Vermont

Marriage & Family Law Home

In the state of Vermont, following or during the proceedings for divorce, dissolution of marriage, or legal separation, the court may order either spouse to make maintenance payments, either rehabilitative or permanent in duration, to the other spouse if it finds that the spouse seeking maintenance is appropriate deserving and in need. There are many factors the court will take into consideration for a maintenance order.

Factors to be taken into consideration by the court include, but are not limited to:

• The standard of living established during the marriage



• The financial condition and needs of the recipient spouse



• The incomes, estates, and property of both spouses



• The recipient's earning capacity or ability to produce income



• The ability of the more independent spouse to pro ....... Click here to get more info on Alimony

Support guidelines:

The secretary of human services will set up a guideline for child support that reflects the percentage of combined available income that parents living in the same household in Vermont ordinarily spend on their children.

The rule is based on ....... Click here to get more info on Child Support

In making an order under this section, the Court shall be guided by the best interests of the child, and shall consider at least the following factors: (1) the relationship of the child with each parent and the ability and disposition of each parent to provide the child with love, affection, and guidance; (2) the ability and disposition of each parent to assure that the child receives adequate food, clothing, medical care, other material needs, and a safe environment; (3) the ability and disposition of each parent to meet the child's present and future developmental needs; (4) the quality of the child's adjustment to the child's present housing, school, and community and the potential effect of any change; (5) the ability and disposition of each parent to foster a positive relationship and frequent and continuing contact with the other parent, including physical contact, except where contact will result in harm to the child or to a parent; (6) the quality of the child's relationship with the primary care provider, if appropriate given the child's age and development; (7) the relationship of the child with any other person who may significantly affect the child; (8) the ability and disposition of the parents to communicate, cooperate with each other, and make joint decisions concerning the children where parental rights and responsibilities are to be shared or divided; and (9) evidence of abuse, as defined in section 1101 of this title, and the impact of the abuse on the child and on the relationship between the child and the abusing parent. ....... Click here to get more info on Custody

In Vermont a couple seeking a divorce can choose either no-fault grounds or can choose the option of filing on traditional fault grounds.

Grounds for divorce include:

• adultery



• cruelty or violence toward the other spouse



• desertion



• drug or alcohol addiction


< ....... Click here to get more info on Divorce

Vermont law states that a biological parent of a minor child may request visitation rights as part of an open divorce, parentage or custody case or may file a petition for visitation in none of these circumstances apply. ....... Click here to get more info on Visitation

Under Vermont law, marital property is that which is acquired or is a direct result of the labor and investments of the parties during the marriage is subject to equitable division. ....... Click here to get more info on Property Division