Rule 226 – Preliminary Protective Hearing

(a) If an ex parte order is granted, a preliminary protective hearing shall be scheduled before a judge within 15 days of the entry of the ex parte order; or if an ex parte order of custody or guardianship is not entered but the Court finds that priority scheduling is...

Rule 225 – Emergency Removal of a Child

When emergency removal of a child from the home or other emergency relief is sought during normal Court operating hours, relief may be awarded subject to the requirements of Family Court Civil Rule 65.2. In all cases in which a party other than the Department of...

Rule 224 – Commencement of Action

(a) Child dependency, neglect and abuse custody or a guardianship proceeding shall be commenced by filing in this Court a written petition setting forth the facts verified by affidavit in accordance with 10 Del. C. § 1003 and 13 Del. C. § 2322. (b) The petition may be...

Rule 223 – Scope

These rules govern the procedures of the Family Court regarding dependency, neglect and abuse petitions for custody, and petitions for guardianship where the department of Services for Children Youth and their Families is not the petitioner. Del. Fam. Ct. R. Civ. P....

Rule 222 – Independent Living Services

(a) When independent living services are provided to a child by DSCYF directly or through a contracted agency, the Court shall evaluate the child’s independent living services, and make findings, where applicable, regarding: (1) financial stability; (2) housing;...

Rule 221 – Missing and Out-of-State Parents

Personal service of process shall be done in accordance with Civil Rule 4(d)(1) through (5) and 4(e) of this Court. In the event that personal service cannot be accomplished on the respondent or DSCYF files an affidavit alleging that personal service cannot be...