What information must I disclose to my spouse and to the mediator? What is discussed during divorce mediation?

All financial information must be disclosed and verified as part of the mediation process. The mediator will work with you to determine your income, expenses, assets, liabilities, retirement funds, and other financial information that is required as part of a legal divorce. Should information be withheld during the mediation process, any agreement reached may not be valid.

In a typical divorce mediation, the following issues must be addressed in order to generate an agreement that may be submitted with the court:

• Children: Parenting responsibilities and time; living arrangements; legal and physical custody; insurance, education, support and many other issues
• Assets and Debts: How these will be apportioned
• Property: Marital home, cars, other personal property
• Spousal Support: Whether there will spousal support, in what amount and for how long
• Insurance and Medical Expenses: Who is responsible for medical insurance for the children
• Tax Issues: Who has tax liability for property and assets sold, etc.

Mediation is a private process, not open to the public. You will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement before beginning mediation. The mediator is bound by law to keep confidential what is discussed in mediation.

Brian James is an experienced divorce and family mediator with offices throughout Chicagoland and Southeastern Wisconsin. He runs a mediation practice, C.E.L. and Associates where his approach to mediation is client driven.