Mediation Resources
Plain-language guidance for preparing for family mediation in Florida. Nothing here is legal advice — each party should consult independent counsel for that.
How to Prepare for a Mediation Session
Preparation makes sessions more productive. You do not need a lawyer to participate in mediation, and you do not need to build a court case — you need the information that lets everyone see the practical picture.
Read the full preparation guide →
Documents to gather, working with your attorney beforehand, virtual session logistics, and what to expect on the day.
- Financial documents: recent account statements, retirement account summaries, loan balances, and major assets — enough to discuss division realistically.
- Income information: recent pay statements or other income documentation relevant to support discussions.
- Your calendar: availability for current and future scheduling, including school and activity rhythms if children are involved.
- Your priorities, written down: what matters most to you, and what you are flexible about. Positions are easy to deadlock; priorities are easier to work with.
- Questions for the mediator: anything about process, confidentiality, or what happens next.
What not to bring early: private facts, allegations, settlement positions, or documents. The first request should stay limited to conflict-check and scheduling information — substance comes after the conflict check clears.
Common Terms in Plain Language
Time-Sharing
The schedule of when each parent spends time with a child. Florida courts use this term rather than “custody.”
Parenting Plan
The written document covering time-sharing, decision-making, and communication between parents.
Caucus
A private meeting between the mediator and one party during a session. What is said in caucus stays confidential per the rules agreed at orientation.
Conflict Check
The mediator's review, before anything substantive, of whether relationships or circumstances could affect impartiality.
Memorandum of Understanding
A written summary of the terms the parties reached in mediation, often reviewed by attorneys before final signing.
Marital Property
Assets and debts acquired during the marriage, as distinct from either party's non-marital property.
Equitable Distribution
Florida's framework for dividing marital property and debt upon dissolution.
Self-Determination
The principle that the parties — not the mediator, and not a judge — make the decisions in mediation.