Can My Child Choose Which Parent to Live With in Vermont?
May 18, 2025

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When Vermont parents go through a divorce or separation, one of the most emotionally charged questions is where the child will live—and whether the child gets a say in that decision. Many parents ask, “Can my child choose which parent to live with in Vermont?”


The short answer is: not exactly, but the child’s preferences may be considered depending on age, maturity, and circumstances. Vermont courts always prioritize the best interests of the child, and while a child's wishes can be a factor, they are never the sole deciding factor.


How Vermont Courts Make Custody Decisions


In Vermont, the legal term for custody is parental rights and responsibilities (PR&R). Courts can allocate these responsibilities in several ways:

  • Sole legal and physical responsibility to one parent
  • Shared legal and/or physical responsibility between both parents
  • Split or hybrid arrangements depending on the child’s needs


When determining these arrangements, courts must assess what is in the best interest of the child. To do so, judges use a set of statutory factors, including:

  • The child’s relationship with each parent
  • Each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs
  • The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community
  • The ability of the parents to communicate and cooperate
  • The stability of each parent’s household
  • And, in some cases, the child’s wishes


When Do a Child’s Preferences Matter?


Vermont does not set a specific age at which a child can choose which parent to live with. Instead, courts look at:

  • The child’s age and maturity
  • The child’s reasoning for their preference
  • Whether the child is being influenced or pressured by either parent


For example, a thoughtful and well-articulated preference from a 14-year-old who wants to remain in the same school district might carry more weight than a 10-year-old who prefers one parent because they have fewer rules or more video games.

Courts are cautious to ensure that a child’s preference is genuine, well-reasoned, and not coerced, and they may also consider how expressing that preference could emotionally affect the child.


Does My Child Have to Testify in Court?


In most cases, Vermont courts try to avoid putting children on the witness stand, recognizing that testifying against a parent can be stressful and traumatic.


Instead, the child’s preferences may be gathered in other ways:

  • Through a Guardian ad Litem, appointed to represent the child’s best interests
  • In a custody evaluation by a mental health professional
  • During in-camera interviews with the judge (in chambers and off the record)
  • Through input from a family therapist or social worker

These options help preserve the child’s emotional well-being while still giving the court access to their views.


What If My Teenager Refuses to Visit the Other Parent?


As children get older—especially in their mid to late teens—it becomes more difficult to force visitation that they strongly oppose. While the court order must still be followed, judges and attorneys recognize that real-world enforcement with older teens can be challenging and sometimes counterproductive.

If a teenager is refusing visitation, it’s important for both parents to:

  • Explore the reasons behind the resistance
  • Avoid blaming or alienating the other parent
  • Consider seeking a modification of the parenting schedule, if appropriate

Ignoring the court order or encouraging a child to resist visitation can backfire legally. Instead, it’s best to seek legal guidance to address the issue constructively.


Tips for Parents Handling Custody Preferences


  • Be respectful of your child’s feelings, but don’t promise outcomes you can’t control.
  • Don’t pressure your child to “choose sides.” Courts frown upon any signs of parental manipulation.
  • Communicate with the other parent and stay focused on your child’s well-being.
  • Seek legal advice before making changes to a court-ordered custody arrangement.


Speak with a Vermont Family Law Attorney


Child custody decisions are never easy, especially when your child’s preferences come into play. At Deppman Law PLC, we help Vermont families manage these complex and emotional issues with care, clarity, and experience. If you’re facing a custody dispute or need help understanding your rights and options, our team is here to guide you. Contact Deppman Law today to schedule a consultation and find out how we can support you and your family through the custody process.

Buying a Home With Someone You’re Not Married To

July 16, 2026
Buying a home with a partner, friend, or family member can make homeownership more attainable and allow two people to invest in property together. But when co-owners are not married, many of the legal protections and rules that apply to married couples do not necessarily apply in the same way. Before purchasing a home together, it’s important to think beyond the down payment and mortgage. Considerations such as how expenses will be divided and what happens if one person's circumstances change are much easier to address before closing than after a disagreement arises. Decide How You Will Own the Property One of the first decisions co-buyers will need to make is how title to the property will be held. The form of ownership can affect each person's rights in the property and what happens to an owner's interest if that person dies. The deed should also accurately reflect the ownership arrangement the buyers intend. A 50/50 split may make sense when both people are contributing equally, but that may not always be the case. One buyer might provide most of the down payment while the other contributes more toward the monthly mortgage or improvements to the property. Those differences should be discussed before the purchase. Simply contributing more money does not necessarily mean that a person will automatically receive a greater ownership interest or be entitled to reimbursement later. Buyers should understand how their contributions relate to their legal ownership and document their intentions accordingly. Plan for the Costs of Owning the Home The purchase price is only the beginning of the financial relationship between co-owners. Mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, utilities, routine maintenance, and major repairs all create ongoing obligations. A written agreement can establish how those expenses will be divided and how decisions about the property will be made. It can also address less predictable situations. If the roof needs to be replaced, for example, are both owners responsible for half? What if one owner pays for a significant renovation that increases the property's value? What happens if one person temporarily cannot contribute toward the mortgage? Working through these questions in advance can prevent uncertainty about whether a payment was intended as a shared expense, a loan, or an additional investment in the property. Co-owners should also understand that ownership of the home and responsibility for the mortgage are separate issues. The names appearing on the deed determine ownership, while the loan documents determine who is legally responsible for repaying the mortgage. The way those documents are structured can have significant consequences for both parties. Consider What Happens If One Person Wants Out It may feel uncomfortable to discuss the end of a living arrangement while preparing to buy a home together, but it is one of the most important conversations unmarried co-buyers can have. Circumstances change. One person may want to relocate, experience a financial setback, enter a new relationship, or simply decide that joint ownership no longer works. Without an agreement, the owners may disagree about whether the property should be sold, whether one person can buy out the other, or how the home's value should be determined. A co-ownership agreement can establish a process before those issues arise. It might address how a buyout will work, how the property will be valued, how sale proceeds will be divided, and what happens if the owners cannot agree about whether to sell. The agreement can also address what should happen if an owner dies and how that person's interest in the property will be handled. Contact Deppman Law PLC  Buying a home together is a significant financial commitment, regardless of the relationship between the buyers. Taking the time to establish a clear ownership arrangement and put expectations in writing can help protect both parties and reduce the potential for disputes later. If you are considering purchasing Vermont real estate with a partner, friend, or family member, contact Deppman Law PLC for guidance on structuring the purchase and creating a co-ownership agreement that addresses your needs.

Buying a Small Business in Vermont and What to Know Before You Sign

June 17, 2026
Buying an existing business can be an appealing alternative to starting one from scratch. The customer base, employees, equipment, vendor relationships, and operating history may already be in place. But a business that looks successful from the outside can come with obligations and risks that are not immediately apparent. Before signing a purchase agreement, buyers should understand exactly what obligations may come with the transaction and whether the business is in the financial and legal position the seller has represented. Look Beyond the Financial Statements Financial records are an important part of evaluating a potential acquisition, but due diligence should extend well beyond revenue and profitability. A buyer should review the business's tax records, debts, pending or threatened litigation, insurance coverage, licenses and permits, and any liens or other claims involving business assets. Existing contracts also deserve careful attention. Agreements with customers, vendors, suppliers, lenders, and other third parties can have a significant impact on the value of the business. Some contracts may be transferred to a new owner, while others require consent or contain provisions allowing the other party to terminate the agreement after a change in ownership. If the business operates from leased property, the commercial lease can be equally important. Buyers should understand how much time remains on the lease, renewal options, rent increases, maintenance obligations, and whether the landlord must approve an assignment or a new lease. Vermont buyers should also be aware of state-specific obligations that can arise in connection with a business transfer. For example, Vermont law includes notice requirements involving certain bulk transfers of business assets and provisions that may affect a buyer that continues the operations of an existing employer. Know the Value of What You Are Buying Employees can be one of a business's most valuable assets, particularly when customer relationships or specialized knowledge depend on particular people. Before closing, buyers should understand the existing workforce, compensation and benefits, employment agreements, accrued obligations, and any ongoing employment disputes. In Vermont, acquiring and continuing an existing business can also have implications for unemployment insurance. Under certain circumstances, an acquiring business may be treated as a successor employer, and the predecessor's experience-rating record may transfer to the successor. Buyers should also identify precisely which physical and intangible assets are included in the purchase. Depending on the business, that might include equipment, inventory, vehicles, intellectual property, websites and domain names, customer information, trade names, or other valuable rights. It is important to determine not only that the seller possesses these assets, but also whether they are subject to liens or security interests that need to be addressed before closing. Asset Purchase or Equity Purchase? One of the most important decisions in structuring an acquisition is whether to purchase the assets of the business or the ownership interests in the company itself. In an asset purchase, the buyer generally purchases specifically identified assets and assumes only the liabilities identified in the agreement, subject to applicable law. This structure can give the parties greater ability to define what is — and is not — part of the transaction. In an equity purchase, the buyer purchases ownership of the existing company. The business entity continues to own its assets and remain subject to its contractual obligations and liabilities. That makes a careful investigation of the company's history particularly important. Neither structure is automatically better. Tax consequences, contracts, licenses, liabilities, financing, and the buyer's plans for the business can all influence how a transaction should be structured. Contact Deppman Law PLC Purchasing a business is a significant investment, and issues discovered after closing can be far more difficult and expensive to address than those identified during negotiations. An attorney can help evaluate the proposed transaction, conduct legal due diligence, identify potential risks, and prepare or review the agreements necessary to protect the buyer's interests. If you are considering buying a business in Vermont, contact Deppman Law PLC to learn more about the acquisition process and the steps you can take before signing.