This is the first post in what will be a series discussing filing for an emergency change of child custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. I have decided to write on this topic due to the fact that many parents are unsure as to how they should proceed if they believe that their child is in danger. By understanding when a Court will and will not take action a parent can make a more informed choice about their particular circumstances. My goal with this series is to provide the information people need to make a more informed choice as to how they wish to proceed and to also allow such people to make an informed choice when choosing a lawyer.
I will be discussing multiple topics over my coming articles. Issues which I will analyze include:
- When the Clark County Family Court will entertain an emergency request to change custody
- The process of filing for an expedited hearing
- What to expect at the hearing
- Proving that your child is in a dangerous situation
- What to expect at trial
- How to proceed after your case is concluded
There are several reasons why parents should understand these topics. First, the Court will not grant an immediate hearing simply because the parent wishes it. It must be shown that circumstances are such that the safety of the child is at issue. Second, one must understand what is necessary in order to obtain a hearing on “shortened time” and what it is the Court will want to know at the hearing. Third, the discovery process is critical to establishing the facts and gaining the evidence you need at trial. Finally, depending on the level of danger the Court may order supervised visitation and/or ongoing status checks.
One point I cannot stress enough is the need to immediately contact an attorney if you believe that your child is in some type of danger. The longer you allow a situation to occur then the less likely the Court is to believe a claim that the child is facing an imminent threat; it goes without saying that a parent who believes their child is in danger would immediately notify someone. If you find yourself in a situation where you need an immediate modification then contact my office today to speak with a Las Vegas child custody lawyer.