In most cases, stability and continuity serve the best interests of a child. Therefore, under Vermont law, child custody after the death of a custodial parent is likely to pass to the surviving biological parent. This would be especially true if the parents had been married or were divorced and had joint custody, shared “physical responsibility” in Vermont terminology.
If the deceased parent named a legal guardian for the child in their will, the child might become the ward of the guardian named in the will. Generally, however, under child custody laws for unmarried parents, a court grants custody to the surviving biological parent even if the deceased parent named a different guardian for their child in their will.
If the surviving parent is the father whose paternity has not yet been established, then the father would have to establish his paternity before a court would grant him custody of a child. The biological father might have to petition the court for DNA testing to confirm his paternity.
In Vermont, a number of different interested parties may bring an action to establish a father’s paternity. Such an action could be brought by a child, the natural mother, anyone who takes care of the child, someone who claims to be the biological father or an authorized state agency.
Of course, the biological father may establish his paternity in court, and then he would file a petition to get custody or visitation.
Parents may also complete a paternity acknowledgment affidavit, which is a legal document used by unmarried parents to create a legal connection between a biological father and a child. This affidavit can be completed either at the hospital at the time of a child’s birth or with the appropriate state agencies after leaving the hospital.
This affidavit can be completed either at the hospital at the time of a child’s birth or with the appropriate state agencies after leaving the hospital.
A court would usually grant custody to a surviving biological parent unless there is a compelling reason for which they should not have it. If the surviving parent is unfit, the court would appoint a legal guardian to assume responsibility for the child. The guardian might be the guardian named by the deceased parent in their will, the child’s grandparent, an adult sibling, or another family member, but a family relationship would not be a requirement.
If no family member is available to take on the role as the child’s guardian and the deceased parent did not name a guardian in their will, the child would enter the Vermont foster care system. A local attorney in Vermont would be able to provide more information about guardianship in that state.
How Do Courts Make Custody Decisions?
When parents are not married to each other or decide to separate or divorce, custody of their child or children is an issue. Either the parents must resolve it, or a court makes the decisions. The courts make child custody decisions in Vermont based on what is in the best interest of the child.
Understanding how judges make child custody decisions can help parents know what to expect and how to prepare for legal hearings on their child custody issues.
In applying the child’s best interest standard in Vermont, courts consider a variety of factors, including the following:
- The health and safety of the child
- The character, fitness, and attitudes of the parents
- Any history of child abuse by a parent
- Any history of domestic violence on the part of either parent
- The nature and amount of contact that the child has had with each parent
- Whether either parent has substance abuse issues
- The child’s adjustment to their home, school, and community.
Other factors in the lives of both the parents and the child would be considered as well, e.g., if the child is old enough, the child’s preference.
Vermont is a state that grants equal rights to responsibility and visitation to both parents. If one parent wants sole responsibility, they must go to court and prove that the other parent is unfit to have custody of the child.
Vermont law does not give preference for responsibility to either the mother or father if both are alive. Instead, it examines each parent’s contribution to the child’s upbringing and, again, decides on the basis of the best interest of the child.
Child custody laws for unmarried parents are not different from those for married parents seeking a divorce or separation. Again, a father must establish his paternity before he can assert his right to custody and visitation.
What Types of Support Should Children Receive?
It is important to note that there are 2 types of responsibility, referred to as “custody” in many other states, legal and physical. Legal responsibility is the right to make the key decisions about a child’s upbringing. These would be decisions about such things as the child’s education, health care, and religious identity.
Physical responsibility is essentially where the child lives, whether the child lives primarily with one parent or the other or spends equal amounts of time in both households.
Under Vermont law, parents are obligated to provide their children with financial support. Both parents have this obligation, and the status of the parents’ relationship does not matter. The Vermont state government wants to ensure that children have their needs met whether their parents are married or not, divorced or separated.
In Vermont, grounds to terminate the parental rights of a father or a mother exist in situations in which the parent has not been involved in their child’s life and has failed to provide financial support as they are legally required to do.
Also, a parent who is a proven danger to a child may be unfit to have custody or even a right to visitation. This may be because of past domestic violence, substance abuse, mental issues, or past crimes related to physical or sexual violence. Any significant and documented history of emotional or physical abuse by one parent towards the child could justify a Vermont court in giving sole responsibility to the other parent.
Again, if a father makes no effort to see his child and does not contribute to the financial support of the child, he may lose his parental rights as a mother would lose hers under the same circumstances. In these situations, an interested individual, e.g., a close relative or government agency, may petition to terminate the absent parent’s rights.
Why Is It Important To Appoint a Testamentary Guardian of Your Children in Your Will?
It is important to appoint a testamentary guardian for one’s child because it allows the parent to make important choices about the guardian who would assume parental responsibility for their child. A “testamentary guardian” is an individual named in a will by the testator, that is, the individual who makes the will. This would clearly be preferable to leaving the choice of a guardian to chance.
It is important to note that there are 2 kinds of guardians for a child. One is called a “conservator.” A conservator manages a child’s assets. A person would not need to appoint a conservator if their child is not endowed with assets.
A guardian of the child is responsible for taking care of the child’s overall well-being in the event of the death or incapacity of their natural parent. In appointing a guardian, a parent would want to think about the following issues:
- Skills and Values of the Potential Guardian: A parent would want to think about the skills and values they want a guardian to have. They might want to be sure that a potential guardian has the time and inclination to care for the child and meet their needs. They may want the guardian to observe specific religious practices and have other shared values.
- Financial Stability: A parent would want to select a guardian who has the financial resources they need to care for their child. Child-rearing is expensive, and a parent would not want to place the burden on someone who cannot afford it.
- Age and Physical Condition: A parent may want to select a guardian who would be able to serve until the child reaches adulthood. This would ensure stability for the child. Choosing someone whose physical condition is compatible with the demands of raising a child would also be a good idea.
- Personal Preference: While a parent might consult with other adults and even their children about their choice, they want to make the choice themselves. A parent might also want to have a second-in-line guardian. The child’s legal guardian is more than a caregiver. A legal guardian makes the decisions about a child’s upbringing in all areas of the child’s life. This includes ensuring that there is no child abuse in their home.
- A Guardian’s Character: A parent wants to consider the best interests of their child. Some possible candidates would be a known and trusted family member, family friend, or extended family member. A court has to make the appointment and would not approve a guardian who has a history of substance abuse or a criminal record.
If a parent chooses a guardian in their will, then they have the opportunity to discuss the appointment with the guardian and confirm that they are on board with the idea. Or, a prospective guardian may indicate that they do not wish to take on the role and should not be named.
When Should You Consider Choosing a Guardian?
A parent may wish to choose a guardian for their minor child whenever they anticipate not being available to take care of their child. There are 2 main situations in which this may occur: when both parents pass away or when the parents expect to be temporarily incapable of providing parental supervision of their child. The latter situation might arise when the parent undergoes certain types of medical treatment, for example.
Every parent of a minor child may want to have a will that addresses the topic of a guardian for their minor child if both of the child’s parents were to pass away.
When Do I Need to Contact a Lawyer?
If you have questions about child custody after the death of a parent, you want to consult a Vermont child custody lawyer. LegalMatch.com can connect you to a lawyer who can explain what might happen in your particular circumstances if you should pass away and what options you may have for driving the course of events in the direction you want them to take.
