What to Do First as a Vermont Executor

When you’re named as an executor in Vermont, it can feel like a sudden Green Mountain storm rolled in out of nowhere. You’re grieving, fielding questions, and unsure what to do first. That reaction is completely normal.

 

The good news? Your first-week to-do list is shorter than you think. A few practical steps can create real momentum and help you feel back in control.

 

Here’s a calm, straightforward plan for those first few days.

 

 

Priority 1: Funeral Arrangements and Key Records

 

Your immediate role is to help with final arrangements and gather essential paperwork.

 

Assist with funeral or memorial planning, and keep copies of all contracts and receipts for services, flowers, obituary notices, and travel. These expenses are often reimbursable from the estate.

 

Next, order certified death certificates through the Vermont Department of Health or the town clerk where the death was recorded. Many executors request 10–12 copies to handle banks, insurance companies, and government agencies.

 

Notify Social Security and the decedent’s banks as soon as reasonably possible. This helps stop benefit payments, prevent automatic withdrawals, and reduce the risk of fraud. In many cases, the funeral home notifies Social Security, but it’s wise to confirm.

 

You don’t need to contact every institution in the first week. Focus on ordering certificates and alerting major agencies. That’s a strong start.

 

 

Priority 2: Locate and Protect the Will

 

Next, find and safeguard the estate’s core legal document.

 

Look for the original signed will in common places: a home filing cabinet, fireproof box, safe deposit box, or the attorney’s office that prepared it. It may be filed with their local county Probate Division of the Superior Court for safekeeping. If it is, you will need to provide a certified death certificate and proof of identity to view the will. Once located, keep it safe and unaltered. Don’t remove staples, write on it, or attach anything.

 

The will must be filed with the Vermont Probate Division in the county where the person lived at the time of death. Filing begins the formal probate process.

 

At the same time, start a basic inventory of assets. This can include:

• Bank and investment accounts
  
  
• Real estate
  
  
• Vehicles
  
  
• Life insurance
  
  
• Business interests
  
  
• Valuable personal property
  
  

At this stage, a rough list is enough. You’ll prepare a more detailed inventory later with court guidance. The goal now is simply to understand what exists and where.

 

 

Priority 3: Secure Property and Mail

 

Your role early on is to protect, not distribute, the estate.

 

Make sure the home is secure. Lock doors and windows, address urgent maintenance issues, and consider changing locks if multiple people have keys. Safeguard vehicles, tools, firearms, and other valuables that could go missing during a confusing time.

 

Arrange to forward mail to your address or another secure location. Mail often reveals unknown accounts, subscriptions, and bills. Continue essential services so the property remains insured and maintained. Once you open an estate bank account, ongoing expenses should be paid from estate funds, not your own.

 

Your goal is stability until the court officially appoints you as executor and grants full authority.

 

What Not to Do Yet

 

Just as important as what you do is what you avoid.

• Don’t distribute personal items, even if family members are asking.
• Don’t sell vehicles, real estate, or valuables prematurely.
• Don’t ignore creditor notices or promise to pay debts from your own pocket.

Acting too quickly can create conflict or personal liability. Wait for formal appointment from the probate court and seek guidance before making major decisions.

 

Reassurance and Next Steps

 

Most Vermont executors have never handled probate before. Almost no one feels fully prepared. With a clear checklist and steady guidance, however, most people manage the role well.

 

If you’ve recently been named executor and feel unsure where to begin, consider scheduling a consultation with a Vermont probate attorney. Even a short conversation, or a written first-week checklist, can provide clarity and peace of mind.

 

A few calm, informed steps now will make everything that follows much smoother.