Many people have asked: “what do probate courts do in Connecticut?” Today we are going to take a look at the types of matters that bring people into the Newington Probate Court.

Connecticut Probate Courts are responsible for many matters concerning trusts and estates. Some of these matters include:

• probating wills and the administration of estates;
• supervising the administration of testamentary and living trusts;
• determining title to real and personal property; and,
• determining the meaning of language in wills and trusts.

Connecticut Probate Courts are also involved in matters concerning Conservators, Guardians, and Commitment. Some of these issues include:

• appointing guardians for persons who are mentally retarded;
• approving sterilizations and placements of persons who are mentally retarded;
• appointing a guardian of the estate or person for a child;
• for persons with mental illness and/or for persons who are incapable of managing or administering their own affairs, appointing conservators of the person and the estate; and,
• committing those suffering from severe mental illness to an appropriate facility.

The Newington Probate Court works closely with local facilities such as Bel Air Manor, Jefferson House, Newington Health Care Center, and the Wethersfield Health Care Center to assist the residents of those facilities in protecting their legal rights and obtaining the care they need.