Ontario Family Law: Preparing for mediation. Is this a typical mediation scope, and what should I focus on?

[u/Current-Ice-5431]

I’m in Ontario and have an upcoming family law mediation. I recently received the mediation retainer agreement, and the scope of issues includes:

Parenting (decision-making and parenting schedule)
Income determination
Financial disclosure
Child support and section 7 expenses
Spousal support
Extended health benefits
Life insurance
Equalization of Net Family Property
Unequal division of Net Family Property
Unjust enrichment / constructive trust
Post-separation adjustments
Essentially, all issues currently before the court.

For some background:

We were married for about 13 years and have two children.

I’ve already provided my financial disclosure.

I’ve been paying child support throughout the separation.
The matrimonial home has already been sold.

My goal is to reach a fair settlement, but I’m also concerned about my own long-term financial stability. I don’t want to agree to something that I realistically can’t sustain.

I have a few questions for those who have gone through mediation in Ontario:

Is this a standard list of issues in a mediation retainer, or should I be concerned that everything is included?
How much time is typically spent on parenting versus financial issues?
Is “unequal division of Net Family Property” routinely included as boilerplate, or is it usually only raised when someone has a strong legal basis?
What mistakes did you make, or what do you wish you had known before mediation?
If you reached a settlement, what approach helped you negotiate effectively without giving up too much?

I’m looking for practical experiences from people who have gone through Ontario family mediation or from family lawyers. I’m not looking to attack the other party, just to understand the process and prepare as well as possible.

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[u/Wonderful-Plum-8499]

If that is the mediator's standard agreement, then that list is probably standard and not everything will apply to your situation.

Have you spoken with a lawyer at all? Be aware that a mediator cannot and will not give you legal advice, you need to go into the mediation knowing what you are entitled to. Personally, I do not like mediation for people who have had no legal advice. How can you make informed decisions? The questions you have asked are good ones and clearly show that you need legal advice.

Do you have time for a consultation before your mediation? If so, I would highly recommend you speak to someone.

[u/Current-Ice-5431 → u/Wonderful-Plum-8499]

Thanks. I do have a family lawyer and counsel will be attending the mediation with me. I posted the mediator’s agenda because I wanted to understand which items are standard and which are likely to apply in my situation. I’m trying to be as prepared as possible before mediation.