The Stipulation Of Dismissal is a Delaware Family Court form on which the parties, or their attorneys, state that they agree the listed matters should be dismissed. A petitioner and a respondent use it to end petitions such as custody, visitation, support or divorce, and the form lists each type of matter with a checkbox. You can fill out the stipulation of dismissal online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form itself is published by Delaware Courts at courts.delaware.gov.
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What is 520?
The Stipulation Of Dismissal is a Family Court of the State of Delaware form in which the parties, or their attorneys, state that they stipulate and agree that the matter or matters named on the form be dismissed.
The form is headed for the Family Court "In and For" New Castle County, Kent County or Sussex County. It identifies the case with the DCSS# and Reciprocal # lines, then gives space for the petitioner and the respondent, each with a date of birth and an attorney, and a Petition Number for each side.
A checklist shows which matters are being dismissed:
- Custody, Visitation, Guardianship and Dependency/Neglect
- New Child Support, Support Modification and Support Arrears
- Divorce, Spousal Support, Alimony and Property Division
- Imperiling Family Relations, Counsel Fees/Court Costs and Protection From Abuse (PFA)
- Other, with a line to write in the matter
A Special Instructions box, signature lines for the Petitioner/Attorney and the Respondent/Attorney, two lines for the Clerk of Court/Notary Public, and a CC list complete the form. Delaware Courts lists it among the Family Court forms on its forms page.
Who needs to file 520?
The parties to a Delaware Family Court matter who have agreed to dismiss it use this form. The text of the form says the agreement is made by and between the parties or their attorneys, so the petitioner and the respondent, or the attorneys acting for them, are the people who complete and sign it.
The form works for several kinds of Family Court matters. It has a checkbox for each of these: custody, visitation, guardianship, dependency/neglect, new child support, support modification, support arrears, divorce, spousal support, alimony, property division, imperiling family relations, counsel fees/court costs and Protection From Abuse (PFA). An Other line covers matters not listed.
The form has separate signature lines for the Petitioner/Attorney and for the Respondent/Attorney, so both sides take part. A party with an attorney can have the attorney's name entered in the Attorney space for that side. The form gives no rule on who else may sign for a party.
When to file 520
You complete the Stipulation Of Dismissal once the petitioner and the respondent, or their attorneys, have agreed that a pending matter should be dismissed. The form prints no due date of its own: its timing follows the case it belongs to. Each side signs and dates its own line, and the form also has dated lines for the Clerk of Court/Notary Public. Have the DCSS# and Reciprocal # and the Petition Number for each matter on hand before you start, because the form asks for them at the top.
How to fill out 520
Choose the county
In the heading, mark the Family Court county for your case: New Castle County, Kent County or Sussex County.
Enter DCSS and reciprocal numbers
Fill in the DCSS#: and Reciprocal #: lines at the top of the form, if they apply to your case.
Enter petitioner and respondent details
For the Petitioner and the Respondent, enter the name, the DOB and the name of the Attorney, if the party has one.
Enter the petition numbers
Under the statement that the matter(s) be dismissed, write the Petition Number for each side that applies.
Check the matters to dismiss
Check each box that matches a matter being dismissed, such as Custody, Visitation, Divorce or Support Arrears. If it is not listed, check Other and write it on the line.
Add special instructions
Use the Special Instructions box for any further direction the parties agree on.
Sign and date for each side
The Petitioner/Attorney and the Respondent/Attorney each sign their line and enter the DATE next to it.
Complete the clerk or notary lines
Leave the two Clerk of Court/ Notary Public lines and their DATE spaces for the person who completes them.
Mark who gets copies
Under CC:, check Petitioner, Respondent, Petitioner Attorney, Respondent Attorney, DCSS or Other as needed.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every name, number and date against your case papers. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then deliver it through the court's channels.
How to submit 520
The Stipulation Of Dismissal prints no mailing address, portal or appointment rule, so it names no filing channel of its own. What it does print is a county heading for the Family Court (New Castle, Kent or Sussex), two lines for the Clerk of Court/Notary Public, and a CC list with boxes for the Petitioner, Respondent, Petitioner Attorney, Respondent Attorney, DCSS and Other. Use the county heading and the CC list to show which court and which people receive copies. For where and how to deliver the signed form, contact the Family Court clerk's office; Delaware Courts publishes its forms at https://courts.delaware.gov/forms/list.aspx. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the court's own channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the Petition Number blank for a side, so the form does not say which matter is being dismissed.
- Not checking the box for the matter being dismissed, or forgetting to write the matter on the Other line when it is not listed.
- Submitting the form with only the Petitioner/Attorney or only the Respondent/Attorney signature, when the form has a signature line for each side.
- Leaving the DATE lines empty next to the signatures.
- Skipping the Clerk of Court/ Notary Public lines, which are part of the printed form.
- Leaving the CC boxes unchecked, so the people who should receive copies (Petitioner, Respondent, their attorneys, DCSS) are not marked.
- Not marking the county (New Castle, Kent or Sussex) in the court heading.
Frequently asked questions
What is a stipulation of dismissal in Delaware Family Court?
It is a Family Court form on which the parties or their attorneys state that they stipulate and agree that the listed matter or matters be dismissed. The form lists custody, visitation, support, divorce, guardianship, PFA and other matters, and has signature lines for both sides.
Who signs the Stipulation Of Dismissal?
The form has a signature line for the Petitioner/Attorney and one for the Respondent/Attorney, each with a DATE. It also has two lines for the Clerk of Court/ Notary Public. The form states the agreement is made by the parties or their attorneys.
Which matters can this form dismiss?
The form has checkboxes for Custody, Visitation, Dependency/Neglect, Guardianship, Divorce, Spousal Support, Alimony, Property Division, New Child Support, Support Modification, Support Arrears, Imperiling Family Relations, Counsel Fees/Court Costs and Protection From Abuse (PFA), plus an Other line.
What information do I need before filling it out?
Have the Petition Number for each matter, the DCSS# and Reciprocal # if they apply, each party's date of birth and the attorneys' names. The form asks for these near the top, with the county of the Family Court.
Can I fill out a stipulation of dismissal online?
Yes. You can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the PDF. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file it with the court or the agency; delivery follows the Family Court's own channels.
Where do I file the Stipulation Of Dismissal?
The form prints no address or portal. It names the Family Court county (New Castle, Kent or Sussex) and has clerk/notary lines, so ask the Family Court clerk's office for the filing method. Delaware Courts hosts its forms at courts.delaware.gov/forms/list.aspx.
Is there a deadline to file a stipulation of dismissal?
The form prints no deadline of its own. You complete it when the parties or their attorneys have agreed to dismiss the matter, so any timing depends on the case it belongs to. Confirm any court deadline with the Family Court clerk's office.
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