Delaware Child Support Calculator – Accurate & Easy to Use

What Is the Delaware Child Support Calculator?

The Delaware Child Support Calculator is an online tool that estimates child support payments based on the Melson Formula. This formula is unique to Delaware and is used by courts to determine how much financial support each parent should provide.

The calculator is not legal advice. Instead, it’s a way to preview what a judge may order, giving parents a clearer picture of their financial responsibilities.

How Does the Calculator Work?

The tool uses three main factors:

1. Parent Income
   • Each parent enters their monthly gross income.
   • Deductions like taxes, health insurance for yourself, or mandatory retirement contributions are subtracted to calculate net income.
2. Children and Parenting Time
   • Number of children involved.
   • Which parent is the primary residential parent.
   • Number of overnights the non-primary parent has each year. (This is important, because parenting time can shift the calculation.)
3. Additional Child Expenses
   • Monthly childcare costs related to work.
   • Health insurance premiums for the children.

The calculator combines these numbers to estimate:

• Total Monthly Child Support Obligation (the overall cost of supporting the children).
• Estimated Monthly Payment (what one parent will pay the other).

A Quick Example

Let’s say:

• Parent A makes $6,000 per month and Parent B makes $4,000.
• Parent A is the primary residential parent.
• They have 2 children.
• The non-primary parent has 100 overnights per year.
• Childcare costs are $400/month, and health insurance for the kids is $200/month.

Once you enter this info, the calculator shows:

• The total monthly obligation (shared cost for raising the kids).
• Which parent pays support and how much.

This gives both parents a baseline before entering legal proceedings.

Why the Calculator Matters

• Transparency: It helps both parents see how courts may view their finances.
• Preparation: You can budget and plan ahead for real-life expenses.
• Fairness: The Melson Formula ensures children’s needs come first while allowing parents to maintain a reasonable standard of living.

Remember, courts make the final decision. But having a solid estimate removes guesswork and stress.

Key Features of the Delaware Child Support Calculator

• User-friendly design: Clean layout, easy to enter numbers.
• Reset option: Quickly clear the form and start fresh.
• Detailed output: Shows both the total obligation and the expected monthly payment.
• Built-in Delaware rules: The calculator automatically applies Delaware’s Melson Formula percentages.

Limitations You Should Know

• Not legally binding: Judges may adjust support based on unique circumstances.
• Doesn’t cover every scenario: Extraordinary medical expenses, private school tuition, or special needs may change the numbers.
• Estimates only: Actual court orders may differ.