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Will Contest Deadline in Connecticut

In Connecticut, a probate court decree, including one admitting a will, is generally appealed to the Superior Court within 30 days after the court sends the decree, or within 12 months for a person who had no notice and was not present.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Connecticut at a glance

Deadline to contest
30 days (appeal of probate decree)
A person who had no notice to be present and was not present has 12 months.
Clock starts
Probate Court sends the order or decree
Counted from the later of the mailing date or electronic service date.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Connecticut

How long do you have to contest a will in Connecticut?

Deadline to contest in Connecticut: 30 days (appeal of probate decree). A person who had no notice to be present and was not present has 12 months.

When does the deadline to contest a will start in Connecticut?

Clock starts in Connecticut: Probate Court sends the order or decree. Counted from the later of the mailing date or electronic service date.

Where do the Connecticut will contest deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Conn. Gen. Stat. 45a-186 and Conn. Gen. Stat. 45a-187. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

In Connecticut a will is challenged in the Probate Court proceeding itself, and the deadline shown is the general deadline to appeal a Probate Court decree to the Superior Court.

What this means in practice

Deadlines for will contests are often short and strictly applied. Knowing exactly which event starts the clock in the state where the will is probated, such as the date of admission, the date notice was mailed, or the date of publication, matters as much as knowing the length of the period.

Only people with a legal stake in the estate can usually contest a will, such as heirs who would inherit without the will or beneficiaries named in an earlier will. A contest also needs a recognized legal ground. Being disappointed with the amount left to you is generally not enough on its own.

A no-contest clause (also called an in terrorem clause) says a beneficiary who challenges the will loses their gift. Whether such a clause is enforced, and whether there is an exception for challenges brought with probable cause or in good faith, depends on state law. Anyone weighing a challenge, and anyone drafting a will, can check the state statute and may want to talk to a probate attorney.

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