Support in Vermont

How Vermont Calculates Child Support

Vermont uses an income shares model to determine child support obligations. The Vermont Child Support Guidelines, established under 15 V.S.A. Section 656 and associated guidelines, calculate a presumptive support amount based on both parents’ combined gross income.

The calculation begins by determining each parent’s gross income. Income includes earnings from all sources — wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, investment income, rental income, Social Security benefits, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, pensions, and trust income. Certain deductions are applied, including pre-existing child support obligations and the cost of health insurance for the child.

The parents’ combined available income is applied to a guidelines schedule that produces a basic child support obligation based on the combined income and the number of children. Each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income. The parent without primary physical responsibility pays their share to the other parent. Additional amounts for work-related child care costs and extraordinary medical expenses are added and allocated proportionally.

For a broader overview of how support calculations work, see our guide on how child support is calculated. You can also estimate your potential obligation using our child support calculator.

Adjustments for Shared Physical Responsibility

When parents share physical responsibility and each has the child for a significant portion of the year, Vermont’s guidelines provide adjustments to reflect the direct expenses each household incurs. The adjustment is typically applied when the child spends at least 30% of overnights with the parent who would otherwise be the support obligor. Under shared arrangements, each parent’s theoretical obligation is calculated, and the parent with the higher obligation pays the net difference.

Deviation from Guidelines

The guidelines amount is presumptive, but the court may deviate when application would be inequitable. Recognized deviation factors under 15 V.S.A. Section 656 include:

• Extraordinary educational expenses of the child
• Extraordinary medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance
• The cost of travel for parent-child contact
• Special needs of the child, including physical, emotional, or educational needs
• The financial resources and needs of each parent
• The standard of living the child would have enjoyed if the family had remained intact
• Other relevant factors the court deems appropriate

When the court deviates from the guidelines, it must state the guidelines amount and provide specific findings explaining the deviation.

Duration of Child Support

Child support in Vermont generally continues until the child reaches age 18, or until the child turns 19 if still attending high school full time. Support may also terminate upon the child’s marriage, emancipation, or entry into military service. Vermont does not generally require parents to pay for post-secondary education, though the parties may agree to such provisions voluntarily.

Maintenance (Alimony) in Vermont

Vermont courts award maintenance under 15 V.S.A. Section 752. Because Vermont is a no-fault state, the court does not consider marital misconduct in determining maintenance. Instead, the court focuses on the financial circumstances and needs of each party. Vermont recognizes several forms of maintenance:

• Temporary maintenance — Supports a spouse during the pendency of the divorce proceedings.
• Short-term (bridge-the-gap) maintenance — Provides support for a brief transitional period to help a spouse adjust to post-divorce financial realities.
• Rehabilitative maintenance — Awarded for a defined period to allow the recipient to obtain education, training, or work experience necessary to become self-supporting. This is the most commonly awarded form of maintenance in Vermont.
• Long-term (permanent) maintenance — Awarded in longer marriages or when the recipient spouse cannot reasonably be expected to become self-supporting due to age, health, or other circumstances.

Modification of Support Orders

Either party may petition for modification of child support or maintenance by demonstrating a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances since the original order was entered. Under 15 V.S.A. Section 660, common grounds include significant changes in income, changes in custody arrangements, changes in the child’s needs, or changes in employment circumstances.

Maintenance modification follows the same standard. Maintenance terminates upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient, unless the court order specifies otherwise.

Enforcement

Vermont employs a comprehensive set of enforcement mechanisms through the Office of Child Support (OCS):

• Income withholding (wage garnishment)
• Interception of state and federal tax refunds
• Suspension of driver’s, professional, and recreational licenses
• Contempt of court, which may result in fines or incarceration
• Liens on real and personal property
• Passport denial for arrearages exceeding $2,500
• Credit bureau reporting
• Bank account levies

Arrearages accrue and cannot be retroactively forgiven. Modifications take effect from the date the motion to modify is filed, not retroactively.

When to Seek Legal Guidance

Vermont’s child support guidelines and maintenance framework require careful financial analysis. Whether you are establishing a new support order, seeking a modification, or dealing with enforcement issues, consider scheduling a free consultation with an experienced family law attorney.

Statutes referenced: 15 V.S.A. Sections 654 through 660 (child support), 15 V.S.A. Section 752 (maintenance), Vermont Child Support Guidelines.