Short answer (FAQ style)

To get a Connecticut court to approve a personal injury settlement for a minor you normally must: (1) have a parent or guardian (or an insurer) present the proposed settlement to the court that has authority over the minor’s interests; (2) provide documentation showing the claim, the settlement terms, medical bills/records, and any liens; (3) obtain the appointment of a guardian ad litem or other court representative for the minor if required; (4) ask the court to review and approve the settlement at a hearing or on written submission; and (5) follow the court’s instructions for distributing and protecting the settlement funds (for example, by placing money in a blocked account or arranging a structured settlement). The court’s focus is whether the settlement is fair and in the minor’s best interest.

Detailed answer — step by step

1. Determine which court should approve the settlement

In Connecticut the court with authority to approve a minor’s settlement is the court handling the minor’s legal interests. That often means filing a petition in the appropriate Connecticut court (Probate Court or Superior Court) depending on local practice and the nature of the claim. If you are unsure which court to use, contact the Connecticut Judicial Branch or a Connecticut attorney for guidance: https://www.jud.ct.gov/.

2. Gather the necessary documents

Typical documents the court will expect include:

• A petition or motion asking the court to approve the minor’s settlement.
• The proposed settlement agreement or release signed by the parties.
• Medical records and bills showing the injury and treatment.
• An itemization of anticipated future care or future damages (if any).
• Records of any liens or subrogation claims (health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, hospital liens, or other providers) and proposed payoff or protection for those liens.
• A proposed order for how settlement funds will be handled (blocked account, structured settlement, guardianship accounting, attorney’s fee allowance, etc.).
• If relevant, a proposed allocation of funds between the minor and any adult claimants or parents.

3. Appoint or notify a guardian ad litem or other court representative for the minor

The court may require a guardian ad litem (GAL) or court-appointed representative to look out for the minor’s interests. The GAL will review the settlement and report or testify about whether it is fair to the child. In many cases the court will appoint a GAL when it believes an independent assessment is necessary.

4. File the petition and supporting papers

File the petition, settlement documents, itemized bills, lien information, and any required fees with the court. The petition should explain why the settlement is reasonable and in the minor’s best interest. The court clerk can explain local filing procedures and whether you must follow a particular petition form.

5. Notice and possibly a hearing

The court may require notice to interested parties (parents, insurers, lienholders). In many matters the court will schedule a hearing so the judge can consider the petition, ask questions, and receive testimony if necessary. At the hearing the judge evaluates whether the settlement fairly compensates the minor and protects the child’s future needs.

6. Court approval and the judge’s order

If the court is satisfied the settlement is in the child’s best interest, the judge issues an order approving the compromise. The order usually addresses how the funds should be handled going forward — for example, directing payment of attorney fees, resolving liens, and specifying where the net proceeds will be deposited or how they will be paid out.

7. Handling settlement funds after approval

Connecticut courts commonly require one or more protective measures for the net settlement proceeds, such as:

• Depositing funds into a blocked account (an account the minor cannot access without a court order).
• Placing funds in a probate-supervised account (if the probate court is involved) or an interest-bearing blocked account at a bank.
• Using a structured settlement (periodic payments) to provide long-term support.
• Authorizing limited distributions for specific needs (education, medical care, housing) under court supervision.

The court’s order will specify whether and how parents may access funds and what steps are needed for future withdrawals.

8. Closing steps

After the funds are protected and liens and fees are paid as ordered, follow the court’s reporting requirements. If the court required a guardian or conservator to manage the funds, periodic accountings may be required until the minor reaches the age of majority or the court orders otherwise.

Common issues and what courts look for

• Fairness: The judge will ask whether the settlement is a fair recovery compared to the likely result at trial and whether it reasonably covers past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.
• Attorney fees: Connecticut courts will review attorney-fee requests for reasonableness and may approve a specific fee percentage or amount.
• Liens and subrogation: Courts expect clear resolution or protection for existing liens (insurer, Medicaid). Unresolved liens can delay approval.
• Future care needs: If the minor has ongoing needs, the court must be satisfied the settlement will protect the child’s future care.
• Independence of decision-making: If the parent may have an interest adverse to the child’s recovery, the court will weigh that when deciding whether to appoint a GAL or require additional safeguards.

Helpful hints

• Start early. Gathering medical records, lien information, and preparing a petition can take weeks.
• Get lien letters in writing from insurers and providers so the court can see exactly what must be paid from the settlement.
• Talk to an attorney experienced in Connecticut minor-compromise practice—procedures and local court preferences vary.
• Consider a structured settlement if the award is large or the child has long-term care needs—structures can provide tax advantages and guaranteed income streams.
• Keep careful records of how settlement money is spent. If a blocked account or supervised account is used, the court may require periodic accountings.
• If a parent is a defendant or has a potential conflict, expect the court to scrutinize the settlement more closely and to appoint a guardian ad litem for the minor.
• Check the Connecticut Judicial Branch website for court locations, contact info, and probable forms: https://www.jud.ct.gov/