Northfield Falls solo practice of Steven H. Atherton, who founded his first Northfield Falls law office in 1992 and also keeps a South Carolina office in Walterboro. Prepares wills and estate plans, takes Vermont probate questions, and mediates disputes for families dealing with estate and end-of-life issues.
Probate in Orange County
Probate Court Record
Orange County Superior Court - Probate Division
Orange County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
5 Court Street, Chelsea, VT 05038
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Orange County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Orange County? →Settling an estate in Orange County →
Probate Firms Serving Orange County
Colchester firm on Water Tower Circle with an office in Newport and by-appointment offices in Montpelier and St. Albans. It guides named executors and beneficiaries through the probate process and represents people seeking or opposing appointment as guardian for vulnerable or elderly adults, in contested and uncontested matters. Planning covers wills, trusts and lifetime giving plans.
Two-partner general practice on Mountain Road in Stowe, Lamoille County, run by Bryce Breton and Brice Simon. It processes small estates, assists with will contests, and drafts simple wills and trust agreements, alongside family law, real estate, civil litigation and criminal defense.
Montpelier practice in Washington County founded in 2012 by Richard and Thomas Brock, successor to firms in Montpelier since 1974; Richard Brock retired in 2022. Thomas Brock assists executors and family members through the steps of the probate process, and drafts wills, trusts, advance directives and powers of attorney, including plans for blended families and probate avoidance. The practice also serves as general counsel to the Association of Vermont Credit Unions.
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.
Barre office on Washington Street in Washington County, trading as VT Estate Law, where Michael D. Caccavo opened his own practice in 1979 and has focused mainly on estate planning, Medicaid planning, probate and real estate since 1997. It guides families through probate estates after a death and through guardianships, and arranges smaller estates to pass without probate or with a reduced probate estate. Planning covers wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, advance directives and plans for loved ones with disabilities.
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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