Not every “high-conflict” custody case is truly mutual. In Nebraska, some cases that look like two parents who just can’t get along are actually driven by coercive control: a pattern of intimidation, manipulation, rule-bending, or using the court process to maintain power. That distinction matters because “neutral” solutions like more shared decision-making or more frequent exchanges can unintentionally increase risk and instability for kids when one parent is using control tactics. This guide explains the difference in plain English, connects it to the Nebraska Parenting Act, and offers practical, court-usable ways to spot patterns and focus on child-centered impacts.

High-conflict divorce can feel like a nonstop emergency, especially when kids are involved and the other parent seems determined to escalate everything, but in Nebraska the court isn’t focused on who “wins”—it’s focused on the best interests of the child, which usually means stability, safety, and a workable plan that protects your child’s day-to-day life; that’s why one of the most effective strategies in a high-conflict case is learning to “control the controllables,” because while you can’t control your ex’s choices or the court calendar, you can control the tone of the record, your compliance, your documentation, and the stability you create in your home, and when you communicate like a judge may read it later you build credibility while reducing the conflict your child is exposed to, with the important caveat that if your situation involves threats, stalking, intimidation, or domestic violence, controlling the controllables may also mean taking safety-focused legal steps, including exploring a Protection Order and safer exchange or communication boundaries.