Delaware Child Support

Melson Formulamodel estimate

Estimate for Delaware

Delaware uses the Melson Formula model.

Paying parent’s monthly income ($)

Other parent’s monthly income ($)

Number of children

Overnights / year with paying parent

Child care cost / month ($)

Health insurance / month ($)

Enter the paying parent’s net (after-tax/deductions) monthly income.

Estimated monthly support$915.60per month

Annual estimate$10,987.20

Effective rate18.3%

MethodMelson Formula: self-support reserve + primary support, split by adjusted income

View calculation breakdown

Self-support reserve (each parent)	$1,600
POVC reserve (each parent)	$1,220
Obligor adjusted income	$2,180
Primary support pool (30% of adjusted)	$1,008
Obligor primary support	$654
Standard-of-living adjustment (obligor share)	261.6%
Estimated monthly support	$916

Estimated monthly support by number of children

At the incomes you entered, for 2 children.

§ How Delaware calculates support

Delaware uses the Melson Formula (one of only three U.S. states). It first reserves a self-support allowance for each parent, then funds the child's primary support need, then shares remaining income with the child through a Standard of Living Adjustment (SOLA). Effective Feb. 1, 2026 the self-support reserve is $1,600/month; primary support is $800 for the first child plus $420 per additional child; SOLA is 12%/17%/21% for 1/2/3+ children.

Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.

✦ How to open or modify a case in Delaware

Determine each parent's gross monthly income and subtract taxes, FICA, and mandatory deductions to get net income.
Subtract each parent's Self-Support Reserve ($1,600/month, Form 509i eff. 2/2026) to find net available income.
Combine the net available incomes and compute the Primary Child Support Need ($800 first child + $420 each additional), split by income share.
Apply the Standard of Living Adjustment (12%/17%/21%) to income remaining after the reserve and primary support.
Add the child's health insurance and childcare costs, split proportionally.
Use Form 509/509i or the Delaware Family Court online calculator; the figure is a rebuttable presumption.

◈ Illustrative examples

Illustrative example

Illustrative example - Melson three-step, 1 child

Scenario: Parent A net $4,000, Parent B net $2,500; self-support reserve $1,600 each. A available = $2,400, B available = $900; combined available = $3,300.

Walk-through: Primary support $800: A share 72.7% = $581.82, B 27.3% = $218.18. SOLA income = $3,300 - $800 = $2,500; 12% = $300 split 72.7/27.3 = $218.18 / $81.82. Total B (noncustodial) = $218.18 + $81.82 = $300/month plus add-ons.

Takeaway: The Melson Formula protects each parent's subsistence first, then the child's basic need, then shares prosperity via SOLA.

? Frequently asked questions

Does Delaware require college support?

No. Support ends at 18 (or 19 if in high school); college costs are only by voluntary agreement.

How often is the Melson Formula updated?

Numerical values are reviewed every four years and updated every two years from federal poverty guidelines (next effective Feb. 1, 2026).

↗ Official policy & agency links

Delaware Family Court (child support / Melson Formula) ↗Delaware Code Title 13 - Child Support ↗

Sources verified: https://courts.delaware.gov/family/ · https://recordinglaw.com/us-laws/united-states-child-support-laws/delaware-child-support-laws/child-support-calculator · https://divorce.law/guides/child-support/delaware

Statute: Del. Code tit. 13 § 501Income basis: netData last updated: 2026-08-08Next review: 2027-01-01Status: estimate pending verification

How Delaware calculates support

Delaware uses the Melson Formula: each parent’s self-support reserve is protected, then a primary-support amount is divided by adjusted income.

Not legal or financial advice. This estimate follows the state’s statutory guideline formula but cannot capture every factor a court considers (health insurance, childcare, prior orders, deviations, imputed income).