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Connecticut Probate Cost: Full Breakdown

Exactly what you pay to settle an estate in Connecticut — the 45a-107 court fee scale, the 50% spousal reduction, reasonable fiduciary and attorney fees, and estate tax — with worked examples, statute cited.

C.G.S. § 45a-107

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Quick answer: Connecticut's main probate cost is the statutory Probate Court fee — a sliding scale on the estate value, capped at $40,000. A $500,000 estate pays $1,865; $1,000,000 pays $3,115. Fiduciary and attorney fees are reasonable, court-approved amounts on top, and estate tax applies only above $15M. Get your own figure with the Connecticut probate cost calculator.

The Probate Court fee — the statutory scale

Under C.G.S. § 45a-107 (deaths on/after July 1, 2016), the fee is graduated on the basis for fees:

Basis for feesFee
$0 – $500$25
$501 – $1,000$50
$1,000 – $10,000$50 + 1% over $1,000
$10,000 – $500,000$150 + 0.35% over $10,000
$500,000 – $2,000,000$1,865 + 0.25% over $500,000
$2,000,000 – $8,877,000$5,615 + 0.5% over $2,000,000
$8,877,000 and over$40,000 (cap)
Two things that change the number: (1) the basis is the greatest of the inventory, the gross estate for estate-tax purposes, or the Connecticut taxable estate — so non-probate assets (survivorship accounts, POD/TOD, life insurance) can count. (2) Any portion of the basis passing to a surviving spouse is reduced by 50%, which can drop you into a lower bracket.

Fiduciary & attorney fees — reasonable, not fixed

No statutory percentage: Connecticut fiduciary and attorney compensation is a reasonable amount approved by the court (Probate Court Rule 39; the Hayward v. Plant factors) — not a set percentage. Practitioners often quote roughly 2–5% depending on complexity, but the court has the final say.

Estate tax & worked totals

Connecticut has no inheritance tax, and estate tax applies only above the $15M exemption (12% flat, § 12-391). Every resident estate still files a CT estate-tax return with the Probate Court. Worked totals, no spouse reduction, professional fees at an illustrative 3.5% each:

Estate valueCourt feeFiduciary (est.)Attorney (est.)Approx. total
$300,000$1,165$10,500$10,500≈ $22,315
$600,000$2,115$21,000$21,000≈ $44,265
$1,000,000$3,115$35,000$35,000≈ $73,265

Includes $150 misc. Professional fees are illustrative at 3.5% each, not a statutory rate — family fiduciaries often waive theirs, and simple estates cost far less. The court fee column is the statutory figure. Run your own numbers in the calculator.

How to reduce Connecticut probate costs

  • Use the small estate affidavit — solely owned personal property up to $40,000, no CT real estate (§ 45a-273).
  • Leverage the spousal reduction — property passing to a surviving spouse halves that part of the fee basis.
  • Fiduciary waives the fee if a family member and beneficiary.
  • A living trust can reduce the probate estate entirely.
Facing probate in Connecticut?

A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.

Talk to a Connecticut attorney

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Connecticut Probate Cost CalculatorYour estimate + PDF Attorney Fees in ConnecticutReasonable-fee standard Court FeesThe statutory scale Executor Fee CalculatorReasonable compensation

Estimate for general guidance only, not legal or tax advice. Connecticut's Probate Court fee is set by C.G.S. § 45a-107 (sliding scale, $25 to a $40,000 cap; basis can include non-probate assets; 50% reduction for property passing to a surviving spouse). Fiduciary and attorney fees are reasonable, court-approved amounts with no statutory percentage; figures shown are illustrative. Estate-tax exemption $15M for 2026 (§ 12-391); no inheritance tax. Small estate affidavit $40,000 (§ 45a-273). Verify with the Probate Court or a licensed Connecticut attorney.