In 2001, Title 32, Chapter 14 of the Idaho Code established Coordinated Family Services to promote timely and effective resolutions of family-related disputes involving court cases. This covers three collaborative service areas in each judicial district: Family Court Services, Court Assistance Offices, and Domestic Violence Courts.

FAMILY COURT SERVICES 

The Legislature established the Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Family Court Services Fund to support a variety of court services. In FY2022, $233,858 was spent in support of services in family law cases including supervised visitation, co-parent education, mediation, brief focused assessments, and parenting time evaluations. 

REDUCING CONFLICT

In FY2022, over 7,100 new cases involving parents filing for divorce, child support, or custody were filed in Idaho courts. This past year, the courts ordered parents in over 5,100 cases to receive education through the “Focus on Children” class on the importance of parenting plans, co-parenting tools, and reducing the effects of conflict. 
 

INCREASING RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

In order to meet growing need, the Idaho Supreme Court worked with the 2022 Legislature to increase spending authority for Family Court Services, enhancing resources and services provided to Idaho families. Costs for services such as mediation, assessments, and supervised visitation have increased while availability of providers has decreased.  

In an effort to innovate and ensure services remain accessible for families, the Supreme Court — working within the spending authority granted by the Legislature — approved funding for FY2023 for a full-time position in two judicial districts to deliver services by court-employed professional Family Court Services staff. Additional funding was provided to the other five judicial districts to increase availability of services delivered by community-based providers.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURTS

Idaho’s domestic violence courts are designed to promote victim safety and hold offenders accountable through judicial oversight. Currently, Idaho has 10 domestic violence courts in five judicial districts.  

In June, the Idaho Supreme Court hosted a statewide domestic violence court conference. Over 150 judges, court clerks, prosecutors, public defenders, victim advocates/coordinators, probation officers, law enforcement, court coordinators, and service providers attended. Speakers from across the country discussed procedural justice, enhancing court and community responses to abusive partners, domestic violence offender intervention, stalking, prosecution, and cross-system collaboration.

Association of Families & Conciliation Courts
An interdisciplinary and international association of professionals dedicated to improving lives of children and families through the resolution of family conflict.

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
The NCJFCJ, headquartered on the University of Nevada campus in Reno, provides cutting-edge training, wide-ranging technical assistance…

Child Custody Mediators Roster

Domestic Violence Evaluators

Domestic Violence Court Coordinators

Idaho Child Support Guidelines

Idaho Court Assistance Self-Help Center

Lawyer Referral Service

Parenting Coordinators

To File for a Civil Protection Order

Idaho Guide and File

Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance (DV Offender Intervention Programs and Victim Advocacy Agencies)