Co-Parenting App for Vermont Parents

What Vermont courts consider in custody decisions

Vermont uses 'parental rights and responsibilities' and considers factors under § 665(b) including the relationship of the child with each parent and the ability and disposition of each parent to provide the child with love, affection, and guidance, the ability and disposition of each parent to assure that the child receives adequate food, clothing, medical care, education, and other necessary care, the ability and disposition of each parent to meet the child's present and future developmental needs, the quality of the child's adjustment to present housing/school/community, the ability and disposition of each parent to foster the child's relationship with the other parent, the quality of the child's relationship with the primary caregiver, and the effect of any conflict between the parents on the child's well-being. Vermont does not consider the sex of the parent and specifically weighs which parent has been the child's primary caregiver.

How the custody process works in Vermont

Vermont custody cases are heard in the Family Division of Superior Court. Vermont encourages parents to reach agreements through mediation and the court may order alternative dispute resolution. If parents cannot agree, the court allocates 'parental rights and responsibilities' — which may be shared or primarily with one parent — after a hearing. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem to investigate and report on the child's best interests. Under § 668, an existing order may be modified upon a showing of a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances.

Key Vermont custody statutes

• Vt. Stat. tit. 15, § 665
• Vt. Stat. tit. 15, § 664
• Vt. Stat. tit. 15, § 668