Nebraska Dissolution Checklist — Step-by-Step (2026)

Phase 1 — Pre-Filing Assessment

• Confirm residency: either party has lived in Nebraska for 1+ year
• Identify District Court county (where either spouse lives)
• Ground: "Irretrievable breakdown" — the only ground in Nebraska
• If children: identify approved parenting education program (find through your District Court or nebraskalegalhelp.org)

Phase 2 — Financial Inventory

• List all marital property (acquired during marriage)
• List separate property (pre-marital, gifts, inheritances) — document carefully
• Real estate: value and mortgage balance
• Bank and investment accounts
• Retirement accounts: balances and marital portion
• Vehicles: values and loans
• All debts: creditor, balance
• Business interests (if any)
• Income documentation for both parties

Phase 3 — Draft the Marital Settlement Agreement

• All real property addressed (who keeps or sale; buyout; refinancing; deed → Nebraska Register of Deeds)
• All financial accounts assigned
• Retirement accounts: QDRO for employer plans; IRA transfer language
• Vehicles assigned; title transfer through Nebraska DMV
• All debts assigned; indemnification language
• Alimony: award with terms — or explicit waiver
• If children: Parenting Plan per Nebraska Parenting Act; child support per NE Guidelines
• Both spouses sign and notarize the Settlement Agreement

Phase 4 — Complete Court Forms (supremecourt.ne.gov)

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
• Summons
• Acceptance of Service (or plan for formal service)
• Financial Disclosure (county-specific requirements — check local rules)
• Proposed Decree of Dissolution of Marriage
• If children: Parenting Plan (Nebraska Parenting Act compliant)
• If children: Child Support Calculation Worksheet (Nebraska Guidelines)

Phase 5 — File at District Court

• File Petition at District Court Clerk
• Pay $158 filing fee
• Receive case number
• Serve Respondent promptly — 60-day period starts on SERVICE DATE
• File Proof of Service (Return of Service / Acceptance of Service)
• Note the service date; calculate the earliest final hearing date (service date + 60 days)

Phase 6 — Parenting Education (If Children)

• Both parents enroll in approved parenting education program (check court-approved list for your county)
• Both parents complete the program
• Both parents file Certificates of Completion with the court
• Dissolution CANNOT be finalized until both certificates are filed

Phase 7 — 60-Day Waiting Period

• No final hearing before 60 days from SERVICE DATE
• Use time to complete parenting education (if children), financial disclosures, and schedule final hearing

Phase 8 — Final Hearing

• Schedule final hearing with District Court (after 60 days from service)
• Appear before District Court judge
• Judge reviews Settlement Agreement and Parenting Plan
• If children: confirm parenting education certificates are filed
• Judge enters Decree of Dissolution of Marriage
• Obtain certified copies

Phase 9 — Post-Decree Steps

• Real estate deed: Quitclaim or Warranty Deed → Nebraska Register of Deeds (county level)
• QDRO for employer retirement plans
• Vehicle titles: Nebraska DMV
• Name restoration: Nebraska DMV → Social Security → financial accounts
• Beneficiary designations: life insurance, retirement, payable-on-death

Last reviewed: March 2026 | 60-day wait FROM SERVICE DATE — not filing | "Irretrievable breakdown" | 1-year residency | Mandatory parenting education before finalization | Nebraska Parenting Act | $158 flat fee | Nebraska Register of Deeds for deeds | supremecourt.ne.gov | nebraskalegalhelp.org

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.