| The custody laws in the state of Idaho are found in | | | | also consider sibling relations and how the visitation |
| Title 32 of the Idaho Statutes. Within these laws, the | | | | schedule will affect those. |
| state makes it very clear that every custody | | | | 3. The child's adjustment to home, school, and |
| decision must be in the best interest of the child. | | | | community. Each custody schedule must be |
| Sections 717 and 717B specifically contain important | | | | personalized to fit the situation. Some children adjust |
| information about how parents who are making a | | | | quite well to new situations and places. Other children |
| custody and visitation schedule can do so with the | | | | need a more consistent schedule. Parents must |
| child's welfare in mind. Since the schedule is one of | | | | consider all of this when deciding about custody and |
| the most important results of a custody proceeding, | | | | visitation times. |
| parents need to ensure that they make the best | | | | 4. The need to promote continuity and stability in the |
| possible schedule. Here are the factors the state | | | | child's life. Even if a child handles change well, there |
| considers that affect the welfare of the children. | | | | needs to be continuity and stability. This means that |
| Parents need to think about all of these when making | | | | the child should have regular time with both |
| the visitation schedule. | | | | parents--and this time shouldn't change or be |
| 1. The wishes of the child and the wishes of the | | | | rescheduled. Many parents even give a copy of the |
| parents. This factor is found in Section 717. This | | | | custody schedule to the child so the child knows |
| statute explains that a judge will listen to the opinion | | | | exactly what is going on. |
| of a child, with an older child's opinion getting more | | | | 5. The character and circumstances of all individuals |
| weight, when determining a custody schedule. | | | | involved. Each parent must think about their |
| Parents should appropriately involved their children | | | | character and the circumstances of their living |
| with the schedule and listen to their input. The | | | | situation. These both need to be acceptable for |
| parents also have a say, but this is a secondary | | | | raising a child. |
| factor. | | | | 6. If there has been any history of domestic violence. |
| 2. The relationship of the child with each parent and | | | | If a mother and father have had to deal with issues |
| with the child's siblings. Title 32 makes it clear that the | | | | of domestic violence, this affects the visitation |
| state of Idaho expects parents to maintain and | | | | schedule. Article 32 allows for supervised visitation in |
| further the relationship with the children after they | | | | certain cases, and domestic violence is one of those |
| separate. Each parent should have frequent and | | | | cases. |
| continuing contact so this is possible. Parents must | | | | |