Family
Family Code matters heard by specialised courts
The Código de Familia of 1984 governs marriage, filiation and unión de hecho, with specialised Juzgados de Familia. Same-sex marriage is constitutionally prohibited by Article 112, and abortion is prohibited by a 2021 constitutional amendment requiring a supermajority to change.
Key rules
- Marriage requires both parties to be 18; the 2017 reform eliminated marriage of minors entirely.
- The default property regime is comunidad de bienes unless separación is agreed by public deed.
- Unión de hecho may be declared after three years of stable cohabitation and gives succession and maintenance rights.
- Divorce is available by mutual consent after two years of marriage, or on statutory grounds.
- Child maintenance is enforceable through wage attachment and travel restriction.
Governing law
- Código de Familia (Decreto 76-84)Marriage, filiation, unión de hecho.
- Código de la Niñez y la Adolescencia (Decreto 73-96)Child protection.
- Ley contra la Violencia Doméstica (Decreto 132-97)Protection orders.
In practice
Protection orders under the domestic violence statute are obtainable quickly and do not require a lawyer. The Dirección de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia intervenes in child protection matters and its reports carry weight in custody decisions.