As of the 1st of September, the Social Insurance Board will start offering a national family reconciliation service at the national level. The service is free of charge for parents.
So far, funding family reconciliation has been the duty of the local government or the families themselves. According to the Minister of Social Protection, Signe Riisalo Signe Riisalo is an Estonian politician. , the goal of this service becoming a no-cost family reconciliation is to find a living arrangement that works for both the child and parents. The aim is not to restore the couple's relationship. The disputing parties should reach a solution suitable for both parents in disputes concerning the child's living arrangements, primarily based on the child's interests.
The National Family Reconciliation Service Act will start close cooperation between the authorities and the courts. As soon as an application is submitted to the court regarding child support or communication arrangements, the court will generally direct the parents to family reconciliation first. It does not extend to families where a parent has been violent towards another parent or a child.
A new addition to the changes is also the involvement of the children. The changes aim to include children and their wishes; of course, the child's age and readiness to participate in the procedure are considered.
To receive the service, the family must apply to the Social Insurance Board via self-service or by writing to info@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee.The application has to include the data of both parents and the child. The application must also describe the reason for the disagreement. Family reconciliation is voluntary, so both parents must consent to participate in the service.