Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18, § 8108

Claim for the care and treatment of a mentally ill person against his or her estate shall be presented and prosecuted by the Commissioner and shall be allowed by the Commissioner upon the estate and paid by his or her administrator or executor. Such claims shall not exceed the amount that the Commissioner has found to be within the ability and legal obligation of the person to pay and full credit shall be allowed for any amounts paid prior to the death of the person.