What Tom Brady & Gisele’s Amicable Divorce Teaches Us About Divorce in Nebraska
Most of the time, celebrity divorces make headlines for all the wrong reasons—fights over money, custody battles, public mudslinging. That’s why it was so refreshing to see how Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen handled their divorce.
No drawn-out court battle. No ugly headlines. They reportedly worked out custody, parenting time, and division of assets through thoughtful negotiation and moved forward with dignity and respect—for themselves and for their children.
And while their situation is certainly different than what most Nebraska families experience (not many of us are dividing multi-million dollar properties), the core lesson applies here too: a well-handled divorce doesn’t have to destroy your family—or your sanity.
In Nebraska, divorce cases—whether they involve children or not—are filed in District Court. The court must ultimately enter a Decree of Dissolution to legally end the marriage.
But here’s what many people don’t realize:
The vast majority of divorces in Nebraska don’t have to end up in a trial. Most cases resolve through:
Negotiation between the parties and their attorneys
Mediation (required in most custody cases under Nebraska law)
Settlement conferences
Collaborative divorce (a structured negotiation process some families choose to pursue)
Agreed-upon Parenting Plans and property division, which are then submitted to the court for approval and entered as binding orders
In fact, Nebraska courts encourage mediation when children are involved. Under Nebraska law (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2938), most custody and Parenting Plan disputes must go through mediation unless waived for good cause (such as domestic violence or other safety concerns).
And there’s a good reason for that. Divorce is stressful enough—especially when children are involved. Keeping conflict as low as possible, and working toward an agreement both parties can live with, helps preserve:
Your emotional well-being
Your children’s sense of stability
Your finances (because fighting in court is expensive)
Of course, this isn’t to say that every divorce can be perfectly amicable. Sometimes, conflict is unavoidable—especially if there are safety concerns, domestic violence, or one party refuses to negotiate in good faith. In those cases, going to court is absolutely appropriate.
But when both spouses are willing to come to the table, thoughtful negotiation and mediation can save everyone a great deal of time, money, and heartache.
The takeaway from the Tom Brady & Gisele divorce isn’t that divorce is easy. It’s that with the right approach—and the right legal guidance—it’s possible to navigate it with clarity, respect, and a focus on what matters most: the well-being of your children and your ability to move forward.
If you’re considering divorce here in Nebraska—or if you’re already in the process—and want guidance on how to approach it thoughtfully, I’d be happy to help.
You can reach me at 402-259-0059 or zach@zandersonlaw.com to schedule a consultation. Divorce is one of the hardest transitions many families face—but how you handle it can make all the difference.