Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 4, § 355

When a Probate judge is incapacitated for the duties of office by absence, removal from the district, resignation, sickness, death, or otherwise or if the judge or the judge’s spouse or child is heir or legatee under a will filed in the judge’s district, or if the judge is executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased person in the judge’s district, or is interested as a creditor or otherwise in a question to be decided by the court, the judge shall not act as judge.