The figures on this page are general estimates. Laws, fees, thresholds, and prices differ by state and change often, and your own situation may change the result. Before you act, confirm the current numbers and rules for Vermont with a licensed professional — an attorney, tax advisor, or licensed agent as appropriate. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship.
This page is built to print. Use your browser's Print command and choose "Save as PDF" for a one-page Vermont reference. Every figure below is compiled from the statutes and state authorities listed at the bottom — the same sources cited on our Vermont probate pages.
Vermont probate fees
| Item | Vermont |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | Set by 32 V.S.A. § 1434 and scaled to estate value — roughly $45 for the smallest estates up to about $225 for estates over $100,000; small-estate filings run about $50 to $110. |
| Attorney fees | Not statutory. Attorneys typically bill hourly or a flat fee (roughly $3,000–$7,000 for a routine estate), and the Probate Division must find the charge reasonable. There is no percentage-of-estate schedule in Vermont. |
| Executor / personal representative fees | 14 V.S.A. § 1065 allows the executor or administrator 'necessary expenses' plus 'reasonable fees for services' — there is no fixed percentage. If the will sets compensation, that controls unless the executor renounces it. Family executors often waive the fee. |
| Fee basis | reasonable |
| Appraisal / referee | Not used. Vermont does not appoint a state appraiser. The executor must file an inventory and appraisal of estate assets with the Probate Division under 14 V.S.A. Chapter 63. |
Worked example
On a $500,000 Vermont estate there is no statutory number; a court-approved reasonable fee for ordinary administration commonly falls in the roughly $10,000–$20,000 range, with more possible for unusually complex or contested estates. The estate's attorney fee is separate.
Vermont thresholds and deadlines
| Item | Vermont |
|---|---|
| Small-estate threshold | Estates with a fair market value of $45,000 or less that consist entirely of personal property (no real estate other than a timeshare) can use Vermont's simplified small-estate procedure under 14 V.S.A. §§ 1901–1902 and Probate Rule 80.3. |
| Creditor claim period | Claims that arose before death are barred unless presented within four months after the first publication of the notice to creditors, under 14 V.S.A. § 1203 (notice requirements in § 1201). |
| Typical duration | About 6 to 12 months for a routine uncontested estate; the mandatory 4-month creditor period sets the practical floor. |
| Transfer-on-death deed | Vermont does not currently authorize a transfer-on-death (beneficiary) deed for real estate — it has not adopted the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act. Vermont does recognize enhanced life estate ('lady bird') deeds and allows TOD registration of securities and bank accounts, but solely owned real property generally must pass through probate or a living trust. |
What passes outside Vermont probate
These transfers are not part of the estate the fees above are calculated on:
- Beneficiary designations — retirement accounts, life insurance, payable-on-death accounts.
- Joint ownership with right of survivorship.
- Transfer-on-death deed — Vermont does not currently authorize a transfer-on-death (beneficiary) deed for real estate — it has not adopted the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act. Vermont does recognize enhanced life estate ('lady bird') deeds and allows TOD registration of securities and bank accounts, but solely owned real property generally must pass through probate or a living trust.
- Assets titled into a funded living trust.
Sources for this sheet
- Statutes: 14 V.S.A. § 1065; 14 V.S.A. § 1901; 14 V.S.A. § 1902; 14 V.S.A. § 1201; 14 V.S.A. § 1203; 32 V.S.A. § 1434
- State authority: Vermont Statutes Online (legislature.vermont.gov)
- Small-estate procedure: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/14/081/01901
- Creditor claim period: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/14/066/01203
- Executor fees: https://law.justia.com/codes/vermont/title-14/chapter-63/section-1065/
- Court filing fees: https://law.justia.com/codes/vermont/title-32/chapter-17/section-1434/
- Transfers outside probate: https://tax.vermont.gov/individuals/estate-tax
Compiled August 15, 2026 from the sources listed above. Fee schedules, thresholds, and court costs are amended by legislatures and courts — confirm each figure against the cited statute or the Vermont court before relying on it.
The full Vermont guides
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How Much Does Probate Cost in Vermont? — the full cost breakdown.
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How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Vermont? — the fee rule in detail.
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How Long Does Probate Take in Vermont? — the timeline and its statutory floor.
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How to Avoid Probate in Vermont — the transfers that pass outside it.
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How Much Does a Will Cost in Vermont? — execution requirements and pricing.
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This sheet sets out Vermont probate figures as published at the time of compilation. It is not legal advice. Figures and statutes change and their application depends on the specific estate. Confirm current figures with the Vermont courts or a licensed Vermont attorney.