CT SB00261

Expands Connecticut General Statute 45a-447 to include individuals found not guilty of murder or manslaughter by reason of mental disease or defect alongside those convicted of these crimes, barring them from inheriting from the deceased's estate.

Prevents inheritance rights, property benefits, and life insurance payouts for persons adjudged guilty or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect under specified homicide statutes (53a-54a, 53a-54b, 53a-54c, 53a-54d, 53a-55, 53a-55a, 53a-56, 53a-56a).

Allows interested parties to bring court actions for a determination by preponderance of evidence that a deceased heir, beneficiary, or life insurance beneficiary would have been found guilty or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect had they survived.

Converts joint tenancy with rights of survivorship into tenancy in common for the deceased and the person adjudged or found, with severance effective when adjudication becomes final; requires recording of adjudication in land records for real property.

Takes effect October 1, 2014, and applies similar restrictions to life insurance policies and annuities, with burden of proof on the person challenging the beneficiary's eligibility.