Home Vermont Uncontested Divorce Kit
2026 edition • Vermont Stipulated Divorce RoadmapVermont Uncontested Divorce Kit
File your Complaint, sign your Final Stipulation, and work toward your Decree Nisi — a plain-English roadmap to the real Vermont filing packet, without a lawyer.
- The real filing packet — Complaint, Final Stipulation & Acceptance of Service, not a 3-form summary
- Step-by-step filing instructions, in plain English
- Free eligibility check before you pay anything
- Instant PDF download — $129 one-time, no subscription
Takes 2 minutes to check · no commitment
“Affordable and complete. No hidden fees or surprise charges.”
Jean B. · Rutland, Vermont
Do You Qualify for a Stipulated Divorce?
Vermont has real residency, separation, and scope rules. Check below to see if you can file yourself.
Use this kit if:
- You or your spouse has lived in Vermont for at least 6 months to file (one of you must have lived here a full year before the final hearing).
- You've lived separate and apart for 6 consecutive months (or will have by the hearing), and reconciliation isn't reasonably likely.
- You both agree on every term — property, debt, spousal support, and (if applicable) parental rights and child support — and are willing to sign a Final Stipulation.
- Your spouse is willing to sign an Acceptance of Service, or can otherwise be served without dispute.
Talk to a lawyer if:
- You haven't met Vermont's residency rule, or haven't lived apart for 6 months (and don't plan to).
- Your spouse contests the divorce, refuses to sign the Stipulation, or can't be located.
- Either of you has a final abuse-prevention order against the other — this blocks the paperwork-only hearing waiver.
- You need to divide real property, a retirement account, or a business interest, or need a temporary/emergency order.
What a Final Stipulation Actually Does — and Doesn't
15 V.S.A. § 554 sets 90 days as the standard nisi period — not a guaranteed finish line — and your Stipulation must still be acceptable to the court.
Records your agreement on every term
The Final Stipulation is a written, signed agreement covering property, debt, and spousal support (plus parental rights and child support with children). It tells the court the case is settled. Your spouse separately signs an Acceptance of Service if you want to avoid formal service — that's a distinct document from the Stipulation.
What it doesn't do
Signing a Stipulation doesn't end your marriage by itself. The court reviews it and must find it acceptable, an uncontested final hearing is the ordinary path, and the 90-day nisi period is a standard default — the court has discretion to set an earlier date, but nothing requires it to.
We can't promise your specific timeline — no honest DIY product can. Our roadmap shows you how to sequence the right documents correctly the first time, since missing or mismatched paperwork is what actually causes delays.
Why Choose a Stipulation Kit?
Filing a Stipulation together with your Complaint can lower your Family Division filing fee to $90 instead of $295. Our kit helps you assemble the full, correct packet the first time so you're not stuck refiling.
Save Thousands
You do the filing yourself and keep the difference between a lawyer's fee and a one-time kit price — see the breakdown alongside.
Nisi Period, Explained Correctly
Most people misunderstand the "Decree Nisi." We explain the real 90-day default, when a court can set an earlier date, and why that's discretionary — not automatic.
Your Total Out-of-Pocket
*Vermont Judiciary lists $90 when you file a stipulated case (Complaint and Final Stipulation together) versus $295 for a non-stipulated filing. Additional costs can include service and vital-records fees; a fee waiver may be available if you can't afford the cost. Confirm your current fee with the Family Division Clerk before filing. Attorney figure is an illustrative estimate, not a quote.
What's Inside the Kit
A plain-English guide to the real Vermont stipulated-divorce filing packet.
Stipulation Roadmap
- File your Complaint
- Sequence the Final Stipulation and Acceptance of Service correctly
- Prepare for your Decree Nisi
Core Filing Packet
The documents an agreed, no-children case actually needs:
Children's-Case Addendum
If you have a minor child, this covers:
- The Complaint (With Children)
- The Agreement on Parental Rights & Responsibilities
- Both parties' Financial Affidavits
- The Child Support Order
What this kit does not include
- Cases with real property to divide, a business to value, or a retirement account to split
- Legal advice on a specific custody, support, or property dispute, or representation in a contested proceeding
- A guarantee that your spouse will sign, that your final hearing will be waived, that the nisi period will be shortened, or that your case finalizes on any particular day
- Your Family Division's $90–$295 filing fee or any service or vital-records fees — all separate from our $129 price
- Coverage for domestic abuse/protective-order situations, a spouse who can't be located, or contested custody/support/property disputes — those need a different approach and often an attorney
PlainDivorce is a private publisher, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the Vermont courts. The Vermont Judiciary provides its own current forms and self-help guidance; using our guide does not certify any document as court-approved or guarantee it is legally sufficient for your case. Always confirm current forms, fees, and local requirements with your Family Division Clerk before filing.
A plain-English companion to Vermont's own self-help resources, for filing in any Vermont Superior Court, Family Division.
How It Works
A roadmap to your Absolute Divorce — not a promised timeline, since the nisi period and your court's own scheduling both affect how long it takes.
File Complaint
File the Complaint, Information Sheet, Statement of Confidential Information, and Health Dept. certificate with your county Family Division. File together with your Stipulation for the lower stipulated fee — confirm the current amount with your clerk.
Stipulate & Serve
Both sign the Final Stipulation. Your spouse signs an Acceptance of Service, or is served another permitted way and can file an Answer within 21 days.
Confirm Separation & Hearing
Confirm you've met the 6-month separation rule. Attend an uncontested final hearing, or request the paperwork-only hearing waiver if you qualify.
Nisi to Absolute
The judge grants your divorce as a Decree Nisi. It ordinarily becomes Absolute 90 days later — sooner only if the court sets an earlier date.
Simple Pricing vs. Lawyer Fees
| Feature | PlainDivorce Kit | Typical Lawyer |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cost | $129 | $2,500+ |
| Process Control | You set the pace (DIY) | Lawyer's schedule |
| Includes Forms? | Yes (Complaint, Stipulation, Service & more) | Yes |
Secure One-Time Payment · No Subscriptions
If Your Case Isn't Eligible, You Get Your Money Back
If you buy the kit and then discover you own real property or a retirement account, need a business valued, your spouse won't sign, there's a domestic-abuse situation, or another circumstance this kit isn't built for, email us within 30 days and we will refund you in full. We would rather lose the sale than have you file something that doesn't fit your situation.
Refunds are handled by our support team. See our Terms of Use for full details.
What Our Clients Say
Real stories from people who used PlainDivorce to complete their own filing.
4.7 out of 5 based on 300+ customer reviews
Customer reviews are collected from purchasers and support conversations. Names may be shortened for privacy, and individual results vary by court, case facts, and filing requirements.
“Affordable and complete. No hidden fees or surprise charges.”
Jean B.
Rutland
“I downloaded the kit on a Friday and filed by Monday. Incredible speed.”
Marc L.
Burlington
“Avoided months of confusion. The process is streamlined and very clear.”
George V.
Barre
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Decree Nisi, and when does it become Absolute?
A Decree Nisi is the initial divorce order. Under 15 V.S.A. § 554, it ordinarily becomes absolute 90 days after entry. The court that grants the divorce has discretion to set an earlier date, but doesn't have to — 90 days is the standard default, not a promised finish line.
What is the six-month separation rule?
Vermont's no-fault ground requires living separate and apart for six consecutive months AND the court finding that resuming marital relations isn't reasonably probable. You can file before or during the six months, but the final hearing can't happen until it's satisfied.
What is a Final Stipulation, and does it end the marriage automatically?
The Final Stipulation is the written agreement signed by both spouses resolving property, debt, spousal support, and (with children) parental rights and support. Filing it tells the court the case is uncontested, but the court must find it acceptable and the judge still grants the divorce — signing it doesn't end the marriage by itself.
What if my spouse won't sign the Acceptance of Service?
You'll need to use another permitted service method instead. Once served, your spouse generally has 21 days to file a Notice of Appearance and Answer. An unsigned Acceptance doesn't automatically make the case contested.
Do we have to attend a final hearing?
Usually yes — an uncontested final hearing is the ordinary path, where the judge confirms residency, the separation finding, and voluntary agreement. Unrepresented parties without minor children may request a paperwork-only Stipulation and Motion to Waive Final Hearing, but this isn't available if either party has a final abuse-prevention order against the other.
What if we have children together?
You'll use the Complaint (With Children) version and need an Agreement on Parental Rights & Responsibilities, both parties' Financial Affidavits, and a Child Support Order. Without children, you instead certify that you've each shared your financial information — the affidavits aren't required.
What does it cost to file?
The Vermont Judiciary lists $90 for a stipulated filing (Complaint and Final Stipulation filed together) versus $295 for a non-stipulated filing. Service and vital-records costs are separate. Confirm your current fee with the Family Division Clerk before filing.
Is this an official, court-approved kit?
No. The Vermont Judiciary provides its own current forms and self-help guidance. Our kit is a private, independently written guide to completing the real filing packet; it is not issued, approved, or endorsed by the Vermont courts.
What if it turns out my case isn't right for this kit?
Email support within 30 days and we will refund you in full. See our Terms of Use for details. We are not a law firm, cannot give legal advice, and cannot appear or file on your behalf — you file with the court yourself.
Important Legal Disclaimer
PlainDivorce is not a law firm and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the Vermont courts. We do not provide legal advice, do not represent you in court, and no attorney-client relationship is created by using this site or the kit. The Vermont Uncontested Divorce Kit is a self-help information product explaining Vermont's own divorce statutes and court self-help guidance; it is not a certification that any document or process is court-approved for your specific case.
We do not guarantee that your spouse will sign an Acceptance of Service, that your court will waive the final hearing or shorten the nisi period, that a judge will enter your decree as submitted, or that your case will finalize within any particular timeframe. Vermont Judiciary filing fees ($90 stipulated / $295 non-stipulated, subject to change) are separate from, and not included in, our $129 price; you are responsible for verifying current requirements and fees with your Family Division Clerk before filing. This kit does not cover cases involving real property, retirement account division, or business interests, and the paperwork-only hearing waiver is unavailable if either party has a final abuse-prevention order against the other.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, coercion, or feel unsafe, do not rely on a self-help filing in place of legal advice or protective measures. Contact a family law attorney or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
Content last reviewed: September 2026.