Vermont Divorce Checklist — Step-by-Step (2026)

Phase 1 — Pre-Filing Assessment

• Confirm Vermont domicile — file immediately (no minimum to file)
• Confirm 6-month residency will be satisfied before Decree
• Confirm grounds: irreconcilable differences existed 6+ months
• Determine process: uncontested or contested
• Identify Vermont Family Court unit for your county
• Download forms: vermontjudiciary.org/family/divorce
• Gather all financial documents: income, bank accounts, investments, real estate, retirement, debts

Phase 2 — Financial Inventory

• All real estate: FMV, mortgage balance, marital vs. separate
• Bank and investment accounts: balances, marital vs. separate
• Retirement accounts: total balance; marital portion
• Vehicles: values and loans
• All debts: creditor, balance, marital vs. separate
• Monthly income and expense documentation (for Financial Affidavit)
• Business interests (if any)

Phase 3 — Complete Financial Affidavits (Both Parties — Required)

• Plaintiff completes Financial Affidavit — income, assets, debts, expenses
• Defendant completes Financial Affidavit — income, assets, debts, expenses
• Both file Financial Affidavits with the court
• Note: Financial Affidavit is mandatory in ALL Vermont divorces

Phase 4 — Draft and Execute Property Settlement Agreement

• All marital real property addressed — assign, buyout, or sale
  • Agreed FMV; mortgage balance; marital equity
  • One keeps: buyout + refinancing deadline + Deed → Vermont Town Clerk's office
  • Or sale: proceeds split
• All marital financial accounts assigned
• Retirement accounts: QDRO for employer plans; IRA transfer; Vermont VSERS for state employees
• Vehicles assigned; Vermont DMV transfer
• All marital debts assigned; indemnification language
• Separate property confirmed
• Spousal maintenance: award with terms — or explicit waiver
• If children: legal custody, physical custody, Parenting Plan, child support per Vermont Guidelines
• Both spouses sign and notarize Property Settlement Agreement

Phase 5 — Complete Court Forms

Forms: vermontjudiciary.org/family/divorce

• Complaint for Divorce (Plaintiff files)
• Financial Affidavit — both parties
• Property Settlement Agreement / Stipulation
• Proposed Final Order / Decree
• If children: Parenting Plan; Child Support Worksheet per Vermont Guidelines

Phase 6 — File at Vermont Family Court Unit

• File Complaint at the Family Court unit for the county where either spouse lives
• Pay $100 filing fee
• Receive docket number

Phase 7 — Serve the Defendant

• Serve Defendant with Complaint and Summons
• Or: Defendant files Appearance / Waiver of Service
• Defendant has 30 days to respond after personal service

Phase 8 — Await 6-Month Residency Requirement (If Not Yet Met)

• If 6 months of Vermont residency not yet satisfied, court will wait
• No action needed — case remains pending

Phase 9 — Final Hearing or Entry on Papers

• Many Vermont Family Courts allow entry on the papers for uncontested cases; some schedule a brief hearing
• If hearing: brief appearance; confirm agreement is voluntary and fair
• Decree of Divorce entered

Phase 10 — Post-Divorce Steps

• Real estate deed: Quitclaim Deed → Vermont Town Clerk's office (Vermont land records are maintained by Town Clerk — not a county recorder)
• QDRO for employer retirement plans
• Vermont VSERS: Vermont State Employees' Retirement System (for state employees)
• Vehicles: Vermont DMV
• Name restoration: Vermont DMV → Social Security → accounts
• Update all beneficiary designations immediately

Last reviewed: March 2026 | File immediately (no minimum to file) | 6 months before DECREE (15 V.S.A. § 592) | No waiting period | $100 fee | Financial Affidavit required — both parties | Spousal maintenance | Vermont Town Clerk — land records | 30-day response deadline | Equitable distribution (15 V.S.A. § 751) | vermontjudiciary.org/family/divorce | vtlegalaid.org

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.