how to file for divorce in nebraska without a lawyer

by Abigale Howe MD 9 min read

Nebraska law requires that you give or mail your spouse official notice of the divorce through what's known as "service of process." The easiest way to do this is simply to give your spouse a copy of the divorce complaint and other documents, and have your spouse sign a Voluntary Appearance. Then you'll file that form with the court.

Full Answer

How to file for no fault divorce in Nebraska?

  • Through a Voluntary Appearance Form
  • Through a Summons
  • Through publication in newspapers and other public outlets

What are your options before you file for divorce?

You can get an agreed divorce without the help of a lawyer and the requirements are:

  • If either your spouse or you have lived in Tennessee for a minimum period of 6 months or you lived in the state when deciding to file for divorce.
  • Your spouse and you have no minor kids, disabled children or children above 18 still in school.
  • Your wife is currently not pregnant.
  • Both spouses want to end the marriage.

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What do I need to do before filing for divorce?

Uncontested Divorce (Low Cost)

  • You and your spouse must agree on property division, a division of debt and child custody to use this expedited process.
  • There is no need for a trial, but the judge may order you to appear at a hearing.
  • Because you and your spouse are not in conflict, there may be no need for legal representation. ...

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How long after a divorce can you remarry in Nebraska?

How long after a divorce can you remarry in Nebraska? six months and one day According to Nebraska law, you cannot then marry anyone until at least six months and one day from the date the decree is signed by the judge and filed with the Clerk's office. This law applies to Nebraska residents who want to remarry anyone anywhere in the world.

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How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Nebraska?

Even an uncontested divorce with legal representation can cost $1,500 to $2,000. By filing for your own divorce, Pro Se, you will pay the court a filing fee of $158 and if you use a document preparation service such as 3StepDivorce.com TM, add on $299 for a total of $457.

What does it cost to file for divorce in Nebraska?

When you file the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, you will need to pay a fee of $158.00. This is the current fee in Nebraska for filing for divorce. If you are on a low income and are unable to pay this fee, you may obtain permission from the court to have the fee waived.

What is the fastest way to get a divorce in Nebraska?

Uncontested divorce There are no special rules for uncontested divorces in Nebraska but they are generally the quickest. Unlike with a pro se divorce, in an uncontested divorce, the couple may still hire an attorney to assist in drawing up the paperwork and to negotiate any final issues.

How long do you have to be separated to get a divorce in Nebraska?

In Nebraska, a party can file for divorce after living in the state for one year. If a party has not met this requirement, they can file for legal separation and later amend the complaint to request a divorce once they have met the residency requirement.

What is the divorce process in Nebraska?

Facts About Filing for Divorce in Nebraska You start the legal process by filing a Complaint for Dissolution with the clerk of the district court in the county where you or your spouse lives. There is a cost to file a Complaint for Dissolution. Once you file, you will be given a case number for your case.

How long does it take to get served divorce papers in Nebraska?

Nebraska requires a 60-day waiting period (starting when you served your spouse with the divorce papers) before a judge will sign your dissolution decree.

Is online divorce Nebraska legit?

The process at OnlineDivorce.com is 100% secure. We protect your information, and nothing is filed until you submit the divorce papers to the courthouse yourself. Filing for divorce in Nebraska with the Onlinedivorce.com system can be a simple solution to a difficult situation.

Do you have to go to court for a divorce?

In short, no. The court is an integral part of the process but you do not have to attend at court unless you require a judge to adjudicate a dispute between you.

How can I get a quick divorce?

Divorce by mutual consent is considered to be the quickest and the easy way to get a divorce in India, under Section 13 B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The process under mutual consent divorce is considered to be inexpensive and non-tortuous.

What are the grounds for divorce in Nebraska?

An irretrievably broken marriage is the only valid grounds for divorce in Nebraska and it can be asserted by both parties or by one spouse without the denial by the other party.

What is considered legally separated in Nebraska?

Nebraska law requires that at least one party to a divorce has lived in this state for one year immediately prior to the filing of a Petition for Divorce. There is no such requirement for a Legal Separation. A Legal Separation decides custody, support, property/debt division, etc.

What do I need to know about divorce in Nebraska?

Nebraska has a 60 day waiting period for divorces. The 60 day waiting period begins when your spouse was served with notice of the divorce. That means at least 60 days must go by after your spouse was served before your lawyer can set up your final divorce hearing.

How long do you have to live in Nebraska to get divorced?

You or your spouse must be a resident of Nebraska for at least one (1) year before filing your divorce with the court. The one exception is when you were married in Nebraska, have been married less than one (1) year, and have lived in Nebraska the entire time since your marriage.

What counties in Nebraska have divorce clinics?

Divorce Clinic for residents of the following counties: Buffalo, Dawson, Dodge, Gage, Hall, Jefferson, Madison, and Saline Count y. Legal Aid of Nebraska provides a free, virtual divorce clinic on a monthly basis, for persons representing themselves in a divorce. Attorneys provide legal assistance with divorce forms and advice on the divorce process. Must be low-income and pre-qualify for the clinic. For more information and to apply, visit http://www.legalaidofnebraska.org/divorceclinic/ .

What to do if your spouse is not paying child support?

Usually, it is best to try the Voluntary Appearance first. If that does not work, then try the Praecipe for Summons. If that does not work, then try Service by Publication. If you serve your spouse by publication, the court may not be able to award child support.

What to do if your address changes after filing a complaint in Nebraska?

If your address is confidential under Nebraska or Federal law, provide only the county and state and provide an alternative address for mailing of notice.

Where to file a complaint for dissolution?

You start the legal process by filing a Complaint for Dissolution with the clerk of the district court in the county where you or your spouse lives.

How does Nebraska child support work?

In Nebraska, the courts use Child Support Guidelines to determine the amount of child support to order. In order for the court to use the Guidelines, it must have certain financial information about each spo use. The Financial Affidavit for Child Support will provide the court with that financial information.

Who will write up a summons?

The clerk will write up a Summons. Then the clerk will send the Summons, Complaint and money order to the sheriff. The sheriff will try to serve your spouse with the Summons and Complaint. This is an example where each district court may have specific local rules.

How long do you have to be a resident to file for divorce in Nebraska?

To file for a divorce in Nebraska: Either your spouse or you should have been a resident of the state with an intention of making it your permanent home for a minimum of 1 year before filing the divorce complaint. If you do not meet this requirement, then you can file for legal separation and once your residency requirement is met, ...

How much does it cost to get divorced in Nebraska?

Fees: The fees for filing for divorce in Nebraska is around $157. Lawyer Costs: If you plan to employ a divorce attorney, then the cost of the divorce can range from $3,000-$23,000 and the average attorney’s fees are around $8,200. Joint Divorce: Both the spouses can file for a joint divorce, in which case they are known as “Co-Petitioners”.

What is a no fault divorce?

For a “no-fault” divorce, you must state that there is an “irretrievable breakdown” of the marriage between your spouse and you.

How is property division done in Nebraska?

In Nebraska, the property division is a 3- step process: Classification of the property as marital and non-marital. Valuation of the marital assets and liabilities of both spouses. Calculation and division of the marital estate between both spouses in an equitable manner.

Why is marital property divided equitably in Nebraska?

The marital property is divided equitably in Nebraska because it is an “equitable distribution” state. If the parties are not able to agree on the property and debt, the court will decide the same.

How many copies of a marriage license are needed?

Once the forms are filled, you must make 2 copies of the documents. The original will be filed with the county district court where your spouse or you reside. One copy must be given to your spouse, while the other must be kept with you.

How long does it take to get divorced after filing for divorce?

Once you have filed the dissolution, there is a 60-day waiting period, after which the court will grant the divorce.

How long do you have to live in Nebraska to file for divorce?

If you've met jurisdictional requirements by living in Nebraska for at least one year, you may be ready to file for divorce. Make two copies of all documents and hold onto the original. Eventually you will give the original to the court, one copy to the defendant, and keep the last one for yourself. See Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-349 (2019).

What to do if you can't resolve a divorce?

If you can't resolve this, you'll have to go to court, where a judge will decide for you. You can start by completing the Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage with Children, the Confidential Party and Social Security Information Form, and the Vital Statistics Certificate.

What is an affidavit for a spouse?

The affidavit is a statement sworn in front of a notary public that details each spouse's financial picture, including income, expenses, assets, and debts. This helps everyone to understand more about, for example, how much child support should be paid or whether one spouse should receive alimony.

What is legal aid in Nebraska?

Legal Aid of Nebraska is a nonprofit that serves low-income Nebraska residents with legal problems. Their extensive website contains a "Self Help Resources" section for couples trying to complete a divorce without an attorney. You can apply for Legal Aid representation online or by calling 402-348-1069.

When you've prepared and filed your forms, should you immediately serve your spouse with the documents?

When you've prepared and filed your forms, you should immediately serve your spouse with the documents so you spouse is aware of the divorce case and has the opportunity to answer.

Can you use the Nebraska court forms for divorce?

If you are confused by certain legal terms, the Nebraska courts offer an online glossary of legal terms. Keep in mind, you can only use the Nebraska court forms for simple divorces where all the following statements are true:

Does Nebraska have divorce forms?

The Nebraska Supreme Court offers simple divorce forms for couples with and without children. It's important to use the right forms for your case. Be thorough and complete in responding to the questions. If you are confused by certain legal terms, the Nebraska courts offer an online glossary of legal terms.

What are the grounds for dissolution in Nebraska?

Grounds are legally recognized reasons to get a dissolution. This is the justification for severing the marital relationship. Nebraska, like most states, has what are commonly called no-fault grounds for dissolution. Unlike most states, there are no fault-based grounds. To get a dissolution in Nebraska you need to state in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage that “the marriage of the parties is irretrievably broken.”

What is alimony in Nebraska?

Nebraska alimony law provides that alimony may be awarded to one party “to provide for the continued maintenance or support…when the relative economic circumstances…make it appropriate.” Absent an agreement of the parties, the judge will determine the issue of alimony, after considering the same factors listed above for property division.

What happens when you end a marriage in Nebraska?

When you decide to end a marriage in Nebraska, the no-fault is declaring the marriage as irretrievably broken. In filing for divorce, the first thing you need to decide is whether you want to hire and attorney, or file on your own, Pro Se.

What is a pro se divorce?

Doing a Pro Se divorce means you are representing yourself in your divorce case, without hiring a lawyer to file the divorce papers for you. The court procedures that you follow when filing for your own divorce are the same as if you hired a lawyer, only you are the one completing and filing the divorce paperwork with your local courts. 3StepDivorce TM for Montana makes it fast and affordable to complete the required paperwork which is ready for signing and filing.

Can a high net worth marriage cause an uncontested divorce?

In a high net worth marriage, often there may be a complicated marital estate which then decreases the likelihood of an uncontested divorce. In this instance, it may be advisable to contact a lawyer who can advise you of your legal rights.

How to expedite divorce in Nebraska?

The best way to expedite a divorce in Nebraska is for you and your spouse to work cooperatively to resolve all of your issues before your hearing. If you can figure out a division of assets, child custody, child support, alimony, and other key points, this will result in the shortest timeframe to complete your divorce.

How to protect yourself if you are getting divorced in Nebraska?

The best way to protect yourself if you’re getting a divorce in Nebraska is to get educated.

What is the difference between a divorce and an annulment in Nebraska?

The difference between a divorce and an annulment is that a divorce ends a marriage and annulment treats a marriage as if it never existed.

What happened when Nebraska switched to a no fault divorce model?

When Nebraska switched to a no-fault model for divorce, it effectively did away with reasons why a divorce should take place, including adultery. Courts can’t consider bad behavior such as adultery when determining fault.

How long does it take to get divorced after filing paperwork?

A divorce hearing in front of a judge must be scheduled at least 60 days after initial paperwork has been served on your spouse.

How long does it take to get divorced?

If you reach an agreement on all the issues beforehand and file for an uncontested divorce, you can get the courts to approve a final agreement at a final hearing that, by law, must be held at least 60 days after paperwork is served on your spouse. Generally, it will take a bit longer due to court backlogs and the availability of a judge.

What is the first choice you need to make when divorced?

One of the first choices you’ll need to make is deciding what kind of divorce you want to pursue.

How long does it take to get divorce papers in Nebraska?

You can get your completed, ready-to-file documents within two days. Just print them, sign them, and file them with the court, following the comprehensive filing instructions we provide.

How does a judge complete a divorce?

The judge will complete your divorce by reviewing the divorce agreement and signing the Judgement.

How does online divorce preparation work?

The customer just has to complete an online questionnaire at onlinedivorcenebraska.com, and in a couple of days, we will prepare exact documents that are needed for their particular divorce case, filled out in accordance with the information provided.

Can you waive child support in Nebraska?

However, you can choose to waive delaying the divorce by signing paperwork that allows the divorce to proceed uncontested. Child support and spousal support are determined by Nebraska state guidelines , but federal law dictates that these awards may not exceed 60% of a servicemember’s pay and allowances.

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Is Nebraska a 50/50 state?

Nebraska is an equitable distribution state, meaning that marital assets and liabilities are split fairly, but now necessarily 50/50. The courts prefer both parents to remain actively engaged in their children’s lives after divorce, so joint custody is strongly preferred unless there are extenuating circumstances.

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