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No, in Vermont, you do not need to notarize your will to make it legal. However, Vermont allows you to make your will "self-proving" and you'll need to go to a notary if you want to do that. A self-proving will speeds up probate because the court can accept the will without contacting the witnesses who signed it.

Living trusts A living trust is often the best choice for a large estate or if there are many beneficiaries. To avoid probate, most people create a living trust commonly called a revocable living trust.

Property That May Avoid Probate Property held in a trust3 Jointly held property (but not common property) Death benefits from insurance policies (unless payable to the estate)4 Property given away before you die. Assets in a pay-on-death account. Retirement accounts with a named beneficiary.

A small estate involves a simpler process when the estate is valued under $45,000 and there is no real estate. An estate may be considered ancillary if the deceased resided outside of Vermont but owned property in the state.

Some assets don't require probate ? such as a life insurance policy or a retirement account if you name a beneficiary. Jointly owned assets can also avoid probate, as the surviving owners will immediately take full ownership and have complete access to their assets.

Even without a statutory guideline on executor fees in Vermont, the common understanding among legal professionals suggests that an executor can expect to receive about 2-5% of the estate's value. However, this percentage can vary based on the specifics of the estate and the executor's duties.