Divorce Resources in Nevada: Court Forms, Legal Aid & Filing Guide

To file for divorce in Nevada, you must establish residency by living in the state for at least 6 weeks before filing, as required under NRS 125.020. You will need a Resident Witness — a third party who can sign an Affidavit confirming your Nevada residency. Nevada is a no-fault divorce state under NRS 125.010(2), meaning the only ground you need to allege is incompatibility. You may file either a Joint Petition (if both spouses agree on all terms) or a Complaint for Divorce (if filing alone). Filing occurs at the district court in the county where either spouse resides. Required documents include the Family Court Cover Sheet, the petition or complaint, and the Financial Disclosure Form.

If you file a Complaint for Divorce, you must also file a Summons, which the court clerk will issue after you file. Under NRS 125.090 and the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure, the defendant must be personally served with the Complaint, Summons, Financial Disclosure Form, and Joint Preliminary Injunction within 120 days of issuance. The defendant then has 21 days to file an Answer or Answer with Counterclaim. If the defendant fails to respond, you may file a Request for Default under NRCP 55. Filing fees vary by county — Clark County charges $364 for a Complaint and Washoe County charges $284 for a Complaint or Joint Petition.

If you and your spouse have minor children under age 18, additional requirements apply under NRS 125C and court rules. Both parents must complete a court-approved COPE (Children of Parents Experiencing Separation) parenting seminar before the court will sign the final Decree of Divorce. The class costs $40–$45 per person and takes approximately 3 hours. If parents cannot agree on custody and visitation, the court will order mandatory mediation through the Family Mediation Center before setting the case for trial. You must also complete and file the Child Support Worksheet calculating obligations under the NRS 125B percentage-of-income formula, along with a Confidential Information Sheet.

Both parties are required to complete and exchange a Financial Disclosure Form within 45 days of service of the Summons and Complaint. This form details each party's income, monthly expenses, assets, and debts. Under NRS 125.050, the court may issue a Joint Preliminary Injunction preventing either party from selling, transferring, or destroying community property while the divorce is pending. Once all documents are filed, requirements are met, and a settlement is reached or trial is completed, you file a proposed Decree of Divorce along with a Request for Submission. The judge reviews the decree and, if everything is in order, signs it to finalize the divorce.

Nevada requires both parents to complete a court-approved COPE (Children of Parents Experiencing Separation) parenting seminar in all divorce cases involving children under age 18. This requirement is established under court rules governing domestic relations actions under NRS Chapters 125, 125A, and 126 (specifically Rule 5.07 of the Second and Eighth Judicial District Courts). The 3-hour seminar costs $40–$45 per person and is available in English and Spanish, both in-person and online through approved providers. Parents do not need to attend together but both must file a Certificate of Completion before the judge will sign the final Decree of Divorce. Fee waivers are available for parents who have been granted In Forma Pauperis status. Failure to complete the COPE class will delay finalization of the divorce.

Nevada requires mandatory mediation for parents who cannot reach a custody and visitation agreement on their own. Under NRS 125C.0035 and local court rules, contested custody cases in Clark County and Washoe County are referred to the Family Mediation Center before a trial date is set. The Family Mediation Center mediates non-financial issues including legal custody, physical custody, timeshare schedules, holiday schedules, vacation time, and transportation arrangements. Mediation is accessible only by court order, and only the assigned judge may waive the requirement. The court will waive mediation if there is a documented history of domestic violence or child abuse under NRS 125C.0045. If mediation does not produce an agreement, the judge will set the matter for trial and decide custody based on the best interest of the child factors in NRS 125C.0035. Information about the statewide settlement program is available at nvcourts.gov/settlement_program/overview.

Nevada requires both parties in a divorce to complete and exchange a Financial Disclosure Form (FDF). The plaintiff must serve the FDF on the defendant within 45 days of the defendant being served with the Summons and Complaint. The defendant must serve their FDF on the plaintiff within 45 days of filing their Answer. The FDF requires detailed disclosure of gross monthly income, monthly expenses, all assets (real property, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments), and all debts. Under NRS 125.050, the court may issue preliminary orders to preserve the status quo of property and financial interests during proceedings. The court uses the FDF to determine equitable division of community property under NRS 125.150, calculate spousal support (alimony), and establish child support obligations under NRS 125B. Both the General FDF and a more Detailed FDF (Excel format) are available from the Nevada Self-Help Center.