Vermont Child Support Calculator
Parent Information (Monthly Gross Income)
Children, Parenting Time & Expenses (Monthly)
Guideline Support Estimate
What Is the Vermont Child Support Calculator?
The Vermont Child Support Calculator is an online tool designed to estimate the amount of child support one parent may owe the other. It uses the Vermont Child Support Guidelines, which consider the income of both parents, the number of children, and the time each parent spends with the child.
This calculator provides an estimate, not a final court order. Still, it’s an excellent starting point for understanding what Vermont courts may decide in a child support case.
How the Vermont Child Support Calculator Works
The calculator is built on Vermont’s official income-share model. This model assumes that a child should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have if both parents lived together.
Here’s a breakdown of how the calculator works step-by-step:
- Parent Incomes – You enter both parents’ gross monthly incomes (before taxes).
- Number of Children – You select the total number of children you share.
- Parenting Time (Overnights) – You input how many nights each parent spends with the child per year.
- Additional Expenses – You can include health insurance premiums and work-related child care costs.
- Calculation – The calculator applies Vermont’s percentage-based formula to estimate the total child support amount.
Once you click “Calculate”, the tool provides a clear estimate of the monthly child support payment, showing who pays whom and how much.
What Factors Affect Child Support in Vermont
Several factors influence the support amount in Vermont:
- Combined Parental Income – The total income of both parents forms the base of the calculation.
- Number of Children – The more children, the higher the combined support obligation.
- Parenting Time (Overnights) – If both parents share custody, the calculator adjusts the payment to reflect shared time.
- Health Insurance Costs – The cost of health insurance for the children can be added to the total obligation.
- Child Care Expenses – Work-related child care costs are also included.
The calculator automatically applies Vermont’s official percentages to these inputs to ensure your estimate aligns with the state’s guideline tables.
Example Calculation (For Clarity)
Let’s say:
- Parent A earns $4,000 per month.
- Parent B earns $2,500 per month.
- They share two children.
- Parent B has 100 overnights per year.
- There are no additional health or child care costs.
Based on these inputs, the Vermont Child Support Calculator will estimate a payment amount from one parent to the other. The tool displays the result instantly, clearly labeling the paying and receiving parent for transparency.
Important Note: Estimates vs. Legal Orders
The Vermont Child Support Calculator gives you an informational estimate. The final child support order issued by a Vermont family court may differ depending on additional factors, such as:
- Medical or educational needs of the child
- Extraordinary expenses
- Adjustments for shared or split custody arrangements
- Income changes or unemployment
Always consult a family law attorney or Vermont’s Office of Child Support for personalized legal guidance before making decisions based on calculator results.
Why Use the Vermont Child Support Calculator
Here’s why this tool stands out:
- Free and easy to use — no sign-up or software needed.
- Instant results — get your estimated payment in seconds.
- Accurate and updated — built using Vermont’s official guideline tables.
- Transparent — clearly shows how each factor affects the outcome.
Whether you’re a custodial parent or a noncustodial parent, using the calculator helps you plan ahead and approach child support discussions with confidence.