Justia Idaho Supreme Court Opinion Summaries

Plaintiff-Respondent Jeconiah Evans and Defendant-Appellant Jessica Sayler divorced in 2007. They agreed to a joint custody agreement for their two children. Ms. Sayler decided she would go to college and stipulated to a modification of the custody agreement that gave Mr. Evans primary custody of the children. The magistrate court amended the custody order. However, after moving to Washington State, Ms. Sayler did not go back to school and petitioned the court for another change in the custody agreement. The judge held that Ms. Sayler’s decision not to go to college did not constitute a "substantial, material and permanent change" that would warrant another change in custody for the "best interests of the children." On appeal to the Supreme Court, Ms. Sayler argued that the magistrate court abused its discretion by not modifying the custody order. Upon review, the Supreme Court affirmed the magistrate court. The Court found that the magistrate judge’s analysis of Ms. Sayler’s case was consistent with state law, and supported by substantial and competent evidence and was "reached through an exercise of reason." View "Evans v. Sayler" on Justia Law