Practical Connecticut Probate Tip - Do not continue to use a phone number that belonged to a deceased parent or relative in situations where settlement of the estate’s debts are an issue. Settling an estate in Connecticut probate can take a while. In many cases it is between 6 months to 1 year. If an estate is insolvent or may be insolvent it may take a year to settle issues with outstanding creditors.

That is a year where the various creditors may have turned over the matter to a debt collection agency. Right or wrong, the debt collection agencies will keep calling no matter how many times they are informed that the estate is pending in Connecticut Probate Court and that they are harassing the grieving family.

Their primary tool of harassment is the telephone. If you have your own phone number separate from your parent or relative’s phone number, then you can disconnect your parent’s phone number and take away the primary tool of these collection agencies.

The debt will ultimately be determined at the right time in the Connecticut Probate Court proceedings. There is no reason for anyone to endure this harassment after losing a loved one.

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The Hagel Smith probate proceedings in Greenwich, Connecticut reached an important conclusion when Judge David Hopper approved Jennifer Hagel Smith’s settlement with Royal Caribbean International against the wishes of her deceased husband’s parents (George and Maureen Smith).

Maureen and George Smith intend to appeal the decision to the Superior Court. Regardless of the ultimate outcome, Judge David Hopper got it right when he noted “One thing that is clear about this case is that there are no winners[...]” in his decision.

Additional information on the Hagel Smith probate litigation.

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