In many ways, divorce mediation offers advantages over trial litigation, including greater control over the outcome, increased privacy, and often lower costs and a shorter time frame. However, it is a mistake to assume that mediation is “easy” and therefore requires less preparation. Even if you and your spouse get along exceptionally well and are committed to a mutually beneficial resolution, you will still have to make many important decisions that can affect the rest of your lives. With so much on the line, it is best to go into your mediation sessions fully prepared.

Tips for Preparing for Divorce Mediation

If you have decided to try to resolve your divorce through mediation, here are some things you can do to prepare before the process officially begins:

1. Gather your documents. Primarily, this includes documentation of your financial assets and debts, including both marital property and your own personal, non-marital property. Bringing your own documents can help you protect your interests as you negotiate a fair division of property. If you and your spouse have previously created a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, this is also an important document to bring with you to mediation, as it can significantly expedite the process.

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Divorce can be an emotionally and physically traumatic experience, regardless of the level of civility shared by the divorcing spouses. Still, the more contentious the relationship, the more draining the divorce process can be. 

For soon-to-be former couples who wish to avoid combative and costly courtroom divorce litigation, there are ways to keep divorce proceedings from becoming total warfare.

The divorce process can be a long, drawn-out affair if it is a contentious case. A lengthy divorce can drain both you and and your soon-to-be former spouse mentally, emotionally, and financially. 

In many situations, it is beneficial to use a mediator instead of litigating in court. Divorce mediation may take only a few collaborative sessions, and even the longer instances are usually much faster than court cases. 

In the days leading up to your first divorce mediation session, you may not know what to expect, and you may be nervous about what lies ahead. One way to quell your nerves is to learn more about what mediation is like and how you can proactively prepare for success.

Proper preparation may help you reduce the number of mediation sessions your case will require and make the process go more smoothly. Our office recommends planning in the following ways: