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Family | Relationships | Vermont

GLAD 在争取婚姻平等的斗争中扮演了什么角色？

同性恋者反歧视联盟 (GLAD) 领导了美国争取婚姻平等的斗争。起初，许多州并没有允许同性伴侣结婚，而是赋予他们与婚姻完全相同的州权利、保护和责任，但却称之为民事结合或注册同居关系。

同性恋者联盟争取婚姻平等的斗争始于佛蒙特州的一场诉讼， 贝克诉佛蒙特州同性恋者反歧视联盟（GLAD）赢得了诉讼，但佛蒙特州最高法院允许立法机构决定如何执行该裁决。佛蒙特州立法机构没有允许同性伴侣结婚，而是创建了民事结合。GLAD随后于2004年在其诉讼中首次在美国为同性伴侣赢得了婚姻权利。 古德里奇诉公共卫生部. 

随后是：

• 缅因州于 2004 年批准了同居关系，为其提供了部分婚姻保护；
• 2005 年康涅狄格州的民事结合；
• GLAD 的诉讼， 克里根诉公共卫生专员案，于 2008 年为康涅狄格州同性伴侣赢得了结婚权利； 
• 2008 年新罕布什尔州的民事结合；
• 佛蒙特州于 2009 年允许同性伴侣结婚；
• 佛蒙特州不再允许民事结合，但在 2009 年不将其民事结合转为婚姻；
• 2010 年在新罕布什尔州结婚；
• 康涅狄格州于 2010 年将所有民事结合转为婚姻；
• 2011 年新罕布什尔州民事结合转为婚姻；
• 2011 年罗德岛州的民事结合； 
• 2012 年在缅因州结婚； 
• 2013 年在罗德岛结婚；
• 罗德岛州的民事结合已于 2013 年终止，但现有的民事结合并未转为婚姻。

在联邦层面，国会通过了 婚姻保护法（DOMA） 1996年，美国最高法院对同性伴侣进行了先发制人的攻击，声称如果同性伴侣被允许结婚，联邦政府将不会承认这些婚姻。2013年6月26日，美国最高法院在 美国诉温莎案 称《婚姻保护法》违宪，同性已婚夫妇首次能够获得联邦福利。

最后，在 奥贝格费尔诉霍奇斯案2015年6月26日，美国最高法院裁定美国宪法保障同性伴侣结婚的权利，从而在全国范围内实现了婚姻平等。同性恋者反歧视联盟（GLAD）的玛丽·博诺托（Mary Bonauto）代表原告参加了口头辩论。 奥贝格费尔，所有 50 个州都必须向同性伴侣颁发结婚证；并且所有州都必须尊重在其他司法管辖区内进行的同性伴侣的婚姻。

Can same-sex couples marry in Vermont?

Yes. On April 7, 2009, Vermont became the first state to authorize marriage rights for same-sex couples through a legislative process rather than a court case. The bill, S.115 An Act to Protect Religious Freedom and Recognize Equality in Civil Marriage (the “Marriage Act”), was passed by the legislature on April 3, 2009; vetoed by the Governor on April 6, 2009; and the veto was overridden by the Senate (23-5) and the House (100-49) on April 7, 2009. The Marriage Act took effect on September 1, 2009.

To find out how to get married in Vermont, see: Getting Married in Vermont. 

其他州和联邦政府会尊重我的婚姻吗？

是的。 奥贝格费尔诉霍奇斯案 decision guarantees that all states and the federal government must treat same-sex married couples in an identical way to different-sex married couples. That means that all the protections, rights, and obligations that states and the federal government provide to different-sex married couples must also be provided to same-sex married couples.

如果我的配偶去世，我可以获得社会保障遗属福利吗？

是的，因为如上所述，同性已婚夫妇有权享受异性已婚夫妇享有的所有福利。

然而，直到 奥贝格费尔诉霍奇斯案 2015年6月26日的判决显示，许多同性伴侣生活在一些违反宪法的婚姻法禁止同性伴侣结婚的州。因此，当他们的配偶去世时，他们无法满足社会保障遗属福利的条件，即结婚9个月。

为了纠正这种不公平现象，Lambda Legal 提起了两起诉讼， 伊利诉索尔案 和 Thornton v. Commissioner of Social Security, 并成功为从未结婚的同性伴侣申请社会保障遗属福利（伊利诉索尔案）或最终能够结婚，但结婚不到 9 个月，其配偶就去世了（桑顿诉社会保障专员案). 

These two rulings allow same-sex couples, who were excluded from marriage because of discriminatory state laws and consequently were not eligible to apply for Social Security survivor benefits, to submit an application. However, the success of that application rests on providing enough documentation to prove to Social Security that the only reason they did not meet the 9-month requirement was because of the discriminatory state laws.

以下链接提供了更详细的信息，并包含每起诉讼的常见问题解答，并列出了一些您可以提供获得遗属抚恤金所需文件的方式：

因违宪的州婚姻法而被排除在社会保障遗属福利之外的同性伴侣和配偶的相关信息 | Lambda Legal

What happens if we need to end our marriage or our Vermont civil union?

后 奥贝格费尔诉霍奇斯案, same-sex spouses everywhere can dissolve their marriages on the same terms as different-sex spouses. Vermont applies its divorce statutes to same-sex couples.

However, spouses should note that when Vermont courts divide marital property and award alimony/maintenance, one of the factors a judge considers is the length of the marriage. Nonetheless, the court does include as marital property all property owned by “either or both of the parties, however or whenever acquired…” So, for spouses whose partnership pre-dates marriage equality, the length of the marriage may not accurately reflect the true length of the relationship, resulting in an unbalanced division of assets.

If you are going through divorce proceedings in Vermont and believe your division of assets may be unfairly affected by the length of the marriage, contact GLAD Answers.

If you have a Vermont civil union and live in Vermont, and you need to end it, you follow the exact same process as married couples do when they are divorcing.

If you do not have a Vermont civil union and DO NOT live in Vermont, if you meet the following criteria, you can end it in Vermont without needing to establish residency:

1. The civil union was established in Vermont.
2. Neither party’s state of residence recognizes the civil union for purposes of dissolution.
3. No minor children were born or adopted during the civil union.
4. The parties together file a complaint for dissolution along with a stipulation, or agreement, that resolves all issues in the dissolution.

Can same-sex couples obtain any other legal recognition of their relationships in Vermont?

Until September 1, 2009, same-sex couples were able to enter into a civil union in Vermont. However, effective September 1, 2009, Vermont no longer issues civil union licenses; but it will continue to recognize civil unions from Vermont and other states and provide those couples with all of the protections and responsibilities of marriage under Vermont state law. Couples who have a Vermont civil union, and wish to be married, will need to go through the process of getting married.

When the legislature enacted the civil union law in 2000, it also established “reciprocal beneficiary” relationships. These allow people who were at least 18 years old, not parties to a marriage, civil union, or other reciprocal beneficiary relationship, and not related by blood or adoption, to receive the protections and responsibilities granted to spouses in the areas relating to medical decision-making, end-of-life decisions, and abuse prevention. The reciprocal beneficiary law was repealed effective May 28, 2014, because, over the course of 14 years, no reciprocal beneficiary relationship had ever been established in Vermont.

What steps can a couple take to legally safeguard their relationship in Vermont?

有各种法律文件可以保护夫妻关系，无论夫妻之间没有正式的法律关系还是已经结婚。

1. Relationship Agreement or Contract: Cohabitation agreements regarding property and finances provide a way for couples to sort out their affairs in writing before a separation. This kind of document serves a similar function to a prenuptial agreement. As long as the contract is not about sexual services and complies with the requisites for a valid contract, it has a good chance of being upheld as valid. Bear in mind that, as in any state, specific provisions concerning children may not be enforced according to their terms because it is always in the court’s power to determine the best interests of children. (See discussion below concerning parenting agreements)

2. Power of Attorney: Any competent person may appoint another person (such as one’s partner) as their “attorney-in-fact” for financial matters in the event the person becomes incapacitated or disabled.

This power of attorney can be extended to the time when the person is incapacitated if the power of attorney says, “This power of attorney shall not be affected by the subsequent disability or incapacity of the principal.” If no such appointment is made, then a “family” member will be empowered to make decisions for the disabled or incapacitated individual. A power of attorney does not include authority to make health care decisions.

A person may also indicate their preference regarding the appointment of a guardian — a longer-term appointment that applies to all areas of a mentally incapacitated person’s personal care and financial affairs (and courts consider the preference of the incapacitated person in appointing a guardian). The document indicating this preference should be executed with all of the formalities of a will and should be updated to keep track of all aspects of a person’s personal and financial situation.

3. Advance Directives for Health Care and Disposition of Remains: Under Vermont law, an individual may appoint an agent to make health care decisions for them upon incompetence, incapacity, or death and provide the agent with an advance directive that, for example, can:

a. direct the type of health care desired or not desired;

b. direct which life-sustaining treatments are desired or not desired;

c. identify persons with whom the agent should not consult or share information;

d. authorize the release of health information to other persons in addition to the agent;

e. make an anatomical gift pursuant to Vermont law;

f. nominate persons to serve (or not serve) as the individual’s guardian should that be needed;

g. direct the disposition of the person’s remains and the funeral arrangements.

Without an advance directive, medical providers and funeral directors look to a spouse or next of kin to make decisions. The advance directive can be revoked at any time by creating a new advance directive or by a clear expression of revocation. People often give a copy of their advance directive to their doctors and sometimes to family members.

4. Will: If a person who is neither married nor joined in a civil union, dies without a will, their property passes to: (1) their children or (2) their family. If the person wishes to provide for others, such as their partner, a will is essential. Even if a person has few possessions, they can name in the will who will administer their estate. If a person has children, they can nominate the future guardian of the children in a will.

一个人是否需要律师来获取这些文件？

GLAD 建议与律师合作处理这些文件。

Although forms are available, the form may not be suited to your individual needs and wishes. Moreover, an attorney may be able to better help effectuate your goals, for example, by drafting a will in a way that is more likely to deter a will contest by unhappy family members, or an appointment of a health care agent with very specific instructions. In addition, an attorney may help to navigate the legal uncertainties flowing from the areas of overlap between these documents. GLAD Answers can provide referrals to attorneys who are members of GLAD’s Lawyer Referral Service.

如果未婚夫妇分居，关系或合作协议/合同的法律地位是什么？

Upon separation, the terms of a Relationship or Partnership Agreement/Contract will come into play if the couple has one. Absent an agreement, couples can get involved in costly and protracted litigation about property and financial matters, with no divorce system to help them sort through it. It is likely that Vermont courts will, under some circumstances, recognize contract theories and equitable principles to address the property and financial matters of a separating same-sex couple even without a written agreement. However, written agreements provide for greater security.

请注意：如果您改变了主意，不再选择您的“事实上的律师”、医疗保健代表、遗嘱受益人或执行人、葬礼策划人、监护人或指定文件下的指定人，则应撤销这些文件（并通知所有获得这些文件副本的人员），并准备反映您当前意愿的新文件。

什么是同居关系？

Although it is a term used in many contexts, “domestic partnership” most often means a status that recognizes an unmarried couple and their children as a family for certain limited purposes. In the workplace context, domestic partnership plans allow an employee to obtain certain fringe benefits for their partner and family which were previously limited to married spouses. Some states, cities and towns have also enacted domestic partner laws. In other contexts, “domestic partner” is also a shorthand term for family, replacing “lover,” “friend,” and “roommate.” Some people call cohabitation agreements “domestic partner agreements.”

Does Vermont provide domestic partner benefits to state employees?

Yes. The State’s Personnel Policies and Procedures extend domestic partnership benefits to state employees. The benefits include medical and dental benefits, bereavement, and visitation rights. State employees interested in receiving health and dental insurance for their partners should contact the Department of Human Resources at (802) 828-3491 for an application, which can also be found on the state website.

To qualify as a domestic partner, a couple must:

1. be each other’s sole domestic partner in an “exclusive and enduring domestic relationship”
2. share a residence for at least six months prior to applying
3. be 18 years of age or older
4. not be married to anyone
5. not be related by blood such they could not marry
6. be competent to enter a contract, and
7. have agreed to be responsible for each other’s welfare

Can cities and towns in Vermont provide domestic partner health insurance benefits to their own employees?

Yes. Some of the cities that offer medical benefits for domestic partners of municipal employees include Burlington and Middlebury.

私营雇主可以提供哪些类型的同居伴侣福利？

Private employers can provide domestic partners with many benefits, such as health insurance, family medical or bereavement leave, equal pension benefits, relocation expenses, or access to company facilities

即使雇主提供这些福利，联邦和州法律也要求同居伴侣与配偶的福利应享受不同的税收待遇。例如，员工必须就其伴侣的健康保险福利缴纳联邦和州所得税（除非该伴侣是纳税受抚养人），而配偶则无需缴纳。除非伴侣也是纳税受抚养人，否则根据联邦控制的灵活支出账户，伴侣不符合配偶的资格。

至于养老金，根据2006年《联邦养老金保护法》，雇主可以修改其401(k)计划，以便非配偶受益人可以保留该资产作为退休资产。如果计划修改，受益人可以根据员工的死亡情况将401(k)“转入”个人退休账户（IRA），而之前的法律要求受益人一次性提取并缴纳401(k)的所得税。

然而，联邦法律在养老金方面仍然存在其他歧视性方面。如果同居伴侣决定指定他人为养老金受益人，则同居伴侣无权签字，尽管 配偶拥有该权利。此外，同居伴侣没有与配偶同等的权利，即签署同意其伴侣指定他人领取遗属抚恤金的协议。

有孩子的同性伴侣分手后应该遵守什么标准？

有孩子的同性伴侣分手后应该：

1. 支持 LGBTQ+ 父母的权利；
2. 尊重现有的关系，不论其法律标签如何；
3. Honor the children’s existing parental relationships after the breakup;
4. 为孩子们保持连续性；
5. 寻求自愿解决方案；
6. 记住，分手很难；
7. 调查虐待指控；
8. 不允许因缺乏协议或法律关系而决定结果；
9. 将诉讼视为最后的手段；
10. 拒绝诉诸恐同/恐变性人的法律和情绪来达到预期结果。

For more detailed information about these standards see the publication 保护家庭：LGBTQ+ 家庭标准.

法院通常如何做出监护权裁定？

Upon divorce or civil union dissolution, a court makes an order concerning parental rights and responsibilities of any minor child of the parties based on the best interests of the child. If the parties make an agreement about custody and visitation, the court will presume that agreement to be in the best interests of the child. If parents cannot agree, the court determines the way that parental rights and responsibilities will be divided or shared between them. In considering the best interests of the child, the court examines the following factors:

• the relationship of the child with each parent and each parent’s ability to provide the child with love, affection, and guidance;
• each parent’s ability to ensure that the child receives adequate food, clothing, medical care, other material needs, and a safe environment;
• each parent’s ability to meet the child’s present and future developmental needs;
• the quality of the child’s adjustment to the child’s present housing, school, and community and the potential effect of any change;
• 每位家长与另一位家长建立积极的关系以及频繁和持续的联系的能力；
• the quality of the child’s relationship with the primary care provider, if appropriate given the child’s age and development;
• 儿童与可能对其产生重大影响的任何其他人的关系；
• the parents’ ability to communicate, cooperate with each other, and make joint decisions concerning the children where parental rights and responsibilities are to be shared or divided; and
• 虐待的证据，以及虐待对孩子以及孩子与施虐父母之间的关系的影响。

In addition, the court may not prefer one parent over the other because of the sex of the child, the sex of a parent, or the financial resources of a parent.

监护权有不同的种类吗？

是的，四种：

1. “唯一法定监护权” 意味着只有一位家长有权为孩子做出重大的人生决定，包括教育、医疗以及情感、道德和宗教发展等问题。
2. “共同法定监护权” 意味着父母双方都参与并做出这些决定。
3. “单独监护权” 意味着孩子只与一位家长一起生活并受其监护，但另一位家长可以合理地探视孩子，除非法院认定探视不符合孩子的最佳利益。
4. “共同监护” 意味着孩子与父母双方居住在一起，并能确保与父母双方经常接触。

如果法院认为这符合孩子的最大利益，也可以将监护权授予第三方。

如果我与前任异性恋伴侣育有一子，而我现在与同性伴侣有关系，我的前任可以在监护权诉讼中利用我的性取向来对付我吗？

As stated above, Vermont courts base custody arrangements on the best interests of the child. As a general rule, a parent’s sexual orientation or marital status should have no bearing on a child’s best interests.

Nevertheless, your former partner may try to argue that your sexual orientation is detrimental to your child. Any number of reasons can be cited, such as that the LGBTQ+ parent’s sexual orientation is causing other people to tease or ostracize the child, that the parent is a bad role model, or that the parent’s new partner is not good for the child. In the overwhelming majority of circumstances, these matters can be answered to the satisfaction of a judge in a way that does not penalize the gay parent or the child. Contact GLAD for further resources for dealing with such a situation.

如果孩子因为父母是同性恋而被嘲笑，这算是对孩子的伤害吗？

不应该。作为同性恋父母，额外的责任之一就是帮助孩子应对这种可能性或现实。当然，孩子们可能会因为各种原因被嘲笑，从耳朵的大小、父母的口音，到缺乏时尚感，所以所有父母都需要帮助孩子培养应对同伴骚扰的机制和策略。

就法律问题而言，美国最高法院的一个案例尤其具有启发意义， 帕尔莫尔诉西多蒂，美国最高法院在该案中推翻了佛罗里达州法院将监护权从母亲转移到父亲的判决。监护权转换的原因是白人母亲与一名黑人男子有染，后来她嫁给了该男子。最高法院承认偏见和歧视的现实存在，并且孩子可能会被戏弄，但拒绝迎合这些偏见或通过改变先前的监护权安排赋予其法律效力。在一份适用于所有人的宪法原则声明中，最高法院一致表示：“宪法不能控制偏见，但也不能容忍偏见。私人偏见可能超出法律的范围，但法律不能直接或间接地使其生效。”

如果我的前任在我们分手前知道或怀疑我是 LGBTQ+，这有关系吗？

It may make a difference with respect to future modification of court orders for custody. People can seek to modify court orders for custody when there has been a real, substantial, and unanticipated change in circumstances that alter the child’s best interests. If a spouse did not know of your sexual orientation at the time of the court proceedings but learns it later, they may argue that this is a substantial change of circumstances and that the custody issues should be litigated anew.

当然，如果一方配偶或前异性恋伴侣在法院审理确定监护权时知道另一方的同性恋倾向，那么以此为由提出修改请求就毫无意义。

当我的伴侣在场时，法院可以阻止我的孩子探望吗？

The standard for restrictions on visitation, and in all matters, is what is in the best interests of the child with no concern for the adults. Courts have enormous discretion in visitation matters and certainly have the power to restrict visitation, but unless the partner is causing harm to the child— a very high standard— visitation should not be restricted.

探视限制本身就值得怀疑。在 劳伦斯诉德克萨斯州, the U.S. Supreme Court did more than decriminalize sexual acts. It acknowledged the right of gay people to form and sustain loving personal relationships and lead their private lives free of government restrictions and legal condemnation. Since gay people may make “personal decisions relating to… family relationships [and] child rearing,” custody and visitation restrictions must be handled accordingly. Mere differences in moral values between a court and a parent, presumptions about a gay parent’s conduct, or “social condemnation” of their relationship should no longer be permissible factors, if they ever were.

资源

美国同性婚姻的历史： 美国同性婚姻的历史——维基百科. 

Vermont Estate Planning Laws: Vermont Estate Planning Laws – FindLaw.

离婚： Divorce | Vermont Judiciary. 

Parental Rights & Responsibilities: Parental Rights and Responsibilities and Parent-Child Contact | Vermont Judiciary. 

案件与辩护

To see Family cases or advocacy in which GLAD has been directly involved in Vermont, go to 案件和辩护 – GLAD and under “By Issue” click on “Family” and under “By Location” click on “Vermont.”

新闻与新闻稿

To see news and press releases about Family in Vermont, go to: 新闻与新闻稿 – GLAD and under “By Issue” click on “Family” and under “By Location” click on “Vermont.”

Family | Parenting | Vermont

什么是佛蒙特州亲子法？

佛蒙特州亲子关系法案（VPA）是一套新的州法律，扩大了人们合法证明自己是孩子父母（也称为亲子关系）的方式。 

2018年7月1日，新的《佛蒙特州亲子法》（VPA）正式生效。通过VPA，佛蒙特州立法机构重写了佛蒙特州的亲子法，使其更加现代化，并反映出佛蒙特州家庭的多样性。这对佛蒙特州的儿童和家庭来说意味着，他们将能够更加清晰地了解 WHO 可以确定亲子关系， 如何 确立亲子关系。确保孩子与父母的关系是孩子稳定和安全的最重要组成部分之一。

亲子关系是什么意思？

“亲子关系”意味着您在所有方面都是孩子的合法父母。亲子关系赋予您一系列权利（例如，医疗或教育方面的决策权，在与孩子的另一方父母分离时享有抚养时间），同时也承担着责任（例如，提供医疗保险、满足基本生活需求、支付子女抚养费）。稳固的合法亲子关系对于孩子的长期稳定和福祉至关重要。

为什么现在才通过 VPA？

多年来，佛蒙特州法院一直呼吁立法机构对本州的亲子关系法进行现代化改革，因为此前他们被迫在没有明确法定指导的情况下审理案件。为此，立法机构在2016-2017立法会期成立了亲子关系研究委员会。该委员会由众多利益相关者组成。委员会研究了现有的亲子关系法和判例法，并就必要的修改提出了建议。他们的工作最终于2017年10月发布了一份报告，其中包含了后来成为自愿保护法案（VPA）的拟议立法。

为什么快速确认亲子关系很重要？

孩子出生后尽快确立亲子关系，可以确保孩子在各方面都与父母紧密相连，并让所有与孩子生活相关的人都能更清晰地了解情况。例如，确立亲子关系可以让父母在孩子早期做出任何医疗决定，确保孩子获得保险金或继承权，并在父母分居时保护他们的父母权利。

佛蒙特人如何根据 VPA 确认亲子关系？

VPA 规定佛蒙特州居民可以通过以下方式确认自己的亲子关系：

• 生育（不包括代孕）
• 采用
• 致谢
• 裁决
• 假定
• 事实亲子关系
• 遗传亲子关系（不包括捐赠者）
• 辅助生殖
• 妊娠载体协议

谁是预期父母？

预期父母是指同意接受辅助生殖并有意成为孩子父母的人，或根据代孕协议成为预期父母的人。理想情况下，同意接受辅助生殖并有意成为父母的人会以书面形式记录其意愿，但法律也允许其他方式证明其意愿。

谁是推定父母？

推定父母是指因特定情况或关系而获得法律承认的非亲生父母。推定父母通过签署有效的自愿亲子关系确认书 (VAP)、通过裁决或自愿保护协议 (VPA) 的其他规定，成为合法父母。

如果以下任何一项属实，您就是推定的父母：

• 孩子出生时，您与孩子的亲生父母结婚；
• 您与孩子的亲生父母结婚，并且孩子在婚姻因死亡、婚姻无效或离婚而终止后 300 天内出生；
• 孩子出生后，您与孩子的亲生父母结婚，主张亲子关系，并在出生证明上被列为父母；
• 您与孩子住在同一家庭，并且您和另一位家长在孩子出生或被收养后的两年内将孩子视为您的孩子，并承担孩子的个人、经济或监护责任。

谁是事实上的父母？

事实父母是基于与孩子关系而产生的父母关系。确认事实父母关系需要法院判决。您可以通过提供清晰且令人信服的证据，证明以下所有情况，向法院申请确认您的事实父母关系：

1. 您作为家庭的常驻成员与孩子一起生活了相当长一段时间；
2. 您始终如一地照顾孩子；
3. 您承担起对孩子全部和永久的责任，不期望获得经济补偿；
4. 你把这个孩子当成你自己的孩子；
5. 你们建立了一种本质上类似于父母的相互依存的关系；
6. 您与孩子之间存在父母关系，并且由另一位父母支持；
7. 继续与孩子保持关系符合孩子的最大利益。

什么是亲子关系承认书？

联邦法律要求各州提供一套简易的民事程序，以便在孩子出生时确认其亲子关系。这项简易的民事程序就是“亲子关系确认计划”。

联邦法规要求各州在医院和州出生记录机构提供亲子关系确认服务。亲子关系确认表格本身是一份简短的宣誓书，签署人确认他们希望成为合法父母，并享有所有亲子关系的权利和责任。孩子的生父也必须在表格上签字，父母双方都必须提供一些关于他们自己的人口统计信息。

签署亲子关系确认书，即确立了当事人的合法父母身份，并签发或修改了孩子的出生证明，以反映该合法的亲子关系。经妥善签署的亲子关系确认书具有法院命令的约束力，应在所有州视为有效。

我如何通过佛蒙特州自愿亲子关系确认 (VAP) 来确认我的亲子关系？

你可以通过签署佛蒙特州卫生部（Vermont Department of Health）的表格（称为 “自愿承认亲子关系”或VAP. VAP 必须由亲生父母和另一位父母签署。 

如果您是非亲生父母，但您是遗传父母、通过辅助生殖或妊娠载体协议出生的孩子的预期父母或孩子的推定父母，则可以签署 VAP。 

签署 VAP 表格是自愿的，可以在孩子出生后不久在医院或其他时间进行。VAP 表格必须由至少一人见证并签署。如果一方不愿签署，另一方父母可以尝试通过法院裁定亲子关系。

什么情况下我不能通过 VAP 确认亲子关系？

• 在另一方父母不是孩子的亲生父母的情况下（例如，孩子被另一方父母收养），推定父母试图确立亲子关系时，必须通过裁决确立亲子关系，而不能通过亲子关系承认书确立亲子关系。
• 如果有第三人被推定为父母，则不能通过亲子关系确认书来确定亲子关系，除非该人已提交亲子关系否认书。 
• 如果一个人通过与孩子一起居住并在孩子出生后的头两年内声称孩子是自己的孩子而确立了亲子关系，那么在孩子两岁之前，他不能通过亲子关系确认书来确立亲子关系。

父母何时可以签署 VAP？

亲子关系确认书 (VAP) 可在孩子出生后签署，直至孩子年满 18 岁。亲子关系确认书 (Acknowledgement of Parente) 也可在孩子出生前完成，但需等到孩子出生后才生效。

如何撤销 VAP？

签署 VAP 的一方可以通过以下方式撤销对亲子关系的承认或否认：

1. 自承认或拒绝生效之日起60天内，向卫生部提交撤销申请。撤销申请的签署须由至少一人见证并签字。
2. 在承认或否认生效之日起 60 天内开始法庭诉讼。
3. 在承认或拒绝生效之日起 60 天内或在签署人作为裁决与儿童有关问题的一方的诉讼程序中第一次法庭听证会之日起 60 天内（以较早时间为准）对承认或拒绝提出质疑。

如果我不是亲生父母怎么办？我该如何确立自己作为合法父母的身份？

自愿代孕协议 (VPA) 包含多项条款，保护非亲生父母。如果您是孩子的推定父母，或者您是通过辅助生殖或妊娠代孕出生的孩子的预期父母，您可以通过签署 VAP 来确立亲子关系。

所有父母都可以通过法院命令确立亲子关系。通过辅助生殖技术受孕的子女的推定父母或预期父母可以寻求判决，宣布其为子女的父母，或选择共同抚养或第二父母收养。一些非亲生父母可以通过自愿抚养权法案（VPA）中的事实父母条款确立亲子关系，该条款要求法院裁定该人为子女的事实父母。

VPA 如何帮助通过辅助生殖技术受孕的人？

《自愿生育保护法》为通过辅助生殖技术出生的儿童提供了重要的明确规定和保护措施。《自愿生育保护法》确认，配子捐献者（例如精子或卵子捐献者）不构成通过辅助生殖技术出生的儿童的父母。此外，《自愿生育保护法》还明确，同意接受辅助生殖技术并有意成为所生儿童父母的人，即为合法父母。

联合收养、第二父母收养（也称为共同父母收养）和单亲收养之间有什么区别？

联合收养是指夫妻双方同时收养一个孩子。第二父母收养是指一方收养另一方的孩子。单亲收养是指由一个人收养孩子。这三种收养方式在佛蒙特州都是合法的。

进行第二父母收养或联合收养有什么好处？

联合收养和第二父母收养均可确保您的孩子拥有两位合法父母。已婚和未婚夫妇均可选择联合收养或第二父母收养。收养允许非法定父母成为合法父母，有权在未经特别授权的情况下为孩子做出决定。收养还允许养父母在其伴侣去世后自动获得孩子的监护权。同样，如果养父母去世，即使没有遗嘱，孩子也有权继承该父母的遗产，并可能获得社会保障遗属福利。

最后，如果夫妻分居，收养可以确保父母双方都拥有监护权和探视权，并且任何纠纷都将根据孩子的最大利益来决定，而不是根据谁是法定父母来决定。

如果我们已婚，我们需要进行第二父母收养吗？

当婚姻关系中生下孩子时，佛蒙特州法律以及所有州的法律都推定夫妻双方均为孩子的父母，并且双方姓名均列在孩子的出生证明上。然而，这只是一种推定，可以在法庭上提出异议。因此，同性恋者反堕胎联盟（GLAD）过去建议已婚夫妇进行第二父母收养，以确保非亲生父母的亲子关系，因为收养是法院判决建立亲子关系，其他州必须尊重这一判决。

现在，佛蒙特州的夫妇可以通过第二种方式来保护非亲生伴侣的亲子关系，即签署自愿亲子关系承认书。

如果我是签署了 VAP 的父母，我还需要进行第二父母收养吗？

不。签署了共同抚养协议 (VAP) 的父母无需通过共同抚养协议来确立亲子关系。VAP 依据州法律确立合法的亲子关系，相当于州法律下的亲子关系判决，并赋予您作为父母的所有权利和义务。根据联邦法律，亲子关系确认书相当于亲子关系的司法判决，应在所有州得到承认。

由于扩大亲子关系确认途径尚属新兴发展，一些父母可能更愿意在自愿申请收养（VAP）之外，或者代替自愿申请收养（VAP），同时完成第二父母收养。为了了解最适合您家庭的方案，建议您寻求个性化的法律咨询。

VPA 如何处理代孕问题？

自愿代孕协议 (VPA) 就如何通过代孕协议确立亲子关系提供了全面的规定。代孕协议的所有当事人必须在整个过程中聘请独立的法律顾问。以下是该法律的简要概述，仅供参考。

在开始任何通过代孕流程怀孕的医疗程序之前，您必须签署一份书面协议。该协议由您、任何其他预期父母、代孕人以及上述任何一方的配偶（如适用）共同签署。该协议将确立您是孩子的父母，而代孕人及其配偶（如适用）不享有父母权利或义务。要签署妊娠代孕协议，必须满足以下条件：

1. 所有预期父母和代孕妈妈必须年满 21 岁；
2. 所有预期父母和代孕妈妈必须完成医疗评估和心理健康咨询；并且
3. 为了达成协议，预期父母和代孕妈妈必须由不同的律师代理，并且代孕妈妈的律师费必须由预期父母支付。

法律要求代孕协议必须包含几个条款才有效，例如允许代孕妈妈在怀孕期间自行做出健康和福利决定，并要求父母支付所有相关的医疗费用。

佛蒙特州法律对传统代孕或基因代孕有何规定？ 

《自愿代孕协议》仅允许代孕者为家庭成员进行传统或基因代孕。非家庭成员不得担任此角色。即使代孕者是家庭成员，法律对有效协议的要求以及上述法规的所有其他保护措施均适用。

如果我还没结婚怎么办？

《自愿保护法》明确规定，无论父母的婚姻状况或孩子的出生情况如何，每个孩子都享有与其他孩子同等的权利。《自愿保护法》不因父母的婚姻状况而区别对待，旨在平等对待所有佛蒙特州家庭。

如果我是跨性别者或非二元性别者怎么办？

《自愿保护法》明确规定，每个孩子都享有与其他孩子同等的权利，无论父母性别或孩子出生情况如何。《自愿保护法》不包含诸如母亲或父亲之类的性别术语，而是包容所有性别。《自愿保护法》不根据父母的性别进行区分，旨在平等对待所有佛蒙特州家庭。

一个孩子可以有两个以上的法定父母吗？

是的。根据自愿保护法 (VPA)，如果认定孩子拥有两个以上的法定父母会对孩子造成不利影响，法院可以认定孩子拥有两个以上的法定父母。在确定是否对孩子造成不利影响时，法院会考虑多种因素，例如孩子的年龄、潜在父母与孩子的关系性质、如果父母关系不被承认会对孩子造成何种伤害、每个人主张孩子亲子关系的依据以及其他公平因素。

对家庭暴力幸存者有哪些保护措施，使他们不会被迫确立合法的亲子关系？

《自愿亲子关系法》旨在确保亲子关系的确立公平、清晰、高效且以儿童为中心。某些法定亲子关系，例如非婚姻推定亲子关系和事实亲子关系，可以通过双方同意的方式产生。任何人都不应被迫同意亲子关系。 

《自愿保护法案》包含一些条款，允许父母质疑另一个人的亲子关系，如果另一个人声称自己是推定父母或事实上的父母，但通过胁迫、强制或伤害威胁满足亲子关系的要求。

如果我需要帮助解决亲子关系问题，我应该去哪里？

与任何家庭法律问题一样，建议您寻求个性化的法律咨询。GLAD Answers 可以提供相关信息，并推荐您联系当地的律师。如果您对如何保护您的家人有任何疑问，请填写以下表格联系 GLAD Answers： GLAD 答案 或致电 800.455.4523 (GLAD)。

资源

Vermont Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage information and form: Acknowledging Parentage in VT. 

Vermont Parentage Act: Title 15C: Parentage Proceedings.

More information about VPA: 

• 建立合法亲子关系 | 儿童和家庭部
•  亲子关系 | VTLawHelp.org 

养育变性孩子：  养育跨性别或性别扩展的孩子：如何保护你的家人免受虚假的虐待儿童指控. 

案件与辩护

To see Family cases or advocacy which GLAD has been directly involved with in Vermont, go to: 案件和辩护 – GLAD and under “By Issue” click on “Family” and under “By Location” click on “Vermont.”

新闻与新闻稿

To see news and press releases about Family in Vermont, go to: 新闻与新闻稿 – GLAD and under “By Issue” click on “Family” and under “By Location” click on “Vermont.”