Rule 300.Expedited procedures for support actions
Ch. XV: Support Proceedings · Last amended 2023 · Current through June 1, 2026 · Last verified September 9, 2026
Full Text of Rule 300
Amendment History
Delaware prints each rule’s amendment history as a single “Credits” line naming every order that adopted or amended it. It is reproduced verbatim below.
[Amended December 31, 1999, effective 30 days after notice to Bar; January 1, 2018; January 1, 2023.]
Plain-English Summary
What expedited process is. Where a mediation conference is permitted, expedited process means that conference plus a hearing before a master or commissioner if mediation does not produce a permanent support order. In every other support proceeding — including modifications of existing orders and contempt proceedings on them — expedited process means the trial before a master or commissioner.
When it applies. All actions for the determination, modification and enforcement of support obligations under the chapters of Title 13 the rule names are scheduled and resolved by expedited process, unless the court orders otherwise.
The reason is arithmetic. Support cases are the highest-volume work this court does, and most turn on figures rather than on contested law. A child waiting for support is not served by a place in the queue behind trials.
Going before a judge instead. On a party's motion, on the recommendation of the court staff mediator, or on its own motion, the court may schedule the trial before a judge — but only where there is a prior existing order in effect, or an interim or temporary order in a non-support petition, and the court finds one of the following.
That the support matter is so intrinsically tied to an action that must be heard by a judge that expedited process would unduly delay things. That the parties, issues and evidence are so similar to an already scheduled matter that consolidating would actually be faster. That a material legal issue must be resolved for which there is no legal precedent. Or such other good and substantial cause as the court finds, consistent with the principle that support cases are to be heard in a timely manner.
Every one of those is about speed, including the last, which repeats the principle aloud in case the exceptions start swallowing the rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who hears child support cases in the Delaware Family Court?
A master or commissioner, through expedited process — a mediation conference followed by a hearing where mediation is permitted, and otherwise the trial before the master or commissioner — unless the court orders otherwise.
Can a support case be heard by a judge instead?
Yes, on motion of either party, the recommendation of the court staff mediator or the court's own motion, provided a prior order or an interim or temporary order is in effect and the court makes one of the findings the rule lists.
Does expedited process apply to modification and contempt?
Yes. It covers actions for the determination, modification and enforcement of support obligations, including modification of existing orders and proceedings alleging contempt of them.