Domestic Violence and Nebraska Family Court
How domestic violence may affect custody decisions in Nebraska.
Domestic Violence and Child Custody
How Domestic Violence Concerns Are Raised
Concerns about domestic violence often come up during custody or visitation discussions to ensure the child’s safety and well-being. These concerns can be shared by parents, guardians, or sometimes professionals involved with the family. Courts and agencies carefully consider these concerns as part of their review.
Best-Interest Factors for Children
When deciding custody or visitation, the main question is what arrangement helps the child most. Some factors considered include:
- The child’s emotional and physical needs
- Relationship with each parent or caregiver
- Any history of violence or abuse
- Stability of the home environment
- The child’s own wishes, depending on age
- Ability of each parent to provide care and supervision
Documents That May Matter
Supporting documents can provide context about safety and parenting, such as:
- Restraining or protective orders
- Police reports or incident records
- Medical or counseling records relevant to safety
- Statements from witnesses or professionals
- Documentation of parenting involvement and care
Supervised Visitation Options
In some cases, visitation with a parent may be supervised to promote safety. This means another adult or agency is present during visits. Supervision can take place in various settings, such as:
- Visitation centers designed for this purpose
- Homes or neutral locations with a supervisor
- Remote visits monitored by agreed parties
Supervised visitation aims to support the parent-child relationship while addressing safety concerns.