Idaho Child Support

Requesting Child Support

The Idaho Child Support Calculator is an important tool to help custodial and non-custodial parents determine how much child support is appropriate. But, it is still up to the court to determine the proper amount for child support. Once a parent requests child support, the court will calculate the proper amount and issue the child support order.

The court will calculate your Idaho child support payments by looking at the following:

• Total gross income of each parent, including things such as investment income, lottery winnings, disability benefits, and pensions benefits
• Child support for children of other relationships
• Childcare costs
• Health insurance costs
• Extra education costs for things such as singing lessons or private tutoring

Modifying Your Idaho Child Support Order

The only way to modify your existing child support order is to go to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and specifically request a modification. If the parents decide between themselves that they want to modify the child support payments, they must give the court a written agreement. The court can then approve the stipulation and issue the order modifying the child support order.

Either parent may request a modification, but there must be a substantial change in circumstances such as one or more of the following:

• A raise or cut in the income of either parent
• A change in the custody of a child
• Obligation of either parent to support other dependants
• Additional unexpected medical or educational expenses

If there is only a minor change in circumstances, the court may be unlikely to permanently change the child support order. However, the court may order a temporary modification that will expire in a specified number of days, weeks or months.

Terminating Child Support

Idaho child support laws require state that both parents provide financial support for their children. This support must last until the child turns 18 and graduates from high school, turns 19, dies or is emancipated--whichever occurs first.

But, if your child has a severe disability, then you may continue to receive or pay child support even after the child has reached the age of 18 or 19. If your child will remain dependant after age 18 or 19, you may go back to court and formally request that the court issue an order to continue the child support payments indefinitely.

Enforcing the Child Support Order

You can enforce a child support order in Idaho by going to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and requesting an enforcement application.

The enforcement agents may enforce the court’s child support order by suspending the parent's Idaho driver's license, hunting and fishing license, or professional license. Incarceration or direct payroll deductions are also possible.

Once you have applied for enforcement services, the State makes an immediate demand upon the delinquent parent to pay the child support obligation.

Using a Private Company to Collect Your Child Support Payments

If the parent that is ordered to pay child support is unemployed, self-employed, or works for cash, it may be very difficult to enforce the child support order. If this is the case, you can hire a private collection company to enforce the order and collect the Idaho child support payment. Usually, such companies keep a small percentage of the child support payment as their fee.

Useful Contact Information

• Idaho Supreme Court Self Help Center
• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Children First! Booklet
• To contact Child Support Services, call 1-800-356-9868 or 334-2479 in the Boise area. You can also e-mail idcscs@policy-studies.com.

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