After choosing your attorney, what comes next? The key here is to be an active, not a passive, participant in the process. At the initial meeting between you and your partner, the mediator will request that you both provide certain information. Undoubtedly, he/she will provide you with a list of financial documentation, ranging from tax returns, W-2s, lists of assets and debts, etc. If custody and/or visitation will be an issue, he/she may request a schedule of both your interaction with the children.

If you stay on top of these requests, you will find that the entire process moves a lot quicker. Lackluster responses will only serve to delay things, and might even give rise to suspicion that your disclosure is not free and transparent.

You may find yourself suddenly being confronted by financial issues which perhaps you previously ignored or, more often, allowed your spouse to handle. And now you being asked to express an informed opinion! Different people handle this issue in different ways. Some retain another professional, such as a lawyer or a financial person, to separately discuss these issues. Others consult the internet (never my favourite suggestion although it can be helpful) or watch educational videos.

Lastly, returning to the “active” aspect I noted earlier, try to adhere to all of the mediator’s requests and scheduling as much as possible. We are all busy people with crowded calendars, but I have seen more mediations languish or even flounder as a result of allowing too much time to pass between mediation sessions.

If you wish to schedule an initial consultation please contact me at 212-605-0435 or 516-280-3123.