Connecticut: How to Secure a Deceased Relative’s Home and Inventory Property Before You Are Appointed Administrator

This guide explains practical, lawful steps you can take in Connecticut to secure a decedent’s house, create a reliable inventory, and reduce the risk that relatives remove items before a probate appointment. This is educational information only and not legal advice. For decisions that affect legal rights, contact a Connecticut probate attorney or the local probate court.

Quick summary of the safest immediate actions

• Secure the property physically (locks, alarm, change codes if you have lawful access).
• Document the scene: photos, video, timestamps, and notes describing items and locations.
• Tell potential takers you will seek court protection; follow up with a written preservation notice.
• File with the probate court quickly to seek interim authority (letters of administration or temporary appointment).
• If someone is actively removing property, call police — theft may be both a civil and criminal issue.

Why timing and the probate court matter in Connecticut

Ownership and authority to control a deceased person’s property usually pass to the estate. In Connecticut the probate court handles estate administration and issues letters (authority to act) to an executor or administrator. Until a personal representative receives court-issued letters, that person lacks legal authority to sell or dispose of estate property. Because of that gap, relatives sometimes remove items before a formal appointment. The probate court can grant emergency relief or appoint a temporary fiduciary when quick protection is needed. For general probate information, see the Connecticut Judicial Branch — Probate Courts: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/.

Step-by-step practical checklist

1. Do not confront or use force. Avoid physical confrontation. A heated confrontation can escalate to criminal charges or civil liability.
2. Document everything immediately.
   • Take wide-angle and close-up photos or video of each room and each group of personal property (furniture, heirlooms, jewelry, collections, documents).
   • Record the date, time, and your name on the device or capture a time-stamped photo (use a phone camera that embeds time metadata).
   • Make a short written inventory list and note any obvious high-value or sentimental items.
3. Limit access and secure the property.
   • If you lawfully have possession of keys or codes, change locks or codes to stop casual entry. Keep a record of who has keys and when you changed them.
   • If you do not have lawful access, do not break in. Instead, document and seek court assistance.
   • Consider hiring a bonded locksmith or a reputable property management company for temporary caretaking if appropriate.
4. Provide formal written notice to siblings and others.
   • Send a short, calm preservation letter or email stating you intend to file for probate, requesting that no items be removed or hidden, and asking recipients to preserve the property in place pending probate. Keep a copy.
5. Contact the probate court in the district where the decedent lived.
   • File a petition for appointment of administrator or executor. If urgent protection is needed, ask the court for emergency or temporary relief. Probate clerks can provide procedure guidance. Connecticut Probate Courts portal: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/.
6. Ask the court for temporary letters or an injunction.
   • Judge can issue temporary authority or orders to preserve estate property while appointing a representative. This can stop unauthorized removals.
7. If items are already taken or someone is removing things right now, contact police.
   • Removal of personal property without permission may be theft. Give police the documentation you created.
8. After appointment: prepare a formal inventory.
   • Once you (or another person) hold letters of administration, Connecticut probate procedure requires an inventory and appraisal process administered by the probate court and its local rules. Work with the court and, if needed, a probate attorney to complete required filings.

How to handle disagreements with siblings without escalating

• Keep communications short, factual, and written when possible.
• Avoid social media arguments or public accusations; preserve calm evidence (texts, emails) of any threats or admissions.
• Suggest mediation if the family can cooperate; otherwise let the probate court resolve disputes.
• Hire a probate lawyer if removals continue or siblings claim legal authority.

When to involve a lawyer and what to ask

Call a Connecticut probate attorney if:

• Someone is actively removing property.
• You need a quick filing and don’t know how to get temporary authority.
• There are contested claims to ownership or a complex asset base (safe deposit boxes, businesses, unique valuables).

Ask a lawyer about:

• Filing for emergency or temporary letters of administration;
• Preparing and serving a preservation notice or injunction;
• How to do a formal inventory under Connecticut probate practice; and
• Criminal referral options when theft has occurred.

Relevant Connecticut resources

• Connecticut Judicial Branch — Probate Courts: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/
• Connecticut General Assembly (statutes search): https://www.cga.ct.gov/
• Local probate court contact pages and forms are available through the Judicial Branch probate portal above; the court clerk can describe filing procedures and emergency options.

Helpful Hints

• Start documenting as soon as you learn of the death — timestamps strengthen your case.
• Keep an unbroken chain of custody for evidence (who touched, moved, or photographed items and when).
• Use simple inventories: room, item, description, condition, estimated value, photo link or filename.
• Do not throw out mail or documents. Keep originals in a safe, dry place or photograph them first.
• If you are temporarily securing a home, buy a cheap lockbox for small high-value items and photograph the lockbox and contents before sealing it.
• Ask the probate clerk whether your county offers expedited emergency filings or forms for temporary appointment.
• Preserve evidence of any removals (photos of items out of the house, receipts, text messages admitting removal).
• Remember: once you have letters of administration, follow the probate court’s inventory and notice requirements closely to avoid disputes later.