Divorce and custody cases in Nebraska aren’t just about what happened—they’re about what happens next. Your decree or parenting plan becomes the day-to-day framework for your kids, your finances, and your stability for years. This article breaks down how the Nebraska Parenting Act, parenting plans, mediation, and equitable division of the marital estate work together, and how a future-focused strategy can protect your peace and reduce the odds you end up back in court.

Wondering whether to settle your Nebraska divorce or push for trial? Here’s the truth most people don’t hear early enough: settlement usually gives you more control over your money, your timeline, and (if you have kids) the parenting plan you’ll live with for years. Trial can feel like the only way to be “heard,” but Nebraska courts decide cases based on admissible evidence and the Parenting Act’s best-interests framework, not the full emotional story. And because Nebraska trial judges have broad discretion—especially on custody and parenting time—appeals are an uphill climb. In this post, I’ll walk you through what a divorce trial actually looks like in Nebraska, why most cases settle, when trial is truly necessary, and how to make a smart decision that protects your future and your kids.