SIMPLIFYING YOUR DIVORCE

Which Vermont Divorce Forms Will You Need?

Vermont publishes its divorce forms statewide, so they are not county-specific. The exact set you'll deal with depends on your circumstances, mainly whether you have minor children and whether you and your spouse agree on all the terms. Below, the forms are grouped by the role they play in a case. Each one is described by what it does, so you can recognize it when you see it. One important note up front: Vermont child support is calculated using the state's income shares guidelines and a state computer model, so it isn't a simple fillable worksheet you complete by hand.

Starting the Case

These forms are typically used to open a divorce case and get the basic information in front of the court.

• Information Sheet (Form 400-00800)
  Collects contact and identifying information for both parties; filed at the start of the case.

• Complaint for Divorce/Legal Separation/Dissolution without Children (Form 400-00836NoChildren)
  Initiates a divorce case when no minor children are involved.

• Complaint for Divorce/Legal Separation/Dissolution with Children (Form 400-00836Children)
  Initiates a divorce case when minor children are involved; this version covers custody and child support. (Note: the Complaint comes in two variants rather than a single form number, and a non-resident variant, Form 400-00836NR, also exists.)

• Statement of Confidential Information (Form 400-00849)
  Keeps sensitive personal details such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and financial account numbers out of the public court record.

• Department of Health Record of Divorce or Annulment (Form VDH-VR-DIV)
  A state vital records form filed at the start so the dissolution can be recorded with the Vermont Department of Health.

• Notice of Appearance for Self-Represented Party (Form 400-00831)
  Used by a self-represented litigant to formally enter the case.

Responding to a Divorce

These forms are used by the spouse who receives the divorce complaint.

• Acceptance of Service - Family Division (Form 400-00844)
  Lets the responding party acknowledge receiving the complaint, waiving formal service of process.

• Notice of Appearance, Answer to the Complaint and Counterclaim (Form 400-00837)
  The responding party's formal answer and any counterclaim; used in both stipulated (agreed) and contested cases.

Financial & Disclosure Forms

These forms put each party's finances on the record. They are required from both parties in cases with minor children.

• Financial Affidavit (Form 400-00813A)
  Discloses income and expenses.

• Financial Affidavit Property and Assets (Form 400-00813B)
  Discloses property, assets, and debts.

Forms for Divorces With Children

When minor children are involved, additional forms address parenting and support. Remember that child support figures come from Vermont's income shares model, not a fill-in-the-blank worksheet.

• Agreement on Parental Rights and Responsibilities (Form 400-00825)
  Sets out custody, parenting time/visitation, and decision-making arrangements.

• Child Support Order (Form 400-00802)
  Establishes the child support obligation based on Vermont guidelines; used in cases with minor children.

Settlement or Separation Agreement

These forms record the terms the parties have agreed to regarding property, debt, and support.

• Final Stipulation Property, Debt and Spousal Support (Form 400-00878)
  A settlement agreement that divides marital property and debts and sets spousal support terms.

• Vehicle Addendum (Form 400-00200)
  An addendum to the final stipulation that specifically addresses motor vehicle transfers.

Finalizing Your Case

This form is used when everything is agreed and the parties want to wrap things up without a contested hearing.

• Stipulation and Motion to Waive Final Hearing (Form 400-00841)
  A joint motion to waive the final hearing in uncontested cases where all terms are agreed upon.

Where to Get Vermont Divorce Forms

You have several options for getting the right paperwork, depending on how much help you want along the way.

Official State Courts Site

The Vermont Judiciary publishes the official statewide forms and self-help resources. You can find the divorce forms and instructions at vtcourts.gov. (The older vermontjudiciary.org address redirects to this site.) Vermont also offers the VTCourtForms guided interview tool, available through Legal Services Vermont and vtcourts.gov, which helps self-represented parties complete the initial five filing forms.

County Clerk or Family Court

Because Vermont forms are statewide and not county-specific, you'll file with the Family Division of the Superior Court in the appropriate county. Court staff can point you to forms and answer questions about process, though they cannot give legal advice.

Legal Aid & Self-Help Resources

Legal Services Vermont and related self-help programs offer guidance for people representing themselves, including access to the guided interview tool mentioned above.

Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)

If you'd like a more guided experience, an online service can help you prepare your paperwork at your own pace. Divorce.com walks you through the questions and helps you assemble the documents that fit your situation, which many people find less intimidating than facing a blank form library.

Hire an Attorney

If your case is complex, contested, or simply has a lot at stake, working with a Vermont family law attorney is an option. An attorney can prepare and review filings and advise you on your specific circumstances.

The Vermont Divorce Process

While every case differs, Vermont divorces generally move through a recognizable sequence of steps.

1. Confirm Residency

Vermont has residency rules tied to timing. One party must be a Vermont resident for at least 6 months to file, and one party must have lived continuously in Vermont for at least 1 year before the final hearing can be held.

2. File the Complaint

The case starts when the Complaint and accompanying start-up forms are filed with the Family Division. Vermont has two procedural paths with different filing fees: a Stipulated (uncontested) path with a $90 filing fee, where both parties agree on all terms at the time of filing, and a Non-Stipulated (contested) path with a $295 filing fee.

3. Serve or Notify Your Spouse

The other spouse needs to receive the complaint. They may acknowledge receipt using the Acceptance of Service form, or respond through the Notice of Appearance, Answer and Counterclaim.

4. Exchange Disclosures

Both parties typically share financial information. In cases with minor children, the Financial Affidavit forms (income/expenses and property/assets) are required from both parties.

5. Case Manager Conference and Waiting Periods

A case manager conference is generally held 4 to 8 weeks after filing to identify which issues are agreed and which are disputed. Vermont also has two waiting periods to be aware of: a 6-month separation period before a final divorce can be granted, and a 90-day "nisi" period after the judge issues the decree before it becomes final. The nisi period may be shortened or waived by mutual agreement of the parties. In cases with minor children, parents complete the COPE course (Helping Children Cope With Separation and Divorce), which is offered online.

6. Decree & Certified Copies

Once the court finalizes the divorce and the nisi period has run (unless waived), the divorce becomes final. You can request certified copies of the decree for your records and for tasks like updating accounts or records.

Vermont-Specific Requirements You Should Know

A few Vermont details set its process apart, and it helps to understand them up front.

Residency: One party must be a Vermont resident for 6 months to file, and one party must have lived continuously in Vermont for at least 1 year before the final hearing can be held.

Property division: Vermont is an equitable distribution state. That means marital property and debts are divided in a way the court considers fair, which is not always an even 50/50 split.

Grounds: Vermont allows a no-fault path based on separation, specifically living separate and apart for at least 6 consecutive months where reconciliation is not reasonably probable. Fault grounds also exist under 15 V.S.A. § 551, including adultery; imprisonment for 3 or more years; intolerable severity (cruel or abusive treatment); willful desertion or a 7-year absence without contact; non-support (ability to support but persistent refusal); and permanent mental incapacity.

Waiting periods: As noted above, two waiting periods apply: the 6-month separation period before a final divorce can be granted, and the 90-day nisi period after the decree before it becomes final (which can be shortened or waived by agreement).

Other distinctive features: Vermont uses statewide standardized 400-series forms rather than county-specific ones, calculates child support through the state's income shares model, dissolves civil unions using this same process, and does not offer covenant marriage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming forms are county-specific

Vermont's forms are statewide. Searching for a county-specific divorce packet can lead to confusion; the 400-series forms apply across the state.

Overlooking the two filing paths and their fees

The Stipulated path ($90) and Non-Stipulated path ($295) carry different fees and reflect whether you agree on all terms at filing. Mixing these up can cause delays.

Forgetting the waiting periods

Many people are surprised that the divorce isn't final the day the judge signs. The 6-month separation period and the 90-day nisi period both affect timing.

Treating child support as a simple form

Vermont child support comes from a state computer model using income shares guidelines, so it isn't something you simply fill in by hand.

Skipping the COPE course in cases with children

When minor children are involved, the COPE course is part of the process. Putting it off can hold up your case.

Leaving sensitive information exposed

The Statement of Confidential Information exists to keep details like SSNs out of the public record. Not using it where appropriate can expose private data.

How Divorce.com Can Help

Gathering the right forms, keeping track of waiting periods, and making sure nothing is missing can be a lot to manage on your own. Divorce.com is designed to make the paperwork side feel manageable by guiding you step by step and helping you prepare documents that fit your situation, all at your own pace.

• A guided, plain-language process that walks you through the questions instead of leaving you with a blank form library

• Help organizing the documents that fit your circumstances, whether or not you have minor children

• An affordable, do-it-at-your-own-pace alternative to figuring it all out alone

• A calmer, less intimidating experience during a stressful time

Remember, Divorce.com provides document preparation help and information, not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult an attorney.