What Do I Need to Bring?

Please bring current information about financial accounts, loans, and property titled, owed, or owned by one or both of you. All information should be the most current available and should be the source document (most recent statement). Printouts of statements from the internet are fine. If a spreadsheet helps you organize, fine, but please bring the source documents, too.

 

Please note: Many of the items listed will not apply to everyone. Also, this list is not all-inclusive. If there's anything this list doesn’t include from a financial standpoint that applies to you, please bring it. However, please do not spend money obtaining third party information, for example, an appraisal, at this time.

 

You do not need and are not required to have every item in hand to begin mediation. Do not let document gathering delay your first meeting. The first meeting will identify any remaining items needed and may save you from searching for information you won’t need.

 

1.       Financial Assets

a.       Bank Accounts

b.       Non-Retirement Investment Accounts

c.       Retirement Savings Accounts (IRA, 401(k), 403(b), etc.)

d.       Pensions (Military, CSRS, FERS, Private)

e.       College Accounts (UTMA, UGMA, 529, etc.)

f.         Other Financial Assets

2.       Significant Property & Related Loan Information (Balance Due & Monthly Payment)

a.       House and Other Real Estate

b.       Cars, Boats, and Other Licensed or Titled Property

c.       Other Significant Property

d.      Do Not Inventory Your Household Property and Furnishings

3.       Other Financial Liabilities (Those not covered in #2)

a.       Credit Cards

b.       Financing Arrangements

                                                                             i.      Braces

                                                                            ii.      Furniture

                                                                          iii.      Computers/TV

                                                                           iv.      Appliances

c.       Outstanding Unreimbursed Medical Expenses

d.       Student Loans

e.       Loans from Friends or Family

f.         Other Loans or Financial Obligations

4.       All Salary, Wages and Other Forms of Compensation

a.       Recent Pay Stubs

b.       Employment Agreement

c.       Stock Options Plan

d.       Bonus Schedule

e.       Commission Schedule

f.         Deferred Compensation

g.       Other

5.       Insurance

a.       Life

                                                                             i.      Death Benefit Amount

                                                                            ii.      Beneficiary

                                                                          iii.      Term or Other (Whole, Universal, etc.)

1.       If Other, Cash Value

2.       Copy of Policy

b.       Health, Dental & Vision

                                                                             i.      Cost of Current Coverage

                                                                            ii.      Cost of Same Coverage for “Employee Only” and for “Employee plus Children” (May be the same as Family Plan)

6.       Taxes

a.       Copy of Most Recent Tax Returns

                                                                             i.      W-2s

                                                                            ii.      1099s

b.       Knowledge of Current Year Tax Status

                                                                             i.      Estimated Tax Payments

                                                                            ii.      Past Due Taxes

7.       Sole Proprietor or Family Business Information 

Remember, you do not need and are not required to have every item in hand to begin mediation. Do not let document gathering delay your first meeting. The first meeting will identify any rema

This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be legal advice or the formation of a mediator/client relationship.