The costs associated with divorce can all add up quickly, which is why it is important to prepare your finances and get them in order before you begin the divorce process. If you know you are definitely getting a divorce, now is the time to begin the necessary financial preparation. 

According to many law professionals, a typical divorce can cost at least $15,000. Making sure your finances are in order before you begin divorce proceedings can be crucial for your long-term prosperity. Here are four ways you can plan ahead:

In an effort to reduce the number of people who choose to drink and drive, many states - including Wisconsin - have adopted a number of laws and regulations over the decades to deter people from breaking the law. Most states now have in place some version of a program that requires the use of an ignition interlock device (IID) in the vehicles of DUI offenders. In Wisconsin, 2010 marked the first year mandatory IID requirements went into effect. IIDs are now required for all repeat OWI offenders, all chemical test refusals, and all first-time DUIs in which the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is more than .15.

What is an Ignition Interlock Device?

An IID is a small electronic device that is wired into your vehicle’s ignition system. Before you are able to start the vehicle, you must blow into the device, which will then determine your BAC. In Wisconsin, if your BAC is over .02, the vehicle will not start. The device will allow you to have three attempts in five minutes for each requested breath sample. After a vehicle starts, the device will prompt you for other samples at various intervals while the engine is running. The date, time, and BAC of each and every sample is recorded and stored.

Divorce is often extremely contentious. When children become involved in the scope of topics parents fight about, it is unfair to the child. In some divorces, child custody is a very heated matter that can be extremely difficult to reach an agreement regarding legal custody, physical custody, and a parenting plan. In some cases, an attorney is appointed to serve as a guardian ad litem, which is a third-party representative who will advocate for the child’s best interests. Many states differ on how they handle child custody, but Wisconsin’s laws are fairly straightforward.

Divorce Mediation Requirement

Wisconsin courts suggest a child custody agreement is best created when it is negotiated by both of the child’s parents. For various reasons, sometimes this is not possible, which is why Wisconsin requires divorcing parents to attend at least one session of mediation in an attempt to get them to work together for the sake of their child. If the mediator determines a decision will most likely not be reached in mediation, they can then ask the court to review the case and make a determination about child custody.

While law enforcement has cracked down on drunk driving for the past few decades, in Wisconsin and in every state, operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) is still a common problem. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 613 motor vehicle traffic fatalities in Wisconsin in 2017 and 38 percent of those involved alcohol in some way. 

When you are pulled over for suspicion of OWI, the police officer will ask you to submit to a chemical test to determine your blood-alcohol concentration (BAC). If you do not comply with the officer’s request to submit to a chemical test, you could face serious consequences.

If this is your first holiday season after divorce, give yourself a round of applause. Perhaps it has not been easy, but you are getting through it. Now that the new year is right around the corner, it is a good time for some self-reflection and introspection. 

We often get so caught up with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we forget to stop and reflect on our actions, behavior, and goals. The start of a new year gives us that chance, and after a divorce, it can be especially helpful.