What the Kim Kardashian & Kanye West Custody Drama Reminds Us About Parenting Agreements in Nebraska
We’ve all seen headlines about the custody disputes between Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. When they divorced, they reached a custody and parenting agreement for their four children. But since then, public reports have shown how that Parenting Plan hasn’t always worked smoothly.
Kanye has publicly criticized aspects of the agreement. There have been disputes over school choices, public appearances, and even who has the kids on certain holidays. Like many high-conflict parenting situations, what was originally written down in the Parenting Plan has clashed with real life—changing schedules, different parenting styles, disagreements over how decisions should be made.
And while the Kardashian-West situation plays out on the world stage, it highlights a reality that many Nebraska parents face too—life changes, and sometimes parenting agreements need to change along with it.
Here’s how this works here in Nebraska—without the spectacle.
When parents divorce or separate in Nebraska, the District Court approves a Parenting Plan as part of the custody order. That Parenting Plan becomes a binding court order and spells out:
Legal custody (who makes major decisions about the child)
Physical custody (where the child lives)
Parenting time (visitation)
How the parents will handle communication, holidays, transportation, and more.
At the time of the original order, the Parenting Plan is supposed to reflect the child’s best interests and the family’s situation at that time.
But here’s the thing—life doesn’t stand still.
People move. Jobs change. Kids grow up and have new needs. Sometimes, conflicts arise that didn’t exist before. And in situations like the one Kim and Kanye are navigating, sometimes co-parenting relationships break down or become more complicated over time.
In Nebraska, if a Parenting Plan no longer works—if it no longer serves the child’s best interests because of a material change in circumstances—you can seek a modification.
To modify a custody or parenting order here, you must:
Show that there has been a material change in circumstances since the last order was entered.
Show that the proposed modification is in the child’s best interests.
This isn’t about minor disagreements or temporary frustrations. Courts look for real, significant changes—things like:
One parent relocating
A change in a parent’s work schedule
A parent’s health issues
A parent’s inability to follow the existing Parenting Plan
A child’s changing needs (especially as they get older)
And in Nebraska, as children mature, the court may also consider a child’s preferences—if the child is old enough and mature enough for their voice to be a helpful part of the decision-making.
Just like in the Kim and Kanye situation, Nebraska parents can run into challenges when the co-parenting dynamic itself breaks down. If one parent starts making unilateral decisions, undermining the other parent, or failing to communicate, that can also rise to the level of a material change.
And it’s important to know: modifications must go through the court. You can’t just decide to ignore the Parenting Plan or make informal changes if there’s conflict. That’s a fast way to end up in deeper legal trouble.
Sometimes, parents are able to work out modifications together—through mediation or negotiation—and submit an agreed modified Parenting Plan to the court for approval. In fact, in some Nebraska courts, mediation may even be required before proceeding to a contested modification hearing.
Other times, when agreement isn’t possible, it requires filing a Motion to Modify and asking the court to step in.
If you’re in a situation where your current Parenting Plan just isn’t workable anymore—whether because life has changed, conflict is escalating, or your child’s needs are evolving—I’m here to help.
These cases are about more than paperwork. They’re about protecting your child’s well-being, clarifying expectations, and making sure that the Parenting Plan reflects today’s reality, not the past.
You can reach me at 402-259-0059 or zach@zandersonlaw.com to schedule a consultation. It’s never too early to get solid legal advice if you think your Parenting Plan might need to change.