Current through 82nd (2023) Legislative Session Chapter 535 and 34th (2023) Special Session Chapter 1 and 35th (2023) Special Session Chapter 1
Section 125C.003 - Best interests of child: Primary physical custody; presumptions; child born out of wedlock1. A court may award primary physical custody to a parent if the court determines that joint physical custody is not in the best interest of a child. An award of joint physical custody is presumed not to be in the best interest of the child if: (a) The court determines by substantial evidence that a parent is unable to adequately care for a minor child for at least 146 days of the year;(b) A child is born out of wedlock and the provisions of subsection 2 are applicable; or(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 6 of NRS 125C.0035 or NRS 125C.210, there has been a determination by the court after an evidentiary hearing and finding by clear and convincing evidence that a parent has engaged in one or more acts of domestic violence against the child, a parent of the child or any other person residing with the child. The presumption created by this paragraph is a rebuttable presumption.2. A court may award primary physical custody of a child born out of wedlock to: (a) The mother of the child if: (1) The mother has not married the father of the child;(2) A judgment or order of a court, or a judgment or order entered pursuant to an expedited process, determining the paternity of the child has not been entered; and(3) The father of the child: (I) Is not subject to any presumption of paternity under NRS 126.051;(II) Has never acknowledged paternity pursuant to NRS 126.053; or(III) Has had actual knowledge of his paternity but has abandoned the child.(b) The father of the child if: (1) The mother has abandoned the child; and(2) The father has provided sole care and custody of the child in her absence.3. As used in this section: (a) "Abandoned" means that a mother or father has:(1) Failed, for a continuous period of not less than 6 months, to provide substantial personal and economic support to the child; or(2) Knowingly declined, for a continuous period of not less than 6 months, to have any meaningful relationship with the child.(b) "Expedited process" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 126.161.Added to NRS by 2015, 2582Added by 2015, Ch. 445,§7, eff. 10/1/2015.