Vermont Divorce with Children
Everything you need to know about divorce with children in Vermont — custody types, child support guidelines, parenting plans, and protecting your children through the process. Updated for 2026.
Types of Custody in Vermont
Legal Custody
The right to make major decisions about your child's education, healthcare, religion, and welfare.
Physical Custody
Determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis and the parenting time schedule.
"Best Interests of the Child" Factors
Vermont courts consider multiple factors when determining custody arrangements:
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Divorce.ai helps you build a comprehensive parenting plan that meets Vermont court requirements.
Child Support in Vermont
Vermont uses the Income Shares Model under 15 V.S.A. § 656 et seq. Child support is based on the combined income of both parents and the number of children. The guidelines provide a calculation table that was last updated January 2, 2024. Each parent's share is proportional to their percentage of combined available income. Adjustments are made for health insurance, child care costs, and extraordinary expenses.
Official Vermont child support calculator →Factors Considered
Additional Forms Required (Children)
| Form | Name |
|---|---|
| 400-00802 | Proposed Child Support Order |
| Final Stipulation (Parenting) | Final Stipulation Parental Rights and Responsibilities |
Mandatory Parenting Course
Vermont requires both parents to complete a parenting education course when filing for divorce with minor children.
Vermont requires divorcing parents with minor children to complete a parenting and divorce education course. The course covers the impact of separation on children and strategies for cooperative co-parenting. There is a fee for the course, which may be waived in cases of financial hardship. The certificate of completion must be filed with the court.
Typical cost: $50
Protect your children through the process
Divorce.ai helps you create a child-focused parenting plan and prepares all custody-related Vermont forms.
What Goes in a Parenting Plan?
A comprehensive parenting plan should cover:
Regular Parenting Schedule
Week-by-week schedule of where the child lives and when transitions occur.
Holiday & Vacation Schedule
How holidays, school breaks, and vacation time are divided between parents.
Decision-Making Authority
Who makes decisions about education, healthcare, extracurriculars, and religious upbringing.
Communication Rules
How the child communicates with the non-custodial parent (phone, video calls, etc.).
Transportation & Exchange
Who handles pickups/dropoffs and where exchanges occur.
Dispute Resolution
How disagreements about the parenting plan will be resolved (mediation first, then court).
Relocation Rules
Notice requirements and procedure if either parent wants to move.
Tips for Protecting Your Children During Divorce
Never speak negatively about the other parent in front of your children. It puts them in the middle and can harm your custody case.
Maintain routines. Keep school, activities, and daily routines as consistent as possible during the transition.
Communicate openly with your children in age-appropriate ways. Let them know the divorce is not their fault.
Consider counseling. A child therapist can help children process their emotions during this time.