Idaho Divorce Laws

Divorce, no matter where one resides, is a complicated and emotionally charged process, which is why it is vital to grasp the legal structure regulating it. In Idaho, 3.4 divorces for every 1,000 residents took place in 2021, resulting in the sixth-highest divorce rate in the nation during that year.

Divorce in the state is governed by a set of laws that address issues like property division, child custody arrangements, and spousal support. This comprehensive guide aims to provide a detailed exploration of Idaho's divorce laws to assist individuals in successfully navigating the complexities of this challenging legal ordeal.

Divorce vs. Annulment vs. Legal Separation in Idaho

In the state of Idaho, divorce is defined as the termination of a marriage prior to the death of a spouse. Both spouses will be free to get married to another individual or enter a domestic partnership with no legal impediments once their divorce is finalized.

Meanwhile, if a court renders a marriage null and void because it should not have been legally recognized in the first place, the process is referred to as an annulment. After an annulment, both parties are permitted to remarry or enter into a domestic partnership, just as they would after a divorce. A marriage can be annulled if one of the parties consented to the marriage under duress or fraudulent means; was not of legal age at the time of the marriage; was mentally or physically incapable of giving informed consent, like if they were intoxicated; or was already registered as married.

A legal separation entails a couple being separated in practice while remaining formally married. This determination is issued in the form of a court order. Since this does not legally dissolve the marriage, neither party can legally marry or form a domestic partnership with another individual.

Is Idaho a No-Fault State When It Comes to Divorce?

The state of Idaho allows for both at-fault and no-fault divorces, meaning that married couples who are planning to separate are not required to prove fault on the other party’s side.

The primary grounds for a no-fault divorce in the state are the "irreconcilable differences" between spouses that cause their marriage to break down beyond repair. Unlike some of the other states, Idaho does not require spouses to live separately for a specific duration before filing for divorce based on irreconcilable differences.

Meanwhile, a person can only seek a divorce based on fault if they meet specific requirements in the form of legal grounds. These include permanent insanity, willful desertion, willful neglect, adultery, extreme cruelty, habitual intemperance, and a felony conviction. Note that under the category of willful neglect, state legislation is rather specific in its usage of the term “husband” instead of “spouse.”

Some individuals opt for fault-based divorce with the assistance of a skilled divorce lawyer because it can often provide an advantage when it comes to various matters, such as child custody, child support, and alimony.

How to File for Divorce in Idaho

In Idaho, the spouse filing for divorce is referred to as the plaintiff, while the spouse being served with divorce papers is the defendant. 

Before beginning the legal procedure, the plaintiff must meet the state’s residency requirements. They should have lived in the state for a minimum of six weeks before filing to ensure that the state has jurisdiction over their divorce case. Once this condition has been met, they may follow the steps outlined below:

1. Submit a Petition for Divorce.

When filing for divorce in Idaho, the forms one must prepare include the following:

• Family Law Case Information Sheet.

• Complaint for Divorce (with or without minor children).

• Certificate of Divorce.

• Affidavit of Service.

• Summons.

Those with minor children must also prepare an Affidavit to Verify Income, a Standard Custody Worksheet or a Shared/Split Custody Worksheet, and a Parenting Plan. 

Once the necessary documents are ready, the filer should submit them to their district court’s clerk and pay the corresponding filing fee of $207. Because the original forms will be retained by the clerk, it is important to keep copies for one’s personal records and for when one has to serve them to their spouse.

2. Deliver the Divorce Documents to Your Spouse.

When serving legal documents in a divorce case, personal service is typically the best option. This involves physically handing the documents over to the defendant. 

The plaintiff can hire a qualified process server to ensure proper delivery. Once the documents have been delivered, the process server should send an Acknowledgment of Service to the plaintiff, who should file it with the court as evidence that the divorce papers have been served.

If the defendant cannot be located, the plaintiff may choose to serve the divorce papers by publishing a notification of the divorce complaint in a local newspaper. This should be done consistently for four weeks.

A spouse is considered to have been served on one of three possible dates: 

• The date when their spouse signed the Acknowledgment of Service form;

• The date when the process server delivered the papers to them;

• The date when the papers were last published in a newspaper.

After the documents have been delivered or the notice has been published, the served spouse has 21 days to file a response to the divorce complaint.

3. Observe the Mandatory 21-Day Waiting Period.

In Idaho, there is an obligatory 21-day waiting period that must be observed between the time a spouse is served with divorce papers and the divorce is finalized. The divorce may be finalized by default in case the defendant fails to give a response in writing within the deadline.

Even if both parties agree on all matters, the waiting time must still be observed. If they have minor children, they will also be required to attend a parenting workshop before they can finalize their divorce.

4. Consider Whether a Reply Must Be Provided.

If the defendant responds within the given timeframe, the plaintiff is advised to peruse the document carefully. 

If it is classified as a "Response," the plaintiff does not need to submit a written reply. Meanwhile, if it is labeled as a "Response And Counterclaim," the plaintiff will have 21 days from the date the counterclaim is served to give a written reply. 

Note that even if a document does not have the word "counterclaim" in the title, it may be considered such if it involves the defendant asking for something different than the plaintiff requested in the petition.

If the plaintiff disagrees with or is apprehensive about any of the allegations or terms in the counterclaim, they should consult with an attorney as soon as possible. This will help them understand their rights and submit a response. If they do not respond before the deadline, the court may enter a default order against them, and the defendant may receive everything they sought in the counterclaim.

If the plaintiff cannot meet with an attorney before the deadline, they should file a Reply to Counterclaim with their local court clerk to prevent a default order from being entered against them. They must make two copies, file the original response with the court clerk, and then send a copy to their spouse.

Meanwhile, no action by the plaintiff is required prior to the deadline if they agree with the counterclaim and do not want to dispute the divorce conditions presented by their spouse.

5. Adhere to the Mandatory Disclosure of Information.

In Case of Disputes Regarding Property and Debts

In the event of a dispute over the allocation of property and debts, each party must disclose to the other side the relevant assets and liabilities in detail. They are given 35 days to comply.

In Case of Disputes Regarding Child Support

In the event that either party seeks a modification of child support, they must provide their spouse with income details within 35 days of the response being filed. Paycheck stubs, commissions, Social Security workers’ compensation, unemployment or disability payments, bonuses, and trust income may all be considered information regarding one’s relevant sources of income. 

6. Optional: Comply with Scheduled Hearings.

If there are contested matters, a trial is usually scheduled within six months after filing a Response or a Response and Counterclaim. Between this time and the finalization of the divorce, the plaintiff may get several court letters and orders. Other important pieces of paperwork that they may receive include a Notice of Status Conference or Pre-trial Conference, a Scheduling Order, and a Notice of Trial Setting.

It is the responsibility of the plaintiff to carefully study every correspondence from the court. In line with this, they must meet court deadlines and attend all scheduled conferences, hearings, or trials, as failure to do so may result in punishment for contempt of court or other sanctions that can hamper their case.

7. Finalize the Divorce.

A divorce can be concluded in many different ways, including:

• By default: A divorce can conclude by default if the defendant has been served with papers and fails to file a response within the deadline, consequently losing their right to be heard.

• By stipulation: This is when both parties agree on all terms and would like to ask the judge to finalize the divorce. They can reach an agreement through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or another alternative dispute resolution method. Uncontested divorces save money and reduce stress by eliminating the need for a court appearance.

• By trial: When all other methods to resolve disagreements fail, a divorce case typically proceeds to trial. Both parties need to comply with the formal rules of evidence and procedures during a court trial.

How Property is Divided in an Idaho Divorce

According to state law, both parties in a marriage have an equal entitlement to community property. This means that in a divorce unless there are strong justifications to do otherwise, there should be a fair and equitable division of assets and debts.

The court will be responsible for determining the value of the community property and making efforts to divide it in a manner that ensures each spouse receives approximately an equal share of the total value. However, in cases where there are compelling reasons not to divide the property equally, the court has the authority to divide community property differently

When considering how to divide assets in a divorce, the court examines several factors. These include:

• The length of the marriage;

• Any prenuptial agreements that cannot be amended;

• The age, health, and liabilities of each partner;

• The individual needs of each spouse;

• Whether the allocation of community property is meant to replace or supplement spousal support;

• The current and possible future earnings of each spouse;

• Any retirement benefits.

It is important to note that separate property, which includes assets acquired before marriage, obtained through inheritance, or gifted to just one spouse during the marriage, is generally not subject to division. However, tracing and proving the separate nature of these assets may be necessary.

Couples have the option to establish a pre- or post-nuptial agreement that outlines the distinction between community and separate property. If they are unable to reach an agreement regarding the distribution of their properties in a divorce, the responsibility of making a decision will be entrusted to a judge or arbitrator. 

Idaho Divorce FAQs

The information that follows shows commonly asked questions regarding divorce in Idaho, aimed at providing readers with a more detailed understanding of the process.

• How long does a divorce take in Idaho?
• How much does a divorce cost in Idaho?
• Can you file for divorce online in Idaho?
• How long after a divorce can you remarry in Idaho?
• Can I get divorced without my spouse present in Idaho?
• Can I get a divorce while pregnant in Idaho?
• Are Idaho divorce records public?

Legal Resources for Getting a Divorce in Idaho

Navigating a divorce in Idaho can be challenging, but one can do so with confidence by seeking support and knowledge from the right legal resources and organizations.

WomensLaw.org

WomensLaw.org is a National Network to End Domestic Violence project that provides a comprehensive collection of legal resources and guides specific to each state. These are designed to cater to the distinct legal requirements and concerns of individuals of all genders rather than exclusively focusing on women, as the group’s name may suggest. It discusses matters like divorce, child custody, and domestic violence in Idaho. The website also features a private e-mail hotline that offers direct assistance to survivors, their representatives, friends, and family members.

Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc.

Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to delivering fundamental legal assistance and promoting equitable access to justice for economically disadvantaged individuals and marginalized communities throughout the state. ILAS fulfills a vital function in the sense that it helps ensure that every resident of Idaho, regardless of their financial circumstances, can obtain legal representation and aid when confronted with civil legal matters, such as divorce. It collaborates with the Idaho State Bar, the Idaho Supreme Court, the Idaho Law Foundation, and other organizations in the state. 

Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program

The Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program of the Idaho Law Foundation offers a support system for low-income individuals and families in need of civil legal assistance but lacking the financial means to obtain it. It utilizes a network of volunteer attorneys across the state to offer civil legal aid in the form of advice and consultation, brief legal services, and representation in divorce cases.