Sec. 45a-98. (Formerly Sec. 45-4). General powers. (a) Courts of probate in their
respective districts shall have the power to (1) grant administration of intestate estates
of persons who have died domiciled in their districts and of intestate estates of persons
not domiciled in this state which may be granted as provided by section 45a-303; (2)
admit wills to probate of persons who have died domiciled in their districts or of nondomiciliaries whose wills may be proved in their districts as provided in section 45a-287; (3) except as provided in section 45a-98a or as limited by an applicable statute of
limitations, determine title or rights of possession and use in and to any real, tangible
or intangible property that constitutes, or may constitute, all or part of any trust, any
decedent's estate, or any estate under control of a guardian or conservator, which trust
or estate is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Probate Court, including the rights
and obligations of any beneficiary of the trust or estate and including the rights and
obligations of any joint tenant with respect to survivorship property; (4) except as provided in section 45a-98a, construe the meaning and effect of any will or trust agreement
if a construction is required in connection with the administration or distribution of a
trust or estate otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Probate Court, or, with respect
to an inter vivos trust, if that trust is or could be subject to jurisdiction of the court for
an accounting pursuant to section 45a-175, provided such an accounting need not be
required; (5) except as provided in section 45a-98a, apply the doctrine of cy pres or
approximation; (6) to the extent provided for in section 45a-175, call executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, conservators, persons appointed to sell the land of minors,
and attorneys-in-fact acting under powers of attorney created in accordance with section
45a-562, to account concerning the estates entrusted to their charge; and (7) make any
lawful orders or decrees to carry into effect the power and jurisdiction conferred upon
them by the laws of this state.
(b) The jurisdiction of courts of probate to determine title or rights or to construe
instruments or to apply the doctrine of cy pres or approximation pursuant to subsection
(a) of this section is concurrent with the jurisdiction of the Superior Court and does not
affect the power of the Superior Court as a court of general jurisdiction.
(1949 Rev., S. 6813; P.A. 80-410, S. 1; 80-476, S. 2; P.A. 93-279, S. 6; P.A. 98-219, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 80-410 and P.A. 80-476 specified court power to grant administration of intestate estates and to admit
wills to probate in greater detail, extending power to estates of persons not domiciled in state or in court districts and
deleted provision re appeals from findings as to domicile; Sec. 45-4 transferred to Sec. 45a-98 in 1991; P.A. 93-279 divided
section into Subsecs. and Subdivs., adding Subdivs. (3) and (4) and making technical changes in Subdiv. (5) re jurisdiction
to determine title or rights in possession to tangible or intangible property, including rights and obligations of beneficiary
and joint tenant and jurisdiction to construe meaning and effect of will or trust agreement in certain cases and adding as
Subsec. (b) provision re concurrent jurisdiction with superior court to determine title or rights or to construe instruments;
P.A. 98-219 added provisions re application of doctrine of cy pres or approximation.
Annotations to former section 45-4:
Decrees upon matters within their jurisdiction conclusive until regularly set aside. 1 D. 172; 3 D. 326; 5 D. 217; 7 C.
23; 17 C. 392; 23 C. 8; 31 C. 422; 35 C. 359; id., 523; 38 C. 271; 48 C. 173; 50 C. 330; 64 C. 493; 76 C. 416; appointment
of guardian; 75 C. 308; determining distributees; 69 C. 64; 71 C. 122; 89 C. 421; authorizing settlement of disputed claim;
86 C. 470; approving will; 67 C. 90; 76 C. 416; limiting time for settlement of estate; 69 C. 696; removal of executor; 86
C. 281; appointing executor; 92 C. 654; requiring trustee to file an account. Id., 291. See note to Secs. 45-9, 45-20. But
court may, for certain causes, revoke its orders and correct mistakes; 13 C. 226; 35 C. 123; 36 C. 193; see 31 C. 382; but
not ordinarily; 81 C. 688; as where will is admitted to probate and estate settled and then later will is offered; 76 C. 416;
but its decree may be attacked for fraud, and it binds only parties and privies; 66 C. 140; and necessity of notice. 77 C. 77.
Distinction between want of and erroneous exercise of jurisdiction. 67 C. 185. Effect of order making allowances to widow.
69 C. 694. Effect of decree accepting account. 77 C. 70; 79 C. 555; 82 C. 33; 85 C. 279. Effect of parties uniting in request
for order. 75 C. 603. Not usual to make order unless parties request it. 15 C. 122. Courts have special and limited jurisdiction;
26 C. 273; 31 C. 383; 34 C. 446; 92 C. 26; id., 657; 93 C. 405; 120 C. 409. A will cannot confer jurisdiction. 69 C. 708.
It cannot give jurisdiction over estate of nonresident; at least a prima facie showing of property here is necessary. 76 C.
118; 83 C. 240. Mutual distribution does not end power of court. 72 C. 555. Entire settlement of estates appertains to courts
of probate. 7 C. 307; Id., 315; 8 C. 281; 24 C. 246; 31 C. 279; 33 C. 512; 36 C. 294; 43 C. 75; 49 C. 580. Has chancery
powers on matters within its jurisdiction. 8 C. 281; 9 C. 182; 10 C. 121; 27 C. 250; 37 C. 197; 41 C. 559. But court cannot
determine equities between distributees and strangers arising after distribution. 69 C. 701; 82 C. 308. It cannot pass on
contract between persons entitled to estate. 44 C. 327. Cannot allow claims against estate of insolvent. 10 C. 238. Cannot
try question of title. 35 C. 114; 53 C. 37; 84 C. 560; But see 71 C. 129. Incidental power to construe will. 70 C. 364; 71
C. 122. If there is doubt as to validity of trust, court should appoint trustee. 74 C. 601; 77 C. 705. Power to pass on fulfillment
of condition of bequest. 67 C. 385. Power to pass on antenuptial agreement claimed to bar dower. 66 C. 133. Effect of
decrees determining rights not ordinarily within jurisdiction. 71 C. 129. Cannot decree forfeiture under conditions of will.
35 C. 210. Can make order terminating trust and directing payment of money. 82 C. 558; But see 93 C. 406. Jurisdiction
not presumed; must appear of record. 86 C. 351. Power of legislature to set aside decree and order new hearing. 3 Dal.
386. Location of estate is not material upon issue of jurisdiction of court to grant administration of estates of persons who
died domiciled in district. 115 C. 301. In ascertaining distributees, probate court has jurisdiction to answer the question
of whether the doctrine of approximation is applicable. 139 C. 435. Cited. 143 C. 662. Probate court has only such jurisdiction as is expressly or by necessary implication conferred by statute. 148 C. 642; 153 C. 603, 614. Cited. 150 C. 565; 152
C. 528. The superior court, on an appeal from probate, sits as, and has no greater power than, a court of probate. 153 C.
603, 614. Cited. 155 C. 417; 158 C. 294. Cited. 204 C. 303.
Cited. 6 CA 530.
Where doings of commissioners, appointed to decide claims, were vacated by the taking of an appeal, a decree reopening
the commission, when the appeal was discontinued, was a valid exercise of the inherent power of the probate court. 18 CS
202. Court is one of limited jurisdiction and may only exercise such powers, including equitable power, as is derived from
statutes. 22 CS 80. Probate court is the only tribunal competent to decide question of due execution of a will. 23 CS 101.
Order to ancillary trustee in Connecticut to transfer trust assets here to trustee outside state is within jurisdiction of probate
court. 28 CS 499, 501. Cited. 39 CS 157, 158.
Annotations to present section:
Cited. 44 CS 592.
Subsec. (b):
Section is a declaration that Probate Court and Superior Court are to have concurrent jurisdiction over matters involving
title and rights to property. 50 CA 132.
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Sec. 45a-98a. Jurisdiction of Probate Court to determine title or rights or to
construe instruments. Limitations. Affidavit of intent to claim jury trial, effect
on Probate Court proceedings. (a) The Probate Court shall have jurisdiction under
subdivision (3), (4) or (5) of subsection (a) of section 45a-98 only if (1) the matter in
dispute is not pending in another court of competent jurisdiction and (2) the Probate
Court does not decline jurisdiction. Before the initial hearing on the merits of a matter
in dispute in which jurisdiction is based on subdivision (3), (4) or (5) of subsection (a)
of section 45a-98, the Probate Court may, on its own motion, decline to take jurisdiction
of the matter in dispute. Before the initial hearing on the merits of such a matter, any
interested person may file an affidavit that such person is entitled and intends under
section 52-215 to claim a trial of the matter by jury. In that case, the Probate Court shall
allow the person filing the affidavit a period of sixty days within which to bring an
appropriate civil action in the Superior Court to resolve the matter in dispute. If such
an action is brought in the Superior Court, the matter, after determination by the Superior
Court, shall be returned to the Probate Court for completion of the Probate Court proceedings.
(b) If a party fails to file an affidavit of intent to claim a jury trial prior to the initial
hearing in the Probate Court on the merits, or having filed such an affidavit, fails to
bring an action in the Superior Court within the sixty-day period allowed by the Probate
Court, the party shall be deemed to have consented to a hearing on the matter in the
Probate Court and to have waived any right under section 52-215 or other applicable
law to a trial by jury.
(P.A. 93-279, S. 7; P.A. 98-219, S. 5.)
History: P.A. 98-219 amended Subsec. (a) by adding references to Sec. 45a-98(a)(5).
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 44 CS 592.
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Sec. 45a-98b. Power to issue order for disclosure of relevant medical information. In any proceeding before a court of probate, the court may issue an order for the
disclosure of medical information relevant to the determination of the matter before the
court. The order may require the disclosure of such medical information to: (1) The
court; (2) any executor, administrator, conservator, guardian or trustee appointed by the
court; (3) any attorney representing the individual who is the subject of such medical
information; (4) any guardian ad litem for the individual who is the subject of such
medical information; (5) any physician, psychiatrist or psychologist who has been ordered by the court to conduct an examination of such individual; or (6) any other party
to the proceeding determined by the court to require such medical information in the
interests of justice. Any such medical information filed with the court shall be confidential.
(P.A. 04-142, S. 7.)
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Sec. 45a-99. Jurisdiction to grant change of name. Exceptions. Requirements
re persons required to register with Commissioner of Public Safety as a sexual
offender. Commissioner's standing to challenge change of name. (a) The courts of
probate shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the Superior Court, as provided in section
52-11, to grant a change of name, except a change of name granted in accordance with
subsection (a) of section 46b-63, except that no court of probate may issue an order or
otherwise allow for the change of name of a person who is required to register with the
Commissioner of Public Safety as a sexual offender unless such person complies with
the requirements of subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section.
(b) (1) Any person who is required to register with the Commissioner of Public
Safety as a sexual offender who files an application with the Court of Probate for a
change of name shall (A) prior to filing such application, notify the Commissioner of
Public Safety, on such form as the commissioner may prescribe, that the person intends
to file an application for a change of name, indicating the change of name sought, and
(B) include with such application a sworn statement that such change of name is not
being sought for the purpose of avoiding the legal consequences of a criminal conviction,
including, but not limited to, a criminal conviction that requires such person to register
as a sexual offender.
(2) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall have standing to challenge such person's application for a change of name in the court of probate where such change of
name is sought. The commissioner shall challenge the change of name through the
Attorney General. The court of probate may deny such person's application for a change
of name if the court finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the person is applying
for such change of name for the purpose of avoiding the legal consequences of a criminal
conviction.
(c) Whenever the court, pursuant to this section, orders a change of name of a person,
the court shall notify the Commissioner of Public Safety of the issuance of such order
if the court finds that such person is listed in the registry established and maintained
pursuant to section 54-257.
(P.A. 78-33, S. 1; P.A. 80-476, S. 100; P.A. 91-10; P.A. 03-202, S. 18; P.A. 08-54, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 80-476 rephrased provision, moving exception from beginning of section to its end; Sec. 45-29v transferred
to Sec. 45-3b in 1987; Sec. 45-3b transferred to Sec. 45a-99 in 1991; P.A. 91-10 added "subsection (a) of" before "section
46b-63"; P.A. 03-202 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re notice to Commissioner of
Public Safety; P.A. 08-54 amended Subsec. (a) to add exception re person required to register with Commissioner of Public
Safety as a sexual offender, inserted new Subsec. (b) re requirements for sexual offender who files application and standing
of commissioner to challenge change of name, and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c), effective May 12, 2008.
See Secs. 45a-736, 45a-737 re change of name of adopted persons.
See Secs. 46b-1(6), 52-11 re jurisdiction of Superior Court concerning complaints for change of name.
Annotation to former section 45-3b:
Cited. 17 CA 627.
Annotation to present section:
When the question presented is whether name of a minor child should be changed, the court, in line with its universal
duty to protect the interests of minors, must take into consideration whether the change of name will promote the child's
best welfare. 48 CS 647.
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Secs. 45a-100 to 45a-104. Reserved for future use.
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