5th Judicial District
Family Court Services
Fifth Judicial District
Serving: Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls Counties
260 4th North Ave., Suite #B
P.O. Box 126
Twin Falls, Idaho 83303
208-735-4307
Shelley Carson
Family Court Services District Manager
Personal Communication such as invoice and public inquires: shelley.carson@tfco.org
For Court documents: 5thfamilycourts@tfco.org
“Instead of raising children who turn out okay despite their childhood,
let’s raise children who turn out extraordinary because of their childhood.”
L.R. Knost
Family Court Services (FCS) supports Idaho’s Courts by assisting parents working on a visitation schedule (parenting plan) or who are modifying an existing child custody order. FCS provides families with information and resources for alternative, non-adversarial methods of dispute resolution. FCS staff is knowledgeable about child development and parenting apart, community resources and services*.
Family Court Services (FCS) helps resolve cases involving children and families through the combined efforts of the courts, the family, and community services in ways that are less adversarial and intrusive.
By utilizing FCS, parties find they have the capacity to achieve healthy transitions through change because they are empowered with information to make informed decisions about their family’s future.
Family Court Services offers a “tool box” of services and referrals for parents involved in family law matters, including, but not limited to:
- “Parenting Apart” Education (Focus On Children)
- Parenting Plan Assistance
- Child Custody Mediation
- Effective Co-Parenting Guidance
- Parenting Time Evaluators
- Safe and secure visitation for children (Supervised Access)
*Family Court Services does not provide legal advice. Those seeking to file for divorce, custody, child support, or modification of custody or child support are advised to seek legal advice or assistance.
The Idaho State Bar provides a free Lawyer Referral Service (click here!)
You may obtain the instructions and court documents (fees may apply) at your local county courthouse through the Court Assistance Office (click here!)
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Family Court Services offers approved funding to eligible parties and services
Application for Funding
If you have been ordered to pay for some or all of your Court Ordered Services and your court order was issued in Idaho, you may be eligible for assistance. For court orders issued in District 5 (which includes the counties of Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, or Twin Falls):
- Download the 5th District Application for Funding (click here!)
- Complete the application. Be sure that all questions have been answered. Incomplete applications will be returned delaying a decision.
- Return the original application by mail or hand deliver to:
Family Court Services
P.O. Box 126
260 4th North, Suite #B
Twin Falls, ID 83303-0126
Phone: (208) 735-4307
FOCUS ON CHILDREN CLASS
The Court ordered Focus on Children class is currently being held in an online format.
To receive materials for the class:
Step #1 – Contact the Civil Clerks’ office in the county your case is filed to pay for the class.
Step #2 – Once payment has been made, please call Abby at (208) 735-4374 to receive class materials and the link to the online class video. When calling, you’ll need to have your receipt of payment, case number, and email address in order to be provided with class materials.
If you do not have an email, materials can be mailed to you or a copy can be picked up at the Family Court Services office located at 260 4th Ave. North, Suite B in Twin Falls, Idaho.
MEDIATION OVERVIEW
What is Mediation? Click here!
PARENTING PLAN INFORMATION
“It is important Parents remember this is about the needs of the child. Parents should remain flexible.
It may require some sacrifices on the part of the adults.
You will be less likely to experience difficulty if you can truly think about it from the child’s point of view.”
-Unknown
OVERVIEW OF SUPERVISED VISITATION
BRIEF FOCUSED ASSESSMENTS
A “brief focused assessment” is an assessment of a specific, narrowly defined issue or limited set of issues identified by a judge and designated in a court order. The purpose of the assessment is to provide the judge in a case that falls within the scope of these Rules with information generated through reliable procedures regarding focused questions that have been identified by the court as important to the resolution of a child custody dispute. A qualified assessor conducts interviews, makes observations, reviews relevant records, consults relevant collateral contacts and conducts additional activities in connection with the assessment. The assessment is guided by focused inquiry provided by the court or judicial officer.
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts: Guidelines for Brief Focused Assessments (click here!)
PARENTING TIME EVALUATIONS
In situations where the court is in need of additional information about individuals and families, and there are concerns that need to be investigated, a parenting time evaluation might be ordered. Through this process, the evaluator will collect input from parents, children (when age appropriate), and collateral contacts. Another part of the process is the collection and analysis of records for each parent including, but not limited to, medical, mental health and criminal. This process is invasive and often expensive, however, parenting time evaluations assist the court with long-term decision making for the family regarding custody. Evaluations are conducted by a qualified evaluator. Issues directly related to 32-717 are addressed and recommendations are made by the evaluator.
Model of Practice for Child Custody Evaluations (click here!)
SCHEDULING AND CO-PARENTING WEBSITES & APPS*
Scheduling and Co-Parenting Websites & Apps (click here!)
There are a variety of calendaring and scheduling apps out there for families, some of which are designed specifically for co-parents. Click on the link above for descriptions of some frequently utilized options.
ONLINE SAFETY TOOLS FOR PARENTS*
Online Safety Tools for Parents (click here!)
Keeping tabs on your child’s screen time, online activity, and social media is a big job for any parent and can be especially challenging to manage when your child is with their other parent. Apps that provide parental controls for your child’s digital devices can help you protect your child online when they aren’t physically with you.
Parallel Parenting After Divorce (click here!)
KEEPSAKE STORAGE*
TWENTY “FACTS” ABOUT DIVORCE
- Divorce is always painful for children, no matter how old they are.
- Divorce does not end the relationship between your spouse, it just changes the rules of the relationship.
- You are not the only parent going through divorce.
- You do not have to hate your spouse to get divorced.
- The divorce takes place psychologically for children on the day of the separation.
- Two people living apart cannot live as cheaply as two people living together.
- Two people living apart cannot see their children as often as two people living together.
- Divorcing parents generally are upset by any extra time the other parent may have with the children.
- Courts do not want to place children with a parent who is systematically trying to destroy the other parent.
- Never ask a child to decide who he r she wants to live with.
- You should be willing to do whatever you want your spouse (or ex-spouse) to do.
- Unhappy parents cannot raise happy children.
- Child support payments are intended to support your children, not to serve as extra spending money for your ex-spouse.
- When parents live apart, children have more opportunities to manipulate them.
- It is hard when children cannot spend time with someone they love.
- A parent should not become a “friend” for their child(ren) and a child should not become a parent or a “friend” to their parent(s).
- The more consistency parents provide in their children’s lives, the healthier the children’s adjustment will be.
- The more flexibility a parent has regarding placement and visitation arrangements, the more comfortable children are likely to be.
- Divorce is a process, not an event.
- WINNING IS NEVER MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE WELL-BEING OF YOUR CHILDREN.
THERAPEUTIC SUPERVISION
This is not a punishment. Some parents lack the necessary skills to parent effectively. There may have been some issues such as domestic violence, neglect or sexual inappropriateness which requires a trained therapist to redirect and teach the parent better interventions. This is also appropriate when there has been a lengthy period of separation between parent and child, and there is a need for unification or reunification.
The payment for this service depends on the provider and in the past has been mostly third party.
RESOURCES
Parenting Plan (click here!)
Idaho Court forms – Family Law related (click here!)
Court Record Search (click here!)
Child Custody Mediators Roster (click here!)
Parenting Coordinators (click here!)
Lawyer Referral Service (click here!)
Domestic Assault & Battery Evaluators (click here!)
Association of Families and Conciliation Courts (click here!)
Planning for Parenting Time – Guide for Parents Living Apart (click here!)
An interdisciplinary and international association of professionals dedicated to improving lives of children and families through the resolution of family conflict.
Idaho Legal Aid (click here!)
Supervised Visitation Network (click here!)
Co-Parenting Facilitation Services
Questions for Family Law Attorneys (click here!)
Early Childhood Development Information:
- Children exposed to violence and brain development
- Attachment defined
- Schore’s Notes
- Circle of Security
*Apps listed above are not endorsed by the 5th Judicial District of Idaho. They are merely an informational resource to assist parents.