Prepare for your mediation
Coming to mediation prepared makes a real difference in how quickly and smoothly you reach an agreement. The short guides below walk through what to expect, what to bring, and how to think about the conversations ahead. They're written for people who have never sat in a mediation before, in plain language — no legal jargon.
What is mediation and how does it work?
An accessible primer on the mediation process from intake through final agreement.
Tips for a successful mediation
Practical guidance to help you arrive prepared, focused, and ready to negotiate well.
What to gather before your first session
Most mediations move faster when both parties arrive with a baseline of financial and family information already assembled. Helpful items to have on hand include your three most recent pay stubs, last year's Notice of Assessment from the CRA, statements for any joint bank accounts, mortgage and property details, retirement and pension summaries, a list of significant debts, and — if children are involved — a rough draft of the parenting schedule you'd ideally like to see. You don't need anything polished; a working set of numbers and notes is enough to build a productive first session around.
If gathering all of this feels overwhelming, don't worry. We'll send a simple intake checklist after your booking is confirmed, and Jana will flag anything else that would be useful based on the issues in your specific matter.