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Family mediation

Family mediation helps parents who are separating to come to an agreement and conclude agreements based on the interests of the child.

What is family mediation?

Family mediation offers parents impartial support in creating a new living arrangement. The family mediator mediates the parents' negotiations and helps them find solutions that take into account the children's interests and reach an agreement on a peaceful future arrangement.

The purpose of family mediation is to conclude a working agreement based on the welfare of the child, which Both parents respect and, therefore, adhere to it. The goal is not to get the parents to reconcile but to reach an agreement!

The state-funded family mediation service is free for parents.

To whom?

Family mediation is intended for parents who are planning to end their cohabitation or have already ended it.

Family mediation requires equal partners who want to enter into agreements based on the interests of the children and taking into account the needs of the parents.

Common topics in family mediation

  • Place of residence of the child and procedure for communicating with the child (including holidays and school breaks)
  • Maintenance issues (how both parents contribute to the maintenance of the child)
  • Termination or change of joint custody (as a prerequisite, referral by the court, read more in the online diary)
  • Other (for example, issues of hobby education, traveling with a child, the child's daily schedule, common values, etc.)

A useful choice for both the parent and the child

  • Helps resolve differences out of court and remain supportive parents even after separation.
  • The best possible agreement is reached based on the children's interests and needs, and the children can be involved in the process.
  • Helps children cope more easily with the separation of their parents.
  • Family mediation is faster, cheaper, and more sustainable for parents compared to court proceedings, takes into account the well-being of the child, and parents' agreements concluded in family mediation are more effective.
  • A parenting agreement has the same legal basis as a court order.
  • A parenting agreement is reached in an average of 4-5 meetings over three months.

How can I get the family mediation service?

In order to receive the state-funded family mediation service, we need an application from both parents.

apply for family mediation service

To fill out the form on a computer, download the application form, fill it out and sign both applications separately, and send it in a way that suits you:

Family mediation service providers

The family mediation service is carried out by a family mediator who has the appropriate training and professional knowledge. The family mediator has completed 160 hours of basic family mediation training, has experience in counseling, and has a higher education in, for example, psychology, law, or social work. The family mediation service is offered in Estonian, Russian, and English.

The working areas of the State-Funded Family Mediation Service are Tallinn, Haapsalu, Kärdla, Kuressaare, Rapla, Jõgeva, Paide, Pärnu, Tartu, Valga, Viljandi, Võru, Põlva, Narva, Jõhvi and Rakvere.

The state-funded family mediator service is offered by family mediators

Where to go for information?

Contacts

Name Occupation Institutions to be served Phone Email address
Kadri Käsk perelepituse koordinaator Family Reconciliation Team

5378 1885

[email protected]
Anne Proos perelepituse koordinaator Family Reconciliation Team

5357 6246

[email protected]
Sigrid Tammiste perelepituse koordinaator Family Reconciliation Team

5918 9130

[email protected]
Anna Vorobjova perelepituse koordinaator Family Reconciliation Team

5309 7229

[email protected]
Liilia Mänd juhtivkoordinaator Family Reconciliation Team

5886 2296

[email protected]

For more information and advice, contact the coordinators of the State-Funded Family Mediation Service team.

If there has been domestic violence between the parents, the suitability of the service depends on the type of domestic violence, as they have different causes, dynamics, and risks. You can read more about what domestic violence is and how it manifests itself on the Victim Support sub-page, Family violence, and domestic violence.

In a situation where one parent is or has been violent towards the other parent, the victim may feel afraid of meeting the other parent, and therefore it may be impossible to provide a safe environment. It may be impossible for the victim to participate in the family reconciliation session and make decisions and reach agreements. Such a situation adversely affects both the well-being of the victim and the mediation process. In this case, the Social Insurance Board has the right to refuse to provide family mediation services.

If the episode of violence was situational, e.g., one-off, occurred a long time ago, and the victim is not afraid of the ex-partner and wants to participate in the service, the family mediation service can be supportive of the parents. In this case, it is possible to apply co-mediation, i.e., two family mediators work with the family. Family mediators who offer family mediation to parents who have experienced domestic violence have special knowledge on how to spot and support a victim of domestic violence.

The family mediation service requires equal partners who want to enter into agreements based on the interests of the children and taking into account the needs of the parents. If you want to conclude a parenting plan with the other parent, but you have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence, be sure to contact the coordinator of the family mediation service. By talking individually, the coordinators help assess the parents' current situation, the suitability of the service according to the situation, and the parent's readiness to participate in the family mediation service.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the child's right to be heard, and according to the convention, the child has the right to express an opinion on any matter that affects them.

The goal of family mediation is for the parents to reach a parenting plan based on the best interests of the child. In order to determine the best interests of the child, it is important to listen to the child as part of family mediation. The purpose of listening to the child is to give the child the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings related to the divorce of their parents, to express their opinion, and to help them understand what changes are happening around them. The child always has the right to decide whether they want to use this option or not. The child's hearing is planned jointly by the parents and the family mediator.

In the process of the State-Funded Family Mediation Service, the child's hearing is only waived if the child has already been heard, or considering the child's age and level of development, the child's hearing is not possible.

Last updated: 10.01.2024

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