Divorce
A divorce legally ends a marriage. At the end of a divorce case the court will issue an order called a decree. The decree can settle different issues including:
- division of debt and property
- alimony (spousal support)
- parental rights and responsibilities (custody)
- parent-child contact (parent-time)
- child support
Related Topics
- Annulment
When one or both parties ask the court to declare that their marriage was never legally valid.
- Civil Union Dissolution
When one or both parties who entered into a civil union in Vermont ask the court to legally end that relationship and make orders about child support, parental rights and responsibilities (custody), parent–child contact (parenting time), and the division of property and debts.
- Legal Separation
When one or both parties who are married ask the court to make orders about child support, parental rights and responsibilities (custody), parent–child contact (parenting time), and the division of property and debts — but they do not want to end the marriage.
- Parentage
When one or both parents who are not married to each other ask the court to make orders about about child support, parental rights and responsibilities (custody), parent–child contact (parenting time), and legal parentage (paternity). Someone could also start a parentage case to establish who the legal parent of a child is, whether or not they are married to the other parent.
Talk to an Attorney
Many people are able to navigate the divorce process without an attorney. Divorce cases can be complicated, however, especially if parties are fighting about children, if there is a history of domestic violence, or if there are significant assets in the marriage. Consider talking to an attorney. See the Finding Legal Help web page for information ways to get the help of an attorney.
Forms
Find forms for divorce cases at the bottom of this web page. Read about forms generally on the About Court Forms web page.
Not finding what you're looking for?
Call or email the Access and Resource Center at 802-879-1185 or selfhelp@vtcourts.gov.
This section walks you through the divorce process from start to finish. The purpose is to give you a general overview. You can click on links to more in-depth information on particular topics throughout this section. Special considerations may apply if you or your spouse are serving in the military, have filed a relief from abuse complaint, or have agreed on all issues before either of you files a divorce complaint (this is called a stipulated divorce).
Serving papers means getting a copy of the papers you file with the court to the other party in the case.
You must serve copies of all the papers you file with the court on the other party (or their attorney, if they have one). The rules of service are different depending on where you are in the case. The requirements can be stricter to start a new case than after the case has already started.
Your divorce case will resolve a number of financial issues. These are in addition to child support and financial issues involving your children. In particular, your final divorce order will:
- Divide your financial assets, including pension plans, retirement accounts, and deferred compensation plans
- Determine which of you will pay which debts that you and your spouse have, whether individually or as a couple
- Divide your real and personal property
- Determine whether any spousal support (alimony) will be required
You will need to understand your own finances in going through a divorce. And you will need to understand how the court will approach the financial issues if you and your spouse cannot agree.
The law protects parents who are on active duty in the military. Sometimes the court postpones or suspends hearings until the service member can take part. This is so that service members can devote their full attention to their duties.
If a parent is absent because of active military duty, the judge may make temporary decisions. This includes parental rights and responsibilities, and child support.
The law also protects reservists and members of the National Guard while they are on active duty.
Information about the process to ask to change (modify) or enforce the provisions of a divorce or parentage order.
Information about the special issues that arise when there is a Relief from Abuse case at the same time as a divorce or dissolution case.
If you need a document showing you were divorced but don't need the details of the divorce decree, you may use the online Vermont Vital Records Request Service to order a copy of your Certificate of Divorce from the Vermont Department of Health.
To request a copy of records from your divorce case (such as the divorce decree, which includes details of the terms of the divorce), fill out the Request for Access to Court Record form and send it to the court where the case was filed.
Find information about the records request process on the Request for Access to Court Records web page.
Parties in a divorce case with elevated access can use the Public Portal to access information about their case online.
Parties must register for an account and then request elevated access. Once approved, they can see the case summary, scheduled hearings, and the documents filed in their case.
Requesting elevated access
Only parties in a case may request elevated access.Step 1: Register for a Public Portal account.
Step 2: Complete and submit the E-Services Request for Case Party form. If you do not know your case number, contact the Information Center: 802-652-1900.
Step 3: Request "Elevated Access" in your case:
- Log in to the Public Portal
- Click the down arrow beside the person icon in the top right corner
- Select 'Request Access'
- Choose your role
- Complete the form and submit
You will receive an email when your request for elevated access is approved. This could take several days.
See the Public Portal User Guide for more information. Contact the Judiciary’s IT help desk for Public Portal technical support: itsupport@vtcourts.gov.
- Consider talking to an attorney about your situation. See the Finding Legal Help web page for information ways to get the help of an attorney.
- The VTLawHelp.org website provides a Divorce Roadmap.
- If domestic violence is a concern, call 1-800-228-7395 or visit www.vtnetwork.org for help.
- The Office of Child Support helps with issues related to child support.