Family Court

Who We

Are

The Family Court has extensive jurisdiction over all domestic matters. Information about the most frequently heard matters can be found to the right. These links provide information on each of the topic areas as well as instruction books and forms to assist in filing with the Court. For complete information on the jurisdiction of the Family Court, see Jurisdiction below.

Our mission is to provide equal access to justice for the families and children under our Court's jurisdiction in a manner that is fair and efficient and that maintains the public's trust and confidence in an independent and accountable judiciary.

Mission & Jurisdiction

Statement of Unity

Family Court Council on Racial Equity Report

Hours & Locations

Fees & Payment Options

Judicial Officers & Staff

Law Clerks

History

Governance

Rules

Frequently Asked Questions

SPECIAL PROCESS SERVER updated 01/01/2024

Information on the Use of Special Process Servers for cases filed in Family Court including list of approved process servers, application, notice, and FAQs. Learn more about the use of Special Process Servers.

SUPPORT PERSONS

Request the attendance of a support person in private court proceedings. A support person is an individual whom the Court may allow to accompany a litigant into a private Family Court hearing. A support person provides moral and emotional support to the litigant. Learn more about how to request the attendance of a support person.

CASE INFORMATION

Please Note —The Family Court Website does not contain any personal case information and your Family Court file cannot be accessed electronically. For those inquiries, please contact Family Court at 302-255-0300 in New Castle County, 302-672-1000 in Kent County and 302-855-7400 in Sussex County.

ACCESS TO RECORDS

To reduce wait time to review the contents of a Court file, it would be best to schedule an appointment. Submit an on-line schedule request. You can also call the records department in each courthouse to schedule an appointment. In New Castle County: 302-255-0241, Kent County: 302-672-1045, Sussex County: 302-855-7411.

Please Note—This document outlines the current laws and rules related to access to Family Court hearings and records. Any member of the public is permitted to attend any Family Court matter that is not closed by law or court rule, unless a Judge or Commissioner presiding over a particular matter makes a ruling to close a proceeding in accordance with the relevant legal authority. If you believe that you have been denied access to an open court matter, contact the Family Court Call Center at 302-255-0300.

RECENT NEWS updated 6/21/2024

The Honorable Eliza M. Hirst takes the Oath of Office as a Judge for the Family Court of the State of Delaware

The Honorable Eliza M. Hirst was sworn in for her first term as a Judge of the Family Court of the State Delaware on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Courtroom 7E at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington.

The Honorable Jessica Markowski-Kelly Sworn in as Commissioner of the Family Court

On Friday, June 7th, Family Court welcomed the Honorable Jessica Markowski-Kelly as a Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware. Congratulations, Commissioner Markowski-Kelly!

Final beam placed on the new Sussex County Family Court building

The final beam was placed on the new Sussex County Family Court building on Wednesday, February 7, 2024! The white beam was signed by those working on the construction along with many Sussex County Family Court employees!

Family Court Judge Jennifer Ranji speaks about the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence

Family Court Judge Jennifer Ranji speaks about the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence in The News Journal article “How Delaware is Addressing Link Between Domestic Violence, Animal Abuse.”

Family Court Commissioner Andrew K. Southmayd Honored with Outstanding Service to the Courts and Bar Award

View All Recent News

FAMILY COURT ECOURTROOM

Family Court eCourtroom:
A video series introducing the functionality and use of the eCourtroom to self-represented litigants and members of the Bar.

COMFORT/FACILITY DOG

Facility Dog Request for Leonard L. Williams Justice Center
The Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington is home to a facility dog, named “Officer Vinn.” He is a professionally trained assistance dog that can provide quiet companionship to vulnerable individuals in legal settings without causing any disruption of the proceedings. Officer Vinn, and his handler, help families by easing stress for adults and children alike during legal proceedings.

To request the services of the facility dog, please visit the Facility Dog Request page and fill out the request form .

Information and

Assistance

Divorce / Annulment

Getting a divorce or an annulment is an important decision. We recommend that you speak to an attorney to find out about your rights.

Child Support

Under Delaware law, both parents have a duty to support their child until the child is 18 years of age, or, if the child is still in high school, until the child graduates or turns 19 years of age.

Custody

When parents live separate and apart, either or both parents may file a petition asking that the court award custody to him/her.

Criminal Proceedings

Under Delaware law, charges may be brought by a complaint. A complaint is a written statement of the alleged key facts that forms the charges.

Guardianship

Guardianship is the possession by a non-parent of the powers, rights, and duties which are necessary to protect, manage and care for a child.

Protection from Abuse (PFA)

An Order of Protection From Abuse is an order of Family Court ordering someone to stop abusing another person, and may include other relief.

SUPPORT PERSONS

CASE INFORMATION

ACCESS TO RECORDS

RECENT NEWS updated 3/23/2020

Delaware Family Court details procedures during COVID-19 restrictions

Family Court will continue to handle emergency requests for Protection from Abuse Orders, emergency child welfare, custody, visitation, and guardianship matters, and limited adult criminal and juvenile delinquency matters

Michelle Hoffman named as Family Court Administrator

The Family Court of Delaware has named long-serving Family Court staff member S. Michelle Hoffman as Family Court Administrator. Hoffman is currently Delaware Family Court’s Director of Caseflow Management, a position she has held since 2016. Hoffman will be transitioning into her new role as Court Administrator during the coming weeks.

Family Court’s Michelle Hoffman recognized by DSBA

Family Court’s Michelle Hoffman was recognized with the Delaware State Bar Association’s Government Service Award for 2019. The award is presented by the Bar to a full-time government service employee in recognition for their dedicated and distinguished contribution to the administration of justice.

View All Recent News

ZOOM MEETING INSTRUCTIONS

Zoom meeting instructions:
Zoom Cheat Sheet
Testing Microphone and Camera