How is the Connecticut Probate Court being impacted by the coronavirus?
Governor Lamont has essentially shut down these courts for the time being.
Here is the relevant part of his order relating to Probate Court:
Suspension of Non-Critical Probate Court Operations and Associated Requirements.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Connecticut General Statutes, Probate Rules of Procedure or other provisions of law, I hereby suspend :
(1) reporting and filing requirements of the Office of the Probate Court Administrator concerning Probate Court operations;
(2) Probate Court facility, location or venue requirements;
(3) time requirements, statutes of limitation or other limitations or deadlines relating to service of process,
court proceedings or court filings; and
(4) all time requirements or deadlines related to the Probate Courts or their judicial officials to issue notices, hold
court, hear matters and/or render decisions, including, but not limited to, the following General Statutes:
a. Chapter 801, relating to administrative procedures;
b. Chapter 802b, relating to decedents’ estates;
c. Chapter 802c, relating to trusts;
d. Chapter 802d, relating to Uniform Transfers to Minors Act;
e. Chapter 802g, relating to disclaimer of property;
f. Chapter 802h, relating to protected persons including minors, conservatorships and guardians of adults with intellectual disability;
g. Chapter 803, relating to termination of parental rights and adoption;
h. Chapter 815p, relating to Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act;
1. Sections 46b-150 through 46b-150i, relating to emancipation;
j. Section 46b-172a, relating to paternity;
k. Chapter 319, relating to commitment of mentally ill children;
I. Chapter 319a, relating to Interstate Compact;
m. Section 17a-274, relating to involuntary placement with DDS;
n. Chapter 319i, relating to adults with psychiatric disabilities;
o. Sections 17a-685 and 17a-686, relating to treatment of alcohol or drug dependent persons.
Nothing in this order shall preclude a Probate Court from holding hearings or rendering decisions in such time frames as the circumstances of the particular matter warrants and the interest of the parties requires.
The above sentence is crucial. The Connecticut Probate Courts do have discretion to schedule certain hearings on a case by case basis. This will vary widely by Probate Court. I suspect at minimum, one would need a “compelling” reason and many courts will likely require the issue to be an “emergency.”
Connecticut Probate Court Attorney
I represent clients in Probate Court matters though out Fairfield and New Haven County including those who reside in Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Trumbull, Stratford, Bridgeport, Westport, Weston, New Canaan, Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford, Greenwich, Shelton, Orange and Milford.
Please email me or call me in Stamford at (203) 356-1475 or in Fairfield at (203) 259-5251 to schedule your Probate Court consultation.