Support in Nebraska (2026)

Nebraska’s Age-19 Majority Rule: A Key Distinction

One of the first things parents should know about Nebraska child support is that the state’s age of majority is 19, not 18. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 43-2101, a person reaches adulthood at age 19 in Nebraska. This means child support obligations continue a full year longer than in most other states, which can add up to thousands of dollars in additional support payments.

This distinction matters for financial planning. Parents calculating their total expected support obligation — or relying on receiving support — need to factor in the additional year.

How Nebraska Calculates Child Support

Nebraska uses an income shares model codified under Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 42-364.16 and the Nebraska Child Support Guidelines adopted by the Nebraska Supreme Court. The model is based on the principle that both parents should contribute to their child’s financial support in proportion to their respective incomes.

The calculation follows these steps:

1. Determine each parent’s monthly net income. Gross income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, pensions, Social Security, disability benefits, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, investment income, rental income, and other recurring sources. Deductions are applied for federal and state income taxes, FICA, mandatory retirement contributions, and health insurance premiums for the child.

2. Combine the parents’ net incomes and apply them to the Nebraska child support schedule, which provides a basic support obligation based on the combined income and the number of children.

3. Allocate each parent’s share proportionally based on their percentage of the combined income. The non-custodial parent typically pays their share to the custodial parent.

For a broader explanation of income shares calculations, see our guide on how child support is calculated. For a detailed walkthrough of Nebraska’s specific methodology, see our article on Nebraska child support guidelines. You can also estimate your potential obligation with our child support calculator.

Parenting Time Credit

Nebraska’s guidelines include a credit for parenting time. When the non-custodial parent exercises a significant amount of overnight parenting time, the guidelines adjust the support obligation to reflect the direct expenses incurred during that time. This adjustment recognizes that expenses such as food, transportation, and household costs shift from one parent to the other as the child moves between homes.

Deviation from Guidelines

The court may deviate from the guidelines when strict application would produce an unjust result. Common deviation factors include:

• Extraordinary medical, dental, or educational expenses for the child
• The financial resources of the child
• The financial resources and needs of each parent
• Special needs of the child
• The standard of living the child would have enjoyed absent the dissolution
• Child care costs
• Health insurance costs

Any deviation must be supported by written findings explaining why the guidelines amount is inappropriate.

Modification of Child Support

Either parent may petition for modification by demonstrating a material change of circumstances that is substantial, continuous, and makes the original terms unreasonable. Common grounds include a significant change in either parent’s income, a change in the parenting time arrangement, a change in the child’s needs, or a change in the cost of health insurance.

Modifications take effect from the date the motion is filed. Nebraska does not permit retroactive reduction of child support arrearages — once support accrues, it cannot be forgiven retroactively.

Enforcement of Child Support

Nebraska uses several enforcement methods through the Nebraska Child Support Payment Center and the Department of Health and Human Services:

• Income withholding (wage garnishment)
• Interception of state and federal tax refunds
• Suspension of driver’s, professional, and recreational licenses
• Contempt of court proceedings
• Liens on real and personal property
• Denial of passport applications
• Credit bureau reporting

Arrearages accrue interest and are not subject to retroactive forgiveness by the court.

Alimony in Nebraska

Nebraska courts may award alimony under Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 42-365. The state recognizes several types:

Temporary Alimony

Support during the pendency of the divorce proceedings, designed to maintain the status quo until the case is resolved.

Rehabilitative Alimony

The most common form, awarded to help a spouse obtain the education, training, or work experience necessary to become self-supporting. The duration is typically tied to the time needed to complete a specific educational or vocational program.

Restitution Alimony

Awarded to compensate a spouse who financially supported the other spouse through education or professional training. This recognizes that the supporting spouse made sacrifices with the expectation of sharing in the resulting benefits. If the marriage ends before those benefits materialize, restitution alimony provides compensation for the investment.

Permanent Alimony

Awarded in rare cases, typically involving long-duration marriages where the recipient spouse is unable to become self-supporting due to age, disability, or other circumstances.

Factors in Alimony Determinations

The court considers:

• The circumstances of both parties
• The duration of the marriage
• The contributions of each spouse to the marriage, including contributions to the other spouse’s education and earning capacity
• The ability of the supported party to engage in gainful employment without interfering with the interests of any minor children in their custody
• Whether the supported spouse requires education or training to find appropriate employment
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The age and physical and emotional condition of each party
• The earning capacity of each party

Modification and Termination of Alimony

Either party may seek modification of alimony by demonstrating a material change of circumstances. Alimony generally terminates upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient. Cohabitation by the recipient may also be grounds for modification.

When to Seek Legal Guidance

Nebraska’s income shares model, the age-19 majority rule, and the various forms of alimony available create a framework that depends heavily on the specific facts of each case. If you are evaluating child support or alimony in Nebraska, consider scheduling a free consultation with a qualified family law attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

What child support model does Nebraska use?

Nebraska uses an income shares model under Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 42-364.16. Both parents’ monthly net incomes are combined and applied to the Nebraska child support schedule, which produces a basic support obligation. Each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income.

Until what age does child support last in Nebraska?

Child support in Nebraska continues until the child reaches age 19, which is the age of majority under Nebraska law. This is older than the age-18 cutoff in most other states. Support may terminate earlier upon emancipation, marriage, or entry into military service.

What types of alimony does Nebraska recognize?

Nebraska recognizes several types: temporary alimony (during proceedings), rehabilitative alimony (to gain training or education), restitution alimony (to compensate a spouse who funded the other’s education), and in rare cases, permanent alimony for long-duration marriages where the recipient cannot become self-supporting.

Can parents agree to college support in Nebraska?

The parties may agree to extend support for post-secondary education, but Nebraska courts generally do not have the authority to order it absent such an agreement. If college support is important to you, it should be negotiated and included in the divorce settlement.

Why does Nebraska have a higher age of majority than most states?

Nebraska’s age of majority is 19 under Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 43-2101. This is a longstanding provision of Nebraska law, and it means that legal childhood — including the obligation of parents to provide support — extends one year longer than in most states. The practical effect is an additional year of child support payments beyond what parents in neighboring states would owe.

Can child support arrearages be forgiven in Nebraska?

No. Nebraska does not permit retroactive reduction or forgiveness of child support arrearages. Once support accrues, it becomes a debt that cannot be cancelled by the court, even if circumstances have changed. Arrearages also accrue interest.

How This Guide Was Researched

This guide was developed by reviewing Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 42-364.16 (child support guidelines), the Nebraska Child Support Guidelines adopted by the Nebraska Supreme Court, and Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 42-365 (alimony). The age-19 majority rule was verified under Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 43-2101. Enforcement mechanisms were confirmed through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services published procedures and the Nebraska Child Support Payment Center. Nebraska Supreme Court decisions interpreting the guidelines and alimony standards were consulted for current application. All statutory citations were verified against the current Nebraska Revised Statutes.

Sources and Legal References

• Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 42-364.16 — Child support guidelines and income shares methodology
• Nebraska Child Support Guidelines — Detailed calculation tables and worksheets adopted by the Supreme Court
• Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 42-365 — Alimony types, factors, and standards
• Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 43-2101 — Age of majority (19)
• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services — Child support enforcement procedures

Official Nebraska Resources

• Nebraska Judicial Branch — Families & Children

For more about how we research our guides, see our editorial policy and sources methodology.

Related Guides

• Nebraska child support guidelines — Detailed calculation walkthrough for Nebraska
• Divorce in Nebraska — No-fault grounds, the one-year residency requirement, and property division
• Custody in Nebraska — The Parenting Act, mediation, and best interest factors
• How child support is calculated — National overview of calculation models
• Child support enforcement — How states enforce support orders
• How alimony works — National overview of spousal support types
• Child support calculator — Estimate your potential obligation
• Modifying child support — When and how to request changes