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3 things to know about child support in Delaware

On Behalf of | Nov 19, 2021 | Divorce |

When you have a child but are planning to divorce, you need to keep in mind that either you or the other parent will be obligated to pay child support. Yes, even though your marriage is ending, your responsibility to your child remains even if they don’t live with you.

There are a few things that you should know about child support in Delaware, such as what factors go into determining how much support is paid, what happens if you can’t decide on how much is realistic to pay and when the support will begin to be paid. Here is what you should know about these common questions.

  1. Delaware’s child support model is the Melson Model

Delaware bases child support on a few factors, some of which include:

  • The number of children you have
  • The needs of your children
  • The basic support needs of the parents
  • The income each parent is able to accumulate

These factors, as well as others, are a part of the Melson Model for determining support obligations.

  1. The court will determine the appropriate amount of child support

Except for cases where clients are able to settle outside of court using the Melson Model, the determination of child support will be left to the family court.

  1. It takes time to start receiving support after a court order

After establishing a court order, it may take anywhere from 30 to 60 days for support to be withheld from the paying parent’s wages. That may mean that you have to set up a different arrangement for the first month or two so that the support that is needed still reaches your child.

These are three things to know about child support. It’s a necessary support for your child and needs to be paid as expected. If you have questions about child support in your case, it may be a good idea to go over the state guidelines and to discuss your legal options for paying or receiving support for your child.