Disclaimer

This is general information and education about Connecticut probate procedures, not legal advice. You should consult a licensed Connecticut attorney about your specific situation before taking action.

Detailed answer — step-by-step guide to reviewing and correcting probate filings in Connecticut

If you believe a probate filing in your father’s estate is missing or incorrect, follow these steps to find the records, review them, and, if needed, ask the Probate Court to fix or force proper filings. The directions below assume you are an interested person (for example: a named beneficiary, heir, creditor, or personal representative). If you are unsure whether you qualify as an interested person, contact the probate court where the estate was opened.

1. Identify the correct probate court and case file

Probate administration in Connecticut is handled by the Probate Court where your father lived at his death. Use the Connecticut Probate Court directory to find the correct court and contact information: Connecticut Probate Court Directory.

2. Obtain copies of the probate file and docket

Visit or contact the probate clerk’s office and request a copy of the estate’s file and docket entries. Most courts will provide copies for a small fee. Ask for these documents specifically:

• Petition for probate or administration and grant/letters of appointment
• Filed will (if any) and proof of death
• Inventory of estate assets
• Bond (if posted)
• Interim or final accountings
• Any motions, orders, or correspondence in the case

3. Know what documents should exist

Common required or standard filings in Connecticut probate cases include an inventory of estate property and periodic fiduciary accountings when the fiduciary distributes assets or when the court requires it. The Probate Court’s forms and guidance pages explain typical filings and procedures: Probate forms and filings. If you are reviewing a fiduciary’s activity, you should look for a filed inventory and any accountings or receipts showing how assets were managed and distributed.

4. Review the documents carefully

When you receive the file, check for:

• Missing inventory or accountings entirely.
• Obvious errors (wrong amounts, duplicate entries, assets or debts omitted).
• Distributions that do not match the will or intestacy rules.
• Unapproved fees or payments that lack court approval or explanation.

5. Ask the fiduciary (executor/administrator) for clarification

Often a polite, written request for clarification or for copies of receipts from the executor or administrator resolves minor problems. Keep the request short, factual, and dated. Ask for specific documents and give a reasonable deadline (e.g., 14 days).

6. If the response is unsatisfactory, file a petition or motion with probate

If the fiduciary does not cooperate or if documents are missing or wrong, you can ask the Probate Court to intervene. Typical requests you can make to the court include:

• Motion or petition to compel an inventory or accounting (request the court order the fiduciary to file the missing paperwork).
• Petition for a citation or hearing to examine the fiduciary under oath.
• Petition to surcharge or remove a fiduciary if there’s evidence of misconduct, waste, or mismanagement.
• Motion to reopen the estate if required filings were omitted and the court previously closed the estate.

Probate clerks can tell you which form or local procedure to use; see the court’s forms page: Probate forms and instructions.

7. Prepare for the hearing and supply evidence

When the court schedules a hearing, bring copies of all case papers, your written requests to the fiduciary, communications (emails, letters), and any other proof (bank statements, statements from other beneficiaries). A court can order production of documents, require an accounting under oath, and sanction or remove a fiduciary if warranted.

8. Remedies the Probate Court can grant

The Probate Court has several remedies, including:

• Ordering the fiduciary to file a proper inventory or accounting.
• Ordering the fiduciary to pay back funds if improperly paid out (“surcharge”).
• Removing and replacing the fiduciary for misconduct or incapacity.
• Reopening the estate to correct errors or omissions.

9. Appeal and time limits

Some probate decisions have strict deadlines for appeal or post-judgment motions. Act promptly after you discover an issue. If you think a statute of limitation or appeal deadline might apply, consult an attorney quickly to preserve your rights. For general statute references and how probate is governed in Connecticut, see the Connecticut General Assembly website: Connecticut General Statutes, and consult the Probate Court rules and guidance at the Connecticut Judicial Branch: Connecticut Probate Courts.

10. When to hire a probate attorney

Consider hiring a Connecticut probate attorney if the issue involves:

• Large sums, complex assets, or suspected fraud.
• Fiduciary removal or surcharge actions.
• Reopening a closed estate or contesting a will.
• Quick deadlines for appeal or complex tax issues.

An attorney can draft motions, collect and present evidence, and represent you at hearings.

Helpful hints

• Start at the probate clerk’s office: they can provide the file, list of filings, and local practice tips (court directory).
• Keep all communications written and dated. Save copies of letters, emails, and phone call notes.
• Be specific when requesting missing items — name the missing document (inventory, interim accounting, receipts) and cite the probate docket number.
• Act quickly. Probate matters can have short windows for contesting actions and for appeals.
• Use court forms where available — the Judicial Branch posts standard probate forms: probate forms.
• Ask the court clerk how filing fees or costs are handled; courts may assess costs for filings and for producing court records.
• If you cannot afford an attorney and the estate is small, the court may offer alternative steps or limited-scope help; ask the clerk about low-cost resources.
• If you suspect criminal misconduct (theft, embezzlement), you may also contact local law enforcement — civil probate remedies and criminal prosecution are different paths.