Custody plays an essential role in any divorce case among parents of minors. The goal of the court is that any children will be looked after in a supportive, loving environment. If you live in Nebraska and you and your spouse decide to separate, you need to create a parenting plan. Here, learn about this aspect of family law and what it entails.

What Is a Parenting Plan?

The Nebraska Parenting Act requires separated or divorced spouses to create a document that discusses legal and physical custody, including time-sharing for holidays and weekends. It should also include how the parents intend to make decisions about their kids, what safety measures they will take to protect the minors from harm, and what transportation the parents will use to take the kids to school and other appointments.

These plans should detail who assumes primary responsibility for the children’s health care and school-related appointments, and how the parents intend to communicate with each other and their kids. For these reasons, parenting plans always include current contact information and what mediation the spouses will use in case of future issues or disputes.

How It Works

Divorcing spouses must create a parenting plan and submit it to the Nebraska courts for approval. Family law attorneys and mediators may also submit the documents as the parents’ representatives.

If the documents are not provided by the specified date or the parents cannot agree to terms, the court creates a parenting plan for the spouses.

Nebraska’s family laws also require divorcing spouses to attend parenting classes, which they can do separately, and to file certificates of attendance with the courts. Classes provide parents with advice that helps reduce divorce-related stress in children.

Depending on the nature of divorce proceedings, the Nebraska courts may require ex-spouses to review parenting plans with approved mediators. Any changes to the plan typically require mediators as well. If a parent does not adhere to the plan, the court will issue penalties such as fines and garnished wages. 

If you require the assistance of a family law attorney to manage divorce and child custody proceedings, contact The Law Offices of Bromm, Lindahl, Freeman-Caddy & Lausterer. The Wahoo, NE-based law firm has served the region since 1893, providing civil litigation and corporate law in addition to family law services. Call (402) 443-3225 today to schedule a consultation or visit the attorneys online for more information.