Nevada uses Legal custody and physical custody; parenting time schedules implement physical custody.. Courts apply best-interests factors under NRS 125C.0035, including the child’s wishes, parental wishes, and any history of domestic violence or abduction risk. Joint legal custody is presumed in many cases; physical custody may be joint or primary based on best interests. That is what separates Nevada child custody and parenting time from a generic national summary. Read Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 125C.001 to 125C.250 before the background sections below. Relocation: A parent seeking to relocate with the child must generally petition under NRS 125C.006–.007 and show the move is in the child’s best interests. Modification: A substantial change of circumstances is required to modify custody.
Legal custody, physical custody, and parenting time
Legal custody and physical custody; parenting time schedules implement physical custody.
Joint legal custody is presumed in many cases; physical custody may be joint or primary based on best interests.
Relocation with a child
A parent seeking to relocate with the child must generally petition under NRS 125C.006–.007 and show the move is in the child’s best interests.
Modifying a Nevada custody order
A substantial change of circumstances is required to modify custody.
A concrete Nevada scenario
Here is one way the Nevada pieces fit together. Change any fact and the statute may point somewhere else.
Two parents in Nevada disagree about where the child lives during the school week, and one wants to move.
- Use the labels Nevada actually uses: Legal custody and physical custody; parenting time schedules implement physical custody..
- Apply the best-interests factors: Courts apply best-interests factors under NRS 125C.0035, including the child’s wishes, parental wishes, and any history of domestic violence or abduction risk.
- Check any parenting presumption: Joint legal custody is presumed in many cases; physical custody may be joint or primary based on best interests.
- If a move is proposed: A parent seeking to relocate with the child must generally petition under NRS 125C.006–.007 and show the move is in the child’s best interests. Later changes follow: A substantial change of circumstances is required to modify custody.
Custody is addressed in divorce or a custody action. Mediation is often required in larger districts. Final decrees allocate legal and physical custody and a parenting schedule.
How custody cases typically move in Nevada
Custody is addressed in divorce or a custody action. Mediation is often required in larger districts. Final decrees allocate legal and physical custody and a parenting schedule.
Related Nevada guides
Case law: custody and parenting time in Nevada
Monahan v. Hogan
Monahan v. Hogan, 507 P.3d 588 (2022)
…and "best interest" when referring to the NRS 125C.0035(4) custody factors to reflect the exact language chosen by the Legislature for each statute. COURT OF APPEALS OF NEVADA 2 fO) 1947K agrAIP added NRS 1250.006, NRS 1250.0065, and NRS 1250.007. See 2015 Nev. Rev. Stat., ch. 445 § 16, at 2589-90, § 13, at 2588, § 14, at 2588-89. Notice statutes NRS 1250.006 and NRS 1250.0065…
On child custody, Monahan v. Hogan speaks to the Nevada dispute in this passage: "NRS 125C.0035(4) custody factors to reflect the exact language chosen by the Legislature for each statute. COURT OF APPEALS OF NEVADA 2 fO) 1947K agrAIP added NRS 1250.006, NRS 1250.0065, and NRS 1250.007. See 2015 Nev. Rev. Stat., ch." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Sandra Lynn NANCE v. Christopher Michael FERRARO
Sandra Lynn NANCE v. Christopher Michael FERRARO, 418 P.3d 679 (2018)
…In this appeal, we consider whether the district court in a custody modification and child relocation action properly granted a motion in limine to exclude, among other things, evidence of domestic violence under McMonigle v. McMonigle, 110 Nev. 1407, 887 P.2d 742 (1994), and Castle v. Simmons, 120 Nev. 98, 86 P.3d 1042 (2004).1 Respondent Christopher Ferraro moved to modify cu…
Nevada opinions such as Sandra Lynn NANCE v. Christopher Michael FERRARO are cited where child custody is disputed. The court stated: "In this appeal, we consider whether the district court in a custody modification and child relocation action properly granted a motion in limine to exclude, among other things, evidence of domestic violence under McMonigle v. McMonigle, 110 Nev. 1407, 887 P." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
MONAHAN v. HOGAN (CHILD CUSTODY)
MONAHAN v. HOGAN (CHILD CUSTODY), 138 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 7 (2022)
…and "best interest" when referring to the NRS 125C.0035(4) custody factors to reflect the exact language chosen by the Legislature for each statute. COURT OF APPEALS OF NEVADA 2 fO) 1947K agrAIP added NRS 1250.006, NRS 1250.0065, and NRS 1250.007. See 2015 Nev. Rev. Stat., ch. 445 § 16, at 2589-90, § 13, at 2588, § 14, at 2588-89. Notice statutes NRS 1250.006 and NRS 1250.0065…
Nevada opinions such as MONAHAN v. HOGAN (CHILD CUSTODY) are cited where child custody is disputed. The court stated: "NRS 125C.0035(4) custody factors to reflect the exact language chosen by the Legislature for each statute. COURT OF APPEALS OF NEVADA 2 fO) 1947K agrAIP added NRS 1250.006, NRS 1250.0065, and NRS 1250.007. See 2015 Nev. Rev. Stat., ch." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Kelley v. Kelley
…. Appeal from a district court order in post-divorce decree custody litigation awarding a parent sole legal custody for the limited purpose of vaccinating a minor child against COVID-19. Second Judicial District Court, Family Division, Washoe County; Frances Doherty, Sr. Judge. Affirmed. Attorney Marilyn D. York, Inc., and Marilyn D. York and Chloe L. McClintick, Reno, for Appe…
Nevada opinions such as Kelley v. Kelley are cited where child custody is disputed. The court stated: "Appeal from a district court order in post-divorce decree custody litigation awarding a parent sole legal custody for the limited purpose of vaccinating a minor child against COVID-19. Second Judicial District Court, Family Division, Washoe County; Frances Doherty, Sr. Judge." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
NANCE VS. FERRARO (CHILD CUSTODY)
NANCE VS. FERRARO (CHILD CUSTODY), 2018 NV 21 (2018)
…m a district court order granting a motion to'Inodify child custody and relocate a minor child. Eighth Judicial District Court, Family Court Division, Clark County; Denise L. Gentile, Judge. Reversed and remanded. McFarling Law Group and Emily McFarling, Las Vegas, for Appellant. Hutchison & Steffen, LLC, and Michael K. Wall and Shannon R. Wilson, Las Vegas, for Respondent. BEF…
Nevada opinions such as NANCE VS. FERRARO (CHILD CUSTODY) are cited where child custody is disputed. The court stated: "Inodify child custody and relocate a minor child. Eighth Judicial District Court, Family Court Division, Clark County; Denise L. Gentile, Judge. Reversed and remanded. McFarling Law Group and Emily McFarling, Las Vegas, for Appellant. Hutchison & Steffen, LLC, and Michael K." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Key takeaways
- Best-interests standard: Courts apply best-interests factors under NRS 125C.
- Labels used in Nevada: Legal custody and physical custody; parenting time schedules implement physical custody..
- Parenting-time posture: Joint legal custody is presumed in many cases; physical custody may be joint or primary based on best interests.
- Relocation: A parent seeking to relocate with the child must generally petition under NRS 125C.
- Modification: A substantial change of circumstances is required to modify custody.
- Primary authority: Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 125C.001 to 125C.250.
Best-interests factors in Nevada
Courts apply best-interests factors under NRS 125C.0035, including the child’s wishes, parental wishes, and any history of domestic violence or abduction risk.
Frequently asked questions
What does Nevada call “custody”?
Legal custody and physical custody; parenting time schedules implement physical custody.
Can I move out of state with my child?
A parent seeking to relocate with the child must generally petition under NRS 125C.006–.007 and show the move is in the child’s best interests.
How do I change an existing custody order in Nevada?
A substantial change of circumstances is required to modify custody.
This guide covers Nevada custody law as of 2026. Verify the live statute and any local parenting-time guidelines before relying on this summary.