Reno Child Custody Lawyer

Protecting the Best Interests of Children in Nevada

At the Kelli Anne Viloria family law firm, we provide strong, compassionate representation in child custody and visitation matters. Reno child custody attorney Kelli Anne Viloria has extensive experience in handling these types of matters. She represents the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Nevada, an organization that advocates for abused and neglected children, and can help you make decisions that are in your child's best interest.

How Is Custody Determined in Nevada?

The laws on child custody in Nevada do not show a preference for granting custody to mothers over fathers. Both parents are considered equally in deciding custody, and both are given equal rights. Furthermore, it does not matter if the parents are married or not.

If you are unable to come to an agreement over the custody arrangement, you may need to bring the case forward in court. The courts will evaluate all of the factors to determine what would be in the child’s best interests.

Some of these evaluating factors include:

• The child’s current school, medical needs, and emotional needs
• The need to provide stability and consistency in the child’s life
• How well each parent can communicate on the raising of their child
• If the parent has had problems with drugs or alcohol
• If the parent has had a history of being violent in the home
• Each parent’s ability to provide financially for the child
• The child’s preferences (depending on the child’s age)

At What Age Can a Child Decide Custody in Nevada?

Generally, in Nevada, 12 years old is the preferred age for a child to decide custody decisions.

Ultimately, the goal is to provide the child with the best chances for success that can last well into adulthood. If an arrangement is favorable to allow both parents a chance to maintain bond with their child, this would be ideal. However, there may be some instances where only one parent might have sole legal or physical custody. If you would like to learn more about custody arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact us at Kelli Anne Viloria.

What are Nevada’s Child Custody Laws for Unmarried Parents?

In Nevada, both the mother and father have equal rights that can be exercised involving their children, once parentage has been established. Parentage is often presumed for women, as they are seen as the biological mother. Establishing parentage for an unmarried father involves establishing paternity. Once both the mother and father establish this, then their rights towards their children are exercised equally. This means that the court will not give preference to either gender, instead, they act on what is in the best interests of the child(ren).