Petition/termination Of Parental Rights (Rev. 10/19)

There are all sorts of forms executors, beneficiaries, and probate court clerks have to fill out and correspond with during probate and estate settlement, including affidavits, letters, petitions, summons, orders, and notices.

Petition/termination Of Parental Rights (Rev. 10/19) is a commonly used form within Connecticut. Here’s an overview of what the form is and means, including a breakdown of the situations when (or why) you may need to use it:

Atticus Fast Facts About Petition/termination Of Parental Rights (Rev. 10/19)

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Petition/termination Of Parental Rights (Rev. 10/19):

• This form pertains to the State of Connecticut

• The current version of this form was last revised on October 1, 2019

Government forms are not typically updated often, though when they are, it often happens rather quietly. While Atticus works hard to keep this information about Connecticut’s Form PC-600 - Petition/termination Of Parental Rights (Rev. 10/19) up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.

Step 1 - Download the correct Connecticut form based on the name and ID if applicable

Double check that you have both the correct form name and the correct form ID. Some Connecticut probate forms can look remarkably similar, so it’s best to double, even triple-check that you’re using the right one! Keep in mind that not all States have a standardized Form ID system for their probate forms.

Step 2 - Complete the Document

Fill out all relevant fields in Form PC-600, take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in CT are long enough to begin with, and making a silly error can push your timeline even farther back. No thank you!

Note: If you don’t currently know all of the answers and are accessing Form PC-600 online, be sure to avoid closing the browser tab and potentially losing all your progress (or use a platform like Atticus to help avoid making mistakes).

Step 3 - Have Form PC-600 witnessed or notarized (if required)

Some States and situations require particular forms to be notarized. If you have been instructed to get the document notarized or see it in writing on the document, then make sure to hire a local notary. There are max notary fees in the United States that are defined and set by local law. Take a look at our full guide to notary fees to make sure you aren’t overpaying or getting ripped off.

Step 4 - Submit Petition/termination Of Parental Rights (Rev. 10/19) to the relevant office

This is most often the local probate court where the decedent (person who passed away) is domiciled (permanently resides) or the institution involved with this particular form (e.g. a bank). Some offices allow you to submit forms online, other’s don’t, and we while we generally recommend going in-person to expedite the process, sometimes that simply isn’t an option.

It’s also a generally good idea to establish a positive working relationship with any probate clerk (unfortunately there’s enough people & process out there making things more difficult and unnecessarily confusing for them), so a best practice is to simply ask the probate clerk proactively exactly how and where they’d prefer you to submit all forms.

Need help getting in touch with a local probate court or identifying a domicile probate jurisdiction?

👉 Find and Contact your Local Probate Court

👉 What is a Domicile Jurisdiction?

Sponsored by Atticus App

Need help with Connecticut Probate?

Join all the other families who have trusted Atticus through probate, and experience the peace that comes from knowing you're taking the right steps, spending the least amount of money, and not wasting a single second.

Start for free

Different probate forms or processes can require different deadlines or response times for completing the appropriate form.

While some steps in the process are bound to specific deadlines (like petitioning for probate, having to submit an inventory of assets, or filing applicable notices to creditors and beneficiaries), many probate forms or processes are not tied to a specific deadline since the scope of work can vary based on situational factors or requirements involved.

Either way, there are a bunch of practical reasons why personal representatives should work to complete each step as thoroughly and quickly as possible when completing probate in Connecticut.

5 reasons you should submit PC-600 as quickly as possible:

1. The sooner you begin, the faster Connecticut can allow heirs and beneficiaries to get their share of assets subject to probate. Acting promptly can also decrease the costs & overall mental fatigue through an otherwise burdensome process.
   
   Helpful Context: What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?

2. In general, creditors of an estate usually have around 3-6 months from the time you file notice to creditors to file any claims for debt against the deceased’s assets. If they don’t, then that debt is forfeited (and more importantly, the executor won’t be held personally responsible). So doing this sooner means you have a better idea of who is owed what and ensures you won’t get a surprise collector months later.

3. Not filing a will within 30 days (on average) could mean that the probate process proceeds according to intestate laws (laws that govern what happens to someone's stuff without a will) or is subject to unnecessary supervision by the probate court. And if you aren't directly related to the deceased (a.k.a. next of kin), this could also mean you lose your inheritance.

4. It’s important to file any necessary state tax returns on behalf of the deceased or estate by the following tax season in Connecticut. If you don’t, you could owe penalties and interest. This also includes any necessary federal tax returns such as Forms 1040, 1041, or even a Form 706 estate tax return.

5. If a house in the State of Connecticut is left empty (or abandoned) for a while, insurance can get dicey. For example, if the house burns down and no one has been there for a year, an insurance company may get out of paying your claim.

If you’re not using Atticus to get specific forms, deadlines, and timelines for Connecticut probate, then try and stay as organized as possible, pay close attention to the dates mentioned in any correspondence you have with the State’s government officials, call the local Connecticut probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form PC-600, and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

Petition/termination Of Parental Rights (Rev. 10/19) is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.

It may also be available through some Connecticut probate court sites, such as . In order to access the latest version, be updated with any revisions, and get full instructions on how to complete each form, check out the Atticus Probate & Estate Settlement software or consider hiring a qualified legal expert locally within Connecticut.

While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form PC-600 - Petition/termination Of Parental Rights (Rev. 10/19) f using any other site or resource in order to avoid having to re-complete the form process and/or make another trip to the Connecticut probate court office.

Petition/termination Of Parental Rights (Rev. 10/19) is a .pdf, so opening it should be as simple as clicking “View Form” from within the Atticus app or by clicking the appropriate link found on any Connecticut-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.

Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on Connecticut Form PC-600 - Petition/termination Of Parental Rights (Rev. 10/19). You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

CONN ECTICUT PROBATE COURTS Petition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 REV. 10/19 CONFIDENTIAL Petition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 Page 1 of 7 RECEIVED: Instructions: 1) A parent or guardian, or other authorized person or agency under C.G.S. section 45a-715, may use this form to petition for termination of parental rights of a parent or parents of a minor child. For a child born out of wedlock, the petition shall list any putative father as defined in C.G.S. section 45a-716 (b). 2) The petition should be filed in the court for the probate district in which (1) the petitioner resides; (2) the minor child resides, is domiciled or is located at the time of the filing of the petition; or (3) in the case of a minor who is under the guardianship of any child care facility or child-placing agency, in the district in which the main or loc al office of the agency is located. 3) A statement of facts for each ground of termination, including consent, must be completed. See Page 4. 4) The following documents should be filed with the petition: a) A long-form birth certificate, b) JD-FM-164, Affidavit Concerning Children and c) Confidential Sheet, PC-600CI, with confidential social security numbers. 5) For more information, see C.G.S. sections 45a-715 et seq., 46b-115 et seq., and 52-231a, and Probate Court Rules of Procedure, rule 4o. 6) Type or print in ink. Use an additional sheet, or PC-180, if more space is needed. Probate Court Name District Number In the Matter of Hereinafter referred to as the minor child Place of Birth of Minor Child Birth Date of Minor Child Address where minor child resides Address where minor child is domiciled (if different) Address where minor child is located at time of filing petition (if different) Tribe and Reservation of Minor Child, if an Indian Child as defined by 25 U.S.C. section 1903 (Name and address) Petitioner (Name, a ddress and telephone number, and the nature of the relationship to the minor child) Parents of Minor Child (For each parent, list n ame, address, telephone number: date of birth, whether in the military service of the United States or Allied Nation (50 U.S.C. section 3931); Indian tribe and reservation, if a member as defined by 25 U.S.C. section 1903; a nd whether the parent is legally incompetent. Include any putative father of a child born out of wedlock. C.G.S. section 45a-716 (b)(2)). 1. a. Relationship to minor child: b. If p arent, dat e of birth : c.In military service of US or Allied Nation) Yes No d. Indian tribe and reservation: e. Legally incompetent : Yes No 2. a. Relationship to minor child: b. If p arent, date of birth : c.In military service of US or Allied Nation: Yes No d. Indian tribe and reservation: e. Legally incompetent : Yes No Hereinafter referred to as the respondent(s) 7) Contact the court regarding payment of service of process fees and, if applicable, payment of newspaper notice publication. Petition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 REV. 10/19 CONFIDENTIAL Petition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 Page 2 of 7 If a pa rent listed above is a minor or legally incompetent, list the parents or guardian/conservator fo r the parent (Include the name, address, telephone number and relationship.) 1. 2. Name of parent whose parental rights were previously terminated. (Provide a copy of the court decree.) The petitioner alleges that t he whereabouts of the respondents is unknown. The last-known addres s of the respondents is: The following efforts have been made to obtain the current address for the respondents: Guardian of the person, if not a parent (For each guardian, list name, address, telephone number and date of appointment as guardian.) Child-placing agency invol ved with the minor child, if not the petitioner (Name, address and telephone number) The petitioner represents that: The parental rights of the persons indicated below should be terminated for one or more of the following grounds as provided by statute and as mor e fully described in th e attached statement of facts for each grou nd for termination: __________________________________________________ c onsents to termination of his or her parental rights wit h respect to minor child. (N o further allegation is necessary against a consenting parent. However an Affidavit/ Consent to Termination of Parental Rights, JD-JM-60, must accompany this petition.) OR The child was abandoned by __________________________________________in the sense that the parent has failed to maintain a reasonable degree of interest, concern or responsibility as to the welfare of the child. CONN ECTICUT PR OBATE COURTS Petition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 RE V. 10/19 CONFIDENTIAL P etition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 Page 3 of 7 OR The child has been denied the care, guidance or control necessary for the child’s physical, educational, moral or emotional well-being, by reason of acts of parental commission or omission by____________________________ _________________________________. There has been a nonaccidental or inadequately explained serious physical injury to the child. There has been sexual molestation and exploitation, severe physical abuse or a pattern of abuse. Other acts of parental commission or omission as follows:______________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ OR There is no ongoing parent/child relationship, as defined in C.G.S. section 45a-717(g), between the child and _____________________________ and to allow further time for the establishment or reestablishment of the parent/child relationship would be detrimental to the best interests of the child. OR T he child is found to be neglected, abused or uncared for as those terms are defined under C.G.S. section 46b-120 AND has been in the custody of the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families for at least 15 months, AND the parent,________________________________, has been provided specific steps to take to facilitate the return of the child to the parent pursuant to C.G.S. section 46b-129, AND the parent has failed to achieve such degree of personal rehabilitation as would encourage the belief that, within a reasonable time and considering the age and needs of the child, such parent could assume a responsible position in the life of the child. OR The child has been found in a prior proceeding by the Probate Court for the District of ________________________ or the Superior Court _______________________________ to have been neglected, abused or uncared for as those terms are defined under C.G.S. section 46b-120, AND the parent has failed to achieve such degree of personal rehabilitation as would encourage the belief that, within a reasonable time and considering the age and needs of the child, such parent could assume a responsible position in the life of the child. OR The child is under seven years of age AND is neglected, abused or uncared for as those terms are defined in C.G.S. section 46b-120, AND the parent, ______________________, has failed, is unable or is unwilling to achieve such degree of personal rehabilitation as would encourage the belief that, within a reasonable time and considering the age and needs of the child, such parent could assume a responsible position in the life of the child, AND such parent’s parental rights of another child were previously terminated pursuant to a petition filed by the Commissioner of Children and Families. OR The parent, _______________________, has killed through deliberate, nonaccidental act another child of the parent OR has requested, commanded, importuned, attempted, conspired or solicited such killing OR has committed an assault through deliberate and nonaccidental act that has resulted in serious bodily injury of another child of the parent. OR The parent, ____________________________, committed an act or acts t hat c onstitute sexual assault as described in s ections 53a-70, 53a- 70a, 53a- 70b, 53a- 70c, 53a-71, 5 3a- 72a, 53a-72b or 53a- 73a, and the assault resulted in the conception of the child. The parent, , was adjudged guilty of sexual assault under section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a- 70b, 53a-70c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, and the assault resulted in the conception of the child. CONN ECTICUT PR OBATE COURTS Petition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 REV. 10/19 CONFIDENTIAL P etition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 Page 4 of 7 Statement of facts in support of each ground for termination of parental rights alleged, including consent termination: CONNE CTICUT PR OBA TE COURTS Petition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 REV. 10/19 CONFIDENTIAL Petition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 Page 5 of 7 The petitioner further represents that t he termination of parental rights of the parents, _______________________ _______________________, is in the best interests of the child. The petitione r further represents that to the best of his or her knowledge and belief: The minor child has resided has not resided in Connecticut continuously for the last six months. There is a proceeding is no proceeding pending or contemplated in Connecticut or any other state affecting the custody of the minor child. There has been a proceeding has not been a proceeding in the past in Connecticut or any other state affecting the custody of the minor child. There is is not a current safety or service agreement between the Department of Children and Families and the parent/guardian of the minor child. There is is not a current protective order or restraining order involving any party. If so, please attach. The minor child is is not the subject of a pre-existing child support order. WHEREFORE, the petitioner requests that the court terminate the parental rights of ________________________________________________________ , and petitions the court to: Appoint a statutory parent for the minor child, adoption bein g contemplated. The proposed statutory parent is:______________________________________. Appoint guardians of the person of the minor child. The proposed guardians are:__________________________________________________________. Affirm that t he remaining parent shall be th e sole parent and natural guardian of the minor child. Affirm the appointment of __________________________________________as guardian of th e minor child. The representations made in this petition are made under penalty of false statement. S ignature of Petitioner Type or Print Name Date Acceptance of Trust of Proposed Statutory Parent, if applicable. If appointed statutory parent, I will accept the position of trust: Signature Type or Print Name Agency and Title Add ress Telephone Number Date CONN E CT I CUT PR O B A T E COUR T S and Petition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 RE V. 10/19 CONFIDENTIAL Petition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 Page 6 of 7 Acceptance of Trust of Proposed Guardians, if applicable. If appointed guardian, I will accept the position of trust: S ignature Type or Print Name Address Telephone Number Birth Date Date Signature Type or Print Name Address Telephone Number Birth Date Date Consent to Termination I consent to the termination of my parental rights with respect to the minor child. (Any consent to termination of parental rights must be accompanied by an Affidavit/ Consent to Termination of Parental Rights, JD-J M-6 0. C.G.S. section 45a-715. A parent may waive personal service by filing a Waiver of Personal or Abode Service/Parental Rights Matter, PC-6 33.) Signature of Parent/Guardian Duly Acknowledged Before Me Type or Print Name Date Judge, Clerk, Public Notary, Comm. Sup. Ct. Signature of Parent/Guardian Duly Acknowledged Before Me Type or Print Name Date Judge, Clerk, Public Notary, Comm. Sup. Ct. Joinder and Co nsent of Minor Child I, the undersigned minor child, being at least 12 years of age, do join in the petition for termination of parental rights and consent to the appointment of the proposed guardian as my guardian. C.G.S. section 45a-715. Signature of Minor Child Duly Acknowledged Before Me Type or Print Name Date Judge, Clerk, Public Notary, Comm. Sup. Ct. CONNECTICUT PR OBATE COURTS Petition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 RE V. 10/19 CONFIDENTIAL P etition/Termination of Parental Rights PC-600 Page 7 of 7 Legal Effe cts of a Termination of Parental Rights Decree Termination of parental rights means “the complete severance by court order of the legal relationship, with all of its rights and responsibilities between the child and his parent or parents so that the child is free for adoption except it shall not affect the right of inheritance of the child or the religious affiliation of the child.” C.G.S. section 45a-707(8). (Inheritance rights cease upon adoption.) No action taken with respect to the termination of parental rights of one parent affects the parental rights of the other parent. Upon a decree of termination of parental rights, the parent will NO LONGER have the following rights and responsibilities with respect to the minor child who is the subject of the decree: •The legal right to custody, guardianship or control of the minor child. The parent will have no legal right to care for the minor child or to make any decisions on behalf of the minor child . •The legal right to the minor child's birth certificate. •The legal right to any state and federal benefits the parent may have been receiving for the minor child . •The legal responsibility to support the minor child and to pay for the minor child's maintenance, medical and other expenses, but the parent MAY be responsible for support of the minor child until the effective date of the termination. •The legal responsibility to care for the min or child or make any decisions on his or her behalf. Furthermore, upon a decree of termination, the minor child will be legally free for adoption, and the parent will have no right to notice of the adoption proceedings nor any right to participate in the proceedings. CONNECTICUT PR OBATE COURTS