Who Keeps the Passport

Background: John and Jane were a married couple who had recently gone through a divorce. They were both seeking custody of their two children, but were unable to come to a mutual agreement on who would retain the children's passports. John believed that he should be the one to hold the passports, as he was the primary caregiver for the children. However, Jane argued that she needed access to the passports in case of an emergency.

Objective: The main objective of the mediation was to resolve the dispute over the custody of the children's passports and to find a mutually acceptable solution that would protect the interests of both John and Jane, as well as their children.

Mediation Process: The mediation was conducted by a trained and accredited family mediators who provided a neutral and impartial environment for John and Jane to discuss their dispute. During the first session, both parties were encouraged to express their concerns and to listen to each other's perspectives. The mediators helped to clarify misunderstandings and to identify common ground between the parties.

As the mediation progressed, John and Jane were able to come up with several possible solutions. One solution was for the passports to be kept in a secure place, such as a bank deposit box, and for both parties to have access to them in case of an emergency. Another solution was for the passports to be kept in the possession of a neutral third party, such as an attorney or a trusted family member.

Outcome: After several sessions of mediation, John and Jane were able to reach a mutually acceptable agreement on the custody of the children's passports. They both agreed that the passports would be kept in a secure place and that both parties would have access to them in case of an emergency. This agreement was documented in writing.

The mediation process provided John and Jane with a safe and neutral environment to resolve their dispute. By working together and finding common ground, they were able to reach a solution that was in the best interests of their children.

Feedback: John and Jane were both very satisfied with the outcome of the mediation. They felt that the process had allowed them to express their concerns and to listen to each other's perspectives. They also appreciated the neutral and impartial nature of the mediation, which helped them to resolve their dispute in a respectful and constructive manner. They both recommended mediation to others who are facing similar disputes.