Free Legal Help for Kinship Caregivers in Delaware
When You Need a Lawyer and When You Don't
Most relative caregivers in Delaware don't need a lawyer to handle school enrollment or medical consent. The DSAAPD's administrative affidavits under 14 Del. C. § 202(f) (school) and 13 Del. C. § 708 (medical) are designed to work without court involvement. You fill out the form, get it notarized, and submit it.
But sometimes the situation is more complicated. A parent actively objects to the affidavit. You need formal guardianship through Family Court. There's a custody dispute, a DFS investigation, or a domestic violence situation. That's when free legal help matters — and Delaware has several organizations that serve kinship caregivers at no cost.
Delaware Volunteer Legal Services (DVLS)
DVLS provides pro bono legal assistance in selected civil matters. Its current service list limits family-law representation to cases for victims of domestic violence, and its guardianship service is for uncontested adult guardianships involving disability. For a minor-child custody or guardianship matter, contact Legal Help Link to ask which provider can assist. Intake screens for eligibility and refers callers to an appropriate provider.
DVLS does not help with filling out the DSAAPD administrative affidavits (those don't require a lawyer). For a contested arrangement or Family Court matter, contact Legal Help Link to ask which organization can handle your specific issue.
Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI)
CLASI provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals, seniors aged 60 and older, and people with disabilities. They maintain offices in all three counties:
- Wilmington (New Castle County): 302-575-0660
- Dover (Kent County): 302-674-8500
- Georgetown (Sussex County): 302-856-0038
CLASI's published practice areas include housing, public benefits, and family law. Its case priorities and eligibility determine whether it can take a particular matter, so contact the county office and ask whether your specific family-law or benefits issue is within its current scope.
Free Download
Get the Delaware School and Medical Consent Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
Legal Help Link
Legal Help Link is Delaware's centralized intake system for free legal services. Call 1-888-225-0582 or 302-478-8680 to get screened and referred to the organization that fits your situation — whether that's DVLS, CLASI, or Legal Services Corporation of Delaware. It's the single front door for legal aid in the state.
If you're not sure which organization to contact, start here. The intake staff will ask about your income, the nature of your legal issue, and your county, then route you accordingly.
Delaware ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center)
The ADRC helpline at 1-800-223-9074 serves as Delaware's single point of entry for aging, disability, and caregiver support services. For kinship caregivers — especially grandparents — the ADRC connects you with resource referrals, respite care information, and navigational support.
The ADRC does not provide direct legal representation. They answer general questions and point you toward the right agency or organization. If you're a grandparent who just took in a grandchild and doesn't know where to start, calling the ADRC is a reasonable first step to understand what services exist.
What Free Legal Aid Covers vs. What It Doesn't
Free legal services in Delaware operate under income caps and caseload limits. Not everyone qualifies, and even those who do may face a wait. Here's a realistic picture:
Examples of services vary by provider: DVLS lists certain family-law matters for domestic-violence survivors and uncontested adult guardianships; CLASI lists public-benefits and housing services, as well as family-law services subject to eligibility and case priorities. Contact intake to ask whether a minor-child custody or guardianship issue is in scope.
What they typically don't handle: filling out the DSAAPD administrative affidavits (no lawyer needed) or general paperwork organization. School issues are not categorically outside legal aid: CLASI's Disability Rights Delaware lists special education, accommodations in education, and school discipline or expulsion among its services. Ask intake whether a specific enrollment dispute is in scope.
If you need the school and medical affidavits prepared correctly, with the two-column evidence organized and the notarization done right, that's administrative preparation. If a school or clinic refusal raises a legal issue, ask legal aid whether your specific situation is within its scope. Our School and Medical Consent Guide for Delaware Relatives walks through both affidavits step by step, including evidence checklists and escalation protocols when a school or clinic pushes back.
Get Your Free Delaware School and Medical Consent Checklist
Download the Delaware School and Medical Consent Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.