RESPOND TO A DIVORCE

DISCLAIMER

The information provided is intended as a courtesy only.  Many family law matters involve complex and valuable legal rights which cannot adequately be protected without the assistance of an attorney.  The information provided is basic, general information that does not fit all situations.  It is the duty of each self-represented individual to know what rules of court and law apply. 

Clark County, the Eighth Judicial District Court, the Self-Help Center, and their employees shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing of this material.

GENERAL INFORMATION

An Answer is a document that a Defendant spouse may use to respond to a Complaint for Divorce. The Answer tells the judge what parts of the Complaint the Defendant agress with and what parts of the Complaint the Defedant does not agree with. After a Defendant is served with a Complaint for Divorce, he/she has 20 days to fine an Answer with the court.

If the Defendant wants to ask the judge for different or additional relief that Defendant may also file a Counterclaim which can be included in the Answer. A Counterclaim is a lawsuit that a Defendant files against a Plaintiff.

If the Defendant does not file an Answer the Plaintiff spouse may obtain a Default against the Defendant and will most likely get what he/she asked for in the Complaint for Divorce.

Once the Defendant files an Asnwer the Plaintiff has an opportunity to respond by filing a Reply. If the Plaintiff does not file a Reply he/she may be defaulted as well.

For more information about divorce in Nevada you may download the Self-Help Center's Divorce Informational Brochure.

NOTICE: If you, the other party, or your children have ties to a state other than Nevada (i.e. you recently moved to Nevada, you have orders from another state, etc.) you should consult an attorney before filing any documents because the court may not have jurisdiction over you or the children. The rules about jurisdiction are very complicated and you could lose valuable legal rights if you file the wrong document.

DIVORCE PACKET INSTRUCTIONS

Below are the Self-Help Center's form packets for divorce. It is your duty to choose the correct divorce packet.  The Self-Help Center staff is prohibited from instructing customers on which packet to use. 

To choose a packet please read the brief description of each packet.  If you are still unsure of which packet to use, open each packet and read at least the first two pages of the instructions. You may use a packet if all of the statements under the heading "Explanation" apply to your particular situation.  If all of the statements do not apply to your particular situation then that packet is not the correct packet.

All of the packets are in a PDF (Portable Document Format).  In order to view and use the packets you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.1 or higher.  If you do not, you can download it for free by clicking here.

Please be sure to print all pages because missing pages may render your document unacceptable to the courts.

ANSWER PACKETS

Answer Packet 18 - This packet may be used if you want to file an Answer without a Counterclaim.

Answer Packet 20 & 21- This packet may be used if you want to file an Answer and a Counterclaim to the Complaint for Divorce.

REPLY PACKETS

Reply Packet 26- This packet may be used if you want to reply to the Defendant's Counterclaim.

Ex Parte Motion and Order to Seal File

ATTENTION! Effective immediately NRCP 16.2 requires that all litigants filing a complaint or answer for annulment, custody, divorce, and separate maintenance file and serve the court approved Financial Disclosure Form no later than 45 days after service of the summons and complaint.

Failure to comply with Rule 16.2 may result in court ordered sanctions.