Vermont Parental Rights and Responsibilities & Parent-Child Contact
Current, source-linked Vermont terminology and rules without imported out-of-state formulas.
Vermont terminology
Legal responsibility
Major decisions about the child (education, health, religion).
Physical responsibility
Routine daily care and control.
Parent-child contact
The scheduled time with the parent who does not have physical responsibility.
Family Division
Where Vermont family cases are heard.
Core rules
- Vermont uses 'parental rights and responsibilities' and 'parent-child contact'
- The court decides from the child's best interests (15 V.S.A. § 665)
- The court cannot order shared legal or physical parental rights and responsibilities unless both parents agree
- An agreement dividing or sharing responsibility is presumed in the child's best interests but may be rejected after review
- Cases are heard in the Vermont Superior Court, Family Division
Support and modification cautions
Vermont uses an income-shares model under 15 V.S.A. chapter 11 — both parents' incomes are combined to determine the basic support obligation, then each parent pays a proportional share. Shared physical custody (each parent exercises physical custody for 30% or more of the calendar year) increases the total obligation by 50% (15 V.S.A. § 657). Modification requires a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances (15 V.S.A. § 668).
- 15 V.S.A. § 665 — best interests and allocation
- Vermont Judiciary — parental rights and responsibilities
- Vermont Judiciary — family
Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the Family Division clerk handling your case.