This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
When a family law case starts, the court can put a joint preliminary order in place. This is a standard form that the Idaho Supreme Court has approved, and it covers basic rules both sides need to follow while the case is going on. Think of it as a set of ground rules that apply automatically once the case begins.
The court also has the power to issue other orders if it decides fairness requires it. These are called discretionary orders because the judge decides when they're needed based on the situation. The court can issue these orders even without giving advance notice to both sides, if the circumstances call for quick action.
For people going through a family law case, this means you should expect some automatic rules to apply right away through the joint preliminary order. It also means the judge has flexibility to step in with additional orders at any point if something comes up that needs to be addressed, even on short notice.
