Probate Guide

Where to file: according to the Connecticut Probate Court Users Guide the first step is to file Probate of Will, form PC-200, within 30 days of the decedent’s passing . The Southeastern CT Regional Probate Court (PD30) is located in the Groton Town Hall at 45 Fort Hill Road. PD30 covers probate for the towns of Groton, Ledyard, Stonington and North Stonington. PD29 is located at City Hall, 100 Broadway, Room 122, in Norwich. It covers covers probate for Voluntown, Griswold, Lisbon, Sprague, Franklin, Bosrah, Preston and Norwich. The Niantic Regional Probate Court (PD32) is located at 118 Pennsylvania Avenue, in Niantic, CT and covers probate for the towns of Montville, Salem, East Lyme and Old Lyme. New London Probate Court (PD31) is situated at 181 State Street, Room 2, New London, CT and covers probate in Waterford and New London. For more information go to https://bmre.us/probaterules

Step 2 in the Probate process in southeastern Connecticut is for the fiduciary to take possession of the decedent’s property. For more information go to https://bmre.us/probaterules

Step 3 in the Probate process in southeastern Connecticut concerns decedent owned real estate. It must be filed as a Notice for Land Records/Appointment of Fiduciary, on form PC-251, within two months of appointment as fiduciary. For more information go to https://bmre.us/probaterules

Step 4 in the Probate process in southeastern Connecticut is to file the inventory on form PC-440, within two months of an appointment as fiduciary. For more information go to https://bmre.us/probaterules

Step 5 in the Probate process in southeastern Connecticut is to obtain cash for estate administration as needed. The fiduciary should anticipate the cash needs of the estate to pay for administration expenses, taxes, claims and bequests. He or she has the authority to convert into cash any personal property not specifically bequeathed but must obtain permission from the Probate Court to sell, mortgage or otherwise convey real estate, unless specifically authorized to do so under the terms of the will. For more information go to https://bmre.us/probaterules

Step 6 in the Probate process in southeastern Connecticut is to follow statutory procedures for the payment of claims against the estate, and file Return of Claims and List of Notified Creditors, PC-237, at the required time. For more information go to https://bmre.us/probaterules

Step 7 in the Probate process in southeastern Connecticut is to file the tax returns and pay any applicable taxes. Taxes payable as a result of death include the federal estate tax, which is reported to the federal government on federal Form 706, and the Connecticut estate and gift tax, which is reported to Connecticut on Form CT-706/709. For more information go to https://bmre.us/probaterules

Step 8 in the Probate process in southeastern Connecticut is to file the final financial report or account. It usually occurs within 12 months of the decedent’s death. For more information go to https://bmre.us/probaterules

Step 9 in the Probate process in southeastern Connecticut is the most anticipated, distribute assets to all of the beneficiaries. For more information go to https://bmre.us/probaterules

 

Finally, Step 10 in the Probate process in southeastern Connecticut is to file Affidavit of Closing of Estate, PC-213. For more information go to https://bmre.us/probaterules

Bridget Morrissey

Bridget Morrissey is a licensed Realtor in Connecticut and Rhode Island with eXp Realty.  She has also been licensed in Connecticut for over 20 years for Health and Life Insurance. In 2018, Bridget was recognized with the Chairman's Excellence Award from eXp Realty.  She is a multi-year Five Star Professional Real Estate Agent presented by Connecticut Magazine.  The Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors has recognized her with its highest recognition, Master Sales Award, and she is consistently  in the Circle of Excellence.  Formerly with RE/MAX, she qualified for both the 100% Club and the Executive Club. She is also a Zillow 5 Star Premier Agent.  In 2013, Lt Governor Nancy Wyman inducted Bridget into the WOMEN OF FIRE [Finance, Insurance, Real Estate] presented by THE COMMERCIAL RECORD of Boston, Massachusetts. Bridget has volunteered for nine years as a facilitator of a program for Women in York Correctional Facility in Niantic and is a past Eucharistic Minister at St Mary Star of the Sea Church in New London. The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce conferred its Membership Award on her in 2005.  Her very limited free time finds her in her many gardens.  She lives in Ledyard with her husband, Will, close to her two sons, daughters-in-law and five grandchildren in Stonington.