Formerly "Law Office of Lisa E. Wnuck LLC and Southburylaw.com" | Connecticut Probate Attorney

Small Estate Settlement in Connecticut

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In Connecticut, if a decedent had no solely owned real estate, and the total value of all of the decedent’s personal property does not exceed $40,000, the small estates procedure may be used.

What is a small estates procedure?

The small estates procedure is a simplified method of settling an estate that avoids formal probate proceedings. 

Under the procedure, the decedent’s assets may be used to: 

(a) pay the decedent’s funeral expenses and the expenses of administering the estate (these are referred to as expenses), pay claims associated with the decedent’s last illness or other claims that the decedent owed at the time of death (these are referred to as claims) or 

(b) reimburse a person who paid expenses or claims from non-probate assets. Any assets remaining after payment of expenses and claims are then distributed to the decedent’s heirs or beneficiaries.

When can the small estates procedure be used?

The small estates procedure may be used only if both of the following conditions are met:

      (a) the decedent had no solely owned real estate and

      (b) the total value of all of the decedent’s solely owned personal property (with no beneficiary designated) does not exceed $40,000.

First Steps in the Probate Process

Download Form PC-212, which may be used to settle a decedent’s estate using the small estates procedure under C.G.S. section 45a-273.

You will need to attach Form PC-212A, Request for Order of Distribution, if 

(a) assets exceed expenses and claims or 

(b) a person who paid expenses or claims with non-probate assets waives reimbursement.

For assistance with the probating of a Connecticut estate, contact our office at

 (203) 586-1445