Vermont Child Support Guidelines
Vermont determines child support amounts using guidelines based on the number of children, parents’ incomes, and additional factors like health insurance and childcare expenses. The state employs an income share model, considering both parents’ financial contributions.
Custody type, such as sole or split custody, impacts support amounts, which are calculated using the Vermont child support calculator. Family courts default to the child support guideline amounts unless justified deviations are presented. Parents can seek guidance from the Vermont Office of Child Support or consult a child support attorney for assistance.
This article explains how the Vermont child support guidelines work. It also examines how the State of Vermont determines the child support amount that the non-custodial parent (NCP) must pay. For other related questions, FindLaw’s Vermont Family Laws section provides a bevy of helpful articles.
Factors That Impact the Amount of Child Support Payments
Whether parents get divorced or were only briefly together, two of the most critical issues they’ll address are child custody and child support. Whichever parent has primary custody typically receives child support from the non-custodial parent. The amount of child support will depend on a host of factors.
Some of the things that affect your child support obligation include the following:
- The number of children
- Each parent’s total monthly income
- Children’s health insurance premiums
- Educational needs of the child
- Childcare expenses
- Number of overnights each parent has with the kids
- Whether either parent pays or receives spousal maintenance/alimony
- Whether either party receives means-tested public assistance
- Extraordinary travel expenses for custody exchanges
- Whether either parent gets social security benefits
- Financial resources of the child (if the child receives social security or disability benefits)
Calculating Custody Awards Under the Vermont Child Support Guidelines
Under Vermont domestic relations laws, the type of child custody determines the amount of child support. The Vermont Department for Children and Families offers an online child support calculator to help determine how much child support you must either pay or receive.
Vermont law dictates that the family courts rely on the child support guidelines when issuing child support orders. The judges receive financial information from both parents, like pay stubs or tax returns for the self-employed, and enter this information into the child support calculator.
Federal law dictates that the judges defer to the child support guideline amount. The court order will reflect the guideline amount unless the parents submit evidence showing that the judge should deviate from this amount.
The following table outlines the specifics of Vermont child support guidelines.
Vermont Child Support Guidelines Code Sections |
|
|---|---|
Sole Custody |
Under Vermont law, sole custody exists when one parent has physical custody of the children for more than 75% of the time. The courts determine physical custody based on the number of overnights the child spends with each parent. |
Split Custody |
If each parent has physical custody of at least one of the children, the courts consider it split custody. Most jurisdictions refer to this as “joint physical custody.” The courts will still order that one of the parents pay child support, depending on the parents’ available monthly income and the actual number of overnights the parents enjoy with their minor children. |
Determining Available Income |
The first thing the court does when calculating child support is convert each parent’s gross income into available income. The courts rely on a tax conversion table to make this determination. |
Income Share Model |
Vermont follows the Income Share Model when calculating child support. This model presumes that since both parents contribute to the child’s financial support, the courts will consider both parents’ incomes when determining the child support amount. Vermont’s public policy is that parents are responsible for providing child support and that child support orders should reflect the actual costs of raising children and the current standard of living. The Vermont Department for Children and Families Office of Child Support provides a child support calculator and in-depth guidelines for determining child support. The Office of Child Support can be most helpful if you have questions about how much child support you deserve or must pay. |
Disclaimer: FindLaw strives to provide you with the most current information. However, state and federal laws are subject to change. It’s a good idea to meet with a Vermont child support attorney if you have questions about your child support case.
Related FindLaw Resources
Issues With Vermont Child Support Guidelines? Talk to a Family Law Attorney
Dealing with child support guidelines can be frustrating and confusing. Contact a Vermont child support lawyer if you’re having child support issues and need legal help. You can also visit FindLaw’s sections on child support and Vermont family laws for more articles and information.
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