What happens if a Permittee or member of my Backer Dies?
Who this is for: Current CT liquor licensees (permittees and backers).
Why this matters: Current law allows you to keep operating under the existing permit for a limited time after a death, but only if you send the correct documents to the Department of Consumer Protection-Liquor Control Division.
Quick Definitions
Permittee: the individual responsible for the day‑to‑day operation under the permit.
Backer: the proprietor/owner of the business (an individual or an entity) that holds the permit behind the permittee. If the backer is a multi-person entity, such as an LLC or INC and only one member or shareholder dies, the backer entity itself remains an operating business. If the backer is a sole proprietor, then a new application may be required.
Step‑by‑step: Pick your scenario
Scenario A: The permittee or interest member/shareholder of the backer entity has died
Report the Permittee or Interest/Shareholder’s Death to the Department at DCP.LiquorControl@ct.gov.
Send the Department a copy of the death certificate of the deceased individual, as soon as possible.
Obtain a court order.
The executor/administrator of the deceased’s estate must obtain a court order authorizing the business to continue selling/manufacturing alcoholic liquor.
Send the court order to the Department at DCP.LiquorControl@ct.gov.
File a certified copy of that order with the Department. This is an important step to ensure a fiduciary has been appointed to act on behalf of the deceased permittee’s estate.
Keep operating (temporarily).
The fiduciary of the deceased individual’s estate may exercise the permit’s privileges until:
6 months after the date of death; or
The permit’s normal expiration date.
Renewal of the Permit during this period (if needed).
If renewal of the permit comes due during this temporary period, the court appointed fiduciary (executor/administrator or trustee) may sign for the deceased permittee or interest member/shareholder and submit the renewal with the required fee.
Before the temporary period ends, choose a long‑term path:
If the permittee is deceased, substitute a new permittee for the remainder of the term (Substitute Permittee Application); and/or
If the interest member/shareholder is deceased, transfer the interest or shares in the existing backer entity (Transfer of Interest/Stock Application or Cancel the Permit).
Scenario B: The backer entity has dissolved through probate or a sole proprietor has died
Report sole proprietor’s death or dissolution of the backer entity to the Department at DCP.LiquorControl@ct.gov.
Send the Department a copy of the dissolution agreement or bankruptcy filing,as soon as possible.
If the backer is a sole proprietor, send a copy of the individual’s death certificate.
Get a court order.
The executor/administrator (or, in bankruptcy, the trustee) must obtain a court order authorizing the business to continue selling/manufacturing alcoholic liquor.
Send the court order to the Department.
File a certified copy of that order with the Department. This is an important step to ensure a fiduciary has been appointed to act on behalf of the backer’s estate.
Keep operating (temporarily).
The fiduciary of the backer’s estate may exercise the permit’s privileges until:
6 months after the date of death; or
The permit’s normal expiration date.
Renewal of the Permit during this period (if needed).
If renewal of the permit comes due during this temporary period, the court appointed fiduciary (executor/administrator or trustee) may sign for the deceased permittee and submit the renewal with the required fee.
Once the temporary period ends, the permit will Inactivate. If you do not want any lapse in business, a new application will need to be filed and approved for a new permit under new ownership, several weeks prior to the temporary period ending.
Renewals of the Liquor License: Who can Sign?
If the permittee died: The executor/administrator/trustee signs as the fiduciary for the deceased permittee (and the backer signs as usual).
If the backer member/shareholder has died: The permittee signs as permittee; the executor/administrator/trustee signs on behalf of the backer interest member/shareholder’s estate.
Late renewals: If the permit accidentally expires, the Department may allow the authorized fiduciary to renew it upon payment of a late fee.
Need More Help?
Contact the Department’s Liquor Control Division at DCP.LiquorControl@ct.gov or by calling 860-713-6200. Have your permit number ready and include your court documents with your first email.