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

Telephone: 203–256–3041

Fax: 203–256–3044

Greenwich Probate Court

Probate District 54

Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road, PO 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, PO 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, PO Box 127, Shelton, CT 06484

Phone: 203–924–8462

Fax: 203–924–8943

Stamford Probate Court

Probate District 53

888 Washington Blvd, PO 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

Telephone: 860–584–6230

Fax: 860–584–3818

This court serves Plainville, Bristol, and Plymouth.

Berlin Probate Court

Probate District 8

One Liberty Square, PO Box 400, New Britain, CT 06050

Telephone: 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

Telephone: 860–291–7286

Fax: 860–291–7211

Farmington - Burlington Probate Court

Probate District 10

Farmington Town Hall, One Monteith Drive, Farmington, CT 06032

Telephone: 860–675–2360

Fax: 860–673–8262

The court serves Farmington and Burlington.

Glastonbury - Hebron Probate Court

Academy Building

2143 Main St, PO 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, PO 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, PO 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, PO 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, PO Box 150, Branford, CT 06405

Telephone: 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, PO 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

Telephone: 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, 

PO 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

Telephone: 203–630–4150

Fax: 203–630–4043

Milford - Orange Probate Court

Probate District 40

70 West River Street, PO 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, PO 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, PO 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, PO 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, PO 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, PO Box 471, Putnam, CT 06260

Telephone: 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, PO Box 34, Willimantic, CT 06226

Telephone: 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

Telephone: 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, PO Box 34, Willimantic, CT 06226

Telephone: 860–465–3049

Fax: 860–465–2162

The court serves Chaplin, Colchester, Hampton, Lebanon, Scotland, and Windham.