15B V.S.A. § 1204 — VT Code / Title 15B / Chapter 12 / Section 1204
§ 1204. Simultaneous proceedings in another state
Status: in_force

(a) A tribunal of this State may exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed after a pleading is filed in another state or a foreign country only if:

(1) the petition or comparable pleading in this State is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other state or the foreign country for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state or the foreign country;

(2) the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in the other state or foreign country; and

(3) if relevant, this State is the home state of the child.

(b) A tribunal of this State may not exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed before a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state or a foreign country if:

(1) the petition or comparable pleading in the other state or foreign country is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in this State for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this State;

(2) the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in this State; and

(3) if relevant, the other state or foreign country is the home state of the child.
15A V.S.A. § 104 — VT Code / Title 15A / Chapter 4 / Section 104
§ 4-104. Content of consent by stepparent's spouse
Status: in_force

(a) A consent executed by a parent who is the stepparent's spouse shall be signed or confirmed in the presence of a person specified in section 2-405 of this title, or a person authorized to take acknowledgments.

(b) A consent under subsection (a) of this section shall be in writing, shall contain the required statements described in subdivisions 2-406(a)(1) through (3) of this title and shall state that:

(1) the parent executing the consent has legal and physical custody of the parent's minor child and voluntarily and unequivocally consents to the adoption of the minor by the stepparent;

(2) the adoption will not terminate the parental relationship between the parent executing the consent and the minor child;

(3) the right of the adoptee or a descendant of the adoptee to inheritance or intestate succession through or from the adoptee's former parent; and

(4) the parent executing the consent understands and agrees that the adoption will terminate the relationship of parent and child between the minor's other parent and the minor and will terminate any existing court order for custody, visitation, or communication with the minor, but:

(A) the minor and any descendant of the minor will retain rights of inheritance from or through the minor's other parent;

(B) a court order for visitation or communication with the minor by the parent executing the consent, or by a person related to the minor through that parent, or an agreement or order concerning another person which is approved by the court pursuant to section 4-112 of this title survives the decree of adoption, but failure to comply with the terms of the order or agreement is not a ground for revoking or setting aside the consent or the adoption; and

(C) the other parent remains liable for arrearages of child support, unless released from that obligation by the parent executing the consent, any guardian ad litem of the minor, and by a governmental entity providing public assistance to the minor.

(c) A consent may not waive further notice of the proceeding for adoption of the minor by the stepparent.
15 V.S.A. § 797 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 11 / Section 797
§ 797. Civil penalties
Status: in_force

The court may impose a civil penalty to be paid to the obligee or to the registry on behalf of the obligee of not more than 10 percent on any amount in arrears for 30 days or more if the court determines that the arrearage was willful.
15 V.S.A. § 798 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 11 / Section 798
§ 798. Enforcement of child support orders; suspension of licenses
Status: in_force

(a) Upon noncompliance with an order issued under section 606 of this title, a motion may be filed seeking an order for suspension of licenses under this section. The motion shall be scheduled for hearing in accordance with the Vermont Rules of Family Proceedings within 30 days of the filing of the motion. At a hearing under this subsection, the obligor shall have the opportunity to present evidence relating to the reasons for noncompliance. An inability to comply shall be a defense in an action brought under this subsection. The noncomplying party shall have the burden of demonstrating inability to comply. An order issued under subsection (c) of this section is in addition to other remedies available at law.

(b) The Office of Child Support may administratively suspend licenses under this section upon noncompliance with an order under section 606 of this title. Prior to suspending a license, the Office of Child Support shall notify the obligor of the Office's intent to suspend the obligor's license and shall provide the obligor with an opportunity to contest the action pursuant to 33 V.S.A. § 4108. If the obligor fails to either contest the claimed delinquency or request an opportunity to present evidence relating to the noncompliance within 21 days of notification, the Office of Child Support may issue a license suspension order.

(c) Upon a finding of noncompliance with an order issued under section 606 of this title and a delinquency of at least one-quarter of the annual support obligation, the Office of Child Support, or a judge or magistrate of a Family Division of the Superior Court, if assigned by the presiding judge of such court, may order a civil suspension of a noncomplying party's motor vehicle operator's license issued under 23 V.S.A. chapter 9 or commercial driver license issued under 23 V.S.A. chapter 39, recreational license, and any other license certification or registration issued by an agency to conduct a trade or business, including a license to practice a profession or occupation.

(d) Upon receipt of a license suspension order issued under this section, the license issuing authority shall suspend the license according to the terms of the order. Prior to suspending the license, the license issuing authority shall notify the license holder of the pending suspension and provide the license holder with an opportunity to contest the suspension based solely on the grounds of mistaken identity or compliance with the underlying child support order. The license shall be reinstated within five business days of a reinstatement order from the court or notification from the Office of Child Support or the custodial parent, where the rights of that parent have not been assigned to the Office of Child Support, that the parent is in compliance with the underlying child support order. The license issuing authority shall charge a reinstatement fee as provided for in 23 V.S.A. § 675, or as otherwise provided by law or rule.

(e) The license issuing authority shall adopt procedural rules in accordance with the provisions of 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 to implement the provisions of this section.
15B V.S.A. § 1801 — VT Code / Title 15B / Chapter 18 / Section 1801
§ 1801. Grounds for rendition
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this chapter, “governor” includes an individual performing the functions of governor or the executive authority of a state covered by this title.

(b) The Governor of this State may:

(1) demand that the governor of another state surrender an individual found in the other state who is charged criminally in this State with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee; or

(2) on the demand of the governor of another state, surrender an individual found in this State who is charged criminally in the other state with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee.

(c) A provision for rendition of individuals not inconsistent with this title applies to the demand even if the individual whose surrender is demanded was not in the demanding state when the crime was allegedly committed and has not fled therefrom.
15 V.S.A. § 1160 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 21 / Section 1160
§ 1160. Adoption of rules
Status: in_force

(a) The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to perform the Secretary's duties under this subchapter relating to:

(1) program application and certification;

(2) certification cancellation;

(3) agency use of designated addresses and exceptions;

(4) voting by Program participants; and

(5) recording of vital statistics for Program participants.

(b) All such rules shall conform with the findings and intent of the General Assembly, as described in section 1150 of this title, and shall be designed with an understanding of the needs and circumstances of Program participants.
15B V.S.A. § 1615 — VT Code / Title 15B / Chapter 16 / Section 1615
§ 1615. Jurisdiction to modify an order of a foreign country
Status: in_force

(a) Except as otherwise provided in section 1711 of this title, if a foreign country lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its child support order pursuant to its laws, a tribunal of this State may assume jurisdiction to modify the child support order and bind all individuals subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal whether the consent to modification of a child support order otherwise required of the individual pursuant to section 1611 of this title has been given or whether the individual seeking modification is a resident of this State or of the foreign country.

(b) An order issued by a tribunal of this State modifying a foreign child support order pursuant to this section is the controlling order.
15A V.S.A. § 104 — VT Code / Title 15A / Chapter 6 / Section 104
§ 6-104. Release of nonidentifying information
Status: in_force

(a) The following persons may request nonidentifying information from confidential adoption records:

(1) the adoptive parent, the legal custodian or guardian of an adoptee, an adoptee who has attained the age of 18, an emancipated adoptee, a deceased adoptee's direct descendant who has attained the age of 18, or the parent or guardian of a direct descendant who has not attained the age of 18; and

(2) the adoptee's former parent, grandparent, or sibling.

(b) Upon request by a person listed in subdivision (a)(1) of this section, the court that heard the adoption petition, the agency that placed the adoptee for adoption, or other person who assisted in the adoption shall furnish a detailed summary of any relevant report or information contained in confidential reports in their possession about the adoptee, the adoptee's former parents, and the adoptee's genetic history, including the information required by section 2-105 of this title. This report shall exclude identifying information concerning an individual who has not signed a waiver of confidentiality.

(c) Upon request of a person listed in subdivision (a)(2) of this section, the court, the agency that placed the adoptee for adoption, or other person who assisted in the adoption shall release a summary of any relevant report or information in their possession about the adoptee's history after the former parents' rights were terminated. The summary shall exclude identifying information concerning an individual who has not signed a waiver of confidentiality.

(d) The court or agency may charge a reasonable fee for the compilation of nonidentifying information, based on the actual costs incurred.

(e) An individual who is denied access to nonidentifying information to which the individual is entitled under this article may petition the court for relief.

(f) If a court or the registry receives a certified statement from a physician explaining in detail how a health condition may seriously affect the health or reproductive decision of an adoptee or a direct descendant of an adoptee, the registry shall make a diligent effort to notify the adoptive parents of a minor adoptee, an adoptee who has attained 18 years of age, or an adoptive parent of a deceased adoptee that the nonidentifying information is available and may be requested from the registry.

(g) If a court or the registry receives a certified statement from a physician explaining in detail why a serious health condition of the adoptee or a direct descendant of the adoptee should be communicated to the adoptee's genetic parent or sibling to enable them to make informed reproductive and other health related decisions, the registry shall make a diligent effort to notify those individuals that the nonidentifying information is available and may be requested from the registry.

(h) The registry shall prescribe a reasonable procedure for verifying the identity of an individual who requests or furnishes information under this section.
15A V.S.A. § 707 — VT Code / Title 15A / Chapter 3 / Section 707
§ 3-707. Finality of decree
Status: in_force

Consistent with the best interests of an adoptee, a decree of adoption is a final order for purposes of appeal when it is entered.
15 V.S.A. § 515 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 11 / Section 515
§ 515. Party physically incapacitated
Status: in_force

A suit to annul a civil marriage on the ground of the physical incapacity of one of the parties shall be maintained only by the injured party against the party whose incapacity is alleged and shall be brought within two years from the solemnization of the marriage.
15C V.S.A. § 604 — VT Code / Title 15C / Chapter 6 / Section 604
§ 604. Genetic testing results
Status: in_force

(a) A person shall be identified as a genetic parent of a child if the genetic testing of the person complies with this chapter and the results of testing disclose that the individual has at least a 99 percent probability of parentage as determined by the testing laboratory.

(b) Identification of a genetic parent through genetic testing does not establish parentage absent adjudication under this chapter and a court may rely on nongenetic evidence to determine parentage, including parentage by acknowledgment pursuant to chapter 3 of this title or by admission pursuant to section 112 of this title, presumed parentage under chapter 4 of this title, de facto parentage under chapter 5 of this title, and parentage by intended parents under chapter 7 or 8 of this title.

(c) A person identified under subsection (a) of this section as a genetic parent of a child may rebut the genetic testing results only by other genetic testing satisfying the requirements of this chapter that:

(1) excludes the person as a genetic parent of the child; or

(2) identifies a person other than the person who gave birth to the child as a possible genetic parent of the child.
15C V.S.A. § 307 — VT Code / Title 15C / Chapter 3 / Section 307
§ 307. Timing of rescission
Status: in_force

(a) A person may rescind an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage under this chapter by any of the following methods:

(1) Filing a rescission with the Department of Health within 60 days after the effective date of the acknowledgment or denial. The signing of the rescission shall be witnessed and signed by at least one other person.

(2) Commencing a court proceeding within 60 days after the effective date of the acknowledgment or denial, as provided in section 304 of this title.

(3) Challenging the acknowledgment or denial within the earlier of 60 days after the effect date of the acknowledgment or denial or within 60 days after the date of the first court hearing in a proceeding in which the signatory is a party to adjudicate an issue relating to the child, including a proceeding seeking child support.

(b) If an acknowledgment or denial of parentage is rescinded under this section, any associated acknowledgment or denial of parentage becomes invalid, and the Department of Health shall notify the person who gave birth to the child and any person who signed an acknowledgment or denial of parentage of the child that the acknowledgment or denial of parentage has been rescinded.
15 V.S.A. § 68 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 3 / Section 68
§ 68. Income and monies from sale of real estate
Status: in_force

The rents, issues, and products of the real estate of a married woman, and monies and obligations arising from the sale of such real estate, and the interest of her husband in her right in real estate that belonged to her before marriage, or that she acquires by gift, grant, devise, or inheritance during coverture, shall be exempt during coverture from attachment or levy of execution for the sole debts of her husband. However, such annual products may be attached or levied upon for a debt or liability of her husband for the necessaries for the wife and family of such husband, and for debts for labor or materials furnished upon or for the cultivation or improvement of such real estate.
15C V.S.A. § 605 — VT Code / Title 15C / Chapter 6 / Section 605
§ 605. Report of genetic testing
Status: in_force

(a) A report of genetic testing shall be in a record and signed under penalty of perjury by a designee of the testing laboratory. A report made under the requirements of this chapter is self-authenticating.

(b) A party in possession of results of genetic testing shall provide such results to all other parties to the parentage action upon receipt of the results and not later than 15 days before any hearing at which the results may be admitted into evidence.
15 V.S.A. § 65 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 3 / Section 65
§ 65. Name on deed
Status: in_force

When a conveyance of real estate is made by a married woman and such real estate was acquired by her under a name other than her present married name, such conveyance shall set forth both her present married name and the name under which such real estate was acquired. Such conveyance shall be indexed by a town or county clerk receiving the same for record under both her present married name and the name under which such real estate was acquired. However, a deed which fails to describe the grantor, as aforesaid, shall not impair the grantee's title conveyed by such deed.
15B V.S.A. § 1802 — VT Code / Title 15B / Chapter 18 / Section 1802
§ 1802. Conditions of rendition
Status: in_force

(a) Before making a demand that the governor of another state surrender an individual charged criminally in this State with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee, the Governor of this State may require the prosecutor who has brought the criminal charge for the state to demonstrate that at least 60 days previously the obligee had initiated proceedings for support pursuant to this title or that the proceeding would be of no avail.

(b) If, under this title or a law substantially similar to this title, the governor of another state makes a demand that the Governor of this State surrender an individual charged criminally in that state with having failed to provide for the support of a child or other individual to whom a duty of support is owed, the Governor may require a prosecutor to investigate the demand and report whether a proceeding for support has been initiated or would be effective. If it appears that a proceeding would be effective but has not been initiated, the Governor may delay honoring the demand for a reasonable time to permit the initiation of a proceeding.

(c) If a proceeding for support has been initiated and the individual whose rendition is demanded prevails, the Governor may decline to honor the demand. If the petitioner prevails and the individual whose rendition is demanded is subject to a support order, the Governor may decline to honor the demand if the individual is complying with the support order.
15 V.S.A. § 519 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 11 / Section 519
§ 519. Decree of nullity
Status: in_force

A decree of nullity of civil marriage, if pronounced during the lifetime of the parties, shall be conclusive evidence of the invalidity of the marriage in all courts and proceedings. If such decree is pronounced after the death of either of the parties to the civil marriage, it shall be conclusive only as against the parties in the action and those claiming under them.
15A V.S.A. § 402 — VT Code / Title 15A / Chapter 2 / Section 402
§ 2-402. Persons whose consent not required
Status: in_force

(a) Consent to an adoption of a minor is not required of:

(1) a person who has relinquished parental rights or guardianship powers, including the right to consent to adoption, to an agency pursuant to this part of this article;

(2) a person whose parental relationship to the minor has been judicially terminated or determined not to exist;

(3) a man who has not been married to the woman who gave birth to the minor and who, after the conception of the minor, executes a notarized statement denying paternity or disclaiming any interest in the minor and acknowledging that his statement is irrevocable when executed;

(4) the personal representative of a deceased parent's estate; or

(5) a parent or other person who has not executed a consent or a relinquishment and who fails to file an answer or make an appearance in a proceeding for adoption or for termination of a parental relationship within the requisite time after service of notice of the proceeding.

(b) The court may dispense with the consent of:

(1) a guardian or an agency whose consent is otherwise required upon a finding that the consent is being withheld unreasonably, contrary to the best interest of a minor adoptee; or

(2) a minor adoptee who has attained 14 years of age upon a finding that it is not in the best interest of the minor to require the consent.
15 V.S.A. § 756 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 11 / Section 756
§ 756. Court may order money paid to trustees
Status: in_force

When part of the estate of either spouse, or money in lieu thereof, is awarded to the spouse having custody, as provided in this subchapter and sections 291, 293, and 294 of this title, instead of ordering the same to be delivered or paid into the hands of the custodial spouse, the court may order it delivered or paid to one or more trustees appointed by the court. The trustees shall invest the same and apply the income thereof to the support and maintenance of the custodial spouse and minor children of the civil marriage or any of them, in such manner as the court directs, and shall pay over the principal to the custodial spouse and children in such proportions and at such times as shall be ordered by the court. In the disposition of the income and of the principal, regard shall be had to the situation and circumstances of the custodial spouse and children, and the trustees shall give such bonds as the court requires for the faithful performance of their trust.
15A V.S.A. § 409 — VT Code / Title 15A / Chapter 2 / Section 409
§ 2-409. Revocation of relinquishment
Status: in_force

(a) A relinquishment under this title is revoked if:

(1) within 21 days after a relinquishment is executed, a parent who executed the relinquishment gives written notice to the court in which the relinquishment was signed and the agency to which the minor has been relinquished that the parent revokes the relinquishment, or the parent complies with any other instructions for revocation specified in the relinquishment; or

(2) the person who executed the relinquishment and the agency that accepted it agree to its revocation.

(b) The court shall set aside a relinquishment if the person who executed the relinquishment establishes:

(1) by clear and convincing evidence, before a decree of adoption is issued, that the relinquishment was obtained by fraud or duress; or

(2) by a preponderance of the evidence, that a condition permitting revocation has occurred, as expressly provided for in the relinquishment pursuant to section 2-406 of this title.

(c) If a relinquishment by a person who had legal and physical custody of a minor when the relinquishment was executed is revoked, the agency shall immediately return the minor to the person's custody and move to dismiss a proceeding for adoption. If the minor is not returned immediately, the person may petition the court named in the relinquishment for appropriate relief. The court shall hear the petition expeditiously.

(d) If a relinquishment by a person who had legal and physical custody of a minor when the relinquishment was executed is set aside under subdivision (b)(1) of this section, the court shall dismiss any proceeding for adoption and order the immediate return of the minor to the custody of the person.

(e) If a relinquishment by a person who had legal and physical custody of a minor when the relinquishment was executed is set aside under subdivision (b)(2) of this section and no ground exists under Article 3, Part 5 of this title, for terminating the relationship of parent and child between the person and the minor, the court shall dismiss a proceeding for adoption and order the immediate return of the minor to the custody of the person, unless the court finds that return will be detrimental to the minor.

(f) If a relinquishment by a person who did not have physical custody of a minor when the relinquishment was executed is revoked or set aside and no ground exists under Article 3, Part 5, for terminating the relationship of parent and child between the person and the minor, the court shall dismiss a proceeding for adoption and shall issue an order providing for the care and custody of the minor according to the best interests of the minor.
15 V.S.A. § 1205 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 23 / Section 1205
§ 1205. Modification of civil union terms
Status: in_force

Parties to a civil union may modify the terms, conditions, or effects of their civil union in the same manner and to the same extent as married persons who execute an antenuptial agreement or other agreement recognized and enforceable under the law, setting forth particular understandings with respect to their union.
15C V.S.A. § 803 — VT Code / Title 15C / Chapter 8 / Section 803
§ 803. Parentage; parental rights and responsibilities
Status: in_force

(a)(1) If a gestational carrier agreement satisfies the requirements of this chapter, the intended parent or parents are the parent or parents of the resulting child immediately upon the birth of the child, and the resulting child is considered the child of the intended parent or parents immediately upon the birth of the child. Neither the gestational carrier nor the gestational carrier's spouse, if any, is the parent of the resulting child.

(2) A person who is determined to be a parent of the resulting child is obligated to support the child. The breach of the gestational carrier agreement by the intended parent or parents does not relieve the intended parent or parents of the obligation to support the resulting child.

(3) Notwithstanding subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, if genetic testing indicates a genetic relationship between the gestational carrier who is not a known family member and the child, parentage shall be determined by the Family Division of the Superior Court pursuant to chapters 1 through 6 of this title.

(b) Parental rights and responsibilities shall vest exclusively in the intended parent or parents immediately upon the birth of the resulting child.

(c) If due to a laboratory error, the resulting child is not genetically related to either the intended parent or parents or any donor who donated to the intended parent or parents, the intended parent or parents are considered the parent or parents of the child unless otherwise determined by the court.
15A V.S.A. § 207 — VT Code / Title 15A / Chapter 3 / Section 207
§ 3-207. Consolidation and coordination
Status: in_force

If another action or proceeding concerning the adoptee is pending in the Family Division of the Superior Court of this State during the pendency of a proceeding for adoption under this title, then either court in which an action is pending, on its own motion or on motion of any party to the proceeding for adoption, may request that the proceeding for adoption be consolidated with the Family Division of the Superior Court proceeding. Such a consolidation may be ordered by the Family Division of the Superior Court receiving the adoption action, pursuant to 4 V.S.A. § 455.
15 V.S.A. § 1070 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 20 / Section 1070
§ 1070. Cooperation between courts; preservation of records
Status: in_force

(a) A Vermont court may request the appropriate court of another state to:

(1) hold an evidentiary hearing;

(2) order a person to produce or give evidence pursuant to procedures of that state;

(3) order that an evaluation be made with respect to the custody of a child involved in a pending proceeding;

(4) forward to the Vermont court a certified copy of the transcript of the record of the hearing, the evidence otherwise presented, and any evaluation prepared in compliance with the request; and

(5) order a party to a child custody proceeding or any person having physical custody of the child to appear in the proceeding with or without the child.

(b) Upon request of a court of another state, a Vermont court may hold a hearing or enter an order described in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Travel and other necessary and reasonable expenses incurred under subsections (a) and (b) of this section may be assessed against the parties according to Vermont law.

(d) A Vermont court shall preserve the pleadings, orders, decrees, records of hearings, evaluations, and other pertinent records with respect to a child custody proceeding until the child attains 18 years of age. Upon appropriate request by a court or law enforcement official of another state, the court shall forward a certified copy of those records.
15 V.S.A. § 1069 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 20 / Section 1069
§ 1069. Taking testimony in another state
Status: in_force

(a) A party to a child custody proceeding may, in addition to other procedures available to a party, offer testimony of witnesses who are located in another state, including testimony of the parties and the child, by deposition or other means allowable in Vermont for testimony taken in another state. The court on its own motion may order that the testimony of a person be taken in another state and may prescribe the manner in which and the terms upon which the testimony is taken.

(b) A Vermont court may permit an individual residing in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means before a designated court or at another location in that state. A Vermont court shall cooperate with courts of other states in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.

(c) Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a Vermont court by technological means that do not produce an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.
15 V.S.A. § 1076 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 20 / Section 1076
§ 1076. Simultaneous proceedings
Status: in_force

(a) Except as otherwise provided in section 1074 of this title, a Vermont court may not exercise its jurisdiction under this subchapter if, at the time of the commencement of the proceeding, a proceeding concerning the custody of the child has been commenced in a court of another state having jurisdiction substantially in conformity with this chapter, unless the proceeding has been terminated or is stayed by the court of the other state because a Vermont court is a more convenient forum under section 1077 of this title.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in section 1074 of this title, a Vermont court, before hearing a child custody proceeding, shall examine the court documents and other information supplied by the parties pursuant to section 1079 of this title. If the court determines that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in a court in another state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this chapter, the Vermont court shall stay its proceeding and communicate with the court of the other state. If the court of the state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this chapter does not determine that the Vermont court is a more appropriate forum, the Vermont court shall dismiss the proceeding.

(c) In a proceeding to modify a child custody determination, a Vermont court shall determine whether a proceeding to enforce the determination has been commenced in another state. If a proceeding to enforce a child custody determination has been commenced in another state, the court may:

(1) stay the proceeding for modification pending the entry of an order of a court of the other state enforcing, staying, denying, or dismissing the proceeding for enforcement;

(2) enjoin the parties from continuing with the proceeding for enforcement; or

(3) proceed with the modification under conditions it considers appropriate.
15 V.S.A. § 3 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 1 / Section 3
§ 3. Bar though civil marriage dissolved
Status: in_force

If the relationship in those cases mentioned in section 1 of this title is founded on a civil marriage, the prohibition shall continue in force notwithstanding the dissolution of such marriage by death or divorce, unless the divorce is for a cause that shows the marriage to have been originally unlawful or void.
15A V.S.A. § 401 — VT Code / Title 15A / Chapter 3 / Section 401
§ 3-401. Service of notice
Status: in_force

(a) Unless notice has been waived, notice of a proceeding for adoption of a minor shall be served, within 30 days after a petition for adoption is filed, upon:

(1) a person whose consent to the adoption is required under section 2-401 of this title, but notice need not be served upon a person whose parental relationship to the minor or whose status as a guardian has been terminated;

(2) an agency whose consent to the adoption is required under section 2-401;

(3) a person whom the petitioner knows is claiming to be or who is named as the father or possible father of the minor adoptee and whose paternity of the minor has not been judicially determined, but notice need not be served upon a man who has executed a verified statement, as described in subdivision 2-402(a)(3) of this title, denying paternity or disclaiming any interest in the minor;

(4) a person other than the petitioner who has legal or physical custody of the minor adoptee or who has a right of communication or visitation with the minor under an existing court order issued by a court in this or another state;

(5) the spouse of the petitioner if the spouse has not joined in the petition; and

(6) a grandparent of a minor adoptee if the grandparent's child is a deceased parent of the minor and, before death, the deceased parent had not executed a consent or relinquishment or the deceased parent's parental relationship to the minor had not been terminated.

(b) The court shall require notice of a proceeding for adoption of a minor to be served upon any person the court finds, at any time during the proceeding, is:

(1) a person described in subsection (a) of this section who has not been given notice;

(2) a person who has revoked a consent or relinquishment pursuant to subsection 2-408(a) or 2-409(a) of this title or is attempting to have a consent or relinquishment set aside pursuant to subsection 2-408(b) or 2-409(b) of this title; or

(3) a person who, on the basis of a previous relationship with the minor adoptee, a parent, an alleged parent, or the petitioner, can provide information that is relevant to the proposed adoption and that the court in its discretion wants to hear.

(c) If, at any time in the proceeding, it appears to the court that there is an alleged father of the adoptee who has not been given notice, the court shall require notice of the proceeding to be given to him.

(d) The court shall send a duplicate copy of the petition to the Department. The Department shall determine whether or not the petitioners have been the subject of a substantiated complaint filed with the Department, and shall report its findings to the court within 14 days of receiving the petition. If a substantiated complaint has been filed with the Department, the Department shall include a copy of the investigative report that relates to the complaint with the findings it files with the court.
15 V.S.A. § 1184 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 21 / Section 1184
§ 1184. Burden of proof
Status: in_force

(a) If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that a party is engaging in abusive litigation and that any or all of the motions or actions pending before the court are abusive litigation, the litigation shall be dismissed, denied, stricken, or resolved by other disposition with prejudice.

(b) After providing the parties an opportunity to be heard on any order or sanctions to be issued, the court may enter an order restricting abusive litigation that may include conditions deemed necessary and appropriate including:

(1) awarding the other party reasonable attorney's fees and costs of responding to the abusive litigation, including the cost of seeking the order restricting abusive litigation; and

(2) identifying the party protected by the order and imposing prefiling restrictions upon the party found to have engaged in abusive litigation that pertains to any future litigation against the protected party or the protected party's dependents.

(c) If the court finds that the litigation does not constitute abusive litigation, the court shall enter written or oral findings and the litigation shall proceed. Nothing in this section or chapter shall be construed as limiting the court's inherent authority to control the proceedings and litigants before it.
15C V.S.A. § 202 — VT Code / Title 15C / Chapter 2 / Section 202
§ 202. Nondiscrimination
Status: in_force

Every child has the same rights under law as any other child without regard to the marital status or gender of the parents or the circumstances of the birth of the child.
15 V.S.A. § 209 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 5 / Section 209
§ 209. Disposition, care, and maintenance of children
Status: in_force

When a parent is found guilty of nonsupport or desertion of his or her child, the court may enter such order or judgment relating to the disposition, care, and maintenance of such child, either by committing the child to the Department for Children and Families or to some person or suitable institution, as shall be equitable in the premises. The court may enforce the same by execution or by any proper proceedings. The property of such parent shall not be exempt from levy and sale under execution.
15B V.S.A. § 1613 — VT Code / Title 15B / Chapter 16 / Section 1613
§ 1613. Jurisdiction to modify an order of another state when individual parties reside in this State
Status: in_force

(a) If all of the parties who are individuals reside in this State and the child does not reside in the issuing state, a tribunal of this State has jurisdiction to enforce and to modify the issuing state's child support order in a proceeding to register that order.

(b) A tribunal of this State exercising jurisdiction under this section must apply the provisions of chapters 11 and 12 of this title, this chapter, and the procedural and substantive law of this State to the proceeding for enforcement or modification and chapters 13, 14, 15, 17, and 18 of this title must not apply.
15A V.S.A. § 109 — VT Code / Title 15A / Chapter 4 / Section 109
§ 4-109. Notice of pendency of proceeding
Status: in_force

Within 30 days after a petition to adopt a minor stepchild is filed, the court shall serve notice of the proceeding upon:

(1) the petitioner's spouse;

(2) any other person whose consent to the adoption is required under this article;

(3) any person described in subdivisions 3-401(a)(3), (4), and (6) and subsection 3-401(b) of this title; and

(4) the parents of the minor's parent whose parental relationship will be terminated by the adoption unless the identity or the whereabouts of those parents are unknown.
15A V.S.A. § 109 — VT Code / Title 15A / Chapter 5 / Section 109
§ 5-109. Adoption of an adult who is incompetent
Status: in_force

If the adult who is being adopted has been found by a court to be incompetent:

(1) the legal guardian shall join in the petition for adoption;

(2) the court may, upon recommendation of the legal guardian:

(A) waive the requirement that the adoptee join in the petition;

(B) waive the requirements of subdivisions 5-105(b)(6) and (7) of this title with respect to the adoptee; and

(C) order an evaluation as provided in subdivisions 4-110(a)-(f) of this title; and

(3) the court shall:

(A) determine whether the adoptee has expressed an opinion about the granting of the petition;

(B) ensure that the adoptee has not been coerced or subjected to duress, exploitation, or undue influence; and

(C) not grant the petition unless the adoption is in the best interests of the adoptee.
15 V.S.A. § 593 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 11 / Section 593
§ 593. Place for bringing action; caption of divorce action
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, complaints for divorce for any cause and for affirming or annulling the civil marriage contract shall be brought in the county in which the parties or one of them resides. Petitions directed to a Superior judge for temporary orders under the provisions of Vermont Rule of Civil Procedure 80(c) may be heard within or without the county where the cause is pending at a place convenient for the parties and the judge hearing the same.

(b) A complaint for divorce or dissolution of a civil union shall be brought in the county in which the marriage certificate or the civil union certificate was filed if neither of the parties resides in Vermont.

(c) An action for divorce or annulment may be captioned as follows:

Complaint for Divorce [Annulment]-Involving: [Names of Parties]
15 V.S.A. § 1115 — VT Code / Title 15 / Chapter 21 / Section 1115
§ 1115. Limitation or denial of visitation
Status: in_force

In any proceeding under this title, the fact that a parent has been convicted of any of the following offenses against the parent's child shall be a ground for limiting or denying visitation:

(1) sexual assault as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 3252;

(2) aggravated sexual assault as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 3253;

(3) lewd and lascivious conduct as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 2601;

(4) sexual activity by a caregiver as defined in 33 V.S.A. § 6913;

(5) kidnapping as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 2405(a)(1)(D);

(6) lewd and lascivious conduct with a child as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 2602;

(7) prohibited acts in violation of 13 V.S.A. § 2635;

(8) sexual exploitation of children as defined in 13 V.S.A. chapter 64; or

(9) an attempt to commit any offense listed in this section.
15A V.S.A. § 501 — VT Code / Title 15A / Chapter 3 / Section 501
§ 3-501. Authorization
Status: in_force

A petition to terminate the relationship between a parent or an alleged parent and a minor child may be filed in a proceeding for adoption under this title by:

(1) a parent or a guardian who has selected a prospective adoptive parent for a minor and who intends to place, or has placed, the minor with that person;

(2) a parent whose spouse has filed a petition under Article 4 of this title to adopt the parent's minor child;

(3) a prospective adoptive parent of the minor who has filed a petition to adopt under this article or Article 4; or

(4) an agency that has selected a prospective adoptive parent for the minor and intends to place, or has placed, the minor with that person.