Last verified: February 2026
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about child support laws in Idaho, including how support is calculated, when and how to modify orders, enforcement methods, and when payments end.
Quick Summary: Idaho Child Support
- Model Used: Income Shares Model
- Minimum Support: $50 per month per child (rebuttable presumption)
- Age of Termination: 18 years old (or 19 if still in high school)
- Governing Law: Idaho Rules of Family Law Procedure, Rule 120; Idaho Code Section 32-706
- Statute of Limitations: 5 years after emancipation
If after reading this you have further questions and would like a consultation, you can get a free case consultation from a lawyer here.
Table Of Contents
Overview of Idaho Child Support Guidelines
Idaho child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model and are governed by Rule 120 of the Idaho Rules of Family Law Procedure. The fundamental principle is that both parents, whether married, divorced, separated, or never married, share a legal obligation to financially support their children.
The guidelines operate on several core assumptions:
- The costs of raising a child are proportionally related to parental income
- As family income increases, the proportion devoted to child-rearing gradually decreases
- Child support takes priority over the financial needs of the parents or creditors
- Support is determined without regard to the gender of the custodial parent
How Child Support Is Calculated in Idaho
Idaho uses a percentage-based calculation tied to combined parental income and the number of children. The basic formula applies graduated percentages to different income brackets:
For One Child:
- 18% of the first $10,000 of combined income
- Percentages gradually decrease as income increases
- 5% applies to income above $50,000 up to $300,000
For Two Children:
- 26% of the first $10,000 of combined income
- Graduated decreases for higher income brackets
- 8% applies to income between $50,000 and $300,000
Each parent’s share is determined by their percentage of the combined Guidelines Income. For example, if Parent A earns $7,000 monthly and Parent B earns $3,000 monthly, Parent A would be responsible for 70% of the calculated support obligation.
To calculate support in your specific situation, you can use the official Idaho Child Support Guidelines worksheets available from the Idaho Supreme Court website.
What Counts as Income in Idaho
For child support purposes, “Guidelines Income” includes gross income from virtually any source:
- Salaries, wages, commissions, and bonuses
- Self-employment income (minus ordinary business expenses)
- Dividends, interest, and investment income
- Rental income and royalties
- Pensions, annuities, and Social Security benefits
- Workers’ compensation and disability benefits
- Unemployment insurance benefits
- Alimony received from a prior relationship
- Education grants, scholarships, and financial aid
- Veterans’ benefits
Employment Benefits: Fringe benefits that reduce personal living expenses, such as a company car, free housing, or gas cards, are also counted as income.
Overtime and Second Jobs: Overtime pay or income from a second job may be excluded if the parent works full-time at a primary job, the overtime is voluntary, and the parent has not changed jobs to manipulate support calculations.
Potential (Imputed) Income
If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, Idaho courts will calculate support based on that parent’s potential earning capacity. However, courts will not impute income to a parent who is:
- Physically or mentally incapacitated
- Incarcerated
- Caring for a child under 6 months old
- Working full-time at the same occupation they held for 6+ months before separation
Adjustments to Gross Income
The following deductions are allowed from gross income:
- Court-ordered child support for children from other relationships
- Court-ordered spousal maintenance payments
- Support being paid without court order for children from another relationship (if a pattern of payment exists)
- A deduction for other natural or adopted children living in the home
Adjustments to Basic Support
Beyond the basic support calculation, Idaho guidelines allow for several important adjustments:
Child Care Costs
Work-related child care expenses are shared between parents in proportion to their Guidelines Income. These are paid directly between parents unless otherwise agreed.
Health Insurance and Medical Expenses
Health insurance should be provided by whichever parent can obtain appropriate coverage at lower cost. Parents share the premium cost and out-of-pocket medical expenses proportionally. Any claimed health care expense over $500 for a course of treatment must be approved in advance by both parents or by court order.
Transportation Costs
Courts may order shared transportation costs for visitation, considering factors such as the financial resources of both parents and the child, the costs of exercising parenting time, and reasons for any parental relocation.
Tax Benefits
The dependency exemption is typically assigned to the parent who receives the greater tax benefit. The other parent is entitled to a proportional share of the tax benefit based on their share of the Guidelines Income.
How to Modify Child Support in Idaho
Idaho law allows modification of child support orders when circumstances have changed substantially and the change has lasted at least six months. Common grounds for modification include:
- Significant change in either parent’s income (increase or decrease)
- Change in parenting time arrangements
- Change in the child’s needs
- Change in health insurance costs or availability
- Relocation of a parent
You can request a modification through Idaho Child Support Services (CSS) if it has been at least three years since the order was issued or last reviewed. CSS charges a fee for legal services but rates are typically lower than private attorneys.
You may also file a modification request directly with the court. Find child support modification forms here.
Does Remarriage Affect Child Support?
Remarriage does not directly affect child support in Idaho. A new spouse’s income is generally not counted when calculating support. Additionally, children born after the existing support order are not considered in modification proceedings. However, if remarriage substantially changes your financial circumstances, it could indirectly impact a modification request.
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
Idaho Child Support Services (CSS), a division of the Department of Health and Welfare, has numerous enforcement tools available:
- Income Withholding: Automatic payroll deductions from wages or salary
- Bank Account Garnishment: Seizure of funds from bank accounts
- Tax Refund Intercept: Federal and state tax refunds can be redirected
- Property Liens: Liens placed against real estate and personal property
- Retirement Benefits: PERSI (Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho) benefits may be withheld
- Passport Denial: If arrears exceed $2,500, passport applications will be denied or passports revoked
- License Suspension: If arrears exceed $2,000, driver’s licenses, professional licenses, fishing licenses, and recreational licenses may be suspended
- Credit Bureau Reporting: Delinquencies are reported to credit bureaus
Contempt of Court
Failure to pay child support can result in contempt of court proceedings. While jail time is typically a last resort because it hinders the parent’s ability to earn income, it remains an option. Intentionally moving out of state to avoid support or owing more than $20,000 in arrears can result in felony charges.
When Child Support Ends in Idaho
Under Idaho Code Section 32-706, child support ordinarily continues until the child reaches age 18. However, support may extend to age 19 if the child is still attending high school.
Child support may also end earlier through:
- Emancipation: If the child becomes legally emancipated before age 18
- Marriage: If the child gets married
- Military Service: If the child joins the armed forces
Child support may continue indefinitely if the child has a mental or physical disability that prevents self-support.
Termination of parental rights is another option but severs all legal rights between parent and child and frees the child for adoption. Learn more about parental rights termination.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for collecting child support arrears in Idaho is 5 years after the child reaches majority or is emancipated. Idaho does not charge interest on retroactive or back support, though interest may apply to court judgments. Paternity must be established before the child turns 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum child support in Idaho?
Idaho has a rebuttable presumption that child support should be at least $50 per month per child. For parents earning less than $800 per month, courts carefully review income and living expenses to set an amount that does not deny the parent means for self-support at a minimum subsistence level.
Can parents agree on a different child support amount?
Yes, parents can agree on child support amounts, but the agreement must be submitted for court approval. The judge will ensure the agreed amount meets the child’s needs and is in the child’s best interests.
How do I apply for child support in Idaho?
You can apply through Idaho Child Support Services. There is a $25 application fee unless you receive public benefits like Medicaid or SNAP. CSS can help establish paternity, calculate support amounts, and enforce orders.
What if my child’s other parent lives in another state?
Idaho participates in the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), which allows for enforcement of support orders across state lines. CSS can assist with interstate cases.
Is overtime income included in child support calculations?
Overtime pay may be excluded if: the overtime is voluntary (not a condition of employment), the parent works full-time for at least 48 weeks per year, and the parent has not changed jobs to manipulate the calculation.
If you require more information from a local lawyer you can get a free consultation here.
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