What to Do When You Inherit a House in Connecticut

Navigating the emotional and logistical challenges of an inherited property.

By Melinda Walencewicz

Published January 1, 2024

Inheriting a home is often a bittersweet experience. While it represents a meaningful gift from a loved one, it also comes with immediate logistical, financial, and legal responsibilities—often during a time of grief. If you have recently inherited a house in Connecticut, this step-by-step guide can help you understand what to do next.

1. Secure the Property Immediately

Your first priority is ensuring the home is secure. If the house is currently vacant, take the following steps to protect the asset:

• Change the locks: You may not know who has spare keys to the home.
• Forward the mail: Ensure important documents, bills, and notices are sent to the executor's address.
• Maintain the exterior: Keep the lawn mowed and walkways clear so the home does not look abandoned.
• Winterize if necessary: If it is winter in Connecticut, ensure the pipes are protected to prevent freezing and bursting.

2. Understand the Legal and Probate Process

Before you can sell or transfer ownership of the home, the estate must typically go through the probate process in the local Connecticut probate court. The court will officially recognize the executor or administrator who has the legal authority to manage and sell the property.

3. Assess the Financial Picture

An inherited house is an asset, but it also carries ongoing expenses. You need to understand the financial obligations tied to the property:

• Is there a mortgage? Check if there is an outstanding mortgage balance or a reverse mortgage that needs to be satisfied.
• Property taxes and insurance: Ensure the property taxes are up to date and that the homeowner's insurance policy remains active (you may need to switch to a vacant home policy).
• Utility bills: Keep the lights, heat, and water on to prevent damage to the home.

4. Decide: Keep, Rent, or Sell?

Once you have legal authority and a clear financial picture, you and any other heirs must decide what to do with the home.

Keeping the home: If one heir wants to move in, they will typically need to buy out the other heirs' shares based on the home's current market value.

Renting the home: Turning the property into a rental can provide passive income, but it also requires you to take on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

Selling the home: For many families, selling the inherited property is the most practical choice. The proceeds are then divided among the heirs according to the will or state law.

5. Preparing the Home for Sale

If you decide to sell, you do not necessarily need to fully renovate the home. As a Probate Specialist, I help families evaluate the property to determine which repairs will yield a return on investment and which are unnecessary.

Often, the most important steps are simply clearing out personal belongings, deep cleaning, and making minor cosmetic updates like fresh paint. If the home requires significant work and you prefer a faster, simpler process, we can also explore alternative selling options like a Cash Offer or a Fix and List program.

For the complete handbook covering probate court, executor authority, selling options, and practical steps for an inherited property, see the Connecticut Probate Real Estate Handbook.