State on behalf of Tina K. v. Adam B.

**What This Case Was About** This case involved a custody dispute between Tina K. and Adam B. over their child. A lower court had awarded custody to a third party (Jo K.) instead of either parent. Tina K. challenged this decision, arguing that as a parent, she should have preference over non-parents when it comes to custody of her child. **What the Court Decided** The Nebraska Supreme Court sided with Tina K. and overturned the lower court's decision. The court found that the district court made a legal error by not properly applying the "parental preference" rule. This rule requires courts to have "clear and convincing evidence of exceptional circumstances" before they can give custody to someone who isn't the child's parent. The case was sent back to the lower court to reconsider the custody arrangement using the correct legal standards. **Why This Matters for Workers** While this case is primarily about family law rather than employment law, it demonstrates how courts protect parental rights. For working parents, this reinforces that being a parent gives you certain legal protections and preferences in custody matters, even if work schedules or other employment-related factors create challenges in your personal life.