Mediation‑Day Ready: Checklist + Mindset

Walk into the room prepared, calm, and crystal‑clear on your bottom line 🫶

Purpose: Hand you a practical, step‑by‑step guide to gather the right documents, set a steady mindset, and use the day wisely—so mediation feels like a structured conversation, not a surprise exam.

Time Commitment • 20 minutes to read, 60–90 minutes to gather and organize materials.

What You’ll Need •  Open your mediation folder, print (or save) this checklist, collect key financial statements, a notebook for offers and questions, and a reusable water bottle to keep your brain hydrated and focused.

Friendly Ground Rules

  1. Agenda-Free Zone—Before, During, After
    Whether you’re weighing the idea of divorce, deep in the paperwork, or rebuilding life on the other side, we’re here to support your chosen path. No judgment, no hidden agenda.

  2. Educational, Not Advice
    Everything you’ll read is for general education. It is not legal, financial, mental-health, or medical advice. Laws and circumstances differ by state, county, and family—always verify details with qualified professionals who know your facts.

  3. Safety & Well-Being First
    If you feel unsafe, overwhelmed, or in crisis, please pause and reach out:
    • National DV Hotline (US) 1-800-799-7233
    • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) 988
    • 911 (or local emergency) for immediate danger

  4. Every Journey Is Unique
    Divorce and healing are deeply personal. While we strive for accuracy and empathy, not every tip fits every situation. Keep what helps, adapt what might, and leave the rest.

  5. Quick Calm Cue
    Feeling anxious as you read? Try the 5-5-5 Grounding Breath—inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5, exhale for 5. Repeat three times, then continue when you’re ready.

72‑Hour Prep: Paper & Priorities

Documents to Print or Save as PDFs
• Last two months of bank, credit‑card, and investment statements
• Most recent mortgage or lease, property‑tax bill, and vehicle title/loan balance
• Proposed parenting‑time calendar (two copies)
• Draft budget showing post‑divorce needs
• Three potential settlement options (best, mid, walk‑away)

Mini‑Win ➜ Having hard numbers in hand often cuts mediation time by an hour or more.

24‑Hour Calm‑Down Routine

Charge phone and portable battery—then set devices to Do Not Disturb from bedtime through mediation.
Fuel smart: balanced dinner, limit alcohol, pre‑sleep chamomile or magnesium.
Pack the bag: documents, pen, highlighter, snacks, water.
Plan your route and parking; aim to arrive 15 minutes early to let cortisol settle.

Morning‑Of Mindset Reset

• Five deep 5‑5‑5 breaths while visualizing a calm room.
• Choose a phrase to anchor you: “I speak calmly and listen fully.”
• Light stretch or 10‑minute walk—movement burns adrenaline.
• Skim your three priorities and BATNA (Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreement).

Mediation‑Day Pack List

Communication Playbook

Use the B.R.E.A.T.H.E. Framework
B: Breathe before speaking.
R: Reflect back—“I hear you’re concerned about…”
E: Explore interests—ask why they need X.
A: Ask concise questions; avoid accusations.
T: Trade—link concessions (“If A, then I can do B”).
H: Halt if emotions spike; request a five‑minute break.
E: Evaluate your BATNA before agreeing.

Mini‑Win ➜ One well‑timed break can salvage hours of progress.

Numbers & Ranges: Your Quick Reference Sheet

  1. Ideal Outcome – the “yes, please” scenario.

  2. Acceptable Range – realistic midpoint.

  3. Walk‑Away Point – if offers dip below this, pause, caucus, or adjourn.

Write these three on a sticky note inside your notebook—private eyes only.

After the Session

• Capture Offers – Note each proposal and any tentative agreements.
• Emotion Check – Rate stress 1–10; plan a decompress ritual (walk, favorite meal).
• Next‑Step Email – Within 24 hours, send a concise recap to your lawyer/coach: “We agreed on X, still apart on Y; mediator drafting memo by Friday.”

Final Word

Preparation plus a steady mindset turns mediation from frantic negotiation into purposeful problem‑solving. Pack your facts, anchor your breathing, and remember: progress beats perfection—every workable inch moves you closer to closure.

Pack smart • Breathe steady • forward is forward

— The navigatedivo Team

Need to talk things through with an experienced divorce coach?