This is the next article in my series on obtaining an agreed upon divorce in our state. My last article discussed the fact that “no fight” Nevada divorces require agreement between the spouses. If any issue is disagreed upon, no matter how trivial it may seem, then the parties will be required to utilize the contested process instead. An experienced attorney can assist you with determining the best path for your given situation. In this article, I will be addressing the question of “how quick is a no fight divorce?” If you need assistance then contact my office today to speak with a Las Vegas lawyer.
Las Vegas residents can sometimes complete a no fight divorce in a matter of days
Nevada has perhaps the most liberal laws of any state in the country in terms of filing for divorce. Those wishing to obtain a “quick” no fight divorce may begin the process by filing a Joint Petition for Divorce. This begins what is known as the “uncontested” process. The Joint Petition will spell out all aspects of the parties’ agreement. This includes all agreements regarding child custody, visitation, child support, the division of community property, and alimony. The filed Joint Petition will be sent to the Judge’s Chambers along with a proposed Decree of Divorce and an Affidavit of Residency. In most instances, the Court will sign the Decree and it may then be filed. This will complete the process and Decrees are often signed within a few days or a week of when they are submitted to Chambers. In short, many matters can be completed within one to two weeks. It must be remembered, however, that how long any case will take is always going to depend on the specifics of the matter.
While the foregoing process may sound straightforward, there are many factors to consider. First, the uncontested divorce process may not be initiated until one of the spouses has resided in our state for at least six weeks. Also, if children are involved, the parties may choose to complete a co-parenting class prior to submitting their Joint Petition (the Court may order it in some instances). Also, there are some instances in which the Court may have concerns about some aspect of the Joint Petition. These concerns may revolve around asset distribution, child custody, or some other issue. If the Court has concerns then a brief “prove up” hearing may be necessary. These hearings can typically be scheduled within one to three weeks and are relatively brief. Improperly handling any of these steps can result in a delay to the case.
Retain a Las Vegas attorney to prepare an uncontested divorce
It is strongly suggested that spouses retain an attorney for an agreed upon end to their marriage. Attempting to draft one’s own documents, or using “do it yourself” forms can often result in omissions or errors which can lead to future problems. These problems can include the parties having to return to Court to clarify their Decree or, worse, extensive litigation over issues which the spouses believed were resolved. Retaining an attorney for the handling of one’s matter can help to avoid these types of issues.
If you are ending a marriage then contact my office today to speak with a Las Vegas uncontested divorce lawyer. I practice exclusively in the area of family law and my goal is to resolve all cases as quickly and efficiently as possible. I understand that this is a trying time in your life. I take pride in the level of service which I provide and I look forward to speaking with you. I am also available to serve as a family law mediator so that you may resolve your differences. I also serve the southern Nevada areas of North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and Summerlin.