Idaho Divorce with Children
Everything you need to know about divorce with children in Idaho — custody types, child support guidelines, parenting plans, and protecting your children through the process. Updated for 2026.
Types of Custody in Idaho
Legal Custody
The right to make major decisions about your child's education, healthcare, religion, and welfare.
Physical Custody
Determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis and the parenting time schedule.
"Best Interests of the Child" Factors
Idaho courts consider multiple factors when determining custody arrangements:
Create your parenting plan with guidance
Divorce.ai helps you build a comprehensive parenting plan that meets Idaho court requirements.
Child Support in Idaho
Idaho uses the Income Shares Model under Idaho Rule of Family Law Procedure 126 (Idaho Child Support Guidelines). The combined gross monthly income of both parents is used to determine a basic child support obligation from a guidelines schedule table. That obligation is then divided between the parents proportionate to their respective incomes. Adjustments are made for health insurance premiums, work-related childcare costs, and extraordinary medical expenses exceeding $250 per child per year. A parenting time credit applies when the non-custodial parent has overnight parenting time for at least 25% of the year (approximately 91 nights).
Official Idaho child support calculator →Factors Considered
Additional Forms Required (Children)
| Form | Name |
|---|---|
| CAO D 1-5 | Petition for Divorce (With Minor Children) |
Mandatory Parenting Course
Idaho requires both parents to complete a parenting education course when filing for divorce with minor children.
Under Idaho Rule of Family Law Procedure 1001, both parents in a divorce involving minor children must complete a court-approved parenting course such as 'Focus on Children' or an equivalent. The course must typically be completed before the final divorce hearing.
Typical cost: $40
Protect your children through the process
Divorce.ai helps you create a child-focused parenting plan and prepares all custody-related Idaho forms.
What Goes in a Parenting Plan?
A comprehensive parenting plan should cover:
Regular Parenting Schedule
Week-by-week schedule of where the child lives and when transitions occur.
Holiday & Vacation Schedule
How holidays, school breaks, and vacation time are divided between parents.
Decision-Making Authority
Who makes decisions about education, healthcare, extracurriculars, and religious upbringing.
Communication Rules
How the child communicates with the non-custodial parent (phone, video calls, etc.).
Transportation & Exchange
Who handles pickups/dropoffs and where exchanges occur.
Dispute Resolution
How disagreements about the parenting plan will be resolved (mediation first, then court).
Relocation Rules
Notice requirements and procedure if either parent wants to move.
Tips for Protecting Your Children During Divorce
Never speak negatively about the other parent in front of your children. It puts them in the middle and can harm your custody case.
Maintain routines. Keep school, activities, and daily routines as consistent as possible during the transition.
Communicate openly with your children in age-appropriate ways. Let them know the divorce is not their fault.
Consider counseling. A child therapist can help children process their emotions during this time.