Child Custody

Reno, Nevada Child Custody Attorney Marta Presti

I have been practicing family law since 1976. Through the years, I have gained valuable insight into the relationships between parents and their children, and how those relationships can be protected in court. I use this knowledge and my extensive legal experience to help my clients resolve their parenting issues in a way that protects their families and their children.

I represent mothers and fathers throughout northwest Nevada in a wide variety of child custody and visitation issues. My experience includes handling child custody matters related to unmarried parents, parents who are going through divorce, and those who need to make changes to their child custody or visitation arrangements after a previous court order.

If you would like to speak with a lawyer about your child custody concerns, please call my firm at (775) 323-7311 to arrange a consultation. Or, contact me by e-mail and I will be in touch with you promptly.

I Handle a Broad Spectrum of Child Custody Issues in Northwest Nevada

I am well-versed in virtually every type of child custody matter a mother or father could experience. Please contact me for legal assistance regarding:

• Parental relocation - When one parent needs to move to another part of the state or another state, child custody and parenting arrangements will have to change and custody may be contested.
• Child custody issues when parents live in different states - The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) determines which state has jurisdiction over child custody cases. It is essential to understand what state's laws apply when there are disagreements.
• Enforcement of visitation - This includes enforcement of visitation when the custodial parent refuses visitation to the non-custodial parent in violation of a court order.
• Motions to deny visitation - This could happen when the custodial parent wishes to refuse visitation to the non-custodial parent. This situation could involve claims of drug use or abuse.

When can you change who has child custody?

In Nevada, generally, changes to child custody may be obtained, given two requirements are met. These requirements are:

• A substantial change in circumstances relating to the child
• Proof that the change in custody would be in the active best interest of the child—meaning that changing custody or visitation would actually improve the child's health, safety, or well-being

I represent parents who are requesting changes to their original child custody orders, as well as those who oppose requested changes. The two requirements that may result in modification can be met in many situations, such as when:

• A child has reached his or her teenage years and wishes to live with the other parent and
• A child is performing poorly in school due to parental fault or
• The custodial parent is abusing drugs and/or alcohol or
• Physical and/or emotional abuse is present or
• The child is being neglected

Child Custody Issues for Unmarried Parents

When a man acknowledges that he is a child's father on a birth certificate, or when he is shown to be the father through a paternity test, he is legally established as the father. However, this does not give the father specific custody or visitation rights.

I represent unmarried mothers or fathers who are involved in child custody or visitation disputes or with other issues involving child custody and parenting.

If you need help with initial determination of child custody, a change to your child custody or visitation arrangements, or a resolution to a visitation dispute, I invite you to contact me for a consultation. My office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00-4:30, and evening and weekend appointments are available by arrangement.