When a Las Vegas parent who shares custody of minor children wants to move out of state — for a new job opportunity, to be closer to family, following a new relationship, or for any other reason — Nevada law requires a specific legal process before the children can be relocated. Nevada’s relocation statute (NRS 125C.006 et seq.) requires either the other parent’s written consent or court approval before a custodial parent relocates children more than 100 miles from the other parent’s primary residence. The relocation process in Nevada involves a balancing of the relocating parent’s legitimate reasons for moving against the substantial impact that relocation will have on the non-relocating parent’s relationship with the children. Hauser Family Law represents both Las Vegas parents seeking to relocate with their children and parents opposing a proposed relocation.
Nevada Relocation Statute NRS 125C.006, Notice Requirements and Emergency Injunctions, Relocation Petition Best Interest Analysis, Factors for Granting or Denying Relocation, Impact on Non-Relocating Parent Parenting Time, Modified Long-Distance Parenting Schedule, Relocation Without Notice Consequences, and Opposing Parent Rights in Las Vegas Relocation Cases
Nevada relocation law (NRS 125C.006) requires a parent with primary physical custody who wants to relocate with the children to either: obtain the other parent’s written consent to the relocation; or file a petition with Clark County Family Court and obtain court approval before relocating. Moving with the children without the other parent’s consent or a court order is a violation of the Nevada custody order that can result in contempt sanctions, an emergency order requiring the children’s return, and potentially a modification of custody in favor of the non-relocating parent. Notice requirements: the relocating parent must provide advance written notice to the other parent of the intended relocation — the required notice period depends on whether the relocation is more or less than 100 miles from the other parent and other specific circumstances. Nevada relocation petition: if the non-relocating parent objects to the move, the relocating parent files a petition asking the court to approve the relocation. The court analyzes the relocation petition under the best interest of the child standard, considering: the relocating parent’s legitimate reason for the move (career advancement, family support, new relationship); the impact of the move on the child’s relationship with the non-relocating parent; the non-relocating parent’s ability to maintain a meaningful relationship through extended long-distance parenting time; the child’s relationship with each parent and the child’s preference (depending on age and maturity); and whether the relocation would allow the child to maintain the stability of current school, community, and support relationships or would require the child to start over in a new environment. Modified long-distance parenting schedule: when a Nevada court approves relocation, the existing parenting time schedule must be substantially restructured — daily or weekly contact is no longer feasible with the geographic distance, and the new schedule typically involves extended school break time with the non-relocating parent, vacation blocks, and technology-based contact to maintain the relationship. Opposing the relocation: the non-relocating Las Vegas parent has the right to oppose the relocation petition and present evidence that the move is not in the children’s best interest. If the non-relocating parent demonstrates that the relocation is motivated by a desire to interfere with the parent-child relationship or would cause substantial harm to the children’s wellbeing, the court may deny the relocation. Hauser Family Law represents Las Vegas parents on both sides of Nevada child custody relocation disputes, providing aggressive advocacy in Clark County Family Court relocation hearings.