Connecticut Probate Timeline: All Key Deadlines
A month-by-month guide to Connecticut probate deadlines — from the first week after death through the final Probate Court Decree — with the two key early deadlines every executor must track: the 2-month Inventory and the 150-day creditor period from first publication.
📋 Connecticut's Two Key Post-Appointment Deadlines
2 months from appointment: File Inventory with the Probate Court (C.G.S. § 45a-341). All probate assets with fair market values as of date of death.
150 days from first publication: Creditor period expires (C.G.S. § 45a-395). No final distributions until this date. Publish as soon as Letters are issued to minimize timeline.
2 months from appointment: File Inventory with the Probate Court (C.G.S. § 45a-341). All probate assets with fair market values as of date of death.
150 days from first publication: Creditor period expires (C.G.S. § 45a-395). No final distributions until this date. Publish as soon as Letters are issued to minimize timeline.
Master Deadline Table
| Deadline | Trigger | Task | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| As soon as possible | Date of death | Secure estate assets; cancel subscriptions; notify Social Security; contact employer | Best practice |
| Within days | Date of death | Order 6–8 certified death certificates (CT Vital Records) | Administrative |
| Within 1–2 weeks | Date of death | Locate original will; identify Probate Court district (ctprobate.gov); contact Probate Court | C.G.S. § 45a-251 |
| As soon as possible | Decision to probate | File Application for Probate; receive Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration | C.G.S. § 45a-286 |
| Immediately after Letters | Appointment date | Apply for federal EIN (irs.gov); open estate bank account | IRS requirements |
| Immediately after Letters | Appointment date | Publish Notice to Creditors in local newspaper — 150-day clock starts | C.G.S. § 45a-395 |
| 2 months from appointment | Appointment date | File Inventory with Probate Court — all probate assets at fair market value | C.G.S. § 45a-341 |
| 150 days from first publication | Publication date | Creditor period expires — earliest date for final distributions | C.G.S. § 45a-395 |
| April 15 | Calendar year | File deceased's final CT Form CT-1040 (income tax) | C.G.S. § 12-701 |
| April 15 | Calendar year | File CT Form CT-1041 (Fiduciary Income Tax) if estate earns income | C.G.S. § 12-700 |
| April 15 | Calendar year | File federal Form 1040 (deceased's final); federal Form 1041 (if estate earns > $600) | IRC §§ 6012, 6031 |
| N/A — deaths 2023+ | N/A | CT estate tax return (CT-706NT) NOT required for deaths on or after 1/1/2023 | CT estate tax repealed |
| After all obligations met | Closing | File Account with Probate Court; receive Decree approving distribution; close estate | C.G.S. § 45a-175 |
Month-by-Month Connecticut Probate Calendar
Week 1
Immediate Actions After Death
- Obtain the death certificate from the funeral home
- Order 6–8 certified death certificates from CT Vital Records (portal.ct.gov/DPH/Vital-Records)
- Secure all estate assets — change locks if needed, maintain insurance on property and vehicles
- Notify Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213); return any payment after the month of death
- Cancel subscriptions and recurring charges
- Locate the original will
- Identify the Probate Court district for the deceased's town of domicile (ctprobate.gov)
Week 2–3
Contact the Probate Court
- Visit ctprobate.gov — download the Application for Probate and review the plain-language guides
- Contact the Probate Court in the correct district to confirm required forms and current fee schedule
- Identify all heirs and beneficiaries with full names and addresses
- Review the will for executor designation and bond waiver
- Begin listing all assets and estimating values
Month 1
File Application and Publish Notice to Creditors
- File Application for Probate with the Probate Court in the correct district
- Submit original will and certified death certificate
- Pay filing fee ($150–$500+ based on estate value)
- Receive Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- Request 6–8 certified copies of Letters
- Apply for federal EIN at irs.gov (select "Estate")
- Open estate checking account (Letters + EIN + death certificate)
- Publish Notice to Creditors in local newspaper — 150-day clock begins today
- Mail written notice to all known creditors
- Record publication date on calendar
Month 2 — Key Deadline
File Inventory with Probate Court
- File Inventory within 2 months of appointment (C.G.S. § 45a-341)
- Include all probate assets — real estate, bank accounts, investments, vehicles, personal property
- Use fair market values as of the date of death
- Attach supporting documentation — bank statements, brokerage statements, real estate appraisal
- The Probate Court may charge an additional fee based on Inventory value — check current schedule
- Continue maintaining mortgage, utilities, and insurance on estate property
- Begin preparing income tax returns if nearing April 15
Month 3–4
Estate Administration and Tax Preparation
- Continue paying estate bills from estate account
- Prepare deceased's final CT Form CT-1040 (April 15 deadline approaching)
- If estate earns income, prepare CT Form CT-1041 (April 15)
- Evaluate incoming creditor claims for validity
- 150-day creditor period continues — no distributions yet
- Search CT unclaimed property at ctbiglist.com
Month 5 — 150 Days from Publication
Creditor Period Expires — Distributions May Begin
- 150 days from first publication expires — final distributions now permitted
- Evaluate all remaining creditor claims — pay valid claims in priority order
- Reject invalid or time-barred claims in writing
- Calculate final distribution to each heir (after debts, taxes, and expenses)
- Prepare Account for Probate Court filing
Month 6–15
Account Filing and Probate Court Decree
- File Account with the Probate Court showing all receipts, disbursements, and proposed distribution
- Attend any Account hearing scheduled by the Probate Judge
- Receive Decree approving distribution and discharging the Executor
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries per the Decree
- Transfer real estate — deed recorded with town clerk; obtain tax waiver if needed
- Transfer vehicle titles at CT DMV
- Close estate bank account after all distributions
- Retain all estate records for at least 3 years after closing
✅ Connecticut Probate Tax Calendar Summary
No CT estate tax: CT estate tax repealed for deaths 1/1/2023+ — no CT-706NT required
No CT inheritance tax: Beneficiaries pay no CT tax on distributions
2 months from appointment: Inventory filed with Probate Court (C.G.S. § 45a-341)
150 days from first publication: Creditor period expires; distributions may begin
April 15: CT-1040 (deceased's final CT income tax) + CT-1041 (fiduciary income, if applicable)
April 15: Federal Form 1040 (final) + Form 1041 (if estate earns > $600)
After all above: Account filed with Probate Court; Decree approves distribution; estate closed
No CT estate tax: CT estate tax repealed for deaths 1/1/2023+ — no CT-706NT required
No CT inheritance tax: Beneficiaries pay no CT tax on distributions
2 months from appointment: Inventory filed with Probate Court (C.G.S. § 45a-341)
150 days from first publication: Creditor period expires; distributions may begin
April 15: CT-1040 (deceased's final CT income tax) + CT-1041 (fiduciary income, if applicable)
April 15: Federal Form 1040 (final) + Form 1041 (if estate earns > $600)
After all above: Account filed with Probate Court; Decree approves distribution; estate closed
5 Most Important Tips for Connecticut Executors
Tip 1: Use ctprobate.gov — It's One of the Best State Probate Websites
Connecticut's Probate Court website (ctprobate.gov) provides plain-language guides, downloadable forms, fee schedules, and district court contact information. Before visiting the Probate Court, review the guides specific to your situation (small estate, testate administration, intestate administration). Connecticut executors who do their homework at ctprobate.gov save time and avoid common filing errors.
Connecticut's Probate Court website (ctprobate.gov) provides plain-language guides, downloadable forms, fee schedules, and district court contact information. Before visiting the Probate Court, review the guides specific to your situation (small estate, testate administration, intestate administration). Connecticut executors who do their homework at ctprobate.gov save time and avoid common filing errors.
Tip 2: Publish Notice to Creditors the Same Week You Receive Letters
Connecticut's 150-day creditor period is one of the shortest in the Northeast — but it starts from first publication, not from your appointment. The faster you publish, the sooner the 150-day clock runs out and distributions can begin. A delay of even 2 weeks in publishing adds 2 weeks to your earliest possible closing date.
Connecticut's 150-day creditor period is one of the shortest in the Northeast — but it starts from first publication, not from your appointment. The faster you publish, the sooner the 150-day clock runs out and distributions can begin. A delay of even 2 weeks in publishing adds 2 weeks to your earliest possible closing date.
Tip 3: File the Inventory Within 2 Months — or Contact the Probate Court Early
The 2-month Inventory deadline (C.G.S. § 45a-341) is strict. If you cannot complete the Inventory within 2 months because an appraisal is pending or assets are hard to value, contact the Probate Court before the deadline to explain the situation. Probate Courts are generally understanding when contacted proactively — but unresponsive executors face more scrutiny.
The 2-month Inventory deadline (C.G.S. § 45a-341) is strict. If you cannot complete the Inventory within 2 months because an appraisal is pending or assets are hard to value, contact the Probate Court before the deadline to explain the situation. Probate Courts are generally understanding when contacted proactively — but unresponsive executors face more scrutiny.
Tip 4: No CT Estate Tax — But File Federal Form 706 If Estate Exceeds $13.61M
For deaths on or after January 1, 2023, no Connecticut estate tax return is needed regardless of estate size. However, if the gross estate exceeds the federal exemption ($13,610,000 in 2024), federal Form 706 is still required, filed within 9 months of death. Most Connecticut estates will not trigger federal estate tax — but confirm the estate size before deciding whether a federal return is needed.
For deaths on or after January 1, 2023, no Connecticut estate tax return is needed regardless of estate size. However, if the gross estate exceeds the federal exemption ($13,610,000 in 2024), federal Form 706 is still required, filed within 9 months of death. Most Connecticut estates will not trigger federal estate tax — but confirm the estate size before deciding whether a federal return is needed.
Tip 5: CT Income Tax Tops at 6.99% — Much Lower Than NY or NJ
Connecticut's income tax tops out at 6.99% — significantly lower than New York (10.9%) and New Jersey (10.75%). The deceased's final CT-1040 and the estate's CT-1041 (if the estate earns income) are both due April 15. For most Connecticut estates, the combined income tax obligation will be manageable compared to neighboring states.
Connecticut's income tax tops out at 6.99% — significantly lower than New York (10.9%) and New Jersey (10.75%). The deceased's final CT-1040 and the estate's CT-1041 (if the estate earns income) are both due April 15. For most Connecticut estates, the combined income tax obligation will be manageable compared to neighboring states.
Track Every Connecticut Probate Deadline
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