Detailed Answer

Short answer: Yes — a valid prenuptial agreement can change what a surviving spouse receives from a decedent’s estate in Idaho, and that change can indirectly affect what you receive. But whether it affects an existing life estate or your specific share depends on the language of the agreement and how the life estate was created. If an executor refuses to provide requested estate documents, Idaho probate procedures let beneficiaries demand information and ask the court to compel production.

How prenuptial agreements generally interact with estate rights in Idaho

Prenuptial agreements (premarital agreements) are contracts made before marriage that typically address property rights and the parties’ financial arrangements in the event of divorce or death. Idaho enforces premarital agreements under state law, so a clear, properly executed prenuptial agreement that waives a spouse’s rights to certain property or to spousal statutory allowances will ordinarily be enforced by Idaho courts unless the agreement is invalid or unconscionable.

For the Idaho statutes and text covering premarital agreements, see Idaho Code — Title 32 (Domestic Relations) and the chapter addressing premarital agreements: https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstatutes/title32/

When a prenuptial agreement can affect a life estate or a beneficiary’s share

• If the prenuptial agreement expressly waives the surviving spouse’s rights to the decedent’s estate, the surviving spouse may have no claim to property that would otherwise pass to them by will or intestacy. That can increase the share available to other beneficiaries (for example, children) if the will or intestacy scheme distributes the remaining assets to them.
• If the decedent conveyed a life estate during their lifetime (for example, executed a deed granting the spouse a life estate), that life estate is an existing property interest. A premarital agreement made before creation of that interest cannot retroactively cancel a valid conveyance made later unless the parties’ agreement and subsequent documents specifically address and legal steps were taken to alter the interest.
• If the will grants a life estate to the surviving spouse and the will was executed after the prenuptial agreement, the prenuptial agreement’s waiver language controls whether the spouse may accept or reject those testamentary rights depending on the agreement’s terms and Idaho law.
• Some statutory spousal protections (e.g., allowances, homestead, or an elective share where applicable) may be waived by a valid prenuptial agreement. The enforceability depends on formalities (written agreement, signed), full disclosure or voluntary waiver of disclosure, and whether the agreement was unconscionable at the time of signing.

Key practical examples (hypotheticals)

Hypothetical A: Your mother and her spouse signed a valid prenuptial agreement saying the spouse receives no share of her estate. Your mother later dies owning all her house and bank accounts. If the spouse did not receive a life estate deed or other transfer during life and the prenuptial agreement is enforceable, the spouse may have waived inheritance rights and your share could increase accordingly.

Hypothetical B: Your mother executed a deed during her life granting her spouse a life estate in the house. Even if a prenuptial agreement later says the spouse gets nothing at death, the life estate already granted is a present property interest. That life estate normally survives and limits what can pass at death unless the deed or parties later revoke it according to law.

What makes a prenuptial agreement invalid or unenforceable in Idaho

Courts commonly look at:

• Whether the agreement was in writing and signed (formal requirement).
• Whether the spouse had adequate disclosure of assets or knowingly and voluntarily waived disclosure.
• Whether enforcement would be unconscionable given the facts at the time a court reviews it.

Idaho applies standard contract and family-law principles when reviewing premarital agreements. See the Idaho statutes on domestic relations for governing provisions: https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstatutes/title32/

If the executor refuses to provide the prenuptial agreement or estate documents

Executors (personal representatives) owe duties to beneficiaries. Those duties typically include delivering the will to the probate court, providing copies to interested persons, preparing an inventory of estate assets, keeping records, and providing accountings. If an executor refuses to provide the will, a copy of the prenuptial agreement (if it is part of the estate file or was relied on in estate administration), an inventory, or an accounting, you can take steps to enforce your rights.

Step-by-step actions to take in Idaho

1. Make a written request. Ask the executor for: (a) a copy of the will, (b) a copy of the prenuptial agreement if it is part of the estate record or was used by the executor, (c) a current inventory of estate assets, and (d) a current accounting. Keep proof of delivery (email or certified mail).
2. Check the probate court file. The will should be filed with the probate court where probate is open. Contact the county probate clerk to see what is on file and to obtain public documents.
3. Send a demand letter from an attorney. If the executor ignores a written request, an attorney can send a formal demand that cites the executor’s duties under Idaho probate law.
4. Petition the probate court. You can ask the probate court to compel the executor to produce documents, file an inventory, or give a formal accounting. You can also request expenses, surcharge the executor for losses caused by misconduct, or seek removal of the executor for breach of fiduciary duty if warranted.
5. Seek interim relief. If the executor is mismanaging assets, you can ask the court for immediate protective orders (temporary injunctions) or appointment of a special administrator to safeguard estate property.

For the Idaho probate code and procedures, see Idaho Code — Title 15 (Probate and Trust): https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstatutes/title15/

What you should gather before taking action

• The signed will or a copy if you have one.
• Any written communication with the executor or the estate.
• Records showing your relationship to the decedent (e.g., birth certificate) if you claim to be an heir.
• Any documentation that indicates whether a life estate deed, transfer-on-death instrument, or other conveyance was created during the decedent’s life.
• Copies of the prenuptial agreement if you can obtain them (sometimes the surviving spouse or drafter’s attorney will have a copy).

When to consult an attorney

Seek an Idaho probate attorney if the executor refuses to cooperate, if you suspect the prenuptial agreement is invalid, if a life estate or other property transfer complicates distribution, or if you need to file petitions in probate court. An attorney can advise about the strength of a challenge and handle court petitions demanding disclosure or removal of a fiduciary.

Helpful links

• Idaho Legislature — Statutes (search titles and chapters): https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstatutes/
• Idaho Code — Title 32 (Domestic Relations): https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstatutes/title32/
• Idaho Code — Title 15 (Probate and Trust): https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstatutes/title15/
• Contact your local county probate clerk’s office for probate filings in the county where your mother lived.

Helpful Hints

• Ask for estate documents in writing and keep copies of all correspondence.
• Check the probate court file early — many probate filings are public and can clarify what the executor is doing.
• Locate deeds and title documents at the county recorder’s office to see whether a life estate or transfer occurred during your mother’s life.
• Find out whether the prenuptial agreement was recorded or retained by a lawyer; a spouse’s attorney may hold a copy.
• Act promptly — delays can make it harder to reverse improper transfers or remove a misbehaving executor.
• If you can, try a cooperative approach first: mediation or a neutral attorney letter sometimes resolves disputes faster and cheaper than court.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. Laws change and the facts of each case matter. Consult a licensed Idaho attorney about your specific situation before taking action.