Court Programs

Family Court Services

In 2001, Title 32, Chapter 14 of Idaho Code established Coordinated Family Services to promote timely and effective resolutions of family-related disputes involving court cases. The legislatively created Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Family Court Services Fund supports services in family law cases such as supervised visitation, co-parent education, mediation, brief focused assessments, and parenting time evaluations. In FY2023, $411,746 was budgeted for this work. 

Family Court Services provides support to parents divorcing, modifying child custody, and establishing parenting arrangements for their children. This support is available in every judicial district and encourages the use of non-adversarial methods of dispute resolution. 

 

 

REDUCING CONFLICT

Idaho courts this past year received over 6,640 new cases involving parents filing for divorce, child support, or custody. This past year, over 1,600 cases went to mediation in an effort to resolve their issues outside of court proceedings. Judges also have the ability to order parenting time evaluations, which aid a court in sorting through conflicts parents are struggling with during their divorce. This past year, over 180 of these evaluations were ordered. 

 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURTS

Idaho’s domestic violence courts are designed to promote safety by connecting victims with advocacy and other services while holding offenders accountable. Idaho has ten domestic violence courts in five judicial districts. These courts include judicial review hearings with comprehensive reports provided by probation officers, treatment providers, and victims (if appropriate and possible). In FY2023, domestic violence courts conducted over 3,600 review hearings.   

In FY2023, the Idaho Supreme Court approved a new policy and procedures document for domestic violence courts. These elements are being implemented in each of Idaho’s domestic violence courts, and they align such courts with effective practices while providing a more uniform structure. 

 

ONGOING EDUCATION

In spring of FY2023, the Administrative Office of the Courts hosted the Children and Families Institute. Approximately 300 judges, court staff, and treatment providers attended. Speakers discussed focusing on a person’s strengths when developing effective interventions in court, domestic violence 101, interventions that increase a person’s resilience, and rethinking safety and privacy with remote proceedings. 

 

Family Court ServiceS

Locations

First Judicial District FCS

Janet Meserve
Bonner County Courthouse
215 South First Avenue
Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 265-1449 ext. 3
Or
Kootenai County Courthouse
P.O. Box 9000
324 West Garden Avenue
Coeur D’Alene, ID 83814
(208) 446-1179
[email protected]

Second Judicial District FCS

Michelle Fitting, LMSW
Nez Perce County Courthouse
P.O. Box 896
1230 Main Street
Lewiston, ID 83501
(208) 750-2034
[email protected]

Third Judicial District FCS

Chris Paulsen, LPC
Canyon County Courthouse
1115 Albany Street
Caldwell, ID 83605
(208) 454-7269
[email protected]

Fourth Judicial District FCS

Shayla K Peel J.D.
Ada County Courthouse
200 W. Front Street
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 287-7602
[email protected]

Fifth Judicial District FCS

Shelley Carson, M.Coun/LPC
Twin Falls County Courthouse
P.O. Box 126
260 4th North, Suite #B
Twin Falls, ID 83303-0126
(208) 735-4307
[email protected]

Sixth Judicial District FCS

Davey Burrell
Bannock County Courthouse
624 E. Center, Room 106
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 236-7416
[email protected]

Seventh Judicial District FCS

J.J. White, MS
Bonneville County Courthouse
605 N. Capital Avenue
Idaho Falls, ID 83221
(208) 529-1350 x 1784
[email protected]

Court Program and Services Administrator – Family Court

Jona Lagerstrom, MSW, JD
P.O. Box 83720
451 W. State Street
Boise, ID 83720-0101
(208) 947-7532
[email protected]

Links of Interest