Preparing for your Mediation
In order to use the time with your mediator most efficiently, we recommend that you prepare for your first appointment by reviewing your assets, debts, insurance policies, and most recent wage statements or profit and loss statements from any business.
If you are able to locate documents reflecting the above, it is useful, but not necessary, to bring them with you to the first mediation appointment. Eventually, you will need to bring a copy of the deed to any real estate either of you own, the license numbers of your vehicles, tax returns with W'2s, 1099s and the like, banking, creditcard and investment account statements, most recent pension, 401k and IRA account statements, and your most recent pay stubs.
For the first appointment, we will likely discuss your goals or interests in the outcome of the mediation. Advance thinking about these issues will help you to be prepared.
If you have children, give careful thought to what you believe to be the best child sharing arrangement for them, taking into account the children's ages, school and extra-curricular schedules, your and your spouse's work and travel schedule, and the distance between your intended homes. With your advance planning and thinking about these and other issues, you can save time and money in your mediation.
