A successful mediation for the parties is one in which they resolve all their disagreements and proceed to an uncontested divorce hearing. Benefits of a mediated divorce settlement agreement include lessening emotional and financial stress, and an agreement both parties can live with because they are the one who chose the resolutions of their issues.
This checklist will help parties avoid forgetting important issues and information during the mediation. Ideally, you have met or spoken with your family mediator prior to the date of mediation and provided some of this basic information. Regardless, it is always a good idea for you to have these with you, even if you will be attending the mediation with your attorney and have previously provided these items to him or her:
1. Have basic information with you, including date of marriage, and the following documents for easy reference during the mediation:
a list of real and personal property and what you believe is the fair market value of it;
debt, including credit cards, mortgage statements, etc., and the balances on each;
investment accounts, including retirement, pension, IRAs, and regular investments, and the balances of each;
bank account (both checking and savings;
If you and your spouse have children, include college accounts, doctors' bills, etc.
Note: child support calculations are made based on your income recent pay stubs-it's a good idea to bring at least at the last 3 month's of pay stubs;
health insurance information, including the cost for one, and the cost of health insurance for the children alone if you and your spouse have children from the marriage;
any other document that is important to you and you wish to discuss with your spouse.
2. A list of the things and questions which are important to you to talk about and resolve.
3. An open mind. Regardless of what has taken place before this point, no one can change the past, including the mediator. It is best to look to the future and what you want to come out of the mediation so that you can evaluate the alternatives discussed during the mediation.
4. Be on time for mediation. Even if your divorce mediation has been scheduled for the entire day, being on time will let you take advantage of every minute.
Vivian C. Rodriguez is a national consultant on case strategy on litigation and alternative dispute resolutions for parties headed for divorce court to avoid expensive and emotionally frustrating divorces. In Florida she is a family trial attorney and certified family mediator.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
