No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

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

Nicaraguan Journalist Luis Galeano Detained by ICE in Florida

U.S. immigration authorities arrested a Nicaraguan journalist on Monday who is critical of the government of Daniel Ortega and has been living in exile...

Unusually Warm Ocean Water May Explain Mass Crab Deaths in Costa Rica

Scientists may have found an explanation for the mysterious mass deaths of crabs that washed ashore along several popular beaches in Guanacaste last month....

Cartago Reverses Business Closure Order for Independence Night

Cartago has withdrawn its Independence Day business closure order, and the Security Ministry now says the decision was never its to make.

Costa Rica Independence Day 2026 Brings a Tuesday Holiday and Rain

Plan for rain, road closures and holiday pay rules as Costa Rica marks 205 years of independence on Tuesday, September 15.

Two Detained With 125 Sea Turtle Eggs During Costa Rica’s Ostional Arribada

Authorities detained two people carrying 125 olive ridley sea turtle eggs during the September arribada at Ostional, where only authorized community members may legally collect eggs.

Arajet Pauses Its Costa Rica Flights Until November

The Dominican low-cost carrier has not flown to Costa Rica since 8 August and has nothing scheduled until November. Here is what it means if you were counting on the route.

Truck Damages Fiber Network and Disrupts Costa Rica’s San Jose Airport

A damaged fiber-optic connection caused long lines, delayed flights and widespread system failures at Juan Santamaría International Airport yesterday. The disruption began after a...

Costa Rica Sharks Get Cameras Built by Stanford Students

Scientists at the University of Costa Rica have strapped small cameras to nurse sharks in a protected Guanacaste bay, and what the animals are...

Magnitude 5.3 Costa Rica Earthquake Shakes The Southern Pacific Before Dawn

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake shook the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica early this morning, surprising residents there and in parts of the Central...
Avatar
🌴 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