Child custody is a legal term that describes the legal and practical relationship between a parent and his or her child. Custody involves not only the amount of time a parent physical spends with his or her child (referred to as physical custody), but also involves a parent's role in the decision making process for his or her child (legal custody) such as education decisions, medical decisions and sometimes financial decisions.

If you are involved in a custody dispute in Nevada, the court will only consider the best interests of the child in making a custody determination. The Court may award custody in favor of one parent over another if the parent arguing for primary custody can present proof to the Court that custody should be changed in their favor and it is in the best interests of the child. In determining the best interest of the child, the court will consider, among other things:

·The wishes of the child if the child is of sufficient age and capacity to form an intelligent preference as to custody;

·Any nomination by a parent or a guardian for the child;

·Whether there is any conflict between the parents, and what level of conflict that might be;

·The parents’ ability to cooperate to meet their child’s needs;

·Any mental or physical health issues relating to the parents;

·The emotional, developmental, and physical needs of the child;

·The child’s relationship with each parent;

·The need for a child to maintain relationships with siblings;

·Any history of abuse or neglect for the child or one of his or her siblings;

·Whether either parent or any other person seeking custody has engaged in an act of domestic violence against the child, a parent of the child or any other person residing with the child.

A finding of domestic violence creates a rebuttable presumption that sole or joint custody of the child by the perpetrator of the domestic violence is not in the best interest of the child.

Most Nevada Courts will modify or terminate an existing custody arrangement if it is determined that the current arrangement is not in the best interests of the child.

Get more information about child custody laws in Nevada at http://www.discountlegalnv.com/Custody.html

Author's Bio: 

Molly Rosenblum, Esq. is a licensed Nevada attorney practicing in Las Vegas NV since 2002. Ms. Rosenblum practices in the areas of auto accidents, personal injury, slip and falls, elevator accidents, divorce, custody, bankruptcy, evictions, medical malpractice, criminal defense, traffic tickets, DUI, business formation and business litigation. Ms. Rosenblum is the owner and founder of Discount Legal Services, Rosenblum Law Offices and Traffic Angels.