How Long Does It Take To Get Divorced In Nevada?
The biggest factors affecting the timeline are what process you use, whether you and your spouse can reach an agreement, how complicated your finances and custody issues are, and how quickly everyone—including the court—moves the case forward.
| Type of Divorce | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| Already agreed | 2–4 weeks |
| Attorney assisted agreement | 1–2 months |
| Mediation (prior to litigation) | 1–3 months |
| Contested litigation | 6–12 months |
| Complex litigation | 12+ months |
If You Have Already Reached an Agreement
The fastest divorces are those in which both spouses have already agreed on every issue, including property division, child custody, child support, and alimony.
In those cases, an attorney can usually prepare the necessary paperwork within a few days. Once the paperwork is signed, it is submitted to the court for approval. Depending on the court’s schedule, the divorce is often completed within a few weeks.
If You Need Help Reaching an Agreement
Many couples agree on most issues but need assistance resolving a few remaining disagreements.
Sometimes this can be accomplished with the help of an attorney. Other times, mediation is the best option.
Mediation is often much quicker and less expensive than litigation. If both spouses are willing to negotiate in good faith, many mediated divorces can be completed within one to three months.
If the Case Must Be Litigated
When spouses cannot reach an agreement, the case proceeds through the litigation process.
The litigation process includes exchanging financial information, gathering evidence, filing motions when necessary, and preparing for trial. The court also has its own scheduling requirements, and trial dates are often set months in advance.
As a result, most contested divorce cases take approximately six months to one year to reach trial. Particularly complex cases involving businesses, extensive property, retirement accounts, custody evaluations, or allegations of hidden assets may take longer.
Fortunately, very few cases actually go all the way to trial.
What Usually Causes Delays?
Some delays are caused by the court. Other delays are caused by the work that must be completed before the parties are ready to settle or proceed to trial.
Common causes of delay include:
- Gathering financial records and other documents.
- Valuing homes, businesses, or retirement accounts.
- Child custody evaluations or other expert reports.
- Scheduling conflicts between the parties, attorneys, or experts.
- One spouse refusing to cooperate or delaying the process.
- Waiting for available hearing or trial dates.
Sometimes the delay is strategic. A spouse may believe that waiting improves his or her negotiating position or provides a financial advantage. Other times, both parties simply need more information before they can make informed decisions.
Can I Speed Up My Divorce?
While some delays are unavoidable, there are several things you can do to help your case move forward:
- Provide requested documents promptly.
- Respond to your attorney’s questions as quickly as possible.
- Be open to reasonable settlement discussions.
- Attend mediation prepared to negotiate.
- Focus on the issues that matter most rather than every disagreement.
Every case is different, but clients who stay engaged and responsive generally help move their cases along more efficiently.
The Good News
The vast majority of divorce cases settle before trial. Even if litigation has already begun, settlement remains possible at every stage of the case.
A successful settlement usually saves both spouses significant time, money, and emotional stress. Whenever a fair resolution can be reached without sacrificing a client’s legal rights, settlement is often the quickest path to moving forward with life.