Chittenden County
Probate Court
In Vermont, estates are probated in the Superior Court (Probate Division). This page gathers where to file in Chittenden County, the state rules that apply, and where every detail comes from.
located via OpenStreetMap
Where to file in Chittenden County
- Handled by
- Superior Court (Probate Division)In Vermont, probate cases are heard in the Probate Division of the Superior Court in each of the 14 judicial districts, presided over by an elected Probate Judge.
- County building
- Chittenden County Courthouse 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401 OpenStreetMap · view the map entry
- Phone
- No phone number published in an open source. Use the county website's contact page — we don't list numbers we can't source.
- Opening hours
- Not published in an open source. Check the court or county website before you go.
- County website
- burlingtonvt.govcounty website
- State courts & e-filing
- vtcourts.govCase search: Vermont Judiciary Public Portal (Odyssey Portal)
How probate runs in Chittenden County
Six stages, with the Vermont rules that set the pace.
- 01
Secure the original will
Find the original signed will and order certified death certificates. Vermont deadline: Custodian must deliver will to the Probate Division (or named executor) within 30 days after learning of death (14 V.S.A. § 103).
- 02
Pick the right track
If the probate estate is under $45,000, a small-estate procedure (14 V.S.A. § 1901 (Small Estate Administration)) may avoid full administration.
- 03
Petition the court
File the petition with the Superior Court (Probate Division) for Chittenden County. The court appoints the executor or administrator and issues letters.
- 04
Inventory the estate
Open an estate bank account (the IRS issues the EIN), list assets at date-of-death values and file the inventory if the court requires it.
- 05
Notify creditors
Publish or send notice to creditors. Window: 4 months after first publication of notice to creditors; 1 year after death if no notice published.
- 06
Account and distribute
Pay debts, taxes and fees (14 V.S.A. § 1065), file the final account if required, distribute to heirs and ask to close the estate.
Where to get help.
We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.
- 01 Vermont courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
- 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
- 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
Vermont rules that apply here
Probate law is state law — these apply in all 14 Vermont counties.
- Small estates
- $45,000 fair market value, estate consisting entirely of personal property (may include a time-share); simplified court proceeding in the Probate Division, not an affidavit14 V.S.A. § 1901 (Small Estate Administration)
- Filing the will
- Custodian must deliver will to the Probate Division (or named executor) within 30 days after learning of death (14 V.S.A. § 103)
- Creditor claims
- 4 months after first publication of notice to creditors; 1 year after death if no notice published14 V.S.A. § 1203
- Executor fees
- Reasonable fees for services plus necessary expenses; compensation fixed by will is full satisfaction unless renounced14 V.S.A. § 1065 · estimate the fee
- Handwritten wills
- Not recognized without witnesses. Vermont does NOT recognize unwitnessed holographic wills (requires two attesting witnesses under 14 V.S.A. § 5).
- Estate tax
- Yes — exemption $5 million.Vermont imposes an estate tax on estates exceeding $5.0 million with a flat rate of 16%.
- Inheritance tax
- No.No inheritance tax in Vermont.
- Typical duration
- 6 to 12 monthsA lawyer is not required by statute, though most formal estates use one.
Rules re-checked Sept 2026 against: legislature.vermont.gov (statute) · legislature.vermont.gov (statute) · legislature.vermont.gov (statute) · law.justia.com (statute)