How to Prepare for a Divorce Mediation in California

I’m Tim Blankenship from Divorce661. If you and your spouse want to keep your divorce amicable and avoid court, mediation can be one of the best options—but success depends on preparation. Below I walk you through exactly what to gather, how to organize it, and what to expect so you can enter mediation with confidence.

Why choose mediation?

Mediation keeps the process collaborative and private. It saves time, reduces stress, and gives you more control over outcomes than a courtroom decision. But mediation only works well when both parties come prepared and are willing to negotiate in good faith.

Financial documents to gather (checklist)

Before your mediation session, collect and organize all relevant financial information. The more complete and accurate your paperwork, the smoother negotiations will go.

• Income: recent pay stubs, tax returns (last 2–3 years), W-2s or 1099s
• Bank accounts: statements for checking and savings (last 3–12 months)
• Investment accounts: brokerage, stocks, mutual funds, and statements
• Retirement accounts: 401(k), IRA, pension statements and balances
• Property values: mortgage statements, recent appraisals, and property tax bills
• Debts: credit cards, personal loans, auto loans, student loans, and payoff balances
• Business documents: profit/loss statements, balance sheets, and ownership agreements
• Monthly expenses: household budget, bills, and records of regular payments

How to organize your information

Organization matters. Put documents in labeled folders or a simple digital folder system. Create a summary page that lists assets, liabilities, income, and monthly expenses—this gives everyone a clear snapshot at the start of mediation.

Accuracy is critical. Double-check balances and recent statements so discussions are based on current facts, not estimates.

Clarify your goals and priorities

Before mediation, decide what matters most to you. Is it keeping the family home, maximizing retirement savings, protecting a business, or securing support for a child? Rank your priorities so you know where you can be flexible and where you need to stand firm.

Be realistic and open to compromise. In mediation, the willingness to trade one priority for another often produces better outcomes than holding out for everything you want.

Real client example

We worked with a couple who came prepared with their paperwork and a general idea of what they wanted. Because they were organized and willing to compromise, they reached a full agreement in just one mediation session—and their divorce was finalized shortly after.

This is a great example of how preparation and clear priorities accelerate the process and reduce emotional strain.

How Divorce661 helps

• Organize financial disclosures so documents are court-ready.
• Clarify goals and identify which issues are negotiable.
• Explain the mediation process so there are no surprises on the day.
• Offer flat-fee document preparation for couples who reach a mediated agreement.

Our goal is to make mediation productive and to turn agreements into court-acceptable paperwork quickly and efficiently.

Tips for the mediation session

• Bring copies of all key documents for the mediator and the other party.
• Stay calm and respectful—emotions are natural, but constructive communication gets results.
• Listen more than you speak; understand the other side’s priorities before responding.
• Be ready to propose realistic solutions and to accept trade-offs.
• Use the mediator as a neutral guide—ask for clarification or reality checks when needed.

After mediation: next steps

If you reach an agreement, the settlement needs to be written up, reviewed, and submitted to the court. Having flat-fee document preparation and court-ready paperwork speeds finalization. If you don’t reach a full agreement, the mediator can help narrow issues and set next steps, whether that means additional sessions or moving toward litigation if necessary.

Final thoughts

Mediation is an excellent path for couples who want an amicable, cost-effective divorce. Preparation is the difference between a long fight and a single productive session. Gather accurate financial documents, clarify your priorities, and be willing to compromise. When both sides come prepared, mediation often leads to faster, cleaner resolutions.

If you’re planning to mediate your divorce and want help getting organized, visit divorce661.com to schedule a free consultation. We’ll help you prepare for mediation with confidence and set you up for a successful outcome.

We’ll help you enter mediation with confidence and set you up for a successful outcome.