How Does The Connecticut Probate Court Work?

Also called family courts, Connecticut Probate Courts have jurisdiction over the estates of deceased persons, adoptions, testamentary trusts, conservators, the commitment of the mentally ill, guardianship, and estates of minors. In Connecticut, Probate Courts in each district have the power to do the following:

• Grant administration of intestate estates of district residents and of intestate estates of individuals not residing in Connecticut, which may be granted under Section 45a–303
• Admit wills to the probate of district residents or of nonresidents whose wills may be proved in their districts, following section 45a–287;
• Except under Section 45a–98a or as limited by an appropriate statute of limitations, determine title or rights of possession and use in tangible or intangible property, constituting all or part of a trust, decedent’s estate, or an estate under the jurisdiction of a conservator or guardian. This trust or estate is subject to the Probate Court’s jurisdiction, including the rights and responsibilities of any trust or estate beneficiary and including the rights and obligations of any joint tenant concerning survivorship property;
• Except under section 45a–98a, construe the meaning and result of:
  • Any trust or will agreement if construction is required concerning the distribution or administration of a trust or estate otherwise subject to the Probate Court jurisdiction;
  • An inter vivos trust on a petition that meets the prerequisite for a petition for accounting under subsection (b) or (c) of section 45a–175, provided that such accounting is not required;
  • A power of attorney under section 1–350o;
• Except as specified in section 45a–98a, apply the doctrine of cypres or approximation to the extent defined by section 45a–175; and call administrators, trustees, guardians, executors, conservators, and agents acting under powers of attorney created under sections 1–350 to 1–353b. This includes accounting for the estates entrusted to their charge or for other relief as provided in sections 1–350 to 1–353b, inclusive;
• Make lawful decrees or orders to effect the power and jurisdiction conferred upon the courts by the laws of the state.

Probate Courts have the power to issue an order for disclosure of relevant medical information relevant to the resolution of a matter before the court. However, any medical information filed with the court will be confidential. The order may necessitate the disclosure of the medical information to the following entities:

• The court;
• An executor, conservator, administrator, guardian, or trustee appointed by the court;
• A guardian ad litem for the party who is the subject of such medical information;
• An attorney representing the party who is the subject of the medical information;
• A physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist ordered by the court to examine such person; or
• Any other party to the proceeding specified by the court to require the medical information in the best interests of justice

In addition to the Probate Court jurisdiction, it may also serve as a passport acceptance agency, grant relief from federal firearms disability, and grant change of name (there are exceptions and limitations to this as highlighted in Sec. 45a–99)..

Each Probate Court has one judge, elected by the probate district’s electors, to serve for four years. There are 54 Probate Court districts and six Regional Children’s Probate Courts. The state law provides that probate judges must be attorneys. Probate Courts are housed in municipal facilities, most often town and city halls.

Connecticut Probate Court judges are the only members of the state judicial branch elected in partisan elections. These judges serve four-year terms, with elections held within the same cycle as gubernatorial elections.

All candidates interested in the position of a Probate Court judge must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

• Must be below 70 at the time of appointment
• Must be a citizen and resident of the United States and Connecticut
• Must be licensed to practice law in the state

Persons interested in obtaining Connecticut Probate Court records may search online via the case lookup portal provided on the court’s website. A search may be conducted with the required details specified by the portal.

The Connecticut Probate Court locations include:

Probate Courts in Fairfield County
Bridgeport Probate Court
Probate District 48
City Hall Annex, 999 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604
Phone: 203–576–3945
Fax: 203–576–7898

Danbury Probate Court
City Hall Building
155 Deer Hill Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203–797–4521
Fax: 203–796–1563

Darien - New Canaan Probate Court
Probate District 52
Town Hall, 2 Renshaw Road, Darien, CT 06820
Phone: 203–656–7342
Fax: 203–656–0774

This court serves Darien and New Canaan.
Fairfield Probate Court
Probate District 49
Independence Hall, 725 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
Phone: 203–256–3041
Fax: 203–256–3044

Greenwich Probate Court
Probate District 54
Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road, P.O. Box 2540, Greenwich, CT 06836
Phone: 203–622–7879
Fax: 203–622–6451

Northern Fairfield County Probate Court
Probate District 45
1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801
Phone: 203–794–8508
Fax: 203–778–7517

This court serves Bethel, Newtown, Redding, and Ridgefield.
Norwalk - Wilton Probate Court
Probate District 51
City Hall, 125 East Avenue, P.O. Box 2009, Norwalk, CT 06852
Phone: 203–854–7737
Fax: 203–854–7825

This court serves Norwalk and Wilton.
Shelton Probate Court
Probate District 42
40 White Street, P.O. Box 127, Shelton, CT 06484
Phone: 203–924–8462
Fax: 203–924–8943

Stamford Probate Court
Probate District 53
888 Washington Blvd, P.O. Box 10152, Stamford, CT 06904
Phone: 203–323–2149
Fax: 203–964–1830

Stratford Probate Court
Probate District 47
468 Birdseye Street, 2nd Floor, Stratford, CT 06615
Phone: 203–385–4023
Fax: 203–375–6253

Trumbull Probate Court
Probate District 46
Town Hall, 5866 Main Street, Trumbull, CT 06611
Phone: 203–452–5068
Fax: 203–452–5092

This court serves Easton, Monroe, and Trumbull.
Westport Probate Court
Probate District 50
Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Room 100, Westport, CT 06880
Phone: 203–341–1100
Fax: 203–341–1102

This court serves Weston and Westport.
Probate Courts in Hartford County
Bristol/ Plymouth/ Plainville Probate Court
Probate District 19
240 Stafford Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010
Phone: 860–584–6230
Fax: 860–584–3818

This court serves Plainville, Bristol, and Plymouth.
Berlin Probate Court
Probate District 8
One Liberty Square, P.O. Box 400, New Britain, CT 06050
Phone: 860–826–2696
Fax: 860–826–2695

This court serves New Britain and Berlin.
East Hartford Probate Court
Probate District 5
Town Hall, 740 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108
Phone: 860–291–7286
Fax: 860–291–7211

Farmington - Burlington Probate Court
Probate District 10
Farmington Town Hall, One Monteith Drive, Farmington, CT 06032
Phone: 860–675–2360
Fax: 860–673–8262

The court serves Farmington and Burlington.
Glastonbury - Hebron Probate Court
Academy Building
2143 Main St, P.O. Box 6523, Glastonbury, CT 06033
Phone: 860–652–7629
Fax: 860–368–2520

This court serves Glastonbury and Hebron.
Greater Windsor Probate Court
Probate District 4
Town Hall, 1540 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT 06074
Phone: 860–644–2511 ext. 271
Fax: 860–648–5047

The court serves East Windsor, South Windsor, and Windsor.
Hartford Probate Court
Probate District 1
250 Constitution Plaza, 3rd Floor, Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: 860–757–9150
Fax: 860–724–1503

Hartford Regional Children’s Probate Court
Probate District 60
250 Constitution Plaza, 3rd Floor, Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: 860–757–9190
Fax: 860–722–6017

Newington Probate Court
Probate District 7
66 Cedar Street, Newington, CT 06111
Phone: 860–665–1285
Fax: 860–665–1331

The court serves Newington, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield.
North Central Connecticut Probate Court
Probate District 11
820 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082
Phone: 860–253–6305
Fax: 860–253–6388

The court serves Enfield, Somers, Stafford, and Union.
Region #14 Probate Court
Probate District 14
9 Austin Drive, Suite 211, Marlborough, CT 06447
Phone: 860–295–6239
Fax: 860–295–6122

The court serves East Haddam, East Hampton, Marlborough, and Portland.
Simsbury Regional Probate Court
Probate District 9
933 Hopmeadow Street, P.O. Box 495, Simsbury, CT 06070
Phone: 860–658–3277
Fax: 860–658–3204

This court serves Avon, Canton, Granby, and Simsbury.
Tobacco Valley Probate Court
Probate District 3
Town Hall, 50 Church Street, Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Phone: 860–627–1450
Fax: 860–654–8919

This court serves Bloomfield, East Granby, Suffield, and Windsor Locks.
West Hartford Probate Court
Probate District 2
Town Hall, 50 South Main Street, Room 318, West Hartford, CT 06107
Phone: 860–561–7940
Fax: 860–561–7591

Probate Courts in Litchfield County
Housatonic Probate Court
Probate District 44
Town Hall, 10 Main Street, New Milford, CT 06776
Phone: 860–355–6029
Fax: 860–355–6024

This court serves Bridgewater, Brookfield, New Fairfield, New Milford, and Sherman.
Litchfield Hills Probate Court
Probate District 24
Town Hall, 74 West Street, P.O. Box 505, Litchfield, CT 06759
Phone: 860–567–8065
Fax: 860–567–2538

This court serves Canaan, Cornwall, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Thomaston, and Warren.
Litchfield Hills Probate Court
Probate District 24
Town Hall, 100 Pease Street, P.O. Box 849, North Canaan, CT 06018
Phone: 860–824–7012
Fax: 860–824–7428

This court serves Canaan, Cornwall, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Thomaston, and Warren.
Litchfield Hills Probate Court
Probate District 24
Town Hall, 41 Kent Green, Kent, CT 06757
Phone: 860–927–3729

This court serves Canaan, Cornwall, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Thomaston, and Warren.
Torrington Area Probate Court
Probate District 23
City Hall, 140 Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790
Phone: 860–489–2215
Fax: 860–496–5910

This court serves Barkhamsted, Colebrook, Goshen, Hartland, Torrington, Winchester (Winsted).
Probate Courts in Middlesex County
Middletown Probate Court
Probate District 15
94 Court Street, Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: 860–347–7424
Fax: 860–346–1520

This court serves Cromwell, Durham, Middlefield, and Middletown.
Saybrook Probate Court
Probate District 33
302 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Phone: 860–510–5028
Fax: 860–388–3734

This court serves Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Saybrook, and Westbrook.
Probate Courts in New Haven County
Branford - North Branford Probate Court
Probate District 35
Town Hall, 1019 Main Street, P.O. Box 150, Branford, CT 06405
Phone: 203–488–0318
Fax: 203–315–4715

The court serves Branford and North Branford.
Central Connecticut Regional Children’s Probate Court
Probate District 56
1501 East Main Street, Suite 203, Meriden, CT 06450
Phone: 203–235–1014
Fax: 203–235–1075

Cheshire - Southington Probate Court
Probate District 18
84 South Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410
Phone: 203–271–6608
Fax: 203–271–3735

This court serves Cheshire and Southington.
Connecticut Probate District 22
Probate District 22
Town Hall, 501 Main Street South, P.O. Box 720, Southbury, CT 06488
Phone: 203–262–0641
Fax: 203–264–9310

This court serves Bethlehem, Oxford, Roxbury, Southbury, Washington, Watertown, and Woodbury.
Derby Probate Court
Probate District 41
City Hall, 253 Main Street, Ansonia, CT 06401
Phone: 203–734–1277
Fax: 203–736–1434

This court serves Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, and Woodbridge.
East Haven - North Haven Probate Court
Probate District 36
Town Hall, 250 Main Street, East Haven, CT 06512
Phone: 203–468–3895
Fax: 203–468–5155

This court serves East Haven and North Haven.
Hamden - Bethany Probate Court
Probate District 37
Government Center, 2750 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518
Phone: 203–287–7082
Fax: 203–287–7087

This court serves Bethany and Hamden.
Madison - Guilford Probate Court
Probate District 34
Memorial Town Hall, 8 Meeting House Lane,
P.O. Box 1006, Madison, CT 06443
Phone: 203–245–5661
Fax: 203–245–5653

This court serves Guilford and Madison.
Meriden Probate Court
Probate District 16
City Hall, 142 East Main Street, Room 113, Meriden, CT 06450
Phone: 203–630–4150
Fax: 203–630–4043

Milford - Orange Probate Court
Probate District 40
70 West River Street, P.O. Box 414, Milford, CT 06460
Phone: 203–783–3205
Fax: 203–783–3364

This court serves Milford and Orange.
Naugatuck Probate Court
Probate District 21
Town Hall, 229 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770
Phone: 203–720–7046
Fax: 203–720–5476

This court serves Beacon Falls, Middlebury, Naugatuck, and Prospect.
New Haven Probate Court
Probate District 38
200 Orange Street, 1st Floor, P.O. Box 905, New Haven, CT 06504
Phone: 203–946–4880
Fax: 203–946–5962

New Haven Regional Children’s Probate Court
Probate District 55
873 State Street, New Haven, CT 06511
Phone: 203–773–9556
Fax: 203–773–9685

Wallingford Probate Court
Probate District 17
Town Hall, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492
Phone: 203–294–2100
Fax: 203–294–2109

Waterbury Probate Court
Probate District 20
49 Leavenworth Street, Waterbury, CT 06702
Phone: 203–755–1127
Fax: 203–597–0824

This court serves Waterbury and Wolcott.
Waterbury Regional Children’s Probate Court
Probate District 58
65 Center Street, Waterbury, CT 06702
Phone: 203–573–5080
Fax: 203–573–5088

West Haven Probate Court
Probate District 39
City Hall, 355 Main Street, West Haven, CT 06516
Phone: 203–937–3552
Fax: 203–937–3556

Probate Courts in New London County
New London Probate Court
Probate District 31
181 State Street, Room 2, P.O. Box 148, New London, CT 06320
Phone: 860–443–7121
Fax: 860–437–8155

This court serves New London and Waterford.
New London Regional Children’s Probate Court
Probate District 57
One Union Plaza, New London, CT 06320
Phone: 860–437–6253
Fax: 860–437–6259

Niantic Regional Probate Court
Probate District 32
118 Pennsylvania Avenue, P.O. Box 519, Niantic, CT 06357
Phone: 860–739–6052
Fax: 860–739–6738

This court serves East Lyme, Montville, Old Lyme, and Salem.
Norwich Probate Court
Probate District 29
City Hall, 100 Broadway, Room 122, Norwich, CT 06360
Phone: 860–887–2160
Fax: 860–887–2401

This court serves Bozrah, Franklin, Griswold, Lisbon, Norwich, Preston, Sprague, and Voluntown.
Southeastern Connecticut Probate Court
Probate District 30
Town Hall, 45 Fort Hill Road, Groton, CT 06340
Phone: 860–441–6655
Fax: 860–441–6657

This court serves Groton, Ledyard, North Stonington, and Stonington.
Probate Courts in Tolland County
Ellington Probate Court
Probate District 12
Town Hall, 14 Park Place, P.O. Box 268, Vernon, CT 06066
Phone: 860–872–0519
Fax: 860–870–5140

This court serves Ellington and Vernon.
Greater Manchester Probate Court
Probate District 13
66 Center Street, Manchester, CT 06040
Phone: 860–647–3227
Fax: 860–647–3236

This court serves Andover, Bolton, Columbia, and Manchester.
Tolland - Mansfield Probate Court
Hicks Memorial Municipal Center
Municipal Center, 21 Tolland Green, 2nd Level, Tolland, CT 06084
Phone: 860–871–3640
Fax: 860–871–3641

This court serves Coventry, Mansfield, Tolland, and Willington.
Probate Courts in Windham County
Northeast Probate Court
Probate District 26
508 Pomfret Street, P.O. Box 471, Putnam, CT 06260
Phone: 860–928–4844
Fax: 860–928–4766

The court serves Ashford, Eastford, Brooklyn, Putnam, Pomfret, Thompson, and Woodstock.
Northeast Regional Children’s Probate Court
Probate District 59
979 Main Street, P.O. Box 34, Willimantic, CT 06226
Phone: 860–450–2653
Fax: 860–450–2657

The court serves Probate Districts 25 (Tolland-Mansfield), 26 (Northeast), 27 (Plainfield-Killingly), and 28 (Windham-Colchester).
Plainfield - Killingly Probate Court
Probate District 27
Plainfield Town Hall, 8 Community Avenue, Plainfield, CT 06374
Phone: 860–230–3031
Fax: 860–564–0126

The court serves Canterbury, Killingly, Plainfield, and Sterling.
Windham - Colchester Probate Court
Probate District 28
Town Hall, 979 Main Street, P.O. Box 34, Willimantic, CT 06226
Phone: 860–465–3049
Fax: 860–465–2162
The court serves Chaplin, Colchester, Hampton, Lebanon, Scotland, and Windham.