The Vermont Statutes Online
The Statutes below include the actions of the 2025 session of the General Assembly.
NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.
Subchapter
001
:
UNIFORM DESERTION AND NONSUPPORT ACT
(Cite as: 15 V.S.A. § 207)
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§ 207. Evidence; competency of parties as witnesses
Other evidence shall not be required to prove the civil marriage of the husband and
wife, or that the respondent is the father or mother or stepfather or stepmother of
the child, than is or shall be required to prove such facts in a civil action. In
a prosecution under this subchapter, any existing statute or rule of law prohibiting
the disclosure of confidential communications between husband and wife shall not apply,
and both husband and wife shall be competent witnesses to testify against each other
to any and all relevant matters, including the fact of the civil marriage and the
parentage of the child; provided that neither shall be compelled to give self-incriminating
evidence. Proof of the desertion of the husband or wife or child in destitute circumstances
or of neglect or refusal to provide for the support and maintenance of the husband,
wife, or child shall be prima facie evidence that the desertion, neglect, or refusal
is willful. (Amended 1973, No. 201 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2009, No. 3, § 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009.)