Nebraska Divorce With Children (Uncontested)

What "uncontested with children" actually means

An uncontested Nebraska divorce with children means you and your spouse agree on legal and physical custody, agree on a parenting-time schedule, agree on child support consistent with the Nebraska Child Support Guidelines, agree on property and debt division, and neither spouse is contesting the divorce itself.

If any of those are still being negotiated, your case is technically contested until they are resolved. That is not necessarily bad — you can still settle everything between yourselves and then file uncontested once you have reached agreement.

The forms Nebraska requires

For an uncontested divorce with no custody, visitation, or property disputes, Nebraska uses the DC 6:5 packet. The core forms are the Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage with Children (DC 6:5.1), the Confidential Employment and Health Insurance Information form (DC 6:5.11), and the Social Security, Gender, and Birth Date form (DC 6:5.12).

You will also need a Voluntary Appearance (DC 6:4.3) if your spouse will sign, or a Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4) if you need formal service; the Certificate of Completion of Parenting Education Course (DC 6:5.5); the Financial Affidavit for Child Support (DC 6:5.2); the Notice of Hearing (DC 6:4.5); the Decree of Dissolution of Marriage – With Children (DC 6:5.3); a Parenting Plan (DC 6:5.37, DC 6:5.38, or DC 6:5.39 depending on the custody arrangement); and a Vital Statistics Certificate.

That is eleven forms at minimum. The Nebraska Judicial Branch offers blank PDFs and instructions, but completing them correctly is where most DIY filers get tripped up. DivorceQuik's $1,500 flat-fee with-children packet generates all of these from a roughly 30-minute questionnaire, with your information already filled in.

Step 1 — Confirm Nebraska residency

Either you or your spouse must have lived in Nebraska for at least one year before filing (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-349). You will file in the district court of the county where one of you lives.

Step 2 — Agree on a Parenting Plan

Nebraska requires a written parenting plan for any divorce involving minor children. Three court-approved versions exist depending on your arrangement: DC 6:5.37 for joint legal and joint physical custody, DC 6:5.38 for joint legal and sole physical custody, and DC 6:5.39 for sole legal and sole physical custody.

The parenting plan must cover legal custody (who makes major decisions), physical custody and the parenting-time schedule, holiday and summer schedules, communication between parents, dispute resolution, and each parent's address and contact information.

Step 3 — Calculate child support

Nebraska child support is calculated using a shared-income model under the Nebraska Child Support Guidelines. The basic inputs are both parents' monthly gross income, the number of children, the custody arrangement (joint physical changes the calculation), and health insurance and childcare costs.

Use the free Nebraska child support calculator for a quick estimate, then document the final number on the Financial Affidavit for Child Support (DC 6:5.2).

Step 4 — Follow the parenting-education order

In a Parenting Act case, Nebraska law generally requires the court to order the parties to attend an approved basic parenting-education course. The court may delay or waive participation for good cause. Follow your court's order and instructions about attendance certificates and timing.

Step 5 — File the Complaint with the district court

File the Complaint with the clerk of the district court and pay the filing fee. If you cannot afford the fee, file a Poverty Affidavit / In Forma Pauperis (forms DC 6:7 through DC 6:7.2a) for a financial-hardship waiver.

Step 6 — Serve your spouse

There are two paths. The fastest is a Voluntary Appearance: your spouse signs form DC 6:4.3 and you file it with the court, with no sheriff needed. Otherwise, use a sheriff or private process server, which costs $30–$100 and adds one to three weeks.

Step 7 — Wait 60 days

Nebraska's 60-day minimum begins the next day after personal service is perfected, or the next day after a Voluntary Appearance is filed. Use this time to follow any parenting-education order, sign and notarize the Property Settlement Agreement, prepare the Decree of Dissolution with Children, and file any remaining required documents.

Step 8 — Final hearing and decree

After the 60-day period is complete, use the current Judicial Branch and local court instructions for any Notice of Hearing (DC 6:4.5) or final-review procedure. The court cannot hear the case or enter a decree before then, and it may require additional time or documents.

How much does an uncontested Nebraska divorce with children cost?

A typical uncontested with-children case includes the district court filing fee, sheriff service if needed ($30–$50), the parenting class for each parent ($40–$80), and notary fees ($5–$25).

Add the DivorceQuik with-children packet at $1,500 flat, and the realistic total out the door is roughly $1,800–$2,000. By comparison, an attorney-assisted uncontested divorce in Omaha or Lincoln typically runs $2,500–$5,000 or more in attorney fees alone.

Disclaimer

DivorceQuik is a document-preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. The information above is for general educational purposes only. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Nebraska attorney.