Vermont Statutes Title 14. Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations, § 2626. Consensual guardianship

(a) If the petition requests a consensual guardianship, the petition shall include a consent signed by the custodial parent or parents verifying that the parent or parents understand the nature of the guardianship and knowingly and voluntarily consent to the guardianship. The consent required by this subsection shall be on a form approved by the Court Administrator.

(b) On or before the date of the hearing, the parties shall file an agreement between the proposed guardian and the parents. The agreement shall address:

(c) Vermont Rule of Probate Procedure 43 (relaxed rules of evidence in probate proceedings) shall apply to hearings under this section.

(d) The court shall grant the petition if it finds after the hearing by clear and convincing evidence that:

(e) If the court grants the petition, it shall approve the agreement at the hearing and issue an order establishing a guardianship under section 2628 of this title. The order shall be consistent with the terms of the parties' agreement unless the court finds that the agreement was not reached voluntarily or is not in the best interests of the child.