Divorce Law in Nebraska
How to Find a Nebraska Divorce Attorney
How many divorces do you think are finalized each year in Nebraska? In 2010, 6,603 divorce decrees were issued. When you’re going through something very difficult, it can be helpful to know that you’re not the only one going through a hard time.
Famous Nebraskans Marlon Brando, Henry Fonda, Marg Helgenberger, Nick Nolte, and Johnny Carson have all been through divorce.
Don’t reinvent the wheel, just realign it.
Anthony J. D’Angelo
The bottom line is that everyone knows someone who’s gone through divorce and you can learn from his or her experiences. Imitate what went well and reject what didn’t.
If you are looking for a divorce attorney or thinking that divorce may be appropriate for you, read on. This article (which is based upon Nebraska divorce law) is for you.
This article explains:
- Nebraska specific divorce law requirements;
- What you need to know about divorce; and
- Whether it’s in your best interest to hire a Nebraska divorce lawyer and, if so, how to find one and how to prepare to work with him or her.
Nebraska Divorce Law Specifics
- If your marriage was performed in Nebraska and either you or your spouse has lived in the state continuously since the marriage, the divorce may be filed in Nebraska.
Otherwise, either you or your spouse must have been domiciled in Nebraska for at least one year prior to the filing.
- The divorce petition must include either “no-fault” or “fault” grounds for divorce.
- The divorce papers are filed in the county District Court.
- If you filed the initial divorce papers, you are the “petitioner”; if your spouse filed the papers, you are the “respondent”.
- In Nebraska, property distribution will be based upon what’s “equitable” (i.e. fair) and child support will be based upon the Income Shares Model.
- Alimony may be awarded, depending on the circumstances of your family.
What You Need to Know About Divorce
In this section, we’ll highlight those mindsets you can create within yourself to ease the animosity of divorce, get you what you want and need, and keep your legal bills to a minimum. This is what has worked for those who have gone through divorce before you.
You can be in control of your actions and reactions.
- The emotional impact of divorce is best addressed by a therapist, and not by your divorce lawyer and not by your children.
- Be prepared to compromise and cooperate. By saying “yes” early and often, you’ll get more of what you want and need.
- Practice effective communication. Say what you really mean to say, but only say what you need to say to get what you want.
- Hire a divorce attorney who will help you to do these things, not someone who will stir the pot and further alienate your spouse.
Is it in Your Best Interests to Work with a Nebraska Divorce Lawyer?
Technically, you are able to represent yourself through a Nebraska divorce; in practicality, it’s a very bad idea.
Even attorneys, who go through divorce, hire divorce lawyers. One mistake may cost you tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars and time with your children.
If you give up any marital rights during divorce, you may be forever barred from asserting them in Nebraska courts.
How to Find and Select a Nebraska Divorce Attorney
The fastest and easiest way to get a list of attorneys is to do an Internet search for “How to Find a Nebraska Divorce Attorney”. You can also ask friends or the bar association for referrals.
Then, to make your selection, chat with a few attorneys and ask questions.
- Focus on attorneys who focus their practice on divorce law/family law and have experience.
- Scout for an attorney who encourages cooperation, but will be assertive when necessary.
- Look for someone with whom you feel comfortable and will do everything he or she can to lower your stress level and keep your legal fees to a minimum.
How to Prepare to Work with Your Divorce Attorney
If you’re like most people going through divorce, you don’t realize how much you control.
This is what you can do to stay in control:
- Make sure all reconciliation attempts have been exhausted.
- Consult with a therapist or psychologist to deal with the emotional aspects of divorce.
- Either communicate directly with your spouse or have your attorney handle communications; don’t use your children to deliver messages.
- Gather financial papers, documenting assets, income, debts, and expenses.
- List everything you would like in the divorce, while knowing compromise is required.
- List questions and concerns to address with your lawyer during your next conversation.
- Always be thinking, “communication, collaboration, compromise”, even if you need to do these 3 things through you’re attorney. That’s okay.
Use others’ divorce experiences as a model to be adopted or ignored. There is no need to reinvent the wheel or to make the same mistakes others have made. Experience is valuable.
If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we’d all be millionaires.
~Abigail Van Buren
