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Tobacco Valley Probate Court, CT Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Tobacco Valley Probate Court, PD-03 |
| Courthouse address | Windsor Locks Town Hall, 50 Church Street, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 |
| Mailing | No separate mailing address is published for this court. Use 50 Church Street, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 unless the clerk gives different instructions. |
| Phone | (860) 627-1450 |
| Fax | (860) 654-8919 |
| Hours | Monday through Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. No lunch closure or filing cutoff is published. |
| 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. |
| Local forms | Statewide PC forms only. The Tobacco Valley Probate Court uses the same forms as every Connecticut Probate Court, and the court does not publish forms of its own. |
| E-filing status | Connecticut uses statewide eFiling through TurboCourt. Attorneys must register under Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 22.1; registration is optional for self-represented filers. |
| Case lookup | ctprobate.gov/case-lookup. Filter to PD03. Coverage for decedents' estates and trusts runs from January 5, 2011 to the present, with incomplete earlier data. |
| Remote appearance | Participation by electronic means may be allowed on request, but it is not a right. The rule is Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 66.1. |
| Website | https://www.ctprobate.gov/courts/tobacco-valley-probate-court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything with the Tobacco Valley Probate Court, make a working list of the decedent's accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, taxes, beneficiary designations and jointly owned assets. Connecticut estate settlement depends on what passed through probate, what passed outside probate, and what must still be reported for the statewide fee and tax-return process.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions so families can find accounts before choosing the right filing path. That helps you avoid opening the wrong case in Windsor Locks, missing a survivorship asset, or overlooking a debt that affects the estate settlement plan.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Connecticut probate is handled by a separate statewide system of 54 Probate Courts, one for each probate district under C.G.S. section 45a-2, not by the Superior Court and not by any county. The Tobacco Valley Probate Court serves Bloomfield, East Granby, Suffield and Windsor Locks (C.G.S. section 45a-2).
If the decedent was domiciled in Bloomfield, East Granby, Suffield or Windsor Locks at death, the estate is filed at the Tobacco Valley Probate Court in Windsor Locks. A will is filed in the Probate Court where the testator was domiciled at death (C.G.S. section 45a-283), and an intestate estate is administered where the decedent was domiciled at death (C.G.S. section 45a-303). For a nonresident decedent with Connecticut property, C.G.S. section 45a-287 supplies the Connecticut venue choices.
The courthouse is in Windsor Locks, but the court's name does not include any of the four towns it serves. If you are unsure which Connecticut Probate Court serves a town, use the statewide Court Locator at ctprobate.gov/court-locator.
A decision of the Probate Court may be appealed to the Superior Court, generally within thirty days after the court sent the decree (C.G.S. section 45a-186).
The jurisdiction process
- Confirm the town and court. If the decedent was domiciled in Bloomfield, East Granby, Suffield or Windsor Locks, use the Tobacco Valley Probate Court, PD-03, under C.G.S. section 45a-2 and C.G.S. section 45a-283. If the decedent was not domiciled in Connecticut but owned Connecticut property, review the nonresident filing choices in C.G.S. section 45a-287.
- Choose the filing path and gather the statewide forms. A full estate begins with PC-200, Petition/Administration or Probate of Will, filed where the decedent was domiciled at death (C.G.S. section 45a-283). A qualifying C.G.S. section 45a-273 small estate uses PC-212, Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration.
- File with the Windsor Locks court. You may file on paper with the clerk at 50 Church Street, and Connecticut's statewide eFiling system also lets eligible users initiate matters electronically. Attorneys must register for eFiling under Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 22.1; registration is optional for self-represented parties. The original will can never be eFiled and must reach the court on paper under section 7.1a.
- Do not bring a counter payment for opening a decedent's estate. Connecticut does not charge a filing fee to open a decedent's estate. Under section 6.1 of the Probate Court Rules of Procedure, the statutory filing fee is due at filing in every kind of Probate Court matter except a decedent's estate and an accounting. Instead, the Tobacco Valley Probate Court bills the estate later. The fee is set by statute and is the same in all 54 Connecticut probate districts (C.G.S. section 45a-105). For a person who died on or after July 1, 2016, it is graduated on the greater of the inventory, the gross estate or the Connecticut taxable estate, running from $25 up to a cap of $40,000, with a minimum of $150 where 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). The fee is owed on everything the decedent owned, including assets that pass outside probate, and it is owed whether or not an estate is opened at all. Interest of 0.5 per cent per month runs on a probate fee that is unpaid thirty days after the court's invoice, and separately on the fee of an estate whose Connecticut estate tax return is filed late (C.G.S. section 45a-107). ctprobate.gov publishes a fee calculator at ctprobate.gov/fees-expenses-calculators.
- Watch for notice, waivers or a hearing date. The Probate Court may set a hearing, may proceed if required waivers are filed, or may use the streamline notice process under Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 8.6. If you want to participate by electronic means, ask the clerk before the hearing. Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 66.1 makes that a request the court decides.
- Receive authority before acting for the estate. 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.
- Administer the estate after appointment. File the decedent's-estate inventory, such as PC-2407, on the C.G.S. section 45a-341 schedule, follow the creditor notice and claims process under C.G.S. section 45a-354, C.G.S. section 45a-356 and C.G.S. section 45a-361, and file the Connecticut estate tax return within six months.
- Close when administration is complete. Most estates close with a financial report on PC-246 under Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 30.19, a court order for distribution, and, if directed by the court, PC-213 under Rules of Procedure section 36.12 after distribution.
Forms and documents
Probate forms at the Tobacco Valley Probate Court
Connecticut probate forms are statewide. The Tobacco Valley 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 Probate Court where the decedent was domiciled at death (C.G.S. section 45a-283). |
| PC-212, Affidavit in Lieu of Probate of Will/Administration | Used for the C.G.S. section 45a-273 small-estates procedure when that statute applies. |
| PC-2407, Inventory/Decedents' Estates | The decedent's-estate inventory form used on the C.G.S. section 45a-341 schedule. |
| PC-237, Return of Claims and List of Notified Creditors | Filed after the creditor claims period under C.G.S. section 45a-361. |
| PC-246, Financial Report/Decedent's Estate | The common closing financial report 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
Tobacco Valley Probate Court district-specific considerations
The Tobacco Valley Probate Court is named for the historic tobacco-growing region along the Connecticut River, not for any of the four towns it serves. The courthouse is in Windsor Locks Town Hall, 50 Church Street. Bloomfield, East Granby and Suffield residents file with this same court even though none of those town names appears in the court's name.
The court's published hours include a longer Thursday and a short Friday: Monday through Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | If the home passed by survivorship, the estate may still need filings at the Tobacco Valley Probate Court and a Connecticut estate tax return within six months. The probate fee is computed under C.G.S. section 45a-107 even when assets pass outside probate. | Sunset helps identify accounts, beneficiary designations and co-owned assets before the spouse decides what must be filed in Windsor Locks. |
| out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If the estate qualifies for the C.G.S. section 45a-273 small-estates procedure, the child can use PC-212 with the Tobacco Valley Probate Court. If appointed as fiduciary while living outside Connecticut, PC-482 may also be needed. The original will must reach the court on paper and cannot be eFiled under section 7.1a. | Sunset helps the family sort accounts and generate the right probate packet, then can connect the child with a Connecticut probate attorney if travel or fiduciary paperwork becomes difficult. |
| parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A solely owned Connecticut home generally requires full administration through PC-200 in the court where the child was domiciled at death (C.G.S. section 45a-283). After appointment, the fiduciary uses the C.G.S. section 45a-200 certificate of appointment as proof of authority for title-company and transfer steps. | Sunset helps find accounts, organize debts and prepare the court packet so the parent can move from appointment to sale and closing in the correct order. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco Valley Probate Court | Filing office for estates of people domiciled in Bloomfield, East Granby, Suffield or Windsor Locks. The clerk can provide forms and limited procedural assistance, but cannot give legal advice. | Windsor Locks Town Hall, 50 Church Street, Windsor Locks, CT 06096; (860) 627-1450; fax (860) 654-8919; https://www.ctprobate.gov/courts/tobacco-valley-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. Filter to PD03. Coverage runs from January 5, 2011 to the present, with incomplete earlier data. | 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 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 billed 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, with screening 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
The Probate Court Administrator's trusts and estates guidance says estate matters can be complex and that legal advice is strongly recommended; the decedents' estate guide says a lawyer is not required but is often advisable. Counsel is especially useful when a will is contested, heirs disagree, real estate must be sold, a fiduciary lives outside Connecticut, tax filings are uncertain, or an appeal to the Superior Court is being considered under C.G.S. section 45a-186. Sunset connects families with a vetted probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for financial accounts, insurance, retirement assets and other property so the family can see what the Tobacco Valley Probate Court filing needs to cover.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information into an organized estate settlement packet, including the Connecticut probate forms that fit the filing path.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Connecticut probate attorney familiar with Probate Court practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement, understand the next steps and decide whether attorney help is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for someone from Bloomfield, East Granby, Suffield or Windsor Locks?
File at the Tobacco Valley Probate Court in Windsor Locks if the decedent was domiciled in Bloomfield, East Granby, Suffield or Windsor Locks at death. Those towns are assigned to PD-03 under C.G.S. section 45a-2, and a will is filed where the testator was domiciled at death under C.G.S. section 45a-283. An intestate estate is administered where the decedent was domiciled at death under C.G.S. section 45a-303.
Why is the Tobacco Valley Probate Court in Windsor Locks?
The court's name refers to a historic tobacco-growing region, not a town. The courthouse is at Windsor Locks Town Hall, 50 Church Street, and the court serves Bloomfield, East Granby, Suffield and Windsor Locks under C.G.S. section 45a-2.
Can I use eFiling for the Tobacco Valley Probate Court?
The Connecticut Probate Courts use a statewide eFiling system powered by TurboCourt. Attorneys who appear in a probate matter must register under Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 22.1. Registration is optional for everyone else, and a self-represented party may open an Individual account. The original will can never be eFiled and must reach the court on paper under section 7.1a.
Can I appear remotely for a Tobacco Valley 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 Tobacco Valley Probate Court what that court expects.
How do I look up a Tobacco Valley Probate Court estate case?
Use Connecticut's statewide Case Lookup at ctprobate.gov/case-lookup and filter to the Tobacco Valley Probate Court district, PD03. The tool covers decedents' estates and trusts from January 5, 2011 to the present. Earlier cases may appear, but the database is incomplete before that date.
Does the Tobacco Valley Probate Court have its own forms?
No. Connecticut probate forms are statewide. The Tobacco Valley 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.
What does it cost to open a decedent's estate in Windsor Locks?
Connecticut does not charge a filing fee to open a decedent's estate. Under section 6.1 of the Probate Court Rules of Procedure, the statutory filing fee is due at filing in every kind of Probate Court matter except a decedent's estate and an accounting. Instead, the Tobacco Valley Probate Court bills the estate later under C.G.S. section 45a-107. The fee is owed whether or not an estate is opened, and the Connecticut estate tax return is due within six months.
Do I have to travel to Windsor Locks if I live outside Connecticut?
Not always. Some filings may be handled by mail or through Connecticut eFiling if you are eligible under Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 22.1, but the original will must be delivered on paper under section 7.1a. Hearings may be avoided when required waivers are filed or when the streamline process under Probate Court Rules of Procedure, section 8.6 is used, and remote participation can be requested under section 66.1. Ask the clerk what the court expects for your matter.
What proof of authority does a fiduciary receive from the Tobacco Valley Probate Court?
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 Tobacco Valley 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.