This is the final post in a series of articles discussing child custody appeals in Las Vegas, Nevada. My previous post discussed the possible outcomes of the appeals process in child custody cases. Whether the Nevada Supreme Court reverses the trial court, denies the appeal, or remands the case for a new trial will depend upon the basis for the appeal and the facts of the specific case. The purpose of this series has been to provide an overview of the appeals process. An experienced family attorney can help you determine if an appeal is appropriate in your case. If you need assistance, contact my office to speak with a lawyer.
I have discussed the following key topics in this series:
- The differences between child custody appeals and trials
- The types of issues that may be appealed in custody cases
- What to expect during a child custody appeal
- The possible outcomes of the child custody appeals process
Appealing a trial court’s ruling in a custody case can be complicated. Those considering an appeal should understand each of these points for several reasons. First, appeals differ from trials in a variety of ways. Importantly, the appellate court will only review the record of the trial and will not consider any new evidence that had not been presented at the trial level. The Nevada Supreme Court typically reviews written briefs prepared by the attorneys for each party. Second, being dissatisfied with the trial judge’s decision is not sufficient to justify an appeal. Certain legal issues must exist before an appeal can be filed. Your attorney can help you understand whether your ruling is appealable. Third, it is important to understand what to expect during an appeal. As previously mentioned, the process will seem much different than the trial. Last, parents should understand the possible outcomes of an appeal and the impact the results will have on the underlying trial decision.
If you wish to appeal a family court’s ruling or are defending against a co-parent’s appeal, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your case has concluded. Strict filing deadlines apply for purposes of starting the process and your lawyer can assist you in preserving your rights. If you need assistance, contact my office today to speak to a Las Vegas attorney.