Delaware: official help for families
Updated Nov 3, 2026. Sources last checked Oct 18, 2026. See sources.
The official Delaware pages for the paperwork and problems families run into most, in one place. Every link goes to a government or official source in Delaware, or to a free national service when we haven’t verified a state page.
Power of attorney
The state law and any official forms for financial and health care powers of attorney. Our guide: power of attorney, explained.
Transfer on death deeds
Whether this state lets a homeowner name who gets the house without probate. Our guide: handing down the home.
Yes. Allowed. This state's law lets an owner use a transfer on death deed. Delaware's law is new (2025).
Probate and small estates
Court help or law for settling an estate, including any simpler process for small estates. Our guide: what to do after a death.
Long-term care ombudsman
A free, official advocate for people in nursing homes and assisted living. Our guide: when a parent can’t live alone.
- Delaware Health and Social Services: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program State long-term care ombudsman
Medicaid agency
The state agency that runs Medicaid, which can pay for long-term care for people who qualify. Our guide: paying for long-term care.
- Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance State Medicaid agency
Small claims court
The state’s small claims rules or court self-help. Our guide: refunds and small claims.
Utility regulator
The state commission that takes complaints about electric, gas, water or phone companies. See also find help near you.
- Delaware Public Service Commission State agency
Free national help, anywhere in the U.S.
- Report a scam: ReportFraud.ftc.gov (Federal Trade Commission)
- Identity theft recovery plan: IdentityTheft.gov
- Find your state attorney general: National Association of Attorneys General
- Free Medicare counseling: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
- Local help with bills, food and housing: 211
- Free civil legal aid: Legal Services Corporation
- Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116
General information, not legal advice. Laws change. Before you sign or file anything, check the official page above or talk with a lawyer or free legal aid.
Sources
Last checked Oct 18, 2026 (transfer on death deed and utility links checked Oct 20, 2026).
- Delaware Code Title 12, ch. 49A: Durable personal powers of attorney: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title12/c049a/index.html
- Delaware Code Title 25, Chapter 2: Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title25/c002/index.html
- Delaware Code Title 12, sec. 2306: Small estates without letters (affidavit): https://delcode.delaware.gov/title12/c023/sc01/index.html
- Delaware Health and Social Services: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: https://dhss.delaware.gov/office-of-the-secretary/long-term-care-ombudsman-program/
- Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dmma/
- Delaware Courts: How to start a civil action in the Justice of the Peace Court: https://courts.delaware.gov/help/proceedings/jp_startcivil.aspx
- Delaware Public Service Commission: https://depsc.delaware.gov/
- Report a scam: ReportFraud.ftc.gov (Federal Trade Commission): https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
- Identity theft recovery plan: IdentityTheft.gov: https://www.identitytheft.gov/
- Find your state attorney general: National Association of Attorneys General: https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/
- Free Medicare counseling: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): https://www.shiphelp.org/
- Local help with bills, food and housing: 211: https://www.211.org/
- Free civil legal aid: Legal Services Corporation: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/get-legal-help
- Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116: https://eldercare.acl.gov/
Rules and numbers change. If something here does not match what an agency tells you, trust the agency, and please let us know.