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Idaho Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: we live in idaho. my step child is 16. she no longer wishes to stay with her dad who has 50% physical and legal custody.

we live in idaho. my step child is 16. she no longer wishes to stay with her dad who has 50% physical and legal custody. what rights does she have as a child and as a person?

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on May 25, 2023

Your child has NO right not to see her father. The Magistrate Judge who divorced you two, awarded the father 50% custody, based on the "best interests of the child." So, I suggest that you speak to your daughter and explain to her that she see her father and talk to him about what is... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Idaho on
Q: What can a father do whose kids mother(narcissist) is blocking all communications between kids

Kids want to communicate with father and vise versa but mother is stopping it and making up stories to kids and to the father on why they can’t communicate for her own selfish needs. She also threatens the grandmother(dads mom) if she lets the dad talk to the kids when they are over grandmas... Read more »

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on May 25, 2023

Most Decrees of Custody or Decrees of Divorce, include language which addresses "alienation of affection" if not in those exact words. Some decrees talk about "communication" between the parents and children and forbid the parents from talking bad about the other parent. If... Read more »

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... Read 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... Read 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.... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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....
Read more »

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... Read 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... Read 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,... Read 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... Read more »

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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Idaho on
Q: My son's father enrolled my son in a school without including or telling me at all and we have joint legal..what do I do
Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on May 25, 2023

This is a "coparenting" issue. You can communicate with the other parent via "myfamilywizard" and ask why he is not advising you, as a good coparent is supposed to do. I would suggest this app be downloaded on both phones, so that you may communicate with the father.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Idaho on
Q: In Idaho, do you need a "Family Law Case Information Sheet" if you're adopting an adult?

The county clerk wanted me to fill out the portion where it asked for information about the minor child. I kept telling her that the adoptee is an adult and told her that the adoptee's information is on the other documents. She then crossed out the word child and then said I must fill in the... Read more »

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on May 25, 2023

The Idaho Rules of Family Law Procedure have a requirement that each litigant fill out a Family Law Case Information Sheet. If you don't want to adhere to the Family Law Procedure, the Clerk will reject your filings. Pretty simple.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Idaho on
Q: Is there a way you can add a child to an existing custody agreement?

The first and newest child have the same father.

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers
answered on May 25, 2023

Yes, the Idaho Rules of Family Law Procedure have a rule which allow the parties to add new parties. A new child, born during the litigation, should fall into this category.

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... Read 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 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.

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