Tarnelli & Hughes LLP

Tarnelli & Hughes LLP is a Burlington, Vermont law firm focused on fertility and family law. The firm represents clients throughout Vermont in matters involving adoption, assisted fertility, divorce, family law, collaborative law, and guardianships. With more than 30 years of combined experience, its attorneys help adoptive parents, birth parents, agencies, intended parents, families, spouses, partners, and guardians address legal issues that affect family security, parentage, relationships, and long-term planning.

Tarnelli & Hughes LLP approaches each matter with careful listening, practical analysis, and a focus on helping clients understand their options. The firm recognizes that family-related legal issues often involve emotional stress, privacy concerns, and important personal decisions. Its attorneys work with clients to evaluate goals, risks, settlement possibilities, court procedures, and available alternatives, including collaborative divorce when appropriate. This approach supports thoughtful advocacy in both cooperative matters and contested proceedings.

Tarnelli & Hughes LLP provides representation in adoption law, assisted reproductive technology, divorce and domestic relations, collaborative divorce, and guardianships for minors and adults. The firm handles interstate adoptions, agency and independent adoptions, stepparent and second-parent adoptions, gestational surrogacy agreements, gamete and embryo donation arrangements, pre-birth parentage orders, divorce, civil union dissolution, legal separation, alimony, property division, custody, relocation, child support, family appeals, and probate and family court guardianship matters.

Tarnelli & Hughes LLP is strengthened by attorneys Kurt M. Hughes and Michelle A. Tarnelli, both Fellows of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys. The firm’s credibility is supported by extensive work in adoption, assisted fertility, family law, collaborative practice, litigation, and legislative advocacy. By combining deep experience with practical guidance, ethical representation, and respect for each client’s family circumstances, Tarnelli & Hughes LLP helps clients pursue legal security during important family transitions.