How to Make Will in Connecticut

If you're a resident of Connecticut and thinking about making a will, you should understand what a will is and how to create one. A will, also called a "last will and testament," can help you protect your family and your property.

You can use a will to:

• leave your property to people or organizations
• name a personal guardian to care for your minor children
• name a trusted person to manage property you leave to minor children, and
• name an executor, the person who makes sure that the terms of your will are carried out.

Below you'll find an overview of what a will can do for you, what Connecticut laws require for making a valid will, and what the process looks like.

Steps to Create a Will in Connecticut

Here's a quick checklist for making a will in Connecticut:

1. Decide what property to include in your will.
2. Decide who will inherit your property.
3. Choose an executor to handle your estate.
4. Choose a guardian for your children.
5. Choose someone to manage children's property.
6. Make your will.
7. Sign your will in front of witnesses.
8. Store your will safely.

What Happens If I Die Without a Will in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, if you die without a will, your property will be distributed according to state "intestacy" laws. Connecticut's intestacy law gives your property to your closest relatives, beginning with your children, spouse, parents, and grandchildren. The list of inheritors continues with increasingly distant relatives, including siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and stepchildren. If the court exhausts this list and finds that you have no living relatives by blood or marriage, the state will take your property. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 45a-437, 45a-438, 45a-439, 45a-452 (2025).)

Can I Make My Own Will in Connecticut?

Yes. You can make your own will in Connecticut, using Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust. However, you might want to consult a lawyer in some situations. For example, if you think that your will might be contested or you have especially complicated goals, you should talk with an attorney. See Do I Need an Attorney to Make My Estate Plan?

Legal Requirements for a Valid Will in Connecticut

To make a will in Connecticut, you must be:

• 18 years of age or older
• of sound mind.

(Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-250 (2025).)

In Connecticut, your will must be in writing on actual paper. It can't be in a digital, audio, or video format. Connecticut doesn't permit holographic wills (unwitnessed handwritten wills). But Connecticut does recognize wills as valid if they were made in other states and conform to those states' laws. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-251 (2025).)

How to Sign and Execute My Connecticut Will

To finalize your will in Connecticut:

• you must sign your will in front of two witnesses, and
• your witnesses must sign your will in front of you.

(Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-251 (2025).)

Neither witness should be a beneficiary of the will. Under Connecticut law, the witnesses of the will could lose any gift made to them or their spouses under the terms of the will. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-258 (2025).)

Do I Need to Have My Will Notarized in Connecticut?

No, in Connecticut, you don't need to notarize your will to make it legal. However, Connecticut allows you to make your will "self-proving," and you'll need to go to a notary if you want to do that. A self-proving will speeds up probate because the court can accept the will without contacting the witnesses who signed it.

To make your will self-proving, you and your witnesses will go to the notary and sign an affidavit that proves who you are and that each of you knew you were signing the will. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-285 (2025).)

Can I Make a Digital or Electronic Will in Connecticut?

You can't make a digital or electronic will in Connecticut. In a few states, you can make a legal will digitally—that is, you can make the will, sign it, and have it witnessed without ever printing it out. Although such electronic wills are currently available in a minority of states, many other states are considering making electronic wills legal. It's generally assumed that most states will allow them in the near future.

Can I Choose and Appoint an Executor in My Connecticut Will?

Yes. In Connecticut, you can use your will to name an executor who will ensure that the provisions in your will are carried out after your death. Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust produces a letter to your executor that generally explains what the job requires. If you don't name an executor, the probate court will appoint someone to take on the job of winding up your estate.

Can I Revoke or Change My Will in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, you may revoke or change your will at any time. You can revoke your will by:

• burning, canceling, tearing, or obliterating it yourself or by instructing someone else to do one of these things in front of you, or
• making a new will or codicil (see below).

(Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-257 (2025).)

If you need to make changes to your will, it's best to revoke it and make a new one. However, if you have only very simple changes to make, you could add an amendment to your existing will—this is called a codicil. In either case, you will need to finalize your changes with the same formalities you used to make your original will (see above).

If you and your spouse divorce (or if a court determines that your marriage isn't legal), Connecticut law revokes any language in your will that leaves property to your spouse or names your spouse to be your executor. This rule doesn't apply if you specifically state in your will that divorce shouldn't affect the provisions in your will. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-257c (2025).)

If you have any concerns about the repercussions of divorce on your will, see an estate planning attorney for help.

Next Steps

You can find Connecticut's laws about making wills here: General Statutes of Connecticut, Title 45a Probate Courts and Procedure, Chapter 802a Wills: Execution and Construction.

To make your own will—as well as other estate planning documents, such as powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and living trusts—try Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're still looking for information, check out these answers to frequently asked questions on Connecticut wills.

Can a will help me avoid probate?

No. A will doesn't avoid probate. Instead, it acts as instructions to the probate court. If you want to avoid probate in Connecticut, consider other estate planning strategies like a living trust or joint tenancy.

What's the cost of making a will in Connecticut?

The cost for a lawyer to make a will depends on several factors, including the complexity of your finances, where you live in Connecticut, and whether you want an entire estate plan with multiple documents. A simple will without other estate planning documents likely will cost at least a few hundred dollars—and potentially more than $1,000. DIY resources, like Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust, will cost significantly less than hiring an attorney.

Where should I store my will after it's signed?

There are several options for places to store your will, and each has pros and cons. Some options are your home, your lawyer's office, or a safe deposit box (but ensure the bank will let your executor or other trusted people access it after your death). Wherever you store it, make sure the right people know where it is, so the probate process can start as soon as possible without confusion or delay. For more information, read How to Safely Store Your Will.

Do I need to file my will with the court or government after making it?

No. Your will doesn't need to be filed with the court or government until after your death.

Can a will help me avoid estate taxes?

No. A will won't help you avoid estate taxes or inheritance taxes. Unlike most states, Connecticut does have an estate tax, but there is no separate Connecticut inheritance tax. The federal government also has an estate tax. Very few estates are wealthy enough to owe federal or state estate taxes. (Read Estate Tax: Will Your Estate Have to Pay? and Connecticut Estate Tax for more information.)

If your estate is large enough to owe state or federal estate tax, you should consider working with an estate planning attorney.

Can someone challenge my will?

Yes, it's theoretically possible that someone could challenge your will. But very few wills are challenged in court because it's difficult to challenge a will.