The state of Nebraska is an equitable distribution state, where the court divides all qualifying marital assets in what it deems as a fair manner. Since fair doesn’t necessarily mean equal, there is potentially a lot of uncertainty as to what portion of each marital asset could be subject to division. Fortunately, there are certain steps you can take before your divorce settlement that can increase your odds of receiving the maximum amount of marital property to which you are entitled.
One of the first critical measures you can take to lessen the odds of issues arising is to identify and place a value on all assets owned by both you and your soon-to-be ex. After this is complete, you will need to determine which of the assets classify as separate property and which classify as marital property. You must account for any third-party claims to certain assets from close family members or other individuals.
Sadly, the possibility of hidden assets exists in many of these cases. Examples of items that spouses have purposely omitted from their divorce proceedings include offshore bank accounts, stock options, jewelry, artwork, vehicles purchased with minimal to no paper trail and some forms of real estate. Thankfully, there are professional resources readily available to you that can help minimize the chance of any qualifying items going unaccounted for.
There are several other aspects of your high-asset divorce where doing your due diligence can be in your future best interests, including the following:
With so much at stake financially and so many complex issues throughout the divorce process, you may be feeling a bit stressed during this challenging time. Fortunately, by taking a proactive approach and utilizing the guidance and support of an experienced family law attorney, you can significantly increase the odds of receiving the best divorce settlement possible and moving on to a brighter future.
]]>With a birdnesting custody arrangement, the kids will remain in one home. Each parent will take turns rotating in and out of the home when it is his or her designated custody time. Those who choose this option find that this is a beneficial way to provide children with continuity of lifestyle and stability. It is important to understand all the custody options that are available to you.
For many Nebraska families, birdnesting makes sense. This can keep the kids in their home, which may allow them to feel a sense of security during a time of upheaval. It also allows the kids to maintain one set of belongings, have one place to sleep and one home they call their own. This specific type of custody arrangement is growing in popularity, but it is not the right choice for everyone. Whether this option could work for your family depends on factors that are unique to your individual situation.
While kids may benefit from this custody structure, parents may find it difficult. This option requires the finances to maintain the home for the kids, and a separate residence for each parent. Some families find that birdnesting is a great solution short-term, providing their kids with stability as each parent navigates divorce and settles into his or her post-divorce life. It is important to consider the potential benefits and implications before making such an important choice.
The intention of any custody arrangement is to protect the best interests of the children above all else. If you are considering birdnesting, you may find it important to seek the guidance of an experienced family law professional who can provide you with insight regarding all the custody options available to you. The ultimate goal of any custody decision is to protect the best interests of the children above all else.
]]>Child support is an important matter to address, as is child custody. For many Nebraska families, joint custody makes the most sense and allows both parents to have relatively equitable access to their kids. However, even though both parents are sharing time with the kids, one parent may still have to pay child support. Knowing how this will work in your particular situation can help you avoid problems and disputes during your divorce.
Child support in a joint custody arrangement should be fair for each parent while prioritizing the needs of the children first. After taking all pertinent factors into consideration, the court will make a decision regarding child support. In many cases, the lesser-earning parent will receive support, but there are situations in which both parents will chip in for the needs of the children.
You also have the right to negotiate a child support agreement with the other parent that will provide your children with stability and security for years to come. However, it is important to remember that all negotiated agreements are subject to the approval of the court. Whether you will be negotiating these terms yourself or will be going to court over the matter of child support, you have the right to pursue an outcome that protects your parental rights while shielding the interests of your child.
]]>Legal custody is the right of a parent to make important decisions for the child, such as those pertaining to religious upbringing, medical care and more. Even if you think that the other parent should remain in the life of your child, that does not necessarily mean he or she should have the ability to make important decisions without your input or final say. It may be helpful to learn more about when a court may grant sole legal custody.
If you have legal custody of your child, you will be able to make decisions without seeking the input of another person. However, a court will not necessarily grant sole legal custody just because you and the other parent do not get along or you don’t want to work together. In order to secure it, there must be evidence that the parent is unable to effectively make decisions for the child on his or her own.
Sole legal custody is typically only effective in situations in which the other parent is absent from the child’s life or is unable to make decisions. It may also be beneficial in situations in which the parents live a long distance apart, or it is impractical or impossible for the two of them to confer on important decisions for the child.
Regardless of why a parent wants sole custody, a Nebraska family court will prioritize the best interests of the child above all else. If you believe that seeking sole legal custody will help your child’s quality of life and continuity of lifestyle after your divorce, you will benefit from learning how you can build a strong case to bring before the judge. Due to the sensitive and potentially complex nature of custody cases, you may find it helpful to seek legal guidance before you proceed.
]]>Child custody hearings are often emotionally driven and complex endeavors, and you will benefit from preparing well for what is ahead. This can help you make practical decisions that will be truly beneficial for your children long-term. It is particularly important to prepare for what is ahead if you are facing the prospect of a contentious custody hearing and courtroom battle with the other parent.
It is critical to prepare well for a child custody hearing. Not only will this put you in a better position from which you can secure a successful outcome, but it will also help you remain calm and practical while in the midst of a very emotional event. Each case is different, but you may find it helpful to start with determining whether you want to seek sole custody. If so, you will then need to understand the better-parent standard and gather evidence and documentation to support your case.
When it is time to appear in court, it will be essential to dress appropriately and to know proper courtroom etiquette. A good appearance will be helpful to your case. Knowing what to expect during the actual hearing allows you to prepare what you will say and how you will present your documentation and evidence.
The future after a divorce may seem uncertain for many Nebraska dads, but you will want to fight for terms that allow you to provide stability and security for the youngest members of your family. If a court hearing is necessary to do this, it is beneficial to have experienced guidance as you prepare your case, understand your parental rights and navigate the legal process. The standard for any custody and visitation decisions is to protect the best interests of the kids above all else.
]]>Divorce can be especially difficult for teenagers, yet they may insist that they are okay and don’t need additional support. As the parent, you will benefit from making the critical effort of supporting them, helping them as their life changes, and providing what they need for as much stability and security as possible. Even though they are older, they can still have a difficult time with their parents’ divorce.
Each teenager will deal with his or her parents’ divorce in different ways. Even if you don’t think your teen son or daughter is struggling with your divorce, chances are that he or she is having a difficult time. Knowing this, you can be intentional about providing emotional support and protecting his or her well-being as much as possible. Some of the specific ways you can do this include:
If your teen shows signs of depression or anxiety, do not hesitate to seek professional mental health treatment for him or her.
The goal for Nebraska parents during a divorce is to provide their children with as much stability and continuity as possible. As you consider the terms of your custody and visitation order, you will benefit from considering the potential impact of your decisions on your children. This is a step toward protecting your children’s mental and emotional health during this time.
]]>If you and the other parent decide to take separate paths in life, the path to seeking a parenting plan that aligns with your child’s needs can seem daunting. Knowing some types of actions to avoid is just one example of a factor that could prove imperative to preparing to safeguard your child’s well-being through every stage of this process.
Going through a divorce can be exceedingly stressful, and when emotions run high, it might not always be easy to think clearly. Some examples of actions to avoid when facing a similar life change could include:
It may also be helpful to avoid using the kids to send messages to the other parent, as this could prove harmful to their well-being. Cultivating effective lines of communication may also be an integral aspect of coparenting.
Child custody can be one of the most intimidating aspects of going through the end of a marriage. Since knowing some actions to avoid may be just one vital aspect to address, it could be helpful to seek advice in preparing to navigate every aspect of this process. Such a decision could help place you in a better position to evaluate your situation and options and prepare to seek a child custody agreement that focuses on meeting the needs and interests of your child.
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