees an attorney or fiduciary might charge.
| Gross Value of Estate | Probate Court Fee |
|---|
| Up to $500 | $25 |
| $501 to $1,000 | $50 |
| $1,000 to $10,000 | $50, plus 1% of the amount over $1,000 |
| $10,000 to $500,000 | $150, plus 0.35% of the amount over $10,000 |
| $500,000 to $2,000,000 | $1,865, plus 0.25% of the amount over $500,000 |
| $2,000,000 to $8,877,000 | $5,615, plus 0.5% of the amount over $2,000,000 |
| $8,877,000 and over | $40,000 (statutory cap for deaths on or after July 1, 2016) |
A few other details worth knowing: if a full estate is opened but the basis for fees is under $10,000, the minimum fee is $150 rather than the smaller amounts shown above. Any portion of the estate passing to a surviving spouse gets a 50% reduction in the value used to calculate the fee. And if the fee isn't paid within 30 days of the court's invoice (or, in a taxable estate, within 30 days of when the Connecticut estate tax return was due), interest accrues at 0.5% per month.
These statutory court fees are only one piece of the overall cost. Attorney fees and fiduciary (executor or administrator) compensation are not set as a percentage under Connecticut law — the probate court reviews them for reasonableness, considering the time and complexity involved. Because actual amounts vary case by case, a Connecticut probate attorney is the right person to give you a realistic estimate for your estate.
Is there a faster, lower-cost path for small estates?
If the decedent owned no solely owned real estate in Connecticut and their solely owned personal property totals $40,000 or less, the estate may qualify for the small estates procedure under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-273, using the Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration (Form PC-212). This route is simplified and generally faster than a full estate administration. If the estate includes a house held solely in the decedent's name, though, this shortcut isn't available, and our page on how probate works for a house in Connecticut explains what to expect instead.
Does Connecticut still tax estates, and when are returns due?
Yes — Connecticut has an estate and gift tax, filed on Form CT-706/709 with the Department of Revenue Services (or Form CT-706 NT with the probate court for estates owing no Connecticut tax). Both are generally due six months after the date of death, though extensions are available if requested by that deadline.
On the federal side, the IRS basic exclusion amount for estates of people who die in 2026 is $15,000,000, which means the large majority of Connecticut estates owe no federal estate tax at all. A federal estate tax return (Form 706), when required, is generally due nine months after death, with an extension available. Connecticut's own estate tax exemption is tied by statute to the federal exclusion amount, so many estates that owe nothing federally also owe nothing to the state — but the exact current Connecticut figure and whether your estate is affected is worth confirming with DRS or a probate attorney rather than relying on a general guide.
What tends to make probate take longer?
A few common factors stretch the timeline beyond the typical six-to-twelve-month range:
- A will contest or disagreement among heirs about distribution
- Real estate that needs to be appraised, maintained, and eventually sold or transferred
- Multiple heirs who need to agree on next steps for shared property
- Estates large enough to trigger a Connecticut or federal estate tax filing
- A busy local probate court docket or incomplete paperwork that needs to be corrected and resubmitted
If you're one of several siblings or heirs trying to sort out what happens to a shared house, our page on multiple heirs, one house walks through the common paths families take.
Can a house be sold while the estate is still in probate?
Often, yes — with the proper court authority, a fiduciary can list and sell estate real estate before probate formally closes. The details depend on the will's language, whether heirs agree, and what the probate court requires. Our pages on selling an inherited house in Connecticut and selling or keeping an inherited home in Connecticut go into this in more depth.
Where can you get help with your own estate's timeline and costs?
Every estate is different, and the numbers above are general guideposts, not a prediction for your situation. A Connecticut probate attorney can review the will, the assets, and the court's requirements and give you a realistic sense of both the timeline and the likely costs. If money is tight or you're unsure where to start, a HUD-approved housing counselor can also help you think through your options at no cost. If part of what you're weighing is whether to keep, rent, or sell a house that's part of the estate, RYZE Realty Group offers a free, no-pressure "should you sell?" review — a straightforward look at the home's value and the equity math, so you have real numbers to bring to your attorney or your family's conversation. We don't negotiate with lenders, stop a foreclosure, or push you toward a sale; we just help you see the numbers clearly, on your own timeline.