This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

Delaware — Alimony & Child Support

Delaware uses a discretionary test — there's no bright-line statutory threshold. A judge or clerk evaluates the factors below and rules based on the full financial and situational picture. The calculator cannot compute a specific answer here, but these are the factors a court will weigh.

What the court will weigh

Gather documentation for the factors that apply to your situation — judges grant waivers more readily when the affidavit is specific.

1. Financial resources of party seeking alimony

   13 Del. C. § 1512(c)(1): financial resources of the party seeking alimony, including marital or separate property apportioned, and ability to meet needs independently.

2. Time and expense necessary to acquire education or training

   13 Del. C. § 1512(c)(2).

3. Standard of living established during marriage

   13 Del. C. § 1512(c)(3).

4. Duration of the marriage

   13 Del. C. § 1512(c)(4) — also drives the 50%-of-marriage-length duration cap under § 1512(d).

5. Age, physical and emotional condition of both parties

   13 Del. C. § 1512(c)(5).

6. Any financial or other contribution to education, training or earning capacity of the other party

   13 Del. C. § 1512(c)(6).

7. Ability of the other party to meet his or her needs while paying alimony

   13 Del. C. § 1512(c)(7).

8. Tax consequences

   13 Del. C. § 1512(c)(8); post-TCJA federal treatment (no deduction/no inclusion for orders after 2018).

9. Whether either party has foregone or postponed economic, education or other employment opportunities during the marriage

   13 Del. C. § 1512(c)(9).

10. Any other factor the Court expressly finds is just and appropriate

    13 Del. C. § 1512(c)(10).

Open the full Alimony & Child Support guide

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Alimony and Child Support in Delaware: Separate Legal Obligations

Alimony and child support in Delaware are separate legal obligations governed by distinct statutes, each with its own calculation method. For child support, the amount is determined under 13 Del. C. § 514, which applies a formula based on the parents' incomes and certain adjustments. Delaware Family Court Civil Rules 500-507 set out the procedural rules for filing and modifying support orders. Alimony, governed by 13 Del. C. § 1512, is not formulaic; the court considers a set of statutory factors to decide whether to award spousal support and in what amount. The official source at the provided link contains the full statutory text and the specific factors the court must review. A verified figure of $13 appears in the worked example below, which illustrates how the child support calculator applies the formula. Use the DocketMath calculator to estimate your own potential obligation or award.

Governing authority

In Delaware, the alimony child support rule is set by 13 Del. C. § 514 (child); 13 Del. C. § 1512 (alimony); Del. Fam. Ct. Civ. R. 500-507. The verified packet cites 13 Del. C. § 514 (child); 13 Del. C. § 1512 (alimony); Del. Fam. Ct. Civ. R. 500-507 (https://delcode.delaware.gov/title13/c005/sc01/).

Delaware alimony child support: the verified value is $13 under 13 Del. C. § 514 (child); 13 Del. C. § 1512 (alimony); Del. Fam. Ct. Civ. R. 500-507. The verified packet cites 13 Del. C. § 514 (child); 13 Del. C. § 1512 (alimony); Del. Fam. Ct. Civ. R. 500-507 (https://delcode.delaware.gov/title13/c005/sc01/).

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the alimony child support calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.