Del. C. » Title 10 — Organization, Powers, Jurisdiction and Operation of Courts · CHAPTER 9. The Family Court of the State of Delaware · Courts and Judicial Procedure
Delaware Code

10 Del. C. § 902 (2026)

Purpose; construction

✓ current as of May 2026
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(a) In the firm belief that compliance with the law by the individual and preservation of the family as a unit are fundamental to the maintenance of a stable, democratic society, the General Assembly intends by enactment of this chapter that 1 court shall have original statewide civil and criminal jurisdiction over family and child matters and offenses as set forth herein. The court shall endeavor to provide for each person coming under its jurisdiction such control, care, and treatment as will best serve the interests of the public, the family, and the offender, to the end that the home will, if possible, remain unbroken and the family members will recognize and discharge their legal and moral responsibilities to the public and to one another.

(b) This chapter shall be liberally construed that these purposes may be realized.

10 Del. C. 1953, §  902;  58 Del. Laws, c. 114, §  1; 
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases, 1963–2019 · leading case: Wife, P. v. Husband, P., 287 A.2d 409 (Del. Ch. 1972).
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Wife, P. v. Husband, P., 287 A.2d 409 (Del. Ch. 1972). · cites it 2× “10 Del.C. § 902(a). A liberal construction of the statute, in light of the purpose to create one court with original State-wide jurisdiction over family and child matters and to meet the requirements fixed by the decisions, is certainly in order.”
Scribner v. Chonofsky, 310 A.2d 924 (Del. Ch. 1973). “§ 501, and the clear intention expressed by the General Assembly by 10 Del.C. § 902 to place all original civil jurisdiction “over family and child matters” in the Family Court, I am of the opinion that this Court no longer has jurisdiction to entertain an action to compel a…”
State v. Fowler, 194 A.2d 558 (Del. Super. Ct. 1963). “10 Del.C. § 902. Help to young people, to juveniles — to a "child" — is the purpose of the Family Court; punishment is not.”
Wife, S. v. Husband, S., 295 A.2d 768 (Del. Ch. 1972). “In accordance with 10 Del.C. § 902(b), this Court must liberally construe the provisions of the Family Court Act so that its purposes may be realized.”
Wilderman v. Wilderman, 330 A.2d 149 (Del. Super. Ct. 1974). “The Court of Chancery has held that by virtue of the legislative policy stated in 10 Del.C. § 902 and the jurisdictional provisions of 10 Del.”
S.L. v. A.L., 735 A.2d 433 (Del. Fm. Ct. 1999). · cites it 3× “16 *439 Petitioner relies upon 10 Del. C. § 902 and 10 Del.C. § 921(3) to establish the statutory basis for this Court to find jurisdiction over the subject matter at issue, the Petition for Emancipation.”
Sl v. Al, 735 A.2d 433 (Del. Fm. Ct. 1999). · cites it 5× “[16] *439 Petitioner relies upon 10 Del. C. § 902 and 10 Del.C. § 921(3) to establish the statutory basis for this Court to find jurisdiction over the subject matter at issue, the Petition for Emancipation.”
S.L. v. A.L., 735 A.2d 433 (Del. Fm. Ct. 1999). · cites it 3× “16 *439 Petitioner relies upon 10 Del. C. § 902 and 10 Del.C. § 921(3) to establish the statutory basis for this Court to find jurisdiction over the subject matter at issue, the Petition for Emancipation.”
Silverman v. Silverman (Del. 2019). “26 See 10 Del. C. § 902 (1971) (creating the statewide Family Court); 13 Del.”
— 10 Del. C. § 902(a) — 4 cases
Wife, P. v. Husband, P., 287 A.2d 409 (Del. Ch. 1972). “10 Del.C. § 902(a). A liberal construction of the statute, in light of the purpose to create one court with original State-wide jurisdiction over family and child matters and to meet the requirements fixed by the decisions, is certainly in order.”
S.L. v. A.L., 735 A.2d 433 (Del. Fm. Ct. 1999). “16 *439 Petitioner relies upon 10 Del. C. § 902 and 10 Del.C. § 921(3) to establish the statutory basis for this Court to find jurisdiction over the subject matter at issue, the Petition for Emancipation.”
Sl v. Al, 735 A.2d 433 (Del. Fm. Ct. 1999). “[16] *439 Petitioner relies upon 10 Del. C. § 902 and 10 Del.C. § 921(3) to establish the statutory basis for this Court to find jurisdiction over the subject matter at issue, the Petition for Emancipation.”
S.L. v. A.L., 735 A.2d 433 (Del. Fm. Ct. 1999). “16 *439 Petitioner relies upon 10 Del. C. § 902 and 10 Del.C. § 921(3) to establish the statutory basis for this Court to find jurisdiction over the subject matter at issue, the Petition for Emancipation.”
— 10 Del. C. § 902(b) — 2 cases
Wife, P. v. Husband, P., 287 A.2d 409 (Del. Ch. 1972). “10 Del.C. § 902(a). A liberal construction of the statute, in light of the purpose to create one court with original State-wide jurisdiction over family and child matters and to meet the requirements fixed by the decisions, is certainly in order.”
Wife, S. v. Husband, S., 295 A.2d 768 (Del. Ch. 1972). “In accordance with 10 Del.C. § 902(b), this Court must liberally construe the provisions of the Family Court Act so that its purposes may be realized.”
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