Things You Can Do

The children are what the world is all about ...

No major changes take place in Family Court without the input of the public. The Court is there to SERVE the public and should be responsive to the input of the public. Complaining about the entire court process will not change a thing. The people at DCRI have found that the best method for getting change is to take your issues to the source and to the legislators.

Things you can do are:

1. Write your legislators. Keep the issue at a general level first, then detail your general idea with a few specifics of your case. The legislators make the laws that Family Court must follow.


2. Write Family Court. Also keep the issue at a general level. Ask questions. Remain aware that the court is making the decisions about your case.


3. Visit your Legislator in person. Personal contact goes a long way!


4. Attend a few meetings of the Family Law Commission in Dover.

Key People to Know

There are several key people in the State of Delaware that you can write to have your voice heard on Family Court issues. DCRI has found that change only comes where we, the people of Delaware, stay after an issue month after month and constantly explain the issue and whys and hows it should change. The more people request change, the more likely change will come.

The following people work across several areas and offices and are a starting point:

• Chief Judge Chandlee Johnson Kuhn - Family Court. Link here.
• Charles Hayward - Director Division of Child Support. Link here.
• Mrs. Lynn M. A. Kokjohn - Family Law Commission Chair. Link here.
• General Assembly - senators/representatives, meetings. Link here.
• Family Court Administration. Link here.

What Has Been Achieved in the Past

DCRI has been active in the past several years to bring about change in the Family Court and the processes and its way of doing business.

Some of what has been accomplished by DCRI which is made up of people like you is:

• Open Court - The Delaware General Assembly passed a law making Family Court a "Constitutional" court. The Delaware State Constitution states that "... all courts shall be open...". Family Court does not recognize this and DCRI has and will continue to advocate for Family Court to be open.
• Division of Child Support was opened on Wednesday nights in the 2007 year.
• Transcripts - Audio Review possible. Audio tapes from your hearings can now be obtained for a small fee.