Lahutamist

Lahutamist is the Estonian term for the legal dissolution of a marriage. In legal language, lahutus refers to the end of a marriage, and lahutamist denotes the act or process of dissolving under Estonian law. The term appears in family-law discussions, court decisions, and administrative proceedings. It stems from lahutus, meaning divorce or separation, with the suffix -mist indicating the action itself.

In Estonia, divorce is governed by family-law statutes and adjudicated by district courts. A divorce may be granted when the court determines that the marriage has irretrievably broken, or when both spouses mutually agree to end the marriage. If both spouses consent, the procedure is generally simpler and can proceed without a contested hearing. If one spouse refuses consent, the court may still dissolve the marriage if it finds that reconciliation is not reasonably possible and the marriage has broken down, after considering the interests of any children.

Outcomes typically cover the division of jointly acquired property, potential maintenance, and arrangements for children, including custody or residence, and visitation rights. Child support is determined by guidelines intended to balance the needs of the child with the paying capacity of the parents. Agreements between spouses, including mediation or premarital/postmarital arrangements, can shape terms but must be approved by the court. Lahutamist, as a common family-law proceeding, seeks to protect the well-being of children and provide a fair resolution for adults.