Vermont Parenting Plan Template: What to Include in Your Agreement

A parenting plan in Vermont isn't a freeform document you write from scratch. It's formalized through Form 400-00825, officially titled "Agreement on Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Stipulation — Parenting Plan)." Under 15 V.S.A. § 666(b), the court won't approve your plan unless it covers seven mandatory areas.

Here's what the form requires and how to handle each section without getting tripped up.

The Seven Required Provisions

1. Physical Living Arrangements

Designate whether physical responsibility is shared (both parents agreed in writing) or primary (one parent holds it). If primary, name that parent. This section also establishes the child's legal residence, which determines school district enrollment.

2. Parent-Child Contact Schedule

Spell out the specific days and times the child spends with each parent. Vermont courts reject "as agreed" language in contested cases because it creates enforcement problems. Include:

• Regular weekly schedule
• Weekend rotation
• Midweek contact for the non-primary parent
• Transition times and locations

3. Education Decisions

Define who makes major education choices — school enrollment, special education services, tutoring. Both parents should have access to report cards and teacher conferences regardless of who holds legal responsibility.

4. Medical, Dental, and Healthcare

Specify who makes major healthcare decisions, who carries the child's health insurance, and how you'll share medical records. Include protocols for emergency medical situations when only one parent is present.

5. Travel Arrangements

Vermont's default rule prohibits either parent from taking the child out of state for more than 48 hours without the other parent's written consent or a court order. Your plan should address:

• Out-of-state travel notification requirements
• Passport and international travel procedures
• Transportation arrangements for regular exchanges

6. Communication Procedures

Outline how you'll share information about your child's welfare. This includes the child's right to private phone calls and unmonitored written communication with the other parent. For high-conflict situations, specify whether communication happens through a parenting app, email only, or another structured channel.

7. Dispute Resolution

If you're sharing any responsibilities, you must include a specific dispute resolution procedure. The court requires this under 15 V.S.A. § 666(b)(7). Options include:

• Private mediation before filing a motion
• Binding arbitration on specific topics
• Parenting coordinator for day-to-day scheduling disputes

Without this provision, the court will reject a shared-responsibility agreement.

Common Mistakes That Get Plans Rejected

Vague scheduling language. "Every other weekend" isn't specific enough. State exact pickup and dropoff times, who does the driving, and what happens on holidays that fall on transition days.

Missing the shared-responsibility trigger. If you check "shared" on any responsibility box, you need the dispute resolution section filled in. Many pro se filers skip this and have their plan sent back.

Ignoring developmental stages. A plan that works for a 10-year-old won't work for a toddler. Courts look for age-appropriate provisions — shorter, more frequent visits for infants under 3, and flexibility for teenagers' school and social schedules.

Building a Plan That Gets Approved

Start with your child's current routine and work backward into a schedule that preserves stability. The judge evaluates your plan against the nine best-interests factors under § 665(b), with special weight on continuity and each parent's willingness to support the other's relationship with the child.

The Vermont Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes section-by-section worksheets that mirror Form 400-00825, plus age-appropriate schedule templates for infants through teenagers.

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