Online Divorce in Vermont (Made Simple): A Friendly, Plain‑English Guide

Save time, money, and stress while ending your marriage. If you and your spouse agree on everything and want to end your marriage as smoothly and affordably as possible, Vermont gives you a clear path to do it, often without stepping inside a courtroom. This guide explains how Vermont’s stipulated (uncontested) divorce works, what “online divorce” really means here, the forms you’ll need, the timelines to expect, and the money you can save. I’ll keep the legal talk light and the steps practical so you can move forward with confidence.

First things first: what does “online divorce” mean in Vermont

In Vermont, most people who say “online divorce” are talking about either (1) using the state’s free guided interview to prepare your forms, (2) e‑filing those forms through the court’s Odyssey File & Serve system, or (3) using a reputable document prep service to generate the paperwork for you. You still go through the Family Division of the Superior Court—you’re just using modern tools to make the paperwork and filing easier.
A key term to know: Vermont calls an uncontested divorce a “stipulated divorce.” That simply means you both sign a full agreement covering property, debts, spousal maintenance (if any), and—if you have children—parenting arrangements and child support. Because it saves the court time, stipulated divorces are eligible for a lower filing fee and a simpler path.
Good to know about costs and timing:
  • Filing fees for stipulated divorces are $90 if one or both of you live in Vermont. Contested (not fully agreed) cases cost more.
  • Typical total timelines are about 7–9 months without kids, and 12+ months with kids, depending on the court’s calendar and whether you choose to waive certain waiting periods.
  • Vermont offers a free VTCourtForms guided interview to help fill out forms, as well as an optional Odyssey File & Serve e-filing portal. You may also file on paper.

Quick self‑check: Is a stipulated (uncontested) divorce right for you?

You’re a strong candidate if all of these are true:
  • You agree on how to divide your property and debts.
  • You agree on whether there will be spousal maintenance (alimony), and if so, the amount and length.
  • If you have children, you’ve agreed on a parenting plan and can use the state’s child support calculator to set support.
  • No domestic violence cases or major safety issues are present.
  • Both of you are willing to sign the forms and cooperate with the service and deadlines.
If any of those are shaky—especially if there’s conflict, complex assets, or safety concerns—consider mediation or legal advice before filing. It’s often much cheaper to get guidance early than to fix problems later.

Vermont’s basic rules (in plain language)

Residency: You can file after 6 months of living in Vermont; to finalize, at least one of you must have 1 year of Vermont residency by the time of the final hearing. Temporary absences for things like work or military service usually don’t break your residency. If the residency requirement is not met, the court will dismiss the filing, potentially adding months of delay to your process. Ensure all residency requirements are met before proceeding.
Separation: Vermont’s no‑fault path requires that you and your spouse have lived separate and apart for 6 consecutive months, and the court finds reconciliation isn’t reasonably likely. “Separate and apart” can be under the same roof if you truly live separate lives, but courts look closely at that.
Nisi period: After the judge signs the final order, there’s a standard 90‑day “nisi” waiting period before the divorce becomes absolute. In stipulated cases, a judge can shorten or waive it if you both ask. (Waiving it can affect things like health insurance and taxes, so weigh that choice.)
Where to file: You generally file in the county where either of you lives. The Family Division of the Superior Court handles all divorce matters.

Step‑by‑step: how to file your Vermont divorce (online or on paper)

1) Get your agreement truly complete

Write down exactly who gets what (down to bank accounts, vehicles, and furniture), who pays which debts, whether there will be maintenance, and if you have kids, your parenting plan and child support. Example: ‘Wife keeps 2018 Subaru; Husband keeps 401(k) account; jointly held savings account divided evenly.’ The court will not finalize an uncontested” case if your deal is vague.

2) Prepare your forms (free tools available)

Use VTCourtForms (the state’s guided interview) or the official fillable PDFs from the Judiciary website. The guided interview is free and reduces errors—one of the biggest causes of delays.
Common forms include: the Complaint, a Confidential Information sheet, appearances, a Vital Records form, and (for stipulated cases) the Final Stipulation that spells out your agreement. With children, add the Parenting Plan, Child Support Order and Worksheet, and both parties’ Financial Affidavits.

3) Decide how to file: e‑file or paper

  • E‑file through Odyssey File & Serve (OFS). There’s a $14 e‑filing fee on the first filing plus payment processing fees (e.g., a small percentage for cards or $1 for e‑check). Court staff review your envelope and may reject filings that don’t meet technical rules, but you’ll get instant timestamps and automatic e‑service to other e‑filers.
  • Paper file by mail or at the courthouse. For many simple stipulated cases, paper filing is fine (and sometimes cheaper once you add e‑filing convenience fees).

4) Serve your spouse (fastest: Acceptance of Service)

For stipulated divorces, the easiest path is having your spouse sign the Acceptance of Service form when you finalize your paperwork together. Other options include certified mail, first‑class mail with acknowledgment, or sheriff service. If your spouse can’t be found, the court can allow service by publication as a last resort. After service, the defendant usually has 21 days to file an answer.

5) Parents: complete the COPE course

If you have minor children, both parents typically must complete the COPE course (“Helping Children Cope With Separation and Divorce”) before finalization. It’s often offered online for a modest fee. Enroll early to avoid delays.

6) Hearing—or a waiver

Many stipulated cases can waive the final hearing by filing a short motion and stipulation, especially if everything is complete and there’s no abuse prevention order in place. When hearings do happen, they can be in person, by video, or by phone. The judge will confirm your residency, separation, and that your agreement is voluntary and fair.

7) The 90‑day nisi period (and becoming final)

Once the judge signs, the clock starts on the 90‑day nisi period unless the court shortens or waives it. After that, your decree becomes absolute automatically, and you’re divorced.

What it costs—and smart ways to save

  • Court filing (stipulated): $90 (more for contested).
  • E‑filing fee: $14 on the first filing per case for each filer or firm; small payment processing fees apply.
  • Service: Acceptance of Service is free; certified mail and sheriff service have modest costs.
  • Parents: COPE course fee (commonly around a few dozen dollars).
  • Fee waivers: If you receive certain public benefits or your income is below 150% of the federal poverty level, ask the court for a fee waiver (it can cover filing and service costs).
About “online divorce companies“: Solid document prep services can run around $84–$300 (not counting court fees) and are best for straightforward, fully agreed cases. They can’t give legal advice or represent you in court. Vermont’s free VTCourtForms tool is an excellent alternative. If your situation is complex, consider at least a short consultation with a lawyer or mediator.

Kids first: parenting plans and child support, without the jargon

Vermont uses “parental rights and responsibilities” instead of “custody,” and “parent‑child contact” instead of “visitation.” Decisions are based on your child’s best interests, using a set of practical factors like each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs, the child’s routine, and (crucially) each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent when safe.
One big difference from some states: judges don’t order shared custody unless both parents agree to it. You’re free to agree to shared arrangements, but if you don’t agree, the court generally assigns primary responsibilities to one parent.
Child support is based on the income-sharing model. The idea is that kids should get roughly the same share of combined parental income they would have had if the parents were still together. Vermont provides an official calculator that generates the required worksheets and accounts for childcare costs, health insurance, and parenting schedules. There’s also a self‑support reserve that protects very low‑income parents from being ordered to pay more than they can afford. Support can change later if there’s a “real, substantial, and unanticipated” change (for example, a significant change in income).

Property and debt: how Vermont splits things up

Vermont is an equitable distribution state. That means the judge divides property and debts fairly, not necessarily 50/50. Vermont courts can include all property either of you owns—no matter whose name is on it, when it was acquired, or whether it was inherited—if including it makes the overall division fair. (That’s broader than many states.) Commingling separate items with marital finances often turns them into marital property.
Judges look at a list of factors: the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and health, contributions (including non‑financial ones like homemaking or supporting a spouse’s education), who’s likely to acquire assets in the future, whether someone will also be getting maintenance, and more. Fault (like abuse or adultery) can matter in property division in Vermont, even though it doesn’t control child support or the maintenance guidelines. Once your property division is final, it’s not modifiable except in very rare cases (like fraud)—so get it right the first time.
Retirement accounts need a special court order (a QDRO) to be divided without tax penalties. Plan ahead for this step—it’s easy to forget but essential.
Tip: Having a QDRO drafted by a retirement-plan lawyer typically costs around $400, which can help readers budget realistically and avoid last-minute surprises.
Debt is divided too. If you have joint debts, a divorce order assigning the debt to one spouse does not stop a creditor from collecting from both of you unless the debt is refinanced. Build a realistic plan to refinance or pay off joint balances.

Spousal maintenance (alimony): short version of a long topic

Vermont calls alimony “maintenance.” It’s awarded when one spouse cannot meet reasonable needs at the marital standard of living without help. Most awards are rehabilitative (short-term) to give someone time to acquire education or develop work skills; long-term maintenance is less common and depends on factors such as the length of the marriage, ages, health, and income gap. The statute includes guidelines based on marriage length and income differences, but they’re not binding—judges can go above or below based on the facts. Maintenance can be modified later if a substantial, unanticipated change occurs.
Also note that for most divorces finalized since 2019, maintenance payments are no longer tax-deductible to the payer or taxable to the recipient under federal law (older orders may be different, unless they were modified to adopt the new tax treatment).

Timelines you can actually plan around

Here’s the plain‑English timeline most couples see:
  • Separation: You must live separately and apart for 6 months before the court will grant the divorce. Those 6 months can be before you file.
  • Residency: At least one spouse must have 1 year of Vermont residency by the final hearing. You can file after 6 months, but you can’t finalize until the year is met.
  • Without children: Many stipulated cases are resolved in roughly 7–9 months (separation period, completion of forms, and a hearing, followed by a nisi).
  • With children: Courts often wait about 6 months after filing before scheduling the final hearing so they can see the parenting plan working in real life. That’s why these cases commonly run 12 months or more.
  • Nisi period: Standard 90 days after the judge signs; can be shortened or waived in stipulated cases if both parties agree.
Things that slow cases: incorrect or incomplete forms, trouble serving papers, delays taking the COPE course, court backlogs, or new disagreements that turn the case into a contested one. Things that speed cases: using the state’s guided interview, Acceptance of Service, asking to waive the final hearing, and (when it makes sense for you) asking to waive the nisi period.

Service of papers (in normal words)

Service tells your spouse, officially, that the case exists. In stipulated cases, the simplest path is Acceptance of Service—you hand the papers to your spouse, they sign the acceptance form, and you file that as proof. Other methods include certified mail (keep the green card) or sheriff service. If your spouse is out of state, certified or registered mail to their address is often allowed. If you can’t find them, you can ask the court for publication service (posting in a newspaper). After proper service, your spouse has 21 days to respond.

A simple “get started” checklist

  1. Make a full list of everything you own and owe. Include bank accounts, vehicles, retirement, credit cards, loans, furniture—everything. Decide who keeps what and who pays what.
  2. If kids are involved, build a clear parenting plan. Include weekdays, weekends, holidays, summer, travel, exchanges, communication, decision‑making, and how you’ll handle disagreements.
  3. Run the child support calculator together and print the worksheet. Be honest with your income numbers and include childcare/insurance costs.
  4. Discuss maintenance (if applicable): amount, start date, end date, and any factors that may cause changes.
  5. Use VTCourtForms to fill out the official forms. Double‑check names, addresses, dates, and that everything is signed.
  6. Choose filing method: e‑file or paper. Remember, e‑filing has a small fee.
  7. Use Acceptance of Service if possible to avoid service delays.
  8. Parents: enroll in COPE right after filing so your certificate is ready.
  9. Consider waiving the final hearing (and possibly the nisi period) if that fits your needs; talk through insurance and tax timing first.
  10. Name change? Ask for it in the divorce—it’s easier than a separate case. After the decree is absolute, update Social Security, DMV, banks, work, passport, and voter registration.

Common speed bumps—and how to avoid them

  • Filing before you’re eligible. Make sure you’ve met the 6‑month separation requirement and will meet the 1‑year residency requirement by your final date; otherwise, your case stalls.
  • Vague agreements. “We’ll split the stuff later” is a recipe for a contested case. List items and debts clearly.
  • Skipping financial disclosures. Vermont expects full, honest disclosure; hiding assets can sink your stipulation and lead to penalties.
  • Ignoring joint debts. Creditors can still go after both of you unless the loans are refinanced or paid. Plan for it in writing.
  • Forgetting QDROs. If a retirement account needs splitting, budget time and (sometimes) a modest fee to get a QDRO drafted and signed.
  • Delaying COPE. Parents who wait for the class often face avoidable delays. Sign up early.
  • Domestic violence or safety issues. These cases usually aren’t a fit for the stipulated path. Get legal advice and protection first.

Special notes for a few situations

  • Non‑resident path for certain Vermont marriages: Vermont has a limited route for some non‑resident couples (often tied to marriages formed here that aren’t recognized for divorce where they live) if they have no minor children and a full stipulation. It’s narrow, but it exists.
  • Name changes: The law uses gender‑neutral language—you can resume your prior name as part of the divorce. It’s one of the simplest items to include in your Final Stipulation.
  • Automatic income withholding for support: If payments are late, wage withholding can kick in unless both parents and the court agree otherwise.
  • Changes later: Child support, parenting arrangements, and maintenance can be modified if there’s a real, substantial, unanticipated change. Property division cannot, except in rare cases.

What if we can’t agree on everything?

If a genuine dispute pops up, you have options:
  • Talk it out with a mediator. Many couples find that a few hours of mediation settles the final sticking points and is far cheaper than litigation.
  • Limited‑scope legal help. Pay a lawyer just to review your agreement or advise on a narrow issue. It’s often a small flat fee and can prevent bigger headaches.
  • If it becomes contested. The filing fee jumps, timelines extend, and costs can rise sharply. That’s why it pays to do the groundwork and settle details up front when you can.

A realistic example timeline (no children)

  1. Month 0–6: You separate and live separate lives for 6 months (can be under one roof if truly separate). During this time, you gather documents, use VTCourtForms, and agree on everything.
  2. Month 6: You file (paper or e‑file) and use Acceptance of Service the same day. If needed, you request to waive the final hearing.
  3. Month 7–8: The court reviews and, if granted, signs the final order. The 90‑day nisi period starts (unless waived).
  4. Month 10–11: Your divorce becomes absolute. You handle any name change updates, finalize QDROs if applicable, and move on.
With children, add roughly 6 months after filing before the final hearing so the court can see your parenting plan in action.

Bottom line: Vermont has made, online‑friendly divorce achievable

Vermont’s system is built for couples who can cooperate: low filing costs, a predictable path, a free guided interview for forms, and the ability to e‑file or file on paper. If you meet the residency and separation rules and truly have a full agreement, you can finish your divorce with far less stress and expense than a contested case. Use the checklists above, be detailed and honest in your paperwork, serve properly, and consider waiving the final hearing (and the nisi period if it fits your needs). When in doubt on a tricky point, a brief consult or mediation session can pay for itself many times over.
You’ve got this—and Vermont’s tools are designed to help you finish well and start fresh.