Vermont executor and estate paperwork checklist

This is an organizer, not legal advice. An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation.

The first 30 days

General steps in plain words. Tick them off as you go; the ticks stay on this screen only.

1. Ask for certified death certificates, more than you thinkThe funeral director or vital records office issues them. Institutions often keep the copy you send, so plan on one each.
2. Confirm the death was reported to Social SecurityUsually the funeral home does this. If it didn't, phone 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778); a widow or widower, or certain children, may qualify for $255.
3. Locate the signed will and any changesThe signed original matters more than a copy. Keep it whole and somewhere safe, and note who else has a copy.
4. See whether a self-proving affidavit is attachedIt's a sworn page signed by the witnesses, usually at the end of the will; the rule for this state is below.
5. Keep the house and vehicles safeTell the insurer about the death so coverage stays in place, take photos of what's inside, and redirect the mail.
6. Hold off on paying debts or giving things awayWait until you know which route applies and who has authority. If something can't wait, ask the probate clerk or an attorney.
7. Stop using the person's power of attorneyA power of attorney ends at the principal's death, so an agent under it can't act for the estate.
8. Start an inventoryEvery account, property, vehicle and debt, with how each is held. Beneficiary and joint accounts usually pass directly, not through the estate.
9. Compare the estate with $45,000That's the small estate figure on this state's official page. Count only what the page says counts.
10. Keep an account of every transactionWrite down each payment and each deposit with the date and a receipt; heirs and the court may ask to see it.
11. When appointed, get an EIN and open an estate accountPay estate bills from that account only. Form 1041 is due if the estate has more than $600 of gross income in a year (IRS).

Sources for the federal steps: Social Security Administration: When someone dies · IRS: Deceased taxpayers, filing the estate income tax return (Form 1041) · power of attorney: Power of attorney at a real estate closing.

The small estate route

• ConfirmedSmall estate limit

  An estate of not more than $45,000 consisting entirely of personal property (a time-share is allowed).

  "not more than $45,000.00 and consists entirely of personal property"

  Source: 14 V.S.A. chapter 81, Small estates (Vermont General Assembly), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedReal estate

  Real estate in the person's name alone takes the estate out of this procedure.

  Source: 14 V.S.A. chapter 81, Small estates (Vermont General Assembly), checked November 2026

• Not confirmedWaiting period after the death

  Not confirmed — check 14 V.S.A. chapter 81, Small estates (Vermont General Assembly).

• Not confirmedNotary or oath

  Not confirmed — check 14 V.S.A. chapter 81, Small estates (Vermont General Assembly).

• ConfirmedWhere the paperwork goes

  Through a court office. Opened by petition to the court, with an affidavit of paid and outstanding funeral expenses; the fiduciary later files a sworn statement of payments.

  Source: 14 V.S.A. chapter 81, Small estates (Vermont General Assembly), checked November 2026

• Not confirmedOfficial form

  Not confirmed — check 14 V.S.A. chapter 81, Small estates (Vermont General Assembly).

• ConfirmedSimplified court procedure

  Small estate (14 V.S.A. 1901-1903): A short probate proceeding; interested parties who haven't consented have 14 days after notice to object.

  Source: 14 V.S.A. chapter 81, Small estates (Vermont General Assembly), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedWorth knowing

  Last amended by 2019 Acts No. 36.

  Source: 14 V.S.A. chapter 81, Small estates (Vermont General Assembly), checked November 2026

The will at probate

When the will goes to the court, these signing rules are what it is checked against.

• ConfirmedWitnesses the will needed

  Two or more witnesses, who sign in the presence of the testator and each other.

  "signed in the presence of two or more credible witnesses"

  Source: Vermont Statutes Title 14, Chapter 1, Wills (Vermont Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSelf-proving affidavit

  Allowed. The testator and witnesses make a sworn acknowledgment before a notary public or other official authorized to administer oaths where the will is signed.

  "before a notary public or other official authorized to administer oaths"

  Source: Vermont Statutes Title 14, Chapter 1, Wills (Vermont Legislature), checked November 2026

• Not confirmedIf the will is handwritten

  Not confirmed — check Vermont Statutes Title 14, Chapter 1, Wills (Vermont Legislature).

• ConfirmedA witness who inherits

  A gift to a witness, or to a witness's spouse, can be undone unless two other competent witnesses signed.

  "shall be voidable unless there are two other competent, subscribing witnesses"

  Source: Vermont Statutes Title 14, Chapter 1, Wills (Vermont Legislature), checked November 2026

Documents to gather

• Pension, Social Security and benefit letters
• Safe deposit box location and keys
• Certified death certificates
• The original will and any codicils
• Deeds and mortgage statements
• Vehicle titles and registrations
• Recent bank, brokerage and retirement statements
• Life insurance policies and annuities
• The last few years of tax returns
• Recent bills, loan and credit card statements

Who to notify

Landlord or mortgage servicer, Credit card companies, Pension or employer, Social Security (if the funeral home hasn't), Banks and credit unions, Brokerage and retirement accounts, Life insurance companies, Utilities and phone. Write once to each, enclose a death certificate copy, and record the reply.

Documents needed abroad

• ConfirmedA death certificate needed abroad

  Apostilles for this state's documents come from the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA), Secretary of State. $10 per apostille or authentication. Vital records: Official copies certified by the legal record custodian; original certifications only.

  Source: Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA), Secretary of State, checked November 2026

Where to ask

An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Official pages for Vermont:

• 14 V.S.A. chapter 81, Small estates (Vermont General Assembly)
• Vermont Statutes Title 14, Chapter 1, Wills (Vermont Legislature)
• 14 V.S.A. 108, Self-proved wills (Vermont Legislature)

Still to confirm

• Waiting period after the death: check 14 V.S.A. chapter 81, Small estates (Vermont General Assembly)
• Notary or oath: check 14 V.S.A. chapter 81, Small estates (Vermont General Assembly)
• Official form: check 14 V.S.A. chapter 81, Small estates (Vermont General Assembly)
• If the will is handwritten: check Vermont Statutes Title 14, Chapter 1, Wills (Vermont Legislature)

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Facts checked November 2026.

Common questions

Related: Executor guide by state · Will signing requirements · Estate paperwork help