Hello. My name is Michael Gowdey.
I have been a lawyer for over 30 years right here in Nevada. My team and I have won multiple awards, but the most important thing we do is help families navigate the hardest days of their lives. We represent good people in Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas who are facing divorce, custody battles, and complex family law issues.
If you are reading this, you might be worried about your privacy. You might be asking, “Can my neighbors read about my divorce?” or “Will my financial secrets be open to the public?”
For a long time, wealthy or famous people in Las Vegas could simply “demand” their divorce be private. But that is all about to change. On October 1, 2025, a new law called Senate Bill 432 (SB 432) goes into effect. It completely changes the rules of privacy in our family courts.
I wrote this guide to help you. I want to cut through the legal jargon and talk to you like a neighbor. I want you to understand exactly what is changing and how our firm can still protect your privacy under these new, stricter rules.
Key Takeaways
- The Secret is Out: Starting October 1, 2025, divorce hearings are presumptively open to the public. You can no longer just “demand” they be closed.
- Judges Decide: If you want privacy, you now have to prove to a judge that there is a “compelling interest” (like protecting a child’s safety).
- New Felony Crime: SB 432 makes it a Category D Felony to maliciously post personal identifying information (doxxing) of people involved in these cases.
- The “Falconi” Effect: This law was passed because the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that automatic private divorces were unconstitutional.
- We Can Help: We know how to write the motions to prove your “compelling interest” to the judge so you can keep your private life private.
What Was the Old Rule for Private Divorces in Nevada?
To understand the change, you have to understand how it used to work. For over 100 years, Nevada had a law (NRS 125.080) that said if either spouse asked for the divorce to be private, the judge had to close the courtroom. No questions asked.
If a casino mogul or a famous entertainer wanted to keep their affairs secret, they just checked a box. The public was locked out. The press was locked out.
But in 2024, the Nevada Supreme Court made a huge ruling in a case called Falconi v. Eighth Judicial District Court. They said, “Wait a minute. Courts are supposed to be open to the public. You can’t just close them because someone asked.” They ruled the old law unconstitutional. This forced the Nevada Legislature to pass SB 432 to fix the system.
What Does SB 432 Change on October 1, 2025?
Starting in October, the default setting for Family Court in Clark County is OPEN. This means:
- Your neighbor can walk into the courtroom and watch your hearing.
- A reporter can sit in the back and take notes.
- A blogger can listen to the testimony about your finances or your custody dispute.
The New “Compelling Interest” Standard If you want to close the courtroom, you must file a motion and prove to the judge that privacy is “necessary to serve a compelling interest.”
What counts as a “Compelling Interest”? The new law gives us a list of reasons we can argue:
- Safety: If opening the court would endanger you or your child (like in domestic violence cases).
- Privacy: If the case involves highly sensitive medical or psychological records.
- Child’s Best Interest: If public exposure would emotionally harm the child.
- Trade Secrets: If your divorce involves a business with confidential formulas or client lists.
A Stat Few People Talk About: Everyone talks about the “open courts,” but few people are talking about the new crime hidden in this bill. Under Section 5 of SB 432, it is now a Category D Felony to willfully post or display the “personal identifying information” of a party or witness in a family law case without their consent, if the intent is to harm or harass them. This means if your angry ex-spouse posts your private court documents on Facebook to embarrass you, they could face 1 to 4 years in state prison.
Will My Financial Records Be Public?
This is the biggest fear for my high-net-worth clients in Henderson and Summerlin. Generally, yes, financial affidavits and case filings are public records.
However, SB 432 allows us to ask the judge to Seal or Redact specific documents. Just like closing the courtroom, we have to prove that your need for financial privacy outweighs the public’s right to know.
How We Fight For You: We don’t just ask to seal the whole file (judges hate that). We use a scalpel, not a hammer.
- We ask to seal the bank account numbers but leave the balances visible.
- We ask to seal the names of your business clients but leave the business value visible. By being reasonable, we are more likely to get the judge to say “Yes.”
How Does This Affect Child Custody Cases?
Custody cases are the most emotional part of Family Law. SB 432 specifically says the court must consider the “best interest of the child.”
If your case involves:
- Allegations of abuse.
- Psychological evaluations of the child.
- School records.
- Medical issues.
We have a very strong argument to close the courtroom. However, it is not automatic. We must file the paperwork. If you don’t have a lawyer who knows SB 432 inside and out, the judge might leave the doors open, and your child’s private struggles could become public gossip.
Internal Link: Learn more about our Child Custody services
Can I Get Into Trouble for Posting About My Case Online?
Yes. As I mentioned earlier, the new law has teeth. In the age of social media, people love to vent about their exes on Instagram or TikTok. Be very careful.
If you post “Personal Identifying Information” (PII) of your ex-spouse or a witness, and the prosecutor decides you did it to harass them, you are looking at a Felony. PII can include:
- Their home address.
- Their phone number.
- Their social security number.
- Their email address.
This law is designed to stop “doxxing” in bitter divorces. At The Law Offices of Michael I. Gowdey, Ltd., we advise our clients to stay off social media completely during a divorce. It is never worth the risk.
Why Is It Harder to Seal Records Now?
In the past, lawyers would often agree to “Stipulate” to seal records. This means both sides agreed, so the judge just signed it. SB 432 changes this.
The new law says the judge must make written findings explaining why the records are being sealed. Even if you and your ex both want it secret, the judge can say “No” if they don’t see a compelling legal reason.
This means your lawyer needs to be a better writer and a better arguer. We can’t just rely on a handshake deal anymore. We have to prove it to the court with evidence.
Internal Link: Check out our Family Law expertise
What If My Case Started Before October 1, 2025?
This is a common question. “Michael, I filed for divorce in August. Does this law apply to me?”
The law affects any hearing or filing that happens on or after October 1, 2025. If your trial is scheduled for November, the new rules apply, even if you filed your case months ago. If you have a Sealed Record from 2020, this law should not retroactively unseal it, but if you go back to court to modify custody, the new proceedings will be open unless we fight to close them again.
Why Should I Hire a Local Las Vegas Attorney for This?
You might think any lawyer can handle a divorce. But SB 432 is brand new. Most lawyers are still figuring it out. Aline and I have been following this bill since it was introduced in the Nevada Legislature. We know the legislative intent. We know what the lawmakers were thinking.
Why Choose Us?
- 30+ Years Experience: We have seen the laws change before. We know how to adapt.
- We Know the Judges: We know which judges in the Family Division are strict about openness and which ones are protective of privacy.
- We Fight for Privacy: We represent many high-profile clients. We know how to handle the media and keep your name out of the papers.
Internal Link: Contact us for a consultation today
Key Takeaways
- Presumption of Openness: The days of automatic privacy are gone. Expect your hearing to be public unless we act.
- Burden of Proof: It is now your job to prove why the court should be closed.
- Protect the Kids: The law gives us special tools to protect children, but we must use them correctly.
- Watch Your Social Media: Posting your ex’s info can now land you in prison.
- Hire Experience: You need a lawyer who understands SB 432 to navigate this new landscape.
10 Common Questions Asked to Lawyers in Las Vegas About SB 432
- Can I keep my address secret if I am a victim of domestic violence? Yes. SB 432 specifically lists safety as a “compelling interest.” We can also use Nevada’s “Confidential Address Program” (CAP) to keep your location off all public documents.
- Will the press be allowed in my divorce trial? Yes, unless we successfully argue to exclude them. The media has a constitutional right to access court proceedings, but we can argue that their presence would harm your children or violate your trade secrets.
- Does this law apply to unmarried couples with kids? Yes. SB 432 applies to all “Family Law Proceedings” under Title 11 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. This includes paternity cases, custody battles between unmarried parents, and child support hearings.
- What if I am famous? Is that a “compelling interest”? Surprisingly, no. Being famous or embarrassed is not a compelling interest under the law. We have to find another reason—like safety or financial trade secrets—to justify closing the court.
- Can I seal my divorce decree? It is very difficult. The decree is the final judgment of the court. Judges rarely seal the entire decree. However, we can often seal the “exhibits” attached to it, like the list of your assets.
- Can I be charged with a felony for sharing court documents? If the documents were sealed by the court, and you share them publicly to harass someone, yes. You could be charged with Contempt of Court or the new Category D Felony for doxxing.
- How much does it cost to file a motion to seal? It adds to the cost of your divorce because it requires extra legal work. We have to write a specific motion, attend a hearing, and argue the factors of SB 432. But for many clients, the privacy is worth the price.
- Can I appeal if the judge refuses to close the hearing? Yes. If the judge makes a legal error in applying SB 432, we can appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court. But appeals take time, and your trial might happen while we wait.
- Does this affect adoption cases? Adoption cases generally have their own separate privacy laws that keep them confidential. SB 432 is mostly focused on divorce and custody disputes.
- What should I do if I see a camera crew in the courtroom? Don’t panic. Lean over and tell me immediately. We can approach the bench and ask the judge to set “decorum orders” that limit what they can film (for example, no filming of the children).
We Are Here to Protect Your Privacy
The laws are changing, but our commitment to you hasn’t. If you are facing a divorce or custody battle in this new “open court” era, you need a team that knows how to shut the doors when it matters most.
Contact The Law Offices of Michael I. Gowdey, Ltd. today. We have the experience you need and the reputation you can trust.
Visit us at https://gowdeylaw.com/
Sources:
- Nevada Senate Bill 432 (2025 Legislative Session) – Text of Enrolled Bill.
- Falconi v. Eighth Judicial District Court, 140 Nev. Adv. Op. 8 (2024).
- Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Title 11 – Domestic Relations.
- Clark County District Court Family Division Rules.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.