Blog & insights.
Practical guidance and honest answers for families navigating probate, real estate decisions, and everything in between. Written with care by Robert Clarke of Coldwell Banker Realty. Also explore our complete probate guide and frequently asked questions.
Reverse Mortgages and Probate in Connecticut: What Heirs Need to Know About a Loved One's Home
A warm, reassuring guide for Connecticut families on what happens to a reverse mortgage when the borrower dies: the three options for heirs, the 95 percent rule, why the loan is non-recourse, and how probate court authority fits into selling the home.
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The Connecticut Homestead Exemption: Protecting a Loved One's Home During Probate
A warm, reassuring guide for Connecticut families on the homestead exemption: how it protects up to $250,000 of equity in a loved one's home from creditors during probate, what it does not cover, and practical next steps.
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Guilford, Connecticut: A Neighborhood Guide for Families Selling a Probate Home
A warm guide to Guilford, Connecticut for families selling a probate home: historic shoreline character, Sachem's Head and Guilford Center, current market data, the Madison-Guilford Probate Court, and practical steps to move forward with confidence.
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East Haven, Connecticut: A Neighborhood Guide for Families Selling a Probate Home
A warm guide to East Haven, Connecticut for families selling a probate home: coastal neighborhood character, Foxon and Momauguin, current market data, the East Haven-North Haven Probate Court, and practical steps to move forward with confidence.
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Morris Cove, New Haven: A Neighborhood Guide for Families Selling a Probate Home
A warm guide to Morris Cove, New Haven for families selling a probate home: waterfront neighborhood character, Lighthouse Point Park, current market data, and practical steps to move forward with confidence.
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Selling a Probate Home During the Holiday Season: A Connecticut Guide for Families
A warm, practical guide for Connecticut families selling a probate home through the holiday season: what the late 2026 market looks like, how probate courts handle the holiday weeks, and the steps that protect the home and the estate.
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Cash Offers and Investor Letters When Selling a Probate Home in Connecticut
A warm, practical guide for families selling a probate home in Connecticut: how to evaluate cash offers and investor letters, when cash truly helps, how court confirmation works, and how to protect the estate's value.
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North Haven, Connecticut: A Neighborhood Guide for Families Selling a Probate Home
A warm guide to North Haven, Connecticut for families selling a probate home: family neighborhoods, current market data, schools and commutes, the East Haven-North Haven Probate Court, and practical steps to move forward with confidence.
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The Fall 2026 New Haven Market: What It Means for Families Selling a Probate Home
A warm, data-driven guide for New Haven families selling a home during probate in the fall 2026 market: current prices, mortgage rates near 7%, thin inventory, court timing, and practical steps to move forward with confidence.
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Milford, Connecticut: A Neighborhood Guide for Families Selling a Probate Home
A warm guide to Milford, Connecticut for families selling a probate home: coastal neighborhood character, current market data, shoreline and condo considerations, and practical steps to move forward with confidence.
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Estate Debts and Creditor Claims in Connecticut Probate: A Guide for Families
A warm, reassuring guide for Connecticut families on estate debts and creditor claims during probate: the 150-day deadline, what heirs actually owe, when the home must be sold to pay the estate, and practical next steps.
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Clearing Title on a Loved One's Home During Connecticut Probate: A Guide for Families
A warm, practical guide for Connecticut families on how home title moves during probate: who is authorized to sign the deed, what an executor's deed is, why heirs cannot sell on their own, and how a clean title protects the estate's value.
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Branford, Connecticut: A Neighborhood Guide for Families Selling a Probate Home
A warm guide to Branford, Connecticut for families selling a probate home: coastal neighborhood character, current market data, shoreline considerations, and practical steps to move forward with confidence.
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Preparing a Loved One's Home for Winter During Probate: A Connecticut Guide for Families
A warm, practical guide for Connecticut families on preparing a vacant probate home for winter: heat and pipes, roof and gutters, vacant home insurance, snow safety, and protecting the estate's value.
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What Changes in Connecticut's Probate Courts This October 2026: A Guide for Families
A warm, reassuring guide to Connecticut Public Act 26-87, the probate court operations law taking effect October 1, 2026, and what stays the same for families selling a home through probate.
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Hamden, Connecticut: A Neighborhood Guide for Families Selling a Probate Home
A warm guide to Hamden, Connecticut for families selling a probate home: neighborhood character, current market data, popular family areas, and practical steps to move forward with confidence.
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Wooster Square, New Haven: A Neighborhood Guide for Families Selling a Probate Home
A warm guide to Wooster Square, New Haven for families selling a probate home: neighborhood character, historic district rules, market data, and practical steps to move forward with confidence.
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Can You Avoid Probate for a Home in Connecticut? Transfer-on-Death Deeds Explained
A warm, practical guide for New Haven families on transfer-on-death deeds for real estate: why Connecticut does not yet allow them, what happened with the 2026 bill, and the ways a Connecticut home can pass outside probate.
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Westville, New Haven: A Neighborhood Guide for Families Selling a Probate Home
A warm guide to Westville, New Haven for families selling a probate home: neighborhood character, historic districts, Edgewood Park, current market data, and practical steps to move forward with confidence.
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East Rock, New Haven: A Neighborhood Guide for Families Selling a Probate Home
A warm guide to East Rock, New Haven for families selling a probate home: neighborhood character, current market data, historic district considerations, and practical steps to move forward with confidence.
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Out-of-State Heirs and Connecticut Probate: A Guide for Families Managing an Estate from Afar
A warm, practical guide for Connecticut families with out-of-state heirs navigating probate together — covering ancillary probate, liens, remote property management, coordination tips, and how to keep everyone informed and involved.
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Selling a Probate Home in the Fall Season: A Connecticut Guide for Families
A warm, practical guide for Connecticut families navigating the late summer-to-fall transition when selling a probate home — covering market timing, vacant home risks, winterization, and practical steps to move forward with confidence.
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Lead Paint, Asbestos, and Oil Tanks: Navigating Environmental Hazards When Selling an Older Connecticut Home Through Probate
A practical guide for Connecticut families on handling lead paint, asbestos, and underground oil tanks when selling a loved one's older home through probate -- covering disclosure rules, testing, and options.
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Resolving Disputes Among Heirs When Selling a Family Home During Probate in Connecticut
A warm, practical guide for Connecticut families on navigating disagreements among heirs when selling a loved one's home through probate — covering communication, mediation, court options, and finding common ground.
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What Happens to a Mortgage When Someone Dies in Connecticut? A Guide for Families Navigating Probate
A warm, practical guide for Connecticut families on what happens to a home mortgage during probate — who makes payments, Garn-St. Germain protections, executor duties, and options for keeping or selling the home.
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Personal Property and Family Heirlooms in Connecticut Probate: A Guide for Families
A warm, compassionate guide for Connecticut families on handling personal property, heirlooms, and tangible belongings during probate — inventory requirements, distribution rules, avoiding family disputes, and practical tips.
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Selling a Family Home 'As-Is' During Probate in Connecticut: A Practical Guide for Families
A compassionate guide for Connecticut families on selling a probate home as-is — disclosure exemptions, executor authority, cost-benefit tradeoffs, and practical tips for the late summer 2026 market.
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The Court Confirmation Hearing for Probate Real Estate Sales in Connecticut: A Practical Guide for Families
A warm, practical guide for Connecticut families on the probate court confirmation hearing process for selling a home — including minimum bids, overbidding rules, timeline, and what to expect at every step through the court.
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When Multiple Heirs Inherit a Home in Connecticut: A Practical Guide for Families Navigating Probate Together
A compassionate guide for Connecticut families when siblings inherit a home together through probate — covering buyouts, co-ownership, partition actions, and how to find common ground.
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Protecting Your Loved One's Home During Probate: Insurance, Taxes, Utilities, and Upkeep Guide
A practical guide for Connecticut families on keeping a probate property safe — maintaining insurance coverage, paying property taxes, managing utilities, and preventing deterioration during the estate process.
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How Do You Sell a Probate House in Connecticut?
A complete guide to understanding the process, your authority, and the practical steps involved in selling a probate property in Connecticut.
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When a Loved One Passes in Long-Term Care: A Connecticut Guide to the Family Home, Medicaid, and Probate
A warm, practical guide for Connecticut families navigating what happens to the family home when a loved one dies in a nursing home or assisted living -- covering Medicaid estate recovery, probate requirements, and selling the home with confidence.
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Navigating the Summer 2026 New Haven Real Estate Market When Selling a Probate Home
A warm, data-driven guide for New Haven families selling a home during probate in the summer 2026 market — covering current prices, days on market, pricing strategy, and court approval timelines.
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How Probate Appraisals Work in Connecticut: A Guide for Families Selling a Home Through the Estate
A practical, compassionate guide on probate appraisals — how the court values your loved one's home, the difference between probate and market appraisals, and what to expect from inventory through sale.
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Navigating Connecticut Probate Court Districts: A Guide for New Haven Families
A warm, practical guide for Connecticut families on which probate court serves New Haven, where it is located, how the court works, and what to expect when you visit.
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Connecticut Small Estate Affidavit: A Complete Guide for Families [2026]
A clear, compassionate guide for Connecticut families on using the Small Estate Affidavit process — when it applies, step-by-step instructions, Form PC-212 filing requirements, and how it differs from full probate.
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Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets in Connecticut: What Passes Through the Court and What Doesn't
A clear guide for Connecticut families on which assets go through probate and which pass directly to beneficiaries without court involvement.
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Clearing a Loved One's Home in Connecticut: A Compassionate Guide for Families Navigating Probate
A warm, practical guide for Connecticut families on clearing out a family home during probate — sorting belongings, estate sales, preparing the property, and honoring memories while moving forward.
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Connecticut Probate Costs and Fees Explained
A clear breakdown of all costs associated with probate in Connecticut: filing fees ($50-$200), executor commissions, attorney fees, appraisal costs, and when simplified probate reduces expenses.
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Do You Need a Lawyer for Probate in Connecticut?
A clear guide on when Connecticut law requires an attorney for probate versus when the executor can handle it alone — covering contested wills, complex estates, and practical guidance.
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5 Common Mistakes to Avoid During Probate in Connecticut
Five frequent errors families make during Connecticut probate — late filing, missed inventory, improper asset distribution, skipping appraisals, and selling without probate experience.
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Understanding Connecticut Probate Court Fees and Costs: A Practical Guide for Families
A clear guide for Connecticut families on probate court fees, attorney costs, and executor compensation — with real-world examples and practical tips for keeping expenses manageable.
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What Happens to Jointly Owned Property When Someone Dies in Connecticut?
A compassionate guide for families on how joint tenancy, tenancy in common, and spousal ownership affect probate — and what happens to the family home.
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The Executor's Role in Connecticut Probate: A Complete Guide for Families
A compassionate, practical guide for Connecticut families on what an executor or personal representative does — from filing the will to selling real estate and distributing assets.
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How Long Does Probate Take in Connecticut? A Realistic Timeline for Families
A clear, practical guide to the Connecticut probate timeline — how long each phase takes, what can speed things up, and what to expect when a home needs to be sold.
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Preparing a Family Home for Sale During Probate
A compassionate, practical guide for Connecticut families preparing a loved one's home for sale — from sorting through belongings to minor repairs, staging, and emotional support.
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Tax Implications of Selling a Probate Home in Connecticut
A clear guide for families selling a probate home — covering stepped-up basis, capital gains, Connecticut state taxes, and practical steps to reduce your burden.
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Connecticut Probate Law Updates for 2025–2026: What Families Need to Know
A clear overview of recent CT probate changes — the new $15M estate tax exemption, Public Act 25-48, updated court rules, and what they mean for your family.
Read more Selling a Home During Probate in New Haven: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2026
A practical guide for Connecticut families selling a probate home — covering market timing, pricing, court approvals, and what to expect from start to close.
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What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will in Connecticut?
A compassionate guide for New Haven families navigating intestate succession — what it means for real estate, who inherits, and the practical steps to take.
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These articles are a starting point. If you have specific questions about probate or selling a home in Connecticut, I'm happy to talk.
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