Estimate Your Delaware Child Support in Minutes
Before you trust a lawyer with your Divorce case, ask this:
Do you use Deliberately AI?
Lawyers who use our software prepare faster, negotiate smarter, and avoid costly mistakes long before court even starts.
Get a confidential estimate based on
Delaware Family Code in under a minute.
Delaware Child Support Calculator
Estimate based on Delaware child support rule structure (Melson-style components). For informational purposes only.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Results may differ based on court findings and case-specific facts.
Is your Lawyer fully prepared for your Divorce Case?
Deliberately AI’s Client Intelligence framework—used by forward-thinking family law firms to set expectations early and avoid costly surprises. Ask your lawyer to use it on your case.
How Deliberately.ai Strengthens Family Law Cases in Delaware?
These short videos show how our Family AI software, powered by Client Intelligence, helps family law attorneys nationwide prepare faster, stay organized, and make smarter, data-driven decisions throughout a case.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding
Child Support in Delaware
Discover what you need to know about Child Support Laws in Delaware.
Delaware calculates child support using the Delaware Child Support Formula (often described as the “Melson Formula”), which is designed to ensure both parents’ basic needs are met while also supporting the child. The court looks at:
Parenting Time
Number of Children
Both parents’ gross incomes
Each parent’s proportional share of the combined income
Use the Deliberately.ai Delaware child support calculator above for an estimate, but only a court order is legally binding.
Child support in Delaware is influenced by each parent’s income, the number of children, and adjustments recognized by the Delaware formula. The court may also account for things like childcare costs, health insurance for the child(ren), and support obligations for other dependents.
When income is irregular, self-employment is involved, or expenses are disputed, the calculation can get more complex.
There isn’t one standard amount for everyone. The amount depends on both parents’ financial information and how the Delaware formula applies to your specific facts. To get a reliable estimate before filing or negotiating, use the Deliberately.ai calculator above, keeping in mind the court has final authority.
In most cases, child support ends when the child turns 18. If the child is still enrolled in high school after turning 18, support generally continues until the child graduates or turns 19—whichever happens first.
Delaware law provides that support can terminate “by operation of law” at the end point (18, or high school graduation/19 if still enrolled).
That said, families often still need to confirm the correct termination date and ensure withholding/processing stops correctly, especially if support is being collected through wage withholding or a state agency.
Yes. Delaware allows child support to be modified when the legal requirements are met—commonly due to meaningful changes in income, employment, or the child’s needs. Modifications typically apply going forward, not retroactively, unless the court specifically orders otherwise.
Child support is intended to help cover a child’s basic living costs—things like housing, food, clothing, and transportation. Certain child-related expenses (like health insurance and childcare) may be handled as part of the formula or addressed in the order depending on the facts.
It can—but only if those costs are properly included in the calculation and/or addressed in the court order. Simply paying medical bills on your own doesn’t automatically reduce support unless the order (or a modified order) accounts for it.
Delaware looks at income broadly and can include wages, bonuses, commissions, and self-employment income (among other sources), with certain allowances/adjustments applied under the Delaware formula. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may consider earning capacity in appropriate cases.
Unpaid child support can trigger enforcement actions. Common tools include wage withholding, interception of tax refunds, and other enforcement remedies depending on the situation and arrears.
Arrears generally remain owed until paid. Collection can continue even after the child support obligation ends, and enforcement measures may still apply until the balance is resolved.
In serious situations—especially where nonpayment appears willful—courts can use contempt powers, and consequences can escalate. If you’re facing an enforcement action or contempt hearing, it’s smart to get legal advice early.
Wage withholding is very common in Delaware child support cases. Depending on the circumstances, other enforcement actions may also be available through the court and/or the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS).
Not automatically. Parenting arrangements matter, but Delaware’s formula is still primarily driven by financial factors and the structure of the calculation. Many shared-placement situations still result in support—especially when there’s a meaningful income gap.
Use the Deliberately.ai Delaware child support calculator above for an estimate.
As a general rule, Delaware child support ends at 18 (or high school graduation/19 if still enrolled). Different rules may apply in special circumstances, but continued support is not “automatic” just because a child attends college.
Parents can agree on arrangements, but they generally can’t privately override an active court order. If you want to change the amount, the safe path is to file the proper paperwork so the court can review and approve the change.
Typically you’ll want recent paystubs, tax returns (especially for self-employment), proof of health insurance costs for the child(ren), childcare receipts, and any existing support orders. Missing or inconsistent financial documents are one of the biggest reasons support cases get delayed.
Not necessarily for straightforward cases. But if income is disputed, self-employment is involved, there are arrears, or someone is requesting a deviation, having a Delaware family lawyer can help you avoid mistakes and present the right documents the first time.
Child support cases are generally handled through the Delaware Family Court, and many families also work with Delaware’s Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) for establishment and enforcement. If parentage, income, or expenses are likely to be contested, talking to a Delaware family lawyer before filing can help you move faster and avoid expensive detours.
Thought Leadership in Legal Document Management
Browse the articles below to discover smarter ways to streamline your workflow, reduce time spent on paperwork, and focus on what matters most—your clients and their cases.
