1st joint mediation tomorrow

[ponderingisgood]

Session will be via Zoom which I don't know makes it any better.
I feel utterly sick and exhausted by it all.

can anyone let me know what to expect? do agreements get reached with 1 meeting?

I've done two lots of mediation to do with divorce: one financial in person, and one spurious financial claim (online) long after decree absolute.
Suggest:

1. Don't get too stressed - good mediators will detect stress and try to put the parties at reasonable ease.
2. Prepare well. Read the guidance, think about what deal you want to achieve, what will you flex on, and what is non-negotiable.
3. Be ready to explain your position, and be ready to be encouraged to find a deal.
4. Think about what happens if you cannot get a deal at first session.

Do you both try a second session, or cut a deal afterwards, or consider court process?

1. Stay calm, and level headed.
2. I got stressed before my first one, but once I was in it, I acclimatised and settled into it.
3. Try to park emotion, and treat it like a business negotiation.

Where I use the word "deal", I mean agreement or settlement. I don't want to sound insensitive; sorry, I'm a bloke/father!

I hope this helps, and wishing you well.

If you want to PM, feel free to (up to 11.00 tonight).

I've had three mediation sessions with my soon to be ex. I found the mediator unhelpful, and unreasonable, she couldn't grasp the difference between fair and equal. My ex has taken it to court, the first hearing is tomorrow.
I hope you have a good mediator. Good luck.