The Bethany Probate Court was established July 4, 1854. On January 5, 2011, the Bethany Probate Court was merged with Hamden to become the Hamden-Bethany Probate Court.  This Court has jurisdiction over a wide variety of matters including those listed below:

Trusts and Estates

• Probates wills and the administration of estates;
  
• Oversees testamentary and living trusts;
  
• Determines title to real and personal property;
  
• Construes the meaning of wills and trusts;
  

 

Guardians, Conservators and Civil Commitment

• Appoints guardians for persons who are mentally disabled;
  
• Approves sterilizations and placements of persons who are mentally disabled;
  
• Appoints a guardian of the estate or person for a child;
  
• Appoints conservators for persons with mental illness and/or for persons who are incapable of managing or administering their own affairs and of that of an estate;
  
• Commits those suffering from severe mental illness to an appropriate facility;
  
  

Parents

• Removes unfit parents as guardians of their children;
  
• Hears the claims of paternity of unwed fathers;
  
• Terminates the parental rights of those who cannot fulfill their parental responsibilities;
  
• Grants adoptions;
  
  

Other

• Grants name changes;
  
• Approves or disapproves the marriage of a minor under the age of sixteen years;
  
• Assists persons to obtain a passport.