Nebraska Child Support

Nebraska Child Support

How does child support work in Nebraska?

In January 2020, Nebraska child support laws changed, altering the amount of child support non-custodial parents may pay. Regardless of the changes to Nebraska child support laws, it remains a way to keep parents responsible for their children, even when not living in the same household.

Parents in Nebraska are financially responsible for their children. Child support is a payment made each month by the non-custodial parent. The non-custodial parent is the parent that the child, or children, spends fewer overnights or contact time with during the year. The custodial parent is the individual that the child spends more time with throughout the year. It is the custodial parent that the child lives with the majority of time.

Nebraska child support is the parents’ responsibility

When parents get divorced, it is the non-custodial parent that pays child support in Nebraska. Child support helps with the raising of the child throughout the year. It is assumed by the courts in Nebraska that the custodial parent pays a similar amount as the non-custodial parent throughout the year. The parents have an equal obligation to financially support their child and child support payments make this possible.

Although it is the non-custodial parent that pays child support in most cases, there are times in which the custodial parent can make payments to the non-custodial parent. Parents are responsible to pay child support until the child turns 19-years old.

Nebraska child support calculator

Nebraska child support is calculated on the number of children a couple has, the custody arrangement the parents set out, and the incomes of both parents. Parents are allowed to agree upon a child support payment different than what is outlined by the state’s guidelines. A court must approve any agreement made by the parents, however. Courts can also adjust the amount by increasing or decreasing it.

Parents must calculate their combined monthly net incomes to come up with the amount of money paid in child support. To calculate the net income, parents can subtract their state and federal income taxes, mandatory retirement payments, and support already paid for other children from their gross incomes.

After each parent calculates their net income, they can add their incomes together to determine their combined net incomes. Once the combined net incomes are discovered, Nebraska child support officials provide a formula to parents allowing them to know the amount of support they must pay or will receive.

How is child sport calculated in Nebraska?

Child support is calculated in Nebraska pursuant to the Nebraska child support calculation guidelines. The first of those guidelines is income they take in both parties income into account and then they start to add deductions. Those deductions fact factor in withholding for taxes retirement accounts as well as health insurance premiums. The second part is the number of children that you have. Obviously the more children that you have the more you’re going to owe child support. The third factor is your custody arrangement. The custody arrangements are important because that determines whether you need a basic or a joint calculation.

Lowering Nebraska child support

As previously mentioned above, Nebraska passed a law to lower the amount of money paid in child support. The new law may not affect everyone, but if it does, it can seriously decrease the amount of money a person pays in child support each year. Each case is different and some individuals may actually pay more in the end. Non-custodial parents seeking to lower their Nebraska child support payments should contact their attorney to see if they qualify to lower their monthly payments.

Can parents adjust their Nebraska child support payments?

Nebraska courts assume the state’s guidelines set out an appropriate amount of money to be paid in child support. On occasions, the guidelines can outline child support payments that are too much in the eyes of the non-custodial parent or too little in the opinion of the custodial parent. If this occurs, either parent can ask the court to reduce or increase the amount of money paid in child support.  It is wise to find out about loopholes in child support in Nebraska to ensure your ex does not try any dirty tricks during the process.

There are some specific reasons a parent can ask the court to reduce or increase the payments an individual receives in child support. These reasons include:

  • There are extraordinary medical and healthcare costs of the parent(s) or child
  • The child has special needs physically or mentally
  • If the total net income of the parents is more than $15,000 per month
  • If the child has been placed in a foster care home
  • If the amount of money paid or received is unfair and inappropriate

Parents that make more than $20,000 a month in net income per month, the court can make further adjustments on the amount of money paid in support. Circumstances such as a parent losing a job or having a decrease or increase in income can cause the court to modify a child support order in Nebraska.

Child support in Nebraska and custody; parental considerations

What we would say to parents facing a custody case is to think about your children before you start the process and it may surprise you to know this, but your children probably don’t want you to be divorced. And we know that divorce hurts kids. But we also know that the less the parties fight, the less they disagree and the more they’re able to to get along and co parent their children, then the less hurtful that is for the kids.

Child custody and divorce lawyers generally try to see where the parties are in the beginning. If they’re fairly close together, they can help them work through a parenting plan fairly early on. If that’s not possible, they ask the court for a temporary order and that sets the status quo for the rest of the case.

After that, the case can go a couple of different ways. Typically, there will be some kind of mediation process, and if that fails, then parties have to go to trial. Family lawyers and attorneys try to reserve trial is the last possible option because the parties are really leaving it a very important decision up to somebody else.

Best interests test in Nebraska child custody and support

The standard that the Nebraska court uses in determining custody is the best interests of the child. And that’s what it means. That’s what it literally means, is the best interest of the child, not what’s convenient, not what’s best interest of the child.

One of the common questions parents ask is whether the children will come into court to say where they want to live. One of the biggest problems with that is they’re then inserting their child into a very confrontational situation and putting a lot of pressure on them to choose between their parents. And no child should have to choose between their parents. The children should be able to spend time with both parents and not have to make those life decisions on choosing one over the other.

One of the biggest problems is parents in custody cases is not having the ability to kind of step back and take a look at really what is in the best interests of the child. So a lot of parents get caught up in the emotional needs.

A lot of parents ask whether or not their kids should be in counseling during the divorce? It’s not right for everybody, but usually it can be very beneficial for kids who are dealing with some really challenging emotions. Divorce is hard for adults, let alone for the kids who may not understand why things are happening the way they are. And so having a professional who can help your children really understand the change and why it’s happening and help them deal with those emotions can make it a much easier transition for them.

At the end, the Nebraska Family Court will finalize your Child Support Agreement which is part of every Divorce in Nebraska where children are involved.

Child Support Attorneys and Lawyers in your local area of Nebraska

Nebraska Child Support

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Nebraska Child Support Phone Number

The phone number for Nebraska Child Support is: +1 877-631-9973

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Nebraska Dept. of Child Support

In Nebraska, Child Support is managed by Child Support Services which can be found here

Nebraska Child Support Information

Nebraska Child Support Statute Laws

Judges in Nebraska family court make their judgements on child support based Article 2 Child Support Statues for the State.

The full laws can be found here

Editor in Chief - Child Support Hub at Child Support Hub LLC | Website | + posts

Mary Newman is a child support expert and the go-to authority on all matters related to child support on the ChildSupportHub.com website. With over 20 years of experience, Mary has developed a deep understanding of child support laws, regulations, and procedures, making her an invaluable free resource for parents navigating the complexities of child support. Her extensive experience has given her unique insights into the challenges that parents face when dealing with child support issues, and she is passionate about helping parents understand their rights and obligations. Mary is deeply committed to helping parents understand their options when it comes to child support. Mary's goal is to help parents achieve a fair and equitable child support arrangement that benefits both the children and the parents.