Family Law
Reno Family Law Appeals Attorney
Family-law appeals before the Nevada Supreme Court and the Nevada Court of Appeals — custody, support, alimony, and divorce-decree appeals.
A family-court loss isn’t always the last word. Nevada’s appellate courts review trial-court decisions for legal error, abuse of discretion, and unsupported factual findings. Successful family-law appeals require appellate-grade briefing, careful preservation of the trial-level record, and command of the standards of review.
What this practice area covers
Family-law appeals Jessica handles.
- Custody appeals — best-interest findings, joint-physical-custody preference
- Child-support appeals — formula application, deviations, imputation
- Alimony and spousal-support appeals
- Property-division appeals — community/separate characterization, valuation
- Modification appeals — substantial-change-of-circumstances findings
- Termination-of-parental-rights appeals under NRS 128
- Adoption appeals
- Original-petition writs (mandamus, prohibition) for extraordinary relief
- Co-counsel appellate work for trial counsel
Approach
The record decides the appeal
A Nevada appellate court reviews what was preserved at trial — not what could have been argued. The most expensive family-law appellate mistake is discovering that the trial-level record doesn’t support the legal argument. Jessica handles family-law appeals before the Nevada Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and consults at the trial-court stage when an appellate posture should be built into the case from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nevada family-law appeals — frequently asked questions
How long do I have to appeal a Nevada family-law decision?+
30 days from notice of entry of the order under NRAP 4. The deadline is jurisdictional — missing it forecloses the appeal. Some post-trial motions toll the deadline, but the safe rule is to file within 30 days regardless.
What’s the standard of review on a Nevada custody appeal?+
Abuse of discretion for most custody decisions, with deference to the trial court’s factual findings unless clearly erroneous. Pure legal questions are reviewed de novo. Abuse-of-discretion review is harder than de novo to win — most reversals come on legal error.
Can I introduce new evidence on a Nevada family-law appeal?+
No. Appeals are decided on the trial-court record. New evidence is generally not admissible. The only exception is for jurisdictional facts or matters subject to judicial notice.
How long does a Nevada family-law appeal take?+
Typically 9–18 months from notice of appeal to decision, depending on the court (Court of Appeals vs. Supreme Court), briefing schedule extensions, and oral-argument availability.
Should I hire appellate counsel separate from trial counsel?+
Often, yes. Appellate practice is a different skill set from trial practice — brief writing, standard-of-review analysis, and oral argument before appellate courts. A fresh appellate set of eyes can identify preservation issues and stronger argument lines that trial counsel may not see.
Schedule a consultation.
Confidential. Direct attorney access. Twenty years of Nevada family-law practice.