Men and fathers going through a Idaho divorce face an array of challenges that threaten to upend their lives. Cordell & Cordell’s Idaho divorce lawyers focus on representing men during the divorce process and that gives them a better understanding of how the state’s laws affect them and their families.
Read through our Idaho divorce and child custody articles to gain a better understanding of the road ahead. Educating yourself about the divorce process in Idaho will improve your ability to communication with your divorce lawyer, which goes a long way toward helping your reach your goals in Idaho family court.
Idaho Residency Requirements
You must have been a resident of Idaho for 6 full weeks before you may file for divorce in this state.
Related Article: What Is The Residency Requirement For Filing For Divorce?
Idaho Grounds for Divorce
Divorces in Idaho may be granted for any of the following causes:
1. Adultery.
2. Extreme cruelty.
3. Willful desertion.
4. Willful neglect.
5. Habitual intemperance.
6. Conviction of felony.
7. When either the husband or wife has become permanently insane.
8. Irreconcilable differences.
Related Article: The No-Fault/Fault-Based Divorce Debate
Idaho Division of Property
Unless there are compelling reasons otherwise, there shall be a substantially equal division in value, considering debts, between the spouses of the community property and homestead. Factors going into this division include:
a) Duration of the marriage;
b) Any antenuptial agreement of the parties; provided, however, that the court shall have no authority to amend or rescind any such agreement;
c) The age, health, occupation, amount and source of income, vocational skills, employability, and liabilities of each spouse;
d) The needs of each spouse;
e) Whether the apportionment is in lieu of or in addition to maintenance;
f) The present and potential earning capability of each party; and
g) Retirement benefits, including, but not limited to, social security, civil service, military and railroad retirement benefits.
Related Article: Divorce Tips For Men: What To Do With The House?
Idaho Spousal Support
The court may grant a maintenance order if it finds that the spouse seeking maintenance lacks sufficient property to provide for his or her reasonable needs and is unable to support himself or herself through employment. The maintenance order shall be in such amounts and for such periods of time that the court deems just, after considering all relevant factors, which may include:
a) The financial resources of the spouse seeking maintenance, including the marital property apportioned to said spouse, and said spouse’s ability to meet his or her needs independently;
b) The time necessary to acquire sufficient education and training to enable the spouse seeking maintenance to find employment;
c) The duration of the marriage;
d) The age and the physical and emotional condition of the spouse seeking maintenance;
e) The ability of the spouse from whom maintenance is sought to meet his or her needs while meeting those of the spouse seeking maintenance;
f) The tax consequences to each spouse; and
g) The fault of either party.
Related Article: Will I Have To Pay Alimony?
Idaho Child Custody
Like most courts, Idaho uses the best interests of the children standard when deciding child custody. The court shall consider all relevant factors, which may include:
a) The wishes of the child’s parent or parents as to his or her custody;
b) The wishes of the child as to his or her custodian;
c) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with his or her parent or parents, and his or her siblings;
d) The child’s adjustment to his or her home, school, and community;
e) The character and circumstances of all individuals involved;
f) The need to promote continuity and stability in the life of the child; and
g) Domestic violence whether or not in the presence of the child.
Related Article: Ten Things You Can Do To Sabotage Your Custody Battle
Idaho Child Support
The court may order child support to either or both parents until the child is eighteen (18) years of age. If the child continues his/her high school education subsequent to reaching the age of eighteen (18) years, the court may order the continuation of support payments until the child discontinues his/her high school education or reaches the age of nineteen (19) years, whichever is sooner.
All child support orders shall notify the obligor that the order will be enforced by income withholding.
Related Article: Idaho Child Custody FAQs
