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Searching 2023-2024 Session

The Vermont Statutes Online

The Vermont Statutes Online have been updated to include the actions of the 2023 session of the General Assembly.

NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.

Title 32 : Taxation and Finance

Chapter 017 : Fees and Costs

Subchapter 002 : State Fees in Judicial Proceedings

(Cite as: 32 V.S.A. § 1434)
  • § 1434. Probate cases

    (a) The following entry fees shall be paid to the Probate Division of the Superior Court for the benefit of the State, except for subdivisions (18) and (19) of this subsection, which shall be for the benefit of the county in which the fee was collected:

    (1) Estates of $10,000.00 or less $50.00

    (2) Estates of more than $10,000.00 to not more
    than $50,000.00 $110.00

    (3) Estates of more than $50,000.00 to not more
    than $150,000.00 $265.00

    (4) Estates of more than $150,000.00 to not more
    than $500,000.00 $500.00

    (5) Estates of more than $500,000.00 to not more
    than $1,000,000.00 $1,000.00

    (6) Estates of more than $1,000,000.00 to not more
    than $5,000,000.00 $1,750.00

    (7) Estates of more than $5,000,000.00 to not more
    than $10,000,000.00 $2,500.00

    (8) Estates of more than $10,000,000.00 $3,250.00

    (9) For all petitions, other than those described
    in subdivision (11) of this subsection to modify or
    terminate a trust, to remove or substitute a trustee or
    trustees, or seeking remedies for breach of trust:

    (A) Trusts of $10,000.00 or less $50.00

    (B) Trusts of $10,001.00 to not more
    than $50,000.00 $110.00

    (C) Trusts of $50,001.00 to not more
    than $150,000.00 $265.00

    (D) Trusts of $150,001.00 to not more
    than $500,000.00 $500.00

    (E) Trusts of $500,001.00 to not more
    than $1,000,000.00 $1,000.00

    (F) Trusts of $1,000,001.00 to not more
    than $5,000,000.00 $1,750.00

    (G) Trusts of $5,000,001.00 to not more
    than $10,000,000.00 $2,500.00

    (H) Trust of more than $10,000,000.00 $3,250.00

    (10) [Repealed.]

    (11) Annual accounts on trusts $85.00

    (12) Annual accounts on decedents’ estates filed
    for any period ending more than one year following
    the appointment of the administrator or executor $85.00

    (13) Adoptions and relinquishments as
    part of an adoption proceeding $150.00

    (14) Relinquishments, separate from adoptions $100.00

    (15) Guardianships for minors $150.00

    (16) Guardianships for adults $150.00

    (17) Petitions for change of name $150.00

    (18) Filing of a will for safekeeping $30.00

    (19) Filing of subsequent will for safekeeping, same
    Probate Division or transfer to another Probate
    Division $30.00

    (20) Corrections for vital records $40.00

    (21) Orders of authorization pursuant to 18 V.S.A.
    § 5144(a)(2)(C) $50.00

    (22) Conveyances of title to real estate pursuant to 14 V.S.A.
    § 1801, including petitions to clear title and release or
    discharge of mortgage $100.00

    (23) Petitions concerning advance directives pursuant to 18
    V.S.A. § 9718 $100.00

    (24) Civil actions brought pursuant to 18 V.S.A. chapter 107,
    subchapter 3. $100.00

    (25) Petitions for partial decree $105.00

    (26) Petitions for license to sell or convey real estate $100.00

    (27) Petitions for license to sell or convey personal property $100.00

    (28) [Repealed.]

    (29) Motion to reopen estate for newly
    discovered asset fee based on the value
    of the newly discovered
    asset, pursuant to sub-
    divisions (1)-(8) of
    this subsection.

    (30) Affidavit procedure for small estates
    pursuant to Rule 80.3(h) of the
    Vermont Rules of Probate Procedure $50.00

    (31) [Repealed.]

    (32) Petitions to obtain a birth order pursuant to
    15C V.S.A. § 708(a) or § 804(a) $100.00

    (33) Petitions to appeal the State Registrar’s denial
    of an application to amend a birth or death certificate
    pursuant to 18 V.S.A. § 5073(b) $150.00

    (34) Registration of foreign guardianship order $90.00

    (b) Pursuant to Rule 3.1 of the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure, part of the filing fee may be waived if the court finds the applicant is unable to pay it. The court shall use procedures established in subsection 1431(h) of this title to determine the fee. No fee shall be charged for necessary documents pertaining to the opening of estates, trusts, and guardianships, including the issuance of two certificates of appointment and respective letters. No fee shall be charged for the issuance of two certified copies of adoption decree and two certified copies of instrument changing name.

    (c) A fee of $5.00 shall be paid for each additional certification of appointment of a fiduciary. (Amended 1969, No. 207 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 14-16, eff. March 24, 1970; 1971, No. 105, § 4, eff. July 1, 1971; 1981, No. 33, § 1; 1985, No. 54, § 4; 1989, No. 221 (Adj. Sess.), § 10; 1995, No. 77 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 2, 3, eff. March 21, 1996; 2003, No. 70 (Adj. Sess.), § 21, eff. March 1, 2004; 2005, No. 213 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2007, No. 56, § 4; 2007, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 20; 2009, No. 20, § 30; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 204, eff. February 1, 2011; 2013, No. 67, § 4; 2013, No. 191 (Adj. Sess.), § 24; 2015, No. 57, § 32; 2017, No. 76, § 2; 2017, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 11, 2018; 2019, No. 70, § 28; 2019, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 21, eff. Oct. 7, 2020; 2021, No. 65, § 8, eff. June 7, 2021.)