Source: https://www.racinelaw.net/blog/category/family/
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 17:43:05+00:00

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It is no secret that divorce is often one of the most complex and emotional experiences of a person’s life. In fact, divorce has often been referred to as a two step process. The first step is the actual legal steps to get the divorce while the second is the emotional separation from your spouse.
Nobody ever wants to see their relationship, that was once thought to last forever, coming to an end. Yet, all too often marriages break down, for whatever reason and it is no longer possible to maintain a positive, healthy relationship. When a divorce is imminent, there are several things a person can do to minimize their stress, prepare to meet with their attorney, and make the process easier.
What happens to retirement benefits in divorce?
One of the assets that must be dealt with in divorce is the parties’ retirement accounts such as pensions, 401Ks and IRAs. Upon divorce, retirement benefits must be valued and divided.
With respect to valuing a retirement account, there are two valuation methods used by courts. First, the “Time Rule” is a valuation method that determines the community interest in a retirement by computing a ratio of the time of marriage, to the total years of service during which the pension or retirement was earned. Maslen v. Maslen, 822 P.2d 982 (Idaho 1991). Under this valuation method, the calculation must be determined by calculating the amount of benefits that would be due if the spouse were eligible for retirement then. Id., at 982.
WHAT IS SEPARATE PROPERTY IN IDAHO?
A divorcing party generally seeks to protect her/his separate property from the opposing party. While property characterized as community property is generally divided equally, separate property will be left with the owner of the property. So what is separate property?
Separate property in Idaho is all property acquired by either spouse prior to marriage or thereafter acquired by gift, bequest, devise or descent. Also, property acquired with the proceeds of separate property is considered separate property.
WHAT IS COMMUNITY PROPERTY IN IDAHO?
Parties beginning the divorce process often wonder how their property will be divided. The general rule for dividing property in divorce in Idaho is that each party will be awarded their separate property while all community property will be divided substantially equally. The crux of many divorces is how to determine community property from separate property. This blog will provide a general description of community property using language from a recent Idaho Supreme Court case, Kawamura v. Kawamura, 159 Idaho 1 (2015).
While most custody cases involve disputes between the child’s biological parents, there can be circumstances when other parties can involve themselves in custody disputes. For example, grandparents and step-parents may become involved in a custody dispute.
In a recent case, Shepherd v. Shepherd, the Idaho Supreme Court affirmed a district court decision in favor of granting a step-parent visitation despite objection by the natural mother.
Attorney’s Fees. New risks in divorce or custody cases?
Civil litigation can expose a losing party to paying the other party’s attorney’s fees. This is well known. However, the Idaho Supreme Court recently announced a new rule of law regarding attorney’s fees which will take effect on March 1, 2017. In the case of Hoffer v. Shappard, 2016 Ida. LEXIS 290 (September 28, 2016), the Idaho Supreme Court stated that Idaho courts will soon apply a different standard for attorney fees under Idaho Code Section 12-121. This new standard allows Idaho courts to award attorney fees under Idaho Code Section 12-121 “when justice so requires”. This is a significant change from the current standard of law under this statute. The current standard allows Idaho courts to award attorney fees under Idaho Code Section 12-121 only when the case was “brought, pursued or defended frivolously, unreasonably or without foundation”.
The good news is that the Idaho Supreme Court has long held that “where a specific statute exists for awarding attorney fees, the specific statute will control over the more general statute”. Bell v. Eagy, 2015 Ida. App. Unpub. LEXIS 18, (2015); citing First Fed. Sav. Bank of Twin Falls v. Riedesel Eng’g, 154 Idaho 626, 632, 301 P.3d 632, 638 (2012). This is important in family law cases because Idaho Code Section 32-704 allows for the award of attorney fees to a party maintaining or defending a divorce or custody case. The Idaho courts take into consideration certain specific factors on whether to award fees under this more specific statute, rather than the looser standard of “when justice so requires”.
Child Custody: What if my circumstances have changed?
Child custody orders are not necessarily permanent. However, they cannot be changed at the drop of a hat either. In Idaho, in order to justify a change in a custody order, the moving party must demonstrate a material, substantial change in circumstances occurred since entry of the earlier order. Courts have great discretion in decisions regarding child custody, and in addition to determining whether the moving party has met their burden of showing a material, substance change, courts will always look to ensure any custody modification serves the best interests of the children.
Clients often wonder what qualifies as a “material, substantial change in circumstances.” However, there is no definitive answer. It is a fact specific inquiry and analysis that a court must engage in. An attorney can help you determine if your unique set of facts may qualify as a material, substantial change in circumstances.

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