Rule 101.Scope of the Rules

Rule 101 is the door to the ruleset, and it does its work by naming what is in and what is out.

The name

These rules may be cited as the Idaho Rules of Family Law Procedure, abbreviated I.R.F.L.P.

What they govern

Procedure in the magistrate's division of the district court in all family law actions for annulment, divorce, legal separation, separate maintenance, child support, child custody, grandparent visitation or custody, and paternity; all civil protection actions under the Idaho Domestic Crime Prevention Act (Idaho Code Title 39, Chapter 63); all actions under the De Facto Custodian Act; and every proceeding to establish, register, modify or enforce judgments in those actions — except contempt.

That last exception matters. Contempt is carved out here and Rule 812 sends it to the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure instead.

What they do not govern

Five categories: actions under the Child Protective Act, adoption, termination of parental rights, guardianship or conservatorship, and civil protection orders sought under Idaho Code Title 18, Chapter 79.

Note the split between the two kinds of protection order. A protection order under Title 39 chapter 63 — domestic violence — is squarely inside these rules. One under Title 18 chapter 79 — stalking and harassment — is outside them. The same courthouse, two different rulesets, and the statute the petition is brought under decides which.

How to read the rest

Section (d) supplies the interpretive instruction: these rules should be construed and administered to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding.