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Connecticut Probate Timeline Calculator

Connecticut's creditor clock doesn't start at death or publication — it starts the day the Probate Court appoints a fiduciary, so a delayed filing delays everything that follows.

Based on C.G.S. § 45a-356, 45a-354 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Your Connecticut probate

Pick the options that match your estate — the estimate updates instantly.

Estimated timeline in Connecticut
6–12 months
Fiduciary appointed promptly, uncontested, no estate tax
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Connecticut's probate timeline, at a glance

MilestoneConnecticut ruleSource
Newspaper notice to creditors publishedWithin 14 days of fiduciary appointmentC.G.S. § 45a-354
Creditor claim period150 days from appointment of first fiduciaryC.G.S. § 45a-356
Fiduciary files return and list of claimsWithin 60 days after the 150-day period endsC.G.S. § 45a-378
Estate-tax return (even if no tax owed)Form CT-706 NT within 6 months of deathC.G.S. § 12-391
Small estate affidavit eligibleEstate $40,000 or lessC.G.S. § 45a-273

Connecticut probate timeline — frequently asked questions

How long does probate take in Connecticut?

Most Connecticut estates take 6 to 12 months, driven by the 150-day creditor claim period and the mandatory estate-tax return, both of which run on their own clocks separate from the date of death.

How long do Connecticut creditors have to file a claim?

150 days from the date the Probate Court appoints the first fiduciary — not the date of death and not the date of newspaper publication — under Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 45a-356.

Does every Connecticut estate have to file an estate-tax return?

Yes. Every resident decedent's estate must file a Connecticut estate-tax return within six months of death, even when the estate is well below the exemption and owes nothing — nontaxable estates use Form CT-706 NT.

Can Connecticut probate move faster than 6 months?

For a genuinely small estate, yes — a small estate affidavit is available for estates of $40,000 or less. Most other estates are shaped by the 150-day creditor window and the six-month estate-tax filing deadline regardless of size.

Connecticut probate tools & guides

Connecticut Probate DeadlinesEvery statutory date, with citations What Delays Probate in ConnecticutThe real causes, beyond the baseline Executor vs AdministratorWhich one applies to your estate Connecticut Probate vs Living TrustWould a trust have avoided this?

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Figures are based on Connecticut statute (C.G.S. § 45a-273, 45a-354, 45a-356, 45a-378, 12-391). Actual timelines depend on the specific Probate District and whether the estate is contested. Confirm current timelines with the Probate Court or a licensed Connecticut attorney before acting.