Estonia Amends Family Law to Protect Right to Know, Requires Disclosure of Adoption Status to Children

(Central News Agency reporter You Yao-ru, Vilnius, 13th) The Estonian government plans to amend its family law, requiring adoptive parents to inform children of their adoption status and granting adoptees the right to access their information without the consent of biological parents, thereby strengthening children's right to know and systemic transparency.

Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) reported on the 12th that the Estonian Ministry of Justice has completed a draft amendment, stipulating that adoptive parents have a responsibility to ensure children understand their adoption background. Under the current system, disclosure is entirely at the discretion of the adoptive parents.

The draft explanation states that the purpose of the reform is to prioritize the best interests of the child, believing that understanding one's origins helps build self-identity and psychological security, and reduces potential identity crises in the future. The explanation also mentions that the past view that concealment could protect children has gradually been replaced by the concept of guaranteeing the right to know.

According to the report, the draft amendment does not specify an age for disclosure, allowing adoptive parents to decide based on individual circumstances. On the other hand, adult adoptees can apply to social insurance institutions to inquire about pre-adoption information, including their original name, mother tongue, upbringing background, and the identity and contact information of their biological parents. However, the government will not proactively notify; applications must be submitted by the individuals concerned to balance family privacy.

In addition, the draft also relaxes the right of inquiry for biological siblings, but whether information is provided still requires the consent of the adoptee themselves; if the adoptee is a minor, the consent of the adoptive parents is required.

The report points out that the number of adoptions in Estonia has significantly decreased in recent years, from about 50 to 60 per year in 2012-2013 to 21 to 26 in 2023-2024. Officials believe that the current system is outdated and affects the protection of the rights of adopted children.

According to the report, the amendment also covers divorce procedures. Parties must first attempt negotiated divorce and prove that they have made every effort to resolve the matter through non-litigious means before resorting to court. If one party unreasonably obstructs the divorce, they may be liable for related litigation costs in the future. In addition, the amendment will simplify court procedures, including canceling mandatory mediation and the obligation for parties to appear in person.

Regarding child support, the draft proposes automatically calculating child support standards using data and formulas, reducing lengthy litigation. Courts will only need to confirm the reasonableness of the amount and related information.

The draft also strengthens the principle of "best interests of the child," stipulating that courts, when deciding custody, must prioritize parental care involvement, cooperation ability, and whether the child's interests are paramount, and it will help grandparents seek visitation arrangements.

According to the report, the draft has been submitted to relevant agencies for consultation and is expected to be implemented early next year, with some provisions expected to take effect in the middle of the year. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150513