Omaha Nebraska Family Law Attorneys
The Divorce Process
Deciding to file for divorce can be overwhelming; most people facing a divorce should not expect a fast or easy process. However, you can rely on the experienced family law attorneys at the Dornan Law Team to help you through each step and ensure that you are prepared for the next one.
Every divorce is unique, so it’s difficult to tell someone who is facing the divorce process exactly what to expect each step of the way. However, most divorces will involve some form of the following steps:

Meeting with Lawyer
If you are initiating the divorce, talking to a lawyer is a good place to start. You want to have a general understanding of Nebraska’s divorce laws and how they will apply to your specific situation. There are a lot of variables in a divorce; we can’t plan for every possible outcome. However, we can answer your questions about what’s going to happen, how long it may take, and an estimate of how much it’s going to cost.
Filing for Divorce
This is actually called filing a “Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage,” and it has multiple steps. We start by filing the paperwork in the appropriate court and then will arrange to have your spouse served with the paperwork as well. This is the official legal notice that can be completed by the other spouse signing a Voluntary Appearance, through a County Sheriff or other law enforcement officer or through a Special Process Server.


General Financial Preparation
While this is not an official step in the legal process, we strongly advise anyone who is facing a divorce to get a solid understanding of what they own and what they owe, and at least a general estimate of the amounts of equity, debt, and value of those assets. While you are planning for divorce, just having a solid understanding of these numbers can help. Later, in the discovery process, actual documents will need to be provided. Here are a few examples of information you will want to have:
- (If You Own a Home) Value of the home, amount of money that is owed on the house
- Value of cars, outstanding balance on car loans, remaining term on car leases
- You and your spouse’s total annual income and total credit card debt
- Monthly household expenses (food, gas, water & sewage, electric, taxes, car payments, etc)
- Retirement and investment account values
Temporary Support Orders & Hearings
The divorce process can take time, and if one spouse has already moved out of the house, that can create a need for temporary orders related to child custody as well as financial issues like temporary spousal support and child support.


Mediation & Parenting Class
If there are minor children involved, the Court will Order both parties to complete a Parenting Class. Your attorney will give you a detailed list of classes. Additionally, the Court may order the parties to participate in mediation to attempt to resolve some or all of the issues contemplated in a Parenting Plan. Both parties are expected to participate in mediation. As with negotiations, participation in mediation can be a cost savings to the parties as issues that are resolved in mediation do not need to be litigated at trial.
Discovery
“Discovery” is the official process of exchanging and accessing information during a legal proceeding. Both attorneys will make formal requests for the financial documents and other information needed to proceed with the divorce.


Negotiations
This is a fairly general term, but it is typically the step in the divorce that either makes for a relatively smooth process or a contentious, difficult, and expensive process. For people without any assets or minor children, the negotiations could be very simple. Spouses who share a home, have children, or have accumulated assets during the time of their marriage may face a more complicated negotiation process. This is the step in which the divorcing couple works through asset division, a parenting plan, custody arrangements, ongoing financial support, and more. It pays to be reasonable when negotiating, as it’s a give-and-take process, but we will also fight for your rights and work to ensure you are treated fairly.
Trial
If the spouses and their attorneys are unable to work through the key issues of the divorce, the two sides will go to trial. Trials are expensive and timely and ultimately give the court much more control over how to settle issues that you and your spouse were unable to settle. There are cases where trials are necessary, but the divorce process is far more cost-effective, timely, and ultimately easier when the two sides can work together to resolve the divorce through negotiations and without a trial.

Testimonials
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
“Legal proceedings are rarely enjoyable—they can be long, draining, and complex. That was exactly our situation when we brought a fraud case to Dornan Law.
Thankfully, their team stood by us every step of the way. While I wouldn’t wish to go through such a process again, I can confidently say that if I had to, Dornan Law would be my first call. They guided us to the successful outcome we had hoped for.”

“Knowledgeable and caring law firm. Professional and skilled staff that extend themselves. Highly recommend!”

“One of the best law firms in Omaha, Nebraska”

“Absolutely the best in Omaha. Recommend them to anyone needing legal advice or services.”

“We have used the Dornan Law Team twice in the last 14 years. On both occasions, we were treated with kindness, compassion, and dignity. The high quality legal representation we received caused us to put our full trust in the Dornan team. We would not hesitate to use or recommend them in the future!”

“I have worked on many cases with various lawyers from this firm. They are always considerate and professional. I regularly refer people to them when I cannot handle their cases.”

“Exceptional outcome and service by the Dornan Law team. Very personable and professional. I felt that they took the time to understand and provide the best advice, while understanding my situation and ensuring that I was comfortable with the plan. Highly recommend.”

“This is the best law firm in Omaha!!! They fair with their prices esp. Because you get the best results not to mention very helpful! They take the time to talk to you, hear what you are saying!, and go to work for you!!! Not to mention very personable!! Great attorneys at a fair price!!”
