How Do I Get Appointed as Executor in Vermont?
See the appointing court, the petition that opens the estate, what to file, and bond rules to be appointed in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vermont uses Petition to Open Decedent's Estate (700-00001), filed with the Vermont Superior Court, Probate Division. Probate Division of the Superior Court issues Certificate of Appointment after the court grants the petition.
Along with the petition, Vermont generally requires: 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; Consent of surviving spouse and all heirs at law (14 V.S.A. § 107(a)) — allows the will to be allowed without a hearing; otherwise the court schedules a hearing with notice; Notice of Appearance - Probate Division (form 700-00148); Certificate of Service - Probate (form 700-00008); If there is a surviving spouse: Notice of Rights of Surviving Spouse (form 700-00047) and Notice of Elections and/or Waivers by Surviving Spouse (form 700-00049), served with a Certificate of Service (700-00008); Estate Administration Bond (form 700-00020), filed before the court issues letters (14 V.S.A. § 906); surety may be waived on request via Waiver of Surety on Estate Administration Bond (form 700-00004), at the judge’s discretion; Appointment of Resident Agent (form 700-00026) if the fiduciary is a nonresident (14 V.S.A. § 904(b)).
Yes. Vermont requires a bond by default before Letters issue. Beneficiaries can also waive it in writing.
Vermont permits self-represented filers to open an estate, using Petition to Open Decedent's Estate (700-00001). E-filing is available to self-represented filers. The Self-File Probate Assessment compares self-filing and attorney costs for Vermont.
Yes. A revocable living trust passes assets to beneficiaries without any court appointment in Vermont — no petition, no Letters, no bond. A revocable trust built with SimplyTrust takes about 15 minutes.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
More tools for settling this estate
Calculators and checklists for navigating probate and estate administration.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Prepare the application to open probate and request Letters Testamentary or of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Prepare the creditor notice for an estate — the official state form or a notice typeset to statute, plus mailed notices for known creditors.
Small Estate Affidavit
Prepare the affidavit that collects a small estate's property without probate — the official state form or an affidavit drafted to statute, plus a presentation letter for each holder.
Estate Inventory
Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.
Estate Closing
Prepare the paperwork that closes the estate — the state's closing statement, petition for discharge, or final account, with the state's closing instructions and the optional federal forms.
Letter of Instruction
Prepare the letter of instruction a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.
Do I Need Probate?
Answer a few questions to find out if an estate needs full probate, qualifies for simplified probate, or can avoid probate entirely with a small estate affidavit.
Hire a Vermont Probate Attorney
Browse 59 probate firms in Vermont with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
Your kids shouldn't have to do this.
Vermont Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Vermont probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.