How Vermont Calculates Child Support

Vermont uses the Income Shares Model to determine child support obligations. The guidelines are established under 15 V.S.A. § 656.

Key Facts About Vermont Child Support

• Vermont uses the Income Shares model under 15 V.S.A. § 656, combining both parents' available incomes to determine the basic child support obligation from a statutory guidelines table.
• Each parent's share of the obligation is proportional to their percentage of the combined available income.
• A shared custody adjustment applies when the obligor has 110 or more overnights per year, reducing the obligation to reflect the additional direct costs borne during extended parenting time.
• Health insurance premiums and work-related childcare costs for the children are added to the basic obligation and divided proportionally between parents.
• Vermont defines "available income" as gross income minus income taxes, FICA contributions, and support obligations for other children.
• Courts may deviate from the guidelines based on factors including extraordinary medical expenses, travel costs for parent-child contact, educational expenses, and the best interests of the child.

Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates only and is not a substitute for legal advice. The actual amount ordered by a Vermont court may differ based on factors including but not limited to: special needs of the child, travel expenses for visitation, extraordinary educational expenses, and the court's discretion to deviate from the guidelines.