2016 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 45a - Probate Courts and Procedure
Chapter 802c - Trusts
Section 45a-477 - (Formerly Sec. 45-90). Foreign trustee's custody of trust estate. Jurisdiction of Probate Court over trusts created by nondomiciliaries.

(a) When any person not a resident of this state is the owner of a life estate or income during life in any personal property or real property in this state that may thereafter be converted into money, and the child or children of such life tenant or person entitled to such life use or income, residing in the same state as such life tenant or person entitled to such life use or income, are entitled to the remainder upon the termination of such life estate, life use or income, such life tenant having procured the appointment of a trustee or other legal custodian of the property in which he has such interest under the laws of the place of his residence, such custodian may apply in writing to the court of probate in this state which has jurisdiction of the administration of such trust estate for the possession and removal of such property. In such application the trustee or custodian shall allege that he has been legally appointed such custodian in the jurisdiction in which such life tenant resides, and that he has therein given a probate bond valid according to the requirements of such jurisdiction, and security thereon, or an increase in an existing bond and security, in an amount equal to the value of all such estate of such person to be removed from this state. Such bond and the decree of the court appointing such custodian shall provide that if the child or children of such life tenant are for any reason unable to take or receive the property upon the termination of the life estate or estate aforesaid, it is to be held and paid over by such custodian to such persons as the court of probate in this state ordering such removal directs. Upon such custodian filing for record in the Court of Probate an exemplified copy of the record of the court by which he was appointed, it shall, after a hearing upon such notice as the court orders to the person having such estate in custody and after proof that all known debts against it in this state have been paid or satisfied, appoint the applicant to be guardian, conservator or trustee without further bonds, and authorize the person having such estate in his custody to deliver it to the applicant, who may demand, sue for and recover it and remove it from this state.

(b) Any one or more of the vested beneficial owners of interests established by a testamentary transfer of real property situated in this state or personal property wherever situated, in trust or under custodianship established and administered outside of this state, who are residents of this state may petition the court of probate in any district in which any such real property or tangible personal property is situated or in which any of such beneficial owners reside to assume jurisdiction of such trust or custodianship. In the petition, such beneficial owner or owners shall allege that it would be in the best interest of some or all of such beneficial owners and not adverse to any of such owners for the trust or custodianship to be administered in a court of probate in this state or that all such beneficial owners consent to the administration of the trust or custodianship in a court of probate in this state. The Court of Probate, after hearing with notice as it directs, including notice to any court having jurisdiction over the trust or custodianship, upon written consent of all such beneficial owners or satisfaction that the allegations in the petition are true and upon proof that such transfer is not prohibited by law, may assume jurisdiction. If a probate bond is required under the laws of the state in which the transferring court is located or this state, such bond shall be given to the Probate Court prior to the assumption of jurisdiction by such court. Upon transfer and assumption of jurisdiction and administration of such trust or custodianship to this state, the record shall be established in the Court of Probate as if the estate were being originally established for administration in this state and the provisions of the general statutes shall govern the trust or custodianship and its administration.

(1949 Rev., S. 6895; P.A. 80-227, S. 14, 24; 80-476, S. 217; P.A. 82-115, S. 1, 3.)

History: P.A. 80-227 rephrased provision re bond requirement, adding reference to increases in existing bond and security and reducing amount from double the value of the estate “of which such person is entitled to the life use or income” to an amount equaling the value of the estate to be removed from state, effective July 1, 1981; P.A. 80-476 rephrased provisions; P.A. 82-115 added Subsec. (b) allowing probate courts to assume jurisdiction over trusts created by nondomiciliaries; Sec. 45-90 transferred to Sec. 45a-477 in 1991.

See Sec. 45a-206 re foreign corporation's right to be executor or trustee.

See Sec. 45a-207 re investments held by foreign corporation as executor or trustee.

See Sec. 45a-635 re removal by foreign guardian of ward's personal property.

See Sec. 52-60 re appointment of probate judge as attorney for nonresident fiduciary.

Annotations to former section 45-90:

Court in which estate is settled alone has jurisdiction. 58 C. 233.

Transfer of funds in ancillary trust here to another jurisdiction is consistent with Connecticut public policy. 28 CS 499.