What do Nebraska courts consider when awarding child support?

When parents decide they can no longer be together it can be a traumatic time for both the parents and their children. These are stressful times for everyone, and it can be difficult to navigate the court system. Most parents don’t understand how child custody even works in Nebraska. To begin, the Nebraska courts typically award child custody based on the best interests of the child.

There are several factors that judges routinely consider in a Nebraska child custody case including:

• Each parent’s relationship with the child prior to the divorce.
• Child’s wishes as to whom they want to live with if they are of a sufficient age.
• Child’s physical and emotional health.
• Any history of domestic abuse by either parent
• Each parent’s capacity and ongoing involvement in caring for the child.

Nebraska Parenting Act

As part of any court case involving minor children, including divorce, child custody issues, custody modification, etc., the Nebraska Parenting Act requires parents to:

• Attend a court-approved parenting class.
• Attend mediation to attempt to create a parenting plan.
• Submit parenting plan to court for approval.

A legal professional who is skilled in Nebraska family law can help their client understand their options when it comes to child custody and can guide their client through this sometime complicated process. Child custody can be frustrating, but an attorney can help a parent resolve their parenting rights issues. They can be mediators to help parents come to important decisions regarding their custody and parenting arrangements. They can protect parenting rights and also protect the best interests of the child.