Deceased father's security deposit, CT

Location: CT, US

Question background:

My father passed last September. We have been unsuccessful in having the security deposit returned to the estate from the senior living apartments.

Upon his passing we were in contact with the apartment manager via texts. We agreed to have his possessions out and the apartment fully cleaned by the end of October. We did a great job, and my father had always been a clean person. We did not sign anything about this.

Over the course of October we also agreed to have the property manager show the apartment to potential tenants

Of course!

His rent was always paid through auto debit, including October.

We had everything out and the apartment clean a few days before the needed date...

Then the property manager stopped responding to us.

My sibling and I both tried texting her, and we tried calling - but nobody picked up.

Finally we sent a certified letter to the management property demanding the return of the deposit. They refused the letter.

We have a lawyer contact who offered to try contacting them on his letterhead. The property management also refused his certified letter.

Our contact then offered to find the legal representation of the LLC, and contacted them. Through them we learned the property management LLC is claiming the deposit was used for November's rent. They shared a letter showing this application of the deposit, but we never received this notification.

Question:

What are the chances we have of getting this deposit back? Do we have a case? Should we pursue small claims court?

Thank you for your insight.