Delaware Code
Subchapter II. Civil Enforcement
§ 511. Commencement of actions; obtaining jurisdiction over respondent.

(a) Proceedings may be instituted in accordance with rules adopted by the Court, or upon a petition in which the petitioner alleges that defendant owes petitioner a duty of support and has refused or failed to provide such support.
(b) Jurisdiction may be acquired over respondent in any of the following ways:

(1) By issuance of summons by the Clerk of the Family Court, and service thereof by the sheriff or other person authorized to make service of process upon respondent, by delivering a copy of the summons, petition and any affidavit to respondent personally or by delivering copies thereof to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process;
(2) By appearance of respondent, either personally or by executing and filing an appearance document in a form approved by the Court, with or without issuance of summons;
(3) By appearance of counsel for respondent, with or without issuance of summons;
(4) Under a court rule not inconsistent with this section; or
(5) As may be otherwise provided by law.

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