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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationVermont

The small estate proceeding in Vermont

Where Vermont law lets a smaller estate be settled without full probate, these are the official words on how: who may use the route, what it covers and what the paperwork must say. Whether a particular estate fits is for the court, the bank or company holding the asset, or an attorney in Vermont; nothing on this page decides it.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

Opening a small estate: the value limit, what the estate may consist of, and the bond

When a decedent’s estate has a fair market value of not more than $45,000.00 and consists entirely of personal property, provided that the estate may include a time-share estate as defined by 32 V.S.A. § 3619(a), an estate may be commenced by filing:

a bond without surety in the amount of the fair market value of the estate; and

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 14 V.S.A. §1901(a)(7)

The time to object after the notice, and how long the letters of administration last

may file any objections with the court within 14 days after receiving the notice.

Letters of administration issued pursuant to this section shall be effective for one year after the date of issuance.

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 14 V.S.A. §§1901(b), 1902

The court’s petition form: the property it covers, real estate, and the bond

leaving personal property valued at $45,000 or less and no real estate.

Bond without surety in the amount of the fair market value of the estate.

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Vermont Judiciary form 700-00001SM (09/2023)

The court’s bond form, when surety is needed, and the fiduciary’s report to close

Small Estate Administration Bond (form 700-00020PESM) - The bond is without surety unless the judge orders otherwise

file the Report of Fiduciary of Small Estate (form 700-00055) with the court

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Vermont Judiciary, Estates and Wills

Waiver of administration: when it may be asked for, who may ask, and the condition about real property

A motion for waiver of administration may be submitted to the Probate Division of the Superior Court with the petition to open the estate or at any time before an accounting is due.

the moving party is the sole beneficiary of the decedent’s estate, and has been nominated and proposes to serve as sole executor

the decedent owned no real property in the State of Vermont

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 14 V.S.A. §1852

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

When a decedent’s estate has a fair market value of not more than $45,000.00 and consists entirely of personal property, provided that the estate may include a time-share estate as defined by 32 V.S.A. § 3619(a), an estate may be commenced by filing:

a bond without surety in the amount of the fair market value of the estate; and

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 14 V.S.A. §1901(a)(7)

leaving personal property valued at $45,000 or less and no real estate.

Bond without surety in the amount of the fair market value of the estate.

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Vermont Judiciary form 700-00001SM (09/2023)

When a decedent’s estate has a fair market value of not more than $45,000.00 and consists entirely of personal property, provided that the estate may include a time-share estate as defined by 32 V.S.A. § 3619(a), an estate may be commenced by filing:

a bond without surety in the amount of the fair market value of the estate; and

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 14 V.S.A. §1901(a)(7)

leaving personal property valued at $45,000 or less and no real estate.

Bond without surety in the amount of the fair market value of the estate.

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Vermont Judiciary form 700-00001SM (09/2023)

When a decedent’s estate has a fair market value of not more than $45,000.00 and consists entirely of personal property, provided that the estate may include a time-share estate as defined by 32 V.S.A. § 3619(a), an estate may be commenced by filing:

a bond without surety in the amount of the fair market value of the estate; and

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 14 V.S.A. §1901(a)(7)

leaving personal property valued at $45,000 or less and no real estate.

Bond without surety in the amount of the fair market value of the estate.

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Vermont Judiciary form 700-00001SM (09/2023)

When a decedent’s estate has a fair market value of not more than $45,000.00 and consists entirely of personal property, provided that the estate may include a time-share estate as defined by 32 V.S.A. § 3619(a), an estate may be commenced by filing:

a bond without surety in the amount of the fair market value of the estate; and

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 14 V.S.A. §1901(a)(7)

Small Estate Administration Bond (form 700-00020PESM) - The bond is without surety unless the judge orders otherwise

file the Report of Fiduciary of Small Estate (form 700-00055) with the court

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Vermont Judiciary, Estates and Wills

may file any objections with the court within 14 days after receiving the notice.

Letters of administration issued pursuant to this section shall be effective for one year after the date of issuance.

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 14 V.S.A. §§1901(b), 1902

A motion for waiver of administration may be submitted to the Probate Division of the Superior Court with the petition to open the estate or at any time before an accounting is due.

the moving party is the sole beneficiary of the decedent’s estate, and has been nominated and proposes to serve as sole executor

the decedent owned no real property in the State of Vermont

Vermont · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 14 V.S.A. §1852

For anyone who would rather their family found it all in one place than went looking.

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