A Connecticut last will and testament is a legal estate-planning document that provides written instructions for proper distribution of the testator’s (person to whom the will belongs) property among their family, friends, children, spouses, and even charitable organizations upon/after the testator’s death. The creation of a will document ensures peace of mind for the testator that their personal, real, fiduciary, and digital property will be appropriately transferred per the testator’s wishes and not through the decisions of probate proceedings. Under Connecticut law, will documents must be signed in the presence of two (2) witnesses. A testator can also have the will acknowledged by a notary public for an extra layer of legal protection.
Table of Contents
Laws
Definition – § 45a-233 – “Will” and “Trust Instrument” include, respectively, codicils to a will and amendments to a trust as the context may require.
Signing Requirements (§ 45a-251) – Two (2) Witnesses.
Statutes – Chapter 802a – Wills: Execution and Construction
Testamentary Trust – If this was included in the Will then the Acceptance Form must be completed by the Trustee.
(Video) How to Make a Will in Connecticut
How to Write
Step 1 – Establish Testator by entering their name at the top of the document, followed by provision of the following information:
- Name of Testator
- City where the testator resides
- County where the testator resides
- Testator should carefully review the remaining portion of the section
- Also read Expenses and Taxes
Step 2 – Nomination/Appointment of Executor –
- Provide Executor’s Name
- Executor City
- County of Executor
- Executor’s State
Alternate Executor – should one be needed if for any reason the initial executor is unable to provide services
- Name of Alternate Executor
- City of Executor
- County of Executor
- State where Executor lives
Step 3 – Disposition of Property that will be Provided to Respective Beneficiaries:
Beneficiaries
- Full legal name
- Current address
- Relation to testator
- Enter the last four digits of their SSN
- Enter the property being bequeathed
The Testator may read the remaining information regarding how property would be distributed should any beneficiary predecease the testator
Step 4 – Testator must carefully read all of the titled sections that are an important part of this document as follows:
- Omission
- Bond
- Discretionary Powers of Personal Representative A through K
- Contesting Beneficiary
- Guardian Ad Litem Not Required
- Gender
- Assignment
- Governing Law
- Binding Arrangement
Step 5 – Witness Signatures – Signing parties must all be present to sign this document. The following information is required:
- Provide the name of the testator
- Date of testator’s signature – dd/mm/yyyy format
- Testator’s Signature
- Print testator’s name
Witnesses – Each witness must review the short statement –
- Document must first be dated in dd/mm/yyyy format
- Enter testator’s name
Witness 1 –
- Signature of witness
- Witness address
Witness 2 –
- Witness’ Signature
- Witness’ Physical Address
Step 6 – Testament Affidavit – All signing parties should first read the affidavit and provide the following:
- State
- County
- Testator’s name
- Name of Witness 1
- Name of Witness 2
- NEXT ENTER
- Testator Signature
- Witness number 1 Signature
- Witness number 2 Signature
Step 7 (Optional) – Notary – Shall complete the remainder of the form.
Related Forms
Download: Adobe PDF
Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
Download: Adobe PDF