Nebraska Law Change Could Impact Divorces

Over 2,000 couples in Nebraska filed for divorce in 2011. A new bill being reviewed by the state legislature could affect future divorce filings. Lawmakers hope to make the process of divorce faster than usual for couples who qualify. The focus of the bill is child custody. In many cases, divorce proceedings are drawn out as parents fight over the parameters of child custody. The new bill, LB884, will automatically grant joint custody to parents that qualify. While this bill has both is supporters and critics, there is one group that is fighting especially hard for it. Divorced dads in Nebraska that are having a hard time seeing their children hope that this bill will allow them to fight for joint custody.

While child custody is always considered with the child's best interests in mind, the courts will automatically grant 50/50 custody under the new bill. There are cases where the courts can reject joint custody such as when abuse can be proven by one parent. Nebraska lawmakers hope to pass this bill to strengthen family ties even when they are dissolved by divorce. If you need assistance with a child custody dispute, get in touch with a family law attorney as soon as possible.