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.

Divorce is hard enough on adults. For kids, it can feel confusing, scary, and deeply personal, even when parents are doing their best. One of the most common questions I hear from parents in Lincoln and Lancaster County is, “What do I say to my child without making this worse?” In Nebraska, how you talk to your kids during a separation matters more than most parents realize. Courts focus on the “best interests of the child,” which includes emotional stability, safety, and whether parents are keeping children out of adult conflict. The right conversations can help your child feel secure and can also protect you legally if custody or parenting time becomes contested.