According to this article, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/04/january-more-divorces-tha_n_803958.html, more divorces are filed in January than any other month, perhaps due to holiday stress, financial issues, or a simple desire to start fresh in the new year.   In my experience, Dane County divorce is common around the new year.  While the timing of a Dane County divorce filing is not usually important in a legal sense, it is wise to consult with an experienced family lawyer prior to filing.   Filing for divorce brings many issues into play, such as child custody, allocation of property and income, and designation of which spouse will remain in the residence.  Without a doubt, it is best to prepare for a divorce filing in advance to ensure that you and your children are protected.

What should  be prepared?  At a minimum, a basic knowledge of your family finances and a plan to ensure access to funds if accounts are closed by your spouse.   A plan for safe and adequate care for the children is also wise, in the event of custody disputes between the time of filing and first custody hearing.   A divorce filing is also one of the more common triggers for domestic violence. Therefore, it is important to discuss a safety plan with your Dane County divorce attorney, including the timing of filing and service on your spouse, a safe place to stay temporarily, and access to funds for living expenses.  My work with the Domestic Abuse Intervention Service has proved an excellent resource to advise my clients throughout Dane, Sauk, and Columbia counties.

Your first meeting with me will remain absolutely discrete.   Because of the confidentiality rules in which I operate, nothing we discuss, not even the simple fact that we have consulted, is disclosed to anyone else.  I have worked with many Dane County divorce clients who met with me several times, sometimes for many months, prior to actually filing the petition.