Legal Grounds for Divorce in Vermont
The legal grounds for divorce parties can cite in Vermont are as follows:
- Adultery
- Imprisonment
- Intolerable severity
- Willful desertion or absence for seven years
- Inability or refusal to provide for the other spouse
- Incurable insanity
- If the spouses have lived apart for six consecutive months and reconciliation is not probable.
Property Distribution Rules in Vermont
Because Vermont is considered an equitable distribution state, property will be divided in an equitable (fair) manner, but not necessarily equally. Several factors will be evaluated if the parties can’t reach a decision on how to split assets, including the length of the marriage, each party’s occupation and the relative merits of each party.
Child Custody Arrangements
Child custody will be decided based on the best interest of the child. The court shall not exert preference for one parent over the other because of the gender of the parent. If parties cannot agree on how to arrange the custody, then the court will review factors such as the relationship between the parent and the child, the ability of each parent to provide for the child’s needs as well as whether any history of abuse has been reported.
Hiring a Top Vermont Divorce Lawyer
The laws that govern divorce proceedings in Vermont are not always easy to decipher. They can be extremely complex and if parties make even the slightest mistake in filing, the outcome can be disastrous. It is in each spouse’s best interest to hire an experienced Vermont divorce lawyer to ensure their rights are protected and so the case can resolve as quickly and favorably as possible.
Vermont divorce attorneys handle every aspect of the case, from paperwork to mediation, and will make sure all decisions are fair. Call to schedule a consultation with one of our featured lawyers today to get started on your case.
