Please could anyone explain why early mediation is important at the start of a divorce, it's $500 to do and seems to be a waste of money at this current time in the process?

Wouldn't mediation be better when she has disclosed her assets/liabilities and everything is on the table, that way I can assess what a fair split would be and mediation then seems a great way to do this.

My soon to be ex wife is hurrying this process along. She says it has to be done before the very first court appearance.

She has a history of doing some extremely shady transactions in our marriage including buying second homes and hiding money.

I have a lawyer and will be meeting them this week.

Any guidance on what the first appearance in front of a judge entails would be helpful also please.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.