Navigating the Connecticut Probate Process: Why Professional Guidance Matters

The weeks following the loss of a loved one are difficult enough without the sudden arrival of court deadlines, frozen bank accounts, and complex paperwork. After a loss, your attorney’s role is to act as your project manager, handling the legal heavy lifting so you can focus on your family.

While the Connecticut probate system is designed to ensure debts are paid and assets are distributed correctly, the “right” way to navigate it depends entirely on what your loved one owned and how it was titled. Here is how an attorney helps you find the smoothest path forward.

1. Identifying the Correct “Lane”

Not every estate requires a long, drawn-out process. One of the biggest time-savers an attorney provides is identifying which path applies to your situation from day one:

• Small Estates: If there is no solely owned real estate and assets are under $40,000, we can often use a simplified procedure that is much faster and less expensive.
• Tax Purposes Only (TPO): This is a simplified estate settlement process for estates in which all assets have designated beneficiaries, are held in trust or otherwise do not fall within the probate court’s purview but a tax filing is required.
• Full Estates: For estates with probate assets valued at $40,000 or more, often those involving real estate, a full administration is required. Even here, a proactive approach can keep the timeline to a predictable 9 to 12 months.

2. Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Small mistakes in probate can lead to months of delays or even personal liability for the person in charge. We help you avoid frequent hurdles, such as:

• Missing Tax Deadlines: Even if no tax is owed, an estate tax return is generally due within six months of death.
• Early Distributions: Paying beneficiaries before debts and taxes are settled can create significant legal headaches.
• Not Opening an Estate Account: Opening a bank account for an estate checking is an important first step to keep estate expenses and assets separate from your personal assets.
• Recordkeeping Issues: The court expects meticulous tracking of every penny. An attorney can help you manage the estate checking account and maintain the receipts required for the final financial report.

3. Our Role as Your Partner

An attorney will handle the filings and court interactions, while guiding you through your responsibilities as a fiduciary. This includes:

• Opening the estate and obtaining fiduciary certificates.
• Managing and securing assets like real estate and valuables.
• Coordinating with your accountant for final income tax filings.
• Preparing the final accounting and distributing assets to the right people.

Let Us Help You Move Forward

Our goal is to make the probate process as transparent and stress-free as possible. We offer predictable hourly rates and a team-based approach to ensure your questions are always answered.

If you are ready to put a plan in place, we invite you to reach out for a consultation. We can help you identify the correct estate type and map out a clear timeline from start to finish.

Contact us to learn more. Franklin & Frankel LLC (860) 561-4832 | 68 South Main Street, Suite 101, West Hartford, CT