How do I request a modification in Vermont?

Modification requires a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances, or the order must be at least three years old. You must also show a 10%+ change in the calculated support amount.

What does filing a modification cost?

$90 as of March 2026 for the base filing fee, though modifying an order costs $45 if contested or $0 if the parties file a stipulation (agreed modification).

Is there interest on unpaid support in Vermont?

Yes. Under 15 V.S.A. § 606, back child support accrues a 6% annual surcharge.

Vermont, United States

Vermont Child Support: A Parent's Guide

Q: How is child support calculated in Vermont?

Under the income shares model under 15 V.S.A. § 654, adopted in 1985: both parents' available incomes are combined, looked up on the guideline table, and split proportionally, adjusted for health insurance, childcare, and the amount of time the child spends with each parent.

Q: How is child support enforced in Vermont?

Through the Office of Child Support (OCS), using automatic wage withholding (triggered after 7 days late), tax refund intercepts, license suspension (driver's, professional, recreational), credit bureau reporting, passport denial for arrearages over $2,500, bank levies, and contempt of court.

How child support works in Vermont, in plain English: the income shares guidelines, the 3-year modification rule, and OCS enforcement.

Legal sources reviewed: August 10, 2026

On this page

In short: Vermont's income shares guidelines, dating to 1985, require either a substantial and unanticipated change, or the order being at least 3 years old, plus a 10%+ recalculated difference, to support a modification. Filing costs as little as $0 for an agreed stipulation, and enforcement starts fast: automatic wage withholding after just 7 days late.

This is an educational overview written for parents, not lawyers. It isn't legal advice. For anything beyond general understanding, talk to a licensed Vermont family law attorney.

What Vermont generally provides

Under 15 V.S.A. § 654, adopted in 1985, Vermont uses the income shares model: both parents' available incomes are combined, looked up on the guideline table, and split proportionally, adjusted for health insurance, childcare, and the amount of time the child spends with each parent.

Important terminology

Real, substantial, and unanticipated change: Vermont's core standard for a modification.
OCS: the Vermont Office of Child Support, responsible for enforcement.
6% annual surcharge: the statutory interest rate on overdue support under § 606.

How the calculation works

Combining available income and weighing actual time

Both parents' available incomes are combined and matched against Vermont's guideline table, with adjustments for health insurance premiums, work-related childcare, and, notably, the amount of time the child spends with each parent, a factor baked directly into the calculation rather than treated separately.

Requesting or defending a modification

A modification requires a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances, or the order must simply be at least three years old. Either way, the recalculated figure must also show a 10% or greater change from the current support amount. Filing a base motion costs $90 as of March 2026, though modifying an order specifically costs $45 if contested or $0 with a stipulation (an agreed modification), a meaningfully cheaper path when both parents can agree. See the child support calculator and guideline finder for jurisdiction-specific calculation sources and guidance.

How enforcement works

Vermont's Office of Child Support (OCS) enforces orders through automatic wage withholding, triggered after just 7 days late, a notably fast trigger compared to states that wait for a full month's delinquency. Additional tools include tax refund intercepts, license suspension (driver's, professional, recreational), credit bureau reporting, passport denial for arrearages over $2,500, bank levies, and contempt of court. Back child support accrues a 6% annual surcharge under 15 V.S.A. § 606. Contact OCS at 1-800-786-3214 for assistance.

Common questions

Can my co-parent and I agree on a modification without a big filing fee? Yes, if you can reach a stipulation (agreed modification), the filing fee drops to $0, versus $45 for a contested modification.

How quickly does wage withholding start if a payment is missed? Very quickly, Vermont triggers automatic withholding after just 7 days late, one of the faster response times among the states covered here.

What if my co-parent isn't paying? Contact Vermont's Office of Child Support (OCS) at 1-800-786-3214, which handles wage withholding, tax intercepts, and the fuller range of enforcement tools.

Practical considerations

Because Vermont's automatic wage withholding trigger is so fast (7 days), and cooperating on a stipulated modification is essentially free, staying in communication with your co-parent about a genuine change in circumstances, rather than letting a payment lapse, tends to be both cheaper and faster than the contested alternative. For the custody and rights-and-responsibilities rules that intersect with this calculation, see the Vermont custody guide.

Official Vermont resources

FAQ

Questions, answered

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Family law varies by individual circumstances and may change over time. Consult a qualified attorney or appropriate official resource for advice about your situation.