Probate cost · Vermont
Probate cost in Vermont
What every fee is, who sets it, and what a typical estate actually pays end to end.
Probate in Vermont costs about $23,130 to $36,500 for a $500,000 estate. The Probate Division charges $50 to open the case. Executor and attorney fees are the largest line items, set under 14 V.S.A. § 1902. Publication, bond, and appraisal add $580-$3,950.
Fee breakdown
Every probate cost in Vermont, itemized. Amounts vary by county and by estate complexity.
| Court filing fee | $50 | Probate Division filing fee scales with estate value from $50 to $1,750. |
|---|---|---|
| Publication of notice | $80 - $250 | Newspaper notice to creditors, required in most counties. |
| Executor bond | $200 - $2,500 | Often waived by the will. When required, premium is ~0.5% of the estate value. |
| Appraisal | $300 - $1,200 | For real estate, business interests, or unique personal property. |
| Executor fee | $12,500 on $500k | 14 V.S.A. §1204: reasonable compensation set by the court. Typical range is 2-4% of the probate estate. |
| Attorney fee | $10,000 - $20,000 on $500k | Attorney fees are reasonable and court-approved, typically 2-4% of the estate. |
Total by estate size
Estimated total probate cost in Vermont across three common estate sizes. Uses statutory fees where Vermont has them, market ranges where it doesn't.
| $200,000 estate | $9,630 - $17,000 |
|---|---|
| $500,000 estate | $23,130 - $36,500 |
| $1,000,000 estate | $45,630 - $69,000 |
Ranges assume an uncontested estate with one parcel of real property. Contested estates, out-of-state assets, and businesses add cost.
How to reduce probate cost in Vermont
- If the estate is under $45,000, use a small estate affidavit instead of full probate.
- Convert accounts to payable-on-death and beneficiary designations before death. Those assets bypass probate entirely.
- Use a revocable living trust for real estate to avoid the Probate Division probate process.
- Ask the will to waive bond. That saves the $200-$2,500 premium.
- For clean, uncontested estates, use a cost calculator first so you know what to expect before hiring counsel.
Common questions
How much does probate cost in Vermont?
Total probate cost in Vermont for a $500,000 estate typically runs $23,130 to $36,500. A $200,000 estate costs about $9,630-$17,000, a $1M estate $45,630-$69,000. Court filing alone is $50.
Who pays probate fees in Vermont?
The estate pays every probate cost from estate assets before heirs receive anything. Executor and attorney fees, the Probate Division filing fee, publication, and bond premiums all come out of the estate under 14 V.S.A. § 1902.
Can I reduce probate cost?
Yes. Using the small estate affidavit skips full probate when the estate is under the state threshold ($45,000 in Vermont). Beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and living trusts also keep assets out of probate entirely.
What is the executor fee in Vermont?
14 V.S.A. §1204: reasonable compensation set by the court. Typical range is 2-4% of the probate estate.
How long does it take to pay these fees?
Filing and publication are paid at filing. Executor and attorney fees are approved by the Probate Division at the end, typically 12 months after opening the estate.
Where in Vermont
In Vermont, probate fees are paid at the Probate Division in the county where your relative lived at death. These three counties handle the largest caseload.
- County seat
Chittenden County
Probate Division - courthouse in Burlington
- County seat
Rutland County
Probate Division - courthouse in Rutland
- County seat
Washington County
Probate Division - courthouse in Montpelier
Every Vermont county has its own Probate Division clerk. Filing fees and processing time vary by county.
Other tasks in Vermont
Related: Probate in Vermont · Cost calculator · Probate timeline