Las Vegas, located in Clark County, Nevada, is not only a gathering place for Elvis impersonators and couples looking for a spur-of-the-moment wedding venue. People also come from all over the country to get a quick divorce in Vegas, due to the lax residency requirements and ample entertainment available during their stay. In only six weeks, you are considered a legal resident, and have the right to file for divorce, separation or an annulment in Nevada. The speed of the actual divorce, however, is heavily dependent on the level of agreement between you and your spouse.
Uncontested Divorce in Las Vegas
When filing an uncontested divorce action in Las Vegas, with or without a family lawyer, both parties must agree on all issues in the divorce. The couple must include information about all of the aspects of the divorce in a joint petition, signed by both parties. The information that must be included in a joint petition includes:
- alimony or spousal support
- child support (if applicable)
- child custody and visitation (if applicable)
- asset division
- division of debt
- retirement benefits
- grounds for the divorce
Vegas Divorce Laws and Forms
In Las Vegas, grounds for divorce include simple incompatibility, insanity for two years prior to the filing of divorce, and spouses living apart for a year prior to filing for divorce. A joint petition will be filed as either incompatibility, which is basically a no-fault divorce, or as separation of one year. When filing a joint petition, choose either Joint Petition 9a, which is intended for couples without children, or Joint Petition 9b, which is meant for couples that have minor children together.
- Clark County Nevada Family Court Divorce Packet 9a – The 9a packet is 40 pages long, and contains all the forms you will need to file a joint petition for divorce without minor children, including a detailed set of instructions.
- Clark County Nevada Family Court Divorce Packet 9b – The 9b packet is 58 pages long, and contains the forms necessary for filing a joint petition for a divorce that includes one or more minor children.
Fast Divorce is Not Always Possible
A fast-tracked divorce is not always possible, even in Las Vegas. Although many married couples on the verge of splitting up might prefer to quickly divide their assets and end the marriage, there are times when a single area of disagreement can cause the case to drag on for months or longer. For those fortunate couples who are able to come to an agreement, however, getting a divorce quickly in Vegas may be the best answer.
This article is meant to be used for general information purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Please see an attorney for information about your specific circumstances.
Updated: April 2011
Victoria Nicks - Victoria Nicks has a Master's Degree in IT, and extensive hands-on experience with various types of hardware and software.
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