Divorce in Nevada

How to file for divorce in Nevada

1. Check residency. 6 weeks in Nevada before filing, with intent to remain, supported by a corroborating witness affidavit.
2. Prepare and file the Complaint for Divorce (or Joint Petition for Divorce) with the District Court in your county. The filing fee is typically $250 to $450, and you can ask for a fee waiver if you cannot afford it.
3. Serve your spouse, or have them sign an acceptance of service, and file proof of service.
4. Exchange financial disclosures. Both spouses must exchange financial disclosure covering employment, income, expenses, assets, debts, and the last three pay stubs; it is exchanged between parties, not filed with the court.
5. Settle the issues in a written agreement, and a parenting plan if you have children.
6. Wait out the waiting period. None; an uncontested joint petition can finalize in about 1 to 4 weeks. Then ask the court for your final judgment.

Residency and grounds

Residency: 6 weeks in Nevada before filing, with intent to remain, supported by a corroborating witness affidavit.

Grounds: No-fault only. You do not need to prove anyone did anything wrong.

Separation: None required before filing.

How property is divided

Nevada is a community property state. Most property and debt acquired during the marriage belongs to both spouses equally and is generally divided equally. Property owned before marriage, and gifts or inheritances to one spouse, are usually separate. Read community property and equitable distribution.

Custody and child support

Parenting terms: Nevada uses the terms custody (legal custody and physical custody). Every decision is made in the child's best interests.

Parenting class: Required in some counties, including Clark County (Las Vegas), before the divorce is finalized.

Child support: Nevada uses the percentage of income model, which sets support as a percentage of the paying parent's income, rising with the number of children. Try the child support calculator.

Spousal support

Spousal support is fully discretionary with no fixed formula; courts weigh eleven statutory factors under NRS 125.150.

Estimate a range with the spousal support calculator, then have a lawyer check it if the numbers are large.

Faster and simpler options

Joint Petition for Divorce: Available when both spouses fully agree on all terms (property, support, custody); typically requires no court appearance and has no residency, property, or child restrictions beyond agreement.

Legal separation: available in Nevada, for couples who want support and parenting orders without ending the marriage.

How long it takes

The minimum is set by the waiting period: none; an uncontested joint petition can finalize in about 1 to 4 weeks. A typical timeline is as little as 1 to 4 weeks for a joint petition once paperwork is court-approved. Agreement is what moves the date most; contested cases add months of disclosures, discovery and hearings.

Worth knowing in Nevada

• Nevada is a community property state: marital assets and debts are presumed to split 50/50 absent a compelling written reason otherwise.
• Child support uses a straight percentage of gross monthly income: 18% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four.
• Filing fees vary noticeably by county, with Clark and Washoe typically in the $300 to $400 range.

Some local details vary by county in Nevada, including filing fee. Check with your county clerk.

Official resources

Official forms and instructions come from Nevada's courts. Sources we reviewed:

• selfhelp.nvcourts.gov
• selfhelp.nvcourts.gov

Last reviewed September 2026. Laws and fees change; confirm with your court before you file.