Be Prepared to Discuss in Mediation:

Some of the issues related to children that you may want to be prepared for:

  • Child support
  • Child custody (legal)
  • Child custody (physical)
  • Parent schedule
  • Grandparent visitation
  • Visitation with stepchildren
  • Health and dental  insurance for children
  • Uninsured health care costs
  • College education costs
  • Residence in the marital homestead
  • Beneficiaries of life insurance policies
  • Claiming children as dependents for income tax purposes
  • Religious upbringing of children

Some of the topics related to the community estate (assets and liabilities) that you may want to prepare for:

  • Equity in homestead
  • Other real property
  • Home furnishings
  • Business assets
  • Professional practices
  • Retirement benefits (pensions, IRAs, 401(k) plans)
  • Motor vehicles
  • Recreational vehicles
  • Personal property
  • Checking and Savings accounts
  • Stocks, bonds, and funds
  • Compensation for contributions as a homemaker
  • Hidden assets
  • Debts

Spousal Support Issues

  • Entitlement to support
  • How much?
  • How long?
  • Continued health care coverage through COBRA