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Category: Children

Discover tips for supporting children during divorce in Nebraska. Navigate custody, co-parenting, and emotional well-being with our blogs.

Children

Discover tips for supporting children during divorce in Nebraska. Navigate custody, co-parenting, and emotional well-being with our blogs.

Tips for Co-Parenting Successfully with a Narcissist

Being married —  then divorced — from a narcissist is bad enough, but when you must co-parent with one, the difficult becomes the almost impossible.  Your co-parent narcissist thrives on dysfunction, which makes for a miserable co-existence.  However, if you are aware of their tactics, you’ll be in a better position to deal with them.  Here are some tips for identifying those tactics and how to cope: Expect spiteful behavior and learn to ignore it.  The narcissist thrives on getting an emotional reaction, and is often able to get one by making nasty comments to prompt your response.  Learn to
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Out-of-State Travel

Can my co-parent book airline tickets and travel out-of-state with our child? Does he/she need my consent first? Is our child allowed to leave Nebraska with either parent? The country? These questions are common for parents transitioning into their new normal of co-parenting. With the holidays right around the corner, you may be wondering what rights you have to take your child out of state. Or, perhaps your co-parent has already booked plane tickets, but you disagree with your small child flying on an airplane. Can anything be done? Parents have the right to spend holiday or vacation time with
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Divorce Tax Tips: 5 Most Common Divorce Tax Questions in Nebraska

Do I have to pay income tax when my ex-spouse and I transfer property or pay a property settlement per the terms of our divorce decree? No.  The transfer of property (or payment of a property settlement payment) pursuant to a divorce decree is not taxable.  However, you’ll want to keep in mind the future tax consequences of a subsequent sale, withdrawal, or transfer of assets that you received in a property settlement. Does the payment or receipt of child support impact my taxes? No.  Child support is not taxed as income to the parent who receives it nor deductible
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Answers to Common Questions Regarding Same-Sex Marriage, Divorce, Custody, and Estate Planning in Nebraska

Koenig|Dunne is proud to have served the LGBTQIA community for many years, including partnerships with the ACLU, the Nebraska ACLU, and Lambda Legal Defense Fund, to protect and preserve the rights of the LGBTQIA community. Last weekend, our team was happy to show our support for the LGBTQIA community here in Omaha at the 2022 Heartland Pride Parade. During our conversations with members of the community during the event, we heard similar questions being asked of our legal team. Below is a summary of the common questions we were asked and our brief answers.  1. What does the Dobbs decision
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Who Are the Experts in Child Custody Litigation?

In child custody cases, certain individuals can be asked to provide an expert opinion to the court regarding parental fitness, custody, financial matters, and the like. An expert is someone who has specialized knowledge in a certain area and is qualified by skill, experience, training, or education to assist the judge in understanding the issues. Experts are typically authorized to review and receive information, records, and reports concerning all parties involved. He or she will prepare a report with recommendations. The expert may have their deposition taken at the request of a parent and may be subpoenaed to testify at
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What Can and Can’t the Judge Do For You?

During a custody case, if you and your spouse are unable to agree on a parenting plan, the judge may have to make decisions regarding the parenting plan for you. If a judge becomes involved in custody decisions, it is important to keep in mind what the judge can and cannot do for you. General standard for custody cases: In general, judges are bound to make custody decisions based on the law and their interpretation of the law. Specifically, in Nebraska, custody decisions are made under the “best interests” standard, meaning judges make decisions based on what they believe will
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Advanced Child Tax Credit Monthly Payments: Important Information for Divorced Co-parents

On July 15th, the American Rescue Plan’s expanded child tax credit program will take effect. Under the expanded program, qualifying families will receive a monthly payment of up to $300 per month for each child under 6 and up to $250 per month for each child 6-17 years old. The expanded program also allows for half of the child tax credit for next year to be paid in advance to whomever claimed the dependent in 2020. For divorced parents, this expanded program raises many concerns, especially for those who alternate the tax years for which they claim their children as
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Non-Traditional Income Sources and Divorce

Generally, tax returns, paystubs, and traditional wages are the easiest way to determine one’s income for purposes of child support and/or alimony. However, not all spouses earn income this traditional way. Non-traditional earnings, including dividends from income investments, passive income, retained earnings in a closely-held corporation (if excessive or inappropriate), Social Security benefits, as well as more-complex income streams may be taken into account when determining child support and/or alimony obligations. If a spouse earns non-traditional income, your divorce attorney may recommend you seek the assistance of an expert to support in determining a complete picture of the income available
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Will Seeing a Therapist Hurt My Chances of Getting Custody?

Undoubtedly, a big life change, such as a divorce can cause emotional distress.  Unfortunately, a stigma regarding mental health support still exists.  Many parents worry that seeking professional help may make them appear unstable or be used against them in a custody proceeding.  However, if you are seeing a therapist, acknowledge yourself for getting the professional help and support you need.  Your well-being is important to your ability to be the best parent you can be. But make sure you do disclose to your attorney if you are seeing a therapist; your mental health records can be subpoenaed by the
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Private Education Expenses

We know there is stress and confusion regarding the start of school this year for families in Nebraska.  What may be adding stress to some divorced parents is the decision to send their children to public school or whether to enroll them in private school depending upon each schools’ coronavirus precaution and procedures. The Nebraska Supreme Court Child Support Guidelines have no specific provisions regarding the expense of private education.  However, both parents can agree in a divorce decree that they want their children to attend private school and agree upon how the education expense will be paid.  Previously, the
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