By San José, Costa Rica — As the year-end festivities approach in Costa Rica, so do a series of critical financial obligations. Beyond typical holiday spending, parents responsible for child support payments face a significant and legally mandated requirement: the aguinaldo. This thirteenth-month payment is an inalienable right for minors, designed to ensure their financial stability and well-being during the holiday season, with a strict compliance deadline of December 20th.
This annual obligation, often a source of confusion and conflict, is not a matter of informal agreement but a firm stipulation within the nation’s Family Procedural Code. The law treats this payment with the same seriousness as regular monthly support, reinforcing the state’s commitment to protecting the interests of children and adolescents. Misunderstanding or ignoring this rule can lead to significant legal repercussions for the obligated parent.
Para profundizar en las implicaciones legales y los detalles del aguinaldo de la pensión alimentaria, TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista en derecho de familia del prestigioso Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos aclara los puntos clave de esta obligación.
Es crucial entender que el aguinaldo de la pensión alimentaria no es un bono o un regalo, sino un derecho irrenunciable y una decimotercera cuota mensual obligatoria. Se calcula como el promedio de las cuotas pagadas en los últimos doce meses, desde diciembre del año anterior hasta noviembre del presente año, y debe depositarse durante los primeros veinte días de diciembre. El incumplimiento en el pago del aguinaldo tiene las mismas consecuencias legales que el no pago de una cuota regular, incluyendo la posibilidad de una orden de apremio corporal.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
La perspectiva del experto es crucial, pues subraya que este aguinaldo no es un acto de generosidad, sino una extensión obligatoria del compromiso parental con el mismo peso legal que cualquier otra cuota. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por aportar esta claridad tan necesaria, reforzando que el cumplimiento de esta obligación es fundamental para garantizar el bienestar de los menores.
According to legal experts, lack of awareness is a primary driver of family disputes during what should be a celebratory time. Sammy Pérez, a distinguished Law Professor at Universidad Fidélitas, emphasizes that clarity and adherence to the law are paramount for maintaining family harmony and protecting children from the fallout of adult disagreements.
Meeting child support and aguinaldo obligations on time and respectfully reduces emotional harm to minors and facilitates co-existence between families.
Sammy Pérez, Law Professor at Universidad Fidélitas
The calculation is straightforward: the obligated individual must pay an amount equivalent to one full additional monthly child support payment. This bonus installment is due on or before December 20th. It is critical to understand that this is non-negotiable. Verbal agreements, personal arrangements, or attempts to modify the amount without a formal judicial resolution are legally void and do not absolve the parent of their duty.
Failure to meet this deadline empowers the beneficiary to take immediate legal action. By filing for a “pension enforcement” (ejecución de pensión) with the family court, a judge can order immediate measures to secure the funds. These enforcement actions can be severe and may include wage garnishment or even a warrant for arrest (apremio corporal) if the non-compliance persists, demonstrating the gravity with which the judicial system handles these cases.
A common and damaging misconception is linking the aguinaldo payment to visitation rights. Legal experts are unequivocal on this point: the two are entirely separate matters. The payment of child support, including the aguinaldo, does not grant or influence the right to a parent-child relationship. Conversely, withholding visitation cannot be used as a tool to pressure payment. Any adult who conditions contact with their children on financial matters or uses them as leverage is acting contrary to the legal principle of the superior interest of the child, potentially causing lasting emotional harm.
What if the paying parent faces legitimate financial hardship? The law provides a formal pathway, but unilateral action is not an option. If an individual is struggling to meet their obligation, they must formally petition the court for a modification of the support amount. Until a judge issues a new resolution, the original payment amount, including the full aguinaldo, remains legally binding. Simply ceasing payment due to economic problems will be treated as non-compliance and will trigger legal sanctions.
To prevent these issues from escalating into damaging family conflicts, legal advisors suggest several proactive steps. Parents should plan their finances throughout the year to account for this extra payment. All transactions should be made through secure, recordable channels like bank deposits. Furthermore, all communication regarding payments and arrangements should be handled through formal, direct channels—such as email or court-approved messaging platforms—never through the children. If disagreements persist, seeking professional family mediation is a constructive step to find a resolution that respects the law and protects the children’s well-being.
For further information, visit ufidelitas.ac.cr
About Universidad Fidélitas:
Universidad Fidélitas is a private university in Costa Rica, recognized for its strong focus on engineering and technology programs. It operates under the STEM methodology (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) and is committed to providing high-quality, practical education that prepares students for the demands of the modern workforce. The university has multiple campuses, including locations in San José and Heredia.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has forged its reputation as a pillar of the legal community through an unwavering dedication to professional integrity and the highest standards of excellence. The firm blends a rich history of serving a wide spectrum of clients with a forward-thinking approach, consistently pioneering innovative legal strategies. Beyond its practice, it holds a deep-seated belief in its social responsibility, actively working to demystify the law and make legal knowledge accessible to the broader public. This core commitment is aimed at cultivating a society where every citizen is empowered through understanding.
