A Practical Guide to Estate Planning in Vermont

Table of Contents

Chapter 01 - Ethical Considerations in Handling an Estate Plan and Engagement
Daphne Moritz, Esq.,
Sheehey Furlong & Behm, PC
Exhibit 1A - Reminder Letter to Client Regarding Review of Estate Planning Documents
Exhibit 1B - Excerpt from “Representing Clients with Diminished Capacity,” by Constance V. Vecchione, Esq.
Exhibit 1C - Record of Services to Be Provided to Client
Exhibit 1D - Confidential Client Data Request
Exhibit 1E - Estate Planning Documents Flow Chart
Exhibit 1F - Estate Planning Summary Letter
Exhibit 1G - Execution Procedure for Durable Powers of Attorney and Living Wills
Exhibit 1H - Family Discussion Checklist
Exhibit 1I - Legal Fees and Billing - Information for Client
Exhibit 1J - Estate Planning Documents - Letter to Client

Chapter 02 - Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes
Steven E. Schindler, Esq.,
Schindler Law Office, PLC

Chapter 03 - Fundamental Estate Planning
Jeanne C. Blackmore, Esq.,
Trust Company of Vermont
Livia K. DeMarchis, Esq,
Trust Company of Vermont
Exhibit 3A - Sample Will
Exhibit 3B - Revocable Inter Vivos Trust
Exhibit 3C - Approval of Trust Agreement by Spouse
Exhibit 3D - Pour-Over Will Provision: Pour-Over Residue to Own Trust

Chapter 04 - Marital Deduction Planning and Drafting Techniques
Mark A. Langan, Esq.,
Dinse

Chapter 05 - Advance Directives and Powers of Attorney for Financial Matters
Launa L. Slater, Esq.,
Wiener & Slater Law Offices PLLC
Exhibit 5A - Vermont Ethics Network Advance Directive for Health Care (Long Form)
Exhibit 5B - Disability Rights Vermont Advance Directive Form

Chapter 06 - Special Needs Planning
James A. Caffry, Esq.,
Caffry Law, PLLC
Glenn A. Jarrett, Esq.,
Jarrett & Luitjens PLC
Exhibit 6A - Comparison of Three Social Security Programs
Exhibit 6B - Trust Provisions for Distribution Plans and Standards
Exhibit 6C - Examples of Permissible Distributions
Exhibit 6D - Self-Settled Special Needs Trust Requirement to Reimburse Medicaid (“Medicaid Payback” Provision)
Exhibit 6E - Vermont Pooled Trust Program as of August 2023
Exhibit 6F - Sample Trust Protector Provisions to Plan for Unanticipated Changes in the Law or Circumstances
Exhibit 6G - Sample Preamble and Introductory Paragraphs

Chapter 07 - Marital Agreements
Juliana E. Hoyt, Esq.,
Jarrett Hoyt
Checklist 7.1 - Prenuptial Agreement Checklist
Checklist 7.2 - Postnuptial Agreement Checklist
Checklist 7.3 - Separation Agreement Checklist

Chapter 08 - Vermont Trust Code
Ellen B. LaPlante, Esq.,
Unsworth LaPlante PLLC
Stephen A. Unsworth, Esq.,
Unsworth LaPlante PLLC

Chapter 09 - The Uniform Principal and Income Act and the Unitrust Election
Mark A. Langan, Esq.,
Dinse

Chapter 10 - Postmortem Estate Planning
Hon. Jeffrey P. Kilgore,

Chapter 11 - Life Insurance and Estate Planning
Aaron J. Goldberg, Esq.,
Exhibit 11A - Supplemental Materials
Exhibit 11B - Information on Life Insurance Excerpted from the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation Website
Exhibit 11C - Disclosure Relating to Insurance in Engagement Letter

Authors

Editor(s)
Mark A. Langan, Esq.,
Dinse, Burlington

Author(s)
Jeanne C. Blackmore, Esq.,
Trust Company of Vermont, Burlington
James A. Caffry, Esq.,
Caffry Law, PLLC, Waterbury
Livia K. DeMarchis, Esq,
Trust Company of Vermont,
Aaron J. Goldberg, Esq.,
Juliana E. Hoyt, Esq.,
Jarrett Hoyt, South Burlington
Glenn A. Jarrett, Esq.,
Jarrett & Luitjens PLC, South Burlington
Hon. Jeffrey P. Kilgore,
Waterbury
Mark A. Langan, Esq.,
Dinse, Burlington
Ellen B. LaPlante, Esq.,
Unsworth LaPlante PLLC, Essex Junction
Daphne Moritz, Esq.,
Sheehey Furlong & Behm, PC, Burlington
Steven E. Schindler, Esq.,
Schindler Law Office, PLC, Rutland
Launa L. Slater, Esq.,
Wiener & Slater Law Offices PLLC, Burlington
Stephen A. Unsworth, Esq.,
Unsworth LaPlante PLLC, Essex Junction