Family Law & Divorce Checklist

The following is a simplified checklist for anyone who is a party to a divorce or child custody legal matter. Your family law lawyer will be able to explain each of these items in further detail. If you are representing yourself then you will want to study the the court process.

Call (702) 914-0400 to talk with a to a Divorce Lawyer or Child Custody Attorney.

• File a Complaint - This is the document that tells the court why your filing for divorce and what you are seeking.
• File a Summons - A summons is the legal document that informs the defendant that they are being sued and of their legal rights.
• File Family Court Cover Sheet - This provides the courts with your information and helps the courts set up your case.
• File a Joint Preliminary Injunction (JPI) - A JPI puts both the plaintiff and defendant on notice to preserve any property or assets until the legal matter is finalized.
• File a Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) form - This form informs the other party of the Federal law regarding child custody jurisdiction, interstate kidnapping, and child visitation.
• Service - You will need to contact the Clark County sheriff or a commercial process server to serve the defendant with the Complaint, Summons, UCCJA and JPI.
• Answer - As the defendant you will need to file an Answer within 20 days of being served the Complaint. This is the document that explains to the court your side of the case.
• Family Mediation Center (FMC) - If the defendant files an Answer to your Complaint and there are children involved then you should file a request for Family Mediation. Family mediation is a government ran program where you and the defendant attempt to work out a child custody visitation schedule.
• Case Management Conference (CMC) - If there are still issues of dispute, such as child custody, child support, spousal support, community property or community debt then a CMC hearing will be necessary for the judge to schedule discovery dates and a trial date.
• Trial - This is where the evidence and witnesses are presented and a judge will make a final decision on any unresolved issues.
• Signed divorce decree - The judge will make an order which will be documented in a legal document called a singed by the judge and referred to as a divorce decree.
• Welfare Party Identification Sheet - Provide thes court your more information and needs to be filed with the court within 10 days after the Decree of Divorce is filed.

Rules of conduct in Family Law & Divorce court

Las Vegas Family Law Court is located at 601 N. Pecos, Las Vegas, Nevada. The following are some rules of conduct that are recommended for you to follow.

• When you arrive in the court room be sure to check in with the court clerk.
• When your case is called the plaintiff will go the table to the right and defendant to the left.
• Do not talk to the other side.
• Direct your answers to the judge and not the the other side.
• Do not interrupt the judge or the other side.
• Take notes and especially write down future hearing dates or instructions.

Call our office at (702) 914-0400 if you have questions or need to talk with a to a Divorce Lawyer or Child Custody Attorney.