Idaho Child Support Guidelines

Determining child support payments can be challenging. Idaho law provides clear guidance through the Idaho Child Support Guidelines (ICSG). These guidelines are to help courts perform accurate child support calculations, ensuring a fair approach to establishing obligations across the state.

The amount of child support is influenced by factors such as both parents' incomes, custody arrangements, and the child's needs. The non-custodial parent typically contributes their share of the guidelines amount based on the ICSG.

Idaho Child Support Services, part of the Department of Health and Welfare, helps enforce, modify, and collect child support payments, ensuring compliance with Idaho law. The guidelines strive to balance fairness for both parents while prioritizing the child's financial needs.

Child Support Guidelines in Idaho

Idaho uses guidelines in Rule 120 of the Idaho Family Law Code. These guidelines help determine parents' obligations under any child support arrangement.

There are four basic principles that Idaho's child support guidelines are based on:

• Both parents share legal responsibility for supporting their children, and that responsibility should be divided in proportion to the parents' income.
• Child support is given priority over the needs of parents or creditors when allocating family resources.
• Support obligations are determined without regard to the gender of either parent.
• A parent's child support obligation should rarely be at zero. There is a rebuttable presumption that each parent should contribute at least $50 per month per child.

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws you are researching.

Relevant Factors That Determine Child Support in Idaho

In Idaho, child support calculations follow the basic monthly child support guidelines schedule. These include the gross income of both parents, the combined income, the number of children, and extra costs such as health insurance, childcare costs, and other necessary expenses. The court also evaluates tax-related benefits, including the dependency exemption and child tax credit allocation. Using a child support worksheet, the court determines the paying parent's obligation. This ensures the child's needs are met while balancing the parents' living expenses and ability to pay.

Will a Court Ever Deviate From the Child Support Guidelines?

Child support obligations calculated using Idaho's child support guidelines are presumed to be fair and appropriate. But a court may deviate from these guidelines if a parent presents evidence — such as through an affidavit — showing that the existing order is inappropriate or unjust. The court may issue a modified court order that considers special circumstances in these cases.

Idaho's Child Support Services

Idaho's Child Support Services (CSS) is available to help you with a variety of child support-related issues. For example, CSS can help to:

• Locate your child's other parent
• Establish paternity
• Establish child support obligations
• Make sure child support is paid
• Make sure medical support is provided
• Get a child support order changed

More Resources

Consider reviewing the following resources for more information:

• What Does Child Support Cover?
• Enforcement and Collection of Back Child Support
• Summaries of State Child Support Laws

Need More Help? Contact an Idaho Attorney Today

State laws change frequently. For case-specific information about Idaho's child support guidelines, contact a local family law lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and obligations when it comes to a child support order. They can also give guidance on related issues, such as custody arrangements, tax considerations, and ensuring compliance with state requirements.