Detailed Answer

Short answer: Yes—under Connecticut law you may have multiple legal remedies to recover personal items removed by heirs before you took possession, and you can ask the court to enforce its order. Which remedy is best depends on who you are (executor/administrator, beneficiary, purchaser under court order, tenant, etc.), what items were taken (unique items vs. fungible goods), whether a probate court order existed, and whether the taking violated a court order or created a civil or criminal claim.

How the law usually looks at these situations

If you were entitled by court order or by legal title to possession of the house or to certain property in the house (for example, as the appointed executor or administrator, as a purchaser after a probate sale, or by a superior court judgment), then heirs who removed items before you took possession may have committed an interference with your rights. Connecticut law provides both civil and court-enforcement remedies:

Turnover/contested probate remedy: If the probate court issued an order about possession, inventory, or distribution and an heir removed items in violation of that order, you can return to probate court to seek enforcement or a contempt finding (probate courts supervise fiduciaries and estate administration). See general probate statutes and the Connecticut Probate Court website for guidance: Connecticut Probate Courts and the General Assembly site for statutes: Connecticut General Assembly — Current Statutes.
Replevin (return of specific personal property): If an identifiable, specific item was wrongfully taken and you want that item back, you can bring an action for replevin in Connecticut Superior Court to recover possession of the item. Replevin remedies in Connecticut are handled through civil court procedure (see civil actions resources on the Connecticut General Assembly and Judicial Branch sites linked above).
Conversion and money damages: If the item cannot be returned (sold, destroyed, or hidden) you can sue for conversion and seek monetary damages equal to the fair market value of the property (plus possible consequential damages). Conversion is a standard civil tort claim in Connecticut.
Contempt and enforcement of court orders: If a court (probate or superior) already ordered that you have possession or that certain assets remain with the estate and someone disobeyed, you can seek contempt proceedings or other enforcement remedies (contempt can lead to fines or jail in extreme cases and often compels compliance with the order).
Criminal remedies: If the taking was theft or larceny, you may also refer the matter to law enforcement for criminal investigation. Criminal prosecution is separate from civil recovery and may or may not be pursued by the state.

Typical steps to recover items and enforce an order in Connecticut

Document the loss. Prepare a detailed inventory: what items went missing, photos, serial numbers, appraisals, and any witness statements or evidence showing the items were in the house and that heirs removed them.
Check existing court orders. If you obtained letters testamentary/administration, a court order about possession, or a final judgment, gather certified copies. If your right to the property is based on probate orders, return to the probate court file and speak with the probate clerk about filing a motion to enforce or for contempt.
Send a demand letter. A concise written demand to any heir who removed items asking for return and warning you will pursue legal remedies if they do not comply can help—and can be required before certain civil remedies. Keep proof of delivery.
File the right civil action:
- For immediate return of specific property: consider a replevin action in Superior Court.
- If items are gone and you want value: file a conversion claim for damages.
If the removal violated a probate order, ask the probate court to enforce its order and, if appropriate, hold the wrongdoer in contempt.
Avoid self-help. Do not attempt to re-enter the property forcibly or seize items yourself; that can create legal problems for you (trespass, breach of the peace). Let the court order lawful relief.

Which forum is right: probate or Superior Court?

Use probate court if the dispute arises out of estate administration, distribution of estate assets, or if a probate order already exists regulating possession or distribution. Use Superior Court for replevin or conversion claims or to enforce a civil judgment. Sometimes both courts get involved: you may ask the probate court for enforcement and, if necessary, bring a replevin or conversion action in Superior Court.

Enforcing a court order: contempt and writs

If the court already ordered possession or preservation of property and an heir ignored it, you may seek:

Probate enforcement or contempt: Probate courts can enforce their own orders and may hold disobedient parties in contempt. Check the probate court procedures or speak to a probate clerk about filing a motion for enforcement.
Superior Court contempt or execution remedies: If the order is from Superior Court, ask the clerk about writs of possession or other enforcement mechanisms. A contempt finding is a strong tool to compel compliance.

When to involve police

Contact police if the removal appears to be criminal — for example, if someone removed items with no legal basis, after being ordered not to, or if you suspect theft. Criminal complaints do not guarantee return of the items; criminal cases are prosecuted by the state. Civil claims are often still necessary to recover property or money damages.

Evidence that helps your case

Photographs of the items in the house before removal
Receipts, appraisals, serial numbers
Text messages, emails, or letters showing heirs admitted taking items
Probate inventories or court filings identifying estate property
Witness statements who saw the removal

Time limits and urgency

Act quickly to preserve evidence, prevent dissipation, and assert your rights. Some civil claims are subject to statutes of limitation—don’t delay in reviewing and filing claims. If you need immediate possession of unique property, replevin can sometimes provide faster relief than a damages suit.

Practical example (hypothetical)

Suppose you are the executor with letters of administration and a probate court order allowing you to take possession of the decedent’s home on a set date. Two heirs removed antiques the night before you arrived. You should: (1) document what is missing and gather proof, (2) send a demand letter for return, (3) file a motion in probate court to enforce the order and ask for contempt if they disobeyed, and concurrently (4) consider filing a replevin action in Superior Court if the items are uniquely identifiable and you want them returned immediately.

Where to find Connecticut statutes and court procedures

Connecticut statutes and rules that govern probate and civil remedies are available from the Connecticut General Assembly and the Judicial Branch. Helpful starting places:

Connecticut General Assembly — statutes search: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/
Connecticut Judicial Branch — Probate Courts information: https://www.jud.ct.gov/websites/probate/
Connecticut Judicial Branch — Civil and Small Claims information: https://www.jud.ct.gov/

When to consult an attorney

Talk with a Connecticut attorney when:

The items are high-value or unique (art, antiques, family heirlooms).
There is a probate court order or contested estate administration.
You need emergency relief (immediate replevin) or plan to pursue contempt proceedings.
Multiple remedies (civil, probate enforcement, criminal referral) might apply and you need a strategy.

Helpful Hints

Preserve evidence now: photos, receipts, and witness names are crucial.
Do not use self-help (breaking in or forcibly removing property). That risks criminal charges against you.
Start in probate court if the issue arises out of estate administration; that court supervises estate property and fiduciaries.
For immediate return of specific items, replevin in Superior Court can be faster than a damages-only lawsuit.
Send a clear written demand for return before suing—courts and juries like to see attempts to resolve disputes without litigation.
If in doubt, get a short consult with a Connecticut lawyer experienced in probate or civil recovery to pick the most efficient route.
Use official court resources for forms and procedures: the Connecticut Judicial Branch website and the Connecticut General Assembly statutes site linked above.

Disclaimer: This article explains general Connecticut law and common remedies but is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a licensed Connecticut attorney.