Start with the right question
Create a private comparison for your own preparation and qualified advice. Label every proposal with its date, source, and status. Follow any applicable confidentiality rules or agreements; this worksheet is not a reason to publish negotiation details or assume they can later be used in court.
Work through the checks
Normalize the money figures
Separate a gross amount from possible fees, repayments, expenses, or other adjustments. Keep unknown deductions marked unknown. Two offers with the same headline amount can have different practical consequences that require professional review.
Compare timing and conditions
Record when payment or another action is proposed and what must happen first. Distinguish a fixed date from a period triggered by a future event. Do not silently replace conditional language with a firm promise.
Identify the release and other terms
Note which parties, claims, or issues the proposal would address and any nonmonetary obligations. Preserve the exact wording for review. A short summary such as 'full settlement' may conceal questions about scope.
Keep decision questions separate
List the issues you need clarified and who can answer them. A comparison worksheet organizes information; it should not score an offer as legally best based on arbitrary weights or an AI confidence percentage.
A record you can use
- Proposal date, source, status, and confidentiality note.
- Amount and known or unknown adjustments.
- Timing, prerequisites, and payment method.
- Release scope and nonmonetary provisions.
- Questions for your adviser before deciding.
Keep this record locally. Use document references rather than publishing account numbers or other people's personal details. An empty field means the information is still missing; it should not be filled with an AI guess.
Worked example
One proposal offers a higher amount in installments; another offers a lower amount after specified paperwork. The comparison records the schedule, conditions, and release language for each. It does not rank the larger number automatically or describe either proposal as enforceable before the relevant agreement and legal requirements are reviewed.
This example is fictional and illustrates the method, not a real case result.
Limits and next steps
Whether a proposal becomes binding and how mediation confidentiality applies depend on the governing rules and facts. Mediator involvement does not replace independent advice about your rights.
Use the comparison to ask focused questions before accepting or signing. Preserve final documents separately from earlier drafts so the terms actually agreed can be identified.
Official guidance to check
- California mediator self-determination rule — a California rule, not a nationwide mediation code
- California court overview of mediation and arbitration