700-00034PE Guidance: Written Statement of Claim (Vermont)

In the probate process, the Written Statement of Claim form is essential when a creditor wishes to assert a claim against the estate of a deceased person in Vermont. This form becomes necessary after the estate is opened and is part of administering the decedent's financial affairs. The filing of this form is generally triggered when the probate court issues a notice to creditors, prompting them to file their claims within a specified period. - The probate process begins with the filing of a petition to open the estate, often accompanied by forms such as the Petition to Open Decedent’s Estate. - Once the estate is opened, a notice to creditors is typically issued and published. - Creditors then use the Written Statement of Claim form to formally present their claims to both the estate’s fiduciary and the court. Submitting this form allows creditors to seek repayment from the estate and is a necessary step to ensure that any owed amounts are considered during the distribution of the decedent's assets. Failing to submit the claim within the specified timeframe might result in the claim being barred, meaning the creditor would lose the right to collect the debt from the estate.