Chapter 801b

Sec. 45a-105. Uniform fees in Probate Courts. The fees charged by Probate Courts shall be uniform for all of the probate districts established by law. Fees shall be assessed in accordance with sections 45a-106a, 45a-107, 45a-108a and 45a-109 to 45a-112, inclusive.

(P.A. 90-146, S. 1; P.A. 12-45, S. 1; P.A. 13-199, S. 4; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 447.)

History: P.A. 12-45 substituted “fees” for “costs”, effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 13-199 substituted “probate courts” for “courts of probate”, effective January 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 deleted reference to Sec. 45a-106, added references to Secs. 45a-106a, 45a-107, 45a-108a and 45a-109 and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2015.

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Sec. 45a-106. Entry fees. Basic fees other than for decedent's estates and fiduciary accountings. Fee for motion to appear pro hac vice. Section 45a-106 is repealed, effective January 1, 2016.

(P.A. 90-146, S. 2; P.A. 93-279, S. 8, 20; P.A. 97-93, S. 1, 3; P.A. 03-188, S. 2; P.A. 05-10, S. 18; 05-288, S. 240; P.A. 10-184, S. 5; P.A. 12-45, S. 2; P.A. 13-199, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 522.)

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Sec. 45a-106a. *(See end of section for amended version and effective date.) Fees in matters other than decedent's estate and fiduciary accountings. (a) The fees set forth in this section apply to each filing made in a Probate Court in any matter other than a decedent's estate.

(b) The fee to file each of the following motions, petitions or applications in a Probate Court is two hundred fifty dollars:

(1) With respect to a minor child: (A) Appoint a temporary guardian, temporary custodian, guardian, coguardian, permanent guardian or statutory parent, (B) remove a guardian, including the appointment of another guardian, (C) reinstate a parent as guardian, (D) terminate parental rights, including the appointment of a guardian or statutory parent, (E) grant visitation, (F) make findings regarding special immigrant juvenile status, (G) approve placement of a child for adoption outside this state, (H) approve an adoption, (I) validate a foreign adoption, (J) review, modify or enforce a cooperative postadoption agreement, (K) review an order concerning contact between an adopted child and his or her siblings, (L) resolve a dispute concerning a standby guardian, (M) approve a plan for voluntary services provided by the Department of Children and Families, (N) determine whether the termination of voluntary services provided by the Department of Children and Families is in accordance with applicable regulations, (O) conduct an in-court review to modify an order, (P) grant emancipation, (Q) grant approval to marry, (R) transfer funds to a custodian under sections 45a-557 to 45a-560b, inclusive, (S) appoint a successor custodian under section 45a-559c, (T) resolve a dispute concerning custodianship under sections 45a-557 to 45a-560b, inclusive, and (U) grant authority to purchase real estate;

(2) Determine parentage;

(3) Validate a genetic surrogacy agreement;

(4) Determine the age and date of birth of an adopted person born outside the United States;

(5) With respect to adoption records: (A) Appoint a guardian ad litem for a biological relative who cannot be located or appears to be incompetent, (B) appeal the refusal of an agency to release information, (C) release medical information when required for treatment, and (D) grant access to an original birth certificate;

(6) Approve an adult adoption;

(7) With respect to a conservatorship: (A) Appoint a temporary conservator, conservator or special limited conservator, (B) change residence, terminate a tenancy or lease, sell or dispose household furnishings, or place in a long-term care facility, (C) determine competency to vote, (D) approve a support allowance for a spouse, (E) grant authority to elect the spousal share, (F) grant authority to purchase real estate, (G) give instructions regarding administration of a joint asset or liability, (H) distribute gifts, (I) grant authority to consent to involuntary medication, (J) determine whether informed consent has been given for voluntary admission to a hospital for psychiatric disabilities, (K) determine life-sustaining medical treatment, (L) transfer to or from another state, (M) modify the conservatorship in connection with a periodic review, (N) excuse accounts under rules of procedure approved by the Supreme Court under section 45a-78, (O) terminate the conservatorship, and (P) grant a writ of habeas corpus;

(8) With respect to a power of attorney: (A) Compel an account by an agent, (B) review the conduct of an agent, (C) construe the power of attorney, and (D) mandate acceptance of the power of attorney;

(9) Resolve a dispute concerning advance directives or life-sustaining medical treatment when the individual does not have a conservator or guardian;

(10) With respect to an elderly person, as defined in section 17b-450: (A) Enjoin an individual from interfering with the provision of protective services to such elderly person, and (B) authorize the Commissioner of Social Services to enter the premises of such elderly person to determine whether such elderly person needs protective services;

(11) With respect to an adult with intellectual disability: (A) Appoint a temporary limited guardian, guardian or standby guardian, (B) grant visitation, (C) determine competency to vote, (D) modify the guardianship in connection with a periodic review, (E) determine life-sustaining medical treatment, (F) approve an involuntary placement, (G) review an involuntary placement, (H) authorize a guardian to manage the finances of such adult, and (I) grant a writ of habeas corpus;

(12) With respect to psychiatric disability: (A) Commit an individual for treatment, (B) issue a warrant for examination of an individual at a general hospital, (C) determine whether there is probable cause to continue an involuntary confinement, (D) review an involuntary confinement for possible release, (E) authorize shock therapy, (F) authorize medication for treatment of psychiatric disability, (G) review the status of an individual under the age of sixteen as a voluntary patient, and (H) recommit an individual under the age of sixteen for further treatment;

(13) With respect to drug or alcohol dependency: (A) Commit an individual for treatment, (B) recommit an individual for further treatment, and (C) terminate an involuntary confinement;

(14) With respect to tuberculosis: (A) Commit an individual for treatment, (B) issue a warrant to enforce an examination order, and (C) terminate an involuntary confinement;

(15) Compel an account by the trustee of an inter vivos trust, custodian under sections 45a-557 to 45a-560b, inclusive, or treasurer of an ecclesiastical society or cemetery association;

(16) With respect to a testamentary or inter vivos trust: (A) Construe, validate, divide, combine, reform, modify or terminate the trust, (B) enforce the provisions of a pet trust, (C) excuse a final account under rules of procedure approved by the Supreme Court under section 45a-78, and (D) assume jurisdiction of an out-of-state trust;

(17) Authorize a fiduciary to establish a trust;

(18) Appoint a trustee for a missing person;

(19) Change a person's name;

(20) Issue an order to amend the birth certificate of an individual born in another state to reflect a gender change;

(21) Require the Department of Public Health to issue a delayed birth certificate;

(22) Compel the board of a cemetery association to disclose the minutes of the annual meeting;

(23) Issue an order to protect a grave marker;

(24) Restore rights to purchase, possess and transport firearms;

(25) Issue an order permitting sterilization of an individual;

(26) Approve the transfer of structured settlement payment rights; and

(27) With respect to any case in a Probate Court other than a decedent's estate: (A) Compel or approve an action by the fiduciary, (B) give instruction to the fiduciary, (C) authorize a fiduciary to compromise a claim, (D) list, sell or mortgage real property, (E) determine title to property, (F) resolve a dispute between cofiduciaries or among fiduciaries, (G) remove a fiduciary, (H) appoint a successor fiduciary or fill a vacancy in the office of fiduciary, (I) approve fiduciary or attorney's fees, (J) apply the doctrine of cy pres or approximation, (K) reconsider, modify or revoke an order, and (L) decide an action on a probate bond.

(c) The fee to file a petition for custody of the remains of a deceased person in a Probate Court is one hundred fifty dollars, except that the court shall waive the fee if the state is obligated to pay funeral and burial expenses under section 17b-84 or 17b-131.

(d) The fee for a fiduciary to request the release of funds from a restricted account in a Probate Court is one hundred fifty dollars, except that the court shall waive the fee if the court approves the request without notice and hearing in accordance with the rules of procedure adopted by the Supreme Court under section 45a-78.

(e) The fee to register a conservator of the person or conservator of the estate order from another state under section 45a-667r or 45a-667s, or to register both types of orders for the same person at the same time, is one hundred fifty dollars.

(f) The fee for mediation conducted by a member of the panel established by the Probate Court Administrator is three hundred fifty dollars per day or part thereof.

(g) The fee to request a continuance in a Probate Court is fifty dollars, plus the actual expenses of rescheduling the hearing that are payable under section 45a-109, except that the court, for cause shown, may waive either the fifty-dollar fee or the actual expenses of rescheduling the hearing, or both. The fee shall be payable by the party who requests the continuance of a scheduled hearing or whose failure to appear necessitates the continuance.

(h) The fee to file a motion to permit an attorney who has not been admitted as an attorney under the provisions of section 51-80 to appear pro hac vice in a matter in the Probate Court is two hundred fifty dollars.

(i) The fee to file an affidavit concerning the possessions and personal effects of a deceased occupant under section 47a-11d is one hundred fifty dollars.

(j) Except as provided in subsection (d) of section 45a-111, fees imposed under this section shall be paid at the time of filing.

(k) If a statute or rule of procedure approved by the Supreme Court under section 45a-78 specifies filings that may be combined into a single motion, petition or application, the fee under this section for the combined filing is the amount equal to the largest of the individual filing fees applicable to the underlying motions, petitions or applications.

(l) No fee shall be charged under this section if exempted or waived under section 45a-111 or any other provision of the general statutes.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 449; P.A. 16-7, S. 4; P.A. 17-136, S. 9; P.A. 18-45, S. 2; P.A. 19-47, S. 4; P.A. 21-15, S. 99; 21-100, S. 1, 2.)

*Note: On and after July 1, 2023, this section, as amended by section 52 of public act 22-26, is to read as follows:

“Sec. 45a-106a. Fees in matters other than decedent's estate and fiduciary accountings. (a) The fees set forth in this section apply to each filing made in a Probate Court in any matter other than a decedent's estate.

(b) The fee to file each of the following motions, petitions or applications in a Probate Court is two hundred fifty dollars:

(2) Determine parentage;

(3) Validate a genetic surrogacy agreement;

(4) Determine the age and date of birth of an adopted person born outside the United States;

(6) Approve an adult adoption;

(9) Resolve a dispute concerning advance directives or life-sustaining medical treatment when the individual does not have a conservator or guardian;

(13) With respect to drug or alcohol dependency: (A) Commit an individual for treatment, (B) recommit an individual for further treatment, and (C) terminate an involuntary confinement;

(14) With respect to tuberculosis: (A) Commit an individual for treatment, (B) issue a warrant to enforce an examination order, and (C) terminate an involuntary confinement;

(15) Compel an account by the trustee of an inter vivos trust, custodian under sections 45a-557 to 45a-560b, inclusive, or treasurer of an ecclesiastical society or cemetery association;

(17) Authorize a fiduciary to establish a trust;

(18) Appoint a trustee for a missing person;

(19) Change a person's name;

(20) Issue an order to amend the birth certificate of an individual born in another state to reflect a gender change;

(21) Require the Department of Public Health to issue a delayed birth certificate;

(22) Compel the board of a cemetery association to disclose the minutes of the annual meeting;

(23) Issue an order to protect a grave marker;

(24) Restore rights to purchase, possess and transport firearms;

(25) Issue an order permitting sterilization of an individual;

(26) Approve the transfer of structured settlement payment rights; and

(f) The fee for mediation conducted by a member of the panel established by the Probate Court Administrator is three hundred fifty dollars per day or part thereof.

(i) The fee to file an affidavit concerning the possessions and personal effects of a deceased occupant under section 47a-11d is one hundred fifty dollars.

(j) The fee for the issuance of a foreign subpoena pursuant to section 52-657 is one hundred dollars.

(k) Except as provided in subsection (d) of section 45a-111, fees imposed under this section shall be paid at the time of filing.

(l) If a statute or rule of procedure approved by the Supreme Court under section 45a-78 specifies filings that may be combined into a single motion, petition or application, the fee under this section for the combined filing is the amount equal to the largest of the individual filing fees applicable to the underlying motions, petitions or applications.

(m) No fee shall be charged under this section if exempted or waived under section 45a-111 or any other provision of the general statutes.”

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 449; P.A. 16-7, S. 4; P.A. 17-136, S. 9; P.A. 18-45, S. 2; P.A. 19-47, S. 4; P.A. 21-15, S. 99; 21-100, S. 1, 2; P.A. 22-26, S. 52.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 effective January 1, 2016; P.A. 16-7 amended Subsec. (b)(1), (6), (8) and (9) by adding references to motions, petitions and applications subject to $225 filing fee, amended Subsec. (b)(14) by adding and deleting references to motions, petitions or applications relating to testamentary or inter vivos trust that are subject to $225 filing fee, and made conforming changes; P.A. 17-136 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “January 1, 2016” with “January 1, 2018”, amended Subsec. (b) by adding new Subdiv. (7) re power of attorney, redesignating existing Subdivs. (7) to (23) as Subdivs. (8) to (24), amending redesignated Subdiv. (10) by adding new Subpara. (H) re authorizing guardian to manage finances of adult and redesignating existing Subpara. (H) re granting writ of habeas corpus as Subpara. (I), amending redesignated Subdiv. (14) by deleting “attorney-in-fact,”, adding Subdiv. (25) re approving transfer of structured settlement payment rights, redesignating existing Subdiv. (24) as Subdiv. (26) and making technical changes, added new Subsec. (e) re fee to register conservator of person or conservator of estate order from another state, redesignated existing Subsecs. (e) to (j) as Subsecs. (f) to (k), effective January 1, 2018; P.A. 18-45 deleted “on or after January 1, 2018,” in Subsec. (a), added new Subsec. (i) re $150 fee for filing affidavit concerning possessions and personal effects of deceased occupant, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (i) to (k) as Subsecs. (j) to (l), effective January 1, 2019; P.A. 19-47 amended Subsec. (b) by increasing filing fees from $225 to $250 and making a technical change in Subdiv. (9), effective July 1, 2019; P.A. 21-15 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “paternity” with “parentage” in Subdiv. (2), adding new Subdiv. (3) re validating genetic surrogacy agreement and redesignating Subdivs. (3) to (26) as Subdivs. (4) to (27), effective January 1, 2022; P.A. 21-100 amended Subsec. (b) by applying Subdiv. (15)(A), codified by the Revisors as Subdiv. (16)(A), to validation, combination or modification of trust and further amending Subdiv. to add Subpara. (D) re assuming jurisdiction of out-of-state trust, and deleting “advice or” in Subdiv. (26), codified by the Revisors as Subdiv. (27), and amended Subsec. (c) by adding reference to Sec. 17b-131, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-26 added new Subsec. (j) re $100 fee for issuance of a foreign subpoena pursuant to Sec. 52-657 and redesignated existing Subsecs. (j) to (l) as Subsecs. (k) to (m), effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 45a-107. Fees and expenses for settlement of decedent's estate. Interest on unpaid fees. Exception. (a) The basic fees for all proceedings in the settlement of the estate of any deceased person, including succession and estate tax proceedings, shall be in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(b) In the case of a decedent who dies on or after July 1, 2016, fees shall be computed as follows:

(1) The basis for fees shall be (A) the greatest of (i) the gross estate for succession tax purposes, as provided in section 12-349, (ii) the inventory, including all supplements thereto, (iii) the Connecticut taxable estate, as defined in section 12-391, or (iv) the gross estate for estate tax purposes, as provided in chapters 217 and 218, except as provided in subdivisions (5) and (6) of this subsection, plus (B) all damages recovered for injuries resulting in death, minus any hospital and medical expenses for treatment of such injuries resulting in death, minus any hospital and medical expenses for treatment of such injuries that are not reimbursable by medical insurance, and minus the attorney's fees and other costs and expenses of recovering such damages. Any portion of the basis for fees that is determined by property passing to the surviving spouse shall be reduced by fifty per cent. Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, in no case shall the minimum fee be less than twenty-five dollars.

(2) Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, fees shall be assessed in accordance with the following table:

Basis for Computation Of Fees	Total Fee
0 to $500	$25
$501 to $1,000	$50
$1,000 to $10,000	$50, plus 1% of all
	in excess of $1,000
$10,000 to $500,000	$150, plus .35% of all
	in excess of $10,000
$500,000 to $2,000,000	$1,865, plus .25% of all
	in excess of $500,000
$2,000,000 to $8,877,000	$5,615, plus .5% of all
	in excess of $2,000,000
$8,877,000 and over	$40,000

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, if the basis for fees is less than ten thousand dollars and a full estate is opened, the minimum fee shall be one hundred fifty dollars.

(4) In any matter in which the Commissioner of Administrative Services is the legal representative of the estate pursuant to section 4a-16, the fee shall be the lesser of (A) the amount calculated under subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, or (B) the amount collected by the Commissioner of Administrative Services after paying the expense of funeral and burial in accordance with section 17b-84 or 17b-131.

(5) In the case of a deceased person who was domiciled in this state on the date of his or her death, the gross estate for estate tax purposes shall, for the purpose of determining the basis for fees pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, be reduced by the fair market value of any real property or tangible personal property of the deceased person situated outside of this state.

(6) In the case of a deceased person who was not domiciled in this state on the date of his or her death but who owned real property or tangible personal property situated in this state on the date of his or her death, only the fair market value of such real property or tangible personal property situated in this state shall be included in the basis for fees pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(c) In the case of a decedent who dies on or after January 1, 2015, and prior to July 1, 2016, fees shall be computed as follows:

(2) Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, fees shall be assessed in accordance with the following table:

Basis for Computation Of Fees	Total Fee
0 to $500	$25
$501 to $1,000	$50
$1,000 to $10,000	$50, plus 1% of all
	in excess of $1,000
$10,000 to $500,000	$150, plus .35% of all
	in excess of $10,000
$500,000 to $2,000,000	$1,865, plus .25% of all
	in excess of $500,000
$2,000,000 and over	$5,615, plus .5% of all
	in excess of $2,000,000

(d) For estates in which proceedings were commenced on or after January 1, 2011, for decedents who died before January 1, 2015, fees shall be computed as follows:

(2) Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, fees shall be assessed in accordance with the following table:

Basis for Computation Of Fees	Total Fee
0 to $500	$25
$501 to $1,000	$50
$1,000 to $10,000	$50, plus 1% of all
	in excess of $1,000
$10,000 to $500,000	$150, plus .35% of all
	in excess of $10,000
$500,000 to $4,754,000	$1,865, plus .25% of all
	in excess of $500,000
$4,754,000 and over	$12,500

(e) For estates in which proceedings were commenced on or after April 1, 1998, and prior to January 1, 2011, fees shall be computed as follows:

(1) The basis for fees shall be (A) the gross estate for succession tax purposes, as provided in section 12-349, the inventory, including all supplements thereto, the Connecticut taxable estate, as defined in section 12-391, or the gross estate for estate tax purposes, as provided in chapters 217 and 218, whichever is greater, plus (B) all damages recovered for injuries resulting in death, minus any hospital and medical expenses for treatment of such injuries resulting in death, minus any hospital and medical expenses for treatment of such injuries that are not reimbursable by medical insurance and minus the attorney's fees and other costs and expenses of recovering such damages. Any portion of the basis for fees that is determined by property passing to the surviving spouse shall be reduced by fifty per cent. Except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, in no case shall the minimum fee be less than twenty-five dollars.

(2) Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, fees shall be assessed in accordance with the following table:

Basis for Computation Of Fees	Total Fee
0 to $500	$25
$501 to $1,000	$50
$1,000 to $10,000	$50, plus 1% of all
	in excess of $1,000
$10,000 to $500,000	$150, plus .35% of all
	in excess of $10,000
$500,000 to $4,754,000	$1,865, plus .25% of all
	in excess of $500,000
$4,754,000 and over	$12,500

(4) In estates where the gross taxable estate is less than six hundred thousand dollars, in which no succession tax return is required to be filed, a probate fee of .1 per cent shall be charged against non-solely-owned real estate, in addition to any other fees computed under this section.

(f) A fee of fifty dollars shall be payable to the court by any creditor applying to the Probate Court pursuant to section 45a-364 for consideration of a claim. If such claim is allowed by the court, the court may order the fiduciary to reimburse the amount of such fee from the estate.

(g) A fee of fifty dollars, plus the actual expenses of rescheduling the adjourned hearing that are payable under section 45a-109, shall be payable to the court by any party who requests an adjournment of a scheduled hearing or whose failure to appear necessitates an adjournment, except that the court, for cause shown, may waive either the fifty-dollar fee or the actual expenses of rescheduling the adjourned hearing, or both.

(h) A fee of two hundred fifty dollars shall be payable to the Probate Court by a petitioner filing a motion to permit an attorney who has not been admitted as an attorney under the provisions of section 51-80 to appear pro hac vice in a matter in the Probate Court.

(i) A fee of fifty dollars shall be payable to the Probate Court by a petitioner filing a petition to open a safe deposit box under section 45a-277 or 45a-284.

(j) A fee of fifty dollars shall be payable to the Probate Court by a petitioner filing a petition for appointment of an estate examiner under section 45a-317a.

(k) The fee for mediation conducted by a member of the panel established by the Probate Court Administrator is three hundred fifty dollars per day or part thereof.

(l) Except as provided in subsections (f) to (k), inclusive, of this section, in no event shall any fee exceed (1) ten thousand dollars for any estate in which proceedings were commenced prior to April 1, 1998, (2) twelve thousand five hundred dollars for any estate in which proceedings were commenced on or after April 1, 1998, for decedents dying before January 1, 2015, and (3) forty thousand dollars for decedents dying on or after July 1, 2016. Fees calculated in accordance with subsection (c) of this section for the estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2015, and prior to July 1, 2016, shall not be subject to a maximum amount.

(m) In the case of decedents who die on or after January 1, 2011:

(1) Any fees assessed under this section that are not paid within thirty days of the date of an invoice from the Probate Court shall bear interest at the rate of one-half of one per cent per month or portion thereof until paid;

(2) If a tax return or a copy of a tax return required under subparagraph (D) of subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of section 12-392 is not filed with a Probate Court by the due date for such return or copy under subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 12-392 or by the date an extension under subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 12-392 expires, the fees that would have been due under this section if such return or copy had been filed by such due date or expiration date shall bear interest at the rate of one-half of one per cent per month or portion thereof from the date that is thirty days after such due date or expiration date, whichever is later, until paid. If a return or copy is filed with a Probate Court on or before such due date or expiration date, whichever is later, the fees assessed shall bear interest as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection. No interest shall accrue under this subdivision on any portion of the fees that are based on damages recovered for injuries resulting in death;

(3) A Probate Court may extend the time for payment of any fees under this section, including interest, if it appears to the court that requiring payment by such due date or expiration date would cause undue hardship. No additional interest shall accrue during the period of such extension. A Probate Court may not waive interest outside of any extension period;

(4) The interest requirements in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection shall not apply if:

(A) The basis for fees for the estate does not exceed forty thousand dollars; or

(B) The basis for fees for the estate does not exceed five hundred thousand dollars and any portion of the property included in the basis for fees passes to a surviving spouse.

(P.A. 90-146, S. 3; P.A. 93-279, S. 9, 20; P.A. 94-66, S. 1, 3; P.A. 97-93, S. 2, 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3, S. 56; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5, S. 15; P.A. 10-184, S. 1; P.A. 11-6, S. 119; P.A. 12-45, S. 3; P.A. 13-81, S. 19; 13-199, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 448; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 193; P.A. 17-48, S. 11, 12; P.A. 18-45, S. 3; P.A. 21-100, S. 3, 4.)

History: P.A. 93-279 added Subsec. (b) re computation of costs for estates commenced on or after July 1, 1993, relettered remaining Subsecs. and added Subsecs. (e) and (f) re additional charges of $25 for more than one hearing or if total time of hearing exceeds one hour payable by estate or any interested party at the discretion of the court, Subsec. (g) re charge of $100 payable to court by creditor applying pursuant to Sec. 45a-101 for consideration of a claim, Subsec. (h) re charge of $50 for appeal payable by appellant and Subsec. (i) re charge of $50 plus actual costs for rescheduling hearing and increased maximum amount of any fee from $7,500 to $10,000, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-66 amended Subsec. (g) to reduce the charge payable by a creditor from $100 to $50 and make the charge applicable to applications made pursuant to Sec. 45a-364, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 97-93 amended Subsec. (a) to add estate tax proceedings and added new Subsec. (b) to increase entry fees and basic costs for estates in which proceedings commenced on or after April 1, 1998, redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) to (j), inclusive, as Subsecs. (c) to (k), inclusive, and amended Subsec. (k) to add maximum fee of $12,500 for any estate in which proceedings were commenced on or after April 1, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3 amended Subsec. (b)(1) by replacing “gross estate” with “Connecticut taxable estate” as a basis for costs, effective June 30, 2005, and applicable to estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2005; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5 amended Subsec. (b)(1) by adding the gross estate as another basis for costs, effective July 1, 2005, and applicable to estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2005; P.A. 10-184 added new Subsec. (b) re costs for estates in which proceedings commenced on or after January 1, 2011, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c) and amended same to make provisions applicable to proceedings commenced prior to January 1, 2011, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) to (h) as Subsecs. (d) to (i), deleted former Subsec. (i) re $50 charge for appeal, added Subsec. (l) re interest requirements for decedents who die on or after January 1, 2011, and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2011; P.A. 11-6 made a technical change in Subsec. (l)(2), effective May 4, 2011, and applicable to estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2011; P.A. 12-45 substituted “fees” and “expenses” for “costs” and “charge”, amended Subsec. (b) to add reference to Subdiv. (4) re exception in Subdivs. (1)(B) and (2), add new Subdiv. (4) re matter in which Commissioner of Administrative Services is legal representative of estate and redesignate existing Subdivs. (4) and (5) as Subdivs. (5) and (6), deleted former Subsec. (f) re proceedings commenced prior to July 1, 1983, deleted former Subsecs. (g) and (h) re fees for additional hearings or hearings that exceed 1 hour, redesignated existing Subsecs. (i) to (l) as Subsecs. (f) to (i), amended redesignated Subsec. (g) to add provision re expenses payable under Sec. 45a-109 and add “for cause shown” re waiver of fee and expenses, and made technical and conforming changes, effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 13-81 amended Subsec. (f) to delete reference to Sec. 45a-401 and make a technical change, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 13-199 substituted references to probate court for references to court of probate, deleted former Subsec. (d) re estates in which proceedings were commenced on or after July 1, 1993, and prior to April 1, 1998, deleted former Subsec. (e) re estates in which proceedings were commenced on or after July 1, 1983, and prior to July 1, 1993, redesignated existing Subsecs. (f) and (g) as Subsecs. (d) and (e), added new Subsec. (f) re fee of $250 payable by petitioner filing motion to appear pro hac vice, redesignated existing Subsecs. (h) and (i) as Subsecs. (g) and (h), and amended redesignated Subsec. (g) to add exception re Subsecs. (d), (e) and (f), effective January 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 added new Subsec. (b) re fees for decedent who dies on or after January 1, 2015, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c) and made same applicable to decedents who died before January 1, 2015, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) to (f) as Subsecs. (d) to (g), added new Subsec. (h) re $50 filing fee for petition to open safe deposit box, added Subsec. (i) re $50 filing fee for petition for appointment of estate examiner, added Subsec. (j) re $350 fee for mediation, redesignated existing Subsec. (g) as Subsec. (k) and amended same by substituting “(e) to (j), inclusive,” for “(d), (e) and (f)” and by adding “for decedents dying before January 1, 2015” and redesignated existing Subsec. (h) as Subsec. (l) and amended same by making technical changes, effective July 1, 2015; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 added new Subsec. (b) re fees for decedent who dies on or after July 1, 2016, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c) and amended same to add “and prior to July 1, 2016,”, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) to (l) as Subsecs. (d) to (m), amended redesignated Subsec. (l) by adding Subdiv. (3) re fees not exceeding $40,000 for decedents dying on or after July 1, 2016, and fees calculated in accordance with Subsec. (c) not subject to maximum amount, and made technical and conforming changes, effective June 2, 2016; P.A. 17-48 made technical changes in Subsecs. (b)(2) and (c)(2); P.A. 18-45 amended Subsec. (m)(3) by adding provision re interest not to accrue on portion of fees based on damages recovered for injuries resulting in death, effective January 1, 2019; P.A. 21-100 amended Subsecs. (b)(4) and (c)(4) to add references to Sec. 17b-131, effective July 1, 2021.

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Sec. 45a-107a. Development of method of determination of gross estate for purposes of computation of cost for settlement of estates. Section 45a-107a is repealed, effective July 1, 2012.

(P.A. 95-256, S. 2; P.A. 12-45, S. 9.)

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Sec. 45a-107b. Lien on real property for fees imposed in the settlement of decedent's estate. Release of lien by Probate Court. Petition for release of lien. (a) As used in this section: (1) “Bona fide purchaser” means a party who takes a conveyance of real property in good faith and pays valuable consideration, without actual, implied or constructive notice that (A) a holder or former holder of a title interest in the real property died on or after January 1, 2015, while continuing to hold an interest in the real property at the time of death, or (B) a former holder of a title interest in the real property died on or after January 1, 2015, after making a lifetime transfer of an interest in the real property to a trustee of a revocable trust who continued to hold the interest at the time of the former holder's death; and (2) “qualified encumbrancer” means a party who places a burden, charge or lien on real property, in good faith, without actual, implied or constructive notice that (A) a holder or former holder of a title interest in the real property died on or after January 1, 2015, while continuing to hold an interest in the real property at the time of death, or (B) a former holder of a title interest in the real property died on or after January 1, 2015, after making a lifetime transfer of an interest in the real property to a trustee of a revocable trust who continued to hold the interest at the time of the former holder's death.

(b) The fees imposed under subsections (b) and (c) of section 45a-107 shall be a lien in favor of the state of Connecticut upon any real property located in this state that is included in the basis for fees of the estate of a deceased person, from the due date until paid, with interest that may accrue in addition thereto, except that such lien shall not be valid as against any bona fide purchaser or qualified encumbrancer until notice of such lien is filed or recorded in the town clerk's office or place where mortgages, liens and conveyances of such property are required by statute to be filed or recorded.

(c) The Probate Court for the district in which the decedent resided on the date of his or her death or, if the decedent died a nonresident of this state, for the district within which real estate or tangible personal property of the decedent is situated, shall issue a certificate of release of lien for any such real property not later than ten days after receipt of payment in full of such fee and interest thereon. The court may issue a certificate of release of lien for any such real property, or portion thereof, if the court finds that the fee and interest thereon has not been fully paid but that payment is adequately assured. A certificate of release of lien may be recorded in the office of the town clerk within which such real property is situated, and such certificate shall be conclusive proof that the fees have been paid and such lien discharged.

(d) (1) A person having a title interest in real property subject to a lien for probate fees under this section may petition the Probate Court for a release of such lien if: (A) Such lien arises out of a decedent's retained life use or survivorship interest in the property; (B) the decedent died more than ten years prior to the date of filing the petition; (C) no proceeding for the settlement of the decedent's estate has been commenced in a Probate Court of this state; (D) no Connecticut estate or succession tax return for the decedent's estate has been filed with the Probate Court or Department of Revenue Services; (E) no Connecticut estate tax has been assessed by the Department of Revenue Services; and (F) based on the value of all known property and taxable gifts, no Connecticut estate tax could be assessed in connection with the decedent's estate. The petition shall be filed with the Probate Court for the district in which the decedent was domiciled at death or last resided or, if the decedent died a nonresident of this state, for the district within which the real estate is situated.

(2) The petition for release of lien shall be accompanied by an affidavit or affidavits of the petitioner or the petitioner's attorney. The affidavits shall include the following: (A) A statement that the petitioner did not receive the title interest from the decedent as its immediate successor in interest in the chain of title or as a devise or distribution from the decedent's estate; (B) a statement that the affiant does not possess the information required to file a complete Connecticut estate tax return; (C) evidence that demonstrates a diligent search was made to locate the decedent's heirs, beneficiaries and transferees and a statement that any heirs, beneficiaries or transferees who were located failed or refused to file a Connecticut estate tax return; and (D) a recitation of facts known to the affiant regarding the requirements of this section. Any affidavits submitted by the petitioner's attorney shall be made on the basis of the attorney's own knowledge and shall not be construed to be submitted on behalf of the attorney's client.

(3) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the petitioner shall submit an estate tax return, reporting the value of the real property that is the subject of the petition for release of lien and, to the best of the petitioner's knowledge, the value of all other property of the decedent at the time of death and taxable gifts made by the decedent on or after January 1, 2005.

(4) Upon receipt of the petition, any affidavits and estate tax return, the Probate Court shall determine whether the petition meets the requirements of this subsection. The Probate Court may act on the petition with or without hearing. If the Probate Court determines that the petition meets the requirements of this subsection, the court shall calculate the probate fees on the decedent's estate based on the value of all known property and taxable gifts reported on the estate tax return, together with any applicable interest, and shall issue an invoice for the fees and interest to the petitioner.

(5) The petitioner shall pay to the Probate Court the applicable probate fees and interest.

(6) Not later than ten days after receipt of all applicable probate fees and interest thereon, the Probate Court shall issue certificates of release of the lien for probate fees, as applicable.

(7) Any person petitioning for a release of lien under this section shall include in the petition, to the best of the petitioner's knowledge, all known real property to which the lien applies. A release of lien obtained pursuant to this section shall apply only to the real property reported on the estate tax return. Any other real property interest of the decedent shall continue to be subject to all applicable liens.

(8) If the Probate Court receives an estate tax return for the decedent's estate and payment of all applicable probate fees and interest thereon after issuance of a certificate of release of a probate fee lien under this section, the court shall, on request of the petitioner, refund the probate fees paid by the petitioner under subdivision (4) of this subsection. The petitioner shall not be entitled to a refund of any interest.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 454; P.A. 16-65, S. 64; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 194; P.A. 22-136, S. 1.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 16-65 added new Subsec. (a) re definitions of “bona fide purchaser” and “qualified encumbrancer”, redesignated existing Subsecs. (a) and (b) as Subsecs. (b) and (c) and amended redesignated Subsec. (b) by replacing reference to Sec. 45a-107(b), (c) and (d) with reference to Sec. 45a-107(b), deleting “lienor, mortgagee, judgment creditor or” and adding “or qualified encumbrancer”, effective July 1, 2016; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing reference to Sec. 45a-107(b) with reference to Sec. 45a-107(b) and (c), effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 22-136 added Subsec. (d) re process by which person may petition Probate Court for release of lien, effective May 27, 2022.

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Sec. 45a-108. Fees for accounting other than with respect to a decedent's estate. Fee for motion to appear pro hac vice. Section 45a-108 is repealed, effective January 1, 2016.

(P.A. 90-146, S. 4; P.A. 93-279, S. 10, 20; P.A. 10-184, S. 6; P.A. 12-45, S. 4; P.A. 13-199, S. 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 522.)

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Sec. 45a-108a. Fees for accounting in matters other than decedent's estate. (a) On or after January 1, 2016, the basic fee for a fiduciary to file an account in the Probate Court in any matter other than a decedent's estate is the greater of:

(1) The product of the number of one year periods or part thereof covered by the account times 0.05 per cent of the greatest of: (A) The fiduciary acquisition value of assets on hand at the beginning of the accounting period; (B) the fiduciary acquisition value of assets on hand at the end of the accounting period; (C) the fair market value of assets on hand at the beginning of the accounting period; or (D) the fair market value of assets on hand at the end of the accounting period;

(2) 0.05 per cent of the total of all receipts during the accounting period; or

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, the minimum fee under this subsection shall be fifty dollars regardless of the period of time covered by the account and the maximum fee shall not exceed five hundred dollars per year or part thereof covered by the account.

(b) The fees under this section apply to each account that covers a unique accounting period. No additional fee shall be charged for filing an amended or substitute account covering the same period as the original filing.

(c) For the purposes of this section, “fiduciary acquisition value” has the meaning set forth in the rules of procedure approved by the Supreme Court under section 45a-78.

(d) The fee under subsection (a) of this section shall be due when the fiduciary files an account. The court shall issue an invoice for the fee and any expenses under section 45a-109 on receipt of the account and as necessary thereafter. The balance of any such fee that is not paid within thirty days of the date of an invoice from the court shall bear interest at the rate of one-half of one per cent per month or portion thereof until paid. The court may extend the time for payment of any fee under this subsection if it appears to the court that requiring payment by the due date would cause undue hardship. No additional interest shall accrue during the period of such extension. The court may not waive interest outside of any extension period.

(e) No fee shall be charged under this section if exempted or waived under section 45a-111 or any other provision of the general statutes.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 450.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 effective January 1, 2016.

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Sec. 45a-109. Miscellaneous fees: Recordings, notices, service of process, copies. In addition to the basic fees specified in sections 45a-106a, 45a-107 and 45a-108a, the following expenses shall be payable to the Probate Courts: (1) For recording each page or fraction thereof after the first five pages of any one document, three dollars; (2) for each notice in excess of two with respect to any hearing or continued hearing, two dollars; (3) for any expenses incurred by the Probate Court for newspaper publication of notices, certified or registered mailing of notices, or for service of process or notice, the actual amount of the expenses so incurred; (4) for providing copies of any document from a file in the court of any matter within the jurisdiction of the court, five dollars for a copy of any such document up to five pages in length and one dollar per copy for each additional page or fractional part thereof as the case may be, except that there shall be furnished without charge to the fiduciary or, if none, to the petitioner with respect to any probate matter one uncertified copy of each decree, certificate or other court order setting forth the action of the court on any proceeding in such matter; (5) for certifying copies of any document from a file in the court of any matter before the court, five dollars per each copy certified for the first two pages of a document, and two dollars for each copy certified for each page after the second page of such document, except that no charge shall be made for any copy certified or otherwise that the court is required by statute to make; (6) for retrieval of a file not located on the premises of the court, the actual expense or ten dollars, whichever is greater; (7) for copying probate records through the use of a hand-held scanner, as defined in section 1-212, twenty dollars per day; (8) for providing a digital copy of an audio recording of a hearing, twenty-five dollars; and (9) for filing any document other than a will under any provision of the general statutes if the court is not required to take action, twenty-five dollars, in addition to any applicable recording fee.

(P.A. 90-146, S. 5; P.A. 93-279, S. 11, 20; P.A. 11-128, S. 3; P.A. 12-45, S. 5; P.A. 13-199, S. 5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 451.)

History: P.A. 93-279 increased cost for recording each page after five pages from $2.50 to $3, for each notice in excess of two from $1 to $2, for copying document on file in court up to five pages in length to $5, for certifying copies of documents from $1 to $5 for first two pages and for retrieval of file not located on premises of court, the actual cost or $10, whichever is greater, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 11-128 added Subdiv. (7) re $20 daily fee for copying with hand-held scanner; P.A. 12-45 substituted “fees” for “charges and costs”, “expense” for “cost”, and “except that” for “provided”, added Subdiv. (8) re $25 fee for digital copy of audio recording of hearing and made a technical change, effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 13-199 substituted references to Probate Court for references to court of probate, effective January 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 substituted reference to Secs. 45a-106a, 45a-107 and 45a-108a for “sections 45a-106 to 45a-108, inclusive” and added Subdiv. (9) re $25 filing fee for any document other than a will, effective January 1, 2016.

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Sec. 45a-110. Persons responsible for payment of fees and expenses. (a) With respect to a decedent's estate, the fees and expenses under sections 45a-107 and 45a-109 shall be paid for by the executor or administrator, except that if there is no such fiduciary, the fees and expenses shall be paid by the person filing the succession tax return under section 12-359 or the estate tax return under section 12-392.

(b) In the case of any proceeding commenced on motion of the court, the court may assess the fees and expenses provided for under sections 45a-106a, 45a-107 and 45a-109 against one or more parties in such proportion as the court determines equitable. No fee shall be charged under this subsection for a hearing on the court's own motion to remove a fiduciary for failure to file required documents.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the person filing the motion, petition, application or account shall pay the fees and expenses provided for by sections 45a-106a, 45a-108a and 45a-109, unless otherwise provided by law. The court may order the fiduciary of an estate to reimburse a party for any such fees and expenses if the court determines that reimbursement is equitable.

(P.A. 90-146, S. 6; P.A. 10-184, S. 2; P.A. 12-45, S. 6; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 452; P.A. 18-45, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 10-184 amended Subsec. (a) to add “or a tax return under section 12-392” and added “charges” throughout, effective June 8, 2010; P.A. 12-45 deleted references to costs and charges and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2013; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (a) by adding reference to Sec. 45a-109, substituting “the fees and expenses shall be paid by the person” for “by the transferee” and making technical changes, deleted former Subsecs. (b) to (d) re payment of fees and expenses paid in connection with proceedings under Sec. 45a-108, payment of fees and expenses in proceeding commenced on motion of court and payment of fees and expenses in all other cases, respectively, added new Subsec. (b) re assessment of fees and expenses in proceeding commenced on motion of court, and added new Subsec. (c) re payment of fees and expenses by person filing motion, petition, application or account, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 18-45 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re no fee to be charged for hearing on court's own motion to remove fiduciary for failure to file required documents, effective May 31, 2018.

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Sec. 45a-111. Exemptions, waivers and reduction of fees and expenses. (a) No fee or expense shall be charged for any proceedings in the settlement of the estate of any member of the armed forces who died while in service in time of war as defined in section 27-103.

(b) No fees or expenses shall be charged under sections 45a-106a to 45a-112, inclusive, or under section 45a-727 for adoption proceedings involving special needs children.

(c) If a petitioner or applicant to a Probate Court claims that unless his or her obligation to pay the fees and the necessary expenses of the action, including the expense of service of process, is waived, such petitioner or applicant will be deprived by reason of his or her indigency of his or her right to bring a petition or application to such court or that he or she is otherwise unable to pay the fees and necessary expenses of the action, he or she may file with the clerk of such Probate Court an application for waiver of payment of such fees and necessary expenses. Such application shall be signed under penalty of false statement, shall state the applicant's financial circumstances, and shall identify the fees and expenses sought to be waived and the approximate amount of each. If the court finds that the applicant is unable to pay such fees and expenses, it shall order such fees and expenses waived. If such expenses include the expense of service of process, the court, in its order, shall indicate the method of service authorized and the expense of such service shall be paid from funds appropriated to the Judicial Department, except that, if funds have not been included in the budget of the Judicial Department for such expenses, such expenses shall be paid from the Probate Court Administration Fund.

(d) The court may, in its discretion, postpone payment of any filing fee or other fee or expense due under sections 45a-106a to 45a-112, inclusive, and enter any matter if it appears to the court that to require such filing fee or other fee or expense to accompany submission of the matter would cause undue delay or hardship, but in such case the applicant, petitioner or moving party shall be liable for the filing fee and all other fees and expenses upon receipt of an invoice therefor from the court.

(e) Any fee or expense charged under the provisions of sections 45a-106a to 45a-112, inclusive, shall not be subject to the tax imposed under chapter 219.

(P.A. 90-146, S. 7; P.A. 92-46, S. 2; P.A. 96-170, S. 14, 23; P.A. 97-90, S. 5, 6; P.A. 99-84, S. 14; P.A. 09-114, S. 17; P.A. 12-45, S. 7; P.A. 13-199, S. 6; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 455; P.A. 21-100, S. 5.)

History: P.A. 92-46 amended Subsec. (c) by adding provision that any fee waived under section shall be reimbursed to probate court by probate court administration fund; P.A. 96-170 amended Subsec. (c) by changing funding of costs of service of process from Probate Court Administration Fund to funds appropriated to Judicial Department, unless funds not included in budget of Judicial Department for such purpose, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 97-90 revised effective date of P.A. 96-170 but without affecting this section; P.A. 99-84 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting “under oath” and inserting “signed under penalty of false statement”; P.A. 09-114 amended Subsec. (c) to delete provisions re reimbursement of waived fees, effective January 1, 2011; P.A. 12-45 replaced references to costs with references to expenses, replaced references to charges with references to fees and expenses and made technical and conforming changes, effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 13-199 amended Subsec. (c) to substitute “probate court” for “court of probate” and amended Subsec. (d) to make a technical change, effective January 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsecs. (b), (d) and (e) by substituting “45a-107” for “45a-106” and amended Subsec. (c) by making technical changes, effective January 1, 2016; P.A. 21-100 amended Subsecs. (b), (d) and (e) to replace references to Sec. 45a-107 with references to Sec. 45a-106a and further amended Subsec. (d) to replace “entry fee” with “filing fee”, effective July 1, 2021.

See Secs. 17a-116 to 17a-119, inclusive, re subsidies for adoption of special needs children.

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Sec. 45a-112. Filing fee and other fees and expenses when state is applicant, petitioner or moving party. When the state or any of its agencies is an applicant, petitioner or moving party commencing a matter in a Probate Court, or is otherwise liable for the fees or expenses under sections 45a-106a to 45a-112, inclusive, the court shall accept such matter without the filing fee accompanying the filing thereof, and shall bill the filing fee or other fee or expense to the appropriate agency for subsequent payment, which payment shall be due and payable upon receipt of such bill.

(P.A. 90-146, S. 8; P.A. 12-45, S. 8; P.A. 13-199, S. 7; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 456; P.A. 21-100, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 12-45 replaced references to charges with references to fees or expenses, effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 13-199 substituted “probate court” for “court of probate”, effective January 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 substituted “45a-107” for “45a-106” and made a technical change, effective January 1, 2016; P.A. 21-100 replaced reference to Sec. 45a-107 with reference to Sec. 45a-106a and replaced “entry fee” with “filing fee”, effective July 1, 2021.

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Sec. 45a-113. Payment of costs by credit card. Service fee. Section 45a-113 is repealed, effective June 6, 2014.

(P.A. 10-184, S. 4; P.A. 14-103, S. 16.)

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Sec. 45a-113a. Refund for overpayment of costs. Exception. (a) Whenever a Probate Court determines that a refund is due an applicant, petitioner, moving party or other person for any overpayment of costs, fees, charges or expenses incurred under the provisions of sections 45a-106a to 45a-112, inclusive, the Probate Court Administrator shall, upon receipt of certification of such overpayment by the Probate Court that issued the invoice for such costs, fees, charges or expenses, cause a refund of such overpayment to be issued from the Probate Court Administration Fund.

(b) No person shall be entitled to a refund for any fee paid for the settlement of a decedent's estate pursuant to section 45a-107 in which the basis for the fee was the gross estate for succession tax purposes.

(P.A. 10-184, S. 3; P.A. 11-128, S. 15; P.A. 13-199, S. 8; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 457; P.A. 21-100, S. 7; P.A. 22-136, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 10-184 effective January 1, 2011; P.A. 11-128 inserted “overpayment of”, effective July 8, 2011; P.A. 13-199 substituted “probate court” for “court” and “court of probate”, effective January 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 substituted “45a-107” for “45a-106” and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2016; P.A. 21-100 replaced reference to Sec. 45a-107 with reference to Sec. 45a-106a, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-136 designated existing provision as Subsec. (a), added Subsec. (b) re exception to refund for fee paid for settlement of decedent's estate pursuant to Sec. 45a-107 when basis for fee was the gross estate for succession tax purposes, effective May 27, 2022.

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Sec. 45a-113b. Payment of fees by credit card, charge card, debit card or electronic funds transfer. Service fee. Each Probate Court may allow the payment of any fees charged by such court by means of a credit card, charge card, debit card or an electronic funds transfer. Such court shall charge the person making such payment a service fee for any such payment made by means of any such card or electronic funds transfer. The fee shall not exceed any charge by the card issuer or processing fee for electronic funds transfer, including any discount rate. The Probate Court Administrator shall determine the rate or amount of the service fee for any such card in accordance with subsection (c) of section 1-1j.

(P.A. 13-247, S. 65; P.A. 21-100, S. 8; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 442.)

History: P.A. 13-247 effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 21-100 added references to electronic funds transfer, effective July 1, 2021; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended section to require the charging of a service fee, add provision re rate or amount of service fee and make a technical change, effective July 1, 2022; (Revisor's note: In 2023, the changes made by P.A. 21-100, S. 8, were incorporated editorially by the Revisors in the version of this section, as amended by June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 442, that became effective on July 1, 2022).

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Sec. 45a-113c. Liens upon real estate that are deemed released. (a) Any lien upon real estate situated in this state for either (1) the succession tax, other than for estates of decedents who died on or prior to January 1, 2005, and that, prior to October 1, 2018, had filed a return under section 12-359 or been assessed a tax under section 12-367, or (2) the tax that was imposed under chapter 217, as in effect prior to January 1, 2005, and that prior to the effective date of this section, had filed a return or been assessed a tax under section 12-392, shall be deemed released.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of title 12, any lien upon real estate situated in this state for the tax imposed under chapter 217, as in effect after December 31, 2004, shall be deemed released ten years from the date of the death of the decedent, except for estates that have filed a return or been assessed a tax under section 12-392, prior to ten years from the date of the death of the decedent.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) of this section, no lien that is released under said subsection (a) or (b) shall serve as either the basis for any claim for refund or result in the issuance of any refund of any payments that were made or otherwise applied by the Commissioner of Revenue Services against the taxes that gave rise to such liens.

(P.A. 22-136, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 22-136 effective May 27, 2022.

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Secs. 45a-114 to 45a-118. Reserved for future use.

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PART II

PROBATE COURT PROCEEDINGS IN GENERAL

Sec. 45a-119. (Formerly Sec. 45-7). Judge may call assistance. In the determination of any matter pending before a court of probate, the judge may call to his assistance any judge of the Superior Court, any other judge of probate or the Probate Court Administrator who, personally or by his designee, shall assist the judge.

(1949 Rev., S. 6814; 1967, P.A. 558, S. 13; P.A. 77-452, S. 64, 72; P.A. 80-476, S. 10.)

History: 1967 act authorized judge to call upon probate court administrator for assistance; P.A. 77-452 deleted reference to abolished court of common pleas; P.A. 80-476 made minor changes in wording; Sec. 45-7 transferred to Sec. 45a-119 in 1991.

Annotation to former section 45-7:

Provision existed in some form since 1716. 38 C. 479.

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Sec. 45a-120. (Formerly Sec. 45-10). Citation of another judge. If any judge of probate declines to act or is disqualified from acting as judge of probate, or is absent or unable to discharge his duties, or if the office of judge of probate in any district becomes vacant, the Probate Court Administrator shall cite any judge of probate to act as judge of probate in the district to which he has been cited during such inability, absence or vacancy or in the matters in which the judge declines to act or is disqualified.

(1949 Rev., S. 6818; 1967, P.A. 558, S. 15; 1969, P.A. 323, S. 2; P.A. 80-476, S. 14.)

History: 1967 act made provisions applicable to suspensions of judges and required that probate court administrator, rather than clerk of probate court or judge of superior or common pleas court, cite judge to act as substitute; 1969 act deleted references to suspensions and added references to judges' absence; P.A. 80-476 reworded provisions but made no substantive change; Sec. 45-10 transferred to Sec. 45a-120 in 1991.

Annotations to former section 45-10:

Judge may cite, instead of clerk. 59 C. 354. Cited. 134 C. 606. Former provisions for suspension of judge of probate by Chief Court Administrator unconstitutional. 157 C. 150.

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Sec. 45a-121. (Formerly Sec. 45-11). Judge cited may issue order in his own district. Any judge of probate who is cited and qualified to act in another district may issue any order in his own district, as acting judge of the other district, as long as no prior hearing of adverse parties is required. Any such order shall be recorded in the records of the other district.

(1949 Rev., S. 6819; P.A. 80-476, S. 15.)

History: P.A. 80-476 reworded provisions but made no substantive change; Sec. 45-11 transferred to Sec. 45a-121 in 1991.

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Sec. 45a-122. (Formerly Sec. 45-4j). Three-judge court for probate matters. Appointment. Powers and duties. Section 45a-122 is repealed, effective October 1, 2015.

(P.A. 81-349, S. 3, 5; P.A. 84-294, S. 1; P.A. 15-217, S. 28.)

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Sec. 45a-123. (Formerly Sec. 45-22). Referral to probate magistrate or attorney probate referee. Report. Hearing. Court decree. (a)(1) In any matter pending in any court of probate, except an involuntary patient matter or involuntary commitment matter under chapter 319i, a temporary custody matter under part II of chapter 802h, or an involuntary representation matter under part IV of chapter 802h, the court may refer the matter, with the consent of the parties or their attorneys, to a probate magistrate or attorney probate referee assigned by the Probate Court Administrator pursuant to section 45a-123a to hear the matter.

(2) The probate magistrate or attorney probate referee to whom the matter is referred shall hear the matter and file a report with the court on his or her findings of fact and conclusions drawn therefrom not later than sixty days after the conclusion of such hearing. The probate magistrate or attorney probate referee may file an amendment to the report with the court prior to the date the court accepts, modifies or rejects the report pursuant to subdivision (4) of this subsection. Upon the filing of any report or amendment to a report under this subdivision, the probate clerk shall provide a copy of the report or amendment to the report to the parties and their attorneys.

(3) Any party aggrieved by a finding of fact or a conclusion drawn therefrom in a report or amendment to a report may file an objection with the court not later than twenty-one days after the date the report was filed pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(4) At least twenty-one days after a report is filed pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, the court shall hold a hearing on the report and any amendment to the report or objection filed pursuant to this subsection. Not later than thirty days after the conclusion of a hearing under this subdivision, the court shall determine whether to accept, modify or reject the report or any amendment to the report. If the court finds that the probate magistrate or attorney probate referee has materially erred in his or her findings or conclusions in such report or amendment or that there are other sufficient reasons why the report or amendment should not be accepted, the court shall, in the court's discretion, modify or reject the report or amendment. If the court rejects the report and any amendment to the report, the court may hear and determine the matter or refer the matter to a different probate magistrate or attorney probate referee assigned by the Probate Court Administrator pursuant to section 45a-123a to hear the matter and report his or her findings of fact and conclusions drawn therefrom in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection, provided the parties or their attorneys consent to such referral. If the court accepts or modifies the report or amendment, the court shall issue a decree.

(5) The court shall give notice to the parties and their attorneys of the time and place of any hearing under this subsection.

(b) A probate magistrate or attorney probate referee assigned by the Probate Court Administrator pursuant to section 45a-123a may hear any matter referred to such probate magistrate or attorney probate referee by the truancy clinic established in section 45a-8c.

(c) Each probate magistrate and attorney probate referee shall be sworn to faithfully perform the duties of a probate magistrate or attorney probate referee, as the case may be, and shall have all the powers conferred by law upon judges of probate for procuring the attendance of witnesses and for punishing for contempt.

(1949 Rev., S. 6830; P.A. 80-476, S. 61; P.A. 96-173; P.A. 09-114, S. 18; P.A. 11-177, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and rephrased provisions but made no substantive change; Sec. 45-22 transferred to Sec. 45a-123 in 1991; P.A. 96-173 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting former provisions re appointment of committee and adding provision re appointment of disinterested person or former judge of probate, hearing of matter, report and findings, and amended Subsec. (c) by increasing fee from $5 to $250 per diem and adding provision re payment by Probate Court Administration Fund if party unable to pay fee; P.A. 09-114 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) by replacing provisions re appointment of committee with provisions re referral of matters to probate magistrates or attorney probate referees and findings and reports of such magistrates and referees, and deleted former Subsec. (c) re committee fees, effective January 5, 2011; P.A. 11-177 added new Subsec. (b) re hearing of matters referred by the truancy clinic and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c), effective July 13, 2011.

Annotation to former section 45-22:

Report of committee will not be rejected when unbalanced where lack of balance resulted from item which parties had agreed to and defendant made payments, chargeable to decedent, that exceeded discrepancy. 150 C. 637.

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Sec. 45a-123a. Probate magistrates. Attorney probate referees. Qualifications. Nomination and appointment. Compensation. (a)(1) There shall be probate magistrates for the purpose of hearing matters referred pursuant to section 45a-123. Any former probate judge under seventy years of age, other than a probate judge receiving a retirement allowance under section 45a-40 due to permanent and total disability, who is an elector of this state shall be eligible for nomination, appointment or assignment as a probate magistrate.

(2) The Probate Court Administrator may nominate former probate judges who meet the requirements of this subsection to serve as probate magistrates. The Probate Court Administrator shall provide a list of such nominated former judges to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and update the list as necessary. The Chief Justice shall appoint probate magistrates from the list for a term of three years and inform the Probate Court Administrator of such appointments. The Chief Justice, on the recommendation of the Council on Probate Judicial Conduct or the Probate Court Administrator, may suspend or remove a probate magistrate during his or her term for reasonable cause. The Probate Court Administrator shall assign probate magistrates pursuant to section 45a-123 from among the probate magistrates appointed by the Chief Justice.

(3) Each probate magistrate shall receive, for each day the probate magistrate is engaged as a probate magistrate, in addition to any retirement salary the probate magistrate is entitled to receive, an amount of fifty dollars per hour, not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars per day, for each day of service. Such service includes, but is not limited to, conducting hearings and preparing a report or amendment to a report pursuant to section 45a-123. Service as a probate magistrate shall not constitute credited service for purposes of health, retirement or other benefits. Amounts paid to a probate magistrate under this subdivision shall be paid from the Probate Court Administration Fund established under section 45a-82.

(b) (1) In addition to the probate magistrates appointed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, there shall be attorney probate referees for the purpose of hearing matters referred pursuant to section 45a-123. Any individual who has been a member of the bar of this state in good standing for at least five years, is an elector of this state and is under seventy years of age shall be eligible for nomination, appointment and assignment as an attorney probate referee.

(2) The Probate Court Administrator may nominate individuals who meet the requirements of this subsection as attorney probate referees. Any probate judge may submit to the Probate Court Administrator, on such form and in such manner as the Probate Court Administrator prescribes, a recommendation that the Probate Court Administrator nominate a specified individual as attorney probate referee, provided the individual meets the requirements of this subsection. The Probate Court Administrator shall consider any such recommendation prior to making a nomination under this subdivision, but shall not be bound by such recommendation. The Probate Court Administrator shall ensure geographic, racial and ethnic diversity among individuals nominated as attorney probate referee.

(3) The Probate Court Administrator shall provide a list of individuals nominated as attorney probate referee to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and update the list as necessary. The Chief Justice shall appoint attorney probate referees from the list for a term of three years and inform the Probate Court Administrator of such appointments. The Chief Justice, on the recommendation of the Council on Probate Judicial Conduct or the Probate Court Administrator, may suspend or remove an attorney probate referee during his or her term for reasonable cause. The Probate Court Administrator shall assign attorney probate referees pursuant to section 45a-123 from among the attorney probate referees appointed by the Chief Justice.

(4) No attorney probate referee shall receive compensation for his or her duties as an attorney probate referee.

(c) Each probate magistrate and attorney probate referee shall complete continuing education programs established for such magistrates and referees under regulations issued by the Probate Court Administrator pursuant to section 45a-77.

(d) No person shall be subject to the requirements of sections 45a-25 and 45a-26 with respect to probate judges solely on the basis of such person's nomination, appointment or assignment as a probate magistrate or an attorney probate referee.

(P.A. 09-114, S. 19; P.A. 10-32, S. 131; P.A. 15-217, S. 8.)

History: P.A. 09-114 effective January 5, 2011; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (a)(2), effective January 5, 2011; P.A. 15-217 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by adding provision re authority of Chief Justice to suspend or remove probate magistrate, amended Subsec. (b)(3) by adding provision re authority of Chief Justice to suspend or remove attorney probate referee, deleted former Subsec. (b)(5) re annual report on attorney probate referees, and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2015.

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Sec. 45a-124. (Formerly Sec. 45-30). Giving of orders of notice. Any order of notice of a hearing or notice of the right to request a hearing in any proceeding in, or matter pending before, a court of probate, which is required by law to be given to interested persons, may be made by the judge, the clerk or the assistant clerk of such court of probate.

(1949 Rev., S. 6837; P.A. 80-476, S. 56; P.A. 98-219, S. 19.)

History: P.A. 80-476 rephrased provisions; Sec. 45-30 transferred to Sec. 45a-124 in 1991; P.A. 98-219 added phrase “or notice of the right to request a hearing”.

Annotations to former section 45-30:

Cited. 8 CS 263; 22 CS 234.

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Sec. 45a-125. (Formerly Sec. 45-31). Manner of notice to be fixed by order of court. Courts of probate may make any proper order for notice to be given to any person residing out of or absent from this state and, except as otherwise provided, to any person within the state to whom particular notice of any proceeding before such court is required by law. The notice given under the order shall be a legal notice to such person.

(1949 Rev., S. 6838; P.A. 80-476, S. 57.)

History: P.A. 80-476 made minor changes in wording; Sec. 45-31 transferred to Sec. 45a-125 in 1991.

Annotations to former section 45-31:

Failure to give notice not jurisdictional defect. 77 C. 77; 81 C. 688. One receiving “legal notice” need not receive actual notice and loses right of appeal in 1 month. 96 C. 323.

Cited. 8 CS 262. Notice by publication is legal notice. 19 CS 104. Cited. 22 CS 234.

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Sec. 45a-126. (Formerly Sec. 45-32). Giving of public notice. (a) Whenever public notice is required in any proceeding in, or matter pending before, a court of probate, except as provided in sections 45a-124 to 45a-127, inclusive, such notice shall be by publication in a newspaper having a circulation in the district in which the court is held, for the length of time which the court directs. The court may prescribe such further notice as it deems requisite.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, notice by publication is not required if actual notice is received by all parties interested in a matter or proceeding unless such notice is requested by an interested party or is required by the court.

(1949 Rev., S. 6839; P.A. 80-476, S. 58; P.A. 93-279, S. 12, 20.)

History: P.A. 80-476 rephrased provisions; Sec. 45-32 transferred to Sec. 45a-126 in 1991; P.A. 93-279 added Subsec. (b) to provide that notwithstanding requirement, under Subsec. (a), of notice by publication, notice by publication is not required if actual notice is received by all parties unless such notice is requested by an interested party or required by the court, effective July 1, 1993.

Annotations to former section 45-32:

Giving of this notice is sufficient although parties did not have actual notice. 96 C. 324; 107 C. 284. Cited. 163 C. 439.

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Sec. 45a-127. (Formerly Sec. 45-33). Special notice to be given on written request. (a) Any person who is interested in any estate, trust or other matter pending in any court of probate, or who is interested in any application that may be made to any court of probate for the probating of a will or the granting of administration, may, in person or by attorney, file with the court a written request for special notice to be given to him or his attorney of any application to the court and of any order passed by the court of probate in such estate, trust or other matter. The request shall state the estate, trust or other matter, cause or proceeding of which notice is desired and the post-office address of the person desiring the notice. Thereupon the court of probate shall give notice to such person or his attorney of any hearing in such estate, trust or other matter at least seven days before the time assigned for the hearing, in whatever manner the court finds to be reasonable under the circumstances.

(b) Any request for a special notice in the matter of probating a will or granting administration, before any application is made therefor, shall be obligatory upon the court for a period of thirty days from the date of filing the same.

(1949 Rev., S. 6840; 1955, S. 2900d; 1961, P.A. 25; P.A. 80-476, S. 59.)

History: 1961 act required seven days', rather than five days', notice of hearing; P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and rephrased provisions but made no substantive changes; Sec. 45-33 transferred to Sec. 45a-127 in 1991.

See Sec. 51-53 re giving of notice of decrees by clerk of the court.

Annotations to former section 45-33:

Cited. 105 C. 603. Notice given by telegram unavailing to render court's decree invalid. 139 C. 720. Cited. 186 C. 360.

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Sec. 45a-128. (Formerly Sec. 45-20). Reconsideration, modification or revocation of order or decree. (a) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, any order or decree made by a court of probate ex parte may, in the discretion of the court, be reconsidered and modified or revoked by the court. Reconsideration may be made on the court's own motion or, for cause shown satisfactory to the court, on the written application of any interested person. Such motion or application shall be made or filed before any appeal has been allowed or after withdrawal of all appeals which have been allowed. For the purposes of this section, an ex parte order or decree is an order or decree entered in a proceeding of which no notice is required to be given to any party and no notice is given.

(b) Except as provided in subsections (a) and (e) of this section, any order or decree other than a decree authorizing the sale of real estate made by a court of probate may, in the discretion of the court, be reconsidered and modified or revoked by the court, on the court's own motion or on the written application of any interested person. Such application shall be made or filed within one hundred twenty days after the date of such order or decree and before any appeal is allowed or after withdrawal of all appeals. The court may reconsider and modify or revoke any such order or decree for any of the following reasons: (1) For any reason, if all parties in interest consent to reconsideration, modification or revocation, or (2) for failure to provide legal notice to a party entitled to notice under law, or (3) to correct a scrivener's or clerical error, or (4) upon discovery or identification of parties in interest unknown to the court at the time of the order or decree.

(c) Upon any modification or revocation there shall be the same right of and time for appeal as in the case of any other order or decree.

(d) A hearing may be held in the discretion of the court on any motion or application for reconsideration, modification or revocation, and notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be given, in such manner as the court shall order, to all persons to whom notice of the order or decree to be reconsidered or notice of the hearings concerning such order or decree, was given, and to all persons by whom any such notice was waived, and to such other persons as the court may determine.

(e) Except as provided in section 45a-295, a decree or order made in reference to any estate may not be modified or revoked by a court of probate as to assets lawfully transferred or distributed prior to the date of issuance of notice of hearing on a motion or application for reconsideration of such decree or order, or, if the court determines not to hold any such hearing, prior to the date of the court's order of revocation or modification.

(1949 Rev., S. 6828; P.A. 80-476, S. 60; P.A. 83-93.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and rephrased provisions but made no substantive change; P.A. 83-93 revised provisions of section, deleting former provisions of Subsec. (a) and adding provisions re reconsideration, modification or revocation of any order or decree made by a court of probate; Sec. 45-20 transferred to Sec. 45a-128 in 1991.

Annotations to former section 45-20:

Power to annul or modify orders made without notice or hearing may be necessarily implied. 31 C. 382. Verbal orders of distribution perfected by formal order unappealed from conclusive. 38 C. 271. Whether order appointing administrator can be revoked without notice, quaere. 39 C. 258. Court cannot admit new will after it has admitted one and estate is fully settled. 76 C. 418. Grants discretionary power to administrator discussed. 81 C. 681. Decree entered after notice given in compliance with the statutes and upon hearing is not ex parte, even as regards a party who had no actual notice. Id., 688; 129 C. 312. Power does not extend to final decree rendered after notice and hearing. 90 C. 530. Court of Probate has no power to revoke order of distribution made after notice to parties, after appeal therefrom has been taken. 92 C. 25. Nor to set aside decrees ordering and accepting distribution although obtained by fraudulent concealment of husband's statutory interest. 107 C. 284. Cited. 150 C. 109; 152 C. 205; Id., 530.

Cited. 9 CS 10; 23 CS 102.

Annotations to present section:

Legislature expressly addressed appellate procedure in this section and did not provide that a motion for revocation made pursuant to this section is an action that tolls the appeals period set forth in Sec. 45a-186c. 210 CA 278.

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Sec. 45a-129. (Formerly Sec. 45-262). Examination of witnesses. Any court of probate may, on its own motion or upon written application of any person having an interest in any matter before it, summon any person to appear and give testimony under oath relating to such matter. The attendance of any person who has been served with any subpoena may be secured by a capias.

(1949 Rev., S. 7038; 1949, S. 2941d; 1967, P.A. 312; P.A. 80-476, S. 62; P.A. 83-185; P.A. 84-294, S. 7.)

History: 1967 act specified that attendance of subpoenaed person may be secured by a capias; P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and made minor wording changes; P.A. 83-185 amended Subsec. (a) by permitting any person having an interest in any matter to make application to summon witness and deleted Subsec. (b) re testimony of witness; P.A. 84-294 authorized probate court to act on its own motion; Sec. 45-262 transferred to Sec. 45a-129 in 1991.

Annotations to former section 45-262:

Court may compel production of papers. 9 C. 198. Warrant directed to indifferent person, valid. 15 C. 260. Does not apply to mere indebtedness. 28 C. 416. Applies to coexecutors. 35 C. 116. Cited. 146 C. 252; 193 C. 180.

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Sec. 45a-130. (Formerly Sec. 45-19). Return of compliance with order of court. When a court of probate orders any person to do any act, such person shall, upon compliance with the order, make written return to the court, which shall be prima facie evidence of the due execution of the order. The court may in its discretion require that such return be signed under penalty of false statement.

(1949 Rev., S. 6826; P.A. 77-12; P.A. 80-476, S. 63; P.A. 85-193, S. 1; P.A. 99-84, S. 15.)

History: P.A. 77-12 added exception re returns made by probate court employees; P.A. 80-476 rephrased provisions but made no substantive change; P.A. 85-193 provided that court may require return to be made under oath, deleting previous exception whereby probate court employees' returns were not required to be under oath; Sec. 45-19 transferred to Sec. 45a-130 in 1991; P.A. 99-84 deleted “made under oath” and inserted “signed under penalty of false statement”.

Annotations to former section 45-19:

Cited. 140 C. 594.

Failure to make a return of notice under oath to the Probate Court does not defeat the jurisdiction of the Superior Court to hear an appeal from such decree. 21 CS 352.

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Sec. 45a-131. (Formerly Sec. 45-16b). Participation of employees of certain state agencies in proceedings. In any proceeding in the Probate Court in which the state is interested through the Department of Social Services, the Department of Administrative Services or the Department of Veterans Affairs, any employee of any such department shall be permitted to participate fully in the proceeding in the same manner as any other interested party before the court. The judge of the court shall not require that the state be represented by an attorney-at-law as a condition of participation.

(1969, P.A. 260; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 69, 70, 521, 610; P.A. 79-560, S. 15, 39; P.A. 80-476, S. 64; P.A. 93-262, S. 63, 87; P.A. 97-144, S. 4; P.A. 16-167, S. 42.)

History: P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare department with department of social services; P.A. 77-614 replaced department of finance and control with department of administrative services and, effective January 1, 1979, replaced department of social services with departments of income maintenance and human resources; P.A. 79-560 made technical corrections; P.A. 80-476 rephrased provisions; Sec. 45-16b transferred to Sec. 45a-131 in 1991; P.A. 93-262 changed reference to departments of income maintenance and human resources to department of social services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 97-144 added Department of Veterans' Affairs to agencies which may participate in certain Probate Court proceedings; P.A. 16-167 replaced “Department of Veterans' Affairs” with “Department of Veterans Affairs”, effective July 1, 2016.

State must merely be an interested party; no delineation of such interest is required. 47 CS 42.

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Sec. 45a-132. (Formerly Sec. 45-54). Appointment of guardian ad litem for minors and incompetent, undetermined and unborn persons. (a)(1) Except as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection, in any proceeding before a court of probate or the Superior Court including the Family Support Magistrate Division, whether acting upon an appeal from probate or otherwise, the judge or magistrate may appoint a guardian ad litem for any minor or incompetent, undetermined or unborn person, or may appoint one guardian ad litem for two or more of such minors or incompetent, undetermined or unborn persons, if it appears to the judge or magistrate that one or more persons as individuals, or as members of a designated class or otherwise, have or may have an interest in the proceedings, and that one or more of them are minors, incompetent persons or persons undetermined or unborn at the time of the proceeding.

(2) No judge or magistrate may appoint a guardian ad litem for (A) a patient in a proceeding under section 17a-543 or 17a-543a, prior to a determination by a Probate Court that the patient is incapable of giving informed consent under either of said sections, or (B) a respondent in a proceeding under sections 45a-644 to 45a-663, inclusive, prior to a determination by a Probate Court that the respondent is incapable of caring for himself or herself or incapable of managing his or her affairs. No judge or magistrate may appoint a guardian ad litem for a petitioner under section 45a-705a.

(3) No judge or magistrate may appoint a guardian ad litem for a conserved person in a proceeding under section 17a-543 or 17a-543a or sections 45a-644 to 45a-663, inclusive, unless (A) the judge or magistrate makes a specific finding of a need to appoint a guardian ad litem for a specific purpose or to answer specific questions to assist the judge or magistrate in making a determination, or (B) the conserved person's attorney is unable to ascertain the preferences of the person, including preferences previously expressed by the person. Prior to appointing a guardian ad litem for a person under subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, the judge or magistrate may question the person to determine the person's preferences or inability to express such preferences. If the judge or magistrate appoints a guardian ad litem under this subdivision, the judge's or magistrate's order shall (i) limit the appointment in scope and duration, and (ii) direct the guardian ad litem to take only the specific action required or to answer specific questions posed by the judge or magistrate, including questions designed to ascertain whether the attorney's or conservator's proposed course of action is the least restrictive means of intervention available to assist the person in managing his or her affairs or caring for himself or herself. Any appointment of a guardian ad litem under this subdivision shall terminate upon the guardian ad litem's report to the judge or magistrate in accordance with the order appointing the guardian ad litem, or earlier upon the order of the judge or magistrate.

(4) For the purposes of this subsection, “conserved person”, “incapable of caring for himself or herself”, “incapable of managing his or her affairs”, “least restrictive means of intervention” and “respondent” have the meanings set forth in section 45a-644 and “conservator” means a conservator of the person or conservator of the estate, as those terms are defined in section 45a-644.

(b) The appointment of a guardian ad litem shall not be mandatory, but shall be within the discretion of the judge or magistrate.

(c) Any order or decree passed or action taken in any such proceeding shall affect all the minors, incompetent persons or persons thereafter born or determined for whom the guardian ad litem has been appointed, in the same manner as if they had been of the age of majority and competent and present in court after legal notice at the time of the action or the issuance of the order or decree.

(d) Any appointment of a guardian ad litem may be made with or without notice and, if it appears to the judge or magistrate that it is for the best interests of a minor having a parent or guardian to have as guardian ad litem some person other than the parent or guardian, the judge or magistrate may appoint a disinterested person to be the guardian ad litem.

(e) Except as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (a) of this section, when the appointment of a guardian ad litem is made in connection with the settlement of a decedent's estate or the settlement of the account of a trustee or other fiduciary, the person so appointed shall be authorized to represent the minor or incompetent, undetermined or unborn person in all proceedings for the settlement of the estate or account and subsequent accounts of the trustee or other fiduciary, or until the person's appointment is terminated by death, resignation or removal.

(f) The guardian ad litem may be removed by the judge or magistrate which appointed the guardian ad litem, without notice, whenever it appears to the judge or magistrate to be in the best interests of the ward or wards of the guardian.

(g) Any guardian ad litem appointed under the provisions of this section may be allowed reasonable compensation by the judge or magistrate appointing the guardian ad litem and shall be paid as a part of the expenses of administration.

(1949 Rev., S. 6861; 1951, S. 2902d; 1957, P.A. 210; P.A. 75-384, S. 7, 9; P.A. 76-436, S. 640, 681; P.A. 80-476, S. 65; P.A. 87-316, S. 6; P.A. 12-25, S. 1; P.A. 15-217, S. 7.)

History: P.A. 75-384 applied provisions to proceedings before the juvenile court; P.A. 76-436 omitted reference to proceedings before court of common pleas or juvenile court, those courts having been abolished, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 80-476 rephrased provisions and divided section into Subsecs; P.A. 87-316 applied provisions to the family support magistrate division and substituted “judge or magistrate” for “court” where appearing; Sec. 45-54 transferred to Sec. 45a-132 in 1991; P.A. 12-25 amended Subsec. (a) to designate existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and add exception re Subdivs. (2) and (3) therein, add Subdiv. (2) re appointment of guardian ad litem for patient in proceeding under Sec. 17a-543 or 17a-543a, or for respondent in proceeding under Secs. 45a-644 to 45a-663, add Subdiv. (3) re appointment of guardian ad litem for a conserved person in such proceedings, and add Subdiv. (4) re definitions, and amended Subsecs. (b), (e), (f) and (g) to make technical and conforming changes; P.A. 15-217 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by substituting “a petitioner” for “an applicant” and making technical changes.

See Sec. 45a-754 re maintenance of records concerning guardianship in locked files.

Annotations to former section 45-54:

Only appointed on behalf of infant respondents. 30 C. 285. Recognition of attorney representing infants as guardian ad litem held, under facts, equivalent to appointment. 93 C. 595. Cited. 128 C. 390. Probate Court has power to appoint and fix compensation of a guardian ad litem in a proceeding for removal of guardian of the person. 140 C. 96. Cited. 147 C. 482; 156 C. 627. Children cannot choose their own guardian under statute, court may appoint. 158 C. 217. Cited. 180 C. 533; 204 C. 760.

Cited. 9 CA 413.

Cited. 3 CS 377; 17 CS 343. Considerations involved in setting compensation of guardian ad litem; right of guardian ad litem to appoint counsel discussed. 21 CS 181. The marriage of a minor resulting in his emancipation does not permit him to sue in his own name in a divorce proceeding, for such an exception should be made only through legislative action. Id., 376.

Annotations to present section:

Cited. 241 C. 767.

Cited. 25 CA 741; 35 CA 449; 44 CA 225. Under Sec. 46b-136 and this section, court has broad discretion to appoint counsel and guardians ad litem for minor parties. 76 CA 693. Language of Subsec. (f) broad enough to permit court to extend appointment of guardian ad litem beyond duration of custody proceedings. 90 CA 744.

Cited. 42 CS 474.

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Sec. 45a-132a. Examination of allegedly incapable party. Refusal to undergo examination. Expense. In any matter before a Probate Court in which the capacity of a party to the action is at issue, the court may order an examination of the allegedly incapable party by a physician or psychiatrist or, where appropriate, a psychologist, licensed to practice in the state, except that a conserved person, as defined in section 45a-644, the respondent to an application for involuntary representation made under section 45a-648 or a respondent to a petition for appointment of a temporary conservator made under section 45a-654 may refuse to undergo an examination ordered by the court under this section. The expense of such examination may be charged against the petitioner, the respondent, the party who requested such examination or the estate of the allegedly incapable party in such proportion as the judge of the court determines. If any such party is unable to pay such expense and files an affidavit with the court demonstrating the inability to pay, the reasonable compensation shall be established by, and paid from funds appropriated to, the Judicial Department, except that if funds have not been included in the budget of the Judicial Department for such purposes, such compensation shall be established by the Probate Court Administrator and paid from the Probate Court Administration Fund.

(P.A. 94-54; P.A. 96-170, S. 15, 23; P.A. 97-90, S. 5, 6; P.A. 07-116, S. 1; P.A. 18-45, S. 18.)

History: P.A. 96-170 changed funding of expense of examination from Probate Court Administration Fund to funds appropriated to Judicial Department, unless funds not included in budget of Judicial Department for such purpose, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 97-90 revised effective date of P.A. 96-170 but without affecting this section; P.A. 07-116 added exception for conserved persons and respondents to refuse to undergo examination and made technical changes; P.A. 18-45 replaced “an application” with “a petition”, and made a technical change.

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Sec. 45a-133. (Formerly Sec. 45-18). Adjournment of court in absence of judge. Whenever a court of probate assigns a time for a hearing on any matter, and the judge of the court, for any cause, is not present at the time assigned, the clerk or assistant clerk of the court may adjourn the court as necessary.

(1949 Rev., S. 6825; P.A. 80-476, S. 16.)

History: P.A. 80-476 rephrased provisions but made no substantive change; Sec. 45-18 transferred to Sec. 45a-133 in 1991.

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Sec. 45a-134. Decisions of probate court in contested cases. Time limit. Any judge of a probate court who has commenced a hearing in any contested case shall have power to continue the hearing and shall render a decision not later than one hundred twenty days from the completion date of the hearing. If a judge of a probate court fails to render a decision within one hundred twenty days from the completion date of the hearing, any party may petition the Probate Court Administrator for relief which may include reassignment of the case to another judge. Failure of a judge to render a decision in a timely manner does not deprive the court of jurisdiction over the case. The parties may waive the provisions of this section.

(P.A. 99-84, S. 34.)

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Sec. 45a-135. Matter before probate court may be proved by statement in writing subscribed under penalty of false statement. Form. Whenever, under any provision of the general statutes or under any regulation adopted pursuant to the general statutes, any matter before a probate court is required or permitted to be supported, evidenced, established or proved by the sworn declaration, verification, certificate, statement, oath or affidavit, in writing of the person making the same, other than a deposition, an oath of office, an oath required to be taken before a specified official other than a notary public, an oath required pursuant to section 45a-747 or an affidavit submitted pursuant to section 45a-285, such matter may, with like force and effect, be supported, evidenced, established or proved by the unsworn declaration, certificate, verification or statement in writing of such person which is subscribed by him under penalty of false statement and dated, in substantially the following form:

“I declare (or certify, verify or state) under penalty of false statement that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date).

(Signature)”

(P.A. 99-84, S. 33.)

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Sec. 45a-136. Recording of proceedings when recording not otherwise required. Whenever, in any court of probate, a recording of the proceedings is not required to be made pursuant to any other provision of statute, upon the written request of a party or a party's attorney, the judge of probate shall cause a recording to be made of the proceedings. A proceeding in which a recording has been made pursuant to this section shall not be deemed to be a hearing on the record for the purposes of section 45a-186a or a matter heard on the record for the purposes of section 45a-186b. The cost of any copy or transcript of such recording shall be charged against the person requesting it. Any recording under this section shall be made and retained in a manner approved by the Probate Court Administrator.

(P.A. 10-184, S. 7.)

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Secs. 45a-136a to 45a-136e. Reserved for future use.

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Sec. 45a-136f. eFiling system. Definitions. Electronic service of documents by registered filers. (a) As used in this section:

(1) “eFiling system” means the system maintained by the Probate Court Administrator by which a person can use the Internet to file, send and receive documents, view court records and pay court fees and expenses in Probate Court matters.

(2) “eFiling access” means use of the eFiling system to view Probate Court records online.

(3) “Electronic service” or “eService” means use of the eFiling system to send a filing, notice or other document.

(4) “Registered filer” means a person who has registered to use the eFiling system.

(b) The Probate Court or a party or attorney in a Probate Court matter may send any filing, notice or other document to a registered filer by electronic service if the court has granted the registered filer's request for eFiling access to the matter. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, electronic service shall satisfy any requirement under law concerning the transmission of the filing, notice or document by means other than personal service.

(P.A. 19-47, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 19-47 effective June 26, 2019.

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Secs. 45a-137 and 45a-138. Reserved for future use.

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PART III

PROBATE BONDS

Sec. 45a-139. (Formerly Sec. 45-34a). Probate bonds. Waiver, when. (a) As used in this title, except as otherwise provided, “bond” or “probate bond” means a bond with security given to secure the faithful performance by an appointed fiduciary of the duties of the fiduciary's trust and the administration of and accounting for all moneys and other property coming into the fiduciary's hands, as fiduciary, according to law.

(b) Except as otherwise provided, every bond or probate bond shall be payable to the state, shall be conditioned for the faithful performance by the principal in the bond of the duties of the principal's trust and the administration of and accounting for all moneys and other property coming into the principal's hands, as fiduciary, according to law, and shall be in such amount and with such security as shall be required by the judge of probate having jurisdiction pursuant to rules prescribed by the Supreme Court. If bond is required of a fiduciary, the fiduciary's appointment shall not be effective until the bond has been accepted by the Court of Probate.

(c) A probate judge may waive the requirement of a bond if the assets of the estate are less than twenty thousand dollars, or if the amount of the estate which is not restricted by Probate Court order is less than ten thousand dollars.

(P.A. 80-227, S. 1, 24; P.A. 01-127, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 80-227 effective July 1, 1981; Sec. 45-34a transferred to Sec. 45a-139 in 1991; P.A. 01-127 made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality in Subsecs. (a) and (b) and added Subsec. (c) re waiver of bond if assets of estate are less than $20,000 or if amount not restricted by court order is less than $10,000.

Section does not operate to extend applicability of a bond where bond was limited to misappropriation related to a real estate transaction, and not all misappropriations related to the estate, but rather Sec. 45a-164(b) applies. 269 C. 550.

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Sec. 45a-140. (Formerly Sec. 45-37). Prohibition on judges, officers and employees of Probate Court acting as sureties or issuing probate bonds. A judge of probate or officer or employee of any court of probate shall not act as surety for, and shall not, personally or as agent for any surety or bonding company, issue a probate bond to any administrator, executor, trustee or other person required to furnish a bond in any proceeding pending before any judge of probate or court of probate.

(1949 Rev., S. 6844; P.A. 80-476, S. 67.)

History: P.A. 80-476 rephrased provisions and included prohibition against acting as surety by probate court judge, officer or employee; Sec. 45-37 transferred to Sec. 45a-140 in 1991.

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Sec. 45a-141. (Formerly Sec. 45-35). Substitution of new bond. (a) The principal or the surety, or the heirs, executors or administrators of the surety, upon any bond taken by any court of probate, may make written application to the court for an order permitting or requiring a new bond to be given in place of the existing bond. Thereupon the court shall cause reasonable notice of the application to be given to the surety, if the application is made by the principal, or to the principal, if the application is made by the surety, his heirs, executors or administrators, and to all persons whom the court finds to be interested in the estate for the security of which the bond was given, to appear and be heard upon the application at a time and place stated in the notice.

(b) If, upon hearing, the court finds that to grant the application would not prejudice the estate, it may authorize the principal to give a new probate bond, or order him to give a new bond within a time which it may limit. If the principal, having been ordered to give a new bond, fails to do so within the time limited by the court, it may remove him and appoint another in his stead. If the new bond is given to the approval of the court, the surety on the original bond and his representatives shall not be liable for any breach of the bond committed after the court approves the bond.

(1949 Rev., S. 6842; P.A. 80-476, S. 69.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and rephrased provisions but made no substantive changes; Sec. 45-35 transferred to Sec. 45a-141 in 1991.

Annotation to former section 45-35:

A substituted bond covers money received while old bond is in force. 34 C. 112.

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Sec. 45a-142. (Formerly Sec. 45-39). Filing and recording bonds. The Court of Probate shall cause all bonds taken by it to be filed and recorded. In case of the loss of any bond, a certified copy of the record of the bond shall be admissible in evidence.

(1949 Rev., S. 6846; P.A. 80-476, S. 70.)

History: P.A. 80-476 made minor changes in wording; Sec. 45-39 transferred to Sec. 45a-142 in 1991.

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Sec. 45a-143. (Formerly Sec. 45-36). Examination of estate. Removal of principal. (a) The surety upon any bond taken by any court of probate, or any person interested in the bond, may at any time make written application to such court for an order requiring the principal to exhibit fully in writing before such court the condition of the estate held by him, so that it may be ascertained whether the estate is being properly managed. Thereupon the court shall cause reasonable notice of such application to be given to the principal. If, upon hearing, the court finds that such application was made in good faith, it shall make such order.

(b) If the principal refuses to obey such order or if, upon his obeying it, the court finds that the estate is not being properly managed by him, it shall remove him and appoint another in his place.

(1949 Rev., S. 6843; P.A. 80-476, S. 194.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and reworded provisions but made no substantive changes; Sec. 45-36 transferred to Sec. 45a-143 in 1991.

See Sec. 45a-242 re removal and replacement of fiduciaries.

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Sec. 45a-144. (Formerly Sec. 45-40). Action on probate bond by aggrieved person. (a) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by the breach of a probate bond, as representative of the estate in connection with which the bond was given, or in his own right or in the right of himself and all others having an interest in the estate, may bring an action in the Superior Court or may apply to the court of probate in which the bond was given to recover for the breach in his own name.

(b) If an application is made or an action is brought by one not acting as a representative of the estate and the judge concludes that the action ought to be prosecuted, or the proceeding ought to be maintained, on behalf of all persons interested in the estate in connection with which the bond was given, the judge may order that the action shall be brought, or the proceeding shall be maintained, on behalf of all such persons; but, in that event, such persons need not be named in the writ, complaint or application.

(c) The judge shall require that the applicant or the person bringing the action give a bond, with sufficient surety, in an amount acceptable to the judge, in the nature of a probate bond. The bond shall be conditioned upon the applicant's or plaintiff's well and truly accounting for any moneys recovered in the action or proceeding and for his doings in connection with the action or proceeding and with the securing of payment of any moneys adjudged to be due. The bond shall be filed, with the endorsement of its acceptance, in the court of probate in which the estate is in settlement. If the application is made or the action is brought by a representative of the estate and the judge deems the bond already given by him sufficient to cover any amount which may be recovered in the action or proceeding, no additional bond need be required.

(d) The plaintiff in any action brought by him, or the applicant in any proceeding commenced by him, as representative of the estate or on his behalf and that of all persons interested in it shall account for any moneys recovered to the court of probate in which the estate is in settlement. The court may allow to the applicant or plaintiff a reasonable sum for his disbursements and services in the action or proceeding and in any subsequent proceedings to enforce payment of any sum recovered, to be paid from the amount recovered or by the estate.

(1949 Rev., S. 6847; P.A. 80-476, S. 71; P.A. 98-52, S. 8.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and reworded provisions; Sec. 45-40 transferred to Sec. 45a-144 in 1991; P.A. 98-52 amended section to provide person aggrieved by breach of bond may apply to probate court in which bond given and deleted specified conditions necessary for bringing action.

See Sec. 52-117 re actions on probate bonds.

Complaint of plaintiff, a state licensed nursing home, stated legally sufficient cause of action under section against defendant conservator, and plaintiff had right to bring action on probate bond to recover loss it suffered as a result of defendant's breach of duties under Secs. 45a-655(a) and 45a-656(a), as conservator of estate and of person, to ensure timely payment for services rendered by plaintiff. 257 C. 531.

Subsec. (a):

Provides cause of action for three separate categories of plaintiff, including any person aggrieved “in his own right” and, accordingly, complaint of state licensed nursing home against defendant conservator for payment for services rendered stated legally sufficient cause of action. 257 C. 531.

Trial court improperly construed plaintiff's complaint under section as a negligence cause of action. 58 CA 1.

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Sec. 45a-145. (Formerly Sec. 45-41). Enforcement of judgment on bond. (a) Any representative of an estate or any person suing on his own behalf and that of all others interested in the estate, who secures a judgment upon a probate bond, may file a judgment lien in his own name as representative of the estate or as representing himself and all other interested persons. He may, with the permission of the judge of the court of probate in which the estate is in settlement, bring any proper action to enforce the lien. He may, by order of the court of probate secured as provided in section 45a-162, sell any such lien or any real property obtained by the enforcement of the lien or upon execution and he may release the lien by a certificate of discharge.

(b) If any person bringing such an action on his own behalf and that of all others interested in the estate dies or is guilty of a breach of duty, the court of probate in which the estate is in settlement may appoint some other person in his stead. Such other person shall, upon giving a bond as provided in section 45a-144, acceptable to the court, be vested with the same rights and subject to the same duties as the person in whose stead he is acting with reference to the action, the enforcement of any judgment recovered or lien thereon and the discharge of any such lien.

(1949 Rev., S. 6848; P.A. 80-476, S. 72.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and reworded provisions; Sec. 45-41 transferred to Sec. 45a-145 in 1991.

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Secs. 45a-146 to 45a-150. Reserved for future use.

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PART IV*

COMPROMISE, SETTLEMENT AND ARBITRATION
OF CLAIMS

*Annotation to former chapter 791:

Cited. 153 C. 57.

Sec. 45a-151. (Formerly Sec. 45-231). Compromise and settlement of claims. Conveyance of real property. (a) Upon application by executors, guardians, conservators, administrators and trustees appointed, or whose appointment has been approved, by the Court of Probate, the court may, after such notice as the court shall direct and hearing, authorize such fiduciaries to compromise and settle any doubtful or disputed claims or actions, or any appeal from probate in favor of or against the estates or persons represented by them.

(b) In order to accomplish such compromise or settlement, the court may, after deduction of attorney's fees and costs, authorize such settlement as proposed by the fiduciary in a lump sum or in periodic payments to the estate, to an existing trust or to a newly created trust for the benefit of those represented by the fiduciary. Such trusts may include those created in compliance with Section 1917(d)(4) of the Social Security Act, 42 USC 1396p(d)(4), as from time to time amended. In the case of a gift or transfer in trust, any transfer to a court-approved trust created by a fiduciary shall be subject to continuing Probate Court jurisdiction as if it were a testamentary trust. In deciding whether the net settlement as proposed by the fiduciary is beneficial, the court shall consider the best interests of those represented by the fiduciary, and in the case of a decedent's estate, the intention of the decedent. The court may also authorize the conveyance, with or without requiring a bond, of the whole or any part of, or any easement or other interest in, any real property situated in this state forming part of the trust estate or owned by any such trustee, executor or administrator or owned by any deceased person, ward, conserved person or incapable person for whom such an executor, guardian, conservator or administrator was appointed.

(1949 Rev., S. 7016; P.A. 80-476, S. 73; P.A. 98-52, S. 6; 98-219, S. 20; 98-232, S. 1; P.A. 07-116, S. 26.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs., rephrased provisions and substituted “real property” for “real estate”; Sec. 45-231 transferred to Sec. 45a-151 in 1991; P.A. 98-52 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “public” before “notice”; P.A. 98-219 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “trustees in insolvency” and “public” before “notice”; P.A. 98-232 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision that court may, after deduction of attorneys' fees and costs, authorize settlement in lump sum or periodic payments to an existing or newly created trust, and any gift or transfer to court-approved trust shall be subject to continuing probate court jurisdiction; P.A. 07-116 added reference to “conserved person” in Subsec. (b).

Annotations to former section 45-231:

Controversy arising out of distribution of property under invalid will may be settled under statute by conservator of a distributee. 71 C. 590. Claim for land may be settled by cash payment. 85 C. 50. Conclusiveness of finding that claim is doubtful; inclusion in order of claim not presented properly. 86 C. 470. Whether Probate Court may authorize compromise of right of a minor under a will, quaere. 110 C. 161. Extension by executor of time for payment of mortgage held by estate is not within scope of statute. 116 C. 65. Purpose of statute is to protect fiduciary in payment of doubtful claims. Id., 66; 127 C. 482; 133 C. 480. Agreement by conservator re distribution of surplus income from testamentary trust, properly submitted to Probate Court. 127 C. 222. Provision of will that Probate Court is to determine if beneficiary is entitled to receive income under trust, sustained. 131 C. 480. Cited. 134 C. 340. Former statute broad enough to include compromise settlement to avoid threatened appeal from the admission of will to probate. 145 C. 634. Right of attorney to collect fee for effecting compromise under section. 147 C. 225. Cited. Id., 406. Empowers Probate Court to settle disputed claims provided trustee recognized claim. 160 C. 415.

Cited. 13 CA 45.

Position of executor under section. 7 CS 205.

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Sec. 45a-152. (Formerly Sec. 45-268a). Suit upon claims. Time limitation. When any guardian, conservator or testamentary or other trustee required to account in a court of probate is unable to settle or adjust any claim against him as such, or when any such guardian, conservator or trustee and a claimant against him are unable to agree concerning the amount or validity of such claim, such guardian, conservator or trustee may give written notice to such claimant of the disallowance of his claim, wholly or in part. Unless such claimant commences a suit against such guardian, conservator or trustee within four months after such notice has been given, such claimant shall be barred of his claim against such guardian, conservator or trustee, except such part as has been allowed, and of any such claim against the estate or trust; but, if such creditor dies within such four months and before suit has been brought, a period of four months from his death shall be allowed to his executor or administrator within which to commence such suit.

(P.A. 80-476, S. 191.)

History: Sec. 45-268a transferred to Sec. 45a-152 in 1991.

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Sec. 45a-153. (Formerly Sec. 45-232). Submission of claims to arbitration. (a) An executor, administrator, conservator, guardian or trustee appointed, or whose appointment has been approved, by a Probate Court, may apply in writing to the Probate Court having jurisdiction of his or her trust for an order authorizing the applicant to submit the matter in controversy to the arbitration of persons who are mutually agreed upon by the applicant and the other party to any matter in controversy which is described in this subsection or subsection (b) of this section, if: (1) The applicant has any claim in the applicant's capacity as such fiduciary, or on behalf of the interest which he or she represents, against any person or to any property; or (2) any person has any claim against or to any property which is in the applicant's control in the applicant's capacity as such fiduciary.

(b) The court may authorize the submission to arbitration following a hearing of which notice has been given to the parties in interest as ordered by the court.

(1949 Rev., S. 7017; P.A. 80-476, S. 74; P.A. 18-45, S. 17.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and restated provisions; Sec. 45-232 transferred to Sec. 45a-153 in 1991; P.A. 18-45 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “, trustee in insolvency”, and making technical changes.

Annotation to former section 45-232:

Cited. 7 CS 225.

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Sec. 45a-154. (Formerly Sec. 45-233). Award of arbitrators. The award made upon submission to arbitration shall be in writing, signed by the arbitrator or arbitrators and returned to the Court of Probate. When the award is so made and accepted by the court and lodged on file, the award shall be final and binding upon all parties unless remonstrance is taken under section 45a-155.

(1949 Rev., S. 7018; P.A. 80-476, S. 75.)

History: P.A. 80-476 rephrased provisions and qualified provision making award final and binding by adding “unless remonstrance is taken under section 45-234”; Sec. 45-233 transferred to Sec. 45a-154 in 1991.

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Sec. 45a-155. (Formerly Sec. 45-234). Remonstrance against award. Refusal of court to accept award. Any party interested may remonstrate against the acceptance of the arbitration award on any ground which would be sufficient to set aside such an award in a court of equity. If the allegations in the remonstrance are found to be true and sufficient, the court of equity shall refuse to accept the award, and the matter in controversy may again be submitted to arbitration, and the proceedings shall be the same as provided in sections 45a-153 and 45a-154 and this section.

(1949 Rev., S. 7019; P.A. 80-476, S. 76.)

History: P.A. 80-476 restated provisions but made no substantive change; Sec. 45-234 transferred to Sec. 45a-155 in 1991.

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Sec. 45a-156. (Formerly Sec. 45-235). Costs of arbitration. (a) The fees for the services of the judge of probate shall be paid by the applicant.

(b) The fees and charges of the arbitrator or arbitrators shall be taxed by the judge and apportioned by him between the parties as he judges proper and shall be paid by them according to the apportionment.

(1949 Rev., S. 7020; P.A. 80-476, S. 77.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and restated provisions; Sec. 45-235 transferred to Sec. 45a-156 in 1991.

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Secs. 45a-157 to 45a-161. Reserved for future use.

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PART V*

SALE OR MORTGAGE OF ESTATE PROPERTY

*Annotation to former chapter 792:

Cited. 153 C. 57.

Sec. 45a-162. (Formerly Sec. 45-236). Sale of choses in action and other property. Before the final settlement of any estate, the Court of Probate may order the sale of the credits and choses in action belonging to such estate, and may at any time order the sale of personal property, and in the case of an insolvent debtor's estate of all or any property, as it finds for the interest of the estate, in a manner and after notice which it judges reasonable. The court, in making orders for the sale of the property described in this section, may order it to be sold at public or private sale at the discretion of the person authorized to make the sale. After a hearing the court may authorize that the property be sold to the fiduciary either directly or under the provisions of section 45a-163, except that if a public sale is ordered, the fiduciary may be the purchaser only if the sale is made under section 45a-163. In the case of any proposed sale to a fiduciary, any notice sent to interested parties and any public notice shall indicate that the fiduciary is the proposed purchaser.

(1949 Rev., S. 7021; P.A. 80-476, S. 78; P.A. 83-87, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 80-476 restated provisions and substituted “property” for “estate” in some instances; P.A. 83-87 added provisions re purchase of property by fiduciary; Sec. 45-236 transferred to Sec. 45a-162 in 1991.

Annotations to former section 45-236:

Order of sale extends to all property known to court, even if not inventoried. 2 D. 316. Avails of sale of real estate in hands of removed executor should be paid to successor. 17 C. 420. Sale must be for cash. 21 C. 285. If husband elects to accept provisions in will, he cannot thereafter, as executor, obtain order to sell estate to make up his statutory share. 64 C. 352. Order of sale will not justify exchange. 77 C. 374. Order of sale to pay debts will not justify sale after final accounting. Id.; 81 C. 94. Court should not order a sale where it will compel one legatee to buy or sell an interest at a loss. Id., 95. Private sale should have public notice. 134 C. 334. Sale of estate personal property, though approved by Probate Court, may be reviewed de novo by appellate court; former doctrine of discretion of Probate Court reversed. 158 C. 286.

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Sec. 45a-163. (Formerly Sec. 45-237). Sale of personal property by other than fiduciary. (a) Upon the written application of any fiduciary described in section 45a-164, after such notice which the court may order and after hearing, the Court of Probate may authorize a person other than the fiduciary to sell the whole or any part of or any interest in any personal property of any incapable person, minor, missing person, deceased person or trustee, or any property to which the fiduciary may hold legal title in such capacity, if: (1) Such person has first given a probate bond that he will faithfully administer and account for the proceeds of the sale according to law; and (2) the court finds that to grant the application would be in the best interests of the parties in interest. If any party having an interest in such personal property is not in being or is not ascertained or is under a disability, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interest of such party at the hearing, unless such party already is represented by a guardian or by a conservator. Such order, and the sale thereunder, shall be conclusive upon all persons then or thereafter existing whose interests have been so represented.

(b) The person selling the personal property shall pay to the fiduciary the sum for which such personal property was sold.

(c) The Court of Probate shall direct whether the sale shall be public or private, and, if public, the notice thereof which shall be given, and, if private, may authorize the sale at a price and upon terms, including such mortgage or mortgages, as it considers reasonable or advisable.

(1949, S. 2937d; P.A. 80-476, S. 79; P.A. 83-87, S. 2; P.A. 98-219, S. 21.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs., restated provisions and substituted “personal property” for “personal estate”; P.A. 83-87 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting provision re purchase of personal property by fiduciary; Sec. 45-237 transferred to Sec. 45a-163 in 1991; P.A. 98-219 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “public notice and other” and inserted “such” before “notice”.

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Sec. 45a-164. (Formerly Sec. 45-238). Sale or mortgage of real property. (a) Upon the written application of the conservator of the estate of any person, guardian of the estate of any minor, temporary administrator, administrator or trustee appointed by the court, including a trustee of a missing person, or the executor or trustee under any will admitted to probate by the court, after such notice as the court may order and after hearing, the court may authorize the sale or mortgage of the whole or any part of, or any easement or other interest in, any real property in this state of such person, minor, missing person, deceased person or trustee, or of any real property the legal title to which has been acquired by such temporary administrator, administrator, executor or trustee, if the court finds it would be for the best interests of the parties in interest to grant the application.

(b) The court may empower the conservator, guardian, temporary administrator, administrator, executor or trustee to execute a conveyance of such property or to execute a note and a mortgage to secure such property upon giving a probate bond faithfully to administer and account for the proceeds of the sale or mortgage according to law, unless the court finds that there is in force, for such fiduciary, a probate bond in an amount and with security determined in accordance with section 45a-139 or unless the bond is dispensed with in accordance with section 45a-169. The application shall set forth a description of the property to be sold or mortgaged.

(c) After a hearing, the court may authorize that the property be sold to the fiduciary either directly or under the provisions of section 45a-167, except that if a public sale is ordered, the fiduciary may be the purchaser only if the sale is made under section 45a-167. In the case of any proposed sale to a fiduciary, any notice shall indicate that the fiduciary is the proposed purchaser.

(d) If any person having an interest in such real property is not in being or is not ascertained or is under a disability, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of such person at the hearing. A guardian ad litem shall not be necessary if such person is represented by a guardian or by a conservator, unless the sale of the property is to such guardian or conservator or such guardian or conservator has a potential conflict as an applicant or otherwise.

(e) The order and the sale or mortgage under the order shall be conclusive upon all persons then or thereafter existing whose interests have been so represented.

(1949 Rev., S. 7022; P.A. 80-227, S. 18, 24; 80-476, S. 80; P.A. 83-87, S. 3; P.A. 91-49, S. 1; P.A. 96-91, S. 1; P.A. 98-219, S. 22.)

History: P.A. 80-227 deleted references to overseers appointed under Sec. 54-37 in provision re powers to make application and to execute conveyances and clarified requirement for probate bond by allowing for possibility that such a bond is already in force or has been waived, effective July 1, 1981; P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs., restated provisions and generally substituted “property” for “estate”; P.A. 83-87 inserted new Subsec. (c) re sale of real property to fiduciary, relettering former Subsecs. (c) and (d) accordingly; Sec. 45-238 transferred to Sec. 45a-164 in 1991; P.A. 91-49 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting references to incapable person and amended Subsec. (d) to provide that a guardian ad litem shall not be necessary if person is represented by guardian or conservator, unless sale of property is to guardian or conservator or guardian or conservator has potential conflict of interest; P.A. 96-91 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) by adding temporary administrators to list of persons who may be authorized to sell or mortgage real property; P.A. 98-219 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “public notice and other notice which” and inserted “such notice as” and amended Subsec. (c) by deleting “sent to interested parties and any public notice”.

Annotations to former section 45-238:

Sale of real estate under former statutes: Sale of insolvent estate cannot be attacked by showing that claims allowed by commissioners were unjust. 2 R. 270. Court cannot appoint person other than administrator to sell real estate. 4 D. 140. Power to sell land does not carry with it power to create easement in other land. 5 D. 92. Return not necessary to validity of sale. Id., 213. When decree invalidating order of sale not a bar to procuring subsequent order. 1 C. 53. Order of sale valid on its face cannot be collaterally attacked. Id., 469. Court cannot order sale of real estate to pay legacy. 4 C. 166. Order of sale only authorizes such instrument as is legally proper for conveyance of estate. 4 C. 512; 6 C. 269. Order to sell must be strictly followed. 6 C. 387. Not necessary to state in deed reasons why sale was ordered. 10 C. 87. Consideration may be less than sum named in the order. 22 C. 276. A new order not necessary where an invalid sale is made under a valid order. 27 C. 239. Order requiring notice to be published in county, but actually published in district, sufficient. 49 C. 428. Whether real estate should be sold is in sound discretion of court. 60 C. 67. Cited. 63 C. 352. Order of sale without notice of hearing invalid. 67 C. 8. Statute to be strictly followed. 68 C. 412. Effect of sale on rights of heirs; 84 C. 212; of devisees; 90 C. 143. Sale subject to dower. 72 C. 256. Failure to distribute surplus breach of bond herein required, not of administration bond. 77 C. 75; 82 C. 308. Administrator can defend against his agreement to sell land, on ground that court refused to order sale, though such refusal based on facts he laid before court. 80 C. 227. In case of fraud by administrator in sale, remedy on bond is cumulative. 81 C. 127. Power of court to order sale for purpose of distribution. 84 C. 212; 87 C. 85. Limitation of time within which order for sale may be effectual against heir in possession. 7 Wheat. 59; 90 C. 562. Sale of real estate before termination of life estate does not change nature of proceeds; they remain real estate under statute. 98 C. 333. Proceeds of sale of real estate cannot be charged with expenses, debts or legacies which would not have been chargeable against the real estate if not sold. 105 C. 238. Public notice of private sale not required since 1921 act. Id., 687. Cited. 109 C. 315; 121 C. 112.

Sale or mortgage by conservator: Conservator can sell real estate only under authority of court. 5 C. 286. Must sell for cash. 21 C. 290, 292. General statement of authority in deed held sufficient. 25 C. 1. Recitation in deed of authority to sell sufficient. 27 C. 529. Acceptance of return of sale held not conclusive. 33 C. 347. Cited. 67 C. 195. Who may recover for fraud by conservator in such sale. 81 C. 131. Conservator has no power to borrow money on credit of ward's estate, except by order of court. 85 C. 279.

Sale or mortgage of trust estates: General reference in deed to authority sufficient. 27 C. 528. Proceeds of sale are covered by trustee's bond. 77 C. 75. Where several are appointed trustees and only one qualifies, though will gives power to sell, order of court should be secured. 80 C. 673. Orders for sale where, in certain contingency, will gives trustee power, merely determine existence of contingency. 81 C. 171. Trustee cannot sell property to facilitate distribution, without order of court. 89 C. 283. Court may order sale under statute although period provided by will in which trustee could sell has elapsed; 105 C. 286; but otherwise if will contains an express prohibition against selling. Id., 278. Power to sell given in will does not include power to mortgage. Id., 286. Proceeds of mortgage may be used for improvement of real estate damaged by fire. 109 C. 199. Mere fact that sale of real estate is not necessary to pay debts does not make order of sale by Probate Court invalid. 135 C. 20. Cited. 140 C. 594; 143 C. 716.

Conservatrix may not bind ward's estate in implied contract with real estate agent for sale of ward's property without Probate Court approval. 155 C. 119. Empowers Probate Court to authorize sale of estate land but does not provide for counsel fees. 160 C. 415. Statute contemplates an open and fair sale in the best interest of the parties in interest and plaintiff who offered to purchase estate asset is entitled to due process in the court approving the sale. 180 C. 511. Cited. 186 C. 63; Id., 67; Id., 360; 208 C. 606; 209 C. 260.

Cited. 4 CA 436; 11 CA 297; 20 CA 58.

Conservator may sell property of ward only on authority of Probate Court. 7 CS 225. Conditions for denial of application to sell. 13 CS 14. Court may order sale or mortgage to satisfy debts and charges subject to the conditions of Sec. 45-271b. 17 CS 501. Cited. 40 CS 484.

Annotations to present section:

Subsec. (a):

Cited. 24 CA 582. Probate Court not required to hold public hearing to give potential bidders an opportunity to comment on bidding procedure. 66 CA 591.

Subsec. (b):

Limits application of a bond to the misappropriation related to a real estate transaction, and not all misappropriations related to the estate, where bond form was marked to indicate the restricted nature of the bond and there was no evidence that a global bond was intended. 269 C. 550.

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Sec. 45a-165. (Formerly Sec. 45-243). Sale or mortgage of real property by successor to original appointee or survivor of appointees. (a) When any conservator, guardian, administrator, executor or trustee, who has been authorized under the provisions of sections 45a-164 to 45a-169, inclusive, and 45a-428 to sell or mortgage any real property, has died, resigned or been removed without having sold or mortgaged such real property, the court of probate by which such sale or mortgage was authorized may, upon written application by his duly appointed successor, authorize the sale or mortgage of the real property remaining unsold or unmortgaged upon his giving such probate bond, if any, and upon such further notice, if any, as said court orders.

(b) The court may likewise, upon similar application, authorize the survivor or survivors, as the case may be, of two or more executors, administrators, trustees, conservators or guardians to sell or mortgage any real property that the original fiduciaries were authorized to sell or mortgage upon giving such probate bond, if any, and upon such further notice, if any, as the court orders.

(1949 Rev., S. 7027; P.A. 80-227, S. 19, 24; 80-476, S. 81.)

History: P.A. 80-227 removed overseers appointed pursuant to Sec. 54-37 from purview of section, effective July 1, 1981; P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs., substituted “real property” for “real estate” and made other slight changes in wording; Sec. 45-243 transferred to Sec. 45a-165 in 1991.

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Sec. 45a-166. (Formerly Sec. 45-241). Public or private sale of real property. Distribution of proceeds. Validation of sale. (a) The Court of Probate in ordering a sale under the provisions of sections 45a-164 to 45a-169, inclusive, and 45a-428 shall direct whether the sale shall be public or private. If a public sale is directed, the court shall direct the notice thereof which shall be given. If a private sale is directed, the court may, if it appears to be for the best interests of the estate, determine the price and the terms of the sale, including purchase money mortgage or mortgages, as it considers reasonable and advisable.

(b) The net proceeds of the sale shall be divided or distributed in the same manner as such real property would have been divided or distributed if it had not been sold.

(c) If a court of probate fails to direct whether the sale is to be public or private as required by subsection (a) of this section and authorizes a sale to be either public or private subject to the discretion of the fiduciary, a sale conducted pursuant to that order is as valid as if the court had not failed to direct whether the sale is to be public or private.

(1949 Rev., S. 7025; 1949, S. 2939d; P.A. 80-476, S. 82; P.A. 99-238, S. 6, 8; P.A. 00-84, S. 3, 6.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and restated provisions; Sec. 45-241 transferred to Sec. 45a-166 in 1991; P.A. 99-238 added Subsec. (c) re validity of sale pursuant to order if court fails to direct whether sale to be public or private, effective July 1, 2000; P.A. 00-84 revised effective date of P.A. 99-238 to specify applicability of section as amended by that act to errors, irregularities and omissions occurring on or after January 1, 1999, effective July 1, 2000.

Annotations to former section 45-241:

Probate Court ordered a public sale of real estate of an estate “by sealed bids to be received by the court”; held not a public sale; a public sale is one made at auction to highest bidder; order of court was void. 135 C. 20. Only persons affected by an order approving the sale of property constituting an asset of an estate are those to whom the estate will be distributed or creditors, if the estate is insolvent. 142 C. 379. Cited. 186 C. 360.

Cited. 4 CA 436; 20 CA 58.

Annotations to present section:

Subsec. (a):

Cited. 24 CA 582. Probate Court not required to hold public hearing to give potential bidders an opportunity to comment on bidding procedure. 66 CA 591.

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Sec. 45a-167. (Formerly Sec. 45-244). Sale of real property by other than fiduciary. (a) Any court of probate to which an application to sell real property has been made under the provisions of section 45a-164, may authorize a person other than the fiduciary to sell it in accordance with the provisions of sections 45a-164 and 45a-166 if such person has given a probate bond and if a probate bond is in force for the fiduciary in accordance with section 45a-164, unless exempted therefrom under section 45a-169.

(b) Such person selling the real property shall pay to the fiduciary the sum for which such real property was sold.

(1949 Rev., S. 7028; P.A. 80-227, S. 20, 24; 80-476, S. 83; P.A. 83-87, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 80-227 rephrased provision re probate bonds and deleted clause requiring that person other than fiduciary making sale “will faithfully administer and account for the avails of such sale according to law”, effective July 1, 1981; P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs., rephrased provisions and substituted “real property” for “real estate”; P.A. 83-87 deleted provision permitting fiduciary to be a purchaser of real property; Sec. 45-244 transferred to Sec. 45a-167 in 1991.

Annotations to former section 45-244:

Failure to follow statute makes sale voidable and even though sale is made through intermediate conveyance to third party, relief lies in Superior Court. 105 C. 560. Effect and intent of former statute. 127 C. 480. Cited. 134 C. 334. Action of court in receiving and recording a return of sale is ministerial and no appeal lies. 140 C. 594.

Not obligatory upon an executor to proceed under section; he may sell to himself and such sale will not be void but if challenged, the burden is on him to show that the transaction was fair and equitable. 13 CS 114.

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Sec. 45a-168. (Formerly Sec. 45-242). Mortgage of real property: Amount and interest rate. Liability of fiduciary. (a) An application to mortgage real property made under the provisions of sections 45a-164 to 45a-169, inclusive, and 45a-428 shall set forth the amount of money necessary to be raised and the purposes for which the money is required.

(b) The order of the court upon the application to mortgage shall fix the amount for which the mortgage may be given and the rate of interest which may be paid thereon.

(c) The note and mortgage legally executed by such conservator, guardian, administrator, executor, trustee or overseer shall bind the estate, but shall not bind such fiduciary individually.

(1949 Rev., S. 7026; P.A. 80-476, S. 84.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs., substituted “real property” for “real estate” and made other minor changes in wording; Sec. 45-242 transferred to Sec. 45a-168 in 1991.

Annotation to former section 45-242:

Former statute cited. 120 C. 671.

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Sec. 45a-169. (Formerly Sec. 45-240). When probate bond not required. The Court of Probate may dispense with the requirement of a probate bond as set forth in sections 45a-162 to 45a-169, inclusive, if: (1) The fiduciary is a bank or trust company authorized to do business and maintaining a place of business in this state; (2) the fiduciary is a foreign bank or trust company which has qualified and been approved as such fiduciary; (3) the fiduciary is excused by the will from giving a probate bond; or (4) the Court of Probate determines that a bond is not required for the protection of interested parties.

(1949 Rev., S. 7024; P.A. 73-254; P.A. 80-476, S. 85.)

History: P.A. 73-254 authorized court to waive probate bond requirement if it determines the bond to be unnecessary “for the protection of interested parties”; P.A. 80-476 restated provisions but made no substantive change; Sec. 45-240 transferred to Sec. 45a-169 in 1991.

Annotation to former section 45-240:

Cited. 140 C. 594.

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Secs. 45a-170 to 45a-174. Reserved for future use.

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PART VI*

ACCOUNTS

*Annotation to former chapter 794:

Cited. 153 C. 57.

Sec. 45a-175. (Formerly Sec. 45-267). Jurisdiction of accounts of fiduciaries. Appointment of auditor to examine accounts, when. (a) Probate Courts shall have jurisdiction of the interim and final accounts of testamentary trustees, trustees appointed by the Probate Courts, conservators, guardians, executors and administrators, and, to the extent provided for in this section, shall have jurisdiction of accounts of the actions of trustees of inter vivos trusts and agents acting under powers of attorney.

(b) A trustee or settlor of an inter vivos trust or the successor of the trustee, settlor or his or her legal representative may petition a Probate Court specified in section 45a-499p for submission to the jurisdiction of the court of an account for allowance of the trustee's actions under such trust.

(c) (1) Any beneficiary of an inter vivos trust may petition a Probate Court specified in section 45a-499p for an accounting by the trustee or trustees. The court may, after hearing with notice to all interested parties, grant the petition and require an accounting for such periods of time as it determines are reasonable and necessary on finding that: (A) The beneficiary has an interest in the trust sufficient to entitle the beneficiary to an accounting, (B) cause has been shown that an accounting is necessary, and (C) the petition is not for the purpose of harassment.

(2) As used in subdivision (1) of this subsection, “beneficiary” has the same meaning as provided in section 45a-499c.

(d) Any of the persons specified in section 1-350o may petition the Probate Court for the district where the agent has any place of business or to the Probate Court for the district where the agent or the principal resides or, in the case of a deceased principal, to the Probate Court having jurisdiction over the estate of the principal or for the district in which the principal resided immediately prior to death, for an accounting or other relief as provided in section 1-350o. The court shall grant the petition if filed by the principal, agent, guardian, conservator or other fiduciary acting for the principal. The court may grant a petition filed by any other person specified in section 1-350o if it finds that (1) the petitioner has an interest sufficient to entitle the petitioner to the relief requested, (2) cause has been shown that such relief is necessary, and (3) the petition is not for the purpose of harassment.

(e) The action to submit an accounting to the court, whether by an inter vivos trustee or agent acting under a power of attorney or whether pursuant to petition of another party, does not subject the trust or the power of attorney to the continuing jurisdiction of the Probate Court.

(f) If the court finds such appointment is necessary and in the best interests of the estate, the court upon its own motion may appoint an auditor to be selected from a list provided by the Probate Court Administrator, to examine accounts over which the court has jurisdiction under this section, except those accounts on matters in which the fiduciary or cofiduciary is a corporation having trust powers. The list of auditors compiled by the Probate Court Administrator shall be comprised of individuals who hold a license from the State Board of Accountancy as a certified public accountant or public accountant. The Probate Court Administrator may from time to time establish hourly rates and allowable expenses for the compensation of auditors under this section. Costs of the audit may be charged to the fiduciary, any party in interest and the estate, in such proportion as the court shall direct if the court finds the charge to be equitable. Any such share may be paid from the fund established under section 45a-82, subject to the approval of the Probate Court Administrator, if it is determined that the person obligated to pay the share is unable to pay or to charge such amount to the estate would cause undue hardship.

(g) Upon the allowance of any such account, the court shall determine the rights of the fiduciaries or the agent under a power of attorney rendering the account and of the parties interested in the account, including the relief authorized under section 1-350p, subject to appeal as in other cases. The court shall cause notice of the hearing on the account to be given in such manner and to such parties as it directs.

(h) In any action under this section, the Probate Court shall have, in addition to powers pursuant to this section, all the powers available to a judge of the Superior Court at law and in equity pertaining to matters under this section.

(1949 Rev., S. 7051; 1963, P.A. 480; 1969, P.A. 209, S. 1; P.A. 74-21, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-489; P.A. 80-476, S. 86; P.A. 87-333, S. 1; P.A. 89-79; P.A. 96-202, S. 4; P.A. 97-90, S. 3; P.A. 98-52, S. 5; P.A. 14-122, S. 53; P.A. 15-240, S. 47; P.A. 16-40, S. 9; 16-193, S. 20; P.A. 17-136, S. 21; P.A. 18-45, S. 5; P.A. 19-137, S. 111.)

History: 1963 act added provisions re trustee's application to submit an account of inter vivos trust and deleted reference to “annual, interim or final” accounts in provision re court's determination of fiduciaries' rights; 1969 act deleted initial reference to annual accounts of testamentary trustees; P.A. 74-21 specified that in cases involving deceased settlors, application is made to probate court having jurisdiction over settlor's estate; P.A. 77-489 added provisions re court's jurisdiction over accounts of actions of “attorneys-in-fact acting under powers of attorney created in accordance with section 45-69o”; P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and rephrased provisions; P.A. 87-333 inserted new Subsec. (d) re appointment of auditor to examine accounts, promulgation of regulations re compilation of list of qualified auditors and charge of costs of audit to fiduciary, any party in interest and the estate as court deems equitable or payment of charge from fund under Sec. 45-4h if charge to person or estate would cause undue hardship, relettering as necessary; P.A. 89-79 inserted new Subsec. (c) permitting beneficiary of inter vivos trust to petition court having jurisdiction for an accounting by trustee and to permit court to grant such petition upon certain findings, relettering previously existing Subsecs. accordingly; Sec. 45-267 transferred to Sec. 45a-175 in 1991; P.A. 96-202 amended Subsecs. (a) and (d) by deleting phrase “created in accordance with section 45a-562” after “powers of attorney” and amended Subsec. (b) by adding “or the successor of the trustee or attorney-in-fact”; P.A. 97-90 added new Subsec. (g) re powers of Probate Court to include powers available to Superior Court re accountings; P.A. 98-52 amended Subsec. (b) by adding “or any one of them”, deleting “his or its principal” and inserted “any” and added “or for the district in which the settlor or grantor resided immediately prior to death” and amended Subsec. (c)(2) by adding “or in the case of a deceased settlor, resided in the district immediately prior to death”; P.A. 14-122 made technical changes in Subsec. (c); P.A. 15-240 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting “agents” for “attorneys-in-fact”, amended Subsec. (b) by deleting references to attorney-in-fact, grantor of power of attorney and grantor and by making technical changes, added new Subsec. (d) re authority of persons to make application to Probate Court for an accounting or other relief as provided in Sec. 1-350o, redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (e) and amended same by substituting “agent” for “attorney”, redesignated existing Subsecs. (e) to (g) as Subsecs. (f) to (h) and amended redesignated Subsec. (g) by substituting “agent under a power of attorney” for “attorney-in-fact” and by adding provision re relief under Sec. 1-350p, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 16-40 changed effective date of P.A. 15-240, S. 47, from July 1, 2016, to October 1, 2016, effective May 27, 2016; P.A. 16-193 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) to (d); P.A. 17-136 amended Subsec. (f) by deleting provision re Probate Court Administrator to promulgate regulations and adding provisions re auditors holding a license from State Board of Accountancy as a certified public accountant or public accountant and authority of Probate Court Administrator to establish hourly rates and allowable expenses for compensation of auditors, effective January 1, 2018; P.A. 18-45 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to person appointed by Probate Courts to sell land of minors, deleting reference to trustees in insolvency, and making technical changes, and amended Subsecs. (b) and (d) by replacing references to making application with references to petition; P.A. 19-137 amended Subsecs. (b) and (c)(1) by replacing provisions re Probate Court to be petitioned with reference to Probate Court specified in section 45a-499p, further amended Subsec. (c)(1) by replacing “him or her” with “the beneficiary”, deleted former Subsec. (c)(2) re Probate Court jurisdiction to require accounting, redesignated Subsec. (c)(3) as Subsec. (c)(2) and amended same by redefining “beneficiary”, amended Subsec. (e) by replacing “shall” with “does”, and made technical changes in Subsecs. (d) and (f), effective January 1, 2020.

Annotations to former section 45-267:

Allowance of sum in gross improper. 4 D. 140; 30 C. 208; 34 C. 303. Decree allowing account not impeachable in suit on bond. 4 D. 221; 16 C. 318. Probate Court has jurisdiction of every item of account. 8 C. 90; 16 C. 318. Oath to account necessary. 8 C. 424. Executor may be made to account for avails of real estate. 13 C. 506. Every sum collected but not inventoried should appear in account. 21 C. 243. Ascertained future expenses may be allowed. Id., 556. Unnecessary expenses not allowable items. 27 C. 238. Claim against administrator for services rendered gives claimant no right of appeal from account disallowing such claim. 28 C. 415. Expenses of administration are personal charges against executors. Id., 550. Decree accepting account has all the elements of a final judgment. 31 C. 382, but see 32 C. 560; 36 C. 186. Previous errors may be corrected in final account. 35 C. 123; 49 C. 534. Account cannot be settled in Superior Court in suit on bond. 36 C. 295. Acceptance of final account as settlement of estate. 72 C. 555; 77 C. 374; 78 C. 517. Percentage charge by administrator; lump sum for “traveling expenses”. 73 C. 639. Correction of final account to include property omitted from inventory. 84 C. 659. Accounting in case of change of capacity from administrator to guardian. 80 C. 111. Account should be read in connection with inventory. Id., 620. Accounting in case of change of capacity from executor to trustee. 111 U.S. 566. What are administration expenses; taxes of other states and of United States are. 92 C. 506. Penalty tax of Connecticut. 96 C. 369. Jurisdiction of Probate Courts to pass upon accounts of testamentary trustee is not exclusive. 121 C. 388. Cited. 124 C. 422; 131 C. 482; 147 C. 482; 149 C. 348; 155 C. 417; 165 C. 207. Does not confer on Probate Court any jurisdiction over a final account filed by a surety on the probate bond of a fiduciary. Id., 211. Cited. 202 C. 57.

Probate Court jurisdiction over inter vivos trust accounts not exclusive. 29 CS 275.

Annotations to present section:

Cited. 45 CA 490.

Cited. 45 CS 368.

Subsec. (b):

Specific intent of the grantor of a power of attorney to change domicile is irrelevant to determination of whether the grantor “resided” in the Probate Court district; standing under Subsec. does not require an individual named as the only successor to an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney to have assumed the role of acting attorney-in-fact; showing of cause is not required before Probate Court may order an attorney-in-fact to account for her actions under a power of attorney. 306 C. 37.

Subsec. (c):

Subdiv. (1) discussed. 247 C. 686.

Subsec. (f):

Probate Court may enforce rights under Subsec. by, inter alia, surcharging fiduciary for breach of trust. 261 C. 585.

Subsec. (g):

Subsec. legislatively overruled 153 C. 603; Probate Court has same power to order discovery in a proceeding on the interim account challenged by someone with standing that Superior Court would have in a case in which that same person brought a plenary action in Superior Court challenging the account based on the conduct of the fiduciaries. 129 CA 814.

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Sec. 45a-176. (Formerly Sec. 45-267a). Financial report by fiduciary in lieu of account. Release from liability. If a fiduciary is permitted to submit a financial report in lieu of an account pursuant to rules of procedure adopted under section 45a-78 and the Probate Court approves the financial report, the Probate Court may enter a decree releasing the fiduciary and the sureties on the fiduciary's bond, if any, from any further liability with respect to all items shown on the financial report.

(P.A. 77-29; P.A. 80-476, S. 87; P.A. 83-520, S. 8; P.A. 93-68; P.A. 98-219, S. 23; P.A. 13-81, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 80-476 made minor changes in wording but no substantive changes; P.A. 83-520 permitted fiduciary to file statement in lieu of accounting whenever multiple fiduciaries of estate are the only beneficiaries and all dispositions to other beneficiaries are specific bequests, except in the case where any beneficiary is trustee of testamentary or inter vivos trust, and added procedure re filing receipts of beneficiaries of specific bequests; Sec. 45-267a transferred to Sec. 45a-176 in 1991; P.A. 93-68 divided section into Subsecs. and added provision re bequests of personal property or an amount certain or devises of specific real property; P.A. 98-219 revised section permitting statement in lieu of accounting if any fiduciary is one of beneficiaries; P.A. 13-81 replaced former provisions with provisions re fiduciary permitted to submit a financial report in lieu of an account under rules of procedure and release of liability upon court's approval of financial report and entering of decree, effective July 1, 2013.

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Sec. 45a-177. (Formerly Sec. 45-268). Periodic rendering of accounts; hearing. Exceptions. (a) All conservators, guardians and trustees of testamentary trusts, unless excused by the will creating the trust, shall render periodic accounts of their trusts signed under penalty of false statement to the Probate Court having jurisdiction for allowance, at least once during each three-year period and more frequently if required by the court or by the will or trust instrument creating the trust. Except as otherwise provided in rules of procedure adopted and promulgated by the judges of the Supreme Court, under section 45a-78, the provisions of a will excusing the trustee from rendering of periodic accounts does not excuse the trustee from the rendering of a final account upon termination of the trust as required by section 45a-481.

(b) If the estate held by any person in any such fiduciary capacity is less than two thousand dollars, or, in the case of a corporate fiduciary under the supervision of the Banking Commissioner or any other fiduciary bonded by a surety company authorized to do business in this state, ten thousand dollars, such fiduciary shall not be required to render such account unless so ordered by the court.

(1949 Rev., S. 7052; 1961, P.A. 139; 1969, P.A. 209, S. 2; P.A. 77-430; 77-614, S. 161, 610; P.A. 80-476, S. 88; 80-482, S. 336, 348; P.A. 87-9, S. 2, 3; P.A. 99-84, S. 16; P.A. 03-84, S. 30; P.A. 16-7, S. 9; P.A. 17-136, S. 20; P.A. 19-137, S. 112; P.A. 21-40, S. 41.)

History: 1961 act specified that estates of less than $10,000 held by corporate fiduciaries under supervision of bank commissioner or by other fiduciaries bonded by surety companies authorized to do business in state are not subject to annual account requirement; 1969 act required that accounts be rendered “at least once during each three-year period” rather than annually; P.A. 77-430 authorized more frequent filing if required by will or trust instrument and added provisions re filing and hearing procedure for periodic accounts; P.A. 77-614 replaced bank commissioner with banking commissioner within the department of business regulation and made banking department a division within that department, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and rephrased provisions; P.A. 80-482 restored banking commissioner and division to prior independent status and abolished the department of business regulation; (Revisor's note: Pursuant to P.A. 87-9 “banking commissioner” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “commissioner of banking”); Sec. 45-268 transferred to Sec. 45a-177 in 1991; P.A. 99-84 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “under oath” and inserting “signed under penalty of false statement”; P.A. 03-84 changed “Commissioner of Banking” to “Banking Commissioner” in Subsec. (c), effective June 3, 2003; P.A. 16-7 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re persons appointed by court to sell land of minors to render periodic account of trust and court to provide notice of, examination of and hearing on periodic account and by replacing “to do so” with “by the court or” re rendering of periodic account more frequently than once during each three-year period, deleted former Subsec. (b) re inclusion of inventory of trust estate in periodic account, redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (b) and made a technical change; P.A. 17-136 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing provision re those entrusted with testamentary trusts as Subdiv. (1), adding Subdiv. (2) re conservators of person authorized under Sec. 45a-656(a) to manage finances of conserved person and adding Subdiv. (3) re guardians of adults with intellectual disability authorized under Sec. 45a-677a to manage finances of protected person, effective January 1, 2018; P.A. 19-137 substantially amended Subsec. (a) including by deleting former Subdivs. (2) and (3) re conservators of the person authorized to manage the finances of a conserved person and guardians of adults with intellectual disability, deleting former Subdiv. (1) designator, deleting provision re hearing at end of 3-year period on all periodic accounts not previously allowed and adding provision re provisions of will excusing trustee from rendering periodic accounts not excusing trustee from rendering final account, effective January 1, 2020; P.A. 21-40 made a technical change in Subsec. (a).

Annotations to former section 45-268:

Court has control of trust until approval of final account and trustee's return of distribution; final account precedes distribution; erroneous order of distribution by court does not justify trustee's refusal to file final account; final account means an account substantially up to date. 92 C. 292. History of statute; how far court has power to construe a trust. 93 C. 405. Objection to acceptance of final account is a proper method of raising question of right of trustee to account for property sold at inventory value instead of real value. 94 C. 373. Where there is a trust, there is no final distribution until trust is terminated and trust fund distributed. 98 C. 478. Implicit that final account must be filed. 121 C. 391. Decree of Probate Court, unappealed from, conclusive as to items within administration of estate. 126 C. 324. Cited. 131 C. 482. Statutory jurisdiction of Probate Court over ordinary annual accounts of testamentary trustees is at least concurrent with that of the Superior Court as a court of equity. 147 C. 482. Cited. 148 C. 361; 155 C. 115, 120; Id., 417.

Cited. 12 CS 95.

Annotations to present section:

Cited. 45 CA 490.

Cited. 42 CS 548; 45 CS 368.

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Sec. 45a-178. (Formerly Sec. 45-269). Allowance of interim accounts. Notice and hearing. The Court of Probate shall direct what notice, if any, shall be given to the parties in interest of the filing of any account described in section 45a-177, and of the hearing thereon, and may adjust and allow the account. The court may make any order necessary and proper to secure the execution of the duties of such fiduciary, subject to appeal as in other cases.

(1949 Rev., S. 7053; P.A. 80-476, S. 89.)

History: P.A. 80-476 rephrased provisions but made no substantive changes; Sec. 45-269 transferred to Sec. 45a-178 in 1991.

Annotations to former section 45-269:

Effect of section. 69 C. 262. Cited. 70 C. 375; 147 C. 482; 148 C. 361.

Annotation to present section:

Cited. 42 CS 548.

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Sec. 45a-179. (Formerly Sec. 45-270). Notice and hearing on final accounts. (a) When a conservator, guardian or trustee of a testamentary trust exhibits his or her final account to the Probate Court for allowance, the court shall appoint a time and place for a hearing on the account and shall cause notice of the hearing to be given as it directs. Such fiduciary shall sign the account under penalty of false statement.

(b) The court shall, before approving a final account of an executor or administrator, hold a hearing thereon for which notice may be given as the court shall direct, unless all parties interested in the estate sign and file in court a written waiver of such notice.

(1949 Rev., S. 7054; P.A. 80-476, S. 90; P.A. 98-219, S. 24; P.A. 99-84, S. 17; P.A. 16-7, S. 10.)

History: P.A. 80-476 rephrased provisions but made no substantive changes; Sec. 45-270 transferred to Sec. 45a-179 in 1991; P.A. 98-219 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “an executor, administrator” and added Subsec. (b) re procedure for approval of final account of executor and administrator; P.A. 99-84 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “swear or affirm under oath to the truth of” and inserting “sign” and “under penalty of false statement”; P.A. 16-7 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to trustee in insolvency and making a technical change.

See Sec. 12-371 re estates of nonresident decedents and cooperation with other states.

Annotations to former section 45-270:

True condition of estate must appear from account and inventory. 21 C. 244. Cited. 32 C. 573. Annual account does not conclude the parties. 45 C. 125. The rendering of an annual account when no notice is given, not conclusive. 56 C. 442. Cited. 73 C. 442. Parties in interest may question account. 91 C. 469. Does not preclude court ordering other accounts from time to time; relation to Sec. 45-4. 92 C. 290.

This is undoubtedly a judicial proceeding. 12 CS 95. Final accounting can be had only in the Probate Court which appointed the guardian. 14 CS 11.

Annotation to present section:

Cited. 42 CS 548.

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Sec. 45a-180. (Formerly Sec. 45-271). Settlement of account of deceased fiduciary. Whenever an executor, administrator, conservator, guardian or trustee of any testamentary trust dies before completing and accounting for his or her trust, the executor or administrator of the deceased fiduciary shall settle the deceased fiduciary's account in the Probate Court. The amount found due from or to the deceased fiduciary shall be paid in the same manner as it would have been paid to or by him or her if the account had been settled in his or her lifetime.

(1949 Rev., S. 7055; P.A. 80-476, S. 91; P.A. 18-45, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 80-476 replaced references to “decedent” with references to “deceased fiduciary”; Sec. 45-271 transferred to Sec. 45a-180 in 1991; P.A. 18-45 deleted reference to trustee in insolvency and made technical changes.

Annotations to former section 45-271:

Conclusiveness of orders allowing accounts. 74 C. 218; 77 C. 70; 85 C. 279. Acceptance of account showing departure from terms of trust does not justify further departures. 79 C. 555. If item omitted, acceptance of account not adjudication that it should not be included. 82 C. 33. Allowance of account filed by executor or administrator of deceased trustee, if not appealed from, is determination of rights as between trustee and his estate and beneficiaries. 124 C. 422. Accounts filed on behalf of deceased life tenant, discussed. Id., 423.

Cited. 12 CS 394. Final accounting must be in the probate court which appointed the guardian. 14 CS 11.

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Sec. 45a-181. Probate Court Administrator's authority re auditing account of conservator of the estate. (a) The Probate Court Administrator, within available appropriations, may cause an account of a conservator of the estate, as defined in section 45a-644, to be audited in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(b) The Probate Court Administrator may select conservator accounts for audit under this section on a random basis or on the basis of other criteria that the administrator deems effective in deterring and detecting fiduciary malfeasance. No account that a Probate Court has approved may be selected for audit.

(c) When the Probate Court Administrator selects an account for audit, the administrator shall assign an auditor to conduct the audit from the list of auditors maintained under section 45a-175 and shall notify the Probate Court before which the account is pending. The Probate Court shall continue any previously scheduled hearing on the account pending the outcome of the audit and shall notify all parties of the audit and the continuance by first-class mail.

(d) A conservator of the estate whose account is subject to audit shall cooperate with the auditor and provide the auditor with access to all of the conservator's records relating to the conservatorship of the estate. The auditor shall notify the Probate Court, in writing, if the conservator fails to cooperate with the audit and shall send a copy of such notification to each party and attorney of record. On motion of a party or the court's own motion, the court may issue orders to compel compliance with the provisions of this subsection and may remove a conservator who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection.

(e) An auditor performing an audit under this section shall complete the audit and submit a report of his or her findings to the Probate Court not later than ninety days after the date the auditor receives notice of the auditing assignment. On request of the auditor, the court may extend the deadline if it finds that additional time is necessary to complete the audit.

(f) Upon receipt of an audit report under subsection (e) of this section, the Probate Court shall send notice of the hearing on the account and audit report, together with a copy of the audit report, to all parties. The audit report shall be admissible in evidence, subject to the right of any interested party to require that the auditor appear as a witness, if available, and be subject to examination. The court shall hear and decide the conservator's account and shall determine the rights of the conservator and the parties under subsections (g) and (h) of section 45a-175.

(g) The Probate Court Administrator shall pay the cost of an audit under this section from the Probate Court Administration Fund, subject to the provisions of section 45a-84. The Probate Court Administrator may, from time to time, establish hourly rates and allowable expenses for the compensation of auditors under this section.

(P.A. 17-7, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 17-7 effective January 1, 2018.

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Secs. 45a-182 to 45a-185. Reserved for future use.

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PART VII*

PROBATE APPEALS

*Annotations to former chapter 796:

Cited. 153 C. 57; 195 C. 123; 211 C. 121.

Sec. 45a-186. (Formerly Sec. 45-288). Appeals from probate. Venue. Service of process. Referral to special assignment probate judge. (a) As used in this section and section 45a-187, “electronic service” has the same meaning as provided in section 45a-136f.

(b) Any person aggrieved by an order, denial or decree of a Probate Court may appeal therefrom to the Superior Court. An appeal from a matter heard under any provision of section 45a-593, 45a-594, 45a-595 or 45a-597, sections 45a-644 to 45a-677, inclusive, sections 45a-690 to 45a-703, inclusive, or section 45a-705a, shall be filed not later than forty-five days after the date on which the Probate Court sent the order, denial or decree. Except as provided in sections 45a-187 and 45a-188, an appeal from an order, denial or decree in any other matter shall be filed on or before the thirtieth day after the date on which the Probate Court sent the order, denial or decree. The appeal period shall be calculated from the date on which the court sent the order, denial or decree by mail or the date on which the court transmitted the order, denial or decree by electronic service, whichever is later.

(c) An appeal shall be commenced by filing a complaint in the Superior Court in the judicial district in which such Probate Court is located, or, if the Probate Court is located in a probate district that is in more than one judicial district, by filing a complaint in a superior court that is located in a judicial district in which any portion of the probate district is located, except that (1) an appeal under subsection (b) of section 12-359, subsection (b) of section 12-367, subsection (b) of section 12-395 or section 45a-98e shall be filed in the judicial district of Hartford, and (2) an appeal in a matter concerning removal of a parent as guardian, termination of parental rights or adoption shall be filed in any superior court for juvenile matters having jurisdiction over matters arising in any town within such probate district. The complaint shall state the reasons for the appeal. A copy of the order, denial or decree appealed from shall be attached to the complaint.

(d) An appeal from a decision rendered in any case after a recording of the proceedings is made under section 17a-498, 17a-543, 17a-543a, 17a-685, or 19a-131b, sections 45a-644 to 45a-667v, inclusive, or section 51-72 or 51-73, shall be on the record and shall not be a trial de novo.

(e) Each person who files an appeal pursuant to this section shall serve a copy of the complaint on each interested party. The failure of any person to make such service shall not deprive the Superior Court of jurisdiction over the appeal. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 52-50, service of the copy of the complaint shall be by state marshal, constable or an indifferent person. Service shall be in hand or by leaving a copy at the place of residence of the interested party being served or at the address for the interested party on file with the Probate Court, except that service on a respondent or conserved person in an appeal from an action under part IV of chapter 802h shall be in hand by a state marshal, constable or an indifferent person.

(f) In addition to the notice given under subsection (e) of this section, each person who files an appeal pursuant to this section shall mail a copy of the complaint to the Probate Court that rendered the order, denial or decree appealed from. The Probate Court and the probate judge that rendered the order, denial or decree appealed from shall not be made parties to the appeal and shall not be named in the complaint as parties.

(g) Not later than fifteen days after a person files an appeal under this section, the person who filed the appeal shall file or cause to be filed with the clerk of the Superior Court a document containing (1) the name, address and signature of the person making service, and (2) a statement of the date and manner in which a copy of the complaint was served on each interested party and mailed to the Probate Court that rendered the order, denial or decree appealed from.

(h) If service has not been made on an interested party, the Superior Court, on motion, shall make such orders of notice of the appeal as are reasonably calculated to notify any necessary party not yet served.

(i) A hearing in an appeal from probate proceedings under section 17a-77, 17a-80, 17a-498, 17a-510, 17a-511, 17a-543, 17a-543a, 17a-685, 19a-131b, 45a-650, 45a-654, 45a-660, 45a-674, 45a-676, 45a-681, 45a-682, 45a-699, 45a-703, 45a-717 or section 45a-98e shall commence, unless a stay has been issued pursuant to subsection (j) of this section, not later than ninety days after the appeal has been filed.

(j) The filing of an appeal under this section shall not, of itself, stay enforcement of the order, denial or decree from which the appeal is taken. A motion for a stay may be made to the Probate Court or the Superior Court. The filing of a motion with the Probate Court shall not preclude action by the Superior Court.

(k) Nothing in this section shall prevent any person aggrieved by any order, denial or decree of a Probate Court in any matter, unless otherwise specially provided by law, from filing a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, a petition for termination of involuntary representation or a petition for any other available remedy.

(l) (1) Except for matters described in subdivision (3) of this subsection, in any appeal filed under this section, the appeal may be referred by the Superior Court to a special assignment probate judge appointed in accordance with section 45a-79b, who is assigned by the Probate Court Administrator for the purposes of such appeal, except that such appeal shall be heard by the Superior Court if any party files a demand for such hearing in writing with the Superior Court not later than twenty days after service of the appeal.

(2) An appeal referred to a special assignment probate judge pursuant to this subsection shall proceed in accordance with the rules for references set forth in the rules of the judges of the Superior Court.

(3) The following matters shall not be referred to a special assignment probate judge pursuant to this subsection: Appeals (A) under sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, section 17a-274, sections 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, sections 17a-543, 17a-543a, 17a-685 to 17a-688, inclusive, and 19a-131b, (B) of children's matters as defined in subsection (a) of section 45a-8a, (C) under section 45a-98e, (D) under sections 45a-644 to 45a-663, inclusive, 45a-669 to 45a-683, inclusive, and 45a-690 to 45a-700, inclusive, and (E) any matter in a Probate Court heard on the record in accordance with sections 51-72 and 51-73.

(1949 Rev., S. 7071; P.A. 75-190, S. 1, 2; P.A. 76-221; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127; P.A. 80-476, S. 92; P.A. 82-472, S. 174, 183; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; 93-225, S. 3, 4; P.A. 95-220, S. 4–6; 95-254, S. 1, 5; P.A. 97-165, S. 9, 16; P.A. 07-116, S. 2; P.A. 09-114, S. 14; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-1, S. 3; P.A. 11-128, S. 11; P.A. 13-81, S. 4; P.A. 16-49, S. 17; P.A. 19-47, S. 10; P.A. 21-40, S. 42, 43; 21-100, S. 9; P.A. 22-112, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 75-190 added exception re appeals by state; P.A. 76-221 required giving of security for costs, recognizance with surety or bond, replacing less specific requirement for giving of “bond, with sufficient surety to the state, to prosecute such appeal to effect”; P.A. 78-280 replaced “county” with “judicial district”; P.A. 80-476 reworded provisions but made no substantive change; P.A. 82-472 made technical change; Sec. 45-288 transferred to Sec. 45a-186 in 1991; P.A. 93-225 provided exception that appeal under Sec. 12-359(b) or Sec. 12-367(b) shall be filed in judicial district of Hartford-New Britain, effective July 1, 1993 (Revisor's note: P.A. 88-230, P.A. 90-98 and P.A. 93-142 authorized substitution of “judicial district of Hartford” for “judicial district of Hartford-New Britain” in public acts of the 1993 session of the general assembly, effective September 1, 1996); P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-254 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing language re appeal with reference to Subsec. (b) and added Subsec. (b) re appeals, including appeals re matters concerning removal of parent as guardian, termination of parental rights and adoption to be filed in superior court for juvenile matters; P.A. 97-165 amended Subsec. (b) to add reference to Sec. 12-395(b), effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 07-116 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “in accordance with subsection (b) of this section” with “not later than” 45 days re matters heard under enumerated sections, or 30 days re other matters, add provisions re commencement of appeal and complaint, and add references to Secs. 17a-498, 17a-685 and 45a-650, replaced former Subsec. (b) re filing of appeal with new Subsec. (b) re service of a copy of complaint by person who files the appeal, added Subsec. (c) re filing document with clerk of the Superior Court re service made, added Subsec. (d) re authority of Superior Court to make order of notice if service has not been made, added Subsec. (e) re hearing to commence, unless stay has been issued, not later than 90 days after appeal is filed, added Subsec. (f) re filing of appeal not, of itself, staying enforcement of order, denial or decree appealed from, and added Subsec. (g) re ability of person aggrieved to seek available remedy including habeas corpus or termination of involuntary representation; P.A. 09-114 amended Subsec. (b) to provide that copy of complaint be mailed to, rather than served on, the court appealed from and to make conforming changes, and added Subsec. (h) re referral to special assignment probate judge, effective January 5, 2011; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-1 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re venue for appeals when court of probate is in a probate district that is in more than one judicial district and, in Subdiv. (2), to provide that appeals may be filed in any superior court having jurisdiction over matters arising in any town within probate district, effective January 5, 2011; P.A. 11-128 amended Subsec. (a) to add “Except as provided in sections 45a-187 and 45a-188”; P.A. 13-81 amended Subsec. (a) to add references to Secs. 17a-543, 17a-543a and 45a-644 to 45a-667v and delete reference to Sec. 45a-650, amended Subsec. (b) to delete requirement that person who files appeal mail copy of complaint to court that rendered order, denial or decree, added new Subsec. (c) re person who files appeal to mail copy of complaint to court that rendered the order, denial or decree and re court and judge not to be made or named as parties to the appeal, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) to (h) as Subsecs. (d) to (i), amended redesignated Subsec. (d)(2) to require statement of the date and manner in which copy of complaint was mailed to court that rendered order, denial or decree, substituted “Probate Court” for “court of probate” and made technical changes; P.A. 16-49 amended Subsec. (i)(3) to delete reference to Sec. 45a-684; P.A. 19-47 deleted former Subsec. (a) re appeals from order, denial or decree of Probate Court, added new Subsec. (a) defining “electronic service”, added new Subsecs. (b) to (d) re appeals from order, denial or decree of Probate Court, redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) to (i) as Subsecs. (e) to (l) and made a conforming change in redesignated Subsec. (f), effective June 26, 2019; P.A. 21-40 amended Subsec. (b) by substituting reference to Sec. 45a-703 for reference to Sec. 45a-705 and amended Subsec. (l)(3) by substituting reference to Sec. 45a-669 for reference to Sec. 45a-668; P.A. 21-100 amended Subsecs. (d), (i) and (l)(3) to add references to Sec. 19a-131b, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-112 amended Subsec. (b) by making a technical change and adding reference to Sec. 45a-705a, amended Subsecs. (c) and (i) by making technical changes and adding references to Sec. 45a-98e and amended Subsec. (l)(3) by adding Subpara. designators and adding reference to Sec. 45a-98e.

Annotations to former section 45-288:

Appeal is confined to decree appealed from. 2 R. 159. It must appear from appeal that appellant is aggrieved or affected by decree. 2 R. 220; 4 D. 141; 34 C. 203; 46 C. 528; 52 C. 217; 55 C. 229; 70 C. 456; 107 C. 356. One appeal may be taken from several decrees. 6 C. 359, but see 79 C. 87. Appeal not affected by fact that all the other heirs are satisfied. 7 C. 226. Appeal lies from decree allowing credit in administration account for payment of claim against estate. 8 C. 90. Also, account omitting debts collected. 21 C. 244. Appellate court may admit same testimony as Probate Court could do. 9 C. 231; 74 C. 257. Every act of Court of Probate is subject of appeal. 10 C. 192; 97 C. 442. Later decree, if reversed, reverses prior inconsistent decree. 13 C. 224. Appellate court has jurisdiction only over decree appealed from. 15 C. 523; 89 C. 432. Objection that appellant has no interest must be preliminary. 22 C. 131. Appeal cannot be taken to adjourned term of court. 19 C. 1. Nor to regular term subsequent to its commencement. 24 C. 145. When appeal affects other than the executor, parties in interest shall defray expenses. 19 C. 416. Taxing costs on appeal is discretionary with court. Id., 534; 22 C. 271; 38 C. 308; 76 C. 654. When costs are to be paid by administrator. 19 C. 538. Whether decree may be affirmed in part only, quaere. 23 C. 522. Appeal does not vacate or suspend decree appealed from. 28 C. 442; 34 C. 112; Id., 362; 75 C. 312. Appellant may withdraw appeal on settlement with appellee notwithstanding objection of other interested parties who previously agreed with appellant that appeal should be taken in his name, they sharing in expense. 32 C. 334. Appellate court not confined to reasons for decree appearing from record of Probate Court. 39 C. 401. Appeal from decree appointing guardian within jurisdiction of appellate court. Id., 538. Technical rules of pleading do not apply. 34 C. 446; 48 C. 205; 80 C. 401. A decree once affirmed on appeal may be again appealed from by another party. 47 C. 259. An appeal cannot be taken from allowance or refusal to allow appeal. 49 C. 70; 76 C. 426. Appellate court cannot exercise equity powers that Probate Court cannot exercise. 53 C. 24. Refusal by Probate Court to appoint trustee proper subject of appeal. 54 C. 324. Legatee under prior will may appeal from decree probating later will. 57 C. 545. Attaching creditor cannot appeal from decree adjudicating debtor an insolvent. 59 C. 37. Distributees may appeal from decree accepting return of distribution not in accordance with terms of will. 64 C. 53. “Aggrieved” applies only to persons having a pecuniary interest in matter in controversy. Id., 533; 70 C. 457; 106 C. 587. Is civil process; return day. 76 C. 284; 83 C. 677; 84 C. 659. Trial is de novo; power of court. 76 C. 121; 97 C. 443. Appeal by infant through next friend; husband who has renounced interest in wife's estate cannot be “aggrieved”, but sole heir may be, by order approving compromise of claim. 76 C. 426. Undue influence not in issue unless assigned in reasons of appeal. 74 C. 258. Though will is probated, appeal lies from distribution, on ground of invalidity of bequest. 79 C. 506. Appeal from allowance of account does not raise issue as to need of new inventory. 80 C. 623. Proper party to appeal from orders as to sale of ward's estate, after ward's death. 81 C. 127. Appeal from distribution cannot raise question of validity of appointment of administrator on estate of distributee. 83 C. 235. Burden of proof on appeal from allowance of account. 84 C. 659. Appeal lies from acceptance of distribution. 89 C. 421. Superior Court has no greater power than Probate Court; 64 C. 360; 71 C. 132; 81 C. 161; 84 C. 560; can appoint administrator; 76 C. 121; Id., 379; settle account; 72 C. 555; 80 C. 401; determine domicile of deceased. 86 C. 351. Superior Court cannot determine disputed question of title; 84 C. 560; see where trust provision is claimed to be invalid; 74 C. 601; 77 C. 705; power to construe will; 71 C. 122; court cannot pass on claims; 68 C. 84; power to determine allowance to widow. 69 C. 699. Not an “action” in such sense as to permit a jury trial. 90 C. 48. Written motion for appeal not necessary; mandamus lies to compel correction in appeal before service. 91 C. 110. Administrator cannot appeal from order appointing him; 88 C. 423; nor trustee in insolvency, from order refusing extension of time to present claims. 70 C. 455. No appeal lies from determination of distributees apart from order of distribution; 72 C. 322; but see where distributees fail to observe conditions imposed on estate. 64 C. 41; 71 C. 129. Appeal lies where Probate Court acted without jurisdiction. 71 C. 708. Appeals as to allowance of secured claims. 68 C. 184; 71 C. 708. Issues on appeal alleging testamentary capacity. 92 C. 173. Effect of clause in will providing for forfeiture if any beneficiary attacks will. Id., 173. Appeal should be from precise order or act involved. 105 C. 609. Members of unascertainable, fluctuating group of beneficiaries of a public charity lack direct pecuniary interest necessary for appeal. 106 C. 587. Administrator removed upon admission of will is not entitled to appeal. 117 C. 201. Nor is trustee removed for neglect of duty. 129 C. 67. The word “aggrieved”, as used in statute, construed. 122 C. 331. Provision of will that order of Probate Court shall be conclusive and no appeal allowed, held invalid. 131 C. 471. Cited. 139 C. 740; 140 C. 686. When acting upon an appeal from probate, Superior Court is exercising special and limited powers. 139 C. 374. An aggrieved person must have not only a pecuniary interest but a pecuniary interest which has been injuriously affected by the decree appealed from. Id., 652; 143 C. 433. If an appellant is not actually aggrieved, appeal is void. Id., 733. Trustee under a will has duty to protect the interests of the beneficiaries of the trust and if such interests are adversely affected by a later will, he is an aggrieved person to appeal from decree allowing later will. 140 C. 80. An aggrieved person is one who can show a direct pecuniary interest in the matter in controversy which interest the decree appealed from will in some way injuriously affect. 142 C. 379. One against whom a claim may be prosecuted is not an aggrieved person. 143 C. 720. Limits of Superior Court's jurisdiction in appeals from probate. 147 C. 656. Superior Court on appeal from probate sits as, and has no greater power than, a Court of Probate. 148 C. 642; 153 C. 603, 614. Superior Court acts as a Court of Probate, exercising a special and limited statutory jurisdiction rather than its constitutional jurisdiction; it cannot by exercise of general equity powers relieve plaintiff from effect of late filing of appeal under Sec. 45-289. 150 C. 563. Allegations that plaintiff is nephew, former ward and prospective heir of and “responsible for” alleged incompetent's care held insufficient to establish aggrievement within meaning of statute; there is no allegation his rights were adversely affected by appointment of conservator of property of incompetent. 154 C. 247. Appeal erased for want of jurisdiction where plaintiff had not shown himself to be an aggrieved person; mere allegation that plaintiff is aggrieved without supporting factual allegations is not sufficient and allegation that he is only child of incompetent does not bestow on him a real interest in proceedings. 156 C. 625. Review of Probate Court may not include evidence of matters not in existence at date of Probate Court hearing. 157 C. 576. In appeal from probate, Superior Court retries issues de novo and case is not presented on transcript of proceedings in Probate Court. 158 C. 217. Cited. Id., 293. To have standing as aggrieved party, plaintiff must have pecuniary interest which is injuriously affected by decree appealed from. 160 C. 463, 467. Cited. 165 C. 207; Id., 478, 482. Administrator of an intestate estate appointed by Probate Court and supplanted after discovery and probate of decedent's will by an administrator c.t.a. is not an “aggrieved person”. 167 C. 396. Unless plaintiffs are persons actually aggrieved by the order or decree, Superior Court has no jurisdiction over the subject matter of the appeal; to qualify as an aggrieved person, plaintiff must have a pecuniary interest in the subject matter of the decree or order, and that interest must be adversely affected by the decree or order from which the appeal is taken. 169 C. 218. Discussion of aggrievement. Id., 218, 220. Cited. Id., 382, 386; 174 C. 482. Plaintiff who bid upon property of an estate offered for sale has an interest in the proceedings used by the court to approve the sale sufficient to make him an aggrieved party and confer standing. 180 C. 511. Cited. 182 C. 322; 185 C. 25; 186 C. 63; Id., 360; 194 C. 635; 195 C. 123; 208 C. 606; 211 C. 323; 216 C. 514.

A judgment creditor of an heir at law does not have standing to appeal as an aggrieved party where will disinheriting heir is admitted to probate. 1 CA 17. Cited. 2 CA 251; Id., 697; 3 CA 566; 4 CA 436; 6 CA 118; Id., 521; Id., 530; 9 CA 368; Id., 413; 11 CA 297; 13 CA 45; 19 CA 456; 20 CA 58; 22 CA 490.

In this section and in Sec. 45-293 appear the requisites of an appeal from probate. 4 CS 208. Cited. 5 CS 169; 10 CS 503. Appeal not limited to parties but open to any person aggrieved. 13 CS 193. Failure to furnish bond renders the appeal voidable not void and the defect can be waived. Id., 440. Cited. 14 CS 432. Appeal from probate is an absolute right of one aggrieved of which he cannot be deprived by an omission of the court. 18 CS 48.

Aggrieved person. One claiming to be a legatee under a later will who was not named in a will admitted to probate by court decree. 8 CS 260. Applies only to person having a pecuniary interest. Id., 320; 10 CS 98; 12 CS 47; 13 CS 97; Id., 193. Beneficiary under an earlier will is. 14 CS 369. Analogous to Sec. 31-249. 15 CS 62. Plaintiff's liability for support of her mother constituted her as one on an application for a finding of restoration of capacity for mother. Id., 177. Position of executor. 16 CS 460; 18 CS 98. One with a claim which could not be enforced against the administrator in his representative capacity is not. 20 CS 182. On an appeal from probate, Superior Court has no greater power than a Court of Probate. 21 CS 160. Neither the absolute right of appeal of an aggrieved party nor the jurisdiction of Superior Court upon such an appeal may be defeated by the neglect or omission of Probate Court; generally speaking, the technical rules of pleading do not apply to the formation and determination of issues in appeals from probate to Superior Court. Id., 352. In appeal re trustees' and attorney's fees, Superior Court can only find whether fees were reasonable or not; if parties stipulate that Superior Court can fix reasonable fees, court can do so. 24 CS 470. Where probate decree ordered coexecutors to restore part of sums paid one coexecutor and its attorneys, other coexecutor was aggrieved within meaning of section since decree created a joint and several liability against him. 27 CS 110. Plaintiffs' allegation in their motion for appeal that they are heirs at law of decedent and aggrieved by Probate Court order admitting will of decedent to probate at least prima facie establishes their interest. Id., 434. Executor's failure to appeal from Probate Court decree holding assignment by his decedent taxable as antemortem transfer could not be remedied by affirmative claim questioning taxability of transfer in executor's answer to tax commissioner's appeal from two other decisions in decree. 28 CS 210. Each probate appellant stands on his own feet and court will not permit another to join by citing him in. Id., 392. Cited. 34 CS 107; 38 CS 54; 39 CS 63; Id., 157.

Annotations to present section:

Cited. 226 C. 80; 228 C. 439; 237 C. 12; Id., 233; 238 C. 839; 239 C. 553. Superior Court has statutory authority to hear and determine appeals brought by person aggrieved by any Probate Court order, denial or decree. 276 C. 526.

Cited. 27 CA 333; Id., 479; 30 CA 334; 34 CA 579; 36 CA 143; 37 CA 137. Plaintiff was “aggrieved person” under section because of the combination of circumstances including fact that he was the person's only child, heir and had previously had power of attorney and the subsequent appointment of essential strangers as conservators threatened his ability to continue his relationship with his mother without being subject to control by the conservators. 84 CA 486.

Cited. 44 CS 169; 45 CS 533. An appeal from probate is not a civil action and therefore a party appealing to Superior Court from probate is required to commence the appeal by filing the complaint with the court within 30 days of the mailing of the challenged decision. 51 CS 148.

Subsec. (a):

There must be certainty, as distinguished from possibility, that a legally protected interest has been adversely affected in order for party to establish standing before Probate Court; the legally protected interest that may be affected must be an interest in the same matter before Probate Court, and not a protected interest in a different matter. 276 C. 782. Section's limitation period does not conflict with the general provisions of Sec. 51-53(a) addressing the duties of a court clerk. 323 C. 377.

Cited. 45 CA 490. The changes made by P.A. 07-116 reveal a clear legislative intent to simplify and clarify probate appeal process and eliminated previous requirement that aggrieved party file a motion with the Probate Court for permission to file an appeal. 116 CA 59. Because the Probate Court proceeding was not initiated pursuant to any of the enumerated statutes, and the hearing did not satisfy the requirements of Sec. 51-72 or 51-73, plaintiff was entitled to a trial de novo. 124 CA 371.

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Sec. 45a-186a. Appeal from probate court after a hearing on the record. Transcripts. Expense. (a) In an appeal from an order, denial or decree of a Probate Court made after a hearing that is on the record under section 17a-498, 17a-543, 17a-543a, 17a-685 or 19a-131b, sections 45a-644 to 45a-667v, inclusive, or section 51-72 or 51-73, not later than thirty days after service is made of such appeal under section 45a-186, or within such further time as may be allowed by the Superior Court, the Probate Court shall transcribe any portion of the recording of the proceedings that has not been transcribed. The expense for such transcript shall be charged against the person who filed the appeal, except that if the person who filed the appeal is unable to pay such expense and files an affidavit with the court demonstrating the inability to pay, the expense of the transcript shall be paid by the Probate Court Administrator and paid from the Probate Court Administration Fund.

(b) The Probate Court shall transmit to the Superior Court the original or a certified copy of the entire record of the proceeding from which the appeal was taken. The record shall include, but not be limited to, the findings of fact and conclusions of law, separately stated, of the Probate Court.

(c) An appeal from an order, denial or decree made after a hearing on the record under section 17a-498, 17a-543, 17a-543a, 17a-685 or 19a-131b, sections 45a-644 to 45a-667v, inclusive, or section 51-72 or 51-73, shall be heard by the Superior Court without a jury, and may be referred to a state referee appointed under section 51-50l. The appeal shall be confined to the record. If alleged irregularities in procedure before the Probate Court are not shown in the record or if facts necessary to establish such alleged irregularities in procedure are not shown in the record, proof limited to such alleged irregularities may be taken in the Superior Court. The Superior Court, on request of any party, shall hear oral argument and receive written briefs.

(P.A. 07-116, S. 3; P.A. 11-128, S. 12; P.A. 19-47, S. 11; P.A. 21-100, S. 10.)

History: P.A. 11-128 amended Subsec. (a) to insert “pursuant to subsection (a) of section 45a-186” and make a technical change; P.A. 19-47 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “pursuant to subsection (a) of section 45a-186” with “under section 17a-498, 17a-543, 17a-543a or 17a-685, sections 45a-644 to 45a-667v, inclusive, or section 51-72 or 51-73” and making technical changes, amended Subsec. (b) by making technical changes and amended Subsec. (c) by adding “under section 17a-498, 17a-543, 17a-543a or 17a-685, sections 45a-644 to 45a-667v, inclusive, or section 51-72 or 51-73,” and making a technical change, effective June 26, 2019; P.A. 21-100 amended Subsecs. (a) and (c) to add references to Sec. 19a-131b, effective July 1, 2021.

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Sec. 45a-186b. Appeal from probate court after a hearing on the record: Standard of review. In an appeal taken under section 45a-186 from a matter heard on the record in the Probate Court under section 17a-498, 17a-543, 17a-543a, 17a-685 or 19a-131b, sections 45a-644 to 45a-667v, inclusive, or section 51-72 or 51-73, the Superior Court shall not substitute its judgment for that of the Probate Court as to the weight of the evidence on questions of fact. The Superior Court shall affirm the decision of the Probate Court unless the Superior Court finds that substantial rights of the person appealing have been prejudiced because the findings, inferences, conclusions or decisions are: (1) In violation of the federal or state constitution or the general statutes, (2) in excess of the statutory authority of the Probate Court, (3) made on unlawful procedure, (4) affected by other error of law, (5) clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative and substantial evidence on the whole record, or (6) arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion. If the Superior Court finds such prejudice, the Superior Court shall sustain the appeal and, if appropriate, may render a judgment that modifies the Probate Court's order, denial or decree or remand the case to the Probate Court for further proceedings. For the purposes of this section, a remand is a final judgment.

(P.A. 07-116, S. 4; P.A. 19-47, S. 12; P.A. 21-100, S. 11; P.A. 22-37, S. 17.)

History: P.A. 19-47 added “under section 17a-498, 17a-543, 17a-543a or 17a-685, sections 45a-644 to 45a-667v, inclusive, or section 51-72 or 51-73” and made technical changes, effective June 26, 2019; P.A. 21-100 added reference to Sec. 19a-131b, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-37 made a technical change.

Because the record is bereft of any evidence regarding defendant or his qualifications to be conservator and because the interested parties did not have the opportunity to weigh in on his selection, the appointment of defendant was therefore arbitrary and constituted an abuse of discretion. 130 CA 243.

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Sec. 45a-186c. Appeal from probate court: Costs; waiver; tolling of appeal period. (a) In an appeal taken under section 45a-186, costs may be taxed in favor of the prevailing party in the same manner, and to the same extent, as such costs are allowed in judgments rendered by the Superior Court.

(b) If the appellant claims that such appellant cannot pay the costs of an appeal taken under section 45a-186, the appellant shall, within the time permitted for filing the appeal, file with the clerk of the court to which the appeal is to be taken an application for waiver of payment of such costs, including the requirement of bond, if any. The application for waiver of such costs shall conform to the requirements prescribed by rule of the judges of the Superior Court. After such hearing as the court determines is necessary, the court shall render judgment on the application for waiver of such costs, which judgment shall contain a statement of the facts found by the court and the court's conclusions based on the facts found. The filing of the application for the waiver of such costs shall toll the time limits for the filing of an appeal until such time as a judgment on such application is rendered. A fiduciary acting on an order of the court made after expiration of the period of appeal shall not be liable for actions made in good faith unless such fiduciary has actual notice of the tolling of the appeal period.

(P.A. 07-116, S. 5; P.A. 10-32, S. 132.)

History: P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective May 10, 2010.

Legislature expressly addressed appellate procedure in this section and did not provide that a motion for revocation made pursuant to Sec. 45a-128 is an action that tolls the appeals period set forth in this section. 210 CA 278.

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Sec. 45a-187. (Formerly Sec. 45-289). Time of taking appeals. (a) An appeal by persons of the age of majority who are present or who have legal notice to be present, or who have been given notice of their right to request a hearing or have filed a written waiver of their right to a hearing, shall be taken within the time provided in section 45a-186, except as otherwise provided in this section. If such persons have no notice to be present and are not present, or have not been given notice of their right to request a hearing, such appeal shall be taken within twelve months, except for appeals by such persons from an order of termination of parental rights, other than an order of termination of parental rights based on consent, or a decree of adoption, in which case appeal shall be taken within ninety days. An appeal from an order of termination of parental rights based on consent, which order is issued on or after October 1, 2004, shall be taken within twenty days. The appeal periods set forth in this section shall be calculated from the date on which the court sent the order, denial or decree by mail or the date on which the court transmitted the order, denial or decree by electronic service, whichever is later.

(b) An order, denial or decree of a Probate Court shall not be invalid because of the disqualification of the judge unless an appeal therefrom is taken within the time provided in this section and sections 45a-186 and 45a-188.

(1949 Rev., S. 7072; 1953, S. 2948d; P.A. 74-164, S. 12, 20; P.A. 80-476, S. 93; P.A. 98-219, S. 25; P.A. 04-128, S. 1; P.A. 05-288, S. 151; P.A. 11-128, S. 13; P.A. 19-47, S. 13.)

History: P.A. 74-164 added exception re appeals from decree of termination of parental rights or adoption; P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and restated provisions; Sec. 45-289 transferred to Sec. 45a-187 in 1991; P.A. 98-219 amended Subsec. (a) by adding reference to appeals by persons “who have been given notice of their right to request a hearing or have filed a written waiver of their right to a hearing”; P.A. 04-128 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provisions re appeal from order of termination of parental rights based on consent and by making conforming and technical changes; P.A. 05-288 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 11-128 amended Subsec. (a) to substitute “within the time provided in section 45a-186” for “within thirty days” and delete reference to appeal “under section 45a-186”, deleted former Subsec. (b) re appeal for payment of claims against insolvent estate, and redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (b) and amended same to substitute “within the time provided in section 45a-186, this section and section 45a-188” for “within thirty days” and make a technical change; P.A. 19-47 amended Subsec. (a) by adding “The appeal periods set forth in this section shall be calculated from the date on which the court sent the order, denial or decree by mail or the date on which the court transmitted the order, denial or decree by electronic service, whichever is later.” and amended Subsec. (b) by making technical changes, effective June 26, 2019.

See Sec. 51-53 re court clerks' duty to give notice of court decrees.

Annotations to former section 45-289:

Appeal must be taken within the time from each particular decree. 2 R. 74; 107 C. 356. That appeal is not taken in time must be pleaded in abatement. 2 D. 21. That appellant had notice and was present need not appear from record of Probate Court, but may be proved by parol. 29 C. 563. Party not estopped from appealing when he had no statutory notice of probate of will, although the time limitation for appeal commences to run date decree is entered and, after full hearing trustee attended, there is no requirement that he be present when court makes its decision and renders its order. 155 C. 413. Cited. 162 C. 477; 163 C. 439. When written waiver of notice is filed, notice requirement of section is satisfied. 169 C. 382. Statute is subject to implied requirement that court give notice of its decree before appeal period becomes operative. 178 C. 189. Cited. 185 C. 25; Id., 495; 204 C. 760; 208 C. 606.

Cited. 20 CA 58.

What constitutes legal notice. 8 CS 254. Publication in newspaper held to be legal notice. Id., 261. Cited. 18 CS 481. “No notice to be present” means legal, not active notice. 19 CS 104. The term “no notice to be present” does not mean actual but legal notice to be present; legal notice to nonresidents is notice given upon order of the court. 22 CS 232. Where appellant had filed motion for appeal within time limited but Probate Court allowed it 6 days later without allotted time, plea in abatement to jurisdiction was overruled as fault was not appellant's. 28 CS 49. Cannot be circumvented by a motion to become party to another's timely made appeal. Id., 392.

Annotations to present section:

Cited. 37 CA 137. Aggrieved party who files proper motion for appeal within statutory time period is not deprived of right to appeal because probate judge does not perform ministerial act of granting allowance of appeal until after the time period has passed. 82 CA 468.

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Sec. 45a-188. (Formerly Sec. 45-291). Timing of taking appeals by minors. (a) Except as provided in this section, all appeals by persons who are minors at the time of the making of the order, denial or decree appealed from shall be taken within twelve months after they arrive at the age of majority.

(b) In the case of any minor who has a guardian or guardian ad litem appointed and qualified by any Probate Court in this state at the time of the making of the order, denial or decree, the minor or anyone on his or her behalf may appeal therefrom within the time provided in section 45a-186 if the guardian or guardian ad litem had legal notice of the time and place of the hearing.

(c) Any judge or clerk of the Probate Court or any fiduciary may cause written notice of any order, denial or decree of the Probate Court to be given to any person of the age of majority, or to the guardian or guardian ad litem of any minor who has not had legal notice of the hearing on the proceeding at which the order, denial or decree was passed and who may be aggrieved thereby. In any such case the person, minor, guardian or guardian ad litem may appeal only within the time provided in section 45a-186 after receiving such notice.

(1949 Rev., S. 7073; P.A. 80-476, S. 94; P.A. 82-277; P.A. 11-128, S. 14; P.A. 19-47, S. 14.)

History: P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and restated provisions; P.A. 82-277 amended Subsec. (d) to permit the judge or clerk of the court of probate or any fiduciary to give written notice of any court decree where previously “any executor, administrator or trustee of an estate” gave such notice; Sec. 45-291 transferred to Sec. 45a-188 in 1991; P.A. 11-128 amended Subsec. (b) to delete “the time in which” and substitute “within the time provided in section 45a-186 if the guardian or guardian ad litem had legal notice of the time and place of the hearing” for provisions providing one month to appeal, deleted former Subsec. (c) re appeals by persons not inhabitants of this state, and redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (c) and amended same to substitute “within the time provided in section 45a-186” for “within one month”; P.A. 19-47 amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) by making technical changes, effective June 26, 2019.

Annotations to former section 45-291:

Appeal after time voidable, but not void. 61 C. 386. Right of guardian to compromise disputed claim may be tested by ward upon attaining his majority. 110 C. 162. Cited. 129 C. 315; 163 C. 439. When written waiver of notice is filed, notice requirement of section is satisfied. 169 C. 382. 12-month appeal period not reduced to 1 month where notice of Probate Court's decree not given by one of officials referred to in the statutes. 185 C. 25.

Publication of notice of a probate hearing in local newspaper not legal notice to nonresident. 8 CS 262. Executor could properly adopt the notice sent by the assistant clerk as his own act. Id., 543. Legal notice to nonresidents is not actual notice but notice given upon order of the court. 22 CS 232. Cited. 28 CS 393.

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Sec. 45a-189. (Formerly Sec. 45-290). Amendment to appeal. Section 45a-189 is repealed, effective October 1, 2009.

(1955, S. 2949d; P.A. 80-476, S. 95; P.A. 09-114, S. 24.)

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Sec. 45a-190. (Formerly Sec. 45-292). Appeals from actions of commissioners. Section 45a-190 is repealed, effective July 1, 2013.

(1949 Rev., S. 7074; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127; P.A. 80-476, S. 96; P.A. 13-81, S. 21.)

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Secs. 45a-191 and 45a-192. (Formerly Secs. 45-293 and 45-294). Interest of appellant to be stated. Order of notice. Sections 45a-191 and 45a-192 are repealed, effective October 1, 2007.

(1949 Rev., S. 7075, 7076; P.A. 80-476, S. 97, 98; P.A. 07-116, S. 33.)

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Sec. 45a-193. (Formerly Sec. 45-295). Appellee to give bond in Superior Court. (a) In any appeal from any order or decree of a Probate Court, if the appellee is the party who applied for the order or decree and if the appellee appears in the Superior Court to contest the matter being appealed, the court may, at its discretion, order the appellee to give bond to the state for the payment to the appellant of the appellant's costs of suit if judgment is rendered for the appellant.

(b) If the appellee neglects to comply with the order of the court, the court may make any disposition of the case favorable to the appellant that it deems proper.

(1949 Rev., S. 7077; P.A. 80-227, S. 22, 24; 80-476, S. 99; P.A. 19-47, S. 15.)

History: P.A. 80-227 specified that bond be given “to the state”, effective July 1, 1981; P.A. 80-476 divided section into Subsecs. and made minor changes in wording; Sec. 45-295 transferred to Sec. 45a-193 in 1991; P.A. 19-47 made technical changes in Subsec. (a).

Annotation to former section 45-295:

Bond formerly taken to judge. 9 C. 389.

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Secs. 45a-194 to 45a-198. Reserved for future use.

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