Family Law Flashcards

In Idaho custody proceedings, what is the primary standard courts apply when making custody determinations?

Answer: The best interests of the child

Idaho Code § 32-717 mandates that courts make all custody determinations based on the best interests of the child, weighing multiple enumerated statutory factors.

Under Idaho law, how does a court treat a child's expressed preference regarding custody arrangements?

Answer: It is one factor the court may consider regardless of the child's age

Under Idaho Code § 32-717(5), a child's wishes regarding custody are one of many factors the court may consider at any age, but the preference is never automatically binding on the court.

Idaho's child support guidelines use which model to calculate each parent's support obligation?

Answer: The income shares model

Idaho uses the income shares model, which considers the combined incomes of both parents and allocates child support proportionally based on each parent's share of that combined income.

Under Idaho law, spousal maintenance (alimony) awards are best characterized as:

Answer: Discretionary and based on factors such as financial need and the other spouse's ability to pay

Under Idaho Code § 32-705, spousal maintenance is entirely discretionary; courts weigh factors including the requesting spouse's financial need, the standard of living during the marriage, and the paying spouse's financial resources.

In Idaho, a parent who wishes to relocate with a minor child to another state generally must:

Answer: Obtain the written consent of the other parent or court approval before relocating

Idaho courts require the relocating parent to obtain the other parent's written consent or seek court approval before relocating with a child, protecting the non-relocating parent's custodial rights.

Under Idaho law, parental rights may be terminated by a court when:

Answer: The court finds statutory grounds and determines termination is in the child's best interests

Under Idaho Code § 16-2005, termination of parental rights requires both a finding of specific statutory grounds—such as abandonment, neglect, or abuse—and a determination that termination serves the child's best interests.

Which of the following factors is NOT among those enumerated in Idaho Code § 32-717 for a best-interests-of-the-child custody analysis?

Answer: The financial net worth of each parent

Idaho Code § 32-717 does not list a parent's financial net worth as a custody factor; financial support needs are addressed through child support proceedings, while custody focuses on the child's welfare and relational stability.