Delaware Divorce Cost Calculator

Filing a divorce petition in Delaware costs $175 in every county. Add how the papers will be served, whether you have children and whether you agree, to total the court costs from Delaware's official fee schedules. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Delaware fees checked against official court sources on October 24, 2026.

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Do you have children under 18 together?
Do you and your spouse agree on everything?
How will your spouse get the divorce papers?

Leave blank if you are filing on your own. If a lawyer gave you an estimate of hours, enter it here.

Leave blank to use the Delaware average of $414 an hour, or enter the rate a lawyer quoted you.

Estimated court costs in Delaware

  • Filing fee for the divorce petition Source$175
  • Serving the papers (spouse signs the acceptance form) Source$0
  • Court costs you pay$175

Also note: Each ancillary matter asked for in the petition (property division, alimony, separation agreement) adds $90.

An estimate from official fee schedules, not a bill. The fee your court clerk charges on the day you file is the one that counts. (October 24, 2026)

Delaware divorce filing fee

Filing a divorce petition in Delaware costs $175 in every county. (source)

  • Civil filing, divorce petition: $165
  • Court security assessment: $10

Each ancillary matter asked for in the petition (property division, alimony, separation agreement) adds $90.

The case is filed in the Family Court of the State of Delaware.

Serving divorce papers in Delaware

Your spouse can sign the Affidavit of Appearance and Waiver of Rights (Form 263) instead of being served, which costs nothing. (form)

Sheriff and process-server fees are set locally in Delaware; ask the sheriff's office in the county where your spouse lives.

Required parenting class

All parents in divorce cases with children up to age 17; in a divorce, the petition is dismissed if a certificate of completion is not received within 180 days of filing. The class costs up to $100. Each program sets its own fee, up to $100 per parent. (source)

Fee waiver in Delaware

If you cannot afford the fees, file the Affidavit in Support of Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Form 257P) (10 Del. C. ch. 88). The court may waive the filing fees if your financial situation makes it difficult for you to pay the costs; Form 257P is a detailed financial form that requires supporting documents. (source)

The court or clerk decides whether to grant it and which fees it covers; filing the form does not guarantee a waiver.

Lawyer fees in Delaware

Clio reports an average billed family-law rate of $414 an hour in Delaware for 2025. (source) It is an average across lawyers, not a quote. Enter a lawyer's estimated hours above to price them, or enter the rate you were quoted.

What this page does not do

  • It does not file anything. Divorce cases are filed with the Family Court of the State of Delaware.
  • It does not quote lawyer fees; it prices only the hours you enter.
  • It does not decide fee-waiver eligibility; the court does.
  • It is not legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a divorce in Delaware?

Filing a divorce petition in Delaware costs $175 in every county. If your spouse signs the Affidavit of Appearance and Waiver of Rights (Form 263), there is no service fee. Lawyer fees are extra; Clio's 2025 average billed family-law rate in Delaware is $414 an hour.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Delaware?

$175, the same in every county. Each ancillary matter asked for in the petition (property division, alimony, separation agreement) adds $90.

Can I get my divorce filing fee waived in Delaware?

You can ask. File the Affidavit in Support of Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Form 257P). The court may waive the filing fees if your financial situation makes it difficult for you to pay the costs; Form 257P is a detailed financial form that requires supporting documents. The court or clerk decides whether to grant it.

Is a parenting class required for divorce in Delaware?

All parents in divorce cases with children up to age 17; in a divorce, the petition is dismissed if a certificate of completion is not received within 180 days of filing. It costs up to $100. Each program sets its own fee, up to $100 per parent.

Sources

Last checked October 24, 2026 against official sources.

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