Peterson v. Jacobitz, 309 Neb. 486

Jodi gave birth to Kooper in Kearney (Buffalo County) and later sought a stepparent adoption in Phelps County; she identified Austin as the putative father and his notice was provided.
Austin filed a Complaint to Establish Paternity and Objection to Proposed Adoption in Phelps County (Oct 21, 2019) and, at a December hearing, moved to transfer the case to Buffalo County; the Phelps County Court granted the transfer, stating it lacked jurisdiction under the statutes.
Jodi moved to dismiss in Buffalo County, arguing Phelps never had jurisdiction to transfer under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-104.05; Buffalo County dismissed the complaint as void for lack of jurisdiction.
The Nebraska Court of Appeals reversed, holding that county courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over adoptions (§ 24-517) and that § 43-104.05(1) prescribes venue (county where child was born), so Phelps could transfer to proper venue.
The Nebraska Supreme Court granted review and affirmed the Court of Appeals: § 43-104.05(1) is venue language, § 43-104.05(4)(a) governs timing/length of a court’s exercise of authority (not a grant of jurisdiction), and jurisdiction is conferred by § 24-517, so the transfer was valid.

Issue	Peterson's Argument	Jacobitz's Argument	Held
Whether the Phelps County Court had subject-matter jurisdiction and could validly transfer Austin’s paternity/objection action to Buffalo County	Phelps had subject-matter jurisdiction under § 24-517; § 43-104.05(1) is venue (file where child born), so Phelps could transfer to correct venue	§ 43-104.05(4)(a) vests jurisdiction solely in the county court where the child was born (Buffalo), so Phelps lacked jurisdiction and could not transfer	Affirmed Court of Appeals: § 43-104.05(1) is venue; § 43-104.05(4)(a) prescribes timing/length of jurisdictional exercise, not a grant of jurisdiction; subject-matter jurisdiction rests with county courts per § 24-517, so transfer valid

In re Adoption of Micah H., 301 Neb. 437 (2018) (addresses putative father registry and adoption-notice framework)
Anderson v. A & R Ag Spraying & Trucking, 306 Neb. 484 (2020) (statutory interpretation principles)
E.M. v. Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Servs., 306 Neb. 1 (2020) (rules on giving effect to all parts of a statute)