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Idaho Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: If I have legal guardianship over my 16 yr granddaughter am I able to let her live with her 30 yo sister out of state

Her parents both lost legal custody of her when she was 8 and I have full guardianship over her.

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Mar 31, 2023

Yes you can. You have every power and authority that a birth parent would have.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Idaho on
Q: Im 18 in 4 months. But im trying to leave my home ASAP. Is it possible for me to leave?

I have plenty of people willing to take me in and pay for everything I need so i can focus on school. I feel there has to be a way for me to leave so I can do this. My parents keep acting like im lying to them and are forcing me to have a job while doing schoolwork. It is way too much for me and I... View More

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Apr 1, 2023

In 4 months, you can leave and go where ever you want to go! However, under Idaho law until you’re 18 years old, you’re (lucky) still considered a “child,” and worthy of protection! Just try to be patient for four more months!

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Contracts and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: How Do I Get Out Of This Car Loan Situation (Divorce)?

I am about to file for divorce. I am the primary borrower for his vehicle. Only he has ever driven it, so it (along with the payments) should obviously go to him. There = about $6,000 left to pay. He just told me it broke down and will cost too much to fix. He said he can only trade it in for... View More

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Mar 15, 2023

This is a tough spot you're in. You are absolutely, financially responsible for your loan on the car, whether it works or is broken or regardless of whether it was you or him who primarily drove it. It's a tough spot! In fact, I'll let you know the WORST part! Let's say you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Idaho on
Q: Is there an age where a child can choose to be adopted by a step parent in Idaho?

My daughter sees her dad every other weekend. It has been a battle forever. My daughter expresses that she wishes her step dad was her real dad. I don’t want to rush anything but I am concerned that if something happened to me, she would end up with her bio dad where she does not want to be.... View More

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Jan 11, 2023

The only age "restriction" I am aware of is the age a child can be called to testify as a witness. Even this law is flexible, depending on the maturity of the child. However, it would be odd if a Court were to place this huge decision in the hands of a child. At age 9, judges must... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: Hi, I was just wondering if a marriage certificate supersedes a custody order

Hi, I was just wondering if a marriage certificate supersedes a custody order

For example, a man and a woman unmarried have a child, and then they go to court and have an order signed by a judge, joint, physical and legal and a parenting plan set in place and then they get married and then... View More

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Dec 27, 2022

The Parenting Agreement IS relevant. However, it's relevance goes down, by the day. Because what the divorce court judge is supposed to do is decide what is in the best interests of the minor child. The Parenting Agreement is very relevant if it's only 4-5 months old when you divorce... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: Change of child support

My ex and myself divorced she got a degree and remarried but refuses to go to work. Her husband makes more than 150,000.00 a year. Then against a Cort order moved 3000 miles away. She asked me if I was OK with this. I finally agreed if she would call child support services and have them stop... View More

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Dec 28, 2022

You should take her back to court to enforce the verbal agreement she made with you, re: child support in exchange for allowing her to move 3,000 miles away. Some courts would hold that this was an "agreement against public policy," because it is against the public policy of most states... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Civil Rights, Domestic Violence and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: If cps hasn't shown up, and if the police have ignored all reports of my friends abuse, what other options do they have?

My friend is a 13 year old, soon to be 14 living in moscow idaho, and they have been experiencing terrible physical abuse, emotional abuse, and general neglect from their mother for a while now. Me, a friend, and a staff at the local youth center have all reached out to cps and police, but nothing... View More

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Dec 28, 2022

ONE thing you can NOT do, is take the law into your own hands. IF you try to take your friend away from the abuse, you will be arrested, and I'm sure you know that. However, you could convince your friend to go with you to the police to report the abuse he's been suffering. That might... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Elder Law for Idaho on
Q: If I get Guardianship/Conservatorship over my father's estate what happens to the Power of Attorney

that my father gave his live in girlfriend ?

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Nov 24, 2022

It will instantly VOID the Power of Attorney he gave the GF!

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: The child turned 16 years old and has a full-time job. The child lives 187 miles from the non-custodial parent.

Our child just started a full-time job and lives 187 miles away from the non-custodial parent, who has every other weekend and every other holiday visitation. The non-custodial parent is requiring the child's employer to follow the court order visitation. Does the employer have to follow this... View More

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Nov 24, 2022

No private party may require a non-party to do anything. If you believe the father is requiring a non-party to obey your Decree of Divorce, then please disabuse yourself of this belief. This also has nothing to do with how far your child lives from the father. The ONLY considerations you should... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: Can I lose custody if my child is in daycare to much even if the judge mandated it?

Judge mandates only blood relatives or licensed child care providers. (I have no family in Idaho so I use daycare)

I than lose custody % 2 years later because my kids are in daycare to much while I'm at work 5 days a week. Single mom.

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Nov 25, 2022

As a litigator, what I constantly have to remind myself is that judges don't care how good my argument is to give my client custody, or how persuasive I am about the good things my client is doing etc., if it's not in the child's best interests. This is thE ONLY factor that the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Idaho on
Q: I'm 16 and wanting too get emancipated?

Parents both ex drug addicts, dad's acholic mom's a pill user

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Nov 24, 2022

Here are your options:

1. Call Child Protection Services (CPS) and complain that the parents are unable to care for the child. They will conduct an investigation. Once that is complete, CPS will call the police and ask them to assist them in removing the minor from the parents’ custody....
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Elder Law and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: We believe that my 93 year old father in law is being co-erced by his live in girlfriend.

He has given her power of attorney, gave her all of his bank accounts to her , and changed his Will by removing his daughter as executer and his son as co-executer. Replacing them with his girlfriend and her daughter. Now he has stopped calling and she refuses to give him any messages when we... View More

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Nov 2, 2022

You have the right to step in and be concerned. The problem with Powers of Attorney is that they are easily drawn and signed, by the weak and feeble. A much more stable, unalterable instrument to have when your loved ones need help, is a Guardianship / Conservatorship. Nobody is able to get a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Idaho on
Q: Can my child's father file for custody in Idaho when she currently lives in Nevada?

She was born in Idaho, but she's lived in Nevada with me since May 2021, for all but 5 months since then. I have proof that she has been living with me in Nevada since then. Doesn't that make her a legal Nevada resident? Can he legally file for custody in Idaho?

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Nov 2, 2022

NOPE. Foul!

If he files in Idaho, he is required to list all of the places your daughter has lived in the last five (5) years. If he lies on the Petition, an Idaho judge will likely reject the filing. Plus, you are required to receive a copy of what he files and on his Petition, there...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: Does a no contact order apply if charges weren't pressed but the two parties were separated do to a domestic dispute
Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Nov 2, 2022

In Idaho there are now 2 types of "stay away" orders. The first is a NO CONTACT ORDER. There is no way to have one of these against you, unless you've been charged with committing a Domestic Battery charge. In other words, it comes attached with a criminal charge. The other... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Idaho on
Q: I have sole physical custody but joint legal custody can I move to another state with my children?
Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Nov 2, 2022

Nope. "Legal Custody," is the right to decide when your son can get a tattoo or join the military or leave school, big decisions. Further, the Idaho appellate courts have said that you are "welcome to move, just don't take your children!" You must file and ask for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Support for Idaho on
Q: My husband and I separated, I applied for daycare and food stamp assistance. Child support now wants to open a case.

I don’t want to go through child support to calculate,we want to solve our issues regarding financial support for our children amicably, can we go about that without further action from child support?

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Nov 2, 2022

Nope. By applying for Idaho benefits, Idaho has a "vested interest," in making sure that whatever monies it has provided you, are paid back. That means that whatever you and your husband thought you had decided, may be okayed by the Court, but the Department of Health and Welfare,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Idaho on
Q: I signed my parental rights over of my son to his aunt but it wasn't notorized is it still legal and can it be used

His grandma has temp guardianship and I want my son back I didn't mean to sign my rights over to the aunt what do I do

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Sep 9, 2022

Idaho law says that a parent may give someone their parental rights for upto six (6) months, without having to go to court. Many people do this. The fact that it wasn't notarized will not do anything for you, unless it is your belief that your signature was forged or that your spouse's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: Does a QRDO override a divorce decree? My decree states I forgo my ex’s retirement. But there is not a QRDO filed.

Married 1982- 1996, I was a stay at home mom for the first 11 years of marriage . I agreed under duress because at the time my X Threatened he would leave the state and not give me even child support . Fast forward to today. My X is retiring and asked need to sign a waiver of pension benefits. I... View More

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Sep 9, 2022

A QDRO does not override a Divorce Decree, it merely directs the Plan Administrator on how to divide a 401k or military or state retirement. It's simply the "instructions" on how to do it. So, the answer is probably YES you would have the right at this point to get a large portion... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: my husband in in jail for two days and will be brought to the court tomorrow. He has got dimentia or some disfunction

He won't get help and I fear for my life. Can we file something with his mental and start divorce? He wants to hurt me after 55 years of caring for him and it has come to this. I am truly scared of him. What are my rights?

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Mar 20, 2022

Idaho Code allows a Petitioner to seek out a Civil Protection Order. All you need to do is go into the Clerk's Office and ask for Civil Protection papers, and the Clerk will give them to you. They might even have a "Court Assistance Office" to help you fill out the papers. Once... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Personal Injury, Domestic Violence and Landlord - Tenant for Idaho on
Q: Hello! My family is dealing with an odd situation and I'd like to know what steps can be taken to resolve it.

My mom's ex is abusive towards her and my sisters. She "left him" but he still comes over. She's been charging my sisters rent. They are over 18. Do they then have a say in whether or not he's allowed at the house if the are paying rent? They feel unsafe with him around but... View More

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on Mar 14, 2022

Well, is sounds like you're asking this, correct me if I'm wrong:

Your parents were divorced. You are out of the house now but your sisters are still living with your mother, who apparently is a co-owner of the house that you and your mom's ex, owned?

If your...
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