How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property in Vermont?
In Vermont, a deceased owner's unclaimed property is claimed from the Vermont State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division27 V.S.A. Chapter 18 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); §§ 1553–1557Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
File the claim with the Vermont State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division27 V.S.A. Chapter 18 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); §§ 1553–1557Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The search and the claim start at the office's site.
If the estate is closed and the property is valued at less than $10,000, it is delivered according to the Probate Division decree of distribution (27 V.S.A. § 1557)27 V.S.A. § 1557Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Under 27 V.S.A. § 1557, if probate is open, the property is delivered to the administrator or executor27 V.S.A. § 1557Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. With letters from a probate court, the claim is made by the administrator or executor of an open probate estate27 V.S.A. Chapter 18: Unclaimed Property (full chapter)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source.
Every state where the person had an address can hold some of the property: the holding company reports it to the state of the owner's last-known address, and to its own home state where it has no address on record. MissingMoney.com searches most states at once. Insurance, savings bonds, pensions, refunds and failed-bank deposits sit in federal and national databases: the Treasury (TreasuryDirect), PBGC, the IRS, the FDIC, the NCUA, the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator and the VA.
An asset locator must register with the Treasurer and post a bond of at least $10,000, and may charge no more than 10 percent of the property's value. An agreement made within 24 months after the property reaches the Treasurer is void, and the owner signs a notarized notice to claimant27 V.S.A. §§ 1601-1604Verified Oct 26, 2026View source. The same property can be claimed directly through the state's own program, which charges no fee.
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Learn moreForms for Settling an Estate in Vermont
Free forms for settling an estate in Vermont: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Petition for Probate and Letters
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 court14 V.S.A. § 1851Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
Notice to Creditors
In Vermont, the notice to creditors is published for 114 V.S.A. §§ 1201-1207Verified Oct 19, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 months14 V.S.A. § 1203Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Vermont, a person named as executor may decline to servePE25, Executor's Refusal of Appointment (02/2015)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Estate Inventory
In Vermont, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 days14 V.S.A. §§ 1051-1053Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Vermont, the personal representative is discharged by court order14 V.S.A. §§ 1721(a)(3), 1854; 32 V.S.A. § 7454(a)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.
IRS Form 1310
Claim a refund due a deceased taxpayer on the official form, on the box the form routes you to, with what the form says to attach.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Vermont
Free tools for settling an estate in Vermont: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
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.
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.
How Do I Get Letters Testamentary?
In Vermont, the Probate Division of the Superior Court issues a Certificate of Appointment once the Vermont Superior Court, Probate Division appoints the personal representative; every appointment goes through the court14 V.S.A. § 1851Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
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.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Vermont pays the claims in 414 V.S.A. § 1205Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.
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