In Re: Matter of J.b.

Summary

The Nevada Supreme Court granted mandamus relief and vacated an order placing J.B. with a blood relative. It held that fictive kin status may be established for a newborn based substantially or entirely on the prospective custodian’s demonstrated bond and commitment, and that Nevada law places blood relatives and fictive kin on equal footing when determining placement. The court further held that the district court abused its discretion by proceeding without meaningful representation for J.B. and ordered reassignment to a different judge for further best-interest proceedings.