Essex Junction firm on Pearl Street in Chittenden County. Represents executors, administrators, trustees and beneficiaries in estate and trust administration, from probate petitions, estate tax returns and accountings to trust and probate litigation, and handles adult and minor guardianship. Most estate planning work is billed on a flat fee.
Probate in Franklin County
Probate Court Record
Franklin County Superior Court - Probate Division
Franklin County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
17 Church Street, St. Albans, VT 05478
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Franklin County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Franklin County? →Settling an estate in Franklin County →
Probate Firms Serving Franklin County
Burlington firm on Shelburne Road. Administers decedents' trusts and estates, advising executors, personal representatives and trustees or serving in those roles directly, and handles probate administration and litigation, co-counseling contested probate matters with its litigation group. Also helps clients qualify for long-term care Medicaid.
Burlington firm on Battery Street, opened in 1917, whose estate group handles estates of all sizes. It guides families through estate administration and distribution, including probate court, property transfers and federal and state estate tax returns, and administers and interprets trusts, charitable trusts and private foundations. Probate and trust litigation is supported by the firm's litigation group.
Burlington firm on Main Street with Vermont offices in Montpelier, St. Johnsbury and Brattleboro and one in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Its trusts and estates team handles probating wills, trust administration, gift and estate tax returns, and probate and trust dispute resolution, alongside planning for U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. The group is chaired by Willemien Dingemans Miller, an ACTEC Fellow since 2000.
Burlington firm on St. Paul Street, traced to the practice Clarke A. Gravel opened in 1955 after serving as Chittenden probate judge. It handles all phases of probate, estate and trust administration for estates from modest to multi-million-dollar, including probate court filings, appraisals, estate and fiduciary income tax returns and post-mortem tax planning. Its litigators take on will and trust contests, creditor claims, fiduciary accountings and removal of trustees and administrators.
Solo practice on Carmichael Street in Essex Junction, Chittenden County, run by Holly Lemieux, who is licensed in Vermont and Massachusetts. She guides executors and administrators through Vermont probate from the petition to open the estate onward, and advises trustees on trust administration, alongside Medicaid and long-term care planning and special needs trusts. Estate planning consultations are free; elder law, probate and trust administration consultations carry a fee.
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Vermont
Free Vermont forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Vermont.
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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Last Will and Testament
In Vermont, a will is signed before 214 V.S.A. § 5Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimony14 V.S.A. § 5Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Vermont
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Vermont: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Vermont.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Vermont costs an estimated $24,56114 V.S.A. § 1065 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.7%Modeled estimate under 14 V.S.A. § 1065 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source to 2.7%Modeled estimate under 14 V.S.A. § 1065 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Vermont: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 days14 V.S.A. §§ 1051-1053Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 months14 V.S.A. §§ 1201-1207Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Vermont pays executors reasonable compensation14 V.S.A. § 1065 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate.
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Do I Need Probate?
In Vermont, estates with personal property of $45,00014 V.S.A. § 1901Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less qualify for the Small Estate Administration14 V.S.A. § 1901Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, a court procedure short of full probate.
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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Vermont, creditors have 4 months14 V.S.A. § 1203Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
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Can I Self-File Probate?
In Vermont, informal probate is not available14 V.S.A. § 1851Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
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