(a) Unless otherwise ordered, in all appeals from probate the appellant shall file reasons of appeal, which upon motion shall be made reasonably specific, within ten days after the return day; and pleadings shall thereafter follow in analogy to civil actions.
Section 10-76.—Probate Appeals; Reasons of Appeal
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceSets the procedure for probate appeals in Connecticut: the appellant must file reasons of appeal within ten days of the return day, opposing parties must respond point by point, and will appeals require attaching a copy of the will.
Full Text of Section 10-76
(b) Appellees opposing the probate of a will shall specifically deny such of the reasons of appeal as they intend to controvert and affirmatively allege any other grounds upon which they propose to rely.
(c) The appellant in appeals involving the probate of a will shall file, with the reasons of appeal, a copy of the will. (See General Statutes §§ 45a- 186 to 45a-193.)
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 194.)
Plain-English Summary
When someone appeals a probate decision, this rule requires the appellant to file “reasons of appeal” within ten days after the return day, unless the court orders otherwise. A motion can force those reasons to be made more specific. After that filing, the case proceeds with pleadings much like an ordinary civil action.
If the appeal contests the probate of a will, the appellees must specifically deny each reason of appeal they intend to dispute and affirmatively state any other grounds they rely on. The appellant, for their part, must attach a copy of the will to the reasons of appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file reasons of appeal in a Connecticut probate appeal?
Unless the court orders otherwise, the appellant must file reasons of appeal within ten days after the return day.
What must appellees do when opposing a will in a probate appeal?
They must specifically deny the reasons of appeal they intend to contest and affirmatively allege any other grounds they intend to rely on.
Do I need to attach the will to a probate appeal?
Yes — in appeals involving the probate of a will, the appellant must file a copy of the will along with the reasons of appeal.
Can the court require more specific reasons of appeal?
Yes, upon motion the reasons of appeal must be made reasonably specific.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 10-76). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: probate appeal reasons of appeal Connecticutappealing a will probate CTten day deadline probate appealPractice Book 10-76will probate appeal pleading requirements