Author Archives: Christian M. Frank Fas

Video: Conversatorio y Posibles Soluciones a la Crisis Constitucional

Recientemente, surgió la polémica sobre la extensión de los poderes constitucionales del Juez Presidente del Tribunal Supremo.  La cobertura en los medios ha sido bárbara, y en su gran mayoría, vacua de toda interpretación jurídica y de carácter sensacionalista.  Ante tal polémica, el Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico organizó un conversatorio en donde participaron…

What documents do I need to file for a Declaration of Heirs?

In order to file for a Declaration of Heirs, or “Declaratoria de Herederos”, in Puerto Rico, you will need the following documents: 1.  You will need each of the heir’s original Birth Certificates. 2. You will need the decedent’s original Death Certificate. 3. You will need a Negative Will Certification. 5. If the decedent died…

Five tips to help your child support case in Puerto Rico

Here are five tips that can help you out when you deal with ASUME or Child Support reviews in Puerto Rico: 1. Time is your best friend. We often hear that “Time is an attorney’s best friend.”, but when it comes to child support matters, it’s also your best friend.  Acting quickly can make or…

Executors can’t divide the estate, but heirs can.

A common misconception about estates in Puerto Rico is that it is up to the Executor (or “Albacea” in Spanish) to divide the estate. The truth is that it is the responsibility of the heirs to divide the estate. The executor’s rights, responsibilities and obligations are usually outlined in the testament. Anything not covered by…

Common Law Marriage in Puerto Rico

Common Law marriages are NOT accepted or recognized in Puerto Rico.  It doesn’t matter if you live together for a year, ten years, or thirty years. In order to be considered “married” in our jurisdiction, you need to have formally married either in Puerto Rico, or elsewhere.  Legal formalities of marriage are required in order…