Conservator in Waterbury Captivity Case Scrutinized Over Home Sales

The controversy around Connecticut attorney and probate court conservator Kristan Exner is stirring up debate over the integrity of the state’s conservatorship system.

Exner faces accusations of selling properties of conserved individuals to a business associate without telling the court about their relationship. These actions have sparked lawsuits, probate court sanctions, and drawn attention from legal watchdogs.

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This case involves multiple transactions across towns from Milford to Southbury. It’s making people question conflict of interest, elder financial protection, and whether there’s enough oversight in the probate process.

A Pattern of Questionable Property Sales

Exner’s first widely reported case goes back to 2022. She was appointed to manage the finances of Barbara Tobin, a 61-year-old from Milford.

She sold Tobin’s home to Fairfield resident Joseph Garin without getting the court’s required approval. Just six months later, Garin resold the property for a $60,100 profit.

Public records later showed that Exner and Garin had formed a company—Mariners Investments—just months before the sale. That detail raised a lot of eyebrows about transparency, and rightfully so.

The Court’s Response and Financial Penalties

Exner denied any wrongdoing. She said she misunderstood the rules and only knew Garin from college.

But probate judges didn’t buy it. The court ordered her to pay Tobin $40,100, stating the house was sold for less than its market value.

There was no finding of theft or embezzlement. Still, some in Bridgeport and Norwalk legal circles wonder if current laws do enough to stop conservators from self-dealing.

A Second Transaction Raises More Flags

In 2023, a similar story unfolded with the sale of a Southbury estate property to Garin. Again, Exner didn’t disclose their business ties, and Garin flipped the property for a $150,000 profit.

Exner’s legal associate, Vincenzo Gallo, witnessed both property deeds and had business links with her. This pattern of sales and undisclosed relationships has people talking in probate offices across Stratford, Danbury, and New Haven.

What Experts Are Saying

Several probate attorneys told CT Insider that not disclosing a relationship between a conservator and a buyer breaks state standards. They say it’s a form of self-dealing, where a conservator benefits themselves or close associates instead of acting in the conserved person’s best interest.

Lawsuit and Calls for Accountability

Tobin’s son, now his mother’s conservator, has filed a lawsuit alleging elder financial exploitation. The suit seeks Exner’s disbarment and referral for criminal prosecution.

His legal team argues that without stronger oversight in probate transactions, vulnerable people across towns like Greenwich and Hartford could still be at risk. The system just doesn’t seem tight enough to catch everything.

The Broader Problem in Conservatorship Oversight

Probate administrators are now reviewing how the state handles disclosures, conflicts of interest, and property sales. The Exner controversy highlights a bigger problem: there’s just not enough consistent monitoring or transparency in probate court conservatorships.

For many Connecticut towns—from Waterbury to Norwalk—this case might finally push officials to consider changes.

Key Takeaways for Connecticut Residents

Whether you’re in a busy city or a quiet suburb, it’s important to understand the risks in the legal conservatorship process. Here are a few things property owners and families of conserved individuals should remember:

Always verify buyer relationships when selling conserved properties.
Ensure court approval before finalizing any asset transaction under conservatorship.
Request full disclosure of any business or personal ties between parties.
Consult experienced probate attorneys in towns such as Fairfield, Milford, and Hartford.
Stay proactive in monitoring financial moves involving vulnerable family members.

Looking Ahead

Scrutiny around Kristan Exner is likely to spark some legislative and procedural changes in Connecticut’s probate court system. If stricter transparency rules stick, they could help prevent future abuses and protect the rights of older and conserved residents across the state.

For local families, staying informed and vigilant feels like the best defense against potential misconduct in conservatorship cases. People from Milford to Greenwich are watching this story unfold—not just for the lawsuit outcomes, but to see if the state can actually restore trust in a probate system that so many rely on.

Here is the source article for this story: Conservator in Waterbury captivity case under scrutiny for prior home sales

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