Probate in Connecticut can be a long and complicated process. Many people would prefer to avoid this process and not have to spend time and money going to court to facilitate the transfer of wealth to new owners. 
Still, while probate can be a big hassle, the proceedings do serve a purpose. Probate is the process by which the affairs of the deceased are settled, interested parties can make claims on the estate, the validity of a will is determined, and assets are officially transferred to heirs or beneficiaries.
Probate proceedings can be avoided by those who don’t want their relatives to have to go through this process, but actually usually must be taken in advance of the time when someone passes away in order to avoid the probating of a deceased’s last will and testament. However, there are certain circumstances where some smaller estates may not necessarily need to go through the full probate proceedings.
Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates can help you to determine if an estate your deceased loved one left behind is going to need to be probated or not. If it will need to be probated, we can help you to take care of the probate proceedings. We can also provide assistance to people who are making an estate plan so their families do not have to go through probate. To find out more about how our firm can help you with all legal issues related to probate in Connecticut, give us a call today.
Is Probate Necessary in Connecticut?
Probate is typically required for most estates in Connecticut. However, if the value of the assets that you are transferring is under $40,000, it is possible that your estate may not have to go through a full probate proceeding. When less than $40,000 in assets are passed on, it is possible for these assets to be transferred through a much faster, simpler, and cheaper small estates proceeding.
However, this simplified proceeding for the transfer of small estates would require that the deceased did not own any real property.
Because many people do own real property and/or have more than $40,000 in assets to pass on, it is very common for probate proceedings to become necessary to facilitate the transfer of wealth. However, there are steps that you can take when making an estate plan so assets can transfer outside of the probate process if you do not want your family members to be forced to go through probate.
You may be able to allow your loved ones to avoid the probate process by transferring most or all of your assets through the trust administration process; through the use of pay on death accounts that transfer wealth to designated beneficiaries upon your death; and through structuring the ownership of your property as joint tenants with rights of survivorship.
An attorney can help you to explore all of the options that you may have for reducing the value of your estate that must pass through probate — and perhaps becoming able to avoid probate altogether as a result.
Getting Help from a Connecticut Probate Lawyer
A Connecticut probate lawyer at Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates can help you to go through the probate process if your loved one has passed away with an estate large enough that it must pass through probate and without plans to avoid the probate process.
We can also help people with larger estates — that would normally need to go through probate — to make plans for money to go to heirs or beneficiaries through means such as trust administration. This can make it possible for probate to be avoided even in circumstances where there is a substantial amount of money or property being passed on to heirs or beneficiaries.
To find out more about how our firm can help you with planning to avoid probate — or with going through probate — join us for a free seminar. You can also give us a call at 860-548-1000 or contact us online at any time to learn more about the help we can provide.
Mr. Horowitz was awarded his Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law. While attending law school, Mr. Horowitz received the American Jurisprudence Award in Legal Ethics and the Nathan Burkan Award.
After graduation from law school, Mr. Horowitz continued his legal education at New York University School of Law where he received a Post Doctorate Law Degree in Taxation. He has also recently received a national achievement award.
Mr. Horowitz is admitted to practice before all the state courts in the State of Connecticut and the United States District Court.
Mr. Horowitz was selected for Super Lawyers in 2021.
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