Filing for divorce in Vermont requires completing several official court forms. While the paperwork might seem overwhelming at first, understanding which Vermont divorce forms you need and how to fill them out correctly can make the process much smoother.
Vermont Divorce Forms
Vermont divorce forms are official court documents required by the Vermont Judiciary to process your divorce case. The specific forms you need depend on whether you have minor children and whether you and your spouse agree on all divorce terms.
The Vermont Judiciary provides these forms free of charge, and you can access them through the official court website or through VTCourtForms, an online tool that helps you fill out the paperwork correctly.
Basic Forms Everyone Needs
Regardless of your situation, everyone filing for divorce in Vermont must complete a core set of forms.
Notice of Appearance
This court form tells the Vermont Judiciary that you're representing yourself without a lawyer. It includes your contact information so the court and your spouse can reach you about your case. You'll need to keep this information updated throughout the divorce process.
Family Court Information Sheet
The Information Sheet provides basic details about you and your spouse. When you file a divorce, you become the "Plaintiff," and your spouse becomes the "Defendant." This form asks about any public assistance you receive, whether the Office of Child Support is involved, and if there are other court cases involving you or your children.
Statement of Confidential Information
This important court form collects Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and your children. The information on this form remains confidential and doesn't become part of the public court record. Keeping Social Security numbers private helps protect against identity theft.
Vermont Department of Health Record
You must complete either the Record of Divorce or Annulment form or the Record of Civil Union Dissolution form, depending on your situation. This form records your divorce with the Vermont Department of Health's vital records system. Make sure you choose the correct version for your circumstances.
Summons and Complaint Forms
The Summons and Complaint initiate your divorce case and explain what you're requesting from the court.
For Cases Without Minor Children
If you don't have children under 18 or children still in high school, use the Summons and Complaint for Divorce Without Children. This form asks where you and your spouse live, where you were married, and whether either of you receives Vermont state benefits.
In the Requests for Relief section, you tell the court what you want, such as spousal support (alimony), division of property and debts, court costs and attorney's fees, or a name change back to your former name.
For Cases With Minor Children
If you have minor children or children over 18 who are still in high school, you must use the Summons and Complaint for Divorce With Children. This version asks all the same questions as the form without children, plus additional information about your children and where they've lived for the past five years.
You can also request decisions about child support, parental rights and responsibilities (custody), and parent-child contact (visitation) in this form.
Financial Affidavit Forms
Financial disclosure is a critical part of any divorce in Vermont, especially when minor children are involved.
Form 813A: Income and Expenses
Each spouse must complete their own Financial Affidavit showing income and expenses. This form requires detailed information about your wages, bonuses, benefits, and all monthly expenses. You'll need to attach copies of your four most recent paycheck stubs to verify your income.
Form 813B: Property and Assets
This court form lists all assets, debts, and property that you own jointly or separately. Include real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments, and personal property. Be thorough and honest; incomplete financial disclosures can result in serious penalties.
Additional Forms for Stipulated Divorces
When you and your spouse agree on all divorce terms, you'll file additional forms together for a stipulated divorce. This agreement significantly reduces both your filing fee and processing time.
Acceptance of Service
Your spouse completes this form to acknowledge receiving copies of all the divorce papers. This eliminates the need for formal service of process, which saves time and money.
Answer and Notice of Appearance
Your spouse (the Defendant) files this form in response to your Summons and Complaint. In a stipulated divorce, the Answer typically agrees with the statements in the Complaint.
Final Stipulation
This critical form details how you'll divide your marital property and debts, and whether either spouse will pay spousal support. The Final Stipulation becomes part of your final divorce decree, so make sure it accurately reflects your agreements.
Parenting Plan Stipulation
If you have school-aged children, you must complete a Parenting Plan Stipulation that outlines parental rights and responsibilities (custody) and parent-child contact schedules. This form should detail decision-making authority for education, medical care, and other important matters affecting your children.
Child Support Order
Vermont requires a child support order when you have minor children. Use the Office of Child Support's calculator to determine the appropriate amount based on both parents' incomes. The Vermont Judiciary won't grant a stipulated divorce with minor children without a completed child support order.
Stipulation and Motion to Waive Final Hearing
This form requests that the court finalize your divorce without requiring you to appear at a hearing. The judge decides whether to grant this request. Even if you file this motion, the court may still require a final hearing if there are children involved, if only one spouse has a lawyer, or if the judge wants to ensure your agreement is voluntary.
Fee Waiver Forms
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Vermont provides a way to request a waiver.
The Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs allows you to ask the court to waive costs based on your financial situation. You can use VTCourtForms to complete this application online or download the PDF version.
The court should waive fees if you receive public assistance programs like Medicaid, Dr. Dynasaur, or 3SquaresVT. You're also eligible if your income is less than 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. If the court denies your fee waiver, you have seven days to appeal the decision.
Using VTCourtForms
VTCourtForms is a free online tool that makes completing Vermont divorce forms easier. This guided interview system asks you questions in plain language and automatically fills in the appropriate forms based on your answers.
The system is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Nepali, making it accessible to more Vermonters. You can create a password-protected account to save your progress, share a link with a trusted advocate who can help you complete the forms, and download, print, or email your completed forms.
VTCourtForms also provides a next-steps document explaining how to submit your forms to the court and what happens next in the process.
Tips for Completing Your Forms
Take your time when filling out divorce forms. Rushing through the paperwork often leads to mistakes that can delay your case.
Use black or blue ink if you're filling out forms by hand. Write clearly and legibly so the court can easily read your information. If you make a mistake, don't cross it out multiple times, start over with a fresh form.
Gather all necessary documents before you begin. You'll need Social Security numbers, income documentation, asset information, and details about property and debts. Having everything organized makes the process faster and more accurate.
Make copies of all completed forms before filing them with the court. Keep these copies in a safe place for your records. You'll want to reference them throughout your divorce process.
Where to Get Help
If you have questions about Vermont divorce forms, several resources can help. The Vermont Judiciary Access and Resource Center (ARC) can answer questions about forms and procedures, though they cannot provide legal advice. You can reach them at 802-879-1185.
Legal Services Vermont offers assistance to eligible low-income Vermonters. They provide legal advice and can help with form completion in certain situations.
Your local family court clerk's office can also answer procedural questions and provide paper copies of forms if you cannot access them online.
Filing Your Completed Forms
Once you've completed all required forms, file them with the Family Division of the Vermont Superior Court in the county where you or your spouse lives. You can file in person, by mail, or through Vermont's electronic filing system.
Remember to pay the filing fee when you submit your paperwork. The fee is $90 for a stipulated divorce or $295 for a contested divorce. If you've been approved for a fee waiver, include the court's approval with your forms.
Moving Forward
Whether you have minor children or not, and whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, careful attention to paperwork requirements helps ensure your case proceeds smoothly.
Take advantage of resources like VTCourtForms and the Vermont Judiciary Access and Resource Center to guide you through the process. With proper preparation and attention to detail, you can complete your divorce forms and move forward with confidence.