Connecticut Probate Law: Heirs and Distribution of Property

To speak with an experienced probate law attorney, please contact the experienced attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. at (203) 221-3100 or at JMaya@Mayalaw.com.

How is the property distributed when there is no will?

The results of an intestate distrubution may widely differ, and depend upon the number and extent of relations the decedent had. If the decedent is survived by:

Spouse and children* of both decedent and spouse

Spouse takes first $100,000 + 1/2 of the remainder. Children* take the other 1/2.

Spouse and children* of decedent, when one or more of the children is not a child of the surviving spouse

Spouse takes 1/2. All the children* share the other 1/2 equally.

Spouse and parents (no children or descendants)

Spouse takes first $100,000 + 3/4 of the remainder. Parents take the other 1/4.

Spouse only (no children or descendants, no parents)

All goes to the spouse.

Children* only (no spouse)

All goes to the children.*

Parents (no spouse, no children or descendants)

All goes to the parents.

Brothers* and sisters* (no spouse, no parents, no children or descendants)

All goes to the brothers* and sisters.*

Next of kin (no spouse, no children or descendants, no parents, no siblings or descendants of siblings)

All goes to the next of kin. If there is no next of kin, but there is a stepchild,* he or she will be next in line to take. If there is no stepchild, all goes to the State of Connecticut.

Any party who is aggrieved by a decision of the Probate Court may appeal to the Superior Court. In general, appeals must be taken within 30 days of the mailing of the Probate Court decision, but some matters have a shorter or longer appeal period. Procedures in the Superior Court are typically more formal than in the Probate Courts. A person wishing to appeal should consider hiring an attorney.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a probate law attorney about a will, trust, or estate matter, please contact the experienced attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. at (203) 221-3100 or at JMaya@Mayalaw.com.

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Source: Connecticut Probate Guide: Administration of Decedent's Estate, (2016), http://www.ctprobate.gov/Documents/User%20Guide%20-%20Administration%20of%20Decedents'%20Estates.pdf