Vermont child support amounts are calculated using the income shares model under 15 V.S.A. § 656, which combines both parents' incomes to determine the total support obligation. For a family with combined gross income of $100,000 annually and one child, the base child support obligation typically ranges from $900 to $1,100 per month before adjustments for health insurance and childcare. As of February 2, 2026, the self-support reserve is $1,596 per month, ensuring noncustodial parents maintain a minimum standard of living.
| Key Fact | Vermont Child Support |
|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Income Shares (both parents' incomes) |
| Self-Support Reserve | $1,596/month (Feb. 2026) |
| Presumed Income | $95,449.50/year (July 2025) |
| Filing Fee | $295 (complaint) or $90 (with stipulation) |
| Modification Fee | $45-$90 depending on type |
| Support Termination | Age 18 or high school graduation (later) |
| Shared Custody Threshold | 110+ overnights/year |
| Enforcement Agency | Vermont Office of Child Support (OCS) |
How Vermont Calculates Child Support Amounts
Vermont determines child support using the income shares model, which calculates support based on the combined available income of both parents under 15 V.S.A. § 653. The total child support obligation is divided proportionally between parents: a parent earning 60% of the combined income pays 60% of the base obligation plus 60% of add-on expenses like health insurance and childcare. This formula presumes that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have enjoyed if the family remained intact.
The calculation process involves four distinct steps. First, each parent's gross monthly income is converted to available income by subtracting federal income taxes, state income taxes, and FICA contributions using standardized Tax Conversion Tables published by the Department for Children and Families. Second, both parents' available incomes are combined and matched against the Vermont Child Support Guidelines schedule to find the base obligation for the applicable number of children. Third, the base obligation is divided between parents in proportion to their respective available incomes. Fourth, add-on expenses including health insurance premiums for the children and work-related childcare costs are added to the base obligation and divided proportionally.
Vermont Child Support Obligation Examples
| Combined Annual Income | One Child | Two Children | Three Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $700-$850/month | $1,000-$1,200/month | $1,200-$1,400/month |
| $80,000 | $850-$1,000/month | $1,200-$1,400/month | $1,400-$1,650/month |
| $100,000 | $900-$1,100/month | $1,300-$1,500/month | $1,550-$1,800/month |
| $120,000 | $1,000-$1,200/month | $1,450-$1,650/month | $1,700-$1,950/month |
Note: These ranges represent base obligations before adjustments. Actual amounts vary based on custody arrangements, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. Use the Vermont Child Support Calculator for precise estimates.
Self-Support Reserve and Minimum Obligations
Vermont sets a self-support reserve of $1,596 per month as of February 2, 2026, to ensure that paying parents retain sufficient income for basic living expenses under 15 V.S.A. § 656. If the calculated support obligation would reduce a noncustodial parent's income below this threshold, the court sets support at the difference between available income and the reserve. When a parent's available income falls below the lowest figure in the support guidelines or below the self-support reserve, the court uses its discretion and requires payment of a nominal support amount, typically between $25 and $50 per month.
The presumed income figure of $95,449.50, effective July 1, 2025, represents the income level at which courts presume both parents can adequately support themselves and their children. Parents earning above this threshold may still qualify for standard guideline calculations, while those earning below it may have support adjusted based on individual circumstances. The guidelines calculation tables were last updated on January 2, 2024, with the next scheduled review set for completion by January 2, 2028.
Shared and Split Custody Adjustments
Vermont applies specific formulas when parents share physical custody of their children under 15 V.S.A. § 657. When each parent exercises physical custody for 30% or more of the calendar year (approximately 110 overnights), the total child support obligation increases by 50% to reflect the additional costs of maintaining two households. Each parent's share is then calculated based on their proportional income and the proportional time they exercise custody, with the parent owing the larger amount paying the difference to the other parent.
For custody arrangements between 25% and 30% of the calendar year (approximately 91-109 overnights), Vermont uses a shared costs table adopted by the Agency of Human Services to calculate each parent's respective share. When each parent has physical custody of at least one child in split custody situations, the court calculates a theoretical support payment for each parent based on the children in the other's custody, prorates obligations among all children, and offsets the amounts so only the net difference changes hands.
| Custody Arrangement | Calculation Method | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Primary (under 25% to non-custodial) | Standard guidelines | No adjustment |
| Extended (25-30% to non-custodial) | Shared costs table | Partial adjustment |
| Shared (30%+ to each parent) | 50% increase, offset | Full shared adjustment |
| Split (one child each) | Dual calculation, offset | Net difference only |
Factors That Increase or Decrease Child Support
Vermont courts may deviate from guideline calculations when strict application would be unfair to the child or either parent under 15 V.S.A. § 659. Deviation requires written findings explaining why the guideline amount is inappropriate. Factors that commonly increase support include extraordinary medical expenses not covered by insurance, private school tuition when both parents agree, special educational needs of a child with disabilities, and maintaining the standard of living the child would have enjoyed if the family remained intact.
Factors that may decrease the calculated support amount include extraordinary travel expenses for exercising parent-child contact when parents live far apart, educational expenses a parent incurs to increase earning capacity, and financial resources belonging to the child such as trust funds or inheritance. Additionally, if parties agree, the court may include amounts designated for postsecondary education expenses, though Vermont law does not require parents to contribute to college costs without such an agreement.
Imputed Income for Unemployed or Underemployed Parents
Vermont courts may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed when calculating child support under 15 V.S.A. § 653. This means the court calculates support based on the parent's earning potential rather than actual income. For example, if a parent leaves a $75,000 executive position to take a $30,000 entry-level job without justification, the court may base support calculations on the $75,000 income the parent could reasonably earn.
The statute provides three exceptions where income will not be imputed: physical or mental incapacity that prevents employment; enrollment in a vocational, career technical education, or job training program sponsored by the Department of Labor, Department of Economic Development, or Agency of Human Services; and unemployment or underemployment that serves the best interest of the child, such as staying home to care for a very young child or a child with special needs. Parents seeking to impute income must provide evidence such as tax returns, employment history, and educational credentials demonstrating the other parent's earning capacity exceeds actual income.
How Long Child Support Lasts in Vermont
Child support obligations in Vermont terminate when the child reaches age 18 or completes secondary education (high school graduation), whichever occurs later, under 15 V.S.A. § 658. A child who turns 18 during their senior year of high school continues to receive support until graduation. The Vermont Supreme Court has interpreted this provision broadly, ruling in Morancy v. Morancy (2001) that if a child temporarily suspends high school attendance, support payments must continue as long as the child intends to return to school.
Child support terminates before age 18 if the child marries, is emancipated by court order, enters active military service, or dies. Importantly, the paying parent must file a motion to terminate support rather than simply stopping payments; unilateral cessation creates arrearages that remain enforceable. Consent to the adoption of a child terminates the obligor's duty to provide future support without requiring a separate court order, though unpaid support installments accrued before adoption remain collectible.
Filing for Child Support in Vermont
Filing for child support in Vermont involves court filing fees that vary based on whether both parties agree to terms. Filing a complaint for child support without a stipulation costs $295, while filing with a stipulation (agreement between parties) reduces the fee to $90. If filing a parentage or desertion and support complaint with a stipulation acceptable to the court, the fee drops to $35. The motion to modify an existing child support order costs $90, though if both parties file an agreed stipulation, there is no fee. Enforcement motions carry no filing fee.
Parents who cannot afford filing fees may complete an Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs (also called an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis) available through the Vermont Judiciary. Additionally, the COPE (Coping with Separation and Divorce) class required in Vermont divorce cases costs $79, with reduced rates of $30 or $15 available for those who demonstrate financial hardship. Credit card payments incur a 2.39% convenience fee. Verify current fees with your local clerk as of May 2026.
Modifying Child Support Orders
Either parent may request modification of a Vermont child support order by demonstrating a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances under 15 V.S.A. § 660. If the existing order has not been modified for at least three years, the court may waive the substantial change requirement entirely. An order that varies more than 10% from current guideline calculations automatically qualifies as grounds for modification.
Specific circumstances that constitute substantial changes include receipt of workers' compensation, disability benefits, or means-tested public assistance; unemployment compensation (unless unemployment was anticipated when the order was established); and incarceration for more than 90 days (unless the incarceration resulted from failure to pay support). Job loss, significant salary reduction, or substantial income increase also qualify. The Vermont Office of Child Support may independently file modification motions when parties receive public assistance, a parent will be incarcerated over 90 days, the family has reunited, or the child no longer lives with the payee.
A motion to modify must include an affidavit with calculations demonstrating entitlement to modification. Upon proper filing and service, the magistrate enters a modified order unless either party requests a hearing within 15 days. Child support orders do not automatically change when circumstances change; the original order remains in effect until formally modified by the court.
Vermont Child Support Enforcement
The Vermont Office of Child Support (OCS), a division of the Department for Children and Families, serves as the primary enforcement agency for child support orders. OCS employs multiple enforcement remedies beginning with the least severe and escalating based on arrears and non-compliance. Vermont law requires automatic wage withholding from the first dollar of support owed, and employers must withhold payments once any payment is seven days late.
OCS enforcement remedies include income withholding (wage garnishment), federal and state tax refund intercept for arrears of $500 or more, credit bureau reporting for arrears of $1,000 or more, driver's license suspension, professional license suspension, hunting and fishing license suspension, passport denial for arrears of $2,500 or more, and contempt proceedings for serious cases. Before initiating administrative remedies, OCS must notify the obligor of the past due amount, available remedies, and the right to appeal.
| Enforcement Action | Arrears Threshold | Automatic or Optional |
|---|---|---|
| Wage withholding | 7 days late | Automatic |
| Tax refund intercept | $500+ | Automatic |
| Credit bureau reporting | $1,000+ | 25%+ annual obligation |
| License suspension | 25%+ annual | Optional |
| Passport denial | $2,500+ | Automatic |
| Contempt proceedings | Varies | Optional |
Using the Vermont Child Support Calculator
The Vermont Department for Children and Families provides an official Child Support Calculator that generates estimates based on current guidelines. To use the calculator, you need each parent's gross monthly income, the number of children requiring support, the custody arrangement (percentage of overnights with each parent), monthly health insurance premiums for children, and monthly work-related childcare costs.
The calculator produces a presumptive support amount that courts generally apply unless written findings justify deviation. Remember that calculator estimates may not account for all deviation factors, and complex situations involving multiple families, self-employment income, or high-income parents may require professional review. Courts retain discretion when combined available income exceeds the uppermost levels of the support guideline schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is child support for one child in Vermont?
Vermont child support for one child typically ranges from $700 to $1,200 per month for families with combined gross income between $60,000 and $120,000 annually under 15 V.S.A. § 656. The exact amount depends on each parent's proportional income, custody arrangement, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. A parent earning $5,000 monthly gross with a co-parent earning $3,000 monthly would share a base obligation of approximately $850-$950 for one child, with the higher earner paying roughly 62.5% ($530-$595) as the cash payment.
Does Vermont use the income shares model for child support?
Yes, Vermont adopted the income shares model in 1985 under 15 V.S.A. § 653, calculating support based on combined parental income rather than only the non-custodial parent's earnings. This model presumes both parents contribute financially to child support proportional to their respective incomes. Combined income is matched to guideline tables showing total child support obligations by income level and number of children, then divided between parents based on their income shares.
What is the self-support reserve in Vermont?
Vermont's self-support reserve is $1,596 per month as of February 2, 2026, representing the minimum income a noncustodial parent retains after paying support under 15 V.S.A. § 656. If paying the guideline amount would reduce income below this threshold, support is set at the difference between available income and the reserve. This ensures paying parents maintain resources for basic necessities like housing, food, and transportation.
When does child support end in Vermont?
Child support in Vermont terminates when the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever occurs later, under 15 V.S.A. § 658. A child turning 18 during their senior year continues receiving support until graduation. Vermont does not require parents to pay for college without mutual agreement. Support also ends upon the child's marriage, court-ordered emancipation, entry into active military service, or death.
How do I modify child support in Vermont?
To modify child support in Vermont, file a motion demonstrating a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances under 15 V.S.A. § 660. Job loss, 10%+ deviation from current guidelines, incarceration over 90 days, or disability benefits qualify as substantial changes. If three years have passed since the last modification, the substantial change requirement may be waived. The filing fee is $45-$90 depending on whether parties agree, with no fee if both file a stipulation.
What happens if a parent doesn't pay child support in Vermont?
The Vermont Office of Child Support enforces orders through wage withholding (mandatory after 7 days late), tax refund intercept for arrears over $500, credit reporting for arrears over $1,000, and license suspension for arrears exceeding 25% of the annual obligation. Passport denial applies when arrears reach $2,500. Serious non-payment may result in contempt proceedings with potential jail time. OCS must notify obligors of arrears and enforcement actions before taking administrative remedies.
Can child support be imputed if a parent quits their job?
Yes, Vermont courts may impute income to voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parents under 15 V.S.A. § 653, calculating support based on earning potential rather than actual income. Courts will not impute income if the parent is physically or mentally incapacitated, enrolled in approved job training programs, or if reduced employment serves the child's best interest. The parent seeking imputation must provide evidence of the other parent's earning capacity through tax returns, employment history, and education records.
How does shared custody affect child support in Vermont?
When each parent has the child 30% or more of the year (110+ overnights), Vermont increases the total support obligation by 50% to reflect dual household costs under 15 V.S.A. § 657. Each parent's share is calculated based on proportional income and custody time, with only the net difference paid between parents. For custody between 25-30% (91-109 overnights), a shared costs table determines adjustments.
What income counts for Vermont child support calculations?
Vermont child support calculations use gross income from all sources including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, pensions, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, rental income, and investment income under 15 V.S.A. § 653. Gross income is converted to available income by subtracting federal and state income taxes and FICA contributions using standardized Tax Conversion Tables. Support obligations for other children may also reduce available income.
How much does it cost to file for child support in Vermont?
Filing for child support in Vermont costs $295 for a standard complaint or $90 when both parties file a joint stipulation, as of May 2026. Parentage or desertion complaints with stipulation cost $35. Modification motions cost $90, or $45 for child support modifications specifically, with no fee when both parties agree. Enforcement motions require no filing fee. Fee waivers are available for parents demonstrating financial hardship through the Application to Waive Filing Fees.