Probate Matters

"In their 300-year history, the probate courts have often been called "neighborhood courts" because of their informality and accessibility. Today, the courts are also known as "family courts" because, in addition to overseeing decedents' estates and trusts, they handle a wide range of sensitive issues affecting children, the elderly, the mentally retarded, and the mentally ill."

Judge James J. Lawlor
Probate Court Administrator

Our office represents clients in all these matters before the 117 probate courts of the state.  The Probate Courts handle two general types of cases.  They resolve and distribute a person's estate after their death, and they appoint and oversee individuals to assist those who cannot make their own life decisions.  The decision to have someone conserved or to request a guardianship of an adult or child is a complicated one.  There are many legal issues and questions which the process can raise.  Not the least of which is what can and cannot a conservator do.   We can help answer all the questions you have, point out the ones you might not know about, and guide you through the whole probate process.

Not every town has its own probate court, but every town is served by a probate court.  You can visit the State's Judicial Branch web site for a complete listing of probate courts.

In late September 2009, the legislature approved a probate court realignment plan that will reduce the number of probate courts throughout the State of Connecticut from 117 to 54.  A large number of municipalities currently have their own probate courts, and this will likely remain unchanged under the new system for most big cities and well-populated towns.  However, there are approximately 40 multi-town districts with between two and 12 municipalities that are expected to be restructured as a result of the downsizing.  This change will begin at the start of 2011.  View the listing by town of the new 54 Probate Court Plan and the corresponding map of Probate Court Districts.