reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
15 V.S.A. § 520
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 520. Children of civil marriage annulled

§ 520. Children of civil marriage annulled|Children of a civil marriage annulled pursuant to this subchapter shall be legitimate and shall succeed to the real and personal estate of both parents. (Amended 2009, No. 3, § 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009.)
15 V.S.A. § 551
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 551. Grounds for divorce from bond of matrimony

§ 551. Grounds for divorce from bond of matrimony|A divorce from the bond of matrimony may be decreed:  (1) for adultery in either party; (2) when either party is sentenced to confinement at hard labor in the State prison in this State for life, or for three years or more, and is actually confined at the time of the bringing of the libel; or when either party being without the State, receives a sentence for an equally long term of imprisonment by a competent court having jurisdiction as the result of a trial in any one of the other states of the United States, or in a federal court, or in any one of the territories, possessions, or other courts subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, or in a foreign country granting a trial by jury, and is actually confined at the time of the bringing of the libel; (3) for intolerable severity in either party; (4) for willful desertion or when either party has been absent for seven years and not heard of during that time; (5) on complaint of either party when one spouse has sufficient pecuniary or physical ability to provide suitable maintenance for the other and, without cause, persistently refuses or neglects so to do; (6) on the ground of permanent incapacity due to a mental condition or psychiatric disability of either party, as provided for in sections 631-637 of this title; or (7) when a married person has lived apart from his or her spouse for six consecutive months and the court finds that the resumption of marital relations is not reasonably probable. (Amended 1969, No. 264 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1971, No. 39, eff. May 1, 1971; 1971, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. April 6, 1972; 1973, No. 201 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 69.)
15 V.S.A. § 552
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 552. Reconciliation

§ 552. Reconciliation|If one of the parties had denied under oath or affirmation that the parties have lived apart for the requisite period of time or has alleged that reconciliation is reasonably probable, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including the circumstances that gave rise to the filing of the complaint and the prospect of reconciliation, and shall:  (1) make a finding whether the parties have lived apart for the requisite period of time or not and whether the reconciliation of the parties to the civil marriage is reasonably probable or not; or (2) continue the matter for further hearing not less than 30 or more than 60 days later, and may suggest to the parties that they seek counseling. At the adjourned hearing, the court shall make a finding whether the parties have lived apart for the requisite period of time or not and whether the reconciliation of the parties to the civil marriage is reasonably probable or not. (Added 1971, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 6, 1972; amended 2009, No. 3, § 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009.)
15 V.S.A. § 553
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 553. Collusion

§ 553. Collusion|The term "collusion," as used in divorce actions, shall not be construed to include conversations or negotiations of the parties carried on in good faith in an effort to resolve their marital difficulties, where the purpose or result of the conference is not to hinder or obstruct justice or to suppress evidence as to the merits of the case.
15 V.S.A. § 554
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 554. Decrees nisi

§ 554. Decrees nisi|(a) A decree of divorce from the bonds of matrimony in the first instance shall be a decree nisi and shall become absolute at the expiration of 90 days from the entry thereof but, in its discretion, the court that grants the divorce may fix an earlier date upon which the decree shall become absolute. If one of the parties dies prior to the expiration of the nisi period, the decree shall be deemed absolute immediately prior to death.(b) Either party may file any post-trial motions under the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure. The time within which any such motion shall be filed shall run from the date of entry of the decree of divorce and not from the date the nisi period expires. The court shall retain jurisdiction to hear and decide the motion after expiration of the nisi period. A decree of divorce shall constitute a civil judgment under the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure.(c) If the stated term at which the decree nisi was entered has adjourned when a motion is filed, the presiding judge of the stated term shall have power to hear and determine the matter and make new decree therein as fully as the court might have done in term time; but, in the judge's discretion, the judge may strike off the decree and continue the cause to the next stated term. (Amended 1969, No. 264 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1989, No. 227 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. June 4, 1990; 1995, No. 94 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2018, No. 8 (Sp. Sess.), § 13, eff. June 28, 2018.)
15 V.S.A. § 555
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 555. Legal separation

§ 555. Legal separation|A legal separation forever or for a limited time may be granted for any of the causes for which an absolute divorce may be granted. (Amended 1981, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 558
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 558. Woman allowed to take maiden name

§ 558. Woman allowed to take maiden name|Upon granting a divorce to a woman, unless good cause is shown to the contrary, the court may allow her to resume her maiden name or the name of a former husband.
15 V.S.A. § 559
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 559. Change of children's names

§ 559. Change of children's names|The court may change the names of the minor children of divorced parents when application for that purpose is made in the complaint for divorce.
15 V.S.A. § 560
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 560. Remarriage

§ 560. Remarriage|When a civil marriage is dissolved pursuant to this chapter, the parties shall be deemed single and may lawfully marry again. (Amended 1969, No. 264 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2009, No. 3, § 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009.)
15 V.S.A. § 562
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 562. Recrimination

§ 562. Recrimination|Recrimination shall not constitute a defense or a bar to a complaint for divorce. (Added 1969, No. 264 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; amended 1971, No. 14, § 3, eff. March 11, 1971.)
15 V.S.A. § 563
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 563. Condonation

§ 563. Condonation|Condonation shall not constitute a defense or a bar to a complaint for divorce. (Added 1969, No. 264 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; amended 1971, No. 14, § 4, eff. March 11, 1971.)
15 V.S.A. § 591
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 591. Jurisdiction and power of courts

§ 591. Jurisdiction and power of courts|Superior Courts shall hear and determine complaints for divorce and for affirming or annulling the civil marriage contract and may issue process of attachment, execution, and other proper process necessary for the dispatch and final determination of such causes. The judges of the Superior Court shall be triers of questions of fact as well as of law. Their determination of questions of fact shall be final, and exceptions may be taken and questions of law heard in the Supreme Court as in other causes. (Amended 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974; 2009, No. 3, § 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009.)
15 V.S.A. § 592
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 592. Residence

§ 592. Residence|(a) A complaint for divorce or annulment of civil marriage may be brought if either party to the marriage has resided within the State for a period of six months or more, but a divorce shall not be decreed for any cause, unless the plaintiff or the defendant has resided in the State one year next preceding the date of final hearing. Temporary absence from the State because of illness, employment without the State, service as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, or other legitimate and bona fide cause shall not affect the six months' period or the one-year period specified in the preceding sentence, provided the person has otherwise retained residence in this State.(b) Notwithstanding provisions to the contrary, a complaint for divorce may be filed in the Family Division of Superior Court in the county in which the marriage certificate was filed by parties who are not residents of Vermont provided all of the following criteria are met:  (1) The marriage was established in Vermont. (2) Neither party's state of legal residence recognizes the couple's Vermont marriage for purposes of divorce. (3) There are no minor children who were born or adopted during the marriage. (4) The parties file a stipulation together with a complaint that resolves all issues in the divorce action. The stipulation shall be signed by both parties and shall include the following terms:  (A) An agreement that the terms and conditions of the stipulation may be incorporated into a final order of divorce. (B) The facts upon which the court may base a decree of divorce and that bring the matter before the court's jurisdiction. (C) An acknowledgment that:  (i) Each party understands that if he or she wishes to litigate any issue related to the divorce before a Vermont court, one of the parties must meet the residency requirement set forth in subsection (a) of this section. (ii) Neither party is the subject of an abuse prevention order in a proceeding between the parties. (iii) There are no minor children who were born or adopted during the marriage. (iv) Neither party's state of legal residence recognizes the couple's Vermont marriage for purposes of divorce. (v) Each party has entered into the stipulation freely and voluntarily. (vi) The parties have exchanged all financial information, including income, assets, and liabilities.     (c) The court shall waive a final hearing on any divorce action filed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section unless the court determines upon review of the complaint and stipulation that the filing is incomplete or that a hearing is warranted for the purpose of clarifying a provision of the stipulation. Final uncontested hearings in a nonresident divorce action shall be conducted by telephone unless one or both of the parties choose to appear in person. (Amended 1981, No. 2, eff. Feb. 12, 1981; 2009, No. 3, § 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009; 2011, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
15 V.S.A. § 593
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 593. Place for bringing action; caption of divorce action

§ 593. Place for bringing action; caption of divorce action|(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]  (Amended 1995, No. 59, § 13; 2009, No. 3, § 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009; 2011, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)
15 V.S.A. § 594
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 594. Representation and testimony of child

§ 594. Representation and testimony of child|(a) The court may appoint an attorney to represent the interests of a minor or dependent child with respect to child support and the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.(b) The court shall appoint an attorney for a minor child before the minor child is called as a witness in a proceeding under this chapter. The child may only be called as a witness if the court finds after hearing that:  (1) the child's testimony is necessary to assist the court in determining the issue before it; (2) the probative value of the child's testimony outweighs the potential detriment to the child; and (3) the evidence sought is not reasonably available by any other means.   (c) The examination of the child may be conducted by the court in chambers in the presence of such other persons as the court may specify and shall be recorded by a court reporter.(d) The court shall enter an order for costs, fees, and disbursements in favor of the child's attorney. The order shall be made against either or both parents, except that, if the responsible party is indigent, the costs, fees, and disbursements shall be borne as provided by rule of court. (1971, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 6, 1972; amended 1985, No. 181 (Adj. Sess.), § 9.)
15 V.S.A. § 594a
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 594a. Temporary relief

§ 594a. Temporary relief|Either party or both parties to a civil marriage may apply for temporary relief at any time following the separation of the parties to the marriage coincidental with, or subsequent to the filing of complaint for absolute divorce or legal separation. The court to which the cause is returnable, or a Superior judge, on such notice to the adverse party as the court or judge directs, may make such orders pending final hearing and further order of the court as the court would be authorized to make upon final hearing. A prompt hearing will be held, and the evidence shall be recorded by a court reporter. The court or judge shall issue an order within 14 days from the date of the hearing. Failure of the court or judge to issue an order within 14 days shall not affect the validity of any order issued after the 14-day period. (Added 1981, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2009, No. 3, § 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009; 2017, No. 11, § 38.)
15 V.S.A. § 604
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 604. Costs on motion to revise

§ 604. Costs on motion to revise|Upon a motion to revise and alter a decree made by force of this chapter and sections 291-294 of this title, the court may award costs to either party as equity requires.
15 V.S.A. § 607
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 607. Action by attorney to recover suit money

§ 607. Action by attorney to recover suit money|When a final order has been made providing for the payment by either party of suit money to the attorney for the opposite party or for a minor child of the parties, and service of the order has been made or accepted, the attorney may recover the suit money by a civil action on this section or by contempt proceedings brought in the attorney's own name, either with or without the consent of the client. (Added 1981, No. 247 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)
15 V.S.A. § 631
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 631. Generally

§ 631. Generally|A divorce may be granted forthwith when either spouse has become permanently incapacitated due to a mental condition or psychiatric disability. A divorce shall not be granted under these provisions unless such person who is permanently incapacitated due to a mental condition or psychiatric disability shall have been duly and regularly confined in a psychiatric hospital, wherever located, for at least five years next preceding the commencement of the action for divorce, nor unless it shall appear to the court that such mental condition or psychiatric disability is permanent. No action shall be maintained under the provisions hereof unless the libelant is an actual resident of this State and shall have resided therein for two years next preceding the commencement of such action. (Amended 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 70.)
15 V.S.A. § 632
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 632. Jurisdiction; guardian ad litem for libelee with a mental incapacity

§ 632. Jurisdiction; guardian ad litem for libelee with a mental incapacity|The Superior Courts of the several counties of this State shall have jurisdiction of such an action. Upon the filing by the plaintiff of a complaint, duly verified, showing that such cause of action exists, a Superior judge shall appoint some person to act as guardian ad litem of such person with a mental incapacity in such action. The complaint and summons in such action shall be served upon the defendant by delivering a copy thereof to such guardian and another to the State's Attorney of the county in which such action is brought. (Amended 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 70.)
15 V.S.A. § 633
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 633. Duty of State's Attorney

§ 633. Duty of State's Attorney|The State's Attorney upon whom the complaint and summons in such action shall be served shall appear for such defendant and defend the same. No divorce shall be granted unless the provisions of this section have been complied with.
15 V.S.A. § 634
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 634. Alimony; distribution of property; care and custody of children

§ 634. Alimony; distribution of property; care and custody of children|(a) In actions brought for the cause of mental incapacity, the courts and the judges thereof shall possess all the powers relative to the payment of alimony, the distribution of property, and the care and custody of the children of the parties, that such courts now have, or may hereafter have, in other actions for divorce.(b) The court may make such orders for the division of property held by the parties as tenants by the entirety as may be proper.(c) No order shall be made providing for continued support of a spouse without a mental condition or psychiatric disability from the estate of a spouse with a mental condition or psychiatric disability after the remarriage of the spouse who does not have a mental condition or a psychiatric disability. (Amended 1987, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 70.)
15 V.S.A. § 635
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 635. Support of defendant

§ 635. Support of defendant|(a) At the time of granting a divorce on the grounds of a permanent mental condition or psychiatric disability or any time thereafter, on motion of either party, or of the guardian of the spouse with a mental condition or psychiatric disability, or of any other person, town, or municipality charged with the support of the spouse with a mental condition or psychiatric disability, the court may make such orders requiring support of the defendant or security for such support as may be proper.(b) An order for the support of the party with a mental condition or psychiatric disability shall be enforceable in the same manner as orders relating to alimony.(c) On motion of either party or of the guardian of the spouse with a mental condition or psychiatric disability, or of any person, town, or municipality charged with the support of such defendant, an order relating to such support may be reviewed and altered at any time thereafter in such manner as to the court may seem just and proper. (Amended 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 70.)
15 V.S.A. § 636
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 636. Filing certified copies of orders with court which committed party with a mental condition or psychiatric disability

§ 636. Filing certified copies of orders with court which committed party with a mental condition or psychiatric disability|If the party with a mental condition or psychiatric disability was committed by a court of competent jurisdiction, the clerk of the court shall file a certified copy of all orders entered in proceedings brought under these provisions. (Amended 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 70.)
15 V.S.A. § 637
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 637. Costs and expenses

§ 637. Costs and expenses|All the costs in such action, as well as the actual expenses of the state's attorney therein, together with the expenses and fees of the guardian therein, shall be paid by the plaintiff. Such expenses of the state's attorney and expenses and fees of the guardian shall be fixed and allowed by the court. The court or the judge thereof may make such order relative to the payment of such fees and expenses as to the court or judge may seem proper.
15 V.S.A. § 650
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 650. Legislative findings and purpose

§ 650. Legislative findings and purpose|The legislature finds and declares as public policy that after parents have separated or dissolved their civil marriage, it is in the best interests of their minor child to have the opportunity for maximum continuing physical and emotional contact with both parents, unless direct physical harm or significant emotional harm to the child or a parent is likely to result from such contact. The legislature further finds and declares as public policy that parents have the responsibility to provide child support, and that child support orders should reflect the true costs of raising children and approximate insofar as possible the standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the family remained intact. (Added 1985, No. 181 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2003, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2009, No. 3, § 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009.)
15 V.S.A. § 654
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 11 - Annulment and Divorce|§ 654. Support guideline

§ 654. Support guideline|The Secretary of Human Services shall prescribe by rule a guideline for child support that reflects the percent of combined available income that parents living in the same household in Vermont ordinarily spend on their children. The rule shall be based on the concept that children should receive the same proportion of parental income after separation or divorce of their parents as they would receive if their parents were living together in one household. The rule shall be based on the financial needs of Vermont children, established by such reliable data as most accurately reflect their needs. The amounts of child support determined under the guideline shall be expressed in dollars and shall be presumed to be the total support obligation of parents. The Secretary may amend the guideline from time to time as may be necessary, but not less than once every four years. The Secretary shall also prepare and make available forms suitable for calculating amounts payable under this section. (Added 1985, No. 180 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 1, 1987; amended 1989, No. 220 (Adj. Sess.), § 17.)