Sünninõue

Sünninõue is an Estonian legal term that translates to "birth requirement" or "birth claim." It primarily refers to the legal obligation or entitlement related to a child's birth, particularly concerning parental rights and responsibilities. In Estonian family law, the concept of sünninõue is intertwined with the establishment of parentage and the subsequent legal consequences. This includes the rights of the child, such as the right to maintenance and care, and the obligations of the parents, such as the duty to provide for the child.

The legal establishment of parentage, which is a prerequisite for sünninõue, can occur through various means. In cases of marriage, the husband is generally presumed to be the father. Outside of marriage, parentage can be established through voluntary recognition by the father or through court proceedings, often involving DNA testing. Once parentage is legally confirmed, the sünninõue comes into full effect, granting the child certain rights and imposing duties on the parents.

These rights and duties are fundamental to a child's well-being and are designed to ensure their upbringing, education, and overall welfare. The specific details and enforcement of sünninõue are governed by the Estonian Family Law Act. The concept underscores the legal framework that protects children and defines the parental role from the moment of birth.