LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
OF [[TESTATOR FULL LEGAL NAME]]
I, [[Testator Full Legal Name]], of [[City/Town, Connecticut]], being of legal age (at least 18 years old - C.G.S. § 45a-250) and of sound mind, memory, and understanding, and not acting under duress, menace, fraud, or undue influence, hereby make, publish, and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, revoking all prior wills and codicils previously made by me.
Article 1 - Identification and Revocation
1.1 My full legal name is [[Testator Full Legal Name]]. I am also known as [[Other Names, or "N/A"]].
1.2 I am currently [[married to / not married to]] [[Spouse's Full Name, or "N/A"]], residing in [[City/Town, Connecticut]].
1.3 I have the following children: [[List names and dates of birth of all children, including any from prior relationships, or "None"]].
1.4 I hereby revoke all prior wills, codicils, and testamentary instruments made by me.
Article 2 - Executor
2.1 Nomination of Executor. I nominate and appoint [[Primary Executor Full Name]], of [[Address, City, CT]], as the Executor (Connecticut uses the term "fiduciary" or "executor") of this Will.
2.2 Alternate Executor. If [[Primary Executor Full Name]] is unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint [[Alternate Executor Full Name]], of [[Address]], as my alternate Executor.
2.3 Second Alternate Executor. If both preceding nominees cannot serve, I appoint [[Second Alternate or "the Probate Court shall appoint a suitable person or corporate fiduciary"]].
2.4 Executor's Powers. In addition to all powers conferred by Connecticut law (including the Probate Code, C.G.S. Title 45a), my Executor shall have the following powers without court approval:
(a) Collect, Manage, and Administer: To collect, receive, invest, and manage all assets of my estate;
(b) Sale of Estate Property: To sell at public or private sale, without notice to any person, any real or personal property at such time and price as my Executor deems advisable;
(c) Real Property: To manage, maintain, lease, mortgage, improve, demolish, or convey any real property in my estate;
(d) Investment: To invest and reinvest estate assets in any investment permitted by Connecticut law, or in any other investment my Executor deems appropriate in the exercise of reasonable judgment;
(e) Business Interests: To continue to operate, manage, wind up, or sell any business interest forming part of my estate;
(f) Tax Elections: To make all tax elections available under federal and Connecticut income and estate tax law that my Executor deems most beneficial for my estate and my beneficiaries;
(g) Legal Proceedings: To institute, defend, compromise, or settle any legal proceedings involving my estate;
(h) Retain Assets: To retain any asset I own at the time of my death, including illiquid or non-income-producing assets, in the Executor's discretion;
(i) Professional Fees: To employ and compensate attorneys, accountants, appraisers, and other professionals out of estate assets;
(j) Distributions: To make distributions in cash or in kind;
(k) No Bond Required: My Executor shall not be required to give any bond or security, to the extent permitted by Connecticut law.
2.5 Compensation. My Executor shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for services as permitted by Connecticut law (C.G.S. § 45a-107).
Article 3 - Guardian for Minor Children
3.1 Nomination of Guardian. If any of my children are minors at the time of my death and I am the surviving parent or sole legal guardian, I nominate [[Guardian Full Legal Name]], of [[Address]], as guardian of the person of my minor children.
3.2 Alternate Guardian. If [[Guardian Full Name]] is unable or unwilling to serve, I nominate [[Alternate Guardian Full Name]], of [[Address]], as alternate guardian.
3.3 Trustee for Minor Beneficiaries. Any inheritance to which a minor is entitled shall be held in trust by my Executor (as trustee) until the minor reaches age [[18 / 21 / 25]]. The Executor may distribute principal and income for the minor's health, education, maintenance, and support before that age in the Executor's reasonable discretion.
Article 4 - Funeral and Disposition
4.1 Disposition of Remains. I direct that my remains be [[buried / cremated / donated to medical science / other]] at or through [[Funeral Home / Cemetery or "as my Executor deems appropriate"]].
4.2 Expenses. All funeral and related expenses shall be paid from my estate as a first-priority charge.
4.3 Memorial Wishes. [[Describe specific wishes for memorial service, music, charitable donations in lieu of flowers, or "I leave these arrangements to my Executor's reasonable discretion"]].
Article 5 - Debts, Taxes, and Expenses
5.1 I direct my Executor to pay, as soon as practicable after my death, all of my legally enforceable debts (other than those secured by specific assets I have devised to the secured creditor), the costs and expenses of administering my estate, and all applicable taxes, including:
(a) Connecticut Succession Tax: Connecticut does not impose an inheritance tax but does impose a Connecticut Estate and Gift Tax on estates exceeding the Connecticut exemption amount (currently $12.92 million for 2023, increasing - verify the current exemption at the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services: portal.ct.gov/DRS). Estates above the threshold are subject to tax at rates up to 12%.
(b) Federal Estate Tax: The federal exemption is currently $13,610,000 for 2024 (verify current amount).
5.2 My Executor shall make all available tax elections to minimize the combined estate, gift, and income tax burden on my estate and beneficiaries.
Article 6 - Specific Bequests
6.1 I give the following specific gifts ("Specific Bequests"):
| Item / Amount | Recipient | Alternate Recipient (if Recipient Predeceases Me) |
|--------------|-----------|--------------------------------------------------|
| $[[Cash Amount]] | [[Recipient Name, Relationship]] | [[Alternate or "lapses to residue"]] |
| [[Personal Property Description]] | [[Recipient Name]] | [[Alternate or "lapses to residue"]] |
| [[Real Property Address]] | [[Recipient Name]] | [[Alternate or "lapses to residue"]] |
6.2 Ademption. If any specifically bequeathed asset no longer forms part of my estate at the time of my death, the bequest fails unless I have provided otherwise.
6.3 Encumbrances. Unless I expressly provide otherwise, a beneficiary who receives real or personal property encumbered by a mortgage, security interest, or lien takes it subject to that encumbrance.
6.4 Tangible Personal Property. All tangible personal property not otherwise specifically bequeathed is given to [[Spouse / Named Person]], or if they predecease me, to [[Alternate]]. A written memorandum of my wishes as to specific items of personal property (made before or after this Will) may serve as guidance to my Executor but shall not be legally binding.
Article 7 - Residuary Estate
7.1 All the rest and residue of my estate (the "Residuary Estate"), after payment of all debts, taxes, and expenses and specific bequests, is given as follows:
Primary Residuary Beneficiaries:
| Beneficiary | Relationship | Share |
|-------------|-------------|-------|
| [[Beneficiary 1 Full Name]] | [[e.g., Spouse]] | [[e.g., 100% or 50%]] |
| [[Beneficiary 2 Full Name]] | [[e.g., Child(ren)]] | [[e.g., 50%]] |
7.2 Survivorship Requirement. A beneficiary must survive me by 30 days to receive their share. If a primary beneficiary does not survive me by 30 days, their share:
- [ ] Passes to their then-living lineal descendants, per stirpes;
- [ ] Is divided equally among the surviving primary residuary beneficiaries; or
- [ ] Passes to [[Named Alternate Beneficiary]].
7.3 Ultimate Alternate. If no residuary beneficiary survives me, the Residuary Estate shall pass to [[Named Charity or Other Person]].
7.4 Per Stirpes Distribution. If I direct a per stirpes distribution, a deceased beneficiary's share passes equally to their surviving children (and further down the line of descendants as needed).
Article 8 - Trusts for Minor / Young Adult Beneficiaries
8.1 If any beneficiary is under age [[18 / 21 / 25]] when entitled to a distribution, my Executor shall hold that share in a separate trust (a "Beneficiary Trust") and:
(a) Distribute income and principal for health, education, maintenance, and support;
(b) Accumulate unexpended income and add it to principal;
(c) Distribute the entire trust fund when the beneficiary reaches age [[18 / 21 / 25]], or earlier if the Executor determines it is in the beneficiary's best interest.
8.2 If the beneficiary dies before the trust terminates, the remaining trust fund passes to the beneficiary's estate.
Article 9 - Spousal Rights - Connecticut Elective Share
9.1 Connecticut provides a surviving spouse the right to elect against the will ("elective share") to receive a share of the estate (C.G.S. § 45a-436). My Executor shall advise my surviving spouse of this right in a timely manner.
9.2 Connecticut is a common-law property state (not a community-property state). My Executor shall identify all assets and characterize them appropriately.
Article 10 - Simultaneous Death
10.1 A beneficiary must survive me by 30 days to receive a benefit under this Will. If the order of death cannot be determined, I shall be presumed to have survived the other person.
10.2 Connecticut Uniform Simultaneous Death Act (C.G.S. § 45a-440): Property shall be distributed as if each person who cannot be determined to have survived the other predeceased the other.
Article 11 - No-Contest Clause
11.1 If any person contests the validity of this Will, any of its provisions, or the admission of this Will to probate (other than a successful contest based on fraud, undue influence, or lack of testamentary capacity), that person's share shall be reduced to the lesser of: (a) what they would have received if they had not contested; or (b) $[[Nominal Amount, e.g., $1.00]].
Connecticut courts have discretion regarding the enforcement of no-contest clauses - consult a Connecticut attorney.
Article 12 - Digital Assets
12.1 I authorize my Executor to access, manage, transfer, or close any digital accounts or assets (email, social media, cryptocurrency, domain names, digital files) under the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act as adopted in Connecticut (C.G.S. § 45a-334 et seq. - Public Act 17-136). I have recorded access credentials in a separate secure document authorized for use by my Executor.
Article 13 - Governing Law
13.1 This Will is made in Connecticut and is governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut, including the Connecticut Probate Code (C.G.S. Title 45a).
13.2 Probate: This Will shall be admitted to probate in the Probate Court for the district in which I reside at the time of my death, which serves as the court of jurisdiction.
Execution and Attestation
(Connecticut requires at least TWO WITNESSES - C.G.S. § 45a-251. Each witness must: (a) be at least 18 years old; (b) sign the Will in the presence of the Testator; and (c) sign in the presence of each other. A beneficiary may serve as a witness, but their bequest may be voided or reduced - C.G.S. § 45a-258.)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, [[Testator Full Legal Name]], sign, publish, and declare this instrument as my Last Will and Testament on [[Date of Signing]], at [[City/Town, Connecticut]], declaring this to be my free and voluntary act.
TESTATOR:
_______________________________
[[Testator Full Legal Name]]
ATTESTATION BY WITNESSES:
We, the undersigned, each hereby certify that on [[Date of Signing]], at [[City/Town, Connecticut]]:
(a) The above-named Testator signed the foregoing instrument in our presence;
(b) The Testator at the time of signing appeared to be of legal age, of sound mind, and not acting under duress, menace, fraud, or undue influence;
(c) We signed as witnesses in the presence of the Testator and in the presence of each other.
Witness 1:
Signature: _______________________________
Printed Name: [[Witness 1 Full Name]]
Address: [[Witness 1 Address]]
Date: __________
Witness 2:
Signature: _______________________________
Printed Name: [[Witness 2 Full Name]]
Address: [[Witness 2 Address]]
Date: __________
Self-Proving Affidavit
(C.G.S. § 45a-285 - allows the Will to be admitted to probate without requiring testimony from the witnesses)
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
COUNTY OF [[County]]
We, [[Testator Full Legal Name]], [[Witness 1 Full Name]], and [[Witness 2 Full Name]], being duly sworn, declare to the undersigned authority that:
- The Testator signed and executed the instrument as their Last Will and Testament.
- Each of the witnesses, in the presence and at the request of the Testator, and in the presence of each other, signed the Will as a witness.
- The Testator, at the time of execution, was over the age of 18 and, to the best knowledge of the witnesses, was of sound mind and memory.
- Each of the witnesses is now over the age of 18.
Testator: ______________________________ Date: _________
Witness 1: ______________________________ Date: _________
Witness 2: ______________________________ Date: _________
Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before me on [[Date]].
_______________________________
Commissioner of the Superior Court / Notary Public
State of Connecticut
My Commission Expires: __________
[SEAL]
> Template - not legal advice. Connecticut wills are governed by the Connecticut Probate Code, C.G.S. Title 45a (§§ 45a-250, 45a-251, 45a-258, 45a-285). Connecticut requires two disinterested witnesses (a beneficiary-witness may lose their bequest). The Connecticut Probate Court system administers estates - the applicable Probate Court is generally in the district where the decedent resided. Connecticut imposes a Connecticut Estate and Gift Tax on estates above the applicable threshold - verify the current exemption amount with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (portal.ct.gov/DRS). Consult a Connecticut attorney for estate planning.
Primary Sources (as of 2026-06):
- C.G.S. § 45a-250 (capacity - age 18+)
- C.G.S. § 45a-251 (execution requirements - two witnesses)
- C.G.S. § 45a-258 (interested-witness rule)
- C.G.S. § 45a-285 (self-proving affidavit)
- C.G.S. § 45a-436 (elective share - surviving spouse)
- C.G.S. § 45a-334 et seq. (Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act - PA 17-136)
- Connecticut Estate and Gift Tax: portal.ct.gov/DRS (verify current exemption)
