The first mediation session is generally “a meet and greet” session. I provide prospective mediation clients with homework to complete in advance of the first meeting. This generally involves a simple biography of the family, a financial disclosure form, and a list of financial and legal documents that are needed for the mediation process. Most mediation sessions run about an hour and a half to two hours long.
Subsequent sessions involve delving into all issues specific to that family. Each issue is discussed, taken apart and studied to brainstorm possible settlement alternatives. Sometimes an issue is brought up, discussed and then tabled to the next meeting so clients can think things over or do additional homework required to resolve it. Sessions continue until each issue is resolved.