How to get supervised visitation in Nevada

In Nevada, courts use the terms custody and visitation. A parent asks the district court for an order, or asks to change an existing one, and the judge decides.

Step by step

1. Check for an existing case If you already have a custody order, ask to change it in that case. If not, you start a new custody case in your district court.
2. Complete the starting forms To start a case, fill out a Family Cover Sheet, a Summons, and a Complaint for Custody/Paternity. The complaint states the custody, visitation and child support you want. Parents who agree can file a Joint Petition for Custody.
3. Ask for what you need In the complaint or motion, describe the visitation schedule you want. If you want supervised visitation, say so, along with who would supervise and who would pay. The state self-help forms do not include a form labeled supervised visitation, so the request is written into these papers.
4. File and serve the other parent File in your district court. Fees vary by county and fee waivers are available. The court does not serve the papers. A neutral third party must deliver them, and improper service can lead to dismissal. The other parent has 21 days to respond to the summons.
5. Complete required classes and mediation Clark County's Family Law Self-Help Center lists mandatory COPE classes and mediation requirements. Mediation through the Family Mediation Center happens by court order.
6. Get the decree When parents agree or the other parent does not respond, forms include the Decree of Custody, Default, and Request for Submission. Otherwise the judge decides after a hearing.
7. Change an order later To change custody or visitation, file a Motion to Modify Custody/Visitation/Child Support and serve the other party by mail with a Certificate of Mailing. You must show a substantial change in circumstances and that the change is in the child's best interest.
8. After the order, choose a provider Once supervised visitation is ordered, contact a program or private provider named in the order, complete intake, and schedule visits.

Forms

• Custody, Paternity and Child Support Forms: Family Cover Sheet, Summons, Complaint, Answer, Joint Petition, Decree of Custody, Affidavit of Service and more.
• Motion to Modify Child Custody, Visitation and/or Child Support: For changing an existing order.
• Protection Order Forms: Forms for temporary protection orders.

Good to know

• A Nevada temporary protection order has no filing fee. A judge reviews the application within 24 hours, or the next business day.
• A temporary protection order lasts up to 45 days. An extended order may be granted for up to two years.
• If you include children in a protection order request, a UCCJEA Declaration form is also required.
• Under NRS 125C.0035, a finding of domestic violence by clear and convincing evidence creates a rebuttable presumption against sole or joint physical custody by that parent, and the court must find the arrangement adequately protects the child and the victim.
• Clark County residents can get free education and forms from the Family Law Self-Help Center at 601 N. Pecos Road.

Sources

• Nevada Self-Help Center: Filing the Custody/Paternity Papers
• Nevada Self-Help Center: Custody Forms
• Nevada Self-Help Center: Custody, Paternity and Child Support
• Nevada Self-Help Center: How to Change Custody
• Nevada Self-Help Center: Domestic Violence Protection Orders
• Family Law Self-Help Center (Clark County)
• NRS chapter 125C
• Donna's House Central