Uniform Simultaneous Death Act

V.S.A. tit. 14, ch. 47

in effect

14 V.S.A. § 621 No sufficient evidence of survivorship

621. No sufficient evidence of survivorship Where the title to property or the devolution thereof depends upon priority of death and there is not sufficient evidence that the persons have died otherwise than simultaneously, the property of each person shall be disposed of as if he had survived, except as provided otherwise in this chapter.

14 V.S.A. § 622 Beneficiaries

622. Beneficiaries Where two or more beneficiaries are designated to take successively by reason of survivorship under another person’s disposition of property and there is not sufficient evidence that these beneficiaries have died otherwise than simultaneously, the property thus disposed of shall be divided into as many equal portions as there are successive beneficiaries and these portions shall be distributed respectively to those who would have taken in the event that each designated beneficiary had survived.

14 V.S.A. § 623 Joint tenants

623. Joint tenants Where there is not sufficient evidence that two joint tenants or tenants by the entirety have died otherwise than simultaneously, the property so held shall be distributed one-half as if one had survived and one-half as if the other had survived. If there are more than two joint tenants and all of them have so died, the property thus distributed shall be in the proportion that one bears to the whole number of joint tenants.

14 V.S.A. § 624 Insurance policy

624. Insurance policy Where the insured and the beneficiary in a policy of life or accident insurance have died and there is not sufficient evidence that they have died otherwise than simultaneously, the proceeds of the policy shall be distributed as if the insured had survived the beneficiary.

14 V.S.A. § 625 Construction

625. Construction This chapter shall not apply to the distribution of the property of a person who has died before March 21, 1941.

14 V.S.A. § 626 Application where provision made for simultaneous death

626. Application where provision made for simultaneous death This chapter shall not apply in the case of wills, living trusts, deeds, or contracts of insurance wherein provision has been made for distribution of property different from the provisions of this chapter.

14 V.S.A. § 627 Interpretation to effectuate purpose

627. Interpretation to effectuate purpose This chapter shall be so construed and interpreted as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law in those states that enact it.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/14/047Fetched: 10/21/2026