WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

PS 951

Para enmendar el inciso (b) del Articulo 19 de la Ley Núm. 5 de 30 de diciembre de 1986, según enmendada, conocida como la "Ley Orgánica de la Administración para el Sustento de Menores" a los fines de establecer la retroactividad equitativa en las modificaciones de pensiones alimentarias, aplicando tanto aumentos como disminuciones desde la fecha de presentación de la solicitud hasta la determinación final; limitar dicha retroactividad exclusivamente al período entre la solicitud y la resolución; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill makes child support modifications retroactive from filing date to final court order, applying both increases and decreases equally to affected parents.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · PS 951

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 951 amends Puerto Rico's Child Support Administration Law (Law 5 of 1986) to establish retroactive application of child support modifications. The bill would make retroactive adjustments—whether increases or decreases—apply from the date a modification request is filed until a final court determination, rather than applying changes only prospectively.

Why is this important

Child support modifications directly affect family finances for both custodial and non-custodial parents. This change could result in significant back-payments or refunds depending on whether support obligations increased or decreased, potentially impacting thousands of cases in the Puerto Rico family court system. The retroactive application creates financial clarity but also introduces the possibility of substantial lump-sum obligations or credits.

Potential points of contention

  • Fairness concerns: Non-custodial parents may face large retroactive payments for periods when they were unaware modifications were pending; conversely, custodial parents may receive delayed support settlements.
  • Financial burden: Retroactive liability could create hardship for parents who cannot absorb sudden large payment obligations spanning months or years of back-support.
  • Administrative complexity: Courts must determine retroactivity dates, calculate compound adjustments, and handle collection of large arrears, straining already overburdened family court systems.
  • Unequal treatment of increases vs. decreases: The bill's symmetrical application (both increases and decreases retroactive) may create inconsistent incentives for either party to delay or expedite modification requests.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.