Vermont Divorce and Dissolution Resources: Know Your Next Step
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A Vermont divorce is filed in the Superior Court, usually in the Family Division, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.
Vermont's core family statutes live in the Vermont Statutes Title 15 - Domestic Relations. In Vermont, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.
Official Vermont divorce resources
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Vermont family law forms (official index) (Vermont judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Vermont family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/court-forms
Vermont court self-help resources (Vermont courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Vermont family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/self-help
Vermont eFile and Serve (Odyssey) (Tyler Technologies): Vermont's statewide e-filing covers the Family Division and is open to people without lawyers, though it is optional for them. The judiciary website moved to vtcourts.gov, so use the link above. https://efilevt.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp/ui/landing
Vermont official filing information (Vermont judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in Vermont and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.vtcourts.gov/about-vermont-judiciary/electronic-access/electronic-filing
Vermont financial affidavit and disclosure forms (vermontjudiciary.org): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Vermont family cases ask both sides to complete. https://www.vtcourts.gov/court-forms
Vermont mediation and dispute resolution (Vermont judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a Vermont family case without a trial. https://www.vtcourts.gov/family/family-mediation-program
Verified official Vermont divorce documents
These official documents cover starting a divorce, responding to one, settling, and the final orders. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the packet with your clerk before filing.
Complaint for Divorce (Form 400), form Form 400 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.vtcourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/400-00836NoChildren%20%E2%80%93%20Complaint%20for%20Divorce%2C%20Legal%20Separation%2C%20Dissolution%20No%20Children_2.pdf
Complaint for Divorce / Legal Separation / Dissolution, with Children, form 400-00836 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.vtcourts.gov/media/242
Notice of Appearance, Answer and Counterclaim, form 400-00837 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.vtcourts.gov/media/247
Final Stipulation, Property, Debt and Spousal Support, form 400-00878 (Settlement Agreements), official document: https://www.vtcourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/400-00878_2.pdf
Official link data for Vermont was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file for divorce in Vermont?
In the Superior Court, usually in the Family Division that serves the county where you live. In Vermont, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed.
How much does it cost to file a family case in Vermont?
Divorce filing fee: ~$295. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Do I need a lawyer to file a Vermont divorce?
No. Vermont publishes its family law forms for people representing themselves, and the self-help resources on this page exist for exactly that. A consultation still makes sense when there is a business, a pension, or a serious safety issue in the case.
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