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Vermont Property Distribution Laws

In a Vermont divorce action, all property may be divided on an equitable basis, regardless of when it was acquired or how the title is held, including any gifts and inheritances. The factors to be considered are in dividing property in a Vermont divorce action are:

• the contribution of each spouse to the acquisition of the property, including the contribution of each spouse as homemaker;

• the value of each spouse's property;

• the length of the marriage;

• the age and health of the spouses;

• the occupation of the spouses;

• the amount and sources of income of the spouses;

• the vocational skills of the spouses;

• the employability of the spouses;

• the liabilities and needs of each spouse and the opportunity of each for further acquisition of capital assets and income;

• whether the property award is instead of or in addition to maintenance;

• how and by whom the property was acquired;

• the merits of each spouse;

• any custodial provisions for the children, including the desirability of awarding the family home to the parent with custody of any children; and

• the contribution by one spouse to the education, training, or increased earning power of the other.

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