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.
Family Court
NOTICE – MONTHLY FAMILY COURTS RECORDS DEPARTMENT CLOSURE
Please plan accordingly for the following: In-person services will be unavailable in Family Court Records Departments at the following times:
New Castle County Family Court/ Leonard L . Williams Justice Center (LLWJC): Third Friday of each month in the afternoon from 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Kent County Family Court: Third Thursday of each month in the afternoon from 12:30pm-4:30pm
Sussex County Family Court: Third Thursday of each month in the afternoon from 12:30pm-4:30pm
Please plan accordingly for the following: In-person services will be unavailable in Family Court Records Departments at the following times:
New Castle County Family Court/ Leonard L . Williams Justice Center (LLWJC): Third Friday of each month in the afternoon from 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Kent County Family Court: Third Thursday of each month in the afternoon from 12:30pm-4:30pm
Sussex County Family Court: Third Thursday of each month in the afternoon from 12:30pm-4:30pm
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
New Employee Information
Law Clerks
History
Governance
Rules
Frequently Asked Questions
Information and
Assistance
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
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
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 8/25/2025
Family Court Holds Ceremony to Place Time Capsule For New Georgetown Courthouse
In a ceremony led by Family Court Chief Judge Michael K. Newell on Thursday August 21, 2025, a time capsule was placed inside what will become the new Family Court building in Georgetown Delaware. The expectation is that the new courthouse will be ready for occupancy by the end of October and the court hopes to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony once the facility is ready to open to the public.
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 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
.
