How to prepare for divorce mediation.

Divorce mediation works best when both parties walk in prepared. This checklist covers the three areas that matter most before your first session: emotional readiness, the financial picture, and the goals you want to leave with.

1. Emotional preparation

• Name your non-negotiables and separate them from what is open to discussion.
• Identify the topics most likely to escalate, and plan a grounding response.
• Decide who you will debrief with after each session — a therapist, a friend, a coach.
• Commit to listening for understanding, not to win a point.

2. Gather your financial documents

• Last two years of tax returns and most recent pay stubs.
• Bank, brokerage, and retirement account statements (individual and joint).
• Mortgage, loan, and credit-card balances.
• Property deeds, vehicle titles, and a list of significant personal assets.
• A working monthly budget — actual spending, not aspirational.

3. Set clear goals for the process

• Write down what a successful outcome looks like in one paragraph.
• If children are involved, draft a first-pass parenting schedule.
• Decide which decisions you want made in mediation vs. deferred to attorneys.
• Bring questions, not ultimatums.

What happens next

Most divorce mediations resolve in 1–4 structured sessions. The work above shortens the timeline, lowers the cost, and keeps decision-making in your hands rather than a courtroom's. Read more about our process or browse the frequently asked questions.