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By Bruce I. Shapiro, Esq., Pecos Law Group 1. INTRODUCTION What does the determination of alimony have to do with salaries in Major League Baseball? Nothing, but perhaps it should. The determination of alimony in divorces is arbitrary, inconsistent and fails most litigants. Other than child custody, the award of alimony in many cases has the most dramatic consequences to…

When you get married in Nevada without a prenuptial agreement, you are expressly consenting to be bound by the laws of Nevada upon a divorce. Prenuptial agreements may not be considered “romantic,” but ugly divorces are even less romantic. Approximately one-half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. It is generally easier to address potential problems or…

Some of the same techniques that are used to protect one’s assets from a creditor may also be used to protect one’s separate property, even without a prenuptial agreement. The use of entities and trusts nor only provide estate planning benefits, but may also provide some financial protection in the absence of a prenuptial agreement. Further, proper planning using separate…

By Bruce I. Shapiro, Henderson, Nevada Published in the Nevada Family Law Report, Fall 2010 Reprinted with Permission from the State Bar of Nevada ©2010 1. Introduction NRS 125.150(1)(b) provides that in a divorce action, a court shall attempt to make an equal division of the community property “except that the court may make an unequal disposition of community property…

Bruce I. Shapiro, Las Vegas, Nevada Introduction Only one-half of this country’s children live in a “traditional nuclear” family.1 As more children live in split homes, issues involving child support in shared custody arrangements will continue to emerge. Unfortunately, it generally emerges as a means of obtaining a reduction in one of the parents’ child support obligation. In Nevada, the…

NRS 123.220 provides that all property, other than that stated in NRS 123.130, acquired after marriage by either husband or wife, or both is community property. NRS 123.130(2), however, provides: All property of the husband owned by him before marriage, and that acquired by him afterward by gift, bequest, devise, descent or by an award for personal injury damages, with…

Alimony is addressed by Nevada in NRS 125.150. The provisions of NRS 125.150 are intended to deal with the economic consequences of a marriage ending. This is in addition to the equitable distribution of property. As the parties enjoy the assets accumulated during marriage, they should also share the consequences of the divorce and the court should recognize the advantages…

Presented by: Robert P. Dickerson, Esq. and Shann D. Winesett, Esq. December 2, 2009 I. INTRODUCTION. In the days of escalating property values, Nevada family courts had no difficulty in adhering to Nevada’s paradigm of presumptive equal distribution of community property. Most divorcing couples owned a marital home with a pot of equity which, upon divorce, could be used to…

Bruce I. Shapiro, Esq. Introduction According the U.S. Census Bureau, 50% of first marriages end in divorce and 80% of those who divorce remarry within five years. Because of the frequency of multiple marriages, there is no longer a stigma attached to blended families and stepparents. What is closer to the truth: The evil stepmother as portrayed in Cinderella, or…

Cohabitation agreements are relatively new and increased in popularity as more couples lived together rather than getting married.  While there is no “common law marriage” in Nevada, specific financial risks may exist for couples living together who chose not to get married.  Cohabitation agreements have not been judicially examined in Nevada and the expense of such an agreement is justified…