A. Contested Custody. Whenever a party in a domestic relations case determines that custody of a minor child will be genuinely contested, the court shall be informed thereof in order that appointment of a guardian ad litem for the minor child may be promptly considered.

   B. Child Support Referee Exceptions.

   1. Contempt matters that involve immediate jail sentences shall be taken without delay to the duty judge of the District Court from a hearing before a Child Support Referee. The duty judge shall enter an order affirming or denying the findings and recommendations of the Referee.

   2. All other Exceptions to the findings and recommendations of the Child Support Referee shall be filed with the District Judge assigned to the case pursuant to Rule 4-12A. The Exception must be filed within fourteen days of the filing of the Referee’s Report. A copy of the Exceptions shall be served upon the opposing party and counsel. The assigned District Judge shall conduct a review on the Referee’s Report and the transcript of the hearing. The review shall be de novo on the record before the Child Support Referee, unless the District Court in its discretion allows the presentation of new evidence. The District Judge has the discretion to ratify or modify the Referee’s Report and enter judgment, or the District Judge may sustain the Exception and enter judgment. The rights to move for rehearing and to appeal are reserved to all parties.

   The party filing the exceptions shall promptly deliver a copy of the exceptions to the courtroom to which the matter has been assigned. 

   C. Assignment of Cases: Post-Decree Proceedings. All post-decree proceedings presented for filing within twelve (12) months after the entry of the initial dispositive decree in a domestic relations case shall be assigned to the judge to whom the case was originally assigned at the time of the filing of the action. Post-decree proceedings presented for filing after the passage of twelve (12) months from the entry of the original dispositive decree shall be assigned to a judge by random selection through use of such computerized or manual means as may be designated by the presiding judge. No post-decree proceeding shall be reassigned until the 30-day time for appeal has passed.

   D. Confidential Information. No document filed in the public record of a case shall have complete vehicle identification numbers, account numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, or other personal identification information. Real estate shall be described by legal description in addition to street address.

   E.  Mediation.

   1. A domestic-relations matter involving children includes filings for dissolution of marriage and determination-of-paternity cases which involve issues of custody, parenting time, visitation, or other access with a child. Within ten (10) days of filing a complaint in a domestic-relations matter involving children, the filing party shall be required to register with the Conciliation and Mediation Services Office and schedule that party's attendance at the parent-education program "What About The Children." Within ten (10) days of service of process on the respondent, the respondent shall likewise be required to register with the Conciliation and Mediation Services Office and schedule that party's attendance at the parent-education program "What About The Children." Prior to the entry of any order awarding temporary relief, the moving party shall certify that that party has registered with the Conciliation and Mediation Services Office.

   The parties to motions to compel existing orders which involve parenting issues; applications to modify decrees of dissolution which involve parenting issues; and applications to modify decrees of paternity which involve parenting issues shall be subject to the requirements of this rule and shall be required to attend the parent-education program "Reach Beyond Conflict," unless all issues are resolved by agreement and entry of a stipulated order. Participation in either course may be delayed or waived by the court for good cause shown. Failure or refusal by any party to participate in such a course as ordered by the court shall not delay the entry of a final judgment or an order modifying a final judgment in such action by more than six (6) months and shall in no case be punished by incarceration.

   Each party shall be responsible for the costs of attending either parenting education course. The court may waive or specifically allocate costs between the parties for their required participation in the course. At the request of any party, or based upon screening or recommendation of an attorney or mediator, the parties shall be allowed to attend separate courses or to attend the same course at different times, particularly if child abuse or neglect, domestic intimate-partner abuse, or unresolved parental conflict is or has in the past been present in the relationship, or if one party has threatened the other party.

   2. For purposes of Fourth Judicial District Rule 4-3E, "facilitator" shall mean persons qualified as "approved specialized mediators" pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2938(3) (Reissue 2016) and "specialized alternative dispute resolution" as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2922(23) (Reissue 2016) shall also be referred to as "facilitation."

   Except as otherwise required by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2937(4) (Reissue 2016), when the parties or their counsel are unable to negotiate a parenting plan agreement which satisfies the requirements of the Parenting Plan Checklist, then the parties are required to meet and confer with either the Director of the District Court Conciliation and Mediation Services or another assigned mediator to complete a Parenting Plan, including all issues of child custody, parenting time, visitation, grandparent visitation, other access, and any other issues relating to the children that may be susceptible to mediation or the specialized alternative dispute resolution process.

   Parties or counsel are required to notify the Director of the District Court Conciliation and Mediation Services of any request for delay in assignment of a mediator or facilitator if the parties or counsel are attempting to negotiate a Parenting Plan agreement, which agreement shall be required to comply with the Parenting Plan Checklist. A mediator will be assigned within ten (10) business days unless the conciliation court is notified that a plan will be forthcoming from the parties or the attorneys.

   An individual party, a guardian ad litem, or a social service agency may request mediation, specialized alternative dispute resolution, or other alternative dispute resolution process for a matter involving an issue of custody, parenting time, visitation, other access, or a related matter at any time prior to the filing or after the filing of an action with this court. Upon receipt of such request, each mediator, court conciliation program, or approved mediation center shall provide to each party information about mediation and the specialized alternative dispute resolution process.

   At any time in the proceedings, the court may refer a case to mediation or the specialized alternative dispute resolution process in order to attempt resolution of any relevant matter. The court may state a date for the case to return to court, and the court shall not grant an extension of such date except for good cause shown.

   3. Prior to commencing an initial mediation session, the mediator shall provide an initial, individual screening session with each party to assess the presence of child abuse or neglect, unresolved parental conflict, domestic intimate-partner abuse, other forms of intimidation or coercion, or a party's inability to negotiate freely and make informed decisions. If any of these conditions exists, the mediator shall direct the parties to return to the Conciliation and Mediation Services Office for assignment of a specialized alternative dispute resolution process that addresses safety measures for the parties.

   When there are allegations of domestic intimate-partner abuse or unresolved parental conflict between the parties in any proceeding, or when screening by a mediator, mediation center, or the Conciliation and Mediation Services Office identifies the presence of child abuse or neglect; unresolved parental conflict; domestic intimate-partner abuse; other forms of intimidation or coercion; or a party's inability to negotiate freely and make informed decisions, then mediation shall not be required; however, the parents shall be required to meet with a facilitator in the court's specialized alternative dispute resolution process.

   The specialized alternative dispute resolution process shall begin with each parent meeting individually with a qualified facilitator to provide an opportunity for the facilitator to educate each party about the process; obtain informed consent from each party in order to proceed; establish safety protocols; allow support persons to attend sessions; and consider opt-out-for-cause. The primary consideration in each specialized alternative dispute resolution session shall be the safety of each party and each child. The facilitator of the process has a duty to determine whether to proceed in individual sessions or caucus sessions in order to address safety and freedom to negotiate. Joint sessions shall not be used unless, after a safety assessment by the facilitator, all parties agree to a joint session to be conducted at the courthouse, with appropriate safety measures in place.

   4. Termination. To be compliant with Rule 4-3E, a party may not terminate mediation until after an individual initial screening session and one mediation or specialized alternate dispute resolution session are held. However, if after the individual initial screening sessions of each party is complete, the mediator may make the determination that further mediation or facilitation would fail to serve the best interests of the child.

   5. No trial date or other dispositive hearing will be scheduled until (1) attendance at the required parent education seminar has been completed and mediation or other specialized alternative dispute resolution process has been attempted to resolve issues of custody, parenting time, visitation, or other access, and (2) the parties have filed a Proposed Scheduling Order pursuant to Fourth Judicial District Rule 4-10, provided, however, that failure or refusal to participate by a party shall not delay entry of a final judgment by more than six (6) months.

   Notwithstanding the language in this rule, issues of domestic-violence, domestic intimate-partner abuse, or child abuse or neglect may, upon consideration by the trial court, disqualify the parties from parent education, mediation, or the specialized alternative dispute resolution processes.

   6. The Mediation Committee will prepare a letter, for distribution by the District Court Administrator, advising the filing parties and their attorneys that attendance at the Conciliation and Mediation Services seminar "What About the Children?" or "Reach Beyond Conflict" is mandatory and must be completed within the time frame specified in this rule. The letter should also advise the parties and counsel (1) that Parenting Plans and issues of child custody, parenting time, visitation, or other access with a child will be referred for mediation or specialized alternative dispute resolution; (2) that no trial or other dispositive hearing will be scheduled until attendance at the required parent-education seminar has been completed and mediation or specialized alternative dispute resolution to resolve issues of custody, parenting time, visitation, or other access has been attempted; (3) that failure or refusal to participate by a party shall not delay entry of a final judgment by more than six (6) months; and (4) that issues of domestic-violence, domestic intimate-partner abuse, or child abuse or neglect may, upon consideration by the trial court, disqualify the parties from parent education, mediation, or the specialized alternative dispute resolution processes. The Clerk of the District Court is directed to include this letter with the filing and service packets distributed by the Clerk.

   7. The Office of Conciliation and Mediation Services shall maintain a list of mediators and facilitators approved by the District Judges and the Mediation Committee of the District Court. These mediators and facilitators must meet State of Nebraska (or equivalent) standards for training in order to qualify. The following requirements apply to all participating mediators and facilitators: Court-approved mediators and facilitators will determine their own fees and will provide a copy of their fee schedule to the Conciliation and Mediation Services Director. In order to be on the list of court-approved mediators and facilitators, a mediator or facilitator must agree to use a sliding-fee scale of $25 to $150 per person per hour, determined on the basis of what each party is able to pay. Court-approved mediators and facilitators must also agree to take pro bono cases on an "as needed" basis. The Conciliation and Mediation Services Director will determine the need for such pro bono services, so that the burden of these cases is equitably distributed among the participating mediators and facilitators.

   8. Mediators and facilitators involved in proceedings shall participate in training to enable them to recognize child abuse or neglect, domestic intimate-partner abuse, and unresolved parental conflict and its potential impact upon children and families.

   9. Prior to participation in the program, qualified mediators and facilitators will be required to attend an orientation session, which will be conducted by the Director of Conciliation and Mediation Services, to review the mediation and specialized alternative dispute resolution process procedures, as well as the Parenting Plan Checklist. Each participating mediator and facilitator shall agree to the court requirements for participation, including a requirement to observe all statutory requirements for mediators in the mediation process and for facilitators in the specialized alternative dispute resolution process as established under the Nebraska Parenting Act.  Each mediator and facilitator will be asked to sign a statement indicating acknowledgment and acceptance of the requirements.

   10. When a judge refers a case for mediation or specialized alternative dispute resolution, the judge will indicate the issues to be mediated or facilitated, as well as any choice of a mediator or facilitator if the judge has a preference. The judge may also indicate whether there is a particular mediator or facilitator whom the judge does not wish to use. The attorneys for the parties may also mutually agree upon the choice of a mediator or facilitator and may indicate whether they wish the parties to mediate any issues other than custody, parenting time, visitation, or other access with a child. If financial issues are to be mediated, the case will be assigned to an attorney mediator. The attorneys or self-represented litigants shall notify the Conciliation and Mediation Service Office when mediation has been ordered by the Court and shall provide the Conciliation and Mediations Services Office with all necessary client information.

   11. Unless the parties or attorneys have requested a specific mediator or facilitator, the Conciliation and Mediation Services Office will assign, from the rotating list, the next mediator or facilitator appropriate to the parties and their needs, and the Conciliation and Mediation Services Director will contact the mediator or facilitator to confirm the mediator's or facilitator's acceptance of the case.  The Conciliation and Mediation Services staff will send paperwork to the mediator or facilitator, who must advise the Conciliation and Mediation Services staff, within ten (10) days of receipt of the paperwork, of the date for the parties' first appointment. The Conciliation and Mediation Services staff will screen each case for domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, unresolved parental conflict, domestic intimate-partner abuse, other forms of intimidation or coercion, or a party's inability to negotiate freely and make informed decisions. If any one or more of these elements are found to exist, then mediation shall not be required; however, the parents shall be required to meet with a facilitator in the court's specialized alternative dispute resolution process.

   12.a. If the parties reach an agreement through mediation or the specialized alternative dispute-resolution process, the agreement shall be reduced to writing. The mediator or the facilitator shall provide copies of the agreement to the parties and their attorneys, together with a notice informing the parties and their attorneys of their right to express their objections to the written agreement. The notice shall inform the parties and their attorneys that they have twenty-one (21) days from the date of the notice to notify the mediator or facilitator and the Conciliation and Mediation Services Office of any written objections to the terms of the agreement. The written objections shall be specific and shall not violate the statutory protections of confidentiality or privilege of the parties by being filed with the Clerk of the District Court. All matters not specifically objected to shall be deemed final. If no objections are received within twenty-one (21) days, then the agreement shall automatically be forwarded to the Conciliation and Mediation Services Office for final processing, pursuant to subsection (c) below.

   If the parties and counsel negotiate a Parenting Plan agreement, which agreement shall fully comply with the Parenting Plan Checklist, they shall forward the agreement to the Conciliation and Mediation Services Office immediately after signing, pursuant to subsection (c) below.

   b. Upon the filing by either party or attorney of objections to the agreement, the mediator or facilitator shall forthwith schedule a re-mediation or re-facilitation session on the disputed issues identified in the written objection. The mediator or facilitator may charge additional fees for the re-mediation or re-facilitation session and related expenses. Following re-mediation or re-facilitation efforts, the mediator or facilitator shall forward to the Conciliation and Mediation Services Office the re-mediated or re-facilitated agreement, which shall be clearly denominated the "re-mediated agreement" or the "re-facilitated agreement," and which shall recite those issues, if any, which remain contested.

   c. All agreements shall be forwarded to the Conciliation and Mediation Services Office, where the Conciliation and Mediation Services staff shall review said agreements for compliance with the Parenting Plan Checklist. The Conciliation and Mediation Services staff shall then forward a copy of the final agreement, along with the appropriate closure form to the Clerk of the District Court for filing.

    d. At trial, parties shall not present evidence intended to object to a provision in an approved parenting plan or to show a material change in circumstances subsequent to the filing of a final agreement unless a written motion asking leave of the court to present such evidence at trial, accompanied by a notice of hearing, has been filed with the court and has been heard and granted prior to the trial.

   13. The Conciliation and Mediation Services staff will follow up on the deadlines set by the court, including any extensions of time that have been granted.

   14. Complaints to Modify (Parenting Plan) and Applications for Order to Show Cause (Parenting Plan). Before filing a Complaint to Modify (Parenting Plan) or an Application for Order to Show Cause (Parenting Plan), parties must re-mediate by selecting a mutually agreed-upon mediator or facilitator, or contact the District Court Conciliation and Mediation Services for assistance with the selection of a mediator.

   Any party filing a Complaint to Modify (Parenting Plan) or an Application for Order to Show Cause (Parenting Plan) must state in the pleading the date remediation was held and the outcome of remediation. After a party has filed a Complaint to Modify (Parenting Plan) or an Application for Order to Show Cause (Parenting Plan), the attorneys and/or self-represented litigants shall contact the District Court Conciliation and Mediation Services to verify their compliance with Rule 4-3 and to register for a second-level parenting seminar if no agreement was reached in remediation.

   15. The Mediation Committee will be a standing committee of the District Court and will be composed of four (4) Judges, the Conciliation and Mediation Services Director, at least one outside mediator/advisor, and such other persons as the Committee deems necessary. The Chair Judge of Conciliation and Mediation Services will chair this Committee and may be consulted individually, as may be needed by the Conciliation and Mediation Services Director, for answers on day-to-day operations of the mediation program.

   16. The Mediation Committee of the District Court may make such other operating rules as may be needed to facilitate the beginning and continuation of this mediation program.

   F. Temporary Support and Allowances. Except where a party appears as a self-represented litigant and live testimony is required, or unless otherwise ordered, evidence shall be submitted by affidavits. Affidavits shall set forth information required by Nebraska Child Support Guidelines and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2930 (Reissue 2016). The District Court Administrator shall provide the Affidavit forms in the Court Administrator’s Office and at the District Court’s website, www.dc4dc.com. Affidavits submitted in digital format shall be limited to an aggregate total of ten (10) pages or less. Affidavits that exceed an aggregate total of ten (10) pages shall be submitted in hard copy. The moving party shall provide the Court and opposing counsel or the non-moving party, if not represented, the supporting affidavits at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the hearing, together with a notice of the hearing. The non-moving party shall submit to the Court and the moving party or counsel for the moving party, if the moving party is represented, any responsive affidavit(s) within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the hearing. Other than ex parte relief allowed by statute, the court, in its discretion, may decline to consider any affidavit unless it has been exchanged in compliance with these guidelines.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended effective May 1, 1998; amended effective March 12, 1999; amended effective June 19, 2002; amended effective January 18, 2007; amended effective May 7, 2008; amended effective September 9, 2010; amended effective November 12, 2015; amended effective May 29, 2019; amended effective September 11, 2019; amended effective December 18, 2019; amended effective March 24, 2021; amended  September 21, 2022; amended February 16, 2023; amended January 17, 2024.