SIMPLIFYING YOUR DIVORCE
Nebraska Divorce Papers
Going through a divorce in Nebraska is hard enough without getting lost in a stack of court forms. The good news: Nebraska is one of the friendlier states for self-represented spouses, because the Nebraska Supreme Court publishes a set of standardized, statewide DC-series forms that are accepted in every county. This guide walks you through which forms do what, where to find them, and how the process generally unfolds, all in plain language.
Think of this as a map, not marching orders. We'll describe what each form is used for and what Nebraska's rules say, so you can feel oriented instead of overwhelmed. Every divorce is different, and the right paperwork depends on the details of your situation, especially if you have children, real estate, retirement accounts, or any disagreements.
This page is informational only and is not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney. With that said, let's break down what a Nebraska divorce typically looks like.
Which Nebraska Divorce Forms Will You Need?
Nebraska calls a divorce a "dissolution of marriage." The forms you'll encounter are part of the state's numbered DC-series, created by the Nebraska Supreme Court's Committee on Self-Represented Litigation and accepted statewide. The exact set you need depends mostly on one question: are there minor children involved? Below, we've grouped the most common forms by the job they do. Remember, these descriptions explain what each form is used for, not what you personally should file.
Starting the Case
Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage – No Children (DC 6:4.1)
Initiates a divorce when there are no minor children.
Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage – With Children (DC 6:5.1)
Initiates a divorce when minor children are involved.
Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4)
Requests the court clerk to issue a summons so the other spouse can be served.
Affidavit and Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees (In Forma Pauperis) (DC 6:7.1)
An application to waive filing fees based on financial hardship (sometimes called proceeding "in forma pauperis").
Responding to the Case
Voluntary Appearance (DC 6:4.3)
Filed by the responding spouse to waive formal service and appear in the case voluntarily.
Answer and Counterclaim for Dissolution of Marriage – No Children (DC 9:1)
The responding spouse's formal response and counterclaim in a case without minor children.
Answer and Counterclaim for Dissolution of Marriage – With Children (DC 10:1)
The responding spouse's formal response and counterclaim in a case involving minor children.
Financial & Disclosure Forms
Financial Affidavit for Child Support (DC 6:5.2)
Discloses income and expense information used to calculate child support.
Confidential Employment and Health Insurance Information (DC 6:5.11)
A required confidential disclosure of employment and health insurance details in child-related cases.
Social Security, Gender, Birth Date(s) (DC 6:5.12)
A confidential form capturing identifying information required in dissolution cases.
A quick note on child support: Nebraska calculates it using the Nebraska Child Support Guidelines and a worksheet/calculator. There is no single separately numbered child support form beyond the Financial Affidavit (DC 6:5.2) and the calculation embedded in the final decree.
Forms for Divorces With Children
If your case involves minor children, Nebraska adds a few important pieces, including a parenting plan and proof you've completed a parenting class (more on that requirement below).
Certificate of Completion of Parenting Education Course (DC 6:5.5)
Certifies that a party completed the mandatory parenting education class under the Nebraska Parenting Act; this certificate is required in cases involving children.
Parenting Plan Parent-Created – Joint Legal and Joint Physical Custody (DC 6:5.37)
A written parenting plan for joint legal and joint physical custody arrangements.
Parenting Plan Parent-Created – Joint Legal and Sole Physical Custody (DC 6:5.38)
A written parenting plan for joint legal and sole physical custody arrangements.
Parenting Plan Parent-Created – Sole Legal and Sole Physical Custody (DC 6:5.39)
A written parenting plan for sole legal and sole physical custody arrangements.
Parenting Plan, Absent Parent – Plaintiff's Use (DC 6:5.14)
A court-use parenting plan form for situations where the other parent is absent or not participating.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
Nebraska does not use a single, separately numbered "settlement agreement" form for self-represented filers. Instead, the terms a couple agrees on, such as how property and debts are divided and, where applicable, custody and support, are reflected in the parenting plan (for cases with children) and ultimately written into the decree itself. The court's simplified self-help packets are designed for uncontested cases only and are explicitly not appropriate when real estate, retirement accounts, pensions, alimony, or any contested issues are involved.
Finalizing Your Case
Notice of Hearing (DC 6:4.5)
Notifies the court and the other party of the scheduled final divorce hearing date.
Decree of Dissolution of Marriage – No Children (DC 6:4.6)
The final court order dissolving the marriage in a case with no minor children.
Decree of Dissolution of Marriage – With Children (DC 6:5.3)
The final court order dissolving the marriage and addressing custody, support, and parenting time.
One more piece happens at the end: a Vital Statistics Certificate of Dissolution. This is a state vital-records form (not a DC-series court form), and it's also required when the decree is finalized.
Where to Get Nebraska Divorce Forms
You have several options for getting Nebraska's dissolution forms, from free official sources to full-service help.
Official State Courts Site
The Nebraska Judicial Branch publishes the standardized statewide DC-series forms and self-help packets for free. You can download them directly from the official forms page at nebraskajudicial.gov/forms. Because local district rules vary, it's also worth checking your specific judicial district's local rules on the same site.
County Clerk or Court
Forms are filed with the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the case is filed. Court staff can tell you about filing fees and local procedures, though they aren't able to give legal advice.
Legal Aid & Self-Help
Nebraska publishes two simplified self-help packets: one for cases with no children (and no property or real estate disputes) and one for cases with children (but no custody, visitation, or property disputes). These packets are meant for straightforward, uncontested situations and are not appropriate when real estate, retirement or pension assets, alimony, or contested issues are part of the picture. Legal aid organizations may also be able to help if you qualify.
Online Divorce Services
If you'd rather not assemble the paperwork yourself, an online service can guide you through it. Divorce.com helps you prepare your Nebraska forms by walking you through plain-language questions and producing completed documents for your situation, which can take a lot of the guesswork out of the DC-series.
Hire an Attorney
For contested cases, complex assets, or any situation where you simply want professional guidance, a Nebraska family law attorney can prepare your forms and represent you. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
The Nebraska Divorce Process
Every case is different, but here's the general path a Nebraska dissolution tends to follow.
1. Confirm Residency
Nebraska requires that you have lived in the state for at least one year before filing. There's a narrow exception: if you were married in Nebraska, have been married less than one year, and have lived in Nebraska continuously since the marriage.
2. File the Complaint
The case begins when the Complaint for Dissolution (DC 6:4.1 for no children, or DC 6:5.1 with children) is filed with the Clerk of the District Court, along with a Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4) and any required identifying-information forms.
3. Serve the Other Spouse
The other spouse must be formally served, or they can sign a Voluntary Appearance (DC 6:4.3) to waive formal service. The responding spouse may then file an Answer and Counterclaim (DC 9:1 for no children, or DC 10:1 with children).
4. Exchange Financial & Other Disclosures
Financial information is shared through forms like the Financial Affidavit for Child Support (DC 6:5.2) and the confidential disclosures (DC 6:5.11 and DC 6:5.12). In cases with children, a parenting plan and the parenting-class certificate (DC 6:5.5) also come into play.
5. Observe the Waiting Period & Hearing
Nebraska requires at least 60 days from the date the respondent is served (or files a Voluntary Appearance) before a final hearing can be held. The Notice of Hearing (DC 6:4.5) sets the hearing date.
6. Decree & Certified Copies
The case ends when the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution (DC 6:4.6 or DC 6:5.3) and it's filed. A Vital Statistics Certificate of Dissolution is completed as well. You can request certified copies of the decree from the court for your records.
Nebraska-Specific Requirements You Should Know
Residency. You generally need one year of residency in Nebraska before filing, with the narrow exception described above for short marriages that began in Nebraska.
How property is divided. Nebraska is an equitable distribution state. That means marital property and debts are divided in a way the court considers fair, which is not always a strict 50/50 split.
Grounds for divorce. Nebraska is a no-fault-only state. The sole ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-361). Nebraska does not recognize traditional fault grounds such as adultery, cruelty, or abandonment as independent grounds for dissolution.
Waiting periods. A final hearing can't be held until at least 60 days after the respondent is served or files a Voluntary Appearance. Separately, neither party may remarry anyone other than each other until at least six months after the decree is entered.
The Nebraska Parenting Act. In any divorce or custody case involving minor children, all parties must complete a Level 1 parenting education course before the final hearing, and a court-approved Certificate of Completion (DC 6:5.5) must be filed. Courts can also order a Level 2 course where there is evidence of child abuse, domestic intimate partner abuse, or unresolved parental conflict.
Local district rules. Some judicial districts have their own rules requiring mediation or conciliation in domestic relations cases (for example, District 4 has a Conciliation Court rule and District 2 has a mediation rule). These are district-level requirements rather than a single statewide mandate, so it helps to check your district's local rules. Note also that Nebraska does not have covenant marriage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using the wrong complaint for your family situation
There are separate "no children" and "with children" versions of nearly every key form. Mixing them up can slow your case down.
Assuming the simplified packet fits every case
The self-help packets are limited to uncontested cases with no real estate, retirement or pension assets, alimony disputes, or custody and visitation disputes. Complex or contested cases require additional or different forms.
Forgetting the parenting class
In cases with children, the Certificate of Completion (DC 6:5.5) for the Nebraska Parenting Act course is required before the final hearing. Leaving it until the last minute can delay finalizing your divorce.
Overlooking the waiting periods
The 60-day wait before a final hearing, and the six-month remarriage restriction after the decree, both catch people by surprise.
Skipping the Vital Statistics certificate
The Certificate of Dissolution is a separate vital-records form required at finalization, and it's easy to miss because it isn't a DC-series court form.
Checking only the statewide rules
Because some districts require mediation or conciliation, it's worth confirming your local judicial district's rules at the start.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Nebraska's standardized forms make a do-it-yourself divorce possible, but possible isn't the same as stress-free. Divorce.com is built to take the friction out of the paperwork, so you can focus on moving forward instead of decoding form numbers. We translate the DC-series into plain questions, fill in the right documents for your situation, and help you keep track of what comes next.
Plain-language questionnaires instead of confusing legal forms
Completed, ready-to-file Nebraska dissolution documents based on your answers
Guidance on the difference between with-children and no-children cases
Step-by-step support through filing, serving, and finalizing
A clearer, calmer experience at an affordable, transparent price
Which Nebraska Divorce Forms Will You Need?
Nebraska calls a divorce a "dissolution of marriage." The forms you'll encounter are part of the state's numbered DC-series, created by the Nebraska Supreme Court's Committee on Self-Represented Litigation and accepted statewide. The exact set you need depends mostly on one question: are there minor children involved? Below, we've grouped the most common forms by the job they do. Remember, these descriptions explain what each form is used for, not what you personally should file.
Starting the Case
Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage – No Children (DC 6:4.1)
Initiates a divorce when there are no minor children.
Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage – With Children (DC 6:5.1)
Initiates a divorce when minor children are involved.
Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4)
Requests the court clerk to issue a summons so the other spouse can be served.
Affidavit and Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees (In Forma Pauperis) (DC 6:7.1)
An application to waive filing fees based on financial hardship (sometimes called proceeding "in forma pauperis").
Responding to the Case
Voluntary Appearance (DC 6:4.3)
Filed by the responding spouse to waive formal service and appear in the case voluntarily.
Answer and Counterclaim for Dissolution of Marriage – No Children (DC 9:1)
The responding spouse's formal response and counterclaim in a case without minor children.
Answer and Counterclaim for Dissolution of Marriage – With Children (DC 10:1)
The responding spouse's formal response and counterclaim in a case involving minor children.
Financial & Disclosure Forms
Financial Affidavit for Child Support (DC 6:5.2)
Discloses income and expense information used to calculate child support.
Confidential Employment and Health Insurance Information (DC 6:5.11)
A required confidential disclosure of employment and health insurance details in child-related cases.
Social Security, Gender, Birth Date(s) (DC 6:5.12)
A confidential form capturing identifying information required in dissolution cases.
A quick note on child support: Nebraska calculates it using the Nebraska Child Support Guidelines and a worksheet/calculator. There is no single separately numbered child support form beyond the Financial Affidavit (DC 6:5.2) and the calculation embedded in the final decree.
Forms for Divorces With Children
If your case involves minor children, Nebraska adds a few important pieces, including a parenting plan and proof you've completed a parenting class (more on that requirement below).
Certificate of Completion of Parenting Education Course (DC 6:5.5)
Certifies that a party completed the mandatory parenting education class under the Nebraska Parenting Act; this certificate is required in cases involving children.
Parenting Plan Parent-Created – Joint Legal and Joint Physical Custody (DC 6:5.37)
A written parenting plan for joint legal and joint physical custody arrangements.
Parenting Plan Parent-Created – Joint Legal and Sole Physical Custody (DC 6:5.38)
A written parenting plan for joint legal and sole physical custody arrangements.
Parenting Plan Parent-Created – Sole Legal and Sole Physical Custody (DC 6:5.39)
A written parenting plan for sole legal and sole physical custody arrangements.
Parenting Plan, Absent Parent – Plaintiff's Use (DC 6:5.14)
A court-use parenting plan form for situations where the other parent is absent or not participating.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
Nebraska does not use a single, separately numbered "settlement agreement" form for self-represented filers. Instead, the terms a couple agrees on, such as how property and debts are divided and, where applicable, custody and support, are reflected in the parenting plan (for cases with children) and ultimately written into the decree itself. The court's simplified self-help packets are designed for uncontested cases only and are explicitly not appropriate when real estate, retirement accounts, pensions, alimony, or any contested issues are involved.
Finalizing Your Case
Notice of Hearing (DC 6:4.5)
Notifies the court and the other party of the scheduled final divorce hearing date.
Decree of Dissolution of Marriage – No Children (DC 6:4.6)
The final court order dissolving the marriage in a case with no minor children.
Decree of Dissolution of Marriage – With Children (DC 6:5.3)
The final court order dissolving the marriage and addressing custody, support, and parenting time.
One more piece happens at the end: a Vital Statistics Certificate of Dissolution. This is a state vital-records form (not a DC-series court form), and it's also required when the decree is finalized.
Where to Get Nebraska Divorce Forms
You have several options for getting Nebraska's dissolution forms, from free official sources to full-service help.
Official State Courts Site
The Nebraska Judicial Branch publishes the standardized statewide DC-series forms and self-help packets for free. You can download them directly from the official forms page at nebraskajudicial.gov/forms. Because local district rules vary, it's also worth checking your specific judicial district's local rules on the same site.
County Clerk or Court
Forms are filed with the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the case is filed. Court staff can tell you about filing fees and local procedures, though they aren't able to give legal advice.
Legal Aid & Self-Help
Nebraska publishes two simplified self-help packets: one for cases with no children (and no property or real estate disputes) and one for cases with children (but no custody, visitation, or property disputes). These packets are meant for straightforward, uncontested situations and are not appropriate when real estate, retirement or pension assets, alimony, or contested issues are part of the picture. Legal aid organizations may also be able to help if you qualify.
Online Divorce Services
If you'd rather not assemble the paperwork yourself, an online service can guide you through it. Divorce.com helps you prepare your Nebraska forms by walking you through plain-language questions and producing completed documents for your situation, which can take a lot of the guesswork out of the DC-series.
Hire an Attorney
For contested cases, complex assets, or any situation where you simply want professional guidance, a Nebraska family law attorney can prepare your forms and represent you. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
The Nebraska Divorce Process
Every case is different, but here's the general path a Nebraska dissolution tends to follow.
1. Confirm Residency
Nebraska requires that you have lived in the state for at least one year before filing. There's a narrow exception: if you were married in Nebraska, have been married less than one year, and have lived in Nebraska continuously since the marriage.
2. File the Complaint
The case begins when the Complaint for Dissolution (DC 6:4.1 for no children, or DC 6:5.1 with children) is filed with the Clerk of the District Court, along with a Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4) and any required identifying-information forms.
3. Serve the Other Spouse
The other spouse must be formally served, or they can sign a Voluntary Appearance (DC 6:4.3) to waive formal service. The responding spouse may then file an Answer and Counterclaim (DC 9:1 for no children, or DC 10:1 with children).
4. Exchange Financial & Other Disclosures
Financial information is shared through forms like the Financial Affidavit for Child Support (DC 6:5.2) and the confidential disclosures (DC 6:5.11 and DC 6:5.12). In cases with children, a parenting plan and the parenting-class certificate (DC 6:5.5) also come into play.
5. Observe the Waiting Period & Hearing
Nebraska requires at least 60 days from the date the respondent is served (or files a Voluntary Appearance) before a final hearing can be held. The Notice of Hearing (DC 6:4.5) sets the hearing date.
6. Decree & Certified Copies
The case ends when the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution (DC 6:4.6 or DC 6:5.3) and it's filed. A Vital Statistics Certificate of Dissolution is completed as well. You can request certified copies of the decree from the court for your records.
Nebraska-Specific Requirements You Should Know
Residency. You generally need one year of residency in Nebraska before filing, with the narrow exception described above for short marriages that began in Nebraska.
How property is divided. Nebraska is an equitable distribution state. That means marital property and debts are divided in a way the court considers fair, which is not always a strict 50/50 split.
Grounds for divorce. Nebraska is a no-fault-only state. The sole ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-361). Nebraska does not recognize traditional fault grounds such as adultery, cruelty, or abandonment as independent grounds for dissolution.
Waiting periods. A final hearing can't be held until at least 60 days after the respondent is served or files a Voluntary Appearance. Separately, neither party may remarry anyone other than each other until at least six months after the decree is entered.
The Nebraska Parenting Act. In any divorce or custody case involving minor children, all parties must complete a Level 1 parenting education course before the final hearing, and a court-approved Certificate of Completion (DC 6:5.5) must be filed. Courts can also order a Level 2 course where there is evidence of child abuse, domestic intimate partner abuse, or unresolved parental conflict.
Local district rules. Some judicial districts have their own rules requiring mediation or conciliation in domestic relations cases (for example, District 4 has a Conciliation Court rule and District 2 has a mediation rule). These are district-level requirements rather than a single statewide mandate, so it helps to check your district's local rules. Note also that Nebraska does not have covenant marriage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using the wrong complaint for your family situation
There are separate "no children" and "with children" versions of nearly every key form. Mixing them up can slow your case down.
Assuming the simplified packet fits every case
The self-help packets are limited to uncontested cases with no real estate, retirement or pension assets, alimony disputes, or custody and visitation disputes. Complex or contested cases require additional or different forms.
Forgetting the parenting class
In cases with children, the Certificate of Completion (DC 6:5.5) for the Nebraska Parenting Act course is required before the final hearing. Leaving it until the last minute can delay finalizing your divorce.
Overlooking the waiting periods
The 60-day wait before a final hearing, and the six-month remarriage restriction after the decree, both catch people by surprise.
Skipping the Vital Statistics certificate
The Certificate of Dissolution is a separate vital-records form required at finalization, and it's easy to miss because it isn't a DC-series court form.
Checking only the statewide rules
Because some districts require mediation or conciliation, it's worth confirming your local judicial district's rules at the start.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Nebraska's standardized forms make a do-it-yourself divorce possible, but possible isn't the same as stress-free. Divorce.com is built to take the friction out of the paperwork, so you can focus on moving forward instead of decoding form numbers. We translate the DC-series into plain questions, fill in the right documents for your situation, and help you keep track of what comes next.
Plain-language questionnaires instead of confusing legal forms
Completed, ready-to-file Nebraska dissolution documents based on your answers
Guidance on the difference between with-children and no-children cases
Step-by-step support through filing, serving, and finalizing
A clearer, calmer experience at an affordable, transparent price
Which Nebraska Divorce Forms Will You Need?
Nebraska calls a divorce a "dissolution of marriage." The forms you'll encounter are part of the state's numbered DC-series, created by the Nebraska Supreme Court's Committee on Self-Represented Litigation and accepted statewide. The exact set you need depends mostly on one question: are there minor children involved? Below, we've grouped the most common forms by the job they do. Remember, these descriptions explain what each form is used for, not what you personally should file.
Starting the Case
Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage – No Children (DC 6:4.1)
Initiates a divorce when there are no minor children.
Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage – With Children (DC 6:5.1)
Initiates a divorce when minor children are involved.
Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4)
Requests the court clerk to issue a summons so the other spouse can be served.
Affidavit and Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees (In Forma Pauperis) (DC 6:7.1)
An application to waive filing fees based on financial hardship (sometimes called proceeding "in forma pauperis").
Responding to the Case
Voluntary Appearance (DC 6:4.3)
Filed by the responding spouse to waive formal service and appear in the case voluntarily.
Answer and Counterclaim for Dissolution of Marriage – No Children (DC 9:1)
The responding spouse's formal response and counterclaim in a case without minor children.
Answer and Counterclaim for Dissolution of Marriage – With Children (DC 10:1)
The responding spouse's formal response and counterclaim in a case involving minor children.
Financial & Disclosure Forms
Financial Affidavit for Child Support (DC 6:5.2)
Discloses income and expense information used to calculate child support.
Confidential Employment and Health Insurance Information (DC 6:5.11)
A required confidential disclosure of employment and health insurance details in child-related cases.
Social Security, Gender, Birth Date(s) (DC 6:5.12)
A confidential form capturing identifying information required in dissolution cases.
A quick note on child support: Nebraska calculates it using the Nebraska Child Support Guidelines and a worksheet/calculator. There is no single separately numbered child support form beyond the Financial Affidavit (DC 6:5.2) and the calculation embedded in the final decree.
Forms for Divorces With Children
If your case involves minor children, Nebraska adds a few important pieces, including a parenting plan and proof you've completed a parenting class (more on that requirement below).
Certificate of Completion of Parenting Education Course (DC 6:5.5)
Certifies that a party completed the mandatory parenting education class under the Nebraska Parenting Act; this certificate is required in cases involving children.
Parenting Plan Parent-Created – Joint Legal and Joint Physical Custody (DC 6:5.37)
A written parenting plan for joint legal and joint physical custody arrangements.
Parenting Plan Parent-Created – Joint Legal and Sole Physical Custody (DC 6:5.38)
A written parenting plan for joint legal and sole physical custody arrangements.
Parenting Plan Parent-Created – Sole Legal and Sole Physical Custody (DC 6:5.39)
A written parenting plan for sole legal and sole physical custody arrangements.
Parenting Plan, Absent Parent – Plaintiff's Use (DC 6:5.14)
A court-use parenting plan form for situations where the other parent is absent or not participating.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
Nebraska does not use a single, separately numbered "settlement agreement" form for self-represented filers. Instead, the terms a couple agrees on, such as how property and debts are divided and, where applicable, custody and support, are reflected in the parenting plan (for cases with children) and ultimately written into the decree itself. The court's simplified self-help packets are designed for uncontested cases only and are explicitly not appropriate when real estate, retirement accounts, pensions, alimony, or any contested issues are involved.
Finalizing Your Case
Notice of Hearing (DC 6:4.5)
Notifies the court and the other party of the scheduled final divorce hearing date.
Decree of Dissolution of Marriage – No Children (DC 6:4.6)
The final court order dissolving the marriage in a case with no minor children.
Decree of Dissolution of Marriage – With Children (DC 6:5.3)
The final court order dissolving the marriage and addressing custody, support, and parenting time.
One more piece happens at the end: a Vital Statistics Certificate of Dissolution. This is a state vital-records form (not a DC-series court form), and it's also required when the decree is finalized.
Where to Get Nebraska Divorce Forms
You have several options for getting Nebraska's dissolution forms, from free official sources to full-service help.
Official State Courts Site
The Nebraska Judicial Branch publishes the standardized statewide DC-series forms and self-help packets for free. You can download them directly from the official forms page at nebraskajudicial.gov/forms. Because local district rules vary, it's also worth checking your specific judicial district's local rules on the same site.
County Clerk or Court
Forms are filed with the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the case is filed. Court staff can tell you about filing fees and local procedures, though they aren't able to give legal advice.
Legal Aid & Self-Help
Nebraska publishes two simplified self-help packets: one for cases with no children (and no property or real estate disputes) and one for cases with children (but no custody, visitation, or property disputes). These packets are meant for straightforward, uncontested situations and are not appropriate when real estate, retirement or pension assets, alimony, or contested issues are part of the picture. Legal aid organizations may also be able to help if you qualify.
Online Divorce Services
If you'd rather not assemble the paperwork yourself, an online service can guide you through it. Divorce.com helps you prepare your Nebraska forms by walking you through plain-language questions and producing completed documents for your situation, which can take a lot of the guesswork out of the DC-series.
Hire an Attorney
For contested cases, complex assets, or any situation where you simply want professional guidance, a Nebraska family law attorney can prepare your forms and represent you. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
The Nebraska Divorce Process
Every case is different, but here's the general path a Nebraska dissolution tends to follow.
1. Confirm Residency
Nebraska requires that you have lived in the state for at least one year before filing. There's a narrow exception: if you were married in Nebraska, have been married less than one year, and have lived in Nebraska continuously since the marriage.
2. File the Complaint
The case begins when the Complaint for Dissolution (DC 6:4.1 for no children, or DC 6:5.1 with children) is filed with the Clerk of the District Court, along with a Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4) and any required identifying-information forms.
3. Serve the Other Spouse
The other spouse must be formally served, or they can sign a Voluntary Appearance (DC 6:4.3) to waive formal service. The responding spouse may then file an Answer and Counterclaim (DC 9:1 for no children, or DC 10:1 with children).
4. Exchange Financial & Other Disclosures
Financial information is shared through forms like the Financial Affidavit for Child Support (DC 6:5.2) and the confidential disclosures (DC 6:5.11 and DC 6:5.12). In cases with children, a parenting plan and the parenting-class certificate (DC 6:5.5) also come into play.
5. Observe the Waiting Period & Hearing
Nebraska requires at least 60 days from the date the respondent is served (or files a Voluntary Appearance) before a final hearing can be held. The Notice of Hearing (DC 6:4.5) sets the hearing date.
6. Decree & Certified Copies
The case ends when the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution (DC 6:4.6 or DC 6:5.3) and it's filed. A Vital Statistics Certificate of Dissolution is completed as well. You can request certified copies of the decree from the court for your records.
Nebraska-Specific Requirements You Should Know
Residency. You generally need one year of residency in Nebraska before filing, with the narrow exception described above for short marriages that began in Nebraska.
How property is divided. Nebraska is an equitable distribution state. That means marital property and debts are divided in a way the court considers fair, which is not always a strict 50/50 split.
Grounds for divorce. Nebraska is a no-fault-only state. The sole ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-361). Nebraska does not recognize traditional fault grounds such as adultery, cruelty, or abandonment as independent grounds for dissolution.
Waiting periods. A final hearing can't be held until at least 60 days after the respondent is served or files a Voluntary Appearance. Separately, neither party may remarry anyone other than each other until at least six months after the decree is entered.
The Nebraska Parenting Act. In any divorce or custody case involving minor children, all parties must complete a Level 1 parenting education course before the final hearing, and a court-approved Certificate of Completion (DC 6:5.5) must be filed. Courts can also order a Level 2 course where there is evidence of child abuse, domestic intimate partner abuse, or unresolved parental conflict.
Local district rules. Some judicial districts have their own rules requiring mediation or conciliation in domestic relations cases (for example, District 4 has a Conciliation Court rule and District 2 has a mediation rule). These are district-level requirements rather than a single statewide mandate, so it helps to check your district's local rules. Note also that Nebraska does not have covenant marriage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using the wrong complaint for your family situation
There are separate "no children" and "with children" versions of nearly every key form. Mixing them up can slow your case down.
Assuming the simplified packet fits every case
The self-help packets are limited to uncontested cases with no real estate, retirement or pension assets, alimony disputes, or custody and visitation disputes. Complex or contested cases require additional or different forms.
Forgetting the parenting class
In cases with children, the Certificate of Completion (DC 6:5.5) for the Nebraska Parenting Act course is required before the final hearing. Leaving it until the last minute can delay finalizing your divorce.
Overlooking the waiting periods
The 60-day wait before a final hearing, and the six-month remarriage restriction after the decree, both catch people by surprise.
Skipping the Vital Statistics certificate
The Certificate of Dissolution is a separate vital-records form required at finalization, and it's easy to miss because it isn't a DC-series court form.
Checking only the statewide rules
Because some districts require mediation or conciliation, it's worth confirming your local judicial district's rules at the start.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Nebraska's standardized forms make a do-it-yourself divorce possible, but possible isn't the same as stress-free. Divorce.com is built to take the friction out of the paperwork, so you can focus on moving forward instead of decoding form numbers. We translate the DC-series into plain questions, fill in the right documents for your situation, and help you keep track of what comes next.
Plain-language questionnaires instead of confusing legal forms
Completed, ready-to-file Nebraska dissolution documents based on your answers
Guidance on the difference between with-children and no-children cases
Step-by-step support through filing, serving, and finalizing
A clearer, calmer experience at an affordable, transparent price
Going through a divorce in Nebraska is hard enough without getting lost in a stack of court forms. The good news: Nebraska is one of the friendlier states for self-represented spouses, because the Nebraska Supreme Court publishes a set of standardized, statewide DC-series forms that are accepted in every county. This guide walks you through which forms do what, where to find them, and how the process generally unfolds, all in plain language.
Think of this as a map, not marching orders. We'll describe what each form is used for and what Nebraska's rules say, so you can feel oriented instead of overwhelmed. Every divorce is different, and the right paperwork depends on the details of your situation, especially if you have children, real estate, retirement accounts, or any disagreements.
This page is informational only and is not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney. With that said, let's break down what a Nebraska divorce typically looks like.
The Bottom Line
Nebraska makes self-represented divorce more approachable than many states, thanks to standardized, statewide DC-series forms accepted in every county, from Omaha and Lincoln to Bellevue, Grand Island, and Kearney. The forms you need depend largely on whether minor children are involved, and the state's no-fault-only grounds, one-year residency rule, equitable distribution, and waiting periods all shape how your case unfolds.
You can download every official form for free from the Nebraska Judicial Branch at nebraskajudicial.gov/forms. If you'd rather have the paperwork prepared for you with plain-language guidance, Divorce.com can walk you through it from start to finish.
This guide is informational and not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, including contested issues, property, or custody, consult an attorney.
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