Divorced parents in Nebraska are required to do what’s best for their children. Therefore, it’s normal to have questions about child custody. Some of these questions include custody definitions, how custody is determined, and unmarried parents’ rights.
What does it mean to have legal and physical custody?
In some cases, one or both parents might be awarded legal and physical custody of the child. Legal custody means the parent has the right to make major decisions affecting the child, including education, medical and health-related issues, and religion. Physical custody refers to the parent with whom the child lives. If parents share this type of custody, the child lives half the time with one parent and the other half of their time with their other parent.
How is custody determined?
The court always determines child custody based on the factors in the family. However, it always considers the child’s best interests when deciding custody. The judge wants to ensure that the arrangement will benefit the child’s physical and emotional well-being.
Sometimes, the parents are able to come to an agreement about custody and come up with a co-parenting plan. If the court agrees, it could make it official when assigning custody.
What are unmarried parents’ custody rights?
In Nebraska, unmarried parents have the same custody rights as married and divorced parents. Both parents have the right to seek custody of their child. Child support and visitation rights may be granted to one parent depending on the circumstances, while the other parent pays child support and have custodial rights.
Unwed fathers must prove paternity by taking a DNA test or stepping up and establishing themselves as the child’s father.
These are some of Nebraska’s most frequently asked questions about child custody. Custody laws aim to do what’s best for the child.
