Filing for divorce in Nebraska without an attorney costs $158 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 1 year in Nebraska (or married in Nebraska). Nebraska is a equitable distribution state with a 60 days waiting period. An uncontested divorce typically takes 2-3 months. Victoria AI guides you through every step with Nebraska-specific instructions.
Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team
| Filing Fee | $158 (The filing fee is $158 statewide. Nebraska has uniform fees across all county courts.) |
| Residency Requirement | 1 year in Nebraska (or married in Nebraska) |
| Waiting Period | 60 days |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (fair, not equal) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Irretrievably broken (no-fault) |
| No-Fault Only? | Yes |
| Uncontested Timeline | 2-3 months |
| Contested Timeline | 6 months to 2+ years |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Yes |
To file for divorce in Nebraska, you must meet the following residency requirement: 1 year in Nebraska (or married in Nebraska).
At least one spouse must have resided in Nebraska for at least 1 year before filing, OR the marriage must have been performed in Nebraska and one party resided there since the marriage.
Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Nebraska's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.
Follow these steps to file for divorce in Nebraska without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.
At least one spouse must have resided in Nebraska for at least 1 year before filing, OR the marriage must have been performed in Nebraska and one party resided there since the marriage.
Download the official Nebraska divorce forms: Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage, Summons, Financial Affidavit. All forms are available from the Nebraska courts website.
Fill out the divorce petition (DC 6:4) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).
File your completed petition with the Nebraska court and pay the filing fee of $158. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.
Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Nebraska rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.
Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Nebraska law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.
Nebraska has a 60-day waiting period from the date the respondent is served. The court cannot grant a decree until this period expires.
Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Nebraska, this typically takes 2-3 months. The court will issue your final divorce decree.
These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Nebraska. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.
Initiates divorce
Notifies spouse
Financial disclosure
Final judgment
The filing fee to start a divorce in Nebraska is $158. The filing fee is $158 statewide. Nebraska has uniform fees across all county courts.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $158 |
| Service of Process | $50-$100 (varies by method) |
| Certified Copies | $5-$25 per copy |
| Total DIY Uncontested | $250-$900 (uncontested DIY) |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Nebraska offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.
Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.
After filing your divorce petition in Nebraska, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.
A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.
Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.
Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.
If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.
You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Nebraska courts are strict about service requirements.
Nebraska is a equitable distribution state.
Nebraska divides marital property equitably. The court considers circumstances of the parties, duration of marriage, contributions to the marriage (including homemaking), and interruption of career for family.
Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Nebraska law applies to your specific property.
Nebraska uses the Income shares model per Nebraska Child Support Guidelines.
Nebraska uses income shares guidelines. Both parents' monthly net incomes determine the basic support, allocated based on income percentages. The guidelines include worksheets for different custody arrangements.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Nebraska divorce.
When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.
File Petition
Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $158 filing fee
Serve Your Spouse
Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers
Response Period
20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response
Waiting Period
60 days - Nebraska has a 60-day waiting period from the date the respondent is served. The court cannot grant a decree until this period expires.
Final Judgment
Court issues your final divorce decree
Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.
No-fault only state
1-year residency requirement
60-day waiting period
Uniform filing fees statewide
Strong self-help resources
Common questions about filing for divorce in Nebraska without an attorney.
Get 24/7 guidance specific to Nebraska's forms, procedures, and requirements.
Nebraska-specific forms
Guidance through every required form
Financial disclosure wizard
Complete your financial affidavit step-by-step
Child support calculator
Using Nebraska's exact guidelines
AI document drafting
Create properly formatted legal documents
Evidence notebook
Organize and categorize case documents
24/7 AI guidance
Ask Victoria anything, anytime
AES-256 encryption, SOC 2 ready infrastructure. Your documents are protected.
Victoria provides legal information, not legal advice. For advice specific to your case, consult an attorney.
All Nebraska divorce information verified from official state court sources.
Victoria is ready to guide you through every step of the Nebraska divorce process. Start your free trial today.
7-day free trial • Cancel anytime • Charged after trial ends