Delaware Child Support Calculator (2026)
Delaware calculates child support under guideline-formula guidelines (Del. Fam. Ct. Civ. R. 500-510 (Delaware Child Support Formula); duty-to-support basis at 13 Del. C. § 501). Estimate the guideline amount below.
Delaware's guideline formula needs more than a dozen inputs (tax filing status, timeshare percentage, deductions) — a two-field shortcut would mislead you. The state's official calculator implements the full formula:
Open the official Delaware calculator →Your Case Details
Answer a few questions to see your estimated range.
Approximate gap between higher-earner and lower-earner.
Estimated Monthly Support
$840 — $1,560
State formulas vary significantly. This estimate uses national averages — your state's guidelines may produce a different number.
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology
Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
Delaware calculates child support with the multi-step Melson formula rather than a simple lookup table (Del. Fam. Ct. Civ. R. 500-510 (Delaware Child Support Formula); duty-to-support basis at 13 Del. C. § 501): each parent first keeps a self-support allowance, the children's primary needs are covered next, and a standard-of-living percentage applies to remaining income. Use the official calculator or worksheet linked above for your figure; this page explains each step.
How Delaware Calculates Child Support
Delaware originated the Melson Formula, a more complex alternative to standard income-shares or percentage-of-income models, codified in Family Court Civil Rules 500-510 (formerly cited as Rule 52(c)) and detailed annually in the Instructions for Child Support Calculation (Form 509i). Each parent's gross monthly income is reduced by limited deductions and a Self-Support Allowance before the children's Primary Support Allowance and a percentage-based Standard of Living Adjustment (SOLA) are split between the parents in proportion to their net income shares. Dollar figures are readjusted no later than February 1 each year, with a full quadrennial review; the current version (Form 509i, Rev. 2/26) took effect February 1, 2026.
Statutory basis: Del. Fam. Ct. Civ. R. 500-510 (Delaware Child Support Formula); duty-to-support basis at 13 Del. C. § 501. Exact figure: official Delaware calculator.
Worked Example
Illustrative example, 2 children living with Mother (sole placement, Father's contact ≤79 overnights/year, no add-ons). Father's gross income $5,000/month, Mother's $3,000/month. Self-Support Allowance $1,600 each → net after Self-Support: Father $3,400, Mother $1,400 (combined $4,800). Primary share: Father 70.8%, Mother 29.2%. Primary Support Allowance for 2 children = $1,220 (household component $380 + $420 ×2). Primary Support Obligation: Father $864, Mother $356. Net Available for SOLA: Father $2,536, Mother $1,044 (both below the $16,000 High-Income threshold). SOLA percentage for 2 children = 17%: Father's SOLA $431, Mother's $177. Gross monthly obligation: Father $864+$431=$1,295; Mother $356+$177=$533. Because the children live in Mother's household, her obligation is fully offset by her retained Primary/SOLA credit — Father's net monthly obligation = $1,295/month (before any Cash Medical Support add-on or parenting-time credit).
When Courts Deviate From the Guideline
- Preponderance of the evidence shows the Formula result is not in the best interest of the child (Rule 500(a)(1))
- Preponderance of the evidence shows the Formula result is inequitable to the parties (Rule 500(a)(1))
- Case-by-case inclusion or exclusion of secondary/second-job and passive income based on whether it was historically earned, raises standard of living, or is needed to meet the child's minimum needs (Rule 501(l))
- Private or parochial school tuition added as a primary expense where the parties have adequate resources and there is prior agreement, special needs, or family history of private schooling (Rule 503(c))
- Reasonable earning capacity imputed instead of actual income for voluntary unemployment/underemployment, undocumented income, or failure to appear (Rule 501)
- Consent orders/agreed deviations, which the Court may still reject if clearly contrary to the child's best interest (Rule 500(a)(3))
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an income cap on Delaware's Melson Formula child support calculation?
No hard income ceiling exists on the Formula's applicability. Instead, a High-Income Offset reduces the amount subject to the SOLA percentage once a parent's Net Available for SOLA exceeds $16,000/month (30% of the excess is subtracted). Separately, no parent's total obligation can exceed 50% of their own Net Available for Primary Support (35% if they support children in 3+ households) under the Self-Support Protection rule.
What counts as income under Delaware's child support formula?
Gross income includes wages, commissions, bonuses, self-employment earnings, and 'unearned' income such as dividends, pensions, interest, trust income, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, disability benefits, and alimony received. Certain nontaxable income — SSDI, some disability payments, personal injury awards or settlements, military allowances (except clothing), and VA benefits — is also included and grossed up by 25% to estimate a taxable-equivalent amount. SSI paid to a household because of a child's own disability is not counted as income.
How does shared or 50/50 custody affect the Delaware child support amount?
If a child has at least 164 overnights per year in each household, placement is 'Shared Equal Placement': the child is counted as 0.5 in each household, using the reduced 0.5-child Primary Support Allowance ($590, +$210 per additional half-child) in both homes. Between 80 and 163 overnights of contact, the obligated parent instead receives a Parenting Time Adjustment credit of 10% to 30% against the Primary/SOLA amount they would otherwise pay; 79 or fewer overnights gets no credit.
Until what age does child support run in Delaware, and does it cover college?
Support generally runs until a child turns 18. It is extended only if the child is a full-time high school student likely to graduate, in which case support continues until the child receives a diploma or turns 19, whichever comes first (13 Del. C. § 501). Delaware does not require parents to pay child support for college expenses under the guidelines.