Why Do Probate Courts Become Involved in the Settling of Decedents Estates?
When a person who owns property dies, the Probate Court becomes involved to oversee the division of property among those persons legally entitled to it. If the person, referred to as the “decedent,” left a will, the division of property will be carried out according to the wishes of the decedent as set forth in the will. (The process of proving that a will is genuine and distributing the property in it is known as “probating” a will.) If the decedent did not leave a will, his or her property will be divided according to Connecticut’s laws of “intestacy.” (See the answer to question number 15.) In addition to overseeing the distribution of the estate, the Probate Court will insure that any debts of the decedent, funeral expenses, and taxes are paid before distributing the remaining assets of the estate.
