What Do I Need to Bring?

Please bring identification information/documentation and 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, it’s not required, 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.     Identification Documentation
        a.     Social Security Numbers
        b.    Driver’s Licenses
        c.     If you have minor children, please bring the last 4 digits of their SSN's
 
2.     All 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
 
3.     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
 
4.     All Other Financial Liabilities
        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
 
5.     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
 
6.     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”                                                (Premium Rate Sheet will help) 

7.     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

8.     Sole Proprietor or Family Business Information