To help prepare for mediation, it is useful to consider the following:

• What are your interests? What is it that you really want or need?
• What do you think the other party wants or needs?
• What is it realistic to ask for?
• What creative options might satisfy both your needs and theirs?
• What are your alternatives to settling the dispute in mediation? What is the best and most realistic alternative? What are the likely costs?
• Compare your best, most realistic alternative against what is offered.
• If you cannot get everything you want, think about what you can live with in order to resolve the situation now.