Best Practices in Family Court
April 17, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Wilmington University’s Brandywine Campus

Moderators:
Richard K. Herrmann, Esquire
Ian Connor Bifferato, Esquire

Purpose of the Program

• Improving advocacy and efficiency in Delaware Family Court
• Understanding judicial expectations
• Avoiding common procedural and strategic mistakes

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Check In 

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Part 1

Introduction and Overview – Why Family Court Practice Is Unique

Understanding the Family Court Structure

• • Jurisdiction of Delaware Family Court
  • Court Structure
  • Interaction with Other Courts

Initiating Family Court Proceedings

• • Filing Procedures
  • Early Case Strategy
  • Early Settlement Opportunities

Best Practice in Custody and Visitation Litigation

• • Statutory Framework
  • Presenting Custody Evidence
  • Common Advocacy Mistakes
  • Working with Guardians ad litem and Child Attorneys

Child Support and Financial Issues

• • Delaware Child Support Formula
  • Financial Discovery
  • Enforcement Issues

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Part 2

Protection From Abuse Proceedings

• • Emerging Relief
  • Evidentiary Issues
  • Trial Preparation

Effective Family Court Trial Advocacy

• • Preparing for the Hearing
  • Presenting the Case
  • Judicial Expectations
  • Handling Self-Represented Opponents

Ethics and Professional Responsibility (.5 ethics)

• • Confidentiality and Sensitive Information
  • Candor to the Tribunal
  • Dealing with Difficult Clients

Appeals from Family Court

• • Appeal Process
  • Preserving Issues for Appeal
  • Practical Considerations

Practical Tips from the Bench

• • What Judges Wish Lawyers Would Do
  • What Judges Wish Lawyers Would Avoid

Emerging Family Court Trends

Technology and Remote Hearings

Key Takeaways for Practitioners

This seminar offers 3.0 credits, including .5 ethics, to Delaware Attorneys; 3.0 credits to Pennsylvania Attorneys and 3.6 credits, including .6 ethics, to New Jersey Attorneys.

Locations available are Wilmington, Live stream options in Georgetown, Dover, and Seaford.

To register by mail or email, please click the blue registration link below.

To register online, please click the green link below.

* Advertised price is for the standard member rate.

OUT OF STATE CLE CREDIT INFO

Those attendees who wish to receive CLE credit, other than from Delaware, New Jersey or Pennsylvania, should contact their individual State’s CLE Commission for credit. The Delaware State Bar Association can provide you with the agenda (included in the Materials sent with your registration confirmation) and a Certificate of Attendance (upon completion of the webinar), which should meet the requirements of compliance.

All rates include CLE Seminar and any materials. To register now or review DSBA CLE Policies, click HERE.

All materials provided by the deadline will be available by QR code on the day of the seminar.

Reporting of credits:

Please be advised that the DSBA has 30 days from the date of the seminar to report credits. Credits will be reported according to the date of the seminar not the date they are entered.