The ex and I have mandatory mediation scheduled early next month. I'm fighting for Primary Physical Custody /Joint Legal for 1 young child we have together.

To rewind a bit, the ex was awarded custody at the Temporary Hearing mainly due to status quo. The child was already living with the ex and in the middle of the school year, so the judge didn't want to interfere with that. Understandable.

I have a lawyer but the ex has represented herself throughout this entire process. The ex believes that custody will ultimately be awarded to her anyway, since she is the mother (her words, not mine).

There is a GAL involved. The GAL report is not fully completed but she has already expressed to my lawyer that my living arrangement, support system and educational system at my location is superior to the ex's current location. Additionally, the ex is very unstable (in various ways) and is considering moving yet again. If she moves, it would be her 3rd move in a short amount of time. As it stands today, she is more than 1k miles away.

For this reason, we have to make sure nearly all the bases are covered from our side.

My lawyer and I have drafted a very reasonable parenting plan so far. We have outlines for both long-distance and local visitation. There are holidays alternated, weekends alternated (if local), breakdown of splitting travel costs, return times clearly defined, etc. As for CS, I am not pursing it.

With all considered, what would happen if the ex doesn't try to meet us in the middle? Would my lawyer and I have a great chance at the final hearing? There are things that I am willing to work out but Physical Custody is necessary due to the many concerns I have.

This would be my first mediation, so I am curious to hear how other experiences have gone!