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Puerto Rico Family Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Family Law and Probate for Puerto Rico on
Q: How do you solve this property inheritance issue in Puerto Rico?

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

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
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

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: can the birth mothers name be changed to the adopted mothers name?
Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
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

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: My father died without a will in Puerto Rico and named his best friend as the co-owner and benficiary of his money.

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

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
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

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Que pasa si paso pension a un hijo de 16 años y este trabaja puedo dejar de pasar pension alimenticia

Mi hija de 16 años trabaja un part time puedo dejar de pasar la pension alimenticia de ella

James L. Arrasmith
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Can my grandmother leave me (Grandchild) her home when she passes away while having serviving children?

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?

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
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

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: La esposa muere. Puede el esposo vender la casa si se volvio a casar y 3 hijos herederos no estan de acuerdo en vender?

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?

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
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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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: La esposa muere. Puede el esposo vender la casa si se volvio a casar y 3 hijos herederos no estan de acuerdo en vender?

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?

James L. Arrasmith
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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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Puerto Rico on
Q: If I have a court ordered visitation with my son he lives in New York state and I'm in Puerto Rico can my ex deny me
James L. Arrasmith
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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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: How do I file charges against my husband for adultery if I live in CA but he moved to Puerto Rico with his mistress

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

James L. Arrasmith
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Does alimony get paid in Puerto Rico?? We've been divorced 20 years. Can she file?
James L. Arrasmith
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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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Puerto Rico on
Q: Is credit card inherited under the Puerto Rico law? I know some debt is but I am interested to know about credit cards.

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

James L. Arrasmith
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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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: How does PR verify or confirm if there are additional heirs entitled to inheritance? is the heir process a civil process

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

James L. Arrasmith
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Is the law different in Puerto Rico on leaving a 16 yr child home alone after school while I’m at work

He is a mature teenager

James L. Arrasmith
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Our parents are deceased and they left us a house. There was 8 of us but one of our brothers passed.

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.

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
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

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Puerto Rico on
Q: My father passed. I soon found out he owed CREM. Am I responsible for paying it?
Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
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

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Puerto Rico on
Q: Pension alimentaria a joven de 18 que no estudia.

Bajo las leyes de Puerto Rico, un joven de 18 años, graduado hace un año (2022) de esc superior, no continuó estudios universitarios, no trabaja, tiene derecho a recibir pensión alimentaria hasta los 21 años?

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Oct 27, 2023

En Puerto Rico, todo joven menor de 21 años se considera menor de edad; y, por lo tanto, acreedor a pensión alimentaria. Si la pensión es a través de ASUME o fue establecida por orden del tribunal, aún si llega a los 21 años, la suspensión de la pensión no es automática; y requiere que... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Currently trying to figure out how to update my name and gender marker on my PR Birth Certificate. Any advice?

Trying to get passport and the only document that doesn’t reflect my name change and gender marker is my birth certificate which I been told I have to get fixed in PR by a lawyer but not sure where to go from there as I’m having a hard time finding a lawyer who does this kind of thing.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 28, 2023

An attorney in Puerto Rico should advise, but you await a response for two weeks. At this point, you could reach out to attorneys. You could supplement your own searches with the "Find a Lawyer" tab above, and with bar association attorney referral services. Those resources are outside... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Do I need to follow ASUME rules or signed court agreement?

We have never gone thru ASUME, but my Ex continues to tell me that I am obligated to cover all of the cost that I would have to as if we did go thru ASUME. She lived in PR with my daughters, and I live in NJ. I pay my monthly amount and then some when I can. My oldest daughter is 17 turning 18 in... View More

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Jul 18, 2023

The court order trumps ASUME. The Administration for the Sustenance of Minors (ASUME) is the Puerto Rico government agency by which Puerto Rico enacts the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act of February 9, 1993. There may be a benefit to paying through ASUME, in that they can certify that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Civil Litigation and Family Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Husband is double charged with 2 different child support agency’s. PR and Massachusetts

My husband has a son who is 20 years old. He resides in Massachusetts since the age of 5. The mother had an order of child support through assume but when she moved to Massachusetts, she opened on there. We paid child support to her trough Massachusetts and once the child turn 18 it stopped. But... View More

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Jul 6, 2023

If you live in North Carolina, I suggest that your husband retain the services of a Puerto Rico attorney. So long as ASUME is not informed that the 20 year-old's case was transferred to Massachusetts, they'll continue recognizing the amounts owed and surcharges will continue to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Puerto Rico on
Q: can a grown up ward of a guardian leave said guardian?

Ive been living in Puerto Rico with my grandmother for the last 5 years, when i came down to pr my parents were in a bad spot and could not properly take care of me, i told her everything and she put me under a guardianship with her, the last time i was informed on what was going on with the... View More

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Jun 21, 2023

A person comes of age in Puerto Rico at 21. What your grandmother has told you is not correct nor is it legal. If you're already 21 years of age or older, you are legally capable of making your own decisions and leaving, if you wish to do so.

If you're studying in college, you do...
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