The following issues are often discussed in a mediation involving a separation or a divorce. Please bring any relevant information with you to the mediation to help with decisions (i.e., information regarding bills, debts, value of assets, retirement plans, insurance, etc.).
Parenting Arrangements:
1. Legal Custody (who makes major decisions about the children regarding education, religion, and major healthcare issues)
2. Physical Custody (the times the children will spend with each parent)
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Childcare plans
- Extracurricular activities
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Summers
- Extended vacation times
- Travel plans
- Temporary changes to plan
3. Communication (telephone, email)
- Between parents
- Between parents and children
4. Spousal Support and Expenses:
- Spousal Support: amount; method; time
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Pension plans
- Educational expenses
- Housing expenses
- Legal expenses
5. Child Support and Expenses:
- Child support: amount; method; time
- Health insurance
- Medical expenses not covered by insurance
- Childcare expenses
- Tax deductions
- Life insurance beneficiaries
- School/college expenses
- Expenses for extras: activities, birthday parties, non-essential items
6. Equitable Distribution of Property:
- Determine value of assets and liabilities
- House/property
- Property expenses (mortgage, utilities, taxes)
- Household furnishings
- Motor vehicles (payments, insurance, expenses)
- Savings/checking accounts
- Investments/stocks
- Credit card and other consumer debt
- Personal debt
- Insurance (cash value)
- Tax refunds or payments due
- Inheritance
- Bankruptcy
- Business
7. Other
- Moving
- Communication
- Legal expenses
- Resolving future disputes
