Two-Week Mediation Preparation Checklist for Parents

If mediation is two weeks away, ask the mediator which issues will be discussed, what records are needed, when to send them and how to share them securely. This optional countdown helps divide preparation into manageable tasks. It does not replace a disclosure request, court order or deadline, and you do not need to wait two weeks to seek advice.

A mediator helps people discuss agreement; the mediator does not decide the dispute or act as either person's lawyer. BC's official guidance recommends independent legal advice before making an agreement. Tell the mediator privately about threats, coercion, fear, protection orders or barriers to participating freely. Ask whether mediation is appropriate and what safeguards are available. If anyone is in immediate danger, seek emergency help when safe; collecting records can wait.

• Confirm the date, location or video link, accessibility and interpreter needs.
• Ask about private intake, separate rooms, confidentiality and who may attend.
• List urgent court dates and existing orders; preparation does not suspend them.

Write a short list of the topics the mediator has agreed to address: parenting schedules, child-related expenses, support, property or another issue. Beside each topic, note what you know, what is uncertain and the records already lawfully available to you. Do not access another person's accounts without authorization.

Depending on the issues and applicable requirements, useful records may include income information, tax returns and notices of assessment, bank statements, benefits, budgets, debts and property records. Ask which periods and forms are actually required. Record statement dates and missing periods. A separation date may matter, but it is not automatically the valuation date for every asset; ask an adviser about the relevant dates.

• Create a requested / available / missing checklist.
• Keep source files unchanged and notes separate.
• Record missing information rather than guessing an amount.

Use a small set of categories: agreements and orders, parenting, income and expenses, property and debt, and procedural correspondence. A readable working filename such as 2026-09-30_bank-statement.pdf helps identify a record. Keep a mapping to its original name and source so later references remain traceable.

Create an index with a personal document ID, date, description, category and location. These IDs help you find records; they do not make the records court exhibits. Check scans are readable and statements include all pages. Track requested information without treating an unanswered request as proof of wrongdoing. Ask the mediator how gaps will affect the session.

Describe current routines, school and childcare arrangements, exchanges, health needs and child-related expenses using dates and concrete observations. Separate what you personally observed from what someone reported, what is disputed and what remains unknown. You can accurately record a disputed event without presenting your interpretation as established fact. Avoid asking children to gather evidence or carry messages.

Use one event per chronology row: date or honest estimate, neutral description, source ID and an open question if needed. Preserve complete message threads and context rather than only favourable screenshots. A source-linked chronology helps locate information; it does not decide admissibility or the parenting arrangement a court would order. Keep safety concerns visible for confidential professional advice.

Prepare a one-page orientation stating the issues, present arrangements, immediate dates and documents still missing. Keep questions separate from possible proposals. Parenting questions might concern school holidays, transport, communication and how arrangements would meet the child's needs. Ask a qualified adviser about the legal implications and alternatives.

Follow the mediator's directions about what to share, with whom and when. Keep independent legal advice and private negotiation notes separate from material intended for exchange. Do not assume marking something confidential makes it privileged or prevents every later use. Ask before sharing settlement communications or sensitive information about children.

Check you can find the requested records, open the meeting link and view the package on your device. Bring originals or copies according to the mediator's instructions. Plan breaks and practical support. Explain remaining gaps instead of filling them with estimates presented as facts.

After the meeting, note next steps, responsibility for obtaining information and dates to confirm. Distinguish tentative discussion from a signed agreement or court order. Get independent legal advice before making an agreement; an organized folder cannot establish that proposed terms are fair or legally effective.

SeraCase can help organize documents, source-linked timeline events, evidence references and a working summary for review. Check AI-assisted output against originals. It does not act as a mediator, provide legal advice, negotiate for you or guarantee agreement. You can also use folders and a spreadsheet.