• Nevada Father's Rightschild and father image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com
  
  Fathers in Nevada, as in other states, must overcome the reality that in the vast majority of child custody cases, the mother is awarded custody of children. Despite the fact that there is no legal presumption in Nevada in favor of a mother under Chapter 125 of the Nevada revised statutes, a father must make a strong effort to portray himself as a viable alternative to placement with the mother.
  
  

Child Custody

• Child custody follows the best interests of the child under Chapter 125C of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). A father seeking custody will have to satisfy the court that custody with the father is a better placement than with the mother. Maintaining a real and significant relationship with the child is a critical aspect of this-not merely providing financially, but committing to spending time with the child.
  
  If a father who does not have custody of a child feels that the child's mother is wrongfully depriving him of court-established visits, then under NRS 125C.020 he may petition the Court to seek a judgment permitting additional visits in compensation. Should the mother fail to comply with this judgment, the Court can find the mother guilty of contempt and she may face imprisonment.
  
  

Child Support

• Both parents are under a duty to provide for the care of a child under Nevada Revised Statute (NRS)125B.020. Note that this includes a father's duty to pay for expenses related to the mother's pregnancy and confinement due to pregnancy. Nevada uses an income percentage model for child support calculations. According to NRS 125B.070, 18 percent of gross monthly income is applied for one child, 25 percent for two children, scaling up to 31 percent for four children.
  
  It is likely that a father's income will exceed that of a mother, and thus he will be ordered to pay child support. Note that if a father wishes to obtain custody of his children, he must make every effort to stay current with payments. Even if he has filed a petition for custody, falling behind on child support will not be viewed favorably by a court in a custody determination.
  
  

Important Restrictions & Warnings

• It is imperative for a father to understand that domestic abuse charges, orders of protection, criminal acts and abuse can be the basis for a denial of child custody. Under NRS 125C.230, a showing of domestic violence against the child or any person residing with the child creates a presumption that sole or even joint custody of the child with the abuser is not in the best interest of the child.
  
  Even if visitation is not eliminated, these acts may result in supervised visitation, or severely curtailed visitation rights. In addition, under Nevada Revised Statute 125A.525, a parent may seek a warrant for immediate physical custody of a child if the child is under immediate threat of physical harm.