Short answer

Yes — a personal representative (executor or administrator) may generally use estate funds, including proceeds from sales of estate assets, to pay reasonable and necessary costs of administering the estate, such as junk removal and cleanup of personal property. However, the representative must follow Vermont probate rules: preserve estate value, keep careful records, follow priority rules for payment of claims, and get court approval when required (for significant sales or when the will limits authority).

Detailed answer — what the law and good practice require

When someone dies, a personal representative steps into a fiduciary role to collect the decedent’s assets, preserve and manage them, pay valid debts and expenses, and distribute what remains to heirs or beneficiaries. Reasonable expenses of administration — including securing the property, removing debris, hauling away junk, and cleaning out personal items — are normally allowed as estate expenses.

Authority to pay expenses and to sell property

Under Vermont probate practice, the personal representative may use estate cash to pay necessary expenses. If the estate lacks sufficient cash, the representative may need to liquidate assets (sell personal property or, in some cases, real property) to raise funds to pay those expenses and other debts. Sales of ordinary personal property (furniture, appliances, junk) often may proceed as part of administration; sales of real estate or of substantial assets may require additional steps, notice to heirs/creditors, or court approval.

Vermont’s probate statutes and procedures set the framework for these powers. For the statutes overview see Title 14 — Probate, Trusts and Fiduciaries: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/title/14. For practical probate procedures and local probate court contacts, see the Vermont Judiciary: https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/.

When you can pay junk removal and cleanup from sale proceeds

• If the estate already has liquid funds, the representative may pay reasonable professional cleanup or junk-removal bills as an administration expense.
• If the estate is insolvent or lacks cash, the representative may sell personal property (household items, scrap, vehicles) and then use the sale proceeds to pay necessary cleanup or storage costs. Document the sale carefully.
• If the sale is of real estate or a high-value asset, or if the will or heirs object, the representative should follow statutory procedures — which often include court notice, appraisal, and sometimes a court order approving the sale.

Limits and fiduciary duties

The personal representative owes duties of loyalty and prudence. That means:

• Only reasonable and necessary cleanup and removal expenses should be incurred.
• Keep receipts, invoices, and a clear record of any sales and expenditures.
• Avoid conflicts of interest (for example, don’t hire a relative for removal work without disclosing the relationship and documenting the reasonableness of the cost).
• Obtain multiple bids for large or unusual services when feasible to show costs were reasonable.

Order of payment — where cleanup fits

Cleanup and junk removal are administrative expenses. Under Vermont probate practice, administrative expenses generally get paid before distributions to beneficiaries, and alongside funeral expenses, taxes, and creditor claims. The representative should not distribute property or funds to beneficiaries until necessary expenses and allowed creditor claims have been paid or properly provided for.

Practical steps to take

1. Inventory and value the estate’s significant assets and note any cash on hand.
2. Get written estimates for junk removal and cleanup; document the necessity (health hazard, risk of loss, to prepare property for sale, etc.).
3. If selling items to raise funds, create a written record of what was sold, to whom, the sale price, and the net proceeds.
4. Keep all receipts and maintain the estate accounting — you will likely need to report these to the probate court and beneficiaries.
5. If you expect disputes with heirs or need to sell real estate, consider asking the probate court to approve the sale or the expense in advance.

When you should get court approval

Get court approval if a sale or expense is unusual, high-value, or if the will limits the representative’s power. Real estate sales usually involve specific statutory notice and court steps. If heirs or creditors object or if the estate is complex or insolvent, seek court guidance. The Vermont probate court can also supervise the accountings and approve actions taken by the representative.

Example (hypothetical)

Suppose the decedent left a house full of old furniture, broken appliances, and a lot of debris. The estate has little cash. The personal representative hires a licensed junk-removal company, gets two quotes, and documents that the cleanup is necessary to secure the house and to prepare it for sale. The representative sells several pieces of salvage and scrap metals, deposits the proceeds in the estate account, and uses that cash to pay the junk-removal invoice. The representative keeps all bills, photos, and sale records and provides a final accounting to the probate court and beneficiaries. This approach follows proper fiduciary practice.

Helpful hints

• Document everything: before-and-after photos, written estimates, invoices, and sale receipts.
• Use an estate bank account — never mix estate funds with personal funds.
• Get multiple bids for large cleanup jobs; keep the lowest reasonable bid and reasons for selection.
• Check whether items have sentimental or monetary value before disposing of them — beneficiaries may object later.
• If you are unsure whether a sale or expense needs court permission, contact the probate court clerk or consult an attorney experienced in Vermont probate.
• Maintain a simple accounting ledger showing sales, deposits, and disbursements tied to invoices and bank records.

Where to read more and find help

Vermont statutes — Title 14 (Probate, Trusts and Fiduciaries): https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/title/14

Vermont Judiciary (probate court information and contacts): https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/