CT risk areas
Connecticut estate risk areas
These pages explain how default state rules in Connecticut shape inheritance, probate, guardianship, taxes, and complexity. Start with the risk area that matches your biggest concern.
How to use this guide
- Read the risk summaries to understand default outcomes.
- Open a risk guide for state-specific details and sources.
- Use this as education, not legal advice.
Intestacy risk
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.
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Probate risk
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.
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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.
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Guardianship risk
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.
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Complexity triggers
Connecticut gives a surviving spouse a statutory share that can override a will and allows probate courts to grant a temporary support allowance.
- A surviving spouse may elect a statutory share of the estate in lieu of the will's provisions.
- The probate court can authorize a support allowance for the surviving spouse or family during estate settlement.
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