Detailed answer — your rights, duties, and likely outcomes under Connecticut law

When a person dies, someone — usually the executor named in the will or an administrator appointed by the Probate Court — becomes the personal representative. That personal representative has a fiduciary duty to collect estate assets, protect them, sell them only when appropriate, and distribute proceeds according to the will or Connecticut law. If a sibling claims you mismanaged estate assets because you sold your father’s car, the dispute centers on whether you had authority and whether you handled the sale properly.

1. Who had authority to sell the car?

If you were the personal representative (executor or administrator), you generally can manage and sell estate property as part of administration. Authority can come from three sources:

• the will (it may give specific powers to the personal representative);
• a Probate Court order authorizing sales; or
• statutory powers granted to personal representatives under Connecticut probate law.

If you were not appointed personal representative and you sold the car anyway, your sibling can claim wrongful conversion or that you interfered with estate property.

2. Was the sale appropriate and properly documented?

Even when a personal representative has the authority to sell, they must act in good faith, get a fair price, keep clear records, and account for sale proceeds to the estate. Important documentation includes:

• a copy of the Probate Court appointment or letters of administration/executor;
• an inventory or estate list showing the car as an asset;
• photos, odometer reading, and evidence of the car’s condition;
• bill of sale, transfer of title, and sale proceeds deposit records;
• communications with beneficiaries explaining why the sale occurred (if such communications exist).

3. What remedies can your sibling seek in Probate Court or civil court?

Your sibling can raise objections and pursue remedies if they believe the sale was improper. Typical actions include:

• requesting an accounting from the personal representative (the Probate Court supervises estate administration and can require formal accounting);
• asking the Probate Court to surcharge the personal representative — a surcharge is a monetary charge the court can order against a fiduciary who breaches duties (for example, for losses caused by an improper sale or failure to secure fair value);
• seeking removal of the personal representative for misconduct or breach of fiduciary duty;
• filing a civil claim for conversion or breach of fiduciary duty if the representative sold property without authority;
• asking the court to order restoration of proceeds to the estate or to award damages where the estate or beneficiaries were harmed.

4. What defenses are available to you?

If you handled the sale in good faith, you can defend by showing:

• you were the court-appointed personal representative or had written authority in the will;
• you reasonably believed the sale was necessary (for example, to preserve value, pay estate expenses, or because the estate needed cash to pay debts);
• the sale was for fair market value and you have documentation (comparable listings, appraisals, receipts);
• you properly deposited sale proceeds into the estate account and can trace how funds were used;
• you gave beneficiaries notice or obtained court approval when required.

5. What steps will the Probate Court likely take?

The Probate Court oversees estate administration. If a beneficiary objects, the court may:

• order a formal accounting so the personal representative must show all transactions;
• hold a hearing where both sides can present evidence about the sale and whether it breached fiduciary duties;
• order remedies such as surcharge, restitution to the estate, or removal of the personal representative if misconduct is proven.

6. Criminal issues?

Most disputes are civil or probate issues. Criminal charges such as theft or conversion are possible only if prosecutors find evidence of deliberate criminal conduct (for example, intentionally taking estate property and hiding the proceeds). That is relatively rare; most estate disputes resolve through the Probate Court or civil litigation.

7. Key Connecticut law resources

Connecticut’s Probate Court system supervises estate administration and handles accounting, surcharge, and removal actions. For official information and forms see the Connecticut Judicial Branch Probate pages: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/. For statutory text and to review relevant probate statutes (look for Title 45a – Probate), use the General Assembly website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/. These sites will help you find the statutes and rules that apply to fiduciary duties and estate accounting.

Practical next steps if a sibling accuses you

1. Pause communication: Keep exchanges civil and in writing. Do not dispose of any more estate property.
2. Gather documents: letters of appointment, the will, inventory, bill of sale, title transfer, bank records showing deposit and distributions, photos, ads or appraisal receipts, and any beneficiary communications.
3. Prepare an accounting: create a simple, clear ledger showing the car’s value, sale price, expenses, and where proceeds went.
4. Contact the Probate Court clerk: ask whether court approval was required for the sale and how to file or respond to an accounting or objection. The clerk can point you to local procedures: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/
5. Consider mediation: many beneficiary disputes resolve through mediation instead of long litigation.
6. Consult a probate attorney: an attorney can advise whether your actions were within your authority and represent you in court if needed.

Helpful Hints

• Document everything: receipts, title transfers, advertisements, and emails protect you more than words alone.
• If you are personal representative, keep estate funds in a separate estate bank account — never mix personal and estate funds.
• If quick sale was needed (e.g., to prevent loss), note the reasons and gather evidence showing urgency or necessity.
• When in doubt, ask the Probate Court for instructions or permission before selling large or unusual estate assets.
• Act transparently with beneficiaries: sharing information early reduces conflict and suspicion.
• Retain a basic written record of how you determined fair market value (e.g., comparables, dealer offers, online listings).