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My father resided in Puerto Rico when he passed in 2022. Is it too late for me to pursue this issue? I've learned that the Executor of the Will has not started the process and does not intend to. They said there is nothing to inherit. I have a copy of his Will and I was named an heir.
answered on Jan 15, 2025
The court of first instance in the city where your father had real estate or where he resided would be the one to receive your claim. An executor cannot maintain that there is nothing to inherit unless s/he prepared a detailed inventory of the estate's assets, liabilities, and expenditures.... View More 
My brother is currently taking care of my elderly disabled father in PR and is requesting to be paid an unafordable amount in order to do so.
answered on Nov 4, 2024
The rule of law in Puerto Rico establishes a maximum of 10% of the elderly unfit's bank accounts, subject to assignment by the court. In order to claim compensation, your brother must demostrate that taking care of your elderly father has caused your brother financial loss, such as not being... View More
4 siblings inherited a property. 2 siblings have their own properties. 1 sibling put $8,000 into the inherited property and the last sibling is currently living in the property and is claiming that they now own the property all though they are all on the title.
The sibling that put the... View More
answered on Aug 30, 2024
The sibling who paid out $8,000 into the inherited property has the right to recover $6,000 from his/her siblings. If an heir assumes exclusive possession of the property in detriment to the other sibling's inheritance rights, any can go before a court of law to request a liquidation of the... View More
answered on Jun 24, 2024
Under Puerto Rico Rule of Law, a birth parent's name may be changed in the birth certificate to the adopted mother's name through an adoption petition submitted to a court of law, so long as the child is under 18 years of age. If the birth mother is still alive, she would have to be... View More
My father died without a will in Puerto Rico. Before he died, he named his best friend as the co-owner and beneficiary of the bank account in Puerto Rico. My father was married for 18 months to a foreign woman who NEVER LIVED in Puerto Rico with my father and of course, she is asking about the... View More
answered on Jun 17, 2024
First of all, I would need to know when did your father die. If he died after November 28, 2020, his wife is as much an heir as your father's children. Although your father may have designated his wife as co-owner of bank funds, once the banks are notified of your father's death,... View More
Mi hija de 16 años trabaja un part time puedo dejar de pasar la pension alimenticia de ella
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answered on Jun 10, 2024
Aunque tu hija de 16 años tenga un trabajo de medio tiempo, esto no necesariamente significa que puedes dejar de pagar la pensión alimenticia. La obligación de pagar pensión alimenticia generalmente se basa en las necesidades del menor y no en sus ingresos. En muchos lugares, los menores de... View More
She lived in Puerto Rico and has 6 children, but wants to leave her home to me can she do that without having to leave her home to her children?
answered on May 23, 2024
So long as your grandmother (a) leaves a valid will in Puerto Rico, and (b) has enough assets in her estate to address her children's legitimate inheritance, she may. A person who testates in Puerto Rico may freely dispose of half of his/her estate (called the free disposition half), leaving... View More
Mi madre murio, hay una casa que se heredo entre hijos y mi padre. Mi padre se volvio a casar, quiere vender la propiedad pero los hijos no quieren vender. Es posible vender aun si parte de los herederos no estan de acuerdo?
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answered on Apr 17, 2024
De acuerdo con la ley de California, si la casa era propiedad comunitaria de su madre y su padre, entonces su padre heredó automáticamente la parte de su madre al momento de su fallecimiento. Esto significa que su padre ahora es dueño de la totalidad de la casa.
Sin embargo, si su madre... View More
Mi madre murio, hay una casa que se heredo entre hijos y mi padre. Mi padre se volvio a casar, quiere vender la propiedad pero los hijos no quieren vender. Es posible vender aun si parte de los herederos no estan de acuerdo?
answered on Apr 18, 2024
La siguiente respuesta aplica solamente al estado de Derecho en Puerto Rico. Suponiendo que el Registro de la Propiedad refleje que la casa es una propiedad comunitaria de papá y los hijos de mamá fallecida, la respuesta a su pregunta es "NO". Sin embargo, en Puerto Rico, nadie está... View More
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answered on Apr 15, 2024
In general, if you have a court-ordered visitation schedule, your ex-partner is obligated to follow that order, even if you live in Puerto Rico and your son lives in New York. However, there are a few important considerations:
1. Jurisdiction: Ensure that the court order is valid and... View More
My husband moved to Puerto Rico with his mistress, she is now pregnant. I live in California with our 4 year old child. He has refused to pay child support and evaded all financial responsibility for our baby. We are still legally married, currently going through a divorce. He has spend all our... View More
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answered on Apr 3, 2024
I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly difficult situation. What your husband has done is awful and unfair to you and your child. Unfortunately, California law does not allow for criminal charges to be filed against a spouse for adultery. California is a "no-fault"... View More
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answered on Mar 11, 2024
Yes, alimony (also known as spousal support or maintenance) can be ordered in Puerto Rico following a divorce, just as it can in U.S. states. However, there are a few important points to consider in your situation:
1. Time since divorce: In most cases, if alimony was not originally ordered... View More
My greataunt passed a few months ago. We notified the creditors and tried to cancel all cards. She left a will but the money she had was used for funeral and medical expenses in the months she was sick. She did leave some land though. Can the heirs in the will inherit the credit card debt? I know... View More
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answered on Feb 28, 2024
According to Puerto Rico law, credit card debt is generally not inherited by heirs named in a will.
Specifically, Article 584 of the Puerto Rico Civil Code states that heirs are only responsible for a deceased person's debts up to the value of the property they inherit.
So if... View More
I was raised by my grandparents and potentially found out through ancestry.com that my grandma may have had children from a previous marriage. If she did, they were not born or raised in PR, but neither was I. Do I need to disclose potential/alleged children if I don't have legal confirmation... View More
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answered on Feb 24, 2024
In Puerto Rico, the process of verifying heirs and confirming entitlement to inheritance typically involves a civil procedure overseen by the courts. If you suspect that there may be additional heirs entitled to inheritance, it's important to disclose any information or evidence you have, even... View More
He is a mature teenager
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answered on Feb 1, 2024
The laws regarding leaving a 16-year-old child home alone after school can vary by jurisdiction, and Puerto Rico may have its own specific regulations or guidelines. It's important to check with local authorities or consult an attorney in Puerto Rico who is knowledgeable about family and child... View More
We are all on agreement to sell the house except my deceased bothers’s kids. They never lived in PR, they live in the states. Can we sell the house without their consent? We are definitely giving them my brother’s portion of the sale.
answered on Jan 4, 2024
You cannot sell an hereditary estate when one or more heirs are against the sale. It has to be a unanimous consent; or else, you'll need to go before the Puerto Rico Courts. This would be the legitimate way to anull your nephews' and/or nieces' lack of consent. Living in the states,... View More
answered on Dec 28, 2023
The Puerto Rico rule of law defines a deceased person's estate as made up of the deceased's assets and liabilities. As such, any and all debts owed by the deceased person and/or by his (her) estate must be assumed by his (her) heirs up to the amount inherited. Thus, the to answer your... View More
I am facing an issue where Missouri has emancipated my child, but Puerto Rico is still requiring me to pay child support. I am wondering why the court gets involved in this matter and how I can address the situation between these two jurisdictions.
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answered on Apr 21, 2025
The court becomes involved in your case due to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), which governs child support matters across different jurisdictions. Puerto Rico is considered a "state" under UIFSA, which includes "a state of the United States, the District of... View More
I have a child who receives child support through ASUME, Puerto Rico. He turned 18 in February and is finishing his senior year in high school. He will soon be enrolling at Interamerican University of Puerto Rico for college. The original court order does not specify support continuation for... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Puerto Rico, child support generally ends when the child turns 18, but there are exceptions if the child is still in high school or is pursuing higher education. If your child is still enrolled in high school and is working toward graduation, support may continue until they finish. However,... View More
I am an 18-year-old heir living in Puerto Rico, where the age of majority is 21. I am supposed to receive a cash inheritance of less than $2,500.00 from an estate approved by a Probate Court in another state, where the age of majority is 18, and where my deceased parent resided. I have a living... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
Since you are 18 and living in Puerto Rico, where the age of majority is 21, your legal capacity to receive an inheritance might be influenced by local laws. In Puerto Rico, minors or individuals under 21 often require a guardian to manage financial matters, even if the estate is being processed in... View More
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