What Is a Confirmation Calendar in Delaware Family Court? (And Why You Don’t Need to Panic)
If you recently received a notice from Delaware Family Court titled “Confirmation Calendar,” you are probably wondering what it means and whether you should be worried. The good news is that you do not need to panic.
A Confirmation Calendar hearing is not a trial, and no decisions will be made about your case that day. It is simply the court’s new way of confirming that you have received a copy of the petition that was filed against you.
Why You Are Getting This Notice
In the past, Family Court used outside service providers to physically deliver petitions. That process has changed. The court no longer contracts with those service providers and now uses a virtual service process instead.
When someone files a petition for custody, support, divorce, or any other Family Court matter, the court schedules a Confirmation Calendar hearing, usually on Zoom. At that hearing, the court will confirm your identity, provide you with the petition by email, and make sure you have received it. Once that happens, you are officially considered served.
What Happens at the Hearing
These hearings are brief, often lasting only a few minutes. You will not need to argue your case or present evidence. The purpose of the hearing is simply to confirm that you received the paperwork and that the court has the correct contact information for you.
After the hearing, you will receive notice of your next court date or instructions on when and how to respond to the petition.
Applies in All Delaware Counties
This process is now used in all three Delaware counties:
- New Castle County
- Kent County
- Sussex County
The same procedure applies statewide.
What To Do If You Receive a Confirmation Calendar Notice
1. Do not ignore it. Even though it is not a trial, you must appear or the court can still consider you served.
2. Check your email, including your spam folder, for the Zoom link and instructions.
3. Join the hearing on time. These hearings move quickly and being late could mean missing your turn.
4. Save the petition once you receive it and read it carefully. There may be deadlines to respond.
5. Contact an attorney if you are unsure about the next steps or how to protect your rights.
The Bottom Line
A Confirmation Calendar hearing is simply the court’s way of confirming that you received your paperwork. Nothing about your case will be discussed or decided that day. Once service is confirmed, your case can move forward and you can begin preparing your response.
Need Help After a Confirmation Calendar Hearing?
If you have been served through a Confirmation Calendar and are not sure what to do next, MAVEN LAW can help. We represent clients throughout New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties in all Family Court matters including custody, divorce, and support cases.
