HomeArchiveHigh Court Annuls 3-Year Wait to Divorce

High Court Annuls 3-Year Wait to Divorce

A Costa Rican court has struck down the contentious three-year minimum rule for married couples before they can file for divorce.

The Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV) ruled unanimously last week that the clause is unconstitutional “for violating the principle of a person’s autonomy,” according to a court press release.

Sala IV erased the part of Article 48 of the Family Code that says “you must not request (divorce) except after three years of marriage,” the press release said.

Ruling on the case brought by Mariano Castillo, the court also struck down Article 60, which bound couples for two years before they could legally seek separation.

 

Trending Now

Atlantic Reaches Late September Without a Hurricane for the First Time Since 1914

The Atlantic Ocean has reached late September without producing a single hurricane, something that has not happened in 112 years. As of this morning,...

Costa Rica Data Leak Probe Widens as Prodhab Opens Its Own Case

Costa Rica's Agency for the Protection of Inhabitants' Data (Prodhab) has opened its own investigation into an alleged mass leak of personal data on...

Costa Rica Court Freezes Access to Playa Blanca Marine Wetland

A Costa Rican court has temporarily suspended visitor and vehicle access to the Playa Blanca Marine Wetland in Garabito. The tribunal said public use...

Pura Vida: Past the Point of No Return

Growing up on the Lower East Side of New York certainly didn’t prepare me for the culture shock of moving to a sleepy little...

Remote Osa Eco-Lodge Playa Cativo Joins Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Playa Cativo Lodge, a secluded beachfront retreat on the Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica's Southern Zone, has been admitted into Small Luxury Hotels of...

Costa Rica Ranks Fifth in the World for Retirees in Global Relocation Index

Costa Rica ranks 20th out of 192 countries and territories in the 2026 Global Relocation Index, and fifth in the world for retirees, according...

Jacó Beach Is Changing as New Residents and Major Brands Move In

For decades, Jacó’s economy has revolved around the beach. Surfing, hotels, restaurants, nightlife and weekend visitors from San José helped turn the Central Pacific...

Costa Rica Proposes 15% Tax on Certain Foreign Income

Costa Rica has proposed a 15% tax on certain passive income earned abroad, including interest, dividends, rents and capital gains. The measure is not yet law

More Than 50 Earthquakes Shake Area Around Costa Rica’s Irazú Volcano

More than 50 small earthquakes struck the area around Irazú Volcano this morning, but seismologists say the activity points to movement along a shallow...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel