Delaware § 501 Duty to support minor child; duty to support child over 18 years of age

Delaware Statutes

§ 501 — Duty to support minor child; duty to support child over 18 years of age

Delaware § 501

Title13

Ch. 5DESERTION AND SUPPORT

Subch.Duty to Support

This text of Delaware § 501 (Duty to support minor child; duty to support child over 18 years of age) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Delaware primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Del. Code tit. 13, § 501 (2026).

Text

(a)The duty to support a child under the age of 18 years, whether born in or out of wedlock, rests primarily upon the child’s parents.

(b)Where the parents are unable to provide a minor child’s minimum needs, a stepparent or a person who cohabits in the relationship of husband and wife with the parent of a minor child shall be under a duty to provide those needs. Such duty shall exist only while the child makes residence with such stepparent or person and the marriage or cohabitation continues.

(c)The duty to support a child under 18 years of age, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall rest equally upon both parents.

(d)Both parents have a duty to support their child over 18 years of age if such child is a student in high school and is likely to graduate. This duty ends when the c

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(a) The duty to support a child under the age of 18 years, whether born in or out of wedlock, rests primarily upon the child’s parents.

(b) Where the parents are unable to provide a minor child’s minimum needs, a stepparent or a person who cohabits in the relationship of husband and wife with the parent of a minor child shall be under a duty to provide those needs. Such duty shall exist only while the child makes residence with such stepparent or person and the marriage or cohabitation continues.

(c) The duty to support a child under 18 years of age, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall rest equally upon both parents.

(d) Both parents have a duty to support their child over 18 years of age if such child is a student in high school and is likely to graduate. This duty ends when the child receives a high school diploma or attains age 19, whichever event first occurs.

Legislative History

Code 1852, §§ 850-853, 1468, 1472; 26 Del. Laws, c. 137 ; 27 Del. Laws, c. 262, § 13 ; Code 1915, §§ 1463, 3033, 3061; 37 Del. Laws, c. 189, § 8 ; Code 1935, §§ 1634, 3526, 3548; 13 Del. C. 1953, § 501; 50 Del. Laws, c. 207, § 1 ; 59 Del. Laws, c. 567, § 1 ; 60 Del. Laws, c. 334, § 1 ; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1