If you’re considering a divorce in Nevada, it’s important to be aware of the state’s laws and what you’ll need to do in order to file. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of Nevada’s divorce laws, who can file for divorce and the grounds for divorcing in Nevada.

Nevada divorce laws are among some of the most relaxed in the country. This makes it a popular destination for those considering divorce, as residents can often file for divorce without waiting long periods of time or meeting strict criteria.

1. In Nevada, who is able to file for divorce?

Any resident of Nevada can file for divorce, regardless of where they live. However, if the couple has children, one of the parents must reside in Nevada for at least six weeks before filing for divorce.

2. What are the grounds for divorce in Nevada?

Nevada is a no-fault jurisdiction, which implies that you don’t have to demonstrate that your spouse did anything wrong in order to get a divorce. You can simply state that you are no longer compatible and wish to end the marriage.

Stated at NRS 125.010 there are many causes of divorce, if you want to know more just read on.

3. How do I file for divorce in Nevada?

If you are a resident of Nevada, you can file for divorce in the district court of the county where you reside. You must file a Petition for Divorce and a Summons with the court. The summons will be served on your spouse, and he or she will have to answer the petition within 20 days. If your spouse does not answer, the court will still hear your case and may grant a divorce anyway.

A much more precise and brief summary for your divorce petition please do refer on NRS 125.182.

4. The divorce process in Nevada

The divorce process in Nevada typically proceeds as follows:

1. One spouse files a Petition for Divorce and a Summons with the court.

2. The summons is served on the other spouse, who has 20 days to answer.

3. If the spouses can’t reach an agreement, the court will hold a hearing to decide issues like child custody, child support, and property division.

4. After the hearing, the court will issue a final decree of divorce (NRS 125.130).

5. Separation agreements

Couples who decide to divorce in Nevada have the option of entering into a separation agreement. This is a contract between spouses that outlines all terms of their separation, including how assets will be divided, child custody arrangements, and alimony payments.

If the couple has children, a separation agreement is a good way to ensure that they are taken care of during and after the divorce. It can also help to avoid costly and time-consuming litigation.

6. In Nevada, how is marital property divided?

In Nevada, marital property is divided equitably between the spouses. This means that the property will not be divided evenly, but rather it will be distributed in a way that is fair and reasonable. Factors that are considered include each spouse’s contribution to the marriage, the value of each spouse’s property, and the needs of each spouse and any children involved.

7. How is alimony/spousal support calculated in Nevada?

In Nevada, spousal support is calculated based on a number of factors including the income of each spouse, the length of the marriage, and the needs of each spouse. The goal is to ensure that both spouses have enough money to live on after the divorce.

8. What factors influence the determination of child custody and support?

In Nevada, the court will consider a number of factors when determining child custody and support. These factors can include the parent’s income and assets, the children’s needs, and the parenting abilities of each parent. The court will also look at whether either parent has been convicted of a crime involving child abuse or neglect.

The amount of child support a parent pays is based on the Nevada Child Support Guidelines, which factors in both parents’ incomes and expenses, as well as how many children are involved. More often than not, it falls on the non-custodial parent to pay support to the custodial parent; however, there are instances when the courts require that arrangement to be reversed.

9. How expensive is it to get a divorce in Las Vegas?

The average cost of a divorce in Las Vegas is around $15,000. This includes attorney’s fees, court costs, and other related expenses. However, the cost of a divorce can vary depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of the case and the amount of litigation involved.

10. How much time does this require?

The average divorce in Nevada takes about six months to finalize. However, this can vary depending on the circumstances of each case. For example, if there are contested issues such as child custody or property division, the divorce may take longer to resolve.

11. Are court proceedings open to the public?

Generally, divorce proceedings in Nevada are public. However, there are a few exceptions, such as proceedings involving children or domestic violence. If you would like to keep your divorce proceedings private which are stated in NRS 125.080, you may be able to do so by filing a motion to seal the record.

12. Why should I get a Las Vegas divorce attorney?

There are many reasons why it may be beneficial to hire a Las Vegas divorce lawyer. First, lawyers have experience handling these types of cases and can help you navigate the legal process. They can also provide invaluable advice and guidance throughout the process. Additionally, lawyers can represent your interests in court and work to ensure that you receive a fair settlement. If you are considering filing for divorce, it is important to consult with a qualified lawyer to protect your rights.

Divorce Issues Settlement

If you and your spouse agree on issues related to child custody, finances, and property distribution, the judge will respect that decision and record the terms in an order. 

Without this agreement, the court would make interim decisions about communal debts, legal fees and costs, property maintenance, spousal support, and child custody and support. 

Property Division

Except in cases of wills, gifts, devises, or settlements from personal injury lawsuits, any property earned or obtained during a marriage belongs to the community. The parties share equal ownership of the community property state. Therefore, an adequate reason for an unequal distribution is necessary for the court to split the parties’ property equally if they cannot come to an agreement on their own. 

A spouse’s “separate property” is the pre-marriage asset each party can maintain. In addition, each individual is entitled to keep gifts, inheritances, and personal belongings received through personal injury settlement awards.

If the court determines sufficient reason for doing so, it may distribute the community unevenly. A compelling reason might be made for anything like waste that lowers the value of society or fraud committed by one spouse against the other. 

Child Custody

The most important factor in a divorce case is child custody. In Nevada, the custody arrangement that best serves the child’s interests comes first in judges’ minds. Granting custody to the mother rather than a father or vice versa is not preferable. 

Joint custody, wherein both parents share custody of the child, is the standard child custody arrangement. Should any husband or wife feel this isn’t best for the child, they must state so in their divorce complaint and submit supporting documentation in a custody motion. Before deciding on a final custody arrangement, the court will mandate that the couple attend mediation in every custody dispute.

The court will determine custody based on several considerations that are in the child’s best interests if the parties cannot come to an agreement. They will present their cases at trial.

Temporary Alimony/Spousal Support

If the parties are not of equal financial standing and the divorce case may take some time to resolve, the court may grant temporary spousal support after the divorce case is filed. This award could be given to the poorer spouse to cover temporary maintenance or to help the spouse continue or defend their lawsuit.

Following a divorce, alimony is granted on a long-term basis. Alimony is intended to mitigate the financial ramifications of a divorce, which disproportionately affects the spouse who provides most of the marital income. Although there isn’t a predetermined method to calculate spousal support, judges are free to take into account any relevant considerations when assessing alimony, such as:

• Each spouse’s financial condition
• The nature and value of the property owned by each spouse
• Each spouse’s contribution to the community
• How long have both parties been married
• The income, age, earning capacity, and health of each spouse
• The standard of living throughout the marriage
• The spouse who will get alimony has a career before marriage.
• Whether either spouse received training or education or developed marketable talents during the marriage.
• Each spouse’s contribution to being a homemaker
• The property allotment made by the divorce court to the parent receiving alimony (apart from alimony and child support)
• The mental and physical condition of every individual to their financial situation, health, and capacity to work

An alimony decision may be modified if the paying spouse’s income fluctuates by at least 20%. 

Child Support

A schedule for calculating a party’s child support obligation is provided by Nevada law (see NAC 425). When one parent is granted primary custody of the child, the non-custodial parent must provide financial support for the child’s upbringing to the custodial parent. The higher-earning spouse has to reimburse the lower-earning spouse for the difference in their child support obligations in the event of joint physical custody. 

The number of children in question determines the parents’ child support obligation. Each parent with one child must pay sixteen percent of her gross monthly income (GMI) for the initial $6,000, 8 percent from $6,000 to $10,000, and 4 percent of her GMI after $10,000. 

Each parent with two children must pay six percent of the gross monthly income (GMI) beyond $10,000, eleven percent of the GMI between $6,000 and $10,000, and twenty-two percent of the GMI up to $6,000 in the first year.

A party’s obligation may be modified upward or downward following the child’s special education requirements, the expense of relocating the child among households, the obligor’s financial situation, and the worth of the services rendered by one of the parents, among other considerations.

The First Steps in Filing Divorce in Nevada

In Nevada, submitting a divorce petition is comparatively easy. You can move through with your divorce request without your spouse’s presence.

Fill Out Forms 

To start the divorce process, you need to fill out three forms. 

1. Civil Cover Sheet: General information regarding you, your spouse, along with any children you may have is provided in this form.
2. Summons: This form notifies your spouse about your intention to get a divorce. The other spouse is served with a summons, which informs them that they have 21 days to respond to the complaint or risk having your case defaulted and having all of your requests granted. 
3. Divorce Complaint: The form includes your wishes for debt distribution, alimony, custody, temporary child and spousal support, and name changes. It also tells the court and your spouse what you desire. This form initiates the divorce case.

File the Forms

After filling out every form, you must submit it to the court. It costs money to file. If you cannot pay the price, you should file an application and request a waiver so the court will overlook the filing cost. 

Serve the divorce papers to your spouse

As the plaintiff, you must arrange for your spouse to receive divorce papers within 120 days of the action. You must only be permitted to serve the documents to them directly if your spouse agrees to accept service in this manner.

The documents must be given to the defendant in person. These documents may be delivered on your behalf by an impartial third party who is at least eighteen years old. A plaintiff’s nonmarital partner is not considered a neutral third party. A private company can be paid to complete the task.

How Long Will It Take?

Several factors influence how long a divorce takes. For example, the divorce will proceed quickly if there aren’t any child custody disputes or not many assets between the parties. 

Unresolved child custody disputes, many assets that must be shared, and the parties’ capacity to work together to settle their divorce are all potential causes of complexity and delay in the case. The lengthier the divorce takes to be finalized, the more the couple disputes and demands fighting over property division, alimony, and custody. It takes far less time to get an uncontested divorce.

Settling Your Divorce

The quickest way of dissolving a marriage is for the two partners to agree. Here, the agreements pertaining to the children, finances, assets, and debts are agreed upon by both spouses. If the parties can settle any or all of their differences without the court’s help, the case will be concluded sooner, even when they cannot agree on every point.

Suppose all or most of the issues are resolved to the parties’ satisfaction. In that case, the judge will review the terms of the agreement, sign it, and enter it as an order, provided that the terms, if child custody is involved, are in the children’s best interests.

A couple may petition for a joint, uncontested divorce if they can agree on the separation conditions. If the court allows the divorce, they must provide a detailed account of their agreements on certain matters. Among these problems are:

• Child custody: An agreement between the parents about physical and legal custody is required. A child’s parents can choose how they want to split custody. Reaching a child custody agreement will significantly speed up the courtroom divorce process.
• Child support: Under NAC 425, the parties must calculate their individual child support obligations and decide which parent, if any, will pay the other parent’s child support. Once the parties have explained the calculation, they may formally waive child support.
• Child insurance and expenses: Aside from dividing up the costs of extracurricular activities, education, and uninsured medical care, deciding who will pay for the child’s insurance will expedite the divorce process.
• Community property division: While it is customary for spouses to divide community property equally, some couples take a different approach. Couples can agree on what property each needs and even list the precise property and accounts each will retain. 
• Community debt division: The couple can decide how to pay off their debt, much like how they would divide up the community’s assets.
• Alimony: The husband or wife does not need to depend on the court to decide the amount of alimony if they agree on a monthly payment that meets the previously mentioned factors.
• Name change: If one of the spouses changed their name during their marriage and would like to revert it to the name they had before the divorce, they must specify their new name within the joint petition.

Remember that any agreement that you come to with your spouse could subsequently change in response to unanticipated events. Give Donn W. Prokopius, Chtd., our legal expert, a call if this occurs to you. We review your settlement agreement’s terms, inform you of your legal options, and advise you on the next steps. 

What are the child custody and visitation laws in Nevada?

A state statute governs Nevada’s child custody and visitation laws and aims to prioritize the child’s best interests when determining custody arrangements. 

Here are some key points regarding child custody and visitation laws in Nevada:

• Types of Custody:
  • Legal Custody: Legal custody refers to the responsibility and right to make significant decisions concerning the child’s upbringing, including healthcare, education, and religious upbringing. It can be awarded jointly to both parents or solely to one parent.
  • Physical Custody: Physical custody pertains to where the child resides. It can also be awarded jointly or solely. When one parent has sole physical custody, the other parent is typically granted visitation rights.
• Child Best Interest: Nevada courts determine custody and visitation arrangements based on the child’s best interests. Factors deemed include the child’s physical and mental health, age, relationship with each parent, and each parent’s ability to provide a stable and supportive environment.
• Joint Custody Preference: Nevada law favors joint legal and physical custody arrangements when it is in the child’s best interests. That means both parents share responsibilities for decision-making and time spent with the child.
• Visitation Rights: Non-custodial parents are typically entitled to reasonable visitation rights unless it is determined that such visitation would be something harmful to the child. In fact, visitation schedules can be established by agreement between the parents or court orders.

It’s important to note that child custody and visitation laws may change over time, and it’s advisable to consult with an attorney or review the most current state statutes if you are facing custody or visitation issues in Nevada. Legal advice and representation are crucial things when dealing with such matters to ensure that your rights and the best interests of the child are protected.

Contact Donn W. Prokopius, Chtd.

Nevada divorce laws are some of the most complexes in the country. If you are considering a divorce, it is important to have an experienced Las Vegas divorce lawyer on your side. Contact Donn W. Prokopius, Chtd. to schedule a consultation. We can help you understand your rights and guide you through the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the legal grounds for divorce in Nevada?

Nevada is a “no-fault” divorce state, which means that the most prevalent factors for divorce are incompatibility or irreconcilable differences. Additional criteria include a minimum of one year of living independently without cohabitation.

What is the minimum waiting period for remarriage in Nevada following a divorce?

In Nevada, there is no waiting period for remarriage following the completion of a divorce. Upon issuing the divorce decree, both parties are promptly permitted to remarry.

In Nevada, what occurs if my spouse declines to execute divorce papers?

You may still pursue a contested divorce if your spouse declines to sign the divorce papers. The court will arrange a hearing during which both parties will have the opportunity to present their arguments. The judge will then decide property division, guardianship, and alimony.

Can Igal separation in Nevada instead of a divorce be possible?

Indeed, Nevada permits legal separation, which is also referred to as separate maintenance. Legal separation enables couples to maintain their marital status while resolving matters such as property division, custody, and support by residing apart.

What if my spouse is located in a different state or country?

If your spouse is in another state or country, you can still petition for divorce in Nevada, provided that you satisfy Nevada’s residency requirement. The divorce papers will be served to your spouse, and the matter will be heard in Nevada court.

Is common-law marriage recognized in Nevada?

Nevada does not recognize common-law marriage. Nevertheless, Nevada will acknowledge the marriage of a couple in a valid common-law marriage in another state and permit them to petition for divorce whenever necessary.

Am I permitted to act as my attorney in a Nevada divorce proceeding?

Indeed, it is possible to represent oneself in a Nevada divorce, particularly in uncontested cases. Nevertheless, it is advisable to seek the advice of an attorney if the divorce involves intricate matters such as spousal support, child custody, or property division.

Is it possible to amend a divorce decree in Nevada?

In Nevada, it is possible to request a modification of a divorce decree in case of a substantial change in circumstances. Changes in child custody, child support, or alimony frequently result from this.

What is the average time frame for the completion of a divorce in Nevada?

In Nevada, uncontested divorces can be finalized within a few weeks. The duration of the divorce procedure in contested divorces can range from several months to over a year, contingent upon the complexity of the case and the court’s schedule.

Can I apply for divorce in Nevada if I am married in another state?

Yes, it is possible to petition for divorce in Nevada if you were married in another state, provided that you or your spouse satisfy Nevada’s six-week residency requirement.