REGISTRATION FOR eFILING
To create a law firm account, choose “Attorney/Law Firm” account type. The individual who creates the account is automatically given the roles of “Company Administrator,” “Filing Administrator,” “Financial Administrator” and “User.” The Company Administrator enters the law firm name and Company Administrator’s username and password.
There are limitations on changing the individual who has the Company Administrator role and, therefore, the Attorney/Law Firm should use caution when designating an individual to be a Company Administrator.
Next, the Company Administrator goes to “My Organization” to edit the firm’s profile. The Company Administrator adds user accounts for attorneys in the firm. Keep in mind the different security levels when assigning roles to attorneys. For example, a Filing Administrator can view filings submitted by other individuals in the law firm, but a User can view only filings submitted by the User.
The system will verify each attorney’s information with Judicial Branch eServices in the following manner:
The first time a filing is submitted by or on behalf of an attorney, the attorney or filer will be prompted to provide the attorney’s individual juris number and email address that is registered with Judicial Branch eServices.
If the entered email address matches the email address registered with eServices, the system sends a verification email to the attorney’s email address that is registered with eServices. The attorney must click on the link in the email to complete the verification process.
If the entered email address does not match the email address registered with eServices, the system will instruct the user to update eServices or resubmit the correct email address. The attorney will not be able to access the eFiling system without providing the correct email address.
The Company Administrator may also add user accounts for paralegals or other support staff in the firm. Paralegals and other support staff may eFile only on behalf of an attorney. The filer cannot eFile unless the attorney has completed the verification process. Paralegals and support staff will not receive a verification email.
Do not enter any information in the field called “Issuing State” for paralegals or other support staff. This field is for the state that issued an attorney’s license to practice law.
The Company Administrator sets the initial password for each user account. Each user can change the password in the user’s profile.
The Company Administrator may also set “courtesy notifications” to a firm email address to enable a firm representative to monitor all filings.
If the law firm has at least two individuals with the Company Administrator role, then the individual remaining with the firm can make the necessary changes to the firm profile when a Company Administrator leaves the firm.
If the firm has only one Company Administrator, then contact TurboCourt for support.
No, an attorney can have only one active account. An attorney in a multi-attorney law firm who sets up his or her own Attorney/Law Firm account is ineligible to be included in the Attorney/Law Firm account for the firm. As a result, an attorney registered separately will not be able to view firm cases and no one from the firm will be able to view the attorney’s cases or file documents on behalf of the attorney.
Access to documents through the eFiling system is determined by the assigned role. A User may view only the formsets filed by that User. A Filing Administrator may view all formsets filed by any individual associated with the firm, including attorneys, paralegals and support staff.
To change contact information, an attorney must update his or her Judicial Branch eServices account. If the attorney does not have an office address registered with eServices, the system will default to the attorney’s home address registered with eServices. The attorney must also file a new appearance in each matter pending in a Probate Court unless the attorney was appointed by the court.
It is not sufficient to change the attorney’s contact information in the attorney’s TurboCourt account.
No. Attorneys must use the individual juris number when filing an appearance.
If you separate from a law firm, you should immediately update your account with Judicial Branch eServices. Once you update eServices, the Company Administrator of the new firm can add you as an attorney in the firm’s TurboCourt account. The system will verify the attorney’s new information as described in FAQ #1. The attorney must also file a new appearance in each matter pending in a Probate Court unless the attorney was appointed by the court.
If you do not update eServices or create a new TurboCourt account, important notices concerning your clients’ interests may be misdirected.
The Company Administrator should deactivate the attorney’s TurboCourt account immediately. Another attorney at the firm must file an appearance in each matter that will be retained by the firm.
For matters that the separated attorney will retain, the separated attorney will need to update Judicial Branch eServices, create a new TurboCourt account and file new appearances. If the separated attorney fails to take these steps, Probate Courts will continue to send communications pertaining to the matters to the separated attorney’s deactivated account. It is imperative that the firm monitor the deactivated account and not delete the account.
A Filing Administrator will be able to view all formsets filed by the deactivated attorney.
If you receive a message that a juris number is invalid, you may have entered an incorrect number or a law firm juris number or the attorney is inactive. An inactive attorney is one who is retired, has been suspended or is otherwise ineligible to practice law in Connecticut. An inactive attorney will not be able to use the eFiling system.
See FAQ #1.
No. If a paralegal or other support individual performs services for multiple law firms, the individual will need a separate TurboCourt account for each law firm to which the individual will be associated. The Company Administrator for the law firm should establish the account as described in FAQ #1.
To change contact information, a party who is not an attorney must notify the court and fiduciary, in writing, of any changes to his or her contact information. The party must also update his or her TurboCourt account.
The “Government Organization or State Agency” account type will be available later in 2020 to Connecticut state agencies that are not required to pay filing fees in advance under C.G.S. section 45a-112.
The “Business” account type will be available later in 2020.
You may change your username or password after logging in by clicking on the “Profile” link on the upper right side of the page.
If you have successfully logged in to the eFiling system previously, you may click on the Forgot Password link. You will automatically be sent a password reset email through which you can reset your password. If you chose a security question at any time, you will need to answer the security question to reset your password.
eFILING
All probate court case types may be initiated electronically.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. You can file up to 10 separate documents (exclusive of an Appearance of Attorney and a Confidential Information sheet) at the same time. 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 #22.
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.
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.
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.
Transmittal letters are not necessary.
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.
When you eFile a document, the system asks you to select a document type from a drop-down menu. 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 an amended estate tax return, the document type will be DRS CT-706 NT Connecticut Estate Tax Return (For Non-Taxable Estates), but you can change the description to “Amended CT-706 NT.”
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.
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:
- “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.
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.
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.
If you are logged in to the eFiling system, you can view what you have filed electronically as soon as you submit the formset.
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.
If requested, the court will mail an original decree with the court seal. There may be a charge for the sealed decree.
No. The court will mail fiduciary certificates with the court seal to the fiduciary. A party may obtain a copy of the fiduciary certificate through the eFiling system.
No. The court will mail 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.
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.
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.
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.
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, and FAQ #39.
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.
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.
VIEW CASE DOCUMENTS
No. You must be an interested party or an attorney of record to look up a pending probate matter in the eFiling system.
There is a general case look up for decedents’ estate or trust matters at ctprobate.gov.
No. Only interested parties can view court documents through the eFiling system.
Attorneys who have filed an appearance and other interested parties in a confidential matter will be able to view all non-confidential documents and confidential documents that the person filed in the matter.
No. If you are an attorney, you must have an appearance in the case or be appointed by the court. If you are a self-represented person, you must request electronic access from the probate court and enter a verification code before you access a case.
To request eFiling access to a case, you will be required to submit a “Request for eFiling Access” form. To submit a “Request for eFiling Access” form:
- Log in to TurboCourt using your username and password. (If you have not yet registered, you should do so now. Registration is fast and easy.)
- Go to the Connecticut Probate Court eFiling home page.
- Select the Court from the “Where to file” drop-down menu and click “Next”.
- Select the option “I am requesting eFiling access to a case (only for parties and attorneys of record).”, enter the case number that you would like to access to (please do not include the district number as part of the file number) and click “Next”.
- Please wait while the eFiling system processes your request for eFiling access. You will receive an on screen notification once your request for eFiling access has been accepted by the court with a status of eFiled.
- Please select the “View Court Case Documents” button located on the upper right hand side of the screen to access a list of court documents for the requested case.
- Click on the document link to view the document.
- Important: You will need to submit a “Request for eFiling Access” form for each case that you have not previously eFiled to obtain eFiling access.
Self-represented persons must obtain approval from the Probate Court. If approved, the court will mail an access code to the person at the last known mailing address. When you receive the access code, go to the formset that has the status “eFiled”. Click on the “Enter Access Code” button at the top, right corner of the page. Next, enter the Access Code that you received in the mail from the court. After you enter the correct access code, a new button “View Court Case Documents” will replace the “Enter Access Code” button. Click on “View Court Case Documents” and you will be able to view case documents, if appropriate. See FAQ #41.
Once logged into the eFiling system, you can access the case documents by going to “My forms” and selecting the form set number associated with the case. Then select the option “View Court Case Documents.” The form set must have the status “eFiled”.
If you have not yet filed into a case, but want immediate document access, submit a Request for eFiling Access form for the case. After submitting this request, go to “My forms,” select the form set number associated with the case and then select the option “View Court Case Documents.”
For attorneys, you may also access case documents by clicking on “My Cases”. If you wish to view confidential cases, you will be required to submit to multi-factor authentication. If you wish to view only non-confidential cases, the system will take you directly to a list of your non-confidential cases.
Any person in a law firm who is a Registered User and has the role of “Filing Administrator” can view case documents for matters in which an attorney in the firm represents a party. A person who has the role of “User” can view only the documents filed by the User.
If there is no hyperlink, you cannot view the document through the eFiling system. Any document that does not have a hyperlink will contain an explanation in parentheses following the document title. For (Confidential) documents, you are not a person entitled to view the document. For (Sealed) documents, no person can view the document without a court order unsealing the document. For (Offline) documents, the document was scanned before the eFiling system was implemented and cannot be viewed through the eFiling system. A user may access “Offline” documents through the paper court file or a Probate Court public access computer.
For non-confidential, closed cases in which you have filed an appearance or are an interested party, you will be able to view non-confidential documents that are part of the permanent official record.
For confidential, closed cases in which you have filed an appearance or are an interested party, you will see only the list of the documents that are part of the permanent official record.
You cannot view case documents or view the list of documents for any matter in which you are not an interested party.
FEE PAYMENT
Connecticut Probate Courts accept Mastercard, Visa, American Express or Discover and electronic checks.
Filers are required, as part of the payment process, to certify that, by entering the bank account and routing number or by entering the debit or credit card account number and security code, and submitting the payment, they are authorized to permit the Connecticut Probate Courts to debit or charge the account for the amount indicated.
To pay by debit or credit card, enter the first and last name from the card, the email address (to receive an electronic receipt), a phone number (optional), the account number, and the expiration date for the card. The box at the bottom of the page must also be checked to authorize payment.
Each time a payment is made, the same information is required to be entered. The Connecticut Probate Courts do not retain payment information.
To pay by electronic check, enter the name printed on the check (the name of the account holder), the routing number from the check, and the account number from the check. You will be asked to enter the routing number and the account number twice. Once you process the payment, the funds are taken from the account for which you provided the information.
Each time you make a payment, you will be required to enter the same information. The Connecticut Probate Courts do not retain your payment information.
If you (the account holder) have a debit filter on your account that permits only specific people or companies to debit your account, you must notify your bank to allow a debit on your account for eFiling payments. Otherwise, your bank will not allow the debit and the eCheck will be returned unpaid to the court.
No. When a document requires a court fee such as a filing fee or document recording fee, you must either pay the fees or file a request for fee waiver at the time of filing.
If the document recording fees associated with a filing total $50 or more, the eFiling system will require payment up front.
For decedent’s estates, the eFiling system will not collect document recording fees associated with a tax filing up front. The court will calculate the document recording fees for the tax return when it calculates the statutory probate fee and send an invoice to the fiduciary.
Yes. You will be able to retrieve a statement and pay an outstanding balance through the eFiling system.
No. Please contact the court for more information on payment of service of process fees.
No. Please contact the court for more information on payment for newspaper notices.
Yes. Please refer to the fee waiver request form for information relating to supporting documents. You should remove social security numbers (including numbers on statements from the Social Security Administration and Medicare) before uploading documents. Any tax returns in support of a fee waiver request may be mailed or hand delivered to the court.
If the court denies your fee waiver, your formset will be returned with instructions to resubmit the formset with the appropriate filing fee.
If you file a duplicate case or document which generated a filing fee, you may submit a request for a refund in writing to the Probate Court.
If you are having a problem getting the credit card payment to go through properly, you should contact LexisNexis Payment Solutions at (866) 628-9244 or at paymentsolutions@lexisnexis.com.
HELP
For error messages or technical issues uploading documents, viewing documents or managing profiles, please contact TurboCourt customer support. For the fastest service to your questions, please Submit Help Request to Customer Support. You can also contact support by telephone at (888) 372-1790 or facsimile at (650) 590-6477.
Please provide or have the following information available:
1. Form Set Number
2. Payment Transaction ID (if you made a payment)
3. Case Number (for Delivered/eFiled cases)
For questions relating to the status of a filing, Probate Court forms, hearing dates or other case specific matters, please contact the Probate Court in which the case is pending. Please use this link to obtain contact information for the Probate Court.