Guardianship and conservatorship in Vermont: who, where, cost

How a court can name a guardian or conservator in Vermont, what it costs and what to try first.

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Short answer

Guardian (total or limited); voluntary guardian; emergency temporary guardian; Office of Public Guardian.

Filing fee
$150 filing fee for an adult guardianship.
Court
Probate Division of the Vermont Superior Court.

What guardianship or conservatorship is

What it is called

Guardian (total or limited); voluntary guardian; emergency temporary guardian; Office of Public Guardian

When a court may appoint one

A 'person in need of guardianship' is an adult who cannot manage some or all of their personal or financial affairs without a guardian because of significantly subaverage intellectual functioning with adaptive deficits, or a condition that grossly impairs judgment, behavior or reality-testing. The petitioner must prove this by clear and convincing evidence, and only the least restrictive form of guardianship may be ordered.

Kinds
  • Total guardianship
  • Limited guardianship
  • Voluntary guardianship (an adult asks for a guardian for themselves)
  • Emergency temporary guardianship pending the final hearing
  • Public guardianship (Office of Public Guardian)

Law: 14 V.S.A. §§ 3060, 3061, 3063, 3068, 3072, 3081

Who can ask, which court and your own choice

Who may ask

An interested person: the person themselves, a near relative, a close friend, a guardian, a public official, a social worker, a physician, an agent named in an advance directive or power of attorney, a person nominated as guardian in an advance directive, or clergy.

Court

Probate Division of the Vermont Superior Court.

Choosing your own

You can nominate a guardian in an advance directive, and the court considers that nomination. You can also nominate a guardian in a power of attorney; the court follows your most recent nomination unless there is good cause or disqualification.

Law: 14 V.S.A. §§ 3072(b), 4008(a)

Effect on a power of attorney

Appointing a guardian does not end a power of attorney. The agent must also account to the guardian, and the agent's authority continues unless the court limits, suspends or ends it.

Law: 14 V.S.A. § 4008(b)

Cost, fee waiver and forms

Filing fee

$150 filing fee for an adult guardianship.

Law: 32 V.S.A. § 1434(a)(16), Vermont Judiciary court fees page

Fee waiver

You can ask the court to waive fees if you cannot afford them (Vermont Judiciary).

Forms
Steps

Steps

Other options and where to report abuse

Less restrictive options
  • Supported decision making: Listed by the Vermont Judiciary as an alternative to consider before filing.
  • Representative payee: Social Security appoints someone to manage benefits.
  • Advance directive: A health care agent and treatment wishes, also called a health care proxy or living will.
  • Case management services: Through a developmental disabilities service provider or an Area Agency on Aging.
Report abuse or exploitation

Vermont Adult Protective Services (Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, Division of Licensing and Protection) · 1-800-564-1612

Call or text the Eldercare Locator to find your local adult protective services: 1-800-677-1116 · eldercare.acl.gov

Free help in Vermont

Report abuse or exploitation

Vermont Adult Protective Services (Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, Division of Licensing and Protection) · 1-800-564-1612

Questions about powers of attorney in Vermont

How does guardianship or conservatorship work in Vermont?

A 'person in need of guardianship' is an adult who cannot manage some or all of their personal or financial affairs without a guardian because of significantly subaverage intellectual functioning with adaptive deficits, or a condition that grossly impairs judgment, behavior or reality-testing.

What does a guardianship or conservatorship cost in Vermont?

$150 filing fee for an adult guardianship.

What are the alternatives to guardianship in Vermont?

Supported decision making; Representative payee; Advance directive; Case management services.

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