Family Law in Costa Rica ☎️ CPG Legal
Family law in Costa Rica involves sensitive situations and important legal decisions. Many cases affect children, personal safety, or the future of a family’s assets. For this reason, clients need clear guidance and a structured legal strategy from the start.
At CPG Legal, we represent both Costa Rican nationals and foreign clients in all types of family matters. Our practice covers divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence protection, marital agreements, annulments, and international family disputes. We work with the Family Code and the Family Procedural Code, but our focus is always practical. We aim to give clients solutions that are clear, respectful, and effective.
We assist clients throughout Costa Rica, including those who live abroad or divide their time between countries. Many cases involve foreign court orders, international assets, or parallel proceedings. Because of this, we frequently coordinate between Costa Rican courts and foreign jurisdictions.
How every family case begins:
Every case begins with an evaluation of your specific situation. We review the status of your relationship or marriage, the needs of your children, and any court orders that may already exist. We also examine the structure of your property or companies in Costa Rica. With that information, we determine which type of family process applies and create a strategy that protects your rights and your long-term stability.
Whether you need a simple mutual consent divorce or you are facing complex litigation involving property, companies, or cross-border issues, our goal is to guide you through the process with clarity and confidence
Family Law Services in Costa Rica
Family law covers several areas that may affect your personal life, your children, and your financial stability. Each case requires a specific legal process and a different level of court involvement. Below is an overview of the main family law services we handle at CPG Legal. Each topic has its own dedicated page for clients who need more detailed guidance.
Divorce in Costa Rica
Divorce can proceed by mutual consent or through litigation. Mutual consent is the fastest option and allows both spouses to reach agreements on custody, support, and property. In contentious cases, the court reviews evidence, hears the parties, and makes decisions on all disputed issues. We guide clients through both scenarios and select the process that best fits their needs.
Divorce may be filed jointly or individually. Mutual consent is the simplest path. When both spouses agree on custody, property, and support, the procedure is short and predictable.
In contrast, contentious divorce requires hearings and judicial evaluation. The procedure is called a “resolutivo familiar”, which is an “ordinary resolutive process. The judge resolves disputes. The process may include measures to protect children, preserve assets, disregard corporate structures, liens over property, and embargos over bank accounts.
Child Custody and Parenting Arrangements
Custody cases focus on the best interests of the child. Courts look at stability, emotional bonds, and each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs. Parenting plans outline schedules, responsibilities, and communication rules. We help parents reach agreements or litigate when necessary. Our approach is structured and respectful, especially in high-conflict situations.
Custody and visitation are often handled through specialized proceedings. These cases focus on the best interests of the child. Courts may order psychological evaluations, home studies, or expert reports. Temporary orders are common when children need immediate stability.
Parents may negotiate a parenting plan. If no agreement is possible, the court will define schedules, responsibilities, and communication rules.
Child Support and Alimony
Child support is calculated based on the child’s needs and the financial capacity of each parent. The process grants a final order, and can only be reviewed if opossing counsel files an opposition within the Court´s given time frame. Alimony may also apply in certain cases. Costa Rican courts use strict rules to enforce these obligations, including salary orders and travel restrictions. We represent both paying and receiving parties.
Domestic Violence and Protective Measures
Domestic violence cases require immediate action. The law allows courts to issue fast protective measures to safeguard victims. These measures can include distance orders, temporary custody, and restrictions on communication. We assist clients in filing for protection and in presenting evidence clearly and efficiently.
These are urgent processes designed to protect individuals at risk. The court can issue protective measures immediately after reviewing the request. The orders may include eviction of the aggressor, restrictions on communication, or temporary custody changes.
Hearings occur soon after the measures are issued. The purpose is to confirm the evidence and determine whether the protection should remain in place.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Marital agreements allow couples to define how property will be managed during the marriage and how assets will be divided in case of separation. These agreements must follow specific formalities under Costa Rican law. We draft, review, and formalize prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for both Costa Rican and foreign couples.
Marriages and Family Formalities
Marital agreements allow couples to define how property will be managed during the marriage and how assets will be divided in case of separation. These agreements must follow specific formalities under Costa Rican law. We draft, review, and formalize prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for both Costa Rican and foreign couples. We assist with:
Civil marriages for nationals and foreigners
Marital Agreements.
Advising on marital property regimes
Registering your marriage with the Civil Registry
Apostille
Annulment of Marriage
Annulment is different from divorce. It applies when the marriage had a legal defect from the beginning. Courts evaluate the circumstances of the ceremony, consent, and any impediments that may have existed. We review each case to determine whether annulment is a possible remedy.
Marital Property and Asset Division
Property acquired during marriage may be subject to division. Some cases involve companies, trusts, or simulated transfers used to hide assets. We evaluate property structures and represent clients in litigation related to asset recovery and marital property rights.
Corporate Disregard and Lifting the Corporate Veil
Sometimes corporations are used as a mask to hide marital assets. In this scenarios, the corporate disregard or lifting the corporate veil, becomes necessary.
International and Cross-Border Family Matters
Many clients have ties to more than one country. Some hold property in Costa Rica while living abroad. Others seek recognition of foreign divorces or need to enforce international custody orders. We assist with exequatur procedures and coordinate with foreign attorneys when a case involves multiple jurisdictions.
Some cases require courts to examine foreign orders or coordinate with other jurisdictions. Recognition of foreign divorces, enforcement of foreign custody decisions, and relocation requests fall under this category. These proceedings combine Costa Rican procedural rules with international private law principles.
Learn how Costa Rica handlers International Jursidiction Conflicts.
Types of Family Law Proceedings in Costa Rica
Family cases in Costa Rica follow different procedures depending on the nature of the dispute. Each process has a specific purpose and level of court intervention. Understanding these differences helps clients know what to expect when a case begins. The Family Procedural Code organizes cases into categories that respond to the urgency, complexity, and degree of conflict between the parties.
Some matters do not involve a dispute. Others require evidence, hearings, and judicial review. Certain processes are urgent and move quickly. Below is a clear explanation of the main types of family law proceedings in Costa Rica. We also represent clients before the courts of Guanacaste, including Liberia, Santa Cruz, and the Nicoya Peninsula.
Voluntary Jurisdiction Proceedings
These processes apply when there is no conflict between the parties. The goal is to formalize, authorize, or register a situation that involves family rights. Courts review the documents and confirm that the request meets legal requirements.
Examples include recognitions of children, approvals of visitations agreements, changes in personal records, child support agrements and authorizations for minors. These proceedings are usually straightforward and move faster than contentious cases.
Contentious Proceedings
Contentious cases involve a disagreement that must be resolved by a judge. Divorce litigation, custody disputes, child support conflicts, and property claims fall into this category. The court receives evidence, hears the parties, and issues a final decision.
These cases may require temporary measures at the beginning, such as provisional custody or temporary support. Liens over properties and embargos over bank accounts. Hearings are structured, and deadlines are strict. The process depends on the level of conflict and the type of relief requested.
Why Choose CPG Legal for Family Law in Costa Rica?
Choosing the right attorney is essential in family law. These cases often involve personal issues, complex procedures, and decisions that affect long-term stability. Our firm combines legal experience with a clear and practical approach to each client’s needs.
We represent both Costa Rican nationals and foreign residents. Many of our cases involve international elements, such as foreign court orders, property located in multiple countries, or families who divide their time between Costa Rica and abroad. Because of this, we understand how to coordinate between jurisdictions and how to manage situations that extend beyond one legal system.
Our work is guided by the Family Code and the Family Procedural Code, but our focus is always on people. We take the time to understand the circumstances behind each case. We explain the process in simple terms, set realistic expectations, and create a strategy that protects your rights and your family’s wellbeing.
Legal Protections for all Types of Families:
Litigation requires preparation, structure, and attention to detail. We handle evidence, deadlines, and hearings with care. When a case allows for negotiation, we work to reach agreements that are fair and sustainable. When litigation is necessary, we advocate firmly and clearly in court.
We also understand the importance of privacy. Family matters are sensitive, and we treat every case with discretion and respect. Our clients trust us because we combine technical knowledge with a steady and measured approach in moments of stress or uncertainty.
Above all, we aim to give our clients clarity. Family law can feel overwhelming, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the Costa Rican system. Our goal is to guide you through the process step by step, so you can make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.
Family cases require more than legal knowledge — they demand empathy, cultural awareness, and strategic thinking. At CPG Legal, we combine over two decades of experience with bilingual representation. We guide clients through Costa Rica’s legal system with clarity and confidence. Whether your case involves local procedures or cross-border elements, we provide clear guidance, strong advocacy, and solutions.
