Vermont probate guide
Probate process in Vermont
Vermont probate is handled by the Probate Division of the Superior Court. Filing fees are $50 for estates of $10,000 or less and $110 for estates between $10,000 and $45,000. The small-estate procedure is available for personal-property-only estates of $45,000 or less (timeshares excepted, no other real estate). Vermont does NOT have a real-property TOD deed statute.
Vermont probate at a glance
- Court
- Superior Court – Probate Division
- Typical timeline
- 30–52 weeks
- Filing fee
- $50–$200
- Small-estate threshold
- $45,000
- TOD deed allowed?
- No
- Bond required by default?
- Yes (unless waived)
- Statute
- Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 14 (Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations)
Source: www.vermontjudiciary.org. Fees and thresholds change — verify with your county court before filing.
How Vermont probate works, step by step
- 1File petition to open estate with the Probate Division
- 2Court appoints fiduciary and issues letters
- 3Publish notice to creditors; four-month claim period runs
- 4File inventory and pay debts, Vermont estate tax, and allowances
- 5File final accounting and decree of distribution
Probate by county in Vermont
Filing fees, court contacts, and process detail for 1 Vermont county:
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This page is informational and is not legal advice. Probate procedure varies by county and changes over time. Consult a licensed Vermont probate attorney for advice specific to your situation.