How do I open a child support case?

Apply through your state's Child Support Services agency — usually online, in person, or by mail. Applications are free, and the agency handles paternity establishment, order creation, and enforcement on your behalf. You don't need the other parent's cooperation to open a case.

Can I modify my child support order?

Yes, if there's a substantial change in circumstances (income drop of 15–25% or more, job loss, disability, a new child, change in custody time). File a Motion to Modify with the court that issued the original order. Most states don't modify retroactively — file as soon as circumstances change.

What happens if I can't pay?

Contact the child support agency immediately — don't ignore the debt. Options include payment plans, hardship modifications, and in some states, work programs that substitute community service for payment. Accumulated arrears don't disappear but can sometimes be reduced through debt compromise programs.

How is the amount calculated?

Each state uses guidelines — most follow Income Shares (combining both parents' income) or Percentage of Income (only non-custodial parent's income). Online calculators on every state agency site estimate your obligation. The actual order also considers health insurance, childcare, and other add-ons.

Child Support in Delaware

5 verified resources.

About Child Support for Fathers

Child support in the United States is administered state-by-state under the Title IV-D federal program, with every state required to operate a child support enforcement agency. These agencies establish paternity, locate non-custodial parents, calculate support obligations, and enforce payments through wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, license suspension, and other civil enforcement tools. Support amounts are calculated using state-specific guidelines, most based on an income shares or percentage-of-income formula. Fathers paying support can request modifications when their income drops substantially or when circumstances change (job loss, additional children, disability). Fathers owed support can open a case with their state agency free of charge. This directory includes each state's child support agency, online calculators, local enforcement offices, and modification resources.

Child Support in Delaware

Delaware Family Court handles custody, visitation, and child support statewide through three county courthouses (New Castle, Kent, Sussex). The Division of Child Support Services operates under DSS. Delaware's small size means one consistent state system. Community Legal Aid Society (CLASI) and Legal Services Corporation of Delaware offer free legal representation.

5 Resources

1. Delaware Division of Child Support Services — Free

State agency handling establishment, enforcement, and modification of child support orders for Delaware families statewide. Operates out of the Herman Holloway Campus in New Castle. Fathers applying for services or requesting a modification should bring photo ID, most recent pay stubs, tax returns, existing court orders, and children's birth certificates to make intake and case review as efficient as possible.

(302) 577-7171 · Lewis Building, Herman Holloway Campus, New Castle, DE 19720 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Delaware Family Court — Support Enforcement — Free

Court-ordered enforcement of child support in Delaware, including wage garnishment, tax intercepts, license suspensions, and contempt proceedings handled out of the Wilmington Family Court. Fathers with enforcement questions or motions to modify should bring photo ID, existing support orders, recent pay stubs, and any documentation of changed circumstances such as job loss or medical issues.

(302) 255-0300 · 500 N King St, Wilmington, DE 19801 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement — Free

Federal agency providing resources and interstate coordination for child support cases that cross state lines, including parent location services and reciprocal enforcement. Delaware fathers with out-of-state orders or wages earned in another state can use the federal site for guidance. Most direct case work still runs through the Delaware DCSS; the federal office supports policy, research, and interstate tools.

(202) 401-9373 · Federal resource · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Delaware Legal Help — Child Support — Free

Self-help information on child support rights, modification, enforcement, and arrears in Delaware, available online and through the DCLASI phone line. Fathers can read plain-language guides, download forms, and understand procedural steps before filing. Useful for noncustodial dads facing wage garnishment, license holds, or arrears who want to understand options before consulting legal aid or appearing in court.

(302) 575-0660 · Online resource · 24/7 online · Visit Website

5. Delaware Fatherhood Initiative — Support Navigation — Free

Helps noncustodial fathers navigate child support systems, arrears, enforcement actions, and modification requests from the Wilmington office. Staff coach dads on what to file, how to prepare for hearings, and how to engage with DCSS. Fathers should bring photo ID, existing support orders, recent pay stubs, and any notices from the court or child support agency to make intake productive.

(302) 655-5288 · 625 N Orange St, Wilmington, DE 19801 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

Child Support — Common Questions

How do I open a child support case?: Apply through your state's Child Support Services agency — usually online, in person, or by mail. Applications are free, and the agency handles paternity establishment, order creation, and enforcement on your behalf. You don't need the other parent's cooperation to open a case.
Can I modify my child support order?: Yes, if there's a substantial change in circumstances (income drop of 15–25% or more, job loss, disability, a new child, change in custody time). File a Motion to Modify with the court that issued the original order. Most states don't modify retroactively — file as soon as circumstances change.
What happens if I can't pay?: Contact the child support agency immediately — don't ignore the debt. Options include payment plans, hardship modifications, and in some states, work programs that substitute community service for payment. Accumulated arrears don't disappear but can sometimes be reduced through debt compromise programs.
How is the amount calculated?: Each state uses guidelines — most follow Income Shares (combining both parents' income) or Percentage of Income (only non-custodial parent's income). Online calculators on every state agency site estimate your obligation. The actual order also considers health insurance, childcare, and other add-ons.