Custody
For parents in a paternity action, likely the most important issue you will face is the custody and parenting time arrangement for your children. All parents want to ensure they are making the best decisions for their children and that their children will be okay after their separation. As such, custody disputes can be the most contentious, emotionally exhausting, and complex issue faced by parents in paternity or custody action.
The experienced legal team at Koenig│Dunne will provide clarity regarding the different types of custody awarded in Nebraska and help you understand the factors the court may consider when determining custody disputes. By partnering with our legal team, we will clearly understand your concerns and wishes regarding custody and develop a legal strategy to assist you in obtaining the outcome you believe is in your child’s best interest.
There are two types of custody in Nebraska, legal custody and physical custody.
Legal Custody: Legal custody refers to the decision-making authority for your minor children. Legal custody may be shared by both parents (referred to as joint legal custody), or one parent may have sole legal custody. The primary function of the designation of legal custody is the power to make fundamental decisions for your minor children, including decisions regarding education, non-emergency health care, and religious matters.
Physical Custody: Physical custody refers to the primary home where your minor children will reside. This can be shared between parents (joint physical parent) or one parent may have sole physical custody with the other parent having the rights to specific parenting time.
Additionally, all parents in a divorce or custody action must develop a parenting plan. A parenting plan is a document that details how you and the other parent will parent your child upon divorce or separation. The parenting plan must include the legal and physical custody determinations, a routine parenting schedule, holiday and vacation parenting time designations, as well as a variety of other provisions to support both parents’ relationships with their children.
Contact our office to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced custody lawyers at Koenig│Dunne to protect what matters most.