{"id":376851,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:03","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/vermont-law\/vermont-legal-requirements-for-divorce.html"},"modified":"2024-03-22T08:31:19","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T13:31:19","slug":"vermont-legal-requirements-for-divorce","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/vermont-law\/vermont-legal-requirements-for-divorce.html","title":{"rendered":"Vermont Divorce Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Vermont Divorce Laws <\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Deciding to end your marriage may be the hardest thing you ever do. Nobody gets married thinking they\u2019ll get divorced. The sad truth is that many marriages don\u2019t work out. If you\u2019re considering divorce, becoming familiar with Vermont divorce law<\/a> is a good idea.<\/p>\r\n

Many petitioners feel overwhelmed by the Vermont divorce process. This is why many people hire a seasoned Vermont divorce lawyer to handle their case. Vermont divorce attorneys are familiar with the law and the local court rules. They also have the skills and experience to negotiate a fair marital settlement agreement<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we\u2019ll discuss Vermont’s divorce laws and the divorce process in Vermont<\/a>. You\u2019ll find a chart below that highlights the crucial provisions in Vermont\u2019s Domestic Relations Code<\/a>. There are also helpful links where you\u2019ll find additional information on divorce in general.<\/p>\r\n

Legal Requirements for a Vermont Divorce<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The State of Vermont is strict regarding the legal requirements for divorce. Like every other state, Vermont has residency requirements<\/a> for divorce. However, Vermont\u2019s laws are more complex than most other states.<\/p>\r\n

To file for divorce in Vermont, you must have lived in-state for at least six months. This isn\u2019t unusual. The challenging part is that Vermont law also requires that you be a state resident for at least one year before the judge can issue your final divorce decree<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

This is unusual because the waiting period<\/a> for a Vermont divorce is only three months. The Vermont Judiciary refers to this time as the \u201cnisi period.\u201d This means the judge may be ready to issue your final judgment for divorce before you meet the one-year residency requirement<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

In such cases, you and your spouse can waive the waiting period. If you do this, the judge can hold your final court hearing before the one year is up.<\/p>\r\n

Finally, you must pay the requisite filing fee to file for divorce in Vermont. If you cannot afford this fee, you can request a waiver from the court.<\/p>\r\n

No-Fault Divorce and Fault-Based Divorce<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Most people who file a complaint for divorce opt for a no-fault divorce case<\/a>. With a no-fault divorce, you don\u2019t have to accuse your spouse of marital misconduct. Under Vermont law, a plaintiff can file a no-fault divorce if they cite irreconcilable differences in their complaint.<\/p>\r\n

You can also file a fault-based divorce case in Vermont. The State of Vermont recognizes the following traditional grounds for divorce:<\/p>\r\n