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Derby Probate Court, CT Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Derby Probate Court, PD-41 |
| Probate district | Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Woodbridge (C.G.S. section 45a-2) |
| Courthouse address | Ansonia City Hall, 253 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Ansonia, CT 06401 |
| Mailing address | Use the courthouse address. No separate mailing address is published. |
| Phone | (203) 734-1277 |
| Fax | (203) 736-1434 |
| Hours | Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Filing fee | No filing fee is due when a decedent's estate is opened. The Probate Court invoices a statutory fee later, computed on the value of the estate under C.G.S. section 45a-107. |
| Court-specific forms | Connecticut forms are statewide. The Derby Probate Court uses the numbered PC forms published by the Office of the Probate Court Administrator. |
| E-filing | The statewide eFiling system is powered by TurboCourt. Attorneys must register, and registration is optional for everyone else (Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 22.1). The original will must reach the court on paper and cannot be eFiled (section 7.1a). |
| Case lookup | Use the statewide Case Lookup and filter to PD41. Coverage for decedents' estates and trusts runs from January 5, 2011 to the present. |
| Remote appearance | The court may allow participation by electronic means on request, but it is not a right (Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 66.1). |
| Website | https://www.ctprobate.gov/courts/derby-probate-court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file with the Derby Probate Court, make a working list of the decedent's probate assets, jointly held assets, beneficiary-designated accounts, debts, and any Connecticut real estate. Connecticut estate settlement turns on what the person owned, how title was held, and whether the person was domiciled in Ansonia, Derby, Seymour or Woodbridge at death.
Sunset can help by searching across 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets before the probate packet is assembled. That gives the executor or administrator a clearer estate settlement map before choosing the full estate path, the C.G.S. section 45a-273 small-estates procedure, or another Connecticut filing.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Connecticut probate is handled by a separate statewide system of 54 Probate Courts, one for each probate district, not by the Superior Court and not by any county. The Derby Probate Court serves Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Woodbridge (C.G.S. section 45a-2).
If the decedent was domiciled in one of those towns and left a will, the application for probate belongs in the Probate Court for that district (C.G.S. section 45a-283). If the decedent was domiciled there and died intestate, the application for letters of administration belongs there as well (C.G.S. section 45a-303). If a nonresident decedent owned Connecticut property, C.G.S. section 45a-287 supplies the Connecticut venue choices.
The courthouse is in Ansonia City Hall, even though the court is named Derby Probate Court. Use the Connecticut Court Locator at ctprobate.gov/court-locator if you are checking a town-to-court match.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the right Derby Probate Court filing. A full estate starts with PC-200, Petition/Administration or Probate of Will, filed for a Connecticut resident in the district where the decedent was domiciled at death (C.G.S. section 45a-283). If there is no will, the administration path uses the same court when the decedent was domiciled in Ansonia, Derby, Seymour or Woodbridge (C.G.S. section 45a-303). A qualifying C.G.S. section 45a-273 small-estates procedure uses PC-212.
- File with the Derby Probate Court at Ansonia City Hall, 253 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Ansonia, CT 06401, or use Connecticut eFiling if that is available to you. The statewide eFiling system is powered by TurboCourt, attorneys must register, and registration is optional for everyone else (Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 22.1). The original will cannot be eFiled and must reach the court on paper (section 7.1a).
- Do not bring an opening filing fee for a decedent's estate. No filing fee is due when the estate is opened. The Derby Probate Court invoices the statutory probate fee later under C.G.S. section 45a-107.
- Watch for notice and hearing instructions from the court. Connecticut estates may proceed by hearing, by waivers, or by the streamline notice procedure when the rules allow it (Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 8.6).
- If a hearing, conference or deposition is scheduled and travel is difficult, ask the clerk what the court expects for a request to participate by electronic means. Section 66.1 of the Probate Court Rules of Procedure lets the court permit participation by electronic means on request or on its own motion, but it is a decision for the court.
- After appointment, get certified copies of the certificate of appointment from the clerk. Under C.G.S. section 45a-200, that certificate is sufficient evidence of the fiduciary's authority and identity for one year from issuance.
- Administer the estate by gathering assets, filing the inventory within two months after qualification unless the court extends the time as allowed by C.G.S. section 45a-341, handling creditor notice and claims under C.G.S. section 45a-354 and section 45a-356, filing PC-237 Return of Claims and List of Notified Creditors under C.G.S. section 45a-361, filing the required Connecticut estate tax return within six months, and preparing the closing financial report or account.
- Close the estate when administration is complete. Many estates use PC-246 Financial Report/Decedent's Estate under Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 30.19. If the court directs an affidavit of closing, file PC-213 under Rules of Procedure section 36.12 after distribution.
Forms and documents
Probate forms at the Derby Probate Court
Connecticut probate forms are statewide. The Derby Probate Court uses the same numbered PC forms as every other Connecticut Probate Court, published free by the Office of the Probate Court Administrator at ctprobate.gov. The court does not publish forms of its own.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| PC-200, Petition/Administration or Probate of Will | Opens a full decedent's estate in the court where the decedent was domiciled at death (C.G.S. section 45a-283). If there is no will, the administration authority also rests in the court for the decedent's domicile (C.G.S. section 45a-303). |
| PC-212, Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration | Used for the C.G.S. section 45a-273 small-estates procedure. |
| PC-2407, Inventory/Decedents' Estates | The decedent's-estate inventory. The fiduciary files the inventory within two months after qualification unless extended as allowed by C.G.S. section 45a-341. |
| PC-237, Return of Claims and List of Notified Creditors | Filed after the creditor claims period under C.G.S. section 45a-354 and section 45a-356, within the time required by C.G.S. section 45a-361. |
| PC-246, Financial Report/Decedent's Estate | Common closing report for a decedent's estate under Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 30.19. |
| PC-482, Appointment of Probate Judge as Agent for Service by Non-Resident Fiduciary | Used when the appointed fiduciary lives outside Connecticut. |
Local nuance
Derby Probate Court district-specific considerations
The Derby Probate Court is named for Derby, but the courthouse is in Ansonia City Hall at 253 Main Street. Both Derby and Ansonia are in the same C.G.S. section 45a-2 probate district, along with Seymour and Woodbridge, so the building location does not change which towns the court serves.
If you plan to file in person, go to Ansonia City Hall rather than looking for a courthouse in Derby. The court also has a short Friday schedule, with published Friday hours ending at 1:00 p.m.
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Derby Probate Court path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by identifying what passed outside probate and what was solely owned. Even if the home was co-owned, Connecticut may still require an estate tax return within six months, and the probate fee is computed under C.G.S. section 45a-107. If a full estate is needed for solely owned assets, file in the Derby Probate Court if the decedent was domiciled in Ansonia, Derby, Seymour or Woodbridge (C.G.S. section 45a-283). | Sunset helps find accounts, separate probate and nonprobate assets, and organize the estate settlement packet before filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Check whether the estate qualifies for the C.G.S. section 45a-273 small-estates procedure using PC-212. If you are appointed as a fiduciary and live outside Connecticut, PC-482 may be relevant. The original will must reach the Derby Probate Court on paper and cannot be eFiled (Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 7.1a). | Sunset helps collect asset information remotely, generate the needed probate forms, and connect you with a Connecticut attorney if travel or signing issues arise. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A solely owned home generally means a full estate rather than the C.G.S. section 45a-273 small-estates procedure. File PC-200 in the Derby Probate Court if the child was domiciled in Ansonia, Derby, Seymour or Woodbridge (C.G.S. section 45a-283). After appointment, the certificate of appointment under C.G.S. section 45a-200 is the proof of authority a title company may expect, and any contested decree is appealed to the Superior Court under C.G.S. section 45a-186. | Sunset helps build the asset list, prepare the probate packet, and find a local probate attorney for the real-estate sale and court approvals. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Derby Probate Court | Filing office for estates of people domiciled in Ansonia, Derby, Seymour or Woodbridge. The clerk can provide forms and limited procedural assistance, but cannot give legal advice. | Ansonia City Hall, 253 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Ansonia, CT 06401; (203) 734-1277; fax (203) 736-1434; https://www.ctprobate.gov/courts/derby-probate-court |
| Connecticut Court Locator | Town-by-town lookup for the correct Probate Court. | https://www.ctprobate.gov/court-locator |
| Connecticut Case Lookup | Free statewide search of decedents' estates and trusts, with coverage from January 5, 2011 to the present. Filter to PD41. | https://www.ctprobate.gov/case-lookup |
| Connecticut probate forms | Statewide PC form catalogue from the Office of the Probate Court Administrator. | https://www.ctprobate.gov/forms-list |
| Administration of Decedents' Estates user guide | The Probate Court Administrator's 2026 plain-English guide to Connecticut estate administration. | https://www.ctprobate.gov/trusts-estates/trusts-estates-user-guides |
| Connecticut probate fee calculators | State calculators, including a decedents' estate calculator, for estimating the fee later invoiced under C.G.S. section 45a-107. | https://www.ctprobate.gov/fees-expenses-calculators |
| Probate Court accommodation requests | A person with a disability may request an accommodation from a Connecticut Probate Court using form PC-2. The Probate Court Administrator asks for at least ten days' notice when possible, shortened in emergencies. | https://www.ctprobate.gov/assistance-individuals-disabilities-ada |
| Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut | Statewide legal-aid intake for people with low income. It can screen for free legal help and referrals. | 1-800-453-3320; https://slsct.org/ |
| CTLawHelp.org | Free Connecticut self-help legal library and legal help finder. | https://ctlawhelp.org/ |
| Connecticut Judicial Branch law libraries | Law librarians answer research questions and can point to probate statutes, rules and forms. Check current locations and hours before visiting. | https://www.jud.ct.gov/lawlib |
When to hire an attorney
Connecticut's Probate Court Administrator says estate matters can be complex and that legal advice is often advisable, even when a lawyer is not required. Counsel is especially useful if the estate includes real estate, an out-of-state fiduciary, contested heirs or beneficiaries, creditor disputes, tax questions, or a sale that needs court authority. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for financial accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property so the executor or administrator can start estate settlement with a more complete asset picture.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information you provide into an organized Connecticut probate packet for review, including the Derby Probate Court forms that fit the path you are taking.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a Connecticut probate attorney familiar with the Probate Court process.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, prepare next steps, and understand the probate path without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for someone who lived in Ansonia, Derby, Seymour or Woodbridge?
File with the Derby Probate Court if the decedent was domiciled in Ansonia, Derby, Seymour or Woodbridge at death. A will is filed in the court for the district where the decedent was domiciled (C.G.S. section 45a-283), and an intestate estate is handled by the court for that domicile as well (C.G.S. section 45a-303).
Is the Derby Probate Court actually in Derby?
No. The Derby Probate Court is located in Ansonia City Hall, 253 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Ansonia, CT 06401. Ansonia and Derby are both in the same probate district under C.G.S. section 45a-2.
Can I file electronically in the Derby Probate Court?
Connecticut uses a statewide eFiling system powered by TurboCourt. Attorneys who appear in a probate matter must register, while registration is optional for everyone else (Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 22.1). The original will cannot be eFiled and must be delivered to the court on paper (section 7.1a).
Can I appear remotely for a Derby Probate Court hearing?
Connecticut Probate Courts may allow a party, witness or attorney to take part in a hearing, conference or deposition by electronic means. Section 66.1 of the Probate Court Rules of Procedure lets the court permit it on request or on its own motion, weighing factors that include the nature of the proceeding, the technology available, and whether remote participation would still allow full examination of witnesses. It is a request the court decides, not a right, and the rule names no platform. Ask the clerk of the Derby Probate Court what that court expects.
How do I look up a Derby Probate Court estate case?
Use Connecticut's statewide Case Lookup and filter to PD41. It covers decedents' estates and trusts from January 5, 2011 to the present, with earlier matters incomplete. The tool shows case index information and fiduciary contact information, not the full court file.
Does the Derby Probate Court have its own probate forms?
Connecticut probate forms are statewide. The Derby Probate Court uses the numbered PC forms published by the Office of the Probate Court Administrator, including PC-200 for a full estate filed where the decedent was domiciled (C.G.S. section 45a-283) and PC-212 for the C.G.S. section 45a-273 small-estates procedure.
What does it cost to open a decedent's estate in the Derby Probate Court?
No filing fee is due when a decedent's estate is opened. Instead, the Derby Probate Court bills the estate later. The fee is statewide and uniform under C.G.S. section 45a-105, and it is computed under C.G.S. section 45a-107. For a person who died on or after July 1, 2016, the fee is graduated from $25 to a cap of $40,000, with a $150 minimum when a full estate is opened on a basis under $10,000, and with any portion passing to a surviving spouse counted at half (C.G.S. section 45a-107).
Do I have to travel to Ansonia for every step?
Not always. Connecticut estates may use waivers or the streamline notice procedure when the rules allow it (Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 8.6), and electronic participation may be requested under section 66.1. The court decides what is required for each matter, so ask the Derby Probate Court clerk before assuming travel is required or unnecessary.
What authority document does the Derby Probate Court issue after appointment?
When the Probate Court appoints you, the court's clerk issues a certificate of your appointment as fiduciary. Under C.G.S. section 45a-200, that certificate is sufficient evidence of your authority and identity for one year from the date it is issued, so a bank or transfer agent may ask for a recently issued copy. Ask the clerk of the Derby Probate Court for as many certified copies as you expect to need, and expect to request fresh ones if the estate stays open past a year.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.