Correction — August 2026. An earlier version of this article described SB 432 as expanding judges’ authority to close hearings and seal records, and reported the bill as awaiting an Assembly vote. Both were inaccurate. SB 432 repealed the statutes that required closure, made family law proceedings presumptively open, passed both chambers unanimously, and took effect October 1, 2025. This article has been rewritten against the enrolled bill text.
If you have a family court date in Las Vegas, one thing has changed that you should know before you walk in: your hearing is presumptively open to the public. Nevada SB 432 made that the default on October 1, 2025.
Here is what that means in practical terms.
What SB 432 did
Senate Bill 432 passed the Nevada Senate 21–0 and the Assembly 42–0 in the 2025 session. The governor signed it on June 10, 2025. It took effect October 1, 2025, as Chapter 505.
It repealed two statutes — NRS 125.080 and NRS 125.110 — that had required closed hearings and governed sealing divorce records. In their place, family law proceedings are now open by default.
Can a judge still close my hearing?
Yes, but not automatically, and not quietly.
To close a proceeding, the court has to determine that closure is necessary to serve a compelling interest — protecting a child’s safety, privacy, or mental health, for example. The judge must make that finding in writing, weigh whether a narrower step would work instead, and limit the closure to what is actually needed.
If you want your hearing closed, you or your attorney need to raise it and give the court a reason. Waiting and hoping will not do it.
Which of your documents stay private
Open hearings do not mean an open file. These stay confidential without anyone requesting it:
- Financial disclosure forms
- Documents already filed under seal
- Confidential exhibits
- Child custody evaluations
- Medical, psychiatric, and psychological evaluations
Anything else in the file is accessible unless a party asks the court to seal it and shows a compelling interest that outweighs the public’s interest in access.
The new felony for posting private information
SB 432 also created a crime. Willfully and intentionally posting or displaying another person’s personal identifying information publicly, without consent, when the law requires it be kept private, is a category D felony — one to four years and up to $5,000 under NRS 193.130.
This is a doxxing provision. It does not prohibit discussing your own case. But if you are considering posting court documents or details about the other party online, get legal advice first.
What SB 432 did not change
- How custody is decided, including any presumption about joint custody
- How child support is calculated
- Deadlines for temporary or interim orders
- The best-interest factors under NRS 125C.0035
Preparing for an open hearing
Assume people can hear you. The gallery may include the other party’s family, or a member of the public. Say what you came to say, and nothing you would not want repeated.
Organize your documents before the date. Fumbling through paper in an open courtroom does not help you.
Bring support if you want it. You are permitted to.
Raise closure early if you need it. Not on the day, if you can help it.
Frequently asked questions
Is my divorce hearing in Las Vegas open to the public now?
Yes, presumptively. Since SB 432 took effect on October 1, 2025, family law proceedings in Nevada are open unless a judge makes a written finding that closing the hearing serves a compelling interest.
How do I ask to have my hearing closed?
Closure has to be requested and justified. The judge must find it necessary to serve a compelling interest, consider alternatives, and keep it narrow. Raise it with the court in advance rather than on the hearing date.
Can the public see my financial disclosure form?
No. Financial disclosure forms remain confidential without a court order, along with custody evaluations and medical or psychological evaluations.
Can I post about my family court case online?
Discussing your own case is not what the new felony covers. It applies to willfully posting another person’s protected personal identifying information without consent. Ask an attorney before publishing documents or details about the other party.
For a full breakdown of the statute, see Nevada SB 432: What It Actually Changed in Family Court.
Don’t face family court alone.
The Family Court Help Line offers general guidance on court procedure, document preparation, and what to expect at your hearing. Call (702) 609-3688.
Family Court Help Line provides general information, community resources, and referrals. We are not a law firm, and we do not provide legal advice or representation. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site.
Source
Nevada Legislature — Senate Bill 432, 83rd Session (2025), enrolled text.
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