Erottelupisteitä

Erottelupisteitä is a Finnish term that translates to "separation points" or "divorce points" and refers to the specific legal grounds required for a divorce in Finland. Finnish divorce law operates on a system where a waiting period is generally mandated before a divorce can be finalized. Initially, a couple must apply for divorce, and after this initial application, a six-month waiting period is enforced. During this period, reconciliation is still possible.

If the couple still wishes to proceed with the divorce after the six months have passed, they must submit a second application. This second application serves as confirmation of their intention to divorce. The court then grants the divorce. There are no fault-based divorce grounds in the traditional sense; the primary requirement is the passage of the waiting period after the initial application. This system aims to provide a cooling-off period and encourage reconciliation. However, if one party has been living apart from the other for two years, they can apply for a divorce without the mandatory six-month waiting period. This "two-year separation" serves as an alternative erottelupiste. The concept emphasizes the legal process and the required timeframes rather than assigning blame for the marital breakdown.