What Counts as a Material Change in Circumstances for Child Custody Modification in Nebraska?

Custody and parenting plans are meant to give children stability, but life can change after a divorce, paternity case, or prior custody order. In Nebraska, a parent asking to modify custody generally must prove a material change in circumstances and show that the requested change is in the child’s best interests. This article explains what that standard means, how Nebraska courts look at issues like co-parenting conflict, school attendance, medical care, alcohol concerns, and joint custody problems, and why documented patterns often matter more than isolated disagreements. It also discusses the unpublished Nebraska Court of Appeals memorandum opinion in Dibbern v. Dibbern as a practical example of how a fact-specific modification dispute can be analyzed.

Read More

Is It Okay to Be Excited About Getting Divorced?

Is it normal to feel excited about your divorce? For a lot of people, yes — and quietly worrying that something is wrong with you for feeling lighter is one of the most common (and least talked about) parts of the process. In this post, a Nebraska family lawyer and Parenting Act mediator with thirteen years of practice walks through why relief and grief so often coexist, what Nebraska's no-fault dissolution framework actually requires, how to handle strong feelings during a pending case so they don't accidentally hurt your custody or finances, and what to do if your honest reaction is closer to grief than to celebration.

Read More

How Do You Win a Child Custody Case in Nebraska Without Hurting Your Kids?

Many parents enter a custody case asking how to “win.” But in Nebraska family court, the better question is what kind of parenting arrangement actually protects the child. This article explains what Nebraska judges consider in custody cases, how the best-interests standard works, what parenting plans should include, when mediation matters, and why the strongest custody strategy is usually the one that keeps children out of adult conflict while still taking real safety concerns seriously.

Read More
Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody, Mediation Zach Anderson Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody, Mediation Zach Anderson

Why Does Building a Case Against Your Ex Usually Hurt Your Nebraska Divorce?

Divorce can make it feel necessary to prove, over and over again, that your ex was the problem. But in Nebraska, divorce is generally not about proving fault. This post explains why building an emotional case against your ex can increase conflict, distract from the legal issues that matter, and make the process harder than it needs to be. It also explains when a spouse’s conduct may still matter, especially in cases involving children, safety, finances, or credibility, and how to focus your energy on protecting your future instead of relitigating the past.

Read More
Family Law, Child Custody, Divorce, Mediation Zach Anderson Family Law, Child Custody, Divorce, Mediation Zach Anderson

Can I Use Secret Audio Recordings in My Nebraska Child Custody Case?

Nebraska’s one-party consent rule may allow a person to record a conversation they are part of, but that does not mean the recording is automatically lawful in every situation, admissible in court, or helpful in a custody case. This article explains the difference between Nebraska recording law, evidence rules, and the best-interests analysis used in custody and parenting-time cases

Read More

Why Should You Treat a Nebraska Divorce as Financial Restructuring Instead of a Battle for Vindication?

Divorce in Nebraska is emotional, but the courtroom is not designed to provide vindication. This article explains why it is often smarter to treat divorce as a financial and family restructuring process rather than a battle to “win.” Learn how Nebraska’s no-fault divorce law, equitable property division, custody standards, mediation, and cost-benefit decision-making can help you protect your future without wasting resources on fights that do not move your life forward.

Read More
Family Law, Divorce, Mediation Zach Anderson Family Law, Divorce, Mediation Zach Anderson

What Do 13 Years as a Nebraska Attorney Teach You About Divorce?

After 13 years practicing law, one thing has become clear: most Nebraska divorces are not really about who was more wrong. They are about what happens next. This post breaks down what Nebraska divorce law actually focuses on, including residency, waiting periods, parenting plans, mediation, and the practical steps that help people move forward with more clarity and less chaos.

Read More

Can My Ex Choose Conversion Therapy for Our Child in Nebraska After the 2026 Supreme Court Ruling?

Can your ex choose conversion therapy for your child in Nebraska without your permission? Usually not, if you share joint legal custody and your parenting plan does not give either parent final authority over major health decisions. Written from both legal and lived experience, this post explains what the 2026 Supreme Court ruling did and did not change, how Nebraska parenting plans handle major treatment decisions, and what parents should gather before mediation or court

Read More

Can Social Media Hurt Your Custody Case or Co-Parenting Relationship in Nebraska?

What you post online can affect your custody case more than you think. This Nebraska-focused guide explains how social media may be used in family court, what mistakes to avoid, and how parents can protect both their case and their child.

Read More
Family Law, Divorce & Custody, Mediation Zach Anderson Family Law, Divorce & Custody, Mediation Zach Anderson

In Nebraska divorce and custody cases, is mediation usually better than trial?

In Nebraska divorce, custody, and paternity cases, mediation is often the better first step because it gives families more control over parenting plans, schedules, and practical solutions than a judge can usually provide at trial. This article explains when mediation is usually required under the Nebraska Parenting Act, when trial is still necessary, and how to tell which path makes the most sense for your case.

Read More

Do I have to mediate in a Nebraska custody case, and what is Parenting Act mediation?

If you’re in a Nebraska custody or parenting time case, you’ve probably heard that “mediation is required” and wondered what that actually means. In most modern parenting cases, if you and the other parent don’t submit an agreed parenting plan by the court’s deadline, the judge will typically order mediation or a specialized alternative dispute resolution process. This post explains the Parenting Act rule in plain English, what an approved Parenting Act Mediator does, and what you can expect from the process so you can walk in prepared and make decisions that actually work in real life.If you’re in a Nebraska custody or parenting time case, you’ve probably heard that “mediation is required” and wondered what that actually means. In most modern parenting cases, if you and the other parent don’t submit an agreed parenting plan by the court’s deadline, the judge will typically order mediation or a specialized alternative dispute resolution process. This post explains the Parenting Act rule in plain English, what an approved Parenting Act Mediator does, and what you can expect from the process so you can walk in prepared and make decisions that actually work in real life.

Read More

Want to stay in the loop without checking back every week?

You can subscribe to updates from my blog using RSS. It’s an easy way to get new posts in your favorite app—no social media or email required.

Here’s the link to subscribe:

https://www.zandersonlaw.com/blog?format=rss

You can paste that into a feed reader like Feedly, Inoreader, or even some email clients.

Not sure what RSS is?

It’s kind of like subscribing to a news feed—just for this blog.

You’ll automatically see new articles when they’re posted, without needing to follow or sign up for anything else.

Please note:

The content on this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice.

Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.

For personalized guidance tailored to your specific circumstances,
it's always best to connect with a qualified attorney.