All Roll Calls
Yes: 0 • No: 0
ConnecticutSB 004002026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING PROBATE COURT OPERATIONS.
Sponsored By: Judiciary Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To make various changes concerning Probate Court administrative processes, court procedures and the training of Probate Court judges and to repeal provisions relating to the establishment of a working group.
judiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Former residents can seek firearms relief
Beginning January 1, 2027, nonresidents can seek relief from a federal firearms ban caused by a Connecticut adjudication or commitment. They can petition the Connecticut Probate Court that issued that decision. Access to the court does not guarantee relief from the ban.
New audits of court-managed finances
Beginning October 1, 2026, Connecticut's Probate Court Administrator can audit accounts for estates managed by conservators, within available funding. Accounts can be chosen randomly or using other criteria, but court-approved accounts cannot be selected. Conservators must provide records and cooperate; courts can compel compliance or remove those who refuse. An assigned auditor must report within 90 days, unless the court grants more time. The court must postpone pending hearings and notify all parties by first-class mail. After the report, the court must notify parties of a hearing, allow auditor testimony, and consider the report's recommendations. The Probate Court Administration Fund pays audit costs, and the Administrator can set auditor rates and allowed expenses.
Small probate fees can be waived
Beginning October 1, 2026, Connecticut Probate Courts can waive uncollectible filing fees, other fees, or expenses of $5 or less. Courts can also postpone payment to avoid undue delay or hardship. Postponement does not erase the debt: applicants remain responsible for the fees when they receive an invoice.
New probate judges get guided training
Beginning October 1, 2026, training for newly elected Connecticut probate judges must include a mentor and observation of court proceedings. Judges must observe proceedings that are confidential by law as part of this training. The program supports minimum proficiency standards and depends on available funding. The law also repeals Special Act 25-18, effective upon passage.
Limits on probate fee refunds
Beginning October 1, 2026, refunds of covered Probate Court overpayments come from the Probate Court Administration Fund after court certification. Refunds of less than $5 are barred. Refunds are also barred for estate-settlement fees based on the deceased person's gross estate for succession tax purposes.
More privacy and new children's court rules
Beginning June 4, 2026, records about appointing a guardian of a minor's person are confidential, subject to statutory exceptions. This protects family privacy while limiting third parties' access to those records. Beginning October 1, 2026, Connecticut broadens its Probate Court definition of children's matters. It covers guardianship, parental-rights termination, adoption, parentage, emancipation, voluntary admission, surrogacy agreement approval, and minors' name changes. Appeals about minors' name changes go to a Superior Court for juvenile matters serving a town in the probate district. They are not referred to a special assignment probate judge.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Judiciary Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Kenneth Gucker
Democratic • House
Steven J. Stafstrom
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/24/2026
House Roll Call Vote 236
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/24/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 166
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/24/2026
JUD Vote Tally Sheet-A (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/24/2026
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Bill Text
Public Act No. 26-87
4/28/2026
File No. 588
4/13/2026
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute
3/24/2026
Raised Bill
3/3/2026
Bill Analysis For File Copy 588
Fiscal Note For File Copy 588
House Roll Call Vote 236
JUD Joint Fav. Rpt
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
JUD Vote Tally Sheet-A (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Senate Roll Call Vote 166
Summary for Public Act No. 26-87
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