Grounds for Divorce: The court may grant a no-fault divorce upon a finding that a married person has lived apart from his or her spouse for six consecutive months and the court finds that the resumption of marital relations is not reasonably probable. The court may grant a fault divorce for any of the following causes:
1. Adultery
2. Imprisonment for three or more years, with actual confinement at the time the divorce action is filed
3. Intolerable severity
4. Willful desertion or when either party has been absent for seven years and not heard of during that time
5. Persistent neglect or refusal of one spouse to provide suitable maintenance for the other, without cause, when said spouse has sufficient pecuniary or physical ability
6. Incurable insanity of either party
[Vermont Statutes]
Residency Requirements: “A complaint for divorce may be brought if either party to the marriage has resided within the state for a period of six months or more, but a divorce shall not be decreed for any cause, unless the plaintiff or the defendant has resided in the state one year next preceding the date of final hearing. Temporary absence from the state because of illness, employment without the state, service as a member of the armed forces of the United States, or other legitimate and bona fide cause, shall not affect the six months’ period or the one year period specified in the preceding sentence, provided the person has otherwise retained residence in this state.” [Vermont Statutes]
Vermont Child Support Enforcement Service Links and Telephone Numbers
Agency of Human Services Child Support Services
Toll Free: 800–786–3214
TTY: 800–253–0191
Vermont Child Support Guidelines and Calculator
Vermont Statutes, Title 15, Sections 653 to 657
Vermont Child Support Calculator
Vermont Divorce Forms Online
Vermont Judiciary Family Court Forms
Vermont Divorce Laws
The Vermont Statutes Online, Title 15, Chapter 11
Vermont Domestic Violence Resource Links and Telephone Numbers
Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Telephone: 802–223–1302
Vermont Free or Low Cost Legal Services Programs
Legal Services Law Line of Vermont Inc.
Telephone: 800-639-8857
Telephone: 800-889-2047
Vermont Mediation Centers and Service Links and Telephone Numbers
Vermont Family Court Mediation Programs
Telephone: 802–951–4049
Toll Free: 800–622–6359
Vermont State and Local Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service Links
Vermont State and Local Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service Telephone Numbers
Statewide: 802–223–2020 or Toll Free: 800–639–7036
