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Small Estate Affidavit Limits in Connecticut

In Connecticut, an estate of solely owned personal property worth up to $40,000 can be settled by affidavit filed in the Probate Court, but only if the person owned no real property in the state.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Connecticut at a glance

Maximum estate value
$40,000
Solely owned personal property, not counting property that passes outside probate by operation of law.
Waiting period after death
None after death; 30 days after court notice
The court cannot issue its decree until 30 days after it sends a copy of the affidavit to the Department of Administrative Services.
Real estate can pass
No
Available only if the decedent had no solely owned real property in Connecticut.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Connecticut

What is the maximum estate value for a small estate affidavit in Connecticut?

Maximum estate value in Connecticut: $40,000. Solely owned personal property, not counting property that passes outside probate by operation of law.

How long after the death must you wait to use a small estate affidavit in Connecticut?

Waiting period after death in Connecticut: None after death; 30 days after court notice. The court cannot issue its decree until 30 days after it sends a copy of the affidavit to the Department of Administrative Services.

Can real estate pass by small estate affidavit in Connecticut?

No. Real estate can pass in Connecticut: no. Available only if the decedent had no solely owned real property in Connecticut.

Where do the Connecticut small estate affidavit limits come from?

The rules above come from Conn. Gen. Stat. 45a-273. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The affidavit is filed with the Probate Court, which issues a decree authorizing holders to transfer the assets.

What this means in practice

Check how the estate value is counted before relying on the shortcut. States differ on whether the limit covers all property or only probate property, and whether assets such as jointly owned accounts, life insurance with a named beneficiary or property in a living trust are left out of the total.

Gather the documents a holder is likely to ask for: a certified copy of the death certificate, the signed and often notarized affidavit, and proof of your identity and relationship to the person who died. Some holders use their own affidavit form, so ask before you prepare one.

A person who collects property with a small estate affidavit usually takes on duties to others with a claim to it, such as creditors and other heirs. Paying valid debts and distributing the rest correctly matters, because a successor who takes more than their share can be held liable for it later.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.