At Foley Freeman, our firm has helped clients navigate divorce, establish paternity, modify family law orders, and complete adoptions. We bring a high level of professional expertise to every case we accept. Family law issues can be tense, and our firm has experience in various methods of resolving disputes, including mediation. We spend a great deal of time getting to know your objectives, which helps us craft individualized legal solutions. To schedule a private consultation, please reach out to a Meridian family law attorney today.

Our Family Law Focus

We have assisted clients with various family law issues, including:

  • Divorce: We can help clients legally dissolve their marriage based on irreconcilable differences or a “fault” ground, such as adultery or desertion. Call our office. Our Meridian family law attorneys know how to negotiate an amicable divorce, but we aren’t afraid to litigate, either.
  • Child custody: Parents can decide on custody between themselves, or they can ask a judge to decide the issue. Judges follow the “best interests of the child” standard, which includes consideration of many factors, such as which parent can provide a stable home.
  • Child support: Idaho has adopted guidelines which judges use to calculate child support. The major factors include each parent’s income, the number of children involved, and the details of the custody arrangement. Sometimes a child needs more support for medical expenses or for unusual needs. We can help ensure you receive the child support you are entitled to or don’t end up paying too much
  • Division of property: Marriage is an economic union, and your community property must be divided in divorce. Some issues arise regularly, such as trying to determine which assets are community and which are separate. Contact our Meridian family law attorney if you have questions.
  • Maintenance (spousal support): Our lawyers have helped men and women seek maintenance payments after divorce, which can reduce the financial distress they experience. Idaho allows maintenance in limited situations, and we can advise if this is an option for you.
  • Modification and enforcement: Our Meridian family law attorneys can help parents modify an existing support or custody order, or we can deal with enforcement issues. For example, a parent might refuse to pay child support, so additional action is required to get what you are owed.
  • Paternity: Fatherhood creates rights and responsibilities. Establishing paternity is necessary when a couple is not married, and there are several ways to go about it. We can represent either side in a paternity dispute.
  • Adoption: Foley Freeman can assist clients in their adoption journey, including those seeking to adopt a stepchild, foster child, or baby from out of state. Let us review all the legal requirements and get you caught up on what to expect from the process.

Meet Foley Freeman

We started our firm in 1978 out of a small house in Meridian. Over the past 45 years, we have grown to one of the largest and best-recognized firms in Southern Idaho. With hundreds of satisfied clients, we have received considerable recognition from the legal industry, including a rare AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®. Our dedication to the community shows up in everything we do, and we are proud to continue to provide vital legal services to Meridian families.

Misconceptions about Family Law

Contact our office to receive accurate, timely advice about your domestic dispute. Some popular misconceptions about family law include:

  • A mother is always given custody of a baby. That’s not true. A court looks at many factors to assess the child’s best interests. Of course, some mothers do get custody, especially if they have done most of the child-rearing and have a stable home.
  • Divorce is expensive. It certainly can be expensive. But there are ways to speed up and simplify a divorce, such as negotiating and mediation. Our firm can explain more in a consultation.
  • You leave the divorce with your home if your name is on the deed. The name on the deed doesn’t matter if you acquired the home while married. In most cases, the home will be community property which is divided. Either spouse might end up with the home, or you might need to sell it to split the equity.
  • Community property is always divided 50/50. That’s the usual result. However, Idaho law does allow judges to sometimes depart from the 50/50 split. Some considerations include the ability of each spouse to support themselves after divorce, as well as their needs.

Speak with a Meridian Family Law Attorney

Foley Freeman has handled family law issues for more than 40 years. We are eager to meet and determine if we can help you, too. Whether you are considering divorce or want to know more about adoption, it’s never too soon to call.