Delaware Child Support Calculator
Calculate child support in Delaware using the state's official Melson Formula. Includes custody adjustments, health insurance credits, and childcare deductions.
Delaware divorces typically cost 34% less than the national average of $12,900.
Child Support in Delaware
- Formula
- Melson Formula
- Income cap
- None specified
- Equal parenting presumption
- No
- Property system
- Equitable distribution
Child Support Calculator in Delaware: What You Should Know
Delaware is one of only three states that uses the Melson Formula, a more detailed relative of the income shares approach. The formula first sets aside a self-support reserve for each parent, a basic amount needed to live on, before any income is treated as available for support. It then funds the children's primary needs and, if income remains, adds a standard-of-living allowance so children share in a higher-earning parent's resources. This structure protects low-income parents from orders they cannot meet while still scaling support up for families with more income. Delaware sets no flat income cap; the math runs on each parent's actual available income.
Key point: Delaware uses the Melson Formula, which carves out a self-support reserve for each parent before calculating support and adds a standard-of-living allowance when income remains.
Tell us the basics
Locked to Delaware on this page.
Use your gross (before-tax) monthly income. If you are paid annually, divide by 12.
Use their gross (before-tax) monthly income. If they are paid annually, divide by 12.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
Child Support in Delaware - Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in Delaware?
Delaware uses the Melson Formula to calculate child support. The Melson Formula first reserves a self-support amount for each parent, then calculates the child's share of the remaining income.
Can child support be modified in Delaware?
Yes. Either parent can request a child support modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, change in custody arrangements, or changes in the child's needs. Courts in Delaware typically require a change of at least 15-20% in the support amount to justify modification.
Does custody arrangement affect child support in Delaware?
Yes. Parenting time is a significant factor in child support calculations. When a parent has the children for a substantial portion of time (typically 40% or more overnights per year), child support is adjusted to reflect the additional direct costs that parent bears.
Is there an income cap for child support in Delaware?
Delaware does not set a specific income cap in its child support formula. However, courts have discretion to deviate from the guideline amount in cases with very high incomes.
How long does child support last in Delaware?
Child support in Delaware typically continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. Support may continue longer if the child has a disability or if the parents agree to extend support for college expenses.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.