How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children in Vermont?
In Vermont, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will14 V.S.A. § 2656Verified Sep 16, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 181 V.S.A. § 173; 14 V.S.A. § 2622(1)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
In Vermont, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will14 V.S.A. § 2656Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. It needs your signature and 2 witnesses, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 181 V.S.A. § 173; 14 V.S.A. § 2622(1)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. It can be recorded alongside the rest of an estate plan when you create a revocable living trust.
When a parent has named a guardian, the nomination is one factor the court weighs in deciding the child's best interest14 V.S.A. § 2656Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. A backup guardian named in the same document applies if the first choice cannot serve.
No. Vermont makes the guardian nomination through a will or the guardianship petition rather than a standalone declaration14 V.S.A. § 2656Verified Sep 16, 2026View source; a guardian is named in the will or in the guardianship petition.
Yes. Vermont allows a Special Power of Attorney for a Child of a Military Family (Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, Art. VI), under which any adult can be authorized for a limited time (no fixed statutory time limit) without transferring custody16 V.S.A. § 806e(A)(1)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
In Vermont, a child 14 or older may choose their guardian, subject to the court's approval14 V.S.A. §§ 2650, 2652Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
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New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
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Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
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New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
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Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreForms for Planning Your Estate in Vermont
Free forms for planning your estate in Vermont: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
In Vermont, a will is signed before 214 V.S.A. § 5Verified Sep 16, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimony14 V.S.A. § 5Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Vermont requires 218 V.S.A. § 9719Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not required18 V.S.A. § 9719Verified Oct 15, 2026View source.
Financial Power of Attorney
Vermont treats a power of attorney as durable by default14 V.S.A. §§ 4004, 4005, 4006, 4007, 4009, 4013, 4019, 4020, 4031, 4047, 4051, 4052Verified Sep 20, 2026View source, and it is signed with no witness or notary requirement14 V.S.A. §§ 4004, 4005, 4006, 4007, 4009, 4013, 4019, 4020, 4031, 4047, 4051, 4052Verified Sep 20, 2026View source.
Vehicle Transfer on Death
Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle at death without probate. Available in 26 states and the District of Columbia.
Living Will
In Vermont, the living will is the Advance Directive for Health Care18 V.S.A. ch. 231 (Advance Directives for Health Care, Disposition of Remains, and Surrogate Decision Making), §§ 9700-9731Verified Sep 27, 2026View source, a written instruction that is valid with no agent named.
Tools for Planning Your Estate in Vermont
Free tools for planning your estate in Vermont: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
An attorney-prepared will in Vermont runs $891Estimate: 3 hours at $297, Clio's Vermont Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,782Estimate: 6 hours at $297, Clio's Vermont Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $24,56114 V.S.A. § 1065 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
In Vermont, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 1.7%14 V.S.A. § 1065 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to 2.7%14 V.S.A. § 1065 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Vermont runs $2,400Estimate: 10 hours at $240, Clio's Vermont Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $3,600Estimate: 15 hours at $240, Clio's Vermont Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $891Estimate: 3 hours at $297, Clio's Vermont Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,782Estimate: 6 hours at $297, Clio's Vermont Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
In Vermont, four years at a public university cost about $123,548NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 330.20, public 4-year in-state tuition, fees, room and board, academic year 2022-23Verified Oct 3, 2026View source and the cost of living is near the U.S. averageBEA Regional Price Parities, all items, by state, 2024Verified Oct 3, 2026View source; the state levies an estate tax32 V.S.A. § 7442aVerified Sep 15, 2026View source above $5,000,00032 V.S.A. § 7442aVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
Vermont does not revoke an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorce14 V.S.A. § 320Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.
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%14 V.S.A. § 1065 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to 2.7%14 V.S.A. § 1065 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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Vermont Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Vermont probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.