How Much Does Probate Cost in Connecticut? (2026 Fee Schedule)

Connecticut's probate fee system is one of the most misunderstood cost structures in any state's estate administration process. Most people assume probate fees are a flat filing charge — a few hundred dollars to open a court file. In Connecticut, that assumption is wrong in a way that can cost thousands of dollars if you are unprepared.

Here is exactly how the fee is calculated, what triggers it, and how to avoid the penalty that compounds every month you delay.

The Core Problem: It Is a Percentage of the Gross Estate

Connecticut's probate fee is governed by C.G.S. § 45a-107 and assessed on a sliding percentage of the gross estate — not the net estate, not just probate assets, but the gross value including assets that pass entirely outside of probate.

That means jointly held bank accounts, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and assets in a living trust — assets that go directly to beneficiaries without ever touching the probate court — are still factored into the base for calculating the fee. If your parent had a $400,000 IRA that named your sibling as beneficiary, that $400,000 is counted in the fee calculation even though the probate court never touched a dollar of it.

The fee basis is the greatest of:

1. The Connecticut taxable estate value
2. The gross estate for federal estate tax purposes
3. The probate inventory value

Whichever of these three is largest sets the base for the calculation.

The 2026 Connecticut Probate Fee Schedule

Example — $350,000 estate: The fee calculation: $150 + (0.35% × $340,000) = $150 + $1,190 = $1,340.

Example — $800,000 estate: The fee calculation: $1,865 + (0.25% × $300,000) = $1,865 + $750 = $2,615.

These figures can surprise families who expected a nominal filing fee. A $350,000 estate — modest by Connecticut real estate standards — generates more than $1,300 in court fees alone, before attorney fees, CPA fees, or other administrative costs.

Two Ways to Reduce the Fee

1. Deduct Out-of-State Property

If the decedent owned real estate or tangible personal property located outside Connecticut — a Florida condominium, a Vermont cabin, farmland in another state — that value is excluded from the fee basis calculation.

This exclusion is statutory and legitimate, but it is frequently missed. Executors who do not claim it routinely overpay. If an estate includes out-of-state assets, make sure your CT-706 NT (the estate tax return filed with the Probate Court) clearly identifies and excludes those assets from the fee calculation.

2. The Surviving Spouse Reduction

If a portion of the estate passes to a surviving spouse, Connecticut law reduces the fee basis for that portion by 50%. If the entire estate passes to the surviving spouse, the effective fee rate is halved.

This reduction applies to the portion passing to the spouse, not the entire estate. If half the estate goes to the spouse and half to children, only the spousal half benefits from the 50% reduction.

The 0.5% Monthly Penalty: The Real Financial Risk

The probate fee payment is triggered by a specific sequence:

1. You file Form CT-706 NT with the Probate Court within six months of the date of death
2. The court calculates the fee based on the information in the return
3. The court invoices you
4. You have 30 days from the invoice date to pay

If you miss the six-month deadline for filing the CT-706 NT — or fail to request an extension using Form CT-706 NT EXT before that deadline — Connecticut assesses a 0.5% per month interest penalty on the eventual probate fee.

This catches many executors because:

• They assume no tax return is required since the estate is well under the $15 million exemption
• They are still gathering information and waiting until they have everything organized
• They did not know about the CT-706 NT filing requirement at all

The CT-706 NT is not optional, and it is not just for taxable estates. Every Connecticut estate — even those worth $50,000 — must either file this return or request an extension within six months of death.

Over an 18-month administration, a 0.5% monthly penalty compounds to a 9% surcharge on the court fee. On a $2,615 fee for an $800,000 estate, that adds $235 in avoidable interest. On a $10,000 fee for a larger estate, it adds $900.

Additional Costs Beyond the Probate Fee

The probate fee is only one component of the total cost to administer a Connecticut estate. Other typical costs include:

Attorney fees: Connecticut probate attorneys typically charge $300 to $800 per hour, or flat retainers ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 for a complete administration. Many executors handling uncomplicated estates choose to proceed without an attorney to avoid these costs.

Probate bond: If the will does not waive the bond requirement, bond premiums typically run 0.5% to 1.0% of the estate's value per year. A $1 million estate can generate annual bond premiums of $5,000 to $10,000.

Newspaper publication: The Probate Court requires notice to creditors to be published in a local newspaper of general circulation within 14 days of your appointment. The cost varies by publication.

CPA fees: Final income tax returns for the decedent (Form 1040) and the estate (Form 1041) typically require a CPA. Fees vary by complexity.

Appraisals: Real estate, business interests, and valuable personal property typically require professional appraisals for the PC-440 Inventory. Real estate appraisals in Connecticut typically run $400 to $700.

Town clerk recording fees: Real estate transfer certificates (PC-250) must be recorded with each town where property is located at approximately $70 for the first page plus $5 per additional page.

When Full Probate Costs Less Than You Expect

For smaller estates — those under $100,000 in total gross value — the probate fee itself is relatively modest. A $75,000 estate generates approximately $382 in fees ($150 + 0.35% × $65,000). If the estate is uncontested, the will is clear, and there are no complex real estate or creditor issues, a determined executor can complete the process without an attorney.

The key is knowing the forms, the sequence, and the deadlines before you start. Missing the CT-706 NT deadline or making errors on the PC-440 Inventory can turn a manageable process into an expensive one.

The Connecticut Probate Process Guide includes a complete probate fee worksheet and timeline — built specifically for Connecticut estates — so you know exactly what to expect and when every payment is due.

See more Connecticut guides →