Detailed Answer

When a house owned by your father is sold, the path the sale proceeds follow depends entirely on how title to the house was held and whether the estate is being administered through probate or a trust. Below are the main legal routes and the actions you can take to learn exactly where the money will go.

1) Identify how the property is titled

The first and most important step is to determine who legally owned the property at the time of sale. Common forms of title in Connecticut include:

• Sole ownership — title in your dad’s name alone. Proceeds usually enter his estate and are distributed through probate or a trust.
• Joint tenants with right of survivorship — surviving joint owner(s) take title automatically; the deceased’s interest passes outside probate to the surviving owner(s).
• Tenancy by the entirety — available for married couples; the surviving spouse takes title automatically.
• Trust ownership — if the house was titled in a living trust, sale proceeds are typically paid to the trustee and distributed per the trust terms outside probate.
• Beneficiary designation or transfer-on-death arrangements — if in place, proceeds may pass directly to the named beneficiary.

How to check: pull a copy of the deed from the local land records or town clerk’s office. If you cannot locate it, ask the closing agent or title company for the recorded deed and closing statement.

2) If title shows sole ownership, the proceeds usually go into the estate (probate)

When the house belonged only to your dad and no valid transfer mechanism (joint ownership, trust, beneficiary) exists, the sale proceeds are estate assets. The personal representative (executor or administrator) handles sale proceeds subject to Connecticut probate procedures:

• Pay secured debts tied to the property (mortgage or recorded lien) from the sale proceeds. The lender typically receives a payoff amount at closing.
• Pay reasonable estate expenses: funeral, administration costs, probate fees, real estate commissions, and closing costs.
• Pay allowed creditor claims against the estate (creditors must present claims according to probate rules).
• Pay taxes (state and federal estate tax if applicable, and any income or transfer taxes). See the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services for state tax rules: https://portal.ct.gov/DRS.
• After valid claims, distribute the remaining proceeds to beneficiaries under the will or, if no will, according to Connecticut intestacy law.

Probate practice and the duties of personal representatives are governed by Connecticut probate law. For general probate procedures and forms, see the Connecticut Probate Courts: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/. For the text of Connecticut statutes, see the General Assembly site: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/.

3) If title shows joint ownership, trust, or transfer-on-death, the proceeds may bypass probate

If a surviving joint owner or a trustee is on title, or the property was held in a trust, proceeds typically go to that person or entity and then are distributed according to the governing document (deed, trust agreement, or joint-ownership rules). To confirm:

• Request a copy of the deed (shows joint tenancy or tenancy by entirety).
• Ask for the trust document or trustee contact information.
• Request the closing statement from the sale — it shows who received funds at closing.

4) How secured claims, liens, and taxes affect the proceeds

Sale proceeds are subject to any valid recorded encumbrances. The usual priority is:

1. Pay mortgage(s) and recorded liens out of proceeds at closing;
2. Pay closing costs and real estate commissions;
3. Pay estate administration costs and allowed creditor claims (if the proceeds are estate assets);
4. Pay taxes owed by the decedent or the estate.

To get exact payoff and lien information, obtain a title report from the closing/title company or request a payoff statement from the lender.

5) How to get an exact accounting of where the sale proceeds went

Follow these practical steps to obtain precise documentation:

1. Ask for the closing statement (HUD-1 or Closing Disclosure). The closing statement lists who received each portion of the sale proceeds (mortgage payoff, real estate commission, seller net proceeds, etc.).
2. Request a copy of the recorded deed from the town clerk/land records to confirm ownership prior to sale.
3. If the property went through probate, ask the personal representative for the estate inventory and accountings. Connecticut probate practice requires inventories and accountings; contact your local probate court or view probate guidance at: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/.
4. Obtain a title search or title commitment from the closing or title company to see liens and encumbrances that were paid from proceeds.
5. Check mortgage payoff statements from any lender(s) on the property to confirm payoff amount and recipient.
6. If the property was in a trust, request the trustee’s final accounting and copy of the trust instrument showing distribution instructions.

6) What to do if you can’t get the information or you suspect wrongdoing

If the personal representative or trustee refuses to provide records or you believe the sale proceeds were mishandled:

• Ask the probate court about filing a petition for an accounting or for removal of the personal representative. Probate courts supervise administration of estates and can order accountings.
• If a trustee refuses to account or you suspect breach of fiduciary duty, you may petition the probate court (or appropriate court) to compel an accounting or seek other remedies.
• Consider consulting an Connecticut attorney experienced in probate/trust matters for formal steps and to evaluate whether to file a claim for breach of fiduciary duty or conversion.

7) Typical documents you should collect

• Recorded deed(s).
• Sale closing statement (HUD-1 or Closing Disclosure).
• Title search/title insurance commitment.
• Mortgage payoff statements.
• Copy of the will, letters testamentary/administration, or trust document.
• Probate inventories and accountings (if probate was opened).

Gathering these documents will usually let you trace sale proceeds from gross sale price to the final net distribution and identify each deduction and recipient.

Key Connecticut resources

• Connecticut Probate Courts: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/
• Connecticut General Assembly — statutes and titles (for statute lookups): https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/
• Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (estate and tax rules): https://portal.ct.gov/DRS

Helpful Hints

• Start with the deed and the closing statement — they show the raw facts about ownership and who was paid at closing.
• If someone claims the house passed outside probate (joint tenancy, trust, etc.), ask for documentary proof (recorded deed, trust instrument, or assignment).
• Probate filings are public in Connecticut; check with the local probate court to view petitions, inventories, and accountings.
• Keep a written record of all requests you make for documents and the responses you receive — this helps if you later petition the court.
• Be respectful but persistent with the personal representative, trustee, closing agent, and title company; many issues get resolved by simply requesting documents.
• If the estate is large, or disputes emerge, consult a Connecticut attorney who handles probate and trust disputes — attorneys can request accountings and file petitions in the probate court on your behalf.
• When in doubt about specific deadlines for creditor claims or probate motions, contact the local probate court promptly — missing deadlines can limit rights.