Learn how protection orders work in Nebraska, including domestic abuse, harassment, and sexual assault protection orders. This guide explains how to file, what evidence courts look for, what happens at a hearing, how long an order may last, and how protection orders can affect custody, housing, pets, firearms, and related family law issues.

The most expensive divorce mistakes don't usually happen in a courtroom — they happen in the weeks between deciding to divorce and the day a Nebraska judge signs the decree, when emotion takes the wheel and one quick financial move changes how the marital estate gets divided. After more than thirteen years of practicing Nebraska family law, I walk through how the state's equitable distribution rules and dissipation doctrine actually work, what temporary orders typically address, and the practical, sober steps to take in your first sixty days — all grounded in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-365 and the Nebraska appellate cases that shape these decisions.

When your ex is struggling with mental illness, co-parenting can feel like walking a tightrope between protecting your child and protecting a person you once loved. In this post, I walk through what Nebraska law actually says about custody and mental health, why running straight to court often makes things worse, and how thoughtful, collaborative planning — not courtroom combat — tends to produce the best outcomes for kids and families. Plus a practical FAQ for the questions Nebraska parents are really asking.

In Nebraska, the real cost of a high-conflict divorce is rarely the cost you expect. It is the college fund that quietly disappears into litigation, the co-parenting relationship that never recovers, and the children who grow up remembering the tone of the fight long after they have forgotten the final custody schedule. This guide walks Nebraska parents through what a contested divorce actually costs financially, legally, and emotionally — how the Parenting Act and the best-interests standard shape custody and parenting time, where mediation genuinely helps, and the disciplined early choices that tend to protect both your children and your savings

Legal capacity issues often come up when families are already under stress, and Nebraska law does not always give easy, one-size-fits-all answers. This article explains how capacity works in Nebraska for wills, financial powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney, guardianship, and conservatorship, and why timing matters when planning may be narrowing. It is designed to help readers better understand the legal framework, the risks of waiting too long, and the difference between a medical diagnosis and a legal finding.

Cher’s conservatorship story put a deeply personal legal issue into the national spotlight, but Nebraska families need Nebraska answers. This post explains how adult conservatorships, guardianships, emergency relief, and powers of attorney actually work under Nebraska law, including when a court may step in, what evidence matters, and why planning ahead can sometimes reduce the need for court involvement.

Can you lie to your lawyer and still expect your case to hold together? In this Nebraska-specific article, attorney Zachary W. Anderson explains how attorney-client privilege differs from confidentiality, when consultation communications may be protected, and why false or incomplete information can create real problems once it reaches court filings, affidavits, depositions, or hearings. If you are dealing with divorce, custody, guardianship, conservatorship, or estate-related issues in Nebraska, this post offers a practical, plain-English explanation of what the law protects, where the limits are, and why honesty with your lawyer is usually the safest strategy.

Child custody cases in Nebraska are rarely as simple as people hope. Even though judges all apply the same “best interests of the child” standard, different judges can weigh stability, credibility, conflict, communication, and practical day-to-day parenting realities in very different ways. This article explains how Nebraska custody law actually works, why judicial discretion matters, and what parents should understand about parenting plans, joint custody, school decisions, mediation, and the evidence that often shapes the final result.

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.

If you’re in Nebraska and you’re quietly wondering, “Is my marriage over?” you’re usually not reacting to one bad day. You’re noticing patterns that keep repeating: defensiveness, blame, emotional distance, and a loss of respect that doesn’t bounce back. Nebraska is a no-fault state, and the legal question is whether the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” This guide walks you through common warning signs, safety red flags, and practical next steps, including Nebraska’s minimum 60-day waiting period and what to expect before you file.

Divorce in Nebraska isn’t just a family-law issue. It’s also an estate-planning event, because it can change who inherits from you, who can manage your money if you’re incapacitated, and who is still named on beneficiary forms. Nebraska law helps in some places through its “revocation on divorce” statute, but it doesn’t rebuild your plan or update your accounts for you. That’s how people get surprised—an old will with gaps, a power of attorney that no longer works when you think it does, or a retirement account that still lists an ex. This guide explains what Nebraska law revokes automatically, what you still must update yourself, and why employer retirement plans can be different under federal ERISA rules.

Social media is usually more foe than friend during a Nebraska divorce or custody dispute because posts, photos, comments, and DMs can be screenshotted and used to challenge your credibility, your parenting judgment, and your ability to minimize conflict. Under Nebraska’s Parenting Act, judges decide custody and parenting plans based on the child’s best interests, including safety, emotional growth, stability, and whether each parent can support a healthy relationship with the other parent. That means an impulsive rant, a “private” group post, or a “harmless” story can quickly become evidence that cuts against the exact qualities the court is looking for. If you’re going through a case right now, the safest approach is to treat your social media like a public lobby: keep it calm, keep it boring, don’t post about the case, and don’t hit delete without legal advice.

A hypocritical ex can make you feel like you’re constantly defending reality. But in a Nebraska custody case, the goal isn’t to win a moral argument, it’s to protect your child’s stability and your credibility. Here’s how to stop chasing “gotcha” moments, document what matters, and stay aligned with the best-interests standard.

If you sold a home you owned before marriage and used that money as the down payment on the house you shared with your spouse, you’re probably asking a simple question with a complicated answer: does that contribution stay yours in a Nebraska divorce, or does it get split? Nebraska divides property “equitably,” meaning fairly, and the outcome often turns on two things most people don’t think about until it’s too late: whether you can trace the down payment back to a nonmarital source, and how Nebraska’s source-of-funds rules treat mortgage principal paydown during the marriage. In this post, I break down the framework Nebraska courts use, explain what evidence actually matters, and walk through a recent Court of Appeals decision, Patach v. Patach (2026), to show how an $80,000 premarital down payment was treated and why that classification changed the equalization analysis.

January is often called “Divorce Month,” but deciding to end a marriage is rarely sudden. If you’re thinking about asking for a separation, how you start that conversation matters—emotionally and legally. In Nebraska, the words you use and the timing of that conversation can affect custody, finances, and your legal options, including whether Legal Separation makes sense. This guide explains how to have the conversation clearly and safely, what to avoid, and how Nebraska divorce and separation laws actually work—so you can move forward informed, not overwhelmed.

You may have seen headlines claiming an iPhone note was accepted as a valid will. That story does not translate to Nebraska. Under Nebraska law, digital notes and text messages almost always fail as wills—no matter how clear your intent is. Here’s what really works, what doesn’t, and why relying on your phone can put your estate at risk.

Nebraska shoppers have more protection during Black Friday and Cyber Monday than ever before. In 2025, retailers must follow strict rules on truthful advertising, clear pricing, and upfront return policies—and online sellers now face new obligations under the Nebraska Data Privacy Act. This guide explains what counts as false advertising, how to spot bait-and-switch tactics, what your refund rights actually look like, and how to use your new privacy rights to control targeted ads and data sales. If you’re shopping in-store or online this holiday season, here’s what you need to know to stay safe and avoid deceptive deals.

Thanksgiving is one of the most natural moments to start an estate planning conversation because the people who matter most are finally in the same room. Families are already thinking about connection, care, and the future, which makes it easier to talk about wills, powers of attorney, guardianship for minor children, and what should happen if someone becomes seriously ill. Most Americans still don’t have a basic plan in place, leaving loved ones vulnerable to Nebraska’s default rules and probate delays. A calm, values-focused conversation at Thanksgiving can prevent confusion later and give everyone the clarity they need to support each other. This guide explains why the holiday works so well, how to bring it up without killing the mood, and what documents most Nebraska families should have.

Halloween is supposed to be fun—not a custody fight. Yet many Nebraska parenting plans skip it entirely, leaving parents unsure who gets trick-or-treating time. This post explains how to handle Halloween under Nebraska law, from dividing the evening to settling costume disputes and updating your parenting plan. Learn how to keep the focus on your child’s excitement—not on court orders.