Mortgage Payments and Utilities During Probate in Vermont
Detailed answer Short version: While an estate is in probate in Vermont, the person appointed by the probate court to manage the estate (the personal representative) is generally responsible for protecting estate property, which usually includes keeping mortgage payments and essential utilities current. If payments stop, a lender can pursue foreclosure and a utility can […]
Read article →Vermont: How to Decide Which Assets to List on a Small‑Estate Affidavit
Deciding Which Assets to List on a Vermont Small‑Estate Affidavit (or Equivalent) Short answer: In Vermont, you list only assets that are solely owned by the decedent and that you intend to claim or collect through the small‑estate procedure or similar affidavit. Do not list assets that already pass outside probate (joint accounts, accounts with […]
Read article →Locating a Missing Parent as Next-of-Kin During Probate in Vermont
FAQ — Locating a Missing Next-of-Kin During Probate in Vermont Quick overview: If you are the legally recognized next-of-kin for a decedent’s estate but cannot locate a parent, Vermont’s probate process offers steps you must take before the court will allow the estate to be administered. This FAQ explains practical search steps, what the probate […]
Read article →Vermont: Do Survivorship Assets Need to Be Listed on a Probate Inventory?
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Vermont, assets that pass automatically by right of survivorship (for example, joint bank accounts titled with a right of survivorship, payable-on-death bank accounts, transfer-on-death securities, life insurance payable to a named beneficiary, or retirement accounts with named beneficiaries) generally pass outside probate. Those assets are not part of the decedent's […]
Read article →Vermont: How to Confirm a Bank Account Is Under the $20,000 Small Estate Limit
Can I use Vermont's small estate process — how do I confirm the bank account is under the $20,000 limit? Short answer To use Vermont's small estate process you must verify the decedent's qualifying personal property (often including bank accounts) falls at or below the state threshold (commonly $20,000 for small estate procedures). To confirm […]
Read article →Using a small‑estate affidavit in Vermont to collect a deceased parent’s bank account
Detailed answer Many people ask how to collect a deceased relative’s bank account without full probate. In Vermont you may be able to use a small‑estate process or an affidavit to collect modest personal property, but the exact procedure and the amount that qualifies depend on Vermont law and the bank’s internal policies. This answer […]
Read article →Vermont: Does appointment as guardian of the person automatically include control of the estate?
Understanding whether guardianship of the person includes control of the estate under Vermont law Detailed answer In Vermont, the court treats authority over a person (healthcare, living arrangement, daily care) and authority over property (money, real estate, bills, investments) as distinct responsibilities. Being appointed guardian of the person does not automatically make you guardian of […]
Read article →Vermont — When an Estate Must File Federal Tax Returns if No Distributions Were Made
Detailed Answer This article explains how to determine whether an estate must file federal tax returns when estate funds or accounts were not distributed to beneficiaries. It covers the two main federal filing obligations for estates (income tax and estate tax), how to tell which applies, and practical next steps. This is educational information only […]
Read article →Vermont: How to Transfer Brokerage Assets into an Estate Checking Account — FAQ
Detailed Answer Overview: When someone dies, brokerage assets may or may not pass directly to named beneficiaries. If the assets are part of the probate estate, the personal representative (executor or administrator) must collect and control those assets and deposit sale proceeds or transferred cash into the estate checking account. Under Vermont probate procedures, the […]
Read article →Vermont: How to Sell a Co‑Owned Property to Cover Funeral and Property Taxes
How to sell a co-owned property in Vermont to cover funeral and property tax expenses Short answer (overview): First identify how the property is owned and whether an owner died. If all co-owners agree, you can sell the property and apply the sale proceeds to funeral costs and unpaid property taxes. If co-owners do not […]
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