Free Vermont Petition for Probate

In Vermont, the petition asks the Vermont Superior Court, Probate Division to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Certificate of Appointment; every appointment goes through the court.

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You & the Will

Vermont provides an official fillable petition; we complete it for you.

State Where the Estate Will Be Probated*

The state where the decedent was domiciled. Only states where a self-represented filer can prepare this document are listed.

Did the decedent leave a will?*

Yes — there is a will (request Letters Testamentary)No — there is no will (request Letters of Administration)

Your First Name*

Middle Name

Your Last Name*

Your Relationship to the Decedent*

How you are related to the person who died. Being named executor in the will is asked separately.

Your Street Address*

City*

ZIP Code*

Email Address*

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Yes. Vermont publishes Petition to Open Decedent's Estate (700-00001), filed with the Vermont Superior Court, Probate Division. E-filing is open to self-represented filers.

The petition. Letters are issued, never filled out: Probate Division of the Superior Court issues Certificate of Appointment after the court grants the petition. The petition asks the Vermont Superior Court, Probate Division to admit the will where there is one and to appoint you, and it states who died, when and where, whether there is a will, who the heirs or beneficiaries are, and what the estate is worth.

Beside the petition, the Vermont packet carries: Entry fee (checks or money orders payable to Vermont Superior Court); Certified copy of the death certificate (plus a certified copy of the death certificate of any heir at law who predeceased the decedent, for the List of Interested Persons); List of Interested Persons for Estates (form 700-00002E); ORIGINAL Will and any codicils (if any); For an ancillary (out-of-state) estate: authenticated copy of the will and probate from the decedent’s primary estate. The court's own checklist runs longer for particular cases. An estate of $45,000 or less that holds no real estate files Vermont's small-estate petition instead; it also appoints a personal representative and issues Letters, so the form is chosen before filing.

Vermont's court filing fee is $50 - $3,250 (based on estate value), paid to the Vermont Superior Court, Probate Division when the petition is filed. Publication, certified copies and any bond premium are charged separately. The Vermont probate cost calculator sets the fee beside attorney and executor fees.

The Vermont Superior Court, Probate Division reviews the petition and, where it is in order, grants it. Vermont requires a bond before Letters issue, unless the beneficiaries waive it in writing. Probate Division of the Superior Court then issues the Letters. With Letters in hand the representative opens the estate account, gives creditor notice and collects the assets; the Vermont estate settlement plan carries each step in order.

Opening Probate in Vermont

To settle an estate in Vermont, a personal representative is appointed first, an executor where there is a will and an administrator where there is none, and Letters issue to that person. The application is a petition filed with the Vermont Superior Court, Probate Division. The Probate Division of the Superior Court issues Certificate of Appointment after the court grants the petition.

Vermont publishes Petition to Open Decedent's Estate (700-00001) as the statewide petition; the document is that form, completed from the facts of the decedent, the estate and the heirs or beneficiaries. Signed, it is filed with the Vermont Superior Court, Probate Division. E-filing is open to self-represented filers. An estate of $45,000 or less that holds no real estate proceeds on Vermont's small-estate petition instead, which also appoints a personal representative and issues Letters, so the form is chosen before filing.

In Vermont, filed with the petition: Entry fee (checks or money orders payable to Vermont Superior Court); Certified copy of the death certificate (plus a certified copy of the death certificate of any heir at law who predeceased the decedent, for the List of Interested Persons); List of Interested Persons for Estates (form 700-00002E); ORIGINAL Will and any codicils (if any); For an ancillary (out-of-state) estate: authenticated copy of the will and probate from the decedent’s primary estate.

The court filing fee is $50 - $3,250 (based on estate value), paid to the Vermont Superior Court, Probate Division when the petition is filed; publication, certified copies and any bond premium are charged separately. A bond is required before Letters issue, unless the beneficiaries waive it in writing. The Vermont Superior Court, Probate Division reviews the petition and, where it is in order, grants it; the Probate Division of the Superior Court then issues the Letters.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated September 9, 2026

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Vermont statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Free tools for settling an estate in Vermont: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

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Vermont pays executors reasonable compensation, typically 2.2% to 3.8% of the estate.

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In Vermont, informal probate is not available, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.

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How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

In Vermont, the Vermont Superior Court, Probate Division appoints the personal representative and the Probate Division of the Superior Court issues Certificate of Appointment; every appointment goes through the court.

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In Vermont, creditors have 4 months from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.

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When an estate owes more than it holds, Vermont pays the claims in 4 classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.

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Vermont Estate Settlement Resources

In-depth guides covering Vermont probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.

Free Vermont Petition for Probate

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Opening Probate in Vermont

Free Vermont Petition for Probate

You & the Will

Is this your situation?

Named as Executor

Death of a Parent

Loss of a Spouse

Forms for Settling an Estate in Vermont

Notice to Creditors

Renunciation of Executor

Estate Inventory

Estate Closing

Letter of Instruction

Digital Assets Recovery Letter

Tools for Settling an Estate in Vermont

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Can I Self-File Probate?

How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?

What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?

Hire a Vermont Probate Attorney

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Vermont Estate Settlement Resources

Free Vermont Petition for Probate

You & the Will