Hi Hobbit See below copied and pasted from another thread I started to try to find answers...got some but also ended up trying to help others in the same position! This is me.......
In December we had our first individual sessions. I was asked what in particular I wanted to focus on (finance). I was asked a rough estimate of my assets. This meeting had a set charge, should have lasted about an hour but I was in for longer. The mediator explained the process etc and asked about any worries etc.
Any communication to the mediator thereafter outside meetings is done via an assistant who has been brilliant at letting me know whether STBX confirmed appointments etc. EG when he was asked his availability in January and didn't respond I suggested the assistant give him an actual date.
We then had our first joint meeting in January. I think they are expected to be around 11/2 hrs. We were in for just over 2 hrs. This is now on an hourly rate which will include any prep work the mediator has to do and writing it all up afterwards.
It was conducted in a very non confrontational way - just 3 chairs in the room, no table. The mediator tried to conduct the way the meeting went but we did go off at a tangent a lot - very quibbly timewasting stuff. As stbx and I had not seen each other for months there was a lot to discuss so it was difficult to stay focused. We were also expected to bring all our documents - we had been given a list at the first meeting. This includes reasonable needs for now and the future. This is basically what the meetings will be based on I think - who needs what re accommodation and living expenses. Unfortunately he didn't bring his. We also both signed a contract basically saying we agreed to give mediation our best shot.
About a week late I received the notes of the meeting - what had been discussed and points for us each to focus on. We have also been given a date for our next meeting this month (they are about a month apart). stbx has been asked to submit his paperwork prior to the next meeting so it can be distributed for our perusal.
I would say the mediator so far has been brilliant. It's true they can't give advice but they can say things like how the court system works and "have you thought about this?". It will also only work if both sides want it to and are fed up with solicitor's bills/procrastinating
...So that was what I posted. He then cancelled the next meeting as he still hadn't done the p/w and we are rescheduled for next week.
We didn't have to do a Form E as such - just something similar. I rewrote it into spreadsheet format on the computer to make it easier to work with.
I didn't have much of a problem with it all - in fact enjoyed it in a strange way because it's all part of getting things sorted. I scanned everything onto the computer instead of just copying it just in case I need it again and created one folder for statements etc and another for reasonable needs.
I have not exaggerated anything as I use a computer programme fro reconciling all statements etc and have done for over 15 yrs (anal or what!!!) so can prove anything asked. Presumably you have a list of reasonable needs suggestions as it's easy to forget stuff. I think banks/credit cards send you something once a year in a chart saying where you've spent your money?
Gotta go now...HTH 