Going through a divorce or any family law issue is a very stressful time. At Idaho Divorce Center we will walk you through the process in a way that tries to minimize the stress, confusion, anxiety, and all the other emotions that come along with dealing such a life changing event. We serve the entire treasure valley, so, if you are in need of a divorce attorney in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Kuna, or Eagle, contact us today.

What is Family Law?

Family law encompasses a broad range of legal issues related to family relationships, such as

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Divorce
Asset division
Spousal support
Child custody
Paternity issues

Child visitation
Child support
Annulment
Adoption
Guardianship

Pre and post-nuptial agreements

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Divorce in the State of Idaho

Unlike most states, you must only be a resident of the state of Idaho for six weeks in order to qualify to file for a divorce in the state. Whichever spouse is filing for divorce is the plaintiff, while the other spouse is the defendant. The filing spouse must determine whether to file a no-fault divorce, which means he or she must only cite irreconcilable differences or must file under a “fault” divorce. The state of Idaho allows the following “faults” for those filing for a divorce: Adultery, A felony conviction, Permanent (at least three years in a mental institution) insanity

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Child Custody

Child custody is almost always an emotional issue, and some parents transfer their feelings over the divorce over to the child custody matters. In the end, if the parents are unable to agree on a custody arrangement, the court will make that decision for them—and in ways neither parent might be happy with. There are two types of custody—legal and physical.

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SPOUSAL SUPPORT

If one spouse requests spousal support, the court will consider a number of factors when making that determination, such as the physical, mental and emotional health of both spouses, the ability of both spouses to make money, whether the requesting spouse needs the support to obtain education or training to secure employment, how long the marriage has lasted, and whether one spouse supported the other in his or her education and career endeavors.

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Child Support

Unlike spousal support, there is a specific formula for determining child support, known as the “Idaho Child Support Guidlines.” This means the court will estimate the amount the parents would spend on the children if the family were intact, then this amount will be divided between the parents, based on their relative incomes and time that each parent has with the minor children.

Child Support

Unlike spousal support, there is a specific formula for determining child support, known as the “Idaho Child Support Guidlines.” This means the court will estimate the amount the parents would spend on the children if the family were intact, then this amount will be divided between the parents, based on their relative incomes and time that each parent has with the minor children.

joe,B.S., J.D. – attorney

Joe is originally from Kansas but found that he loved Idaho so much while he was in the Air Force that he decided to return after law school and a short stay in Montana. Joe is dedicated to providing the treasure valley with affordable, quality representation to individuals and families in need of family law services. He understands that going through any legal issue is difficult, and that family law issues can be even more difficult as the outcomes and results of the case are life altering events.

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DIVORCE FAQS

What are the residency requirements for an Idaho divorce?

The plaintiff (the spouse who files the initial paperwork) must have resided in the state of Idaho for at least six weeks prior to filing. This is a considerably shorter amount of time than most states require (usually at least six months residency).

Does Idaho support no-fault divorce?

While most states have gone exclusively to no-fault divorces in which a spouse must only claim irreconcilable differences, Idaho allows both no-fault and fault divorce. If you choose to file for a divorce based on fault, these are the “faults” allowed by the state of Idaho:

A felony conviction
More than a year of habitual drunkenness
Extreme physical or mental cruelty
Adultery
Willful neglect (can only be claimed by a woman, and is defined as a husband who failed to provide his wife with the basic necessities of life because of his refusal to work or overall laziness for at least one year)
Desertion (one spouse lived apart from the other for a year or more with the intent of leaving the marriage)

Permanent insanity (one spouse has spent at least three years in a mental institution).

Is there a waiting period associated with a divorce in the state of Idaho?

From the time you initiate divorce proceedings and the paperwork is served to the defendant, there is a mandatory waiting period of 20 days.

CHILD CUSTODY FAQS

What is joint custody?

Joint custody could encompass joint legal custody, joint physical custody, or both. The parents could have joint legal custody, meaning they would make the decisions regarding education, health, religion, etc., together, while joint physical custody would mean the children spent roughly equal amounts of time living with each parent (although a true 50/50 split is rare, and can be difficult to accomplish).

Joint physical custody could mean the children live with one parent Monday through Thursday, and the other parent Friday through Sunday, or something comparable. If one parent has sole physical custody of the children, then the other could have liberal visitation rights, or, depending on the situation, could have minimal visitation rights, or even supervised visitation rights.

If both parents share custody, who pays child support?

In the state of Idaho, child support is determined by the gross monthly income of both parents, as well as each parent’s expenses. The parent who spends the majority of time with the children is a factor in how much child support will be paid, although it will not totally determine how much child support one parent will pay.

Are visitation and child support linked?

A parent is not allowed to deny visitation to the other parent, even if that parent has not paid child support. Visitation and child support are two separate issues; if the parent who is obligated to pay child support has not paid that support, then the other parent must go through the proper legal channels to enforce payment. While that is happening, however, visitation cannot be denied to the other parent.

LATEST NEWS

Can Mediation Resolve My Family Law Case?

by Eric Pfaff | Sep 15, 2019 | Divorce | 0 Comments

In most Idaho family law cases, mediation offers a cost-effective alternative to going to court. Parties who are divorcing or litigating another aspect of family law, such as custody, should be prepared for this process. Working with your Meridian, Idaho family law...

Working Through A High-Conflict Divorce

by Eric Pfaff | Aug 15, 2019 | Divorce | 0 Comments

We all know that a divorce is stressful and time-consuming. Unfortunately, many divorces are fraught with unnecessary conflict between spouses. Too often, someone in the marriage is determined to fight it out, no matter what. When the other party is making things...

How to Prepare for Your Family Law Case

by Eric Pfaff | Jun 14, 2019 | Family Law | 0 Comments

Anticipating a family law case or hearing can be stressful. There's almost certainly a lot at stake, even in relatively simple matters. Being prepared for court is essential; appearing disorganized or disinterested can destroy your case. Your Nampa, Idaho family law...

Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Family Law Case

by Eric Pfaff | Apr 15, 2019 | Divorce | 0 Comments

Divorce can be an emotionally trying ordeal. For many people, the time, stress, and money involved are overwhelming. If a family law matter is in your future, it may be tempting to handle your case yourself. So why should you hire a Meridian, Idaho family law...

Visitation Tips For Idaho Parents

by aperson | Mar 15, 2019 | Child Custody | 0 Comments

In the ideal custody arrangement, both parents will share time with their child without hostility. But visitation exchanges can often be a time of conflict between parents. The emotions wrapped up in the divorce can spill over into what should be quality time with the...

What is the Difference Between an Annulment and a Divorce in Idaho

by Eric Pfaff | Jan 15, 2019 | Divorce | 0 Comments

Both divorces and annulments make determinations about marriage. However, there are significant differences between them. Divorce ends a valid marriage. However, an annulment states that what was believed to be married was not really a marriage. That is, it never...

Can Texts be Used to Prove Adultery in Idaho?

by Eric Pfaff | Dec 15, 2018 | Divorce | 0 Comments

Idaho is rare when it comes to divorce laws. While many states have no-fault or fault divorce laws, Idaho has a hybrid system. In a no-fault divorce, a spouse simply has to prove that the marriage is irreparable. This is the more modern system. In the traditional...

Understanding Child Custody Modification in Idaho

by Eric Pfaff | Nov 15, 2018 | Child Custody | 0 Comments

Child custody is one of the issues which must be resolved before a divorce is finalized in Nampa, ID. While it is expected that the arrangement will continue for some time, on occasion things may change. If something significant or “material” changes in the life of...

Does Adultery Affect Alimony in Idaho?

by Eric Pfaff | Oct 15, 2018 | Alimony | 0 Comments

Divorces generally have a bad picture since you imagine lots of lawyers and exchanging of unpleasant words. However, beyond that there is the legal aspect and the need to come to an agreement about the lives of two individuals. There is a lot that is considered during...

What is a Civil Protection Order?

by admin | Apr 20, 2018 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

In certain circumstances, an individual is in need of protection from the court based on the actions of others. Idaho law provides a mechanism for an individual to petition the court protection based on 1) physical injury, sexual abuse, or forced imprisonment or...