Intercultural families are nowdays common in Finland as are different sort of legal disputes related to the separation of the parents.
We always recommend to our international and local clients to co-operate with the other parent and to work hard to find a consensus especially regarding the children. Fighting parents only cause harm. Children sense the conflict although many parents think they can hide it.
From the parent’s point of view it is of course right to show and handle the contradictory feelings regarding the separation but when the interests of the children are involved it is very important to stop and try to consider what is best for the children. Primarily it is in the interest of the children to know and feel both of their parents and their relatives, abroad and in Finland.
If the parents don’t find a mutual understanding of the welfare of their children it usually means a contact to Finnish officials, usually social authorities and eventually a Court of law. In the worst case the police is also involved because of the other party’s claims.
According to our experience most of the child custody, right of access and maintenance disagreement cases ends with an agreement, with the help of the social authorities or in court proceedings. A long-lasting dispute is usually unnecessary and causes only redundant legal expenses for both parents. The Court ruling only rarely satisfies completely both parties.
Children in a divorce are typical situation in Finland. Based on the compiled statistics major amount of the marriages ends when the children are still rather young.
Finnish legal procedures related to children’s and their parents’ rights after the separation of the parents can be complicated especially for foreigners who don’t know how to act in different types of situations.
A local family law specialist is worth to contact already before the dispute is at hand to secure your and your children’s rights.