Getting divorced in Reno? Start here.
Nevada is a no-fault, community-property state with one of the shortest residency requirements in the country — six weeks. That makes a Reno divorce faster on paper than most, but dividing a home, a business, or retirement accounts and sorting out custody still takes a steady hand. Here are the Reno family-law firms worth a call.
These are the Reno divorce and family-law firms we see most often across Super Lawyers, Avvo, and Martindale-Hubbell, cross-checked against client reviews and State Bar of Nevada family-law certifications. We verified seven that met our bar.
Divorce is billed hourly against a retainer in most cases, with simple uncontested divorces sometimes handled for a flat fee. Most firms offer a free or low-cost initial consultation — ask when you call. Talk to two or three before you commit.
How we picked these 7: We reviewed peer rankings (Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell), client review patterns on Google and Avvo, bar-association standing, and published case results. Firms had to appear consistently across at least two independent sources to make the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Divorce, child custody, support, modifications
Reno divorce and family-law firm with strong client ratings, handling contested and uncontested divorce, custody, and support across Washoe County.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, child and spousal support
Founder Gloria Petroni is a State Bar of Nevada Certified Family Law Specialist, a credential only a small fraction of Nevada family lawyers hold, with decades of Reno practice.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, family law, estate planning
Reno family-law practice handling divorce and custody alongside estate planning, with a long Northern Nevada track record and a client-focused reputation.
Practice focus: Complex divorce, high-asset division, custody
Established Reno family-law firm that handles complex and high-asset divorces, business valuations, and contested custody disputes.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, mediation
Reno family-law firm led by Monica Caffaratti, focused on divorce, custody disputes, and negotiated resolutions that keep cases out of a prolonged court fight where possible.
Practice focus: Divorce, family law, custody
AV Preeminent Northern Nevada firm with more than a century of combined experience handling divorce and family matters.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, family law
Certified family-law specialist with more than 18 years focused on divorce and custody matters in the Reno area.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted divorce attorneys in Reno. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →Fill this out and we'll match you with two or three vetted Reno firms. No fee. No obligation. Privacy policy.
Match the firm to the complexity of your split. An uncontested divorce with no kids and few assets does not need a high-asset litigation firm. A divorce involving a business, significant retirement accounts, or a custody fight does — look for a Certified Family Law Specialist or a firm that lists complex-asset work.
Ask how they handle custody. If children are involved, the custody approach matters more than almost anything. Ask whether the firm leans toward negotiation and mediation or toward litigation, and make sure that fits your situation and your co-parent.
Understand the retainer math. Family-law work is usually hourly against an up-front retainer. Ask for the hourly rate, the retainer amount, how unused retainer is handled, and a realistic estimate of total cost for a case like yours.
Most Reno divorce lawyers charge $250-$450 per hour and require an up-front retainer, often $2,500-$7,500 depending on complexity. An uncontested divorce with full agreement can sometimes be handled for a flat fee of roughly $1,500-$3,500. A contested divorce with custody or asset disputes can run well into five figures.
The single biggest cost driver is conflict: the more you and your spouse can agree on, the less you pay. For a fuller breakdown, see our divorce lawyer cost guide.
No-fault and fast residency. Nevada is a no-fault state — you file on grounds of incompatibility, no blame required. The residency requirement is just six weeks, among the shortest in the country, which is why Reno and Nevada generally see out-of-state filers.
Community property. Nevada is a community-property state, so assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally split equally. Separate property — what you owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance — usually stays with you if it was kept separate.
Custody is decided on the child's best interest. Nevada courts favor frequent, continuing contact with both parents and decide custody on best-interest factors, not on parental gender. Joint custody is common where both parents are fit.
Where you file. Reno divorces are filed in the Second Judicial District Court, Family Division, in Washoe County. A lawyer who knows that court's judges and procedures can keep your case moving and avoid costly missteps.
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a dismissal, a dollar figure, or an approval, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a name partner at intake, then never speak to them again while a junior or a paralegal runs the file. Ask in writing who your day-to-day attorney will be.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms hand you the agreement in writing and give you time to read it. High-pressure intake is usually a sign of a volume shop, not a careful practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should point to peer rankings, bar standing, or named results. “We've helped thousands” is marketing; specifics are evidence.
Vague fee terms. “Don't worry about cost” is a red flag. Every legitimate Reno divorce lawyer will give you a written agreement spelling out the fee, what it covers, and what triggers extra charges.
Most Reno firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign anything.
An uncontested divorce where both spouses agree can be finalized in a matter of weeks once the six-week residency is met. A contested divorce with custody or property disputes typically takes several months to over a year, depending on the court's schedule and how much the parties fight.
Most charge $250-$450 per hour against a retainer of roughly $2,500-$7,500. A fully uncontested divorce may be handled for a flat fee of about $1,500-$3,500. Contested cases cost more, driven mainly by the level of conflict.
Yes. Property and debt acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally. Property you owned before the marriage or received by gift or inheritance is usually treated as separate if you kept it separate.
No. Nevada is a no-fault state. You can file on the grounds of incompatibility without proving wrongdoing by either spouse.
Nevada courts decide custody based on the best interest of the child and favor ongoing contact with both fit parents. Custody is not awarded based on a parent's gender, and joint custody is common.
At least one spouse must have lived in Nevada for six weeks before filing, and you file in the county where you reside, which is Washoe County for Reno.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one how many cases like yours they have handled in the last three years — the answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team