Welcome to the Law Offices of Allison MacKenzie

Allison MacKenzie Law Firm enjoys a rich heritage of providing clients with compassionate and effective legal advice in a spectrum of legal areas. To learn more about the services offered by our team of experienced attorneys, please visit our practice area pages and the tab section below.

Allison MacKenzie Law Firm offers a wealth of experience in all aspects of Family Law. Family Law is a broad term that encompasses many issues including adoptions, pre-marital agreements, marital separation agreements, divorce, child custody and property settlement agreements, and guardianships. 

Our firm offers clients professional yet compassionate legal representation in all legal aspects of marriage and family relationships including:

• Divorce – whether contested or uncontested or mediated
• Modification of existing decrees
• Property settlement agreements, providing for division of property and separate property and debts
• Separation negotiations and agreements
• Nevada child support – original or modification
• Custody – original or modification
• Spousal support or alimony
• Property distribution, including the division of pensions and retirements
• Interstate child support and interstate custody
• Enforcement of all orders, agreements and decrees in Family Court and Supreme Court
• Paternity Issues
• Adoptions
• Guardianships

Typically, Family Law matters impact individuals related by blood or marriage; however, Family Law can also impact relationships such as guardians and powers of attorney.  Regardless of your situation, our firm has decades of experience serving parties seeking effective, compassionate Nevada Family Law representation.

Allison MacKenzie Law Firm is a Carson City, Nevada based firm that understands that each client’s needs and concerns are unique. Our Family Law attorneys are adept in analyzing and implementing strategies to help protect our client’s rights and offer compassionate legal representation. We understand that divorce and family issues can be an emotional time for our clients, and our attorneys efficiently guide our clients through the often complex legal processes. At Allison MacKenzie, we believe that understanding our client’s personal objectives are key to building an effective client/attorney relationship, and providing exceptional and personalized legal representation.

Contact us today for your free family law consultation.

Carson City Divorce Lawyers Serving Greater Northern Nevada Including: Gardnerville, Minden, Yerington, Fallon, Reno and Sparks.

Divorce is complicated. Regardless of an individual’s situation, one should be aware of the emotional commitment, lifestyle impact and financial implications in considering a divorce. Unfortunately, the process of divorcing a spouse is generally more complicated than a simple filing.

The attorneys at Allison Mackenzie, Ltd., are dedicated to providing its clients with personalized service and can help you navigate the complex legal landscape of obtaining a divorce. Our team of compassionate attorneys understand that divorce is a time of uncertainty for our clients, and we will effectively inform you of your rights. Together, we identify our client’s objectives and develop efficient strategies to reach those goals.

At Allison MacKenzie Law Firm, we assist clients in not only divorce proceedings but divorce related issues such as:

Child custody
Spousal and child support
Property division
Division of retirement benefits
Mediation and arbitration
Annulments
Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
Domestic violence
Estate planning
Domestic partnerships
Divorce modifications
Military divorce

When considering a divorce, be sure that you have exhausted other remedies such as counseling before seeking a formal dissolution of marriage. Other topics and questions to consider are:

• Are you emotionally or physically abused?

If you believe you are being emotionally or physically abused, your first action should be to ensure the safety of yourself and your children. If you or your children are in imminent danger, please call 911 immediately.

Additionally, there are many outstanding organizations available to victims of domestic violence including:

Many local religious organizations
Advocates to End Domestic Violence: Carson City (http://www.aedv.org/
Reno Women’s Shelter: Reno (http://www.voa-ncnn.org/womens-shelter-reno)

• How much child support am I entitled to? Link to content below.
• How do I get or maintain joint custody? Link to content below.
• How much will it cost for a joint petition vs a filing complaint?

In an effort to help streamline the divorce process and reduce costs, the State of Nevada permits parties to obtain a divorce by use of a Joint Petition rather than the traditional adversarial process of: Summons, Complaint, and Answer.

In simple terms, the Joint Petition process is available when the issues surrounding the divorce have been agreed upon by both parties in a divorce. Additionally, Joint Petitions are effective when the parties have no children, debts, or property to be divided, and they simply want to dissolve their marriage.

While obtaining a divorce by Joint Petition provides parties with a cost effective alternative to a lengthy and contested divorce, it is always important to consult with an attorney to ensure that your rights are being protected.

• Do I get my retirement?

There is little statutory authority specifically directed to retirement benefits. Instead, retirement generally falls under the definition of community property, wherein all property acquired during marriage is community property. As community property, the presumption is that there will be equal distribution. If the retirement is PERS, there are special rules applicable only to PERS within Nevada.

• Can I move out of state with my kid/kids?

While every situation is unique, generally, if custody has been established and the custodial parent intends to move his or her residence to a place outside of this State and take the children with him or her, the custodial parent must, as soon as possible and before the planned move, attempt to obtain the written consent of the noncustodial parent to move the child(ren) from this state. If the noncustodial parent refuses to give that consent, the custodial parent shall petition the court for permission to move prior to leaving the state with the children.

Understanding Divorce in Northern Nevada: The basic information

No Fault Divorce

Nevada is known as a “no-fault” divorce state.  Simply, this means that parties may obtain a divorce for any reason, with no fault allocated to either party. That said, typical divorces are based on grounds of irreconcilable differences or due to spousal separation for at least 12 months.

Despite being a no-fault state, the actions and faults of a party may be considered by the court as a factor in dividing property or awarding alimony.

Residency Requirement for Divorce in Nevada

One spouse must be a resident of Nevada for at least six weeks before filing for divorce.

Property Division in Nevada

Nevada is a community property state. As a community property state, any income earned by either party during the marriage, and all property purchased and supported with those earnings, are considered community property. This type of property is owned equally by each spouse/partner, and generally divided equally between the parties upon divorce.

Child Custody in Nevada

Nevada courts begin with the presumption that it is in the best interest of the child to have frequent and continuing contact with both parents following a divorce. Under this presumption, the courts look to award joint custody amongst the parties. However, since each situation is unique, the exact nature of the time-share/custody will be determined by what is ultimately deemed to be in the child’s best interest.

Self-Representation or Do It Yourself Divorce/Dissolution

While the State of Nevada allows for individuals to file for divorce without the aid of legal representation, most divorce cases become far too complicated and time consuming for the typical pro-per or self-represented litigant. Additionally, and because parties become emotionally invested in their action, legal representation is helpful in effectively resolving the issues surrounding a divorce. Should you wish to obtain a divorce without legal representation, divorce forms can usually be found at your local courthouse or law library.

Child Support in Nevada

Even after a divorce, Nevada requires that both parents support their children. The amount of child support is established based on each parent’s income, other resources, and based upon the custodial schedule ultimately established. In certain situations, the court can “impute” income to a parent who has the capacity to earn more than he or she is actually earning and adjust child support accordingly.

At Allison MacKenzie Law Firm, our Carson City attorneys understand that while each situation is unique and that each client has a different set of goals, all clients deserve compassionate, experienced legal representation.

Contact us today for your free divorce consultation.

Visit our Family Law Series of articles:

A Family Law Series: Joint Petitions and the Initial Custody Determination

Allison MacKenzie’s attorneys provide legal representation and advice to both well-established businesses and start-up ventures in all aspects of Nevada business law. Because today’s business environment demands comprehensive legal preparation and protection, Allison MacKenzie provides its clients with much needed professionalism and experience. Our objective is to help clients reach their business goals. We work closely with local, state and federal regulatory authorities, insurance companies, and financial institutions—ultimately all entities that have an impact in today’s business arena. Allison MacKenzie’s attorneys can assist you with all aspects of business law including:

• Entity formation and structural planning
• Mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations and sales
• Service and equipment contracts
• Trade secrets, trademarks and technology