CT state guide
Connecticut estate risk overview
This guide explains how estate outcomes work in Connecticutwhen there is no plan. We cover intestacy rules, probate flow, guardianship defaults, and tax exposure in clear, educational language.
Snapshot
Key default outcomes
- Intestacy laws determine who receives assets.
- Probate court oversees the estate and public filings.
- Guardianship for minors is court-appointed if needed.
- State and federal tax rules may apply to larger estates.
What happens without a will
Connecticut intestacy gives the surviving spouse a dollar-based share that varies by parents and descendants, with the remaining estate distributed to relatives by statute.
- If there is no surviving issue or parent, the spouse receives the entire intestate estate.
- If parents survive but no issue, the spouse receives the first $100,000 plus three-fourths of the balance.
- If all issue are also the spouse's, the spouse receives the first $100,000 plus one-half of the balance.
- If any issue is not the spouse's, the spouse receives one-half of the intestate estate.
- When there are no children, remaining intestate property passes to parents, then siblings, then next of kin, then stepchildren.
- Issue includes children who qualify for inheritance under the parent-child rules in the probate code.
Probate process
Connecticut allows a small-estate affidavit when solely owned personal property is below the statutory cap and no solely owned Connecticut real property exists.
- Small-estate affidavit applies when solely owned personal property is $40,000 or less.
- The decedent must have had no solely owned Connecticut real property.
- The affidavit is filed in the Probate Court for the district where the decedent resided.
- A decree is issued after a statutory waiting period following notice to the state.
- A small-estate affidavit is filed in the Probate Court for the district where the decedent resided.
Estate and inheritance tax exposure
Connecticut imposes a state estate tax with an exemption amount that changes over time.
- Estates of decedents dying during 2025 are exempt up to $13.99 million.
- Connecticut taxable gifts share the same exemption amount.
- The aggregate amount of Connecticut gift and estate tax payable is capped by statute.
- State estate tax thresholds are separate from the federal exemption and can be lower; confirm current exclusion and filing requirements.
Guardianship for minors
Connecticut probate courts appoint guardians or coguardians for minors, and parents can nominate guardians by will or written instrument.
- Adult relatives, custodians, or counsel for the minor may petition for appointment.
- The court considers statutory standards and may require acceptance and a bond.
- Parents may appoint a guardian or coguardian by will or other writing to take effect upon death.
- Parents can nominate a guardian by will or written instrument, subject to court approval.
Risk areas
Explore estate risk dimensions in Connecticut
Intestacy risk
How assets are distributed when there is no will and state default rules control the outcome.
Probate risk
Court-supervised estate process, timing, cost exposure, and public record requirements.
Tax exposure
State estate or inheritance tax rules and how they interact with federal thresholds.
Guardianship risk
How courts appoint guardians for minors when no plan is in place.
Complexity triggers
Scenarios that increase estate risk, such as blended families or multi-state property.
Common mistakes in Connecticut
- Assuming a spouse automatically receives everything under state law.
- Leaving guardianship decisions to the court by default.
- Ignoring probate timelines, creditor notices, or court filings.
- Failing to coordinate beneficiary designations with estate intent.
- Missing state estate tax thresholds and filing rules.
Who is most exposed
Higher default risk in Connecticut
- Families with minor children or dependents.
- Blended families or second marriages.
- Households with property in more than one state.
- Business owners without succession instructions.
- Higher-net-worth estates near state tax thresholds.
Next: explore planning options in Connecticut
EstateRiskIQ does not provide legal advice. We highlight how default outcomes work so you can decide whether to explore professional guidance or planning tools.