KRISTEN ORTEGA KRISTEN MEDINA v. AARON ORTEGA (2026)

ORDER DISMISSING APPEAL

This is an appeal of a district court order in a child custody matter. Eighth Judicial District Court, Family Division, Clark County; Nadin Cutter, Judge.

Our review of the documents before this court reveals a jurisdictional defect. This court has jurisdiction to consider an appeal only when the appeal is authorized by statute or court rule. See Brown v. MHC Stagecoach, LLC, 129 Nev. 343, 345, 301 P.3d 850, 851 (2013). Although a court rule authorizes an appeal to be taken from a special order after final judgment, see NRAP 3A(b)(8), to be appealable as a special post-judgment order, the order must affect the rights of a party growing out of the final judgment. Gumm v. Mainor, 118 Nev. 912, 920, 59 P.3d 1220, 1225 (2002) (defining a special order after final judgment). Further, NRAP 3A(b)(7) allows an appeal from an order that finally establishes or alters child custody.

The January 21, 2026, order challenged in this appeal does not appear to have altered the rights of the parties but, instead, enforced a previous custody order. To the extent the order created new obligations regarding pick up and drop off of a child at school, that order was effective January 21, 2026, through January 28, 2026. That time has passed and this court cannot provide relief. Accordingly, this court lacks jurisdiction and

ORDERS this appeal DISMISSED.¹

Stiglich, J.

Cadish, J.

Lee, J.

FOOTNOTES

1.   The motion for extension of time to file docketing statement is granted. The docketing statement was filed on April 3, 2026. The motion for waiver of costs associated with preparation and delivery of transcripts and motion to extend time to file opening brief are denied as moot.