The Vermont “Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate” is the court form on which an executor or administrator lists every asset a deceased person owned, along with its fair market value and any liens, so the Probate Division of the Vermont Superior Court can track and protect the estate. The official version is simply titled Inventory, Form 700-00030, revised 02/2024, and it is the same form used for estates, trusts, and guardianships.
If you were just named executor or administrator, this form is one of your first real duties, and getting it wrong can stall the entire estate. Vermont law under 14 V.S.A. § 1051 gives you a firm window to file it, and a missing asset or a wrong value can force you to redo the work or face a hearing. Across the country, fiduciary inventory and accounting errors are among the most common reasons estates get reopened, which is why slowing down on this one page matters so much.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 What the Inventory form is, who must file it, and the law that requires it
- 🗂️ Every document and number to gather before you open the PDF
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of each box, with sample entries you can copy
- 👨👩👧 Three real-world filled-out examples for different estate types
- ⚠️ The mistakes that trigger holds, hearings, and personal liability
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Vermont Inventory is a two-page court document that creates an official snapshot of everything a person owned when they died. The fiduciary lists each asset, gives its fair market value, notes any mortgage or lien, and signs under penalty of perjury. The form serves estates, trusts, and guardianships, so the very first checkbox asks you to pick the Case Type. This single form replaces what older states still call an “Inventory and Appraisement,” and Vermont folded the appraisal piece directly into it.
You must file this form if the court appointed you as the executor (named in a will) or administrator (named when there is no will) of a decedent’s estate. Under 14 V.S.A. § 1051, every executor or administrator must prepare an inventory of property the decedent owned at death, with reasonable detail and the fair market value of each item. Guardians of a protected person also file this same form to list that person’s property. A special administrator and a successor who takes over after another fiduciary already filed are the main people excused from this duty.
The statute that requires the form is part of Chapter 63 of Title 14, titled “Inventory, Appraisal, and Accounts.” Plain and simple, the law exists so heirs, creditors, and the court can all see what the estate holds before any money moves. If you skip it, the court can compel you to file, remove you as fiduciary, or hold the estate open indefinitely. Picture Janet, an administrator who never filed an inventory after her brother died; the court refused to approve any distribution until she produced the list, and the estate sat frozen for a year. A common misconception is that small or simple estates are exempt, but the duty applies unless the court formally waives it for good cause.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Do not open the PDF until you have your paperwork in one place, because the form asks for supporting documents that must be attached. The vtlawhelp.org guide for filling out an estate inventory is blunt about this: you should not complete the inventory until the court has already opened the estate and appointed you. You can, however, print the blank form early and use it as a checklist while you hunt down assets.
Here is the pre-filing checklist of items to gather first:
- Your Letters of Appointment — the court order naming you executor or administrator, because the form is only valid after you hold this authority, and filing without it can get the form rejected.
- The case number and probate unit — printed on your court paperwork, since the wrong unit or number can misfile the form into the wrong case.
- A full list of every asset — bank accounts, vehicles, real estate, investments, and valuables, because anything you forget must later be added by supplemental inventory.
- The fair market value of each asset as of the date of death, since the whole form is built around accurate values and guesses can trigger a creditor hearing.
- Deeds for any real estate, because Rule 66 requires you to attach the deed or a recent property tax bill showing assessed value.
- The most recent property tax bill for each parcel, which supplies the assessed value when you do not hire an appraiser.
- Vehicle titles or registrations, since you must attach a copy and list the make, model, year, and VIN for each motor vehicle.
- Bank and investment statements, because you must give the institution name, the last four digits of each account, and the balance.
- Loan and lien paperwork, so you can name each lienholder and the approximate amount owed inside the property description.
- Appraiser reports, if any item is worth more than $5,000 or you chose to appraise, because the appraiser’s name, address, and the items appraised must be attached.
If any item is missing, the consequence is concrete: an incomplete inventory can be returned, can delay creditor claims, and can force you to file a supplemental inventory later, which doubles your paperwork.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only official source for the current form is the Vermont Judiciary website, where you can download the Inventory, Form 700-00030 as a fillable PDF. Always confirm the revision date in the bottom-left corner reads 02/2024, because courts can reject an outdated version and you would have to start over. The Judiciary keeps all estate forms together on its probate forms page, so you can grab related forms like the Certificate of Service in the same visit.
A second, friendlier route is the free guided interview at vtlawhelp.org, run by Vermont Legal Aid. It asks plain-language questions and then produces a completed inventory PDF you can print and file. This tool is ideal for a pro se fiduciary handling the estate without a lawyer, because it reduces formatting mistakes and reminds you what to attach. The misconception here is that the online tool files the form for you; it does not, and you still must print, sign, and deliver it to the court.
You can fill the PDF on a computer or print it and write by hand in black ink. Type entries where possible, because handwritten values that the clerk cannot read can be questioned or returned. Whichever method you choose, keep a full copy for your records and for the interested persons who must receive one.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Vermont Form 700-00030 Line by Line
The form has a caption block, an instruction and attachment section, a two-column asset table, a signature and oath block, and an appraisal block. Work through them in order, top to bottom, and do not skip the attachment checkboxes. Below, each field gets its own walkthrough with a sample entry you can model.
Unit (Probate Division Location)
This top field asks which probate unit, meaning which county-level division of the Superior Court, is handling the estate. Write the exact unit name printed on your appointment papers, such as Chittenden. Maria, an executor in Burlington, writes Chittenden because that is where she was appointed.
A nuance: Vermont’s probate units mostly match counties, but a few have merged or share offices, so copy the unit from your court documents rather than guessing by town. The common mistake is writing the wrong unit because the decedent lived in one county but the case opened in another; that can route your form to the wrong clerk and delay processing. The misconception is that “Unit” means your home address, when it actually means the court location overseeing the case.
Case No.
This field asks for the docket number the court assigned when it opened the estate. Copy it exactly from your Letters of Appointment or any court notice, including all digits and letters. James enters 123-4-25 Cnpr, matching the number on his order.
If you do not yet have a case number, that is a sign you filed too early, because the inventory comes after the estate is opened. The common mistake is transposing digits, which can attach your inventory to a stranger’s case and expose private financial details. People wrongly believe the case number is optional on a “simple” estate, but the clerk needs it to match the filing.
In re: (Name of Estate)
This field asks whose estate this is, meaning the full legal name of the person who died. Write the decedent’s complete legal name as it appears on the court order, last name and all. Maria writes Estate of Robert A. Klein to match her appointment papers.
A nuance arises with nicknames or name changes; use the legal name on the death record, not a nickname, and note an alias only if the court order does. The common mistake is using a casual name like “Bob Klein,” which can fail to match the case and confuse the clerk. The misconception is that this line is just a label, when it is the legal identity tying every asset on the page to the right estate.
Case Type (Estate, Trust, or Guardianship)
Three checkboxes here ask what kind of case you are filing for. Check Estate for a deceased person’s estate, Trust for a trust inventory, or Guardianship for a protected person’s property. James, settling his late father’s estate, checks Estate and leaves the others blank.
The nuance is that guardianship inventories follow extra standards under Rule 66, including jointly owned property, so the checkbox changes what you must list. The common mistake is leaving all three blank, which leaves the clerk guessing and can bounce the form. A frequent misconception is that “Trust” applies to any estate with a will, but it applies only to a separate trust filing, not to a will-based estate.
Instructions Block and Valuation Date
Before the asset table, the form tells you to list all real and personal estate and give the fair market value. For an estate, value each asset as of the decedent’s date of death; for guardianships and other cases, value as of the date of the fiduciary’s appointment. Maria values her father’s home as of March 14, 2025, his date of death, not the day she happened to look it up.
The nuance is volatile assets like stocks, which can swing in value, so anchor to the correct date and keep the statement that proves it. The common mistake is using a current or appraisal-day value instead of the date-of-death value, which throws off every later accounting and can require a correction. The misconception is that “fair market value” means the price you paid or the insured value, when it actually means what a willing buyer would pay on the valuation date.
Required Attachments Checkboxes
This block lists documents you must attach and asks you to check each one you are including: Real Property Deed, Property Tax Bill, Mobile Home Bill of Sale, Motor vehicle title, and Motor vehicle registration. Check only the boxes that match the documents you actually attach, and physically attach those documents. James checks Real Property Deed and Property Tax Bill because his father owned a house, then staples both behind the form.
A nuance: if you used an appraiser instead of a tax bill for real estate, attach the appraisal and the appraiser’s information rather than the tax bill. The common mistake is checking a box but forgetting to attach the document, which makes the filing incomplete and invites a clerk’s rejection. The misconception is that these attachments are optional supporting paper, when Rule 66(b) makes them mandatory for those asset types.
Asset Table: Item
The first column of the asset table asks for a simple sequential number for each entry. Number your assets 1, 2, 3, and so on, one row per asset. Maria lists her father’s house as 1, his car as 2, and his checking account as 3.
The nuance is grouped collections; if you list “household furnishings” as one line, give it one item number but describe the group. The common mistake is reusing the same number or skipping numbers, which makes the appraisal section impossible to match back to assets. The misconception is that item numbers do not matter, but they are the link between this table and the Appraisal Information block at the bottom.
Asset Table: Description of Item
This column asks for a clear description of each asset, detailed enough that a stranger could identify it. For real estate, include the type of deed, the grantor and grantee, the date of execution, the book and page numbers, and the town where recorded. Maria writes Single-family home, 42 Maple St., Burlington; warranty deed, Klein to Klein, recorded 6/3/2010, Book 412 Page 88, Town of Burlington.
For bank accounts, name the bank, the account type, and the last four digits, such as Citizens Bank checking, acct 1234. For vehicles, give the make, model, year, and VIN, such as 2018 Toyota Camry, VIN …4567. The nuance is liens, which must be named inside this description column by lienholder and approximate amount owed. The common mistake is vague descriptions like “the house,” which forces the court to send the form back for detail. The misconception is that a short description is fine for a simple estate, when the rule demands the full legal detail for real property every time.
Asset Table: Fair Market Value
This column asks for the dollar value of each asset on the valuation date. Enter the fair market value as a clean number, such as $285,000 for the home or $14,500 for the car. James enters $285,000 for his father’s house, matching the assessed value on the attached tax bill.
The nuance is whether to use assessed value or appraised value; you may use the property tax assessed value if you do not hire an appraiser, but an appraisal can be more accurate for unusual property. The common mistake is rounding wildly or estimating without support, which can trigger a creditor or beneficiary to demand a hearing on the value. The misconception is that you should enter the value minus the loan here, when the value and the lien go in separate columns.
Asset Table: Mortgage or Lien
This column asks for the amount of any mortgage or lien against the asset in that row. Enter the approximate balance owed and identify the lienholder, such as $120,000, VSECU mortgage. Maria writes $120,000 mortgage, VSECU next to the home so the court sees the debt against it.
The nuance is multiple liens on one asset, like a mortgage plus a tax lien; list each so the net equity is clear. The common mistake is leaving this blank when a loan exists, which overstates the estate and misleads creditors about what is really available. The misconception is that paid-down loans need not be shown, but any existing lien at the valuation date belongs here.
Total
At the bottom of the asset table, the form asks for the total of the values you listed. Add up the Fair Market Value column and enter the sum on the Total line. James totals his three assets to $314,500 and writes it on the Total line.
The nuance is whether to subtract liens from the total; the Total line tracks the fair market value column, while liens are shown separately, so confirm which figure the court expects for your case. The common mistake is a math error in the total, which can flag the whole inventory for review. The misconception is that the total is just a formality, when it sets the opening value the court uses to measure your later accountings.
Date and Signature of Fiduciary
This block asks you to date and sign the form under an oath. Sign on the Signature of Fiduciary line and enter the date you sign in MM/DD/YYYY format. Maria signs her name and writes 06/06/2026 as the date.
The form states that you declare the statements are true under penalty of perjury, so read it before signing. The nuance is co-fiduciaries; if two people share the role, both should sign. The common mistake is filing an unsigned form, which is invalid and must be returned and resubmitted, costing you days against your deadline. The misconception is that the signature is routine, when it is a sworn statement that exposes you to perjury and court sanctions if the inventory is false.
Printed Name
Directly below your signature, this field asks for your name in print so the clerk can read it. Print your full legal name clearly, matching the name on your Letters of Appointment. James prints James R. Carter beneath his signature.
The nuance is a name that differs from your appointment papers, such as a recent marriage; use the name the court has on file. The common mistake is leaving this blank or writing only initials, which can make the clerk unable to confirm who signed. The misconception is that the printed name duplicates the signature, but the court needs a legible name to verify your authority.
Appraisal Information Block
The final section asks, for any item you had appraised, for the item number, the appraiser’s name, and the appraiser’s address. Fill one row per appraised item, matching the Item # to the asset table above. Maria enters Item 1, Jane Doe Appraisals, 10 Pine St., Burlington, VT for the home she had professionally valued.
Under Rule 66(h), you may use an appraiser but generally do not have to unless the court requires it, though any item or collection over $5,000 needs solid support. The nuance is that the appraiser’s full report and the list of items appraised must also be attached, not just named here. The common mistake is appraising an item but leaving this block blank, which disconnects the value from its proof. The misconception is that you must appraise everything, when most estates use tax bills and statements and reserve appraisals for high-value or unusual items.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three scenarios show how different fiduciaries complete the same form. Each follows one named person through the major sections.
Scenario 1: Sarah, a simple estate with a bank account and a car
| Form Section | What Sarah Enters |
|---|---|
| Unit | Washington |
| Case No. | 201-5-25 Wnpr |
| In re: | Estate of Helen M. Boyd |
| Case Type | Estate (checked) |
| Item 1 Description | Citizens Bank checking, acct **7788 |
| Item 1 Value / Lien | $8,200 / none |
| Item 2 Description | 2015 Honda Civic, VIN …9921 |
| Item 2 Value / Lien | $9,500 / none |
| Total | $17,700 |
| Signature / Date | Sarah Boyd / 06/06/2026 |
Scenario 2: David, a larger estate with a house, a mortgage, and an appraised antique
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| Unit | Rutland |
| Case No. | 330-7-25 Rdpr |
| In re: | Estate of George T. Hale |
| Case Type | Estate (checked) |
| Item 1 Description | Home, 8 Elm St., Rutland; warranty deed, Book 220 Pg 14, Town of Rutland |
| Item 1 Value / Lien | $310,000 / $95,000 mortgage, Bar Harbor Bank |
| Item 2 Description | Antique grandfather clock (appraised) |
| Item 2 Value / Lien | $12,000 / none |
| Total | $322,000 |
| Appraisal Info | Item 2, Green Mtn Appraisers, 5 Oak Ave., Rutland, VT |
Scenario 3: Linda, an ancillary estate for an out-of-state decedent who owned Vermont land
| Form Section | What Linda Enters |
|---|---|
| Unit | Windham |
| Case No. | 412-9-25 Wmpr |
| In re: | Ancillary Estate of Paul R. Nguyen |
| Case Type | Estate (checked) |
| Item 1 Description | Vacant land, Route 30, Townshend; quitclaim deed, Book 88 Pg 40, Town of Townshend |
| Item 1 Value / Lien | $64,000 / none |
| Attachments | Real Property Deed and Property Tax Bill (checked) |
| Total | $64,000 |
| Signature / Date | Linda Nguyen / 06/06/2026 |
| Appraisal Info | (left blank, used tax assessed value) |
How to File the Completed Form
Once the form is signed, you must file the original with the court and serve copies on everyone entitled to notice. The statute, 14 V.S.A. § 1051, directs you to file the original with the Probate Division and serve copies under the Rules of Probate Procedure. After serving copies, you must also file a Certificate of Service telling the court who received the form and how.
Here is how each filing channel works:
- By mail or in person: Send or deliver the signed original and all attachments to the Probate Division unit handling your case; the unit name and address are on your court papers. Keep a stamped or date-marked copy as your proof of filing. There is generally no separate fee to file an inventory, since fees are paid when the estate is opened, but confirm with your unit.
- Electronically: Vermont uses an online court filing system for many case types, where you upload the signed PDF and attachments and pay any applicable charge by card. The portal gives you an electronic receipt, which is your proof of filing, so save it.
- Serving interested persons: Mail or hand-deliver a copy to each heir, beneficiary, and known creditor entitled to notice, then complete the Certificate of Service with the names, addresses, and method used.
For payment, the electronic portal accepts credit or debit cards, while in-person filings can usually be paid by check or money order if any fee applies. Whatever channel you use, keep proof of both the filing and the service, because the court will look for the Certificate of Service before it treats the inventory as complete.
What Happens After You File
After the court receives your inventory, it becomes the official opening picture of the estate, and the clock starts for creditors and beneficiaries to react. Under 14 V.S.A. § 1053 and the Rule 66 reporter’s notes, a creditor with a claim over $1,000 or a beneficiary entitled to more than $500 can ask for a hearing within 30 days of the inventory’s filing. At that hearing, the court can appoint an appraiser to reappraise listed property or value omitted property.
If you later find an asset you missed, or discover a value or description was wrong, you must file a supplemental inventory with the new information and serve it again. This duty under Rule 66(a)(2) is ongoing, so the inventory is never truly “done” until the estate closes. David, for example, found a forgotten savings bond two months after filing and had to submit a supplement.
The inventory also feeds every later accounting you file, because the opening value must match. With each annual account, you submit an updated inventory of assets plus any unpaid debts, claims, or liens. Getting the first inventory right makes every step that follows smoother.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below carries a real cost to you or the estate. Watch for these:
- Filing before the estate is opened means you have no authority yet, and the form can be rejected.
- Using the wrong probate unit routes the form to the wrong clerk and delays processing.
- Entering the wrong case number can attach the filing to a stranger’s case and expose private data.
- Valuing assets on the wrong date throws off every future accounting and may force corrections.
- Forgetting an asset triggers a supplemental inventory and can look like concealment.
- Listing vague descriptions like “the house” gets the form returned for missing legal detail.
- Skipping the deed or tax bill for real estate violates Rule 66 and makes the filing incomplete.
- Leaving the lien column blank when a loan exists overstates the estate and misleads creditors.
- Checking an attachment box but failing to attach the document invites a clerk’s rejection.
- Filing an unsigned form makes it invalid and costs you days against your deadline.
- Omitting the Certificate of Service leaves the court treating the inventory as unfinished.
- Guessing high-value items without an appraisal can prompt a creditor or beneficiary hearing.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do: – Do confirm the form shows revision date 02/2024, because an old version can be rejected. – Do value every asset as of the date of death for an estate, since that is the legal standard. – Do attach the deed, tax bill, title, or registration the form requires, because Rule 66 demands them. – Do list liens by lienholder and amount, so the court sees the true net value. – Do sign and date the form, because it is a sworn statement and is invalid unsigned. – Do file a Certificate of Service, since the court needs proof you notified interested persons.
Don’t: – Don’t file before the court appoints you, because you lack authority and the form can bounce. – Don’t estimate values without support, since that can trigger a valuation hearing. – Don’t leave out assets, because omissions force supplemental filings and raise suspicion. – Don’t paraphrase real estate details, since the rule requires deed type, book, and page. – Don’t reuse or skip item numbers, because the appraisal block must match them. – Don’t miss your filing window, since late filing can lead the court to compel or remove you.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se (On Your Own) | Filing With an Attorney or Tool |
|---|---|
| Saves money, because you avoid legal fees on a one-page form. | Reduces errors, since a pro knows what attachments the court expects. |
| Gives you full control over timing and detail. | Saves time, because the lawyer handles service and the Certificate of Service. |
| The vtlawhelp.org tool guides you free of charge. | Helps with complex assets, like out-of-state property or contested values. |
| Builds your understanding of the whole estate. | Shields you from perjury risk by checking the sworn statements. |
| Works well for simple estates with few assets. | Useful when creditors or beneficiaries are likely to demand a hearing. |
| Downside: you carry full responsibility for mistakes and deadlines. | Downside: legal fees reduce what heirs ultimately receive. |
FAQs
How long do I have to file the Vermont inventory? Yes, you have a deadline. Under 14 V.S.A. § 1051 and Rule 66, an executor or administrator files within 60 days of appointment, and a guardian within 30 days, unless the court extends it.
Is the “Inventory and Appraisement” the same as the Inventory form? Yes, in Vermont they are the same document. The official form is simply titled “Inventory,” Form 700-00030, and it folds the appraisal information directly into the form.
Do I have to hire an appraiser? No, not usually. Rule 66(h) says you may use an appraiser but generally do not have to unless the court requires it, though items over $5,000 need strong value support.
Can I use the property tax assessed value for a house? Yes, you can. If you do not hire an appraiser, you may use the most recent property tax assessed value and attach that tax bill to the form.
Do I list jointly owned property on an estate inventory? No, not for a standard estate, which lists assets owned solely by the decedent. Guardianship inventories, however, must include jointly owned property under Rule 66(b)(2).
What do I write in the “Description of Item” box for real estate? Yes, full detail is required: the deed type, grantor and grantee, date of execution, book and page numbers, and the town where the deed is recorded.
Do I subtract the mortgage from the value in the Fair Market Value column? No, keep them separate. Enter the full fair market value in one column and the mortgage or lien amount in the “Mortgage or Lien” column.
What do I put in the “Unit” field? Yes, it asks for the probate division location handling your case, such as Chittenden, copied exactly from your appointment papers, not your home address.
Do I need to file anything besides the inventory? Yes, you must serve copies on interested persons and file a Certificate of Service telling the court who received the form and how you delivered it.
What if I find an asset after I already filed? Yes, you must act. Rule 66(a)(2) requires you to file and serve a supplemental inventory with the newly found asset or any corrected value or description.
Is filing the inventory really a sworn statement? Yes, it is. By signing, you declare the contents true under penalty of perjury, and a false inventory can lead to perjury charges or court sanctions.
Can I file the inventory online? Yes, in many cases. Vermont’s electronic filing system lets you upload the signed PDF and attachments, pay any fee by card, and keep the electronic receipt as proof of filing.
Do small estates have to file an inventory? Yes, unless the court waives it. The duty applies to estates generally, and only a formal court waiver for good cause removes it.
Where do I list the appraiser’s information? Yes, in the Appraisal Information block at the bottom: enter the item number, the appraiser’s name, and the appraiser’s address, and attach the full appraisal report.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Illinois Inventory of Estate (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Connecticut Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Idaho Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate + FAQs
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