The Vermont Last Will and Testament is considered a legal document that the state allows a testator to create that document that will be made available to a chosen representative to distribute the assets included in an estate to the testator’s chosen beneficiaries. Assets may include fiduciary, personal, real estate, life insurance. These assets may be meant to continue to protect the immediate and/or extended family, friends or even pets. Other beneficiaries may be research institutions, educational or even foundation funds. When the testator has completed the list of distributions, the document will then be witnessed and signed, then notarized. This document may be revoked or changed at the will of the testator.

Laws – Title 14: Decedents’ Estates And Fiduciary Relations

Signing (14 V.S.A. § 5) – Shall be signed by the Testator and by Two (2) or more credible Witnesses in the presence of the Testator and of each other.

How to Write

Step 1 – Establish the testator by simply entering their full name into the top line of the form. Enter the following:

• Testator’s name
• City and County of residence
• Review remaining information in the paragraph
• Review the section “Expenses and Taxes”

Step 2 – Appointing an Executor – Enter:

• The name of the executor the testator has selected
• City
• County
• State (where the executor resides)

Providing a second executor would be an important aspect that should be considered by the testator. This would alleviate any problems should the initial executor be placed into a situation whereas they are unwilling, unable or unavailable to execute the contents of the document upon the death of the testator. Should the testator decide to select a second executor,  provide the following information:

• Name of the alternate representative
• Enter the City
• Enter the County
• Enter the State in which the alternate resides

Step 3 – Disposition of Property bequeathed to Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries – Enter the following:

• Full name
• Current addresses for all beneficiaries
• Describe the relationships between the beneficiaries and the testator
• Enter the last four digits of the Social Security Number for all persons named as beneficiaries
• Enter a list of property that the testator shall provide for each beneficiary

Step 4 – Testator should review all of the following titled sections:

• Omission
• Bond
• Discretionary Powers of Personal Representative
• Contesting Beneficiary
• Guardian Ad Litem  Not Required
• Gender
• Assignment
• Governing Law
• Binding Arrangement

Step 5 – Witnesses/Signatures – All who shall serve as a signatory must be present one with another for the signing of the document. All must enter:

• The name of the testator
• Date testator’s signature – dd/mm/yyyy
• Testator’s own signature
• Testator’s own printed name

Witnesses – Witnesses should review the brief statement – enter

• The date of all signatures 
• Name the testator

Witness 1 – 

• Signature
•  Address

Witness 2 –

• Signature
• Address

Step 6 – Affidavit of Testament – All signing parties must review the affidavit, then enter:

• Their State
• Their County
• Name of the testator
• 1st witness’ name
• 2nd witness’ name
• AND
• Testator’s signature
• Signature of 1st Witness
• Signature of 2nd Witness

Step 7 – Notary- As the testator completes the document, all signatures shall be witnessed by a commissioned notary public of the state.