Child Support Calculations in Vermont

Vermont uses an Income Shares model under 15 V.S.A. Chapter 5, calculating support based on both parents' combined gross income. Whether you're navigating an uncontested or contested divorce, understanding the self-support reserve, shared custody thresholds, and the 50% increase for shared arrangements is essential.

The Income Shares Model

Under 15 V.S.A. § 654, Vermont calculates child support using an income shares approach that considers what parents would have spent on children in an intact household.

• Self-support reserve (SSR): $1,565/month (120% of federal poverty guideline for one person, effective Feb 3, 2025)
• Above-guidelines income: No statutory cap, but guideline support calculated up to a combined gross income ceiling; above that, court discretion applies
• Income imputation: Court may attribute potential income to voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parents

Basic Child Support Formula

The guideline calculation follows these steps:

1. Determine each parent's gross income
2. Calculate combined gross income
3. Look up the basic child support obligation from the guidelines table based on combined income and number of children
4. Allocate the obligation proportionally based on each parent's share of combined income
5. Apply adjustments for childcare and health insurance costs
6. Apply custody-related adjustments if applicable

Don't guess your obligation. Enter both incomes and custody overnights for Vermont's Income Shares calculation:

Custody Types and Adjustments

Primary Physical Custody (75%+ Overnights)

One parent has the child at least 75% of overnights. The non-custodial parent pays their proportional share of the basic obligation.

Parent-Parent Custody (25-49% Overnights)

When the non-custodial parent has at least 25% but less than 50% of overnights (approximately 91-182 nights per year):

• A reduced credit of 2-10% applies to the obligor's support amount
• The credit varies based on actual overnight percentage
• Court has discretion to adjust based on actual expenses

Shared Physical Custody (30%+ Each Parent)

When each parent has at least 30% of overnights (approximately 110+ nights each):

• The basic support obligation is increased by 50%
• Each parent's share is calculated based on their income percentage
• The parent with the higher share pays the difference to the other parent

The 50% multiplier reflects the increased total costs of maintaining two households for the children.

Split Custody

When each parent has primary custody of at least one child:

• Calculate each parent's obligation for children in the other's custody
• Offset the two amounts
• The parent with the greater obligation pays the difference

What Counts as Income

Under Vermont law, gross income includes virtually all sources:

• Wages and salaries: Including overtime, tips, commissions, and bonuses
• Self-employment income: Net of ordinary and necessary business expenses
• Investment income: Dividends, interest, and capital gains
• Rental income: Net of reasonable expenses
• Trust income: Distributions and beneficial interests
• Government benefits: Workers' compensation, unemployment, pensions, Social Security (except needs-based like SSI)
• Spousal support received: Maintenance from any source
• In-kind compensation: Housing, vehicles, or other benefits reducing living expenses

Excluded from Income

• Child support received for other children
• Public assistance (TANF, SSI, food stamps)
• Income of a new spouse or partner (not directly counted, though court considers household resources)

Need a Deeper Analysis?

The calculator above gives you a quick Income Shares estimate. For a comprehensive report covering the $1,565 self-support reserve, shared custody multipliers, and childcare add-ons for your specific Vermont situation, get your full Vermont analysis here. For official worksheets, consult the Vermont Office of Child Support.

Standard Adjustments

Childcare Costs

Work-related childcare costs are added to the basic obligation and allocated proportionally between parents. Reasonable childcare includes:

• Daycare and preschool
• Before and after school care
• Summer care during employment

Health Insurance

The cost of health insurance premiums for the children:

• Reasonable cost: Generally 5% of gross income or less
• Added to basic obligation and allocated proportionally
• The parent providing coverage receives credit

Extraordinary Medical Expenses

Uninsured medical, dental, and mental health expenses exceeding $200 per child per year are allocated proportionally.

When Courts May Deviate

Under 15 V.S.A. § 659, courts may deviate from guidelines if they would be inequitable or inappropriate. Factors include:

• Extraordinary educational expenses: Private school, special education
• Travel costs: For long-distance parenting time
• Child's special needs: Disability or chronic illness
• Financial resources: Including assets and earning capacity
• Standard of living: The lifestyle the child would have enjoyed
• Other obligations: Support for other children or dependents

Duration of Support

• Standard termination: Age 18
• High school extension: Until completion of secondary education if enrolled and progressing
• Emancipation: Marriage, military service, or court declaration ends support
• Post-secondary: Not required by statute, but parents may agree to contribute

Modification Rules

Under Vermont law:

• 10% threshold: A real and substantial change creating a 10% or greater difference in support triggers modification
• 3-year reviews: Either party may request recalculation after 3 years without showing material change
• Material change examples: Job loss, significant income change, custody change, child's needs change
• No retroactivity: Modifications effective from the date of filing the motion

Enforcement Tools

The Vermont Office of Child Support (OCS) enforces orders using:

• Income withholding: Automatic wage deduction in all cases
• Tax refund intercepts: Federal and state tax refunds
• License suspension: Driver's, professional, and recreational licenses
• Liens: On real and personal property
• Credit reporting: Arrears reported to credit bureaus
• Lottery intercept: Winnings applied to arrears
• Passport denial: At $2,500+ arrears
• Contempt of court: Potential incarceration for willful non-payment

Surcharge on Arrears

Under Vermont regulations:

• Surcharge rate: 6% per year simple surcharge (not compound interest)
• Application: Added to unpaid support amounts
• Payment allocation: Payments apply to current support first, then arrears

Low-Income Provisions

Vermont protects low-income obligors:

• Self-support reserve: $1,565/month must remain for the obligor
• Minimum order: Court may set a nominal minimum (as low as $25/month)
• Deviation: Court may reduce support if obligor cannot meet basic needs

Key Takeaways

• Income Shares model: Based on combined parental income
• $1,565 SSR: Self-support reserve (120% federal poverty guideline)
• 25% threshold: Parent-parent adjustment (2-10% credit)
• 30% shared threshold: Each parent must have 30%+ overnights
• 50% multiplier: Basic support increased for shared custody
• 5% health insurance cap: Reasonable cost threshold
• 10% modification threshold: Recalculated support must differ by 10%+
• 3-year reviews: No material change required
• 6% simple surcharge: On arrears (not compound)

For more information about Vermont divorce processes, see our Vermont divorce timeline and filing checklist. For property division information, review our Vermont marital property guide.