Rule 54 Judgments; Costs

(a) Definition, form. “Judgment” as used in these rules includes a decree and any order from which an appeal lies. A judgment need not contain a recital of the petition, the report of a master, or the record of prior proceedings. Appealable decrees and orders include but are not limited to those that:

(1) determine the validity of a governing instrument included but not limited to a will and codicils, a trust and amendments, a deed, and a power of attorney;

(2) interpret or construct a will and any codicils, a trust and any amendments;

(3) reform, terminate, modify or deny the reformation, termination, or modification of a trust;

(4) allow or deny a creditor’s claim;

(5) allow or deny a motion for license to sell property;

(6) allow or deny spousal elections;

(7) appoint, remove, or deny removal of a fiduciary in an estate, guardianship, or trust;

(8) determine that a person is in need of a guardianship;

(9) terminate or modify a guardianship;

(10) allow or disallow an account, fees, or administration expenses in an estate or guardianship or trust;

(11) adjudicate or otherwise affect with finality the rights or interests of a party or an interested person in the subject matter; or

(12) are appealable orders as provided by law.

(b) Costs. Deposition costs may be taxed in the manner provided by the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure. Costs may also be taxed, in the discretion of the court, pursuant to Rule 70 of these rules, or for the costs of service when a person is subpoenaed or otherwise ordered to appear before the court, or when a party has been adjudged in contempt.