Nevada Court Case Lookup: Find Your Lawsuit in 3 Steps

If you're being sued in Nevada, you need your case number. Not tomorrow. Today.

You have 20 days from service to file an Answer. Miss that deadline and the court grants a default judgment against you. The creditor wins without you ever getting a hearing. They can garnish your wages, freeze your bank account, or slap a lien on your property.

Finding your Nevada court records is straightforward. Most counties let you search online. Some require a trip to the courthouse. Either way, once you have your case details, you can build a defense.

Where Nevada Debt Lawsuits Get Filed

Nevada has 40 Justice Courts spread across its counties and townships. These courts handle civil cases up to $15,000. Most debt collection lawsuits land here because credit card balances, medical bills, and personal loans rarely exceed that amount.

If the creditor claims you owe more than $15,000, they file in District Court. District Courts have general jurisdiction and no upper limit on claim amounts. They also hear appeals from Justice Court decisions.

Justice Courts use a small claims division for disputes under $10,000. The process moves faster and you don't need an attorney. But the same 20-day response rule applies.

Your lawsuit paperwork will list the court name and location. Look at the top of the summons. It should say something like "Eighth Judicial District Court" or "Las Vegas Justice Court." That tells you where to search.

Step 1: Find Your Case Number

Nevada courts assign a case number to every lawsuit. It looks like this: 22C000001. The first two digits are the year filed. The letter indicates the case type (C for civil). The final digits are the sequential number for that year.

Your summons includes this case number. If you lost the paperwork, you can still search by your name. But having the case number makes everything faster.

You need this number to:

• Pull documents from the court file
• Check filing deadlines
• See if the creditor filed a motion for default judgment
• Verify the plaintiff's attorney contact information

Once you have it, write it down. You'll use it repeatedly.

Step 2: Search Nevada Court Records Online

Most Nevada counties offer online case searches. Clark County (Las Vegas), Washoe County (Reno), and Carson City maintain public portals. Smaller counties may only have in-person access.

Clark County: Use the Clark County Courts website. Click "Case Information" and choose "Justice Court" or "District Court." You can search by name, case number, or attorney. The system shows case status, hearing dates, and filed documents.

Washoe County: Visit Washoe County Courts. Their e-filing portal includes a public search function. Results display upcoming hearings and document filing dates.

Other Counties: Check your county's official website. Look for "Court Records" or "Case Search" under the Justice Court section. Some counties use third-party vendors like Tyler Technologies or Odyssey File & Serve.

Public access systems show basic information but may not display every document. Sensitive filings like social security numbers and account details get redacted. You may need to visit the courthouse to review the full file.

Step 3: Visit the Courthouse if Needed

If your county doesn't offer online access, go to the courthouse. Bring photo ID and your case number if you have it.

The clerk's office maintains all case files. Ask to review the file for your case. Most courts let you take notes or request copies for a per-page fee (usually 25 to 50 cents).

You're looking for:

• The original complaint (what the creditor claims you owe)
• Proof of service (evidence you received the lawsuit)
• Any motions or responses already filed
• Upcoming hearing dates

If the creditor filed a motion for default judgment, you'll see it in the file. That means they're asking the judge to rule in their favor because you didn't respond. You can still file a motion to set aside the default if you act quickly.

Court clerks cannot give legal advice. They can explain procedures and point you to forms, but they won't tell you what to write in your Answer.

What to Do After You Find Your Case

You found your case. Good. Now you have work to do.

Check the response deadline. Count 20 calendar days from the date you were served. That's your deadline to file an Answer. Nevada courts don't extend this automatically. If day 20 falls on a weekend or holiday, you get until the next business day.

Read the complaint carefully. Does the amount match what you think you owe? Is the creditor's name correct? Do they claim you signed a contract you don't recognize? Debt buyers often get details wrong. If they can't prove you owe the debt, you have a defense.

Draft your Answer. An Answer is your formal written response to the lawsuit. You must admit or deny each allegation in the complaint. You can also raise affirmative defenses like statute of limitations, lack of standing, or improper service.

Nevada courts require specific formatting. Your Answer needs a caption matching the lawsuit, numbered paragraphs responding to each claim, and your signature. File the original with the court and serve a copy on the plaintiff's attorney.

If this sounds overwhelming, you're not alone. Most people sued for debt have never drafted a legal document. That's why tools like our bankruptcy screener exist—to help you figure out if fighting the lawsuit makes sense or if bankruptcy might stop the collections entirely.

When Bankruptcy Might Be the Better Move

You don't have to fight every lawsuit. Sometimes filing for bankruptcy stops the case and wipes out the debt.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharges most unsecured debts. That includes credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans. Once you file, the automatic stay kicks in. Creditors must stop all collection activity, including lawsuits.

If the creditor already got a judgment, bankruptcy can still help. It wipes out the underlying debt. The judgment becomes unenforceable. Wage garnishments stop. Bank levies get released.

Chapter 7 works if you pass the means test. Nevada's median income for a single person is $45,310 (2024 figures). If you earn less than that, you qualify. If you earn more, you may still qualify based on your expenses.

Bankruptcy doesn't cover everything. Student loans, recent taxes, child support, and criminal fines survive bankruptcy. But for most consumer debt, it's a clean slate.

Our bankruptcy filing guide walks you through the process. You'll learn what forms to file, how to protect your property, and what to expect at your 341 meeting.

Common Mistakes People Make

Don't ignore the lawsuit. Hoping it goes away guarantees you lose. Default judgments are real and they have consequences. Your paycheck gets garnished. Your bank account gets frozen. You lose control of the outcome.

Don't assume the creditor is right. Debt collectors make mistakes. They sue the wrong person. They inflate the amount. They claim they own a debt they can't prove. Make them prove it.

Don't skip the Answer deadline because you're planning to settle. Even if you're negotiating, file your Answer. You can always dismiss the case later if you reach a settlement. But if you miss the deadline, you lose all leverage.

Don't pay the debt collector without verifying they own the debt. Debt buyers trade accounts constantly. The company suing you may not have proper documentation. Before you pay a cent, demand proof: the original contract, a complete payment history, and an assignment chain showing they have the right to collect.

Your Rights Under Nevada Law

Nevada's statute of limitations for written contracts is six years. For oral contracts, it's four years. If the debt is older than that, the creditor can't win a lawsuit. Raise this as an affirmative defense in your Answer.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) applies to third-party collectors. They cannot lie about the amount you owe, threaten you with jail, or call you before 8 a.m. Or after 9 p.m. If they violated the FDCPA, you can countersue for up to $1,000 plus attorney fees.

Nevada limits wage garnishment to 25% of your disposable earnings or the amount by which your weekly earnings exceed 50 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less. Certain income is fully exempt: Social Security, disability, unemployment, workers' compensation, and child support.

You can claim Nevada's homestead exemption to protect up to $605,000 in home equity (2024 figure). Other exemptions cover vehicles up to $15,000, household goods up to $12,000, and tools of your trade up to $10,000.

What Happens If You Win

If you file an Answer and raise valid defenses, the creditor has two choices: prove their case or dismiss the lawsuit.

Many debt buyers can't prove their case. They don't have the original contract. They can't produce a complete account statement. They can't establish the chain of assignment. When you force them to show evidence, they often drop the suit.

If they proceed, you'll attend a hearing. Justice Court hearings are informal. You present your evidence, they present theirs, and the judge decides. If the judge rules in your favor, the case gets dismissed. The creditor cannot garnish your wages or freeze your account.

If the judge rules against you, you have 30 days to appeal to District Court. You'll need to post a bond, but the case gets a fresh hearing.

Next Steps

You've found your case. You know your deadline. Now decide: fight the lawsuit or explore bankruptcy.

If the debt is small, the collector shaky, or you have a solid defense, file your Answer. Make them prove it.

If you're drowning in multiple debts, garnishments are about to start, or you can't afford to keep fighting, bankruptcy might be the smarter play. Chapter 7 takes about four months and costs around $1,500 in court fees and attorney costs. Chapter 13 takes longer but lets you keep more assets.

Use our bankruptcy screener to see which option fits your situation. Answer a few questions and get a clear recommendation.

Either way, you're not helpless. You have options. Pick one and move.