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Diksha wrote:

Hello everyone,

Reaching the decision to seek divorce can be hard. Filing the papers as an expat in Costa Rica can be as taxing since a good grasp of legislations is needed and the process can prove to be tedious.

Where and how do you apply for a divorce in Costa Rica? How long does it take for the process to be completed?

If the couple has children, which measures can be taken in order to protect their interests?

Which procedures should be completed so that the divorce is legally recognized in the country of origin?

How is divorce viewed in Costa Rica?

Being away from one's home country and loved ones, what advice do have for staying strong emotionally and mentally in this situation?

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Diksha

Hi. It's hard to help you out since I haven't divorced here, But I assume that if you are legally married in CR you would have to use an attorney to dissolve the marriage; if you were married overseas, it doesn't count as a marriage here unless you register it with the Civil Registration. Spouses in CR usually separate rather than divorce, and when they want to marry again the use an attorney to do the paperwork. Children are protected by charging alimony to the corresponding parent, and there'es jail for those who do not pay their alimony.

I would think it would be easiest - probably even necessary? - to divorce in the same country you were married in, no? I'm no attorney but for some reason I think that's how it works...?
As Mauro says, I think if you do divorce in Costa Rica you get an attorney here to do it.

Marriage here is a civil state. To marry, the couple goes to an attorney/notary, declares their desire to marry, and the notary takes care of registering the marriage.

A divorce works virtually the same as a marriage but in reverse. The notary handles the paper shuffling with provisions for child support and division of assets.