Vermont: Qualifying as Administrator of a Sibling’s Intestate Estate
Qualifying to Administer a Sibling’s Intestate Estate under Vermont Law This FAQ-style guide explains, in plain language, how someone can become the court-appointed administrator of a sibling’s estate when the sibling died without a will under Vermont law. This is educational information only and not legal advice. Detailed Answer — Who can become administrator and […]
Read article →Vermont: Can an estranged spouse claim from an estate if the divorce wasn’t finalized?
Short answer Yes. If a divorce is not final under Vermont law, the person remains the legal spouse. As the surviving spouse they generally retain statutory rights in the decedent’s estate — including inheritance under intestacy, certain allowances from the probate estate, and the right to challenge distributions — unless they validly waived those rights […]
Read article →Vermont: Recovering Funeral and Other Pre-Settlement Expenses from an Estate
Can you get reimbursed for funeral and other expenses you paid before an estate is settled? Short answer: Under Vermont probate practice, people who pay a decedent’s funeral or other necessary estate-related costs can usually seek reimbursement from the estate. The personal representative (executor/administrator) normally pays these as administration expenses and must account for them. […]
Read article →How to Re-record or Update a Joint Survivorship Deed in VT After Co-Owners Die
Re-recording or Updating a Joint Survivorship Deed in Vermont After Co-Owners Die — Detailed Answer Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a Vermont attorney for advice about your specific situation. What a joint survivorship deed means in Vermont A joint survivorship deed (a deed that creates a joint tenancy with right of […]
Read article →How can I force my sibling to give me a copy of our parents’ estate plan in Vermont (VT)?
What to do if a sibling won’t give you a copy of your parents’ estate plan — Vermont Short answer: Your options depend on whether your parents are alive and competent or deceased. If they are alive and competent, their estate plan is private and you generally cannot force your sibling to share it. If […]
Read article →What can I do if the personal representative sends me a payment without explaining how he calculated my share of the estate? (VT)
Detailed Answer If a personal representative (also called an executor or administrator) sends you a distribution from an estate but does not explain how your share was calculated, you have several clear, practical options under Vermont law to get the information you need and to protect your rights. Key legal background: Vermont’s probate law (Title […]
Read article →What documentation is required to prove I'm the next of kin and qualify as administrator in a reopened estate? — VT
How to Prove You Are Next of Kin and Qualify as Administrator for a Reopened Estate in Vermont Short answer: To show you are the next of kin and qualify to be appointed administrator of a reopened Vermont estate, you will need certified vital records and documentary proof of family relationships, a certified copy of […]
Read article →How can I reopen my father's closed estate in Vermont (VT) so I can be appointed as administrator?
Reopening a Closed Estate in Vermont so You Can Be Appointed Administrator: FAQ Short answer: In Vermont you can ask the probate court to reopen a closed estate by filing a petition explaining why the estate was closed in error or why newly discovered circumstances require reopening (for example, newly found assets, unpaid creditors, fraud, […]
Read article →What steps do I need to take when the original estate administrator has died before completing the probate? (VT)
What to do if the original estate administrator dies before probate is complete in Vermont Short answer: When an estate administrator dies during probate, their authority ends. The probate court will need to appoint a successor personal representative (sometimes called an administrator or executor). The successor locates estate assets, completes any required inventories or accountings, […]
Read article →What happens if a survey shows property was conveyed out of my mother’s estate decades ago and I have no interest? (VT)
Short answer If a recorded survey and deed trail show the property was conveyed out of your mother’s estate decades ago, you most likely no longer own any interest in the land. Recorded conveyances that were valid at the time typically pass title to the buyer or grantee, and later owners take title free of […]
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