Educational Information Only
Family mediation works best when both parties come prepared. Whether you’re mediating parenting time, child support, or property division, a little preparation goes a long way.
What to Bring
Financial Documents
If you’re discussing support or property division, bring:
- Recent pay stubs (last 3 months)
- Tax returns (last 2 years)
- Bank statements
- Retirement account statements
- Mortgage or lease agreements
- Credit card statements
- List of monthly expenses
Parenting Information
If you’re working on a parenting plan:
- Current time-sharing schedule
- School calendars and holiday schedules
- Extracurricular activity schedules
- Healthcare provider information
- Any existing court orders
Case Documents
- Petition or response
- Financial affidavits
- Any proposed parenting plans or settlement offers
- Case number and court information
Before the Session
Think About Your Priorities
What matters most to you? Make a list of your priorities and rank them. This helps you stay focused during negotiations and understand where you might have flexibility.
Consider Your Children’s Needs
If you’re creating a parenting plan, think about:
- Your children’s routines and schedules
- School and extracurricular commitments
- Each parent’s work schedule
- Holiday and vacation preferences
- Communication methods that work for your family
Consult Your Attorney
If you have an attorney, discuss your goals and boundaries before mediation. Your attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options.
If you don’t have an attorney, consider a consultation before the session to understand the legal framework. You can still mediate without an attorney, but it helps to know what the law requires.
During Mediation
Be Ready to Listen
Mediation works when both parties listen and try to understand each other’s perspective. You don’t have to agree, but being willing to hear the other side opens the door to creative solutions.
Focus on Interests, Not Positions
Instead of digging in on a specific outcome, think about why that outcome matters to you. Often, there are multiple ways to meet your underlying interests.
For example:
- Position: “I want every weekend.”
- Interest: “I want consistent, quality time with my kids.”
When you focus on interests, you can explore options that work for both parties.
Stay Calm and Respectful
Emotions run high in family cases. That’s normal. But mediation works best when parties can stay focused on problem-solving rather than rehashing past grievances.
If you need a break, ask for one. Mediators are trained to manage conflict and keep discussions productive.
Be Realistic
Mediation isn’t about “winning.” It’s about finding solutions that both parties can live with. Be open to compromise and creative options.
What If We Don’t Agree?
Not every case settles in one session. Sometimes parties need time to think, consult with attorneys, or gather more information.
Partial agreements are valuable. Even if you don’t resolve everything, narrowing the issues saves time and money in court.
After Mediation
If you reach an agreement:
- Review the mediation summary or memorandum
- Consult with your attorney (if you have one)
- Have your attorney prepare the necessary court documents
- Submit the agreement to the court for approval
If you don’t reach an agreement, you return to the court process. The work done in mediation often clarifies issues and makes the litigation process more efficient.
Ready to Schedule?
If you’re preparing for family mediation, use the link below to schedule your session.
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