Vermont Child Support Guidelines: How Support Is Calculated

Vermont child support isn't negotiable in the way property division is. The state uses strict guidelines under 15 V.S.A. § 650 and § 654, designed so children of separated parents receive the same proportion of parental income they'd get if both parents lived together. Both parents must run the calculation through the official Vermont Child Support Calculator and submit the results with their divorce paperwork.

How the Calculation Works

Vermont uses an income-shares model. Both parents' incomes are combined to determine the total household income, then the guidelines tables specify how much of that combined income should go toward the child's needs. Each parent's share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income.

The calculation follows these steps:

1. Determine gross income for both parents — wages, salaries, self-employment income, commissions, bonuses, rental income, investment income, government benefits (with some exclusions)
2. Apply the FICA deduction at a rate of 0.0765 to determine net income
3. Apply the self-employment adjustment if applicable (capped at $1,176.19 maximum)
4. Deduct the self-support reserve of $1,596 per month — this ensures the paying parent retains enough income to meet their own basic needs
5. Reference the guidelines tables to determine the base support obligation based on combined parental income and number of children
6. Allocate the obligation proportionally between parents based on their income shares
7. Adjust for custody arrangement — sole, shared, or split custody changes the formula

Custody Arrangement Adjustments

The custody arrangement significantly affects the calculation:

Sole custody: The child spends more than 75% of overnights (274+ per year) with one parent. The non-custodial parent pays child support to the custodial parent based on the standard guidelines calculation.

Shared custody: The child spends at least 25% of overnights (92+ per year) with each parent. The calculation adjusts to reflect that both parents are directly covering the child's expenses during their respective parenting time. This typically results in a lower support payment than sole custody.

Split custody: When there are multiple children and each parent has primary physical custody of at least one child. Each parent's support obligation is calculated separately for the children in the other parent's care, and the amounts are offset against each other.

Key Parameters in the Current Guidelines

The guidelines use specific financial parameters that are updated periodically by the Office of Child Support. The current values:

The underlying expenditure tables were last updated on January 2, 2024. When the next statutory review is completed in 2028, these parameters and the base support amounts may change.

What Income Counts

The guidelines cast a wide net. Income includes:

• Wages, salaries, and tips
• Self-employment net income
• Commissions and bonuses
• Overtime (if regular and recurring)
• Workers' compensation and disability benefits
• Unemployment compensation
• Social Security benefits
• Pension and retirement income
• Rental and investment income
• Trust income
• Alimony received from a prior relationship

Income does not include means-tested public assistance (TANF, SSI, food stamps) or child support received for other children.

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court can impute income — assigning an earning capacity based on the parent's education, work history, and available job opportunities.

The Child Support Maintenance Supplement

Separate from regular child support, Vermont allows a party to request a child support maintenance supplement. This addresses financial disparities between the two households — ensuring the child doesn't experience a significantly lower standard of living at one parent's home compared to the other.

The court will not order this supplement on its own. It must be explicitly requested by a party, and it's calculated based on the difference in the parents' available income after the basic support obligation is met.

Deviating from the Guidelines

The guidelines amount is presumptive — meaning the court assumes it's correct. But either party can argue for a deviation if the standard calculation produces an unfair result. Common grounds for deviation:

• Extraordinary medical expenses for the child
• Educational expenses (private school, tutoring)
• Travel costs for long-distance parenting time
• A child's special needs
• A parent's extraordinary debt obligations

Any deviation must be justified in writing, and the judge must explain in the order why the guidelines amount was inappropriate.

Using the Official Calculator

The Vermont Child Support Calculator is available online and is the mandatory tool for calculating support. Run the calculation before your case management conference and submit the completed worksheet with your Child Support Order (Form 400-00802).

Common mistakes with the calculator: using gross income instead of net, forgetting to include all income sources, or miscategorizing the custody arrangement. An incorrect calculation is the most common reason judges reject stipulated agreements in cases with children.

The Vermont Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a child support preparation worksheet that helps you gather and organize every income figure before you open the calculator — reducing errors and ensuring your calculation matches the guidelines.

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