divorce when you have child under 16 years

[besky]

i live with a finnish woman for two years now. we have a child together who has 6 months old .now she want have divorce.
i am no EU-citizen ,i have residence permit for 1 year ,type A.
IN case of divorce what can happen for the child? the costody?
what can happen for me, i mean about the residence permit, they will make extention for it or not. or they can deport me outside the country?
please if you can advise me ,i approciate that.

[Hank W.]

Well, custody in Finland is usually given to both parents, but it depends then if the parents start to quarrel over it it can be given as sole custody. For the residence permit - your "reason" was marriage. So if you divorce, you have to invent a new "reason". What you would need to do is contact the muncipal legal help office and ask for legal advice on the issues.

[enk]

It's really difficult to get sole custody in Finland. If my ex hadn't signed a paper
giving me sole custody, I would have had to prove to the court why I felt
he shouldn't have custody.

Is your name listed anywhere as the father of the child (if you're not married)?

-enk

[besky]

yes my name is listed as the father of the child in the "magistrati",and the child born for a married couples.
for the residence permit i got it after the birth of the child.
to HANK W: what kind of reason to invent.? my child is the reason, it is so clear.
i think the child needs both parents (mother and father). or you want tell me in finland the child needs only the mother.
if so i disagree.

[Travmies]

You shouldn't have a problem staying in Finland if the child is yours, and you were married.

Generally, the reason to stay in Finland is because you have a child here, which is enough.

However, now you will have to pay child support.

Also, I would speak to child welfare and imagration to get a better picture of where you stand.

[Hank W.]

what kind of reason to invent.? my child is the reason, it is so clear.
i think the child needs both parents (mother and father). or you want tell me in finland the child needs only the mother.
if so i disagree.

I don't want to tell you anything except "nothing is clear". Its not your opinion in the matter that counts nor it is my opinion in the matter that counts, but it is what the immigration officials opinion of the whole matter what counts, and you need to have a look inside their head. Of course, the child is the "reason" for you, but it may not be "reason" enough if they think you went and married and made the woman pregnant just to get a residence permit- if that is what they "think" then you are in trouble. So that is why you need to consult someone versed in the legal paperwork, because for you "it is so clear" is the first and worst mistake you make as they can say "it is so clear" the total opposite.

[besky]

to HANK W :i couldn't understand the way how you reply ? depending to you i am here to make business "made the woman pregnant just to get a residence permit" for you getting residence permit in finland means sharing you the paradise in earth ...you are totally wrong. whats in finland ? coldness,darkness,drunk people...but to ask whats my right as a father in time when this woman the one who asking for divorce, it is big mistake in your eyes.
i am not the one who enforce her to get marry me,or let her be pregnant.
or you want tell me that she has the right to get marry any time she want and make divorce when she want. not just that, but to seperate me from my child.
i am in time of need... need of advice.

[sinikettu]

You missunderstand Hank..but...That is not difficult to do...
But what he is saying is..It does not mater what you believe, or what he believe, it is what, and who, "The Immigration police" believe that maters.

Hank does give you advice.he said. "So that is why you need to consult someone versed in the legal paperwork"

This is an internet chat board...not the interview room at Malmi Immigration offices.

Now can you show them that you have the intention and ability to support your child?
If so that would help your case.

[Hank W.]

but to seperate me from my child.

Remember it is you who wants the residence permit , not I, - it is *you* who has to prove these things to the Immigration Police, not I, and the Immigration Police do not have to prove anything to you. So you can do whatever you want, but if I was you I'd go in with the right papers rather than with an attitude.

[Hank W.]

Now can you show them that you have the intention and ability to support your child?
If so that would help your case.

As the child is a Finnish citizen, thats a bit different of a case regarding the "income requirement", but basically the magic word is "custody" or "huoltaja" as in a parent. I'd just get the paperwork properly organized with all crossed tees and dotted i's, as there are a few snags even though it isn't as draconian any more as it used to be.

[snaggletooth]

i am actually a divorced father living in Finland and just make sure that you insist you have half custody.
The rest is no problem and they will grant you a residency permit simply because they will not split a father and his child up.
It was really very simple for me however i am from within the EU.
Don’t worry too much so long as you have not done anything illegal towards you soon to be ex-wife or your child.
Don’t worry o much just ask at the social, also if they don’t have an English speaking person to help you request that an interpreter is present.

[Hank W.]

And an interpreter is a "right" you can request especially in these kinds of situations.