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1. How long does child support have to be paid in Nebraska? What is the age of emancipation in Nebraska?

The age of emancipation in Nebraska is 19. Child support is paid through the birth month of the child when (s)he reaches the age of 19. Upon the child’s emancipation, the obligation should terminate automatically. 

 If there is an outstanding balance due at the time the child turns 19, that amount will continue to be owed and enforced until it is paid in full. 

In certain situations, child support may terminate earlier than the age of emancipation. Possible reasons for termination include: the court made a finding that the child has emancipated, death of the child, and termination/relinquishment of parental rights. If termination should occur prior to the child turning age 19, a Motion and Order may need to be filed. If you believe your child support obligation may be eligible for termination, please contact the Nebraska Child Support Customer Call Center at (402) 441-8715 or (877) 631-9973 (toll free).

2. Is there a time when I won't have to pay my child support, even if I didn't pay it each month as it billed?

No. There is no statute of limitations on collections of past due child support.

3. If the child I owe for is no longer living with the custodial parent, do I still have to pay child support each month?

Yes.   Regardless of where the child is living, your obligation to provide support is not altered.  However, if the child is no longer living with the court ordered payee and you believe support payments should be directed to a different person, please contact the Nebraska Child Support Customer Call Center at (402) 441-8715 or (877) 631-9973 (toll free).

4. Why do I have to pay child support when the child(ren) lives with me full time?

If the child is now living with you full time, it might be appropriate to suspend the child support obligation. If you believe your child support obligation may be eligible for suspension, please contact the Nebraska Child Support Customer Call Center at (402) 441-8715 or (877) 631-9973 (toll free).

5. If the child(ren) of the child support order are adopted, do I still have to pay child support?

Until the order is stopped/terminated by the Court entering an Order, the obligation will continue to bill each month and the obligation would continue. If your child has been adopted, please contact the Nebraska Child Support Customer Call Center at (402) 441-8715 or (877) 631-9973 (toll free).

6. If I sign a relinquishment of my parental rights, do I still have to pay child support?

Termination of your parental rights among other rights/responsibilities ends your legal responsibilities to take care of your child. As such, your child support obligation may be eligible for termination. The signing of a relinquishment itself does not terminate the child support obligation. A court order to terminate the obligation must be entered. Until the Court enters an order terminating the child support order, the obligation will continue to bill each month. If you relinquished your parental rights, notify the Nebraska Child Support Customer Call Center at (402) 441-8715 or (877) 631-9973 (toll free).

7. Do I have to hire an attorney to get my obligation suspended/terminated?

No. The Nebraska Supreme Court Self Help section has information/pro se forms regarding filing a motion to terminate a child support obligation.

8. Who can I talk to about stopping my order?

If you have experienced a change of circumstances that you believe should result in your obligation being temporarily suspended or permanently terminated, contact the Nebraska Child Support Customer Call Center at (402) 441-8715 or (877) 631-9973 (toll free). Be aware that you may be asked to provide documentation of the change that has occurred.  Additionally, incarceration, injury, or a temporary loss or decrease in income are not sufficient changes in circumstance to warrant a suspension/termination.