Reviewed August 2026
Child Support in Vermont
Vermont uses the income shares model to calculate child support. Title 15 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, chapter 5, sets out the guideline. It adds together both parents' available incomes and runs that combined total through a statewide schedule. The schedule's obligation is then split between the parents according to each one's share of the combined income. Parents can get a Vermont support order two ways. One is through a family division case, like a divorce, parentage action, or a parental rights and responsibilities case. The other is by applying directly to the Vermont Office of Child Support, a division of the Department for Children and Families that serves as the state's IV-D agency. Contested child support disputes go to the family division of the Vermont Superior Court. For parents who apply for its help, the Office of Child Support, known as OCS, can also set up and enforce orders on an administrative basis.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how child support works under Vermont law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Vermont paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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The Vermont income shares guideline
Chapter 5 of Title 15 lays out how Vermont's guideline works. First, it adds both parents' available incomes together. Then it looks up the total obligation the statutory schedule assigns to that combined figure, and splits that obligation between the parents based on their proportional income share.
Health insurance premiums and work-related child care costs factor into the calculation too. The statute also covers situations where the parents share parenting time.
Applying through the Office of Child Support
The Department for Children and Families houses the Vermont Office of Child Support, the state's IV-D agency. Parents can apply through OCS to establish parentage, get a support order, or pursue enforcement.
Support doesn't always require a separate OCS application, though. A parent already in a family division divorce or parental rights and responsibilities case can have support decided as part of that same case.
Which court hears the case
Divorce, parentage, and parental rights and responsibilities cases that involve contested child support go to the family division of the Vermont Superior Court. In many IV-D cases, OCS sets up support administratively instead. If a case turns contested, a parent can request a hearing in the family division.
Modifying a Vermont order
Circumstances change, and Vermont allows a support order to be modified once there's been a real, substantial, and unanticipated change since it was set. OCS periodically reviews the orders it enforces as well, and can push for modification when running the guideline against current income produces a materially different figure.
To seek a modification, a parent files with the family division that issued the order. For agency-managed cases, a parent can instead request a review through OCS.
Enforcement
Standard IV-D enforcement tools back up Vermont orders. OCS can withhold income, intercept state and federal tax refunds, report arrears to credit bureaus, and suspend licenses once arrears become significant.
Enforcement help is available even for orders that started as a private family division filing. A parent owed support just needs to open a case with OCS.
Sources: 15 V.S.A. section 654, child support guideline, Vermont Office of Child Support (OCS)
Not independently confirmed
- The exact modification standard wording (real, substantial, and unanticipated change) should be confirmed against the current statute text at filing time.
- A direct link to 15 V.S.A. section 653 was not separately verified; confirm on legislature.vermont.gov before publishing.
Child Support in Vermont: frequently asked questions
What model does Vermont use for child support?+
The income shares model, set out in Title 15, chapter 5 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated. Both parents' available incomes get combined, a statewide schedule applies to that combined amount, and the resulting support obligation splits between the parents based on income share.
How do I apply for child support services in Vermont?+
Apply through the Vermont Office of Child Support, called OCS, a branch of the Department for Children and Families that acts as the state's IV-D agency. OCS handles applications for parentage establishment, a new support order, or enforcement of an existing one.
Which court hears child support cases in Vermont?+
Contested support matters tied to divorce, parentage, and parental rights and responsibilities cases go to the family division of the Vermont Superior Court. OCS can also establish support administratively, and a parent can seek family division review if the case becomes contested.
How do I modify a Vermont child support order?+
File with the family division that issued the order and show a real, substantial, and unanticipated change in circumstances. For agency-managed cases, a periodic review through OCS is another option.
Does shared parenting time affect a Vermont child support calculation?+
Yes. Vermont's guideline has specific provisions for cases where parents share parenting time, and that can shift the resulting support amount compared to an arrangement where one parent holds most of the overnights.
What enforcement tools does Vermont use for unpaid child support?+
OCS relies on income withholding, state and federal tax refund interception, credit bureau reporting, and license suspension once a parent falls significantly behind. Regardless of how the original order was obtained, a parent owed support can open a case with OCS to start enforcement.
This page is general information about child support in Vermont, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Vermont's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Vermont. Virdix does not prepare or file Vermont divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Vermont.
More Vermont divorce guides
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