Mediation in family matters

Mediation is a way of finding solutions to conflicts within a family. Mediation is usually used in divorce proceedings, for example if the parents cannot agree on child custody and right access or if one of the parents does not respect the agreement on child custody and right of access.

Agreement with a child welfare officer

The municipal child welfare officer helps parents to agree on how to organise their children’s affairs after divorce.

If an agreement on the child’s affairs has been made with the child welfare officer and confirmed, the child’s affairs no longer need to be dealt with by the district court in connection with the divorce petition.

Family mediation

If the parents cannot reach an agreement at a meeting with the child welfare officer, they can ask for help in negotiating from the family mediation service. Services provided by the social services of the municipality or city are free of charge. More information about family mediation (thl.fi, in Finnish).

Mediation at the district court

If a disagreement about the arrangements for a child’s affairs cannot be resolved by other divorce-related services, the custody dispute can be settled before the district court. The mediators are a judge experienced in family matters and an expert in parenting and child development. More information on mediation in court (tuomioistuimet.fi).

Hearing at a district court

if the parents cannot agree on how to organise the child’s affairs, the matter can be resolved before the district court. The parents must submit their claims for custody, residence, right of access and maintenance to the district court together with the divorce petition or as a separate matter.

The district court may ask the social service authorities to draw up a report on the circumstances and living conditions of the family members.

The parents can settle their dispute about the child’s affairs even before the court proceedings begin. In that case, the district court will decide the case in the way agreed by the parents, and the proceedings will be terminated.