Vermont § 551 - Grounds for divorce from bond of matrimony A divorce from the bond of matrimony may be decreed:

Full text of Vermont Vermont Statutes Online § 551 — Grounds for divorce from bond of matrimony A divorce from the bond of matrimony may be decreed:, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 551. Grounds for divorce from bond of matrimony A divorce from the bond of matrimony may be decreed:

  • (1) for adultery in either party; (2) when either party is sentenced to confinement at hard labor in the State prison in
    this State for life, or for three years or more, and is actually confined at the time
    of the bringing of the libel; or when either party being without the State, receives
    a sentence for an equally long term of imprisonment by a competent court having jurisdiction
    as the result of a trial in any one of the other states of the United States, or in
    a federal court, or in any one of the territories, possessions, or other courts subject
    to the jurisdiction of the United States, or in a foreign country granting a trial
    by jury, and is actually confined at the time of the bringing of the libel; (3) for intolerable severity in either party; (4) for willful desertion or when either party has been absent for seven years and not
    heard of during that time; (5) on complaint of either party when one spouse has sufficient pecuniary or physical
    ability to provide suitable maintenance for the other and, without cause, persistently
    refuses or neglects so to do; (6) on the ground of permanent incapacity due to a mental condition or psychiatric disability
    of either party, as provided for in sections 631-637 of this title; or (7) when a married person has lived apart from his or her spouse for six consecutive months
    and the court finds that the resumption of marital relations is not reasonably probable. (Amended 1969, No. 264 (Adj

Source: official Vermont text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont § 551

What does Vermont Statutes Online § 551 cover?

Section 551 ("Grounds for divorce from bond of matrimony A divorce from the bond of matrimony may be decreed:") is part of the Vermont Statutes Online, the codified statutory law of Vermont. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Vermont § 551?

A common citation format is "Vermont Statutes Online § 551" (Vermont). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Vermont law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Vermont official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Vermont attorney.

How does Vermont § 551 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Vermont can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Vermont.