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| 1. What case types may be initiated electronically? |
All probate court case types may be initiated electronically. |
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| 2. If the case was originally filed on paper, can subsequent filings be electronically submitted? |
Yes.
Beginning January 1, 2020, eFiling is mandatory for attorneys in all probate matters. eFiling is optional for self-represented parties. A self-represented party may eFile documents if the party registers in TurboCourt and the Probate Court has granted electronic access to the matter. |
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| 3. How do I eFile a form from the Probate Court website? |
Probate Court forms on the ctprobate.gov website are in fillable PDF format. To complete a PC form, open the form, enter all required information, sign the form (electronic signatures are acceptable) and save it to your desktop. The form is now ready for eFiling. |
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| 4. How do I create a PDF document? |
All documents must be submitted in PDF format. There are three methods to create a PDF document: scanning, original creation using PDF software and conversion to PDF (for example converting a Word document to PDF). If you are using Adobe Acrobat® for document creation, we recommend Adobe Acrobat® Reader DC® or higher.
In addition, the eFiling system does not accept a picture, .jpeg, .gif, .png or similar images because they are not documents. Before submitting an image to the eFiling system, it must be converted to a PDF. Images that are not converted to PDF will be returned by the Probate Court. If you are using a mobile phone to take a picture of the document, please consider using an application that can properly convert the image to a PDF.
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| 5. Can I eFile more than one document in a case at the same time? |
Yes. You can file up to 10 separate documents (exclusive of an Appearance of Attorney and a Confidential Information sheet) in a single filing. One or more documents filed at the same time are called a “formset.” Except for estate tax returns, we recommend that you upload each document as a separate document when filing for easier viewing ability. See FAQ #26.
The system will accept documents up to 25 MB. Scanning documents in color or on color paper significantly increases the size of a document. Documents must be letter size (8.5” x 11”) and scanned right size up for readability. You can check the paper size by opening the document using Adobe, left clicking on File and click on Properties.
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| 6. Do I eFile an estate tax return and attachments as one document? |
Yes. You should eFile the CT-706 NT or copy of the CT-706/709 together with all schedules and attachments as one document. File the PC-208, Request/Attachments to Connecticut Estate Tax Return/Permanent Official Record, as a separate document. If you file a PC-208, the court will determine which documents will be included in the permanent official record.
If you have a large tax return with several attachments, then you should file the tax return, including all schedules, as one document and the attachments as one separate document in the same formset. All attachments to the tax return should be filed as “Attachments to Tax Return” and not as individual documents. If the attachments are filed in this manner, the system will not calculate or collect up front document recording fees and it ensures that the documents will be confidential. If you do not choose “Attachments to Tax Return” (for example, you choose “Trust Document”), then the document may not be marked as confidential and the system will calculate and collect document recording fees.
We also recommend that you file the tax return and attachments as a separate formset. |
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| 7. How do I eFile an appearance? |
Attorneys are required to file appearances unless appointed by the court. Non-attorneys do not file appearances in Probate Court matters.
If an attorney is initiating a case, the eFiling system will automatically create a placeholder for the PC-183, Appearance of Attorney. The attorney (or support staff for the attorney) will be required to upload the appearance once all of the documents for the formset have been selected.
For pending matters, an attorney must eFile an appearance in the matter if the attorney has not previously filed an appearance.
Attorneys may not mail or hand deliver appearances to the court. |
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| 8. The court appointed me as attorney or guardian ad litem. Do I need to file an appearance? |
When the court appoints an attorney or a guardian ad litem on behalf of a party, the clerk will add the appointee to the matter, which will provide eFiling access to the appointee. Neither a court-appointed attorney nor a court-appointed guardian ad litem is required to file an appearance in the matter. |
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| 9. What if I cannot find the document I need from the drop-down list? |
The Case Category that you choose determines the documents that will be available from the drop-down list. For example, if you choose Decedent’s Estate as the case category, the PC-441, Fiduciary’s Periodic or Final Account/Conservator/Guardian, will not be available because this form does not apply to decedents’ estates.
If you have chosen the correct case category and still cannot find the form, type part of the name of the form or PC number in the search field above the drop-down list. The search function will narrow down the list of documents for you.
You may also use a generic form type such as petition, motion or request. If you are unsure whether a document should generate a filing fee, you should review C.G.S. sections 45a-106a through 45a-111.
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| 10. Can I change the “Title/Description” that the eFiling system assigns when I upload a document? |
When you eFile a document, the system asks you to select a document type from a drop-down menu. When you are ready to upload your documents, the system will display your selection as both “Document Type” and “Title/Description.” You cannot change the “Document Type,” but can modify the “Title/Description” to include additional information that you think the court may find helpful. For example, if you are filing a Motion to Transfer Personal Property, the document type will be Motion, but you can change the description to Motion to Transfer Personal Property. |
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| 11. Should I include a transmittal letter with my formset? |
Transmittal letters are not necessary and do not appear in the drop-down list for any case category. Transmittal letters filed with a petition may result in additional document recording fees.
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| 12. Can an attorney file a motion for continuance by facsimile? |
No. The Probate Court Rules of Procedure mandate that all attorneys file documents through the eFiling system. If an attorney needs to file a last-minute motion for continuance because it is unavoidable, the attorney should eFile the motion and alert the court that it has been filed. It is within the court’s discretion whether the continuance fee will ultimately be charged.
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| 13. Can an attorney file a motion for continuance by facsimile? |
What should I review before I submit my formset to the court?
Documents filed electronically are not screened by the system for content, legibility or any other issues.
Check each document in the formset to verify that the document:
- pertains to the correct case
- is complete
- is readable
- displays right-side up
- contains only the pages that are part of the filing
- complies with the Probate Court Rules of Procedure regarding confidential information, including redaction of social security numbers where applicable.
You should also review the entire formset to ensure all intended documents and attachments are included.
If you do file an incorrect or illegible document, the court may return the formset and you will be required to resubmit the correct or legible document.
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| 14. How do I request that the court seal or redact a document? |
A party seeking to seal a document or redact information from a document files a motion under rule 16 before eFiling the document. eFiling the document before obtaining a court order to seal or redact will result in disclosure of the document. When submitting a Motion to Seal, please select “Miscellaneous Document” and change the document description to “Motion to Seal” when you upload the motion.
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| 15. How will I know the status of a formset filed with the court? |
The eFiling system will send notifications to update you regarding the status of your formset. You can also check the “Status” field of your formset at any time.
Each status is defined as follows:
“Incomplete” means that you have not uploaded all of your documents in the formset.
- “Completed” means that you have uploaded all of your documents in the formset to the eFiling system and the formset is ready to be submitted to the court. If you are submitting a filing fee with your formset, it could take up to 10 minutes for the status to change from “Completed” to “Pending.”
- “Pending” means that the eFiling system has sent your formset to the court.
- “Delivered” means that the eFiling system has delivered your formset to the court, but the court has not yet reviewed it.
- “eFiled” means that a court clerk has reviewed your formset.
- “Returned” means that the court has rejected your formset. The reasons the court may return a formset include:
- There was no fee or fee waiver submitted;
- The petition, motion or request is not signed;
- The petition, motion or request does not provide a sufficient description;
- The petition, motion or request does not include the names and addresses of parties;
- The court denied your request for fee waiver; or
- The petition, motion or request was filed in the wrong matter.
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| 16. I received a notification that my formset was delivered to the court. Does that mean everything was submitted properly? |
The delivered notification means that you have successfully submitted a filing to the Probate Court. Documents filed electronically are not screened by the system for content, legibility or any other issues. |
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| 17. I received a notification that my formset was delivered to the court, but the notification does not include the case name or number. Where do I find the case name and number? |
When you are starting a new matter, the first notification that the formset has been delivered does not include the case name or number because the court has not yet created the case. You will receive a second notification with the case name and number when the status of the formset changes to “eFiled.”
The eFiling system will provide a formset number in all notifications to track a filing. You can also name the formset with client, file or other description by using the “Keyword/Matter #” field. |
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| 18. How soon can I view a document after I eFile it? |
If you are logged in to the eFiling system, you can view what you have filed electronically as soon as you submit the formset. |
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| 19. How will the court communicate with eFilers? |
For attorneys and parties with eFiling access to a case, the court will send all communications, including notifications of eFiling status changes, notices of hearings and decrees, to the filer’s “Messages” box in the eFiling system. The court will not send communications by mail.
You may arrange to receive notifications by email and/or text (in addition to notifications sent to your Messages box) by changing your preferences in your TurboCourt profile.
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| 20. Can I obtain a decree with the court’s seal from the court? |
If requested, the court will mail an original decree with the court seal. There may be a charge for a decree with a court seal.
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| 21. Will the court send fiduciary certificates through the eFiling system? |
No. The court will mail fiduciary certificates with the court seal to the fiduciary or the fiduciary’s attorney if the fiduciary is represented. |
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| 22. Will the court send documents that need to be recorded with a town clerk through the eFiling system? |
No. The court will mail to the fiduciary or, if represented, the fiduciary’s attorney an original or certified copy of any document that is required to be recorded with a town clerk. A party may obtain a copy of a document that is required to be recorded with a town clerk through the eFiling system.
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| 23. If the Probate Court Rules of Procedure require that I file a document in paper form, am I required to eFile a copy? |
The Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 7.1a, require that certain documents be filed in paper form (original will or codicil; original probate bond; original record of adoption or paternity). You are not required to eFile a copy.
If you choose to eFile a copy, the eFiling system will place a watermark across the document signifying that it was eFiled. The court will replace the eFiled copy with the scanned original upon receipt. You should forward the original document to the court as soon as possible to avoid any unnecessary delay, and, if using a transmittal letter, include the formset for the eFiled copy of the document.
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| 24. Am I required to eFile a will for filing only? |
If the only document you are filing is an original will in your possession, you are not required to eFile the will or PC-211, Affidavit for Filing Will Not Submitted for Probate. You may deliver the original will along with an original PC-211 to the appropriate Probate Court to comply with C.G.S. section 45a-282.
If you are filing a PC-212, Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration, or tax purpose only estate along with the original will, you must eFile the PC-211, PC-212 and the estate tax return.
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| 25. Am I required to send a copy of an eFiled formset to the other parties and attorneys? |
The Probate Court Rules of Procedure require filers to send a copy of certain documents to all other parties and attorneys of record at the time of filing with the court. (For a list of documents subject to this requirement, see the annotations to section 7.1.) The rule applies whether you have eFiled the documents or delivered them to the court by other means.
The eFiling system enables filers to send copies of a filing electronically. This is called eService. Sending a copy of a filing by eService satisfies the requirement under section 7.1 only for parties and attorneys who have eFiling access to the case. The filer must send copies of the filing to all other parties and attorneys by mail or other appropriate means.
You can determine whether a person can be eServed using the eService screen. The eService screen displays a list of all parties and attorneys involved in the case. If the screen displays an email address, the person has eFiling access to the case and can be eServed. If there is no email address, the person does not have eFiling access, and the filer must, therefore, send copies of the filing by mail or other appropriate means.
Do not eServe confidential documents on a party who is not authorized to view the document. The eFiling system will not allow you to eServe any formset that includes a confidential information sheet in order to protect the confidentiality of social security numbers.
When you eServe documents, the eFiling system will create a PC-151, Certification/Mailing of Document by Party, identifying which parties were eServed and which parties require a copy of the document to be mailed.
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| 26. Are attorneys required to send copies of appearances to other parties? |
Yes. An attorney must send a copy of the appearance to each attorney and self-represented party and certify to the court that the copy has been sent. See Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 5.5. If you are filing an appearance for a party to an existing matter, please contact the court for a list of interested parties. |
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| 27. If I eFile a document in error, can I recall it? |
No. There is no method to recall an eFiled document.
If the court rejects the formset, you can resubmit the formset with the correct document. |
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| 28. Can I file documents with the court by email? |
No. The court cannot accept any request, motion, petition or other document submitted to the court by email. You must use the eFiling system to submit documents to the court electronically.
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