Title 15, Title 15: Domestic Relations

§ 1159. Custody and visitation orders Nothing in this chapter, nor participation in this Program, affects custody or visitation orders in effect prior to or during program participation. (Added 1999, No. 134 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2001.)

§ 1160. Adoption of rules (a) The Secretary of State shall adopt rules necessary to perform the Secretary’s duties under this subchapter relating to: (1) program application and certification; (2) certification cancellation; (3) agency use of designated addresses and exceptions; …

§ 1171. Creation of Vermont Council on Domestic Violence There is created the Vermont Council on Domestic Violence. The Council shall provide leadership for Vermont’s statewide effort to eradicate domestic violence. (Added 2007, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 14.)

§ 1172. Purpose; powers; duties (a) The Council shall: (1) facilitate opportunities for dialogue, advocacy, education, and support among State agencies, advocacy groups, and the public; (2) collect, review, and analyze data and information relating to domestic violence; (3) provi…

§ 1173. Composition and meetings (a) The Council shall consist of the following members to be appointed as follows: (1) To be appointed by the Governor: (A) one member of the public who shall be a survivor of domestic violence; (B) a representative from the same-sex domestic viol…

§ 1181. Definitions As used in this subchapter: (1) “Abusive litigation” means litigation where the criteria set forth below in each of subdivisions (A)–(D) are found to have been established: (A) The opposing parties have a current or former family or household member relationsh…

§ 1182. Order restricting abusive litigation (a) A party who meets the requirements of subdivision 1181(1) of this title may request an order restricting abusive litigation: (1) in any answer or response to the litigation being filed, initiated, advanced, or continued; (2) by mot…

§ 1183. Hearing; procedure At the hearing, evidence of any of the following shall create a rebuttable presumption that litigation is being initiated, advanced, or continued primarily for the purpose of harassing, intimidating, or maintaining contact with the other party: (1) The …

§ 1184. Burden of proof (a) If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that a party is engaging in abusive litigation and that any or all of the motions or actions pending before the court are abusive litigation, the litigation shall be dismissed, denied, stricken, or …

§ 1185. Filing of a new case by a person subject to an order restricting abusive litigation (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who is subject to an order restricting abusive litigation is prohibited from filing, initiating, advancing, or continuing the lit…

§ 1201. Definitions As used in this chapter: (1) “Certificate of civil union” means a document that certifies that the persons named on the certificate have established a civil union in this state in compliance with this chapter and 18 V.S.A. chapter 106. (2) “Civil union” means …

§ 1202. Requisites of a valid civil union For a civil union to be established in Vermont, it shall be necessary that the parties to a civil union satisfy all of the following criteria: (1) not be a party to another civil union or a marriage; (2) be of the same sex; (3) meet the c…

§ 1203. Person shall not enter a civil union with a relative (a) A woman shall not enter a civil union with her mother, grandmother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, brother’s daughter, sister’s daughter, father’s sister, or mother’s sister. (b) A man shall not enter a civil unio…

§ 1204. Benefits, protections, and responsibilities of parties to a civil union (a) Parties to a civil union shall have all the same benefits, protections, and responsibilities under law, whether they derive from statute, administrative or court rule, policy, common law, or any o…

§ 1205. Modification of civil union terms Parties to a civil union may modify the terms, conditions, or effects of their civil union in the same manner and to the same extent as married persons who execute an antenuptial agreement or other agreement recognized and enforceable und…

§ 1206. Dissolution of civil unions (a) The Family Division of the Superior Court shall have jurisdiction over all proceedings relating to the dissolution of civil unions. Except as otherwise provided, the dissolution of civil unions shall follow the same procedures and be subjec…

§ 1207. Commissioner of Health; duties (a) The Commissioner shall provide civil union license and certificate forms to all town and county clerks. (b) The Commissioner shall keep a record of all civil unions. (Added 1999, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)