Settling a Small Estate
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-273 — an affidavit instead of probate when the property is $40,000 or less and there is no real estate
When a person's solely owned personal property, not counting what passes outside probate, is worth not more than $40,000, and the person owned no real property alone in the state, the surviving spouse, or else the next of kin, may settle the estate by affidavit instead of opening probate.
Who handles this in Connecticut: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Connecticut directory.
- The affidavit says whether the person received aid or care from the state, lists the solely owned assets, and lists the claims, expenses and taxes due and whether they were paid.
- The court sends a copy to the Department of Administrative Services, and issues no decree until thirty days after.
Sources for this section (1)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-273 — (Formerly Sec. 45-266). Settlement of small estates without probate of will or letters of administration
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Connecticut attorney.