Hiring a Divorce or Family Lawyer in Vermont
How divorce lawyers in Vermont charge, the state's filing rules, how to check a lawyer's license, and free or low-cost family law help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Vermont: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Vermont Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c), a contingent fee agreement must be in a writing signed by the client stating how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal; litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery; and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. It must clearly notify the client of expenses owed whether or not the client prevails, and at the end the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the remittance and how it was determined. Rule 1.5(d) bars fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of spousal maintenance, support or property settlement (contingent fees are allowed for collecting post-judgment maintenance, property division or child support arrearages if the court approves the fee agreement as reasonable), and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Professional Responsibility Program does not mediate, arbitrate or resolve fee disputes, though it reviews complaints that a fee is unreasonable. The Vermont Bar Association has a Committee for the Arbitration of Fee Complaints; contact the Vermont Bar Association at 802-223-2020 for how to file. The committee will not review a fee dispute while a complaint is pending with Bar Counsel or Disciplinary Counsel. |
Vermont rules to know first
| Residency requirement | A divorce or annulment can be filed if either spouse has lived in Vermont for six months or more, but a divorce cannot be granted unless one spouse has lived in Vermont for the one year before the final hearing. Temporary absence for illness, out-of-state work, military service or another legitimate reason does not interrupt residence. Non-residents who married in Vermont may file a fully agreed divorce in the county where their marriage certificate was filed if their home state will not recognize the marriage for divorce and they have no minor children of the marriage. Source: 15 V.S.A. § 592 |
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| Filing fee | The fee to file for divorce, annulment, civil union dissolution or legal separation is $295 without a stipulation, $90 with a full stipulation (agreement) when one or both spouses are Vermont residents, or $180 with a stipulation when neither is a resident. If the case becomes contested, the difference must be paid before the final order. You can apply to waive filing fees and service costs. |
| Uncontested divorce | Spouses who agree on everything at the start can file a stipulated divorce, which has a lower filing fee, using the Judiciary's stipulation forms and checklists; the stipulation must be approved by the court. If certain requirements are met, the parties can ask to waive the final hearing with a Stipulation and Motion to Waive Final Hearing, but this is not available if an abuse prevention order is in effect between the parties. Forms can be completed with the VTCourtForms guided interview. Source: Vermont Judiciary, Divorce page |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Vermont Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service provides referrals at no cost to you; participating attorneys provide up to a 30-minute initial consultation for no more than $25. Call 1-800-639-7036 and give brief information about you and your legal needs, and the service will try to match you with a qualified attorney. People who cannot afford a lawyer will be directed, if possible, to another public service program or human service agency. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Vermont Judiciary (which licenses Vermont attorneys under Administrative Order 41) publishes a list of all attorneys in good standing, showing each attorney's renewal year; licenses expire June 30 of the renewal year listed. A Certificate of Good Standing certifies that an attorney is not suspended or disbarred and is current on licensing fees and CLE. Disciplinary history can be requested free from AttyLicensing@vtcourts.gov. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The Vermont Supreme Court's Professional Responsibility Program reviews complaints that an attorney violated the Rules of Professional Conduct. A complaint must be in writing or by email and should state what the attorney did that should not have been done, or failed to do that should have been done, focusing on facts; send copies, not originals. Email JUD.PRPComplaints@vermont.gov or mail Professional Responsibility Program, 32 Cherry Street, Suite 213, Burlington, VT 05401; questions 802-859-3000. A copy goes to the attorney, and Screening Counsel reviews it and may close it, refer it to Disciplinary Counsel for investigation, or refer it to a non-disciplinary assistance panel. On record checks, the Program discloses only whether a lawyer has ever been reprimanded, suspended, disbarred or formally charged; otherwise it will not confirm or deny that a complaint was filed. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont work together to provide free civil legal help to low-income people who live in Vermont; eligibility depends on income and assets, and they cannot help everyone. Apply or leave a message on the legal helpline at 1-800-889-2047 (Monday 8-1, Tuesday 12:30-7, Wednesday 8-1, Thursday 12:30-7, per the site). The Vermont Judiciary's Access and Resource Center offers free statewide help (not legal advice). LSC lists Legal Services Vermont as its Vermont grantee. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Vermont · Do I need a lawyer?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.