As a Nebraska resident who is no longer involved with your child’s other parent, you need to seek custody if you wish to have legal rights and decision-making authority over your son or daughter. The state considers the following factors when deciding making custody decisions.
- The existing relationships between parent and child. If one of you plays a large role in your child’s life and the other does not, this may factor into custody decisions.
- Your child’s own desires. Often, children have strong feelings about where they want to live. If your son or daughter is old enough to express his or her wishes, these preferences may impact final custody decisions. Even young children may have a chance to voice their preferences, and any sound arguments a child makes may undergo consideration, regardless of the child’s age.
- Whether any history of abuse exists. The state also considers whether there is any history of neglect or domestic or child abuse when making decisions about custody. If there is credible evidence that shows abuse or neglect, this will likely limit that parent’s chances.
While these are some of the primary areas Nebraska considers when awarding child custody, other areas, too, may undergo review.