Built on a 300-year-old foundation, the Probate Court in Naugatuck was established in 1863 after being constituted from Waterbury. The court provides a number of civil services related to children, elderly and persons with mental retardation. The services include custody matters, conservatorships and trusts among others, all of which are largely sensitive issues.
The court, while located on the third floor of Town Hall, is not part of Naugatuck's municipal offices. Rather, it is operated out of the statewide Probate Court system.
In 2009, legislation passed in the state General Assembly which saw the consolidation of the Probate Court system to finish by early 2011. Currently, this court office services residents from Naugatuck and Beacon Falls, however starting Jan. 5 the towns of Prospect and Middlebury will be added to the list. The hours of operation are also expected to change.
The current Judge of Probate is Peter E. Mariano.