Nevada Divorce With Children — Custody and Child Support (2026)

Nevada cases with minor children require a Parenting Plan and child support calculation under the Nevada Child Support Guidelines. The best interest of the child controls all custody decisions.

Nevada Custody Framework

Legal Custody

Authority to make major decisions about education, healthcare, religious upbringing, and activities.

• Joint legal custody: Both parents share major decisions — strongly favored in Nevada (NRS 125.490)
• Sole legal custody: One parent makes decisions — ordered when joint is not in the child's best interest

NRS 125.490: Nevada law expresses a strong preference for joint legal custody when both parents are fit and able to cooperate.

Physical Custody

Where the child lives.

• Joint physical custody: Child spends substantial time with both parents — Nevada courts increasingly favor this
• Primary physical custody: Child primarily lives with one parent; other has parenting time
• 50/50: Not required but common in Nevada when both parents are capable and geographically proximate

Best Interest Standard — NRS 125.480

Nevada courts consider the best interest of the child:

1. Wishes of the child (if of sufficient maturity)
2. Wishes of each parent
3. Whether either parent has abused or neglected the child — domestic violence is a major factor
4. Whether either parent has allowed a person with a history of domestic violence or child abuse to be around the child
5. Nature of the relationship between the child and each parent
6. Ability of each parent to provide for the child's physical and emotional needs
7. Level of conflict between the parents
8. Ability of each parent to support a positive relationship with the other parent
9. Physical and mental health of each parent
10. Geographic proximity of parents

Parenting Plan

A written Parenting Plan is required:

• Legal custody designation
• Physical custody designation
• Parenting time schedule: school year, weekends, summer
• Holiday schedule: specific holidays, times, and which parent
• Transportation and exchange logistics
• Communication protocol
• Relocation notice requirements
• Dispute resolution method

Nevada Child Support Guidelines — Income Percentage Model

Nevada uses an income percentage model based primarily on the payor parent's gross income.

Base guidelines (NRS 125B.070):

Adjustments may apply for:

• Child care costs
• Health insurance premiums
• Extraordinary medical expenses
• Time-sharing (if physical custody is substantially shared)
• Other court-ordered support obligations

Duration: Support typically ends at age 18 (or graduation from high school — up to age 19 if still enrolled). Verify current Nevada statute.

Last reviewed: March 2026 | NRS 125.480 best interest | NRS 125.490 joint custody preference | Parenting Plan required | Income percentage child support (NRS 125B.070) | Support ends at 18/HS graduation | Community property 50/50 separate from child support calculation

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.