Emergency Family-Law Resources in Vermont
Official starting points for immediate safety, interim parental-rights orders, and Relief from Abuse orders.
Temporary orders involving children
Vermont does not promise same-day rulings on any private interim filing. Emergency hearings are limited. Use the Family Division procedure for interim relief and confirm the receiving court's local intake and deadlines.
A parent can request an interim allocation of parental rights and responsibilities through the Family Division procedure. For an immediate threat, a Relief from Abuse order is a separate, faster route.
Relief from Abuse (15 V.S.A. ch 21)
Vermont's Relief from Abuse (RFA) order is filed under 15 V.S.A. chapter 21 in the Family Division. A temporary order may issue without notice when statutory grounds are met. Final relief follows notice and hearing and is granted for a fixed period; it may be extended on the plaintiff's motion for the additional time the court considers necessary (15 V.S.A. § 1103(e)). After a final order, the defendant generally cannot legally own or purchase firearms.
Vermont child protective (DCF)
Reports of suspected abuse or neglect go to Vermont DCF, Family Services Division; call 911 for immediate. The DCF child-abuse/neglect hotline is 1-800-649-5285, staffed 24/7. An unsubstantiated report does not prove it was knowingly false and does not by itself end parental rights.
- 15 V.S.A. § 1103 — Relief from Abuse
- Vermont DCF — report child abuse
- Vermont Judiciary — Relief from Abuse
Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the Family Division clerk handling your case.