Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney to address your specific situation.
Detailed Answer
1. Define Your Search Scope
Begin by listing the asset types you suspect: real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, business interests or personal property. Note the owner’s known counties or states. A clear scope streamlines record requests and reduces fees.
2. Search Real Estate Records
Connecticut records land transactions at the state’s Land Records portal. Search by owner name or property address at landrecords.ct.gov. For other states, use their official registry of deeds websites or a multistate aggregator like NETR Online. Public land records list owners, recorded liens and conveyance history.
3. Check Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Filings
Search the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s UCC database for liens on personal property. Visit the UCC search portal at concord-sots.ct.gov/CONCORD. To find liens filed out-of-state, use each state’s UCC registry or the National UCC Directory.
4. Review Vehicle and Vessel Registrations
Vehicle and boat titles appear in the Connecticut DMV records. You generally need a court order or third-party subpoena to access detailed DMV information. In other jurisdictions, contact each state’s motor vehicle agency for their disclosure rules.
5. Examine Business and Corporate Filings
Search business entity records at the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s business portal (concord-sots.ct.gov/CONCORD). You can see registered agents, addresses and annual reports. For out-of-state entities, use each state’s business search or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR database for publicly traded companies.
6. Obtain Financial Account Information
Connecticut allows post-judgment discovery under the civil procedure statutes. Use an information subpoena under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-347 (link) to require banks or employers to disclose account or wage data. For out-of-state banks, secure an interstate subpoena under the Universal Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-365a–d; link).
7. Use Probate Court Inventories
If you handle an estate, the executor must file an inventory under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-416 (link). Access probate records by contacting the clerk in each county where the decedent had property. Some probate courts offer online searches.
8. Coordinate Multijurisdictional Discovery
When assets span states, file a supporting affidavit in Connecticut Superior Court showing necessity and relevance. The court issues an interstate subpoena or discovery order, then domesticate it in the other state under each state’s UIDDA procedures.
Helpful Hints
- Gather all known personal identifiers (full name, DOB, SSN) to improve search accuracy.
- Consult each registry’s fee schedule in advance to estimate costs.
- Use a private investigator or asset-search specialist for complex portfolios.
- Keep detailed records of each request and response for your case file.
- Verify any out-of-state filings with local counsel familiar with that jurisdiction’s process.
Locating assets across multiple counties or states takes planning and persistence. Early research and proper discovery tools under Connecticut law can uncover hidden property and streamline your legal strategy.