MyDivorcePapers Blog

If you are thinking about getting a divorce in Vermont, you should be aware of the latest Vermont divorce law updates.  Luckily, MyDivorcePapers has been helping Vermonters with their online divorces (as well as annulments and legal separations) for sixteen years.  In order to better serve our clients, we put together this guide on the latest updates and most frequently asked questions about no-fault, uncontested Vermont divorces.   We hope this information helps you.

 

Vermont Divorce Law Basics

 

A few things are pretty straightforward when getting a divorce in Vermont. These basics apply to annulments and legal separations too.

 

The first thing you should know is Vermont’s residency requirements. In order to get a divorce in Vermont, you or your spouse must:

 

• Have lived in Vermont for at least six months at the date that you file, and one year by the time of the final divorce hearing.

 

• In uncontested Vermont divorces, the final divorce hearing cannot be scheduled until you and your spouse have been living separate and apart — you have been living separate lives — for at least six months.

 

 

Lastly, know that if one spouse files for divorce, the divorce can happen whether the other spouse agrees to the divorce or not.

 

Vermont Divorce Court Filing Fees

 

The next step in getting a Vermont divorce is to pay your county’s filing fees.

 

• The basic filing fee in a Vermont divorce is $295.00 without a Final Stipulation (there is a $3.00 extra charge if you have children);

 

• If you and your spouse sign what a Final Stipulation, you are eligible to pay a reduced filing fee of $90.

 

Low-income Vermont residents:  If you are unable to pay Vermont’s filing fees because you have insufficient income, you can request the court to pay your fees. To do this you will need to ask the county clerk for an Application to Proceed in Forma Pauperis (IFP).  If you receive Reach Up, SSI, or general assistance, chances are you may be eligible for a fee waiver.  On the waiver form, be sure to list all of your income as well as your expenses. If you are denied, you can try contacting Vermont Legal Aide.

 

Filing Your Vermont Divorce Paperwork and Serving Your Spouse

 

You are now ready to file your divorce papers at your county courthouse. ALWAYS KEEP COPIES OF ALL PAPERWORK AND ANYTHING AT ALL RELATED TO YOUR DIVORCE!

 

With children:  If you are filing a divorce with children, you first file your papers with the court and then the court will serve your spouse by mail. Thank you, Vermont courts!

 

Without children:  If you do not have any children, you are responsible for serving your spouse after you file your papers at the courthouse. There are four ways to do this:

 

1. By hand. This works if you are still on good terms with your spouse. Make sure they sign a copy of the Acceptance of Service form.
2. Via registered mail with return receipt. Do NOT forget the return receipt!
3. By regular mail so long as it has some form of proof of receipt.
4. By the sheriff.

 

However you serve your spouse, you must be able to show to the court that he or she received your divorce papers.

 

After you have filed your papers and served your spouse, the next steps will involve the court moving you through different hearings and legal proceedings, and since not every divorce is the same, not every step (such as mediation) occurs in every Vermont divorce.

 

Conclusion

 

Don’t worry — if it seems confusing or overwhelming, you are not alone.  Vermont courts have released a helpful video covering common divorce questions that you can watch here.  Once you are ready, we are here to help prepare your Vermont divorce paperwork (backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee), we will provide you with detailed, step-by-step instructions that guide you through everything you need to do to finalize your divorce, annulment, or legal separation. We can help you move forward with your life.

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