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Rutland County, VT Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Rutland County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Rutland Probate Division, Probate Division of the Vermont Superior Court |
| Courthouse address | 83 Center Street, Rutland, VT 05701 |
| Mailing address | 83 Center Street, Rutland, VT 05701 |
| Phone | 802-775-0114 |
| [email protected], a unit-wide mailbox for filings and questions | |
| Counter hours | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except observed holidays. Closed the first Thursday of each month from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. for in service training. |
| Filing fee | $50.00 for an estate of $10,000 or less, $110.00 from $10,001 to $50,000, rising to $3,250.00 above $10,000,000, under 32 V.S.A. § 1434(a), in force since July 1, 2015. |
| Forms | Rutland uses the Vermont Judiciary statewide probate forms. No Rutland-only probate form set or Rutland-only cover sheet is published. |
| E-filing | Vermont courts, including the Probate Division, use statewide e-filing. The Judiciary is moving filers from Odyssey File & Serve to eFileVT, also called eFile & Serve. Attorneys and state agencies must e-file; a self-represented filer may file in person, by mail, by email, or by e-filing. |
| Case access | Vermont Judiciary Public Portal at portal.vtcourts.gov. Anonymous users can see Civil Division and Judicial Bureau case summaries remotely; probate case information is available to the general public only at courthouse public access terminals. A party who registers and receives elevated access can view their own probate case, hearings, and filed documents online. |
| Hearing calendar | The free Rutland County Probate Division hearing calendar for the next 90 days is published at www.vtcourts.gov/court-calendars. In the window published September 1, 2026, hearings appeared on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. |
| Remote appearance | Remote hearings by Zoom are used across the Vermont courts. Your hearing notice says whether your hearing is remote or in person; you can notify the court in writing to appear remotely instead, or ask permission in writing to appear in person, so that the court and the other party receive it at least three days before the hearing. |
| Website | www.vtcourts.gov/court-locations/rutland-probate-division |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Rutland County, make a practical list of the decedent's accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, tax items, and beneficiary-designated assets. Vermont's inventory work starts early, and the Rutland register's office issues only two certificates of appointment with the letters of administration at no charge under 32 V.S.A. § 1434(b), in force since July 1, 2015.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps you see how many banks, brokerages, insurers, retirement plans, and other institutions you may need to contact before you go to 83 Center Street. That can keep the estate settlement from turning into repeated trips for extra certificates, which cost $5.00 each under 32 V.S.A. § 1434(c), in force since July 1, 2015.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Rutland County Probate Division at 83 Center Street in the city of Rutland serves Rutland County. The county includes the city of Rutland, the separate town of Rutland, and the towns of Benson, Brandon, Castleton, Chittenden, Clarendon, Danby, Fair Haven, Hubbardton, Ira, Killington, Mendon, Middletown Springs, Mount Holly, Mount Tabor, Pawlet, Pittsfield, Pittsford, Poultney, Proctor, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Tinmouth, Wallingford, Wells, West Haven, and West Rutland.
For a Vermont resident decedent, file in the county where the decedent lived at death under 4 V.S.A. § 311a(1). For a nonresident decedent with Vermont property, venue lies where the Vermont property is situated under 4 V.S.A. § 311a(2). Every Vermont county has its own Probate Division, and no county shares one.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the Vermont Judiciary statewide probate forms for the estate path you need. The forms are free through the Judiciary's Court Forms page and its Estates, Wills, and Trusts page. If you plan to e-file a fillable PDF, save it as a flat file first.
- File with the Rutland County Probate Division if the decedent lived in Rutland County at death under 4 V.S.A. § 311a(1). You can file in person or by drop box at 83 Center Street, Rutland, by mail to that same address, by email to [email protected] with the case number and court in the subject line, or by e-filing. For in-person filing, avoid the first Thursday of each month from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., when the office is closed for in service training.
- Pay the graduated filing fee by check or money order made out to Vermont Superior Court, by card, or in cash in person only. The estate fee is $50.00 for an estate of $10,000 or less, $110.00 from $10,001 to $50,000, and rises to $3,250.00 above $10,000,000 under 32 V.S.A. § 1434(a), in force since July 1, 2015. If you cannot afford the fee, the court may waive part of it under 32 V.S.A. § 1434(b), in force since July 1, 2015.
- Handle consents and notice. If everyone entitled to notice consents in writing, the will can be allowed without a hearing. A small estate under 14 V.S.A. § 1901 can also be approved without further notice or hearing if notice is required and no one objects.
- If a hearing is set, read the hearing notice for the date, place, and whether the hearing is remote or in person. The Rutland County Probate Division calendar covering the next 90 days is published by the Vermont Judiciary; in the window published September 1, 2026, probate hearings appeared on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the Civil/Probate Small Courtroom or Civil/Probate Main Courtroom.
- If the hearing notice sets an in-person hearing and you want to appear remotely, notify the court in writing. If the notice sets a remote hearing and you want to appear in person, ask permission in writing. The court and the other party must receive the remote or in-person request at least three days before the hearing.
- After appointment, the Probate Division issues letters of administration and two certificates of appointment at no charge under 32 V.S.A. § 1434(b), in force since July 1, 2015. Banks, brokerages, insurers, employers, and the Social Security Administration usually ask for the certificate of appointment. Extra certificates cost $5.00 each under 32 V.S.A. § 1434(c), in force since July 1, 2015.
- Administer the estate, pay valid claims and expenses, account as required, and start the tax work early. Vermont will not let the estate close until the Department of Taxes issues a tax clearance. Apply on Form E-2A; the Probate Division will not issue the final decree of distribution until it has the clearance under 32 V.S.A. § 7454 and 14 V.S.A. § 1069(5).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Rutland County
The Rutland County Probate Division uses the Vermont Judiciary's statewide probate forms. There are no Rutland-only probate forms and no Rutland-only cover sheet: the same numbered 700 series is filed in all fourteen counties, is free, and is published on the Judiciary's Court Forms page and Estates, Wills, and Trusts page.
| Stage | Common Vermont probate forms used in Rutland County |
|---|---|
| Opening a full estate | 700-00001 Petition to Open Decedent's Estate; 700-00148 Notice of Appearance, Probate Division; 700-00002E List of Interested Persons for Estates; 700-00020 Estate Administration Bond; 700-00008 Certificate of Service, Probate |
| Opening a small estate under 14 V.S.A. § 1901 | 700-00001SM Petition to Open Small Estate (09/2023); 700-0002E List of Interested Persons for Estates; 700-00030 Inventory Schedule; 700-00402 Affidavit of Paid & Outstanding Funeral Expenses and Debts for Small Estate; 700-00020PESM Small Estate Administration Bond; 600-00264 Certificate of Service |
| Nonresident fiduciary | 700-00026 Appointment of Resident Agent, used when a nonresident fiduciary needs a Vermont resident agent under 14 V.S.A. § 904 |
| Creditors | PE 32 Notice to Creditors; 700-00033 Motion to Waive Notice to Creditors |
| Selling real estate | 700-00035 Motion for License to Sell or Convey Real Estate; PE 43 Report on License to Sell, Convey, Mortgage or Lease Real Estate or Personal Property |
| Closing | 700-00152 Fiduciary's Closing Report & Discharge; 700-00153 Receipt; 700-00055 Report of Fiduciary of Small Estate |
| Guide | 700-00302 Probating a Vermont Estate (01/2026) |
Vermont Judiciary forms are fillable PDFs. If you e-file, save each completed fillable PDF as a flat file before submitting it.
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Rutland County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | File at 83 Center Street if the decedent lived in Rutland County. The inventory work should separate probate assets from jointly owned property and beneficiary-designated assets, and the spouse's rights run on Vermont's statewide notice and inventory clocks. | Sunset helps identify accounts, policies, and property interests before the inventory is signed, so the spouse starts the estate settlement with a cleaner asset map. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | You can file by mail to 83 Center Street or by email to [email protected], so the first step does not have to be a trip to Rutland. A nonresident fiduciary needs an Appointment of Resident Agent under 14 V.S.A. § 904, and the small estate path is under 14 V.S.A. § 1901. | Sunset helps assemble the probate packet remotely, identify the accounts before anyone books travel, and connect the family with a Vermont attorney if a resident agent or court question comes up. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A house usually means full estate administration rather than the small estate path under 14 V.S.A. § 1901. Selling real estate requires a court license, and the petition for a license to sell real estate costs $100.00 under 32 V.S.A. § 1434(a)(26), in force since July 1, 2015. | Sunset helps find and organize the estate's assets and debts before the sale motion is filed, then connects the family to a local probate attorney for the real estate step. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Access and Resource Center | Free court information for people without attorneys, including information about Vermont state court processes, help with court forms, and information about ways to get an attorney. Case types include full estates and small estates under 14 V.S.A. § 1901. Staff do not provide legal advice. | 802-879-1185; [email protected]. Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed court holidays. In-person support is by appointment at the Costello Courthouse, 32 Cherry Street, Burlington. |
| Vermont Judiciary Information Center | Use this number if you do not know your case number or which court has the case. | 802-652-1900 |
| Vermont Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service | Referrals to Vermont attorneys who provide an initial 30-minute consultation under the terms listed by the Judiciary. | 800-639-7036 or the online referral form |
| Vermont Association for Justice Lawyer Referral Service | Searchable by practice area and proximity. The Judiciary notes that it does not set a consultation rate. | Available through the Judiciary's Finding Legal Help page |
| VTLawHelp.org, Going Through Probate After Someone Died | Vermont probate self-help information for families handling an estate. | vtlawhelp.org/going-through-probate |
| Vermont Department of Taxes | Handles the Vermont tax clearance that the Probate Division needs before the final decree of distribution under 32 V.S.A. § 7454. | tax.vermont.gov; use Form E-2A for the tax clearance application |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help identify accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property that may affect the Rutland County inventory and the number of certificates of appointment you need.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized Vermont probate packet, including the forms and supporting details used for estate settlement in the Rutland County Probate Division.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate involves a home sale, a contest, tax clearance problems, or an out-of-state fiduciary, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Vermont probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement, understand the next step, and decide when professional help is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Rutland County, Vermont?
File with the Rutland County Probate Division at 83 Center Street, Rutland, VT 05701, if the decedent lived in Rutland County at death. Vermont resident estates are filed where the decedent lived at death under 4 V.S.A. § 311a(1).
What are the counter hours at the Rutland County Probate Division?
The office is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except observed holidays. It is closed the first Thursday of each month from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. for in service training.
Is the Rutland County Probate Division at the same address as the criminal courthouse?
No. Probate is at 83 Center Street in the city of Rutland. The Criminal and Family Divisions are at 9 Merchants Row, so use 83 Center Street for Rutland County probate filings.
Can I file by mail or email instead of driving to Rutland?
Yes. You may mail probate papers to 83 Center Street, Rutland, VT 05701, or email them to [email protected] with the case number and court in the subject line. You may also file in person, use the courthouse drop box, or e-file. Vermont is moving from Odyssey File & Serve to eFileVT, also called eFile & Serve; attorneys and state agencies must e-file, while self-represented filers may choose another filing method.
Can I check a Rutland County probate case through the portal?
The Vermont Judiciary Public Portal is at portal.vtcourts.gov. Anonymous users can see Civil Division and Judicial Bureau case summaries remotely, but probate case information is available to the general public only at courthouse public access terminals. A party who registers and receives elevated access can see their own probate case, hearings, and filed documents online.
When does the Rutland County Probate Division hold hearings?
The Vermont Judiciary publishes a live Rutland County Probate Division calendar covering the next 90 days. In the window published on September 1, 2026, probate hearings in Rutland County were scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, in the Civil/Probate Small Courtroom or the Civil/Probate Main Courtroom. Check the calendar for the current schedule.
Do I have to appear in person, or can I appear remotely?
Your hearing notice says whether the hearing is remote or in person. Vermont courts use Zoom for remote hearings. If the hearing is in person and you want to appear remotely, notify the court in writing; if the hearing is remote and you want to appear in person, ask permission in writing. The court and the other party must receive the remote or in-person request at least three days before the hearing.
Are there Rutland-only probate forms?
No Rutland-only probate form set or Rutland-only cover sheet is published. Use the Vermont Judiciary's statewide probate forms, including 700-00001 for a full estate and 700-00001SM Petition to Open Small Estate (09/2023) for a small estate under 14 V.S.A. § 1901.
What does it cost to open an estate in Rutland County?
The fee is statewide and graduated by estate value. It is $50.00 for an estate of $10,000 or less, $110.00 from $10,001 to $50,000, and rises to $3,250.00 above $10,000,000 under 32 V.S.A. § 1434(a), in force since July 1, 2015. Checks and money orders are made out to Vermont Superior Court.
I live out of state and my parent lived in Rutland County. Do I have to travel here?
Not necessarily. A self-represented filer can file by mail, by email, or by e-filing. If you are appointed as a nonresident fiduciary, Vermont requires an Appointment of Resident Agent under 14 V.S.A. § 904, and the court has discretion over appointing a fiduciary who is not domiciled in Vermont.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.