The Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico has upheld a lower court's decision regarding the division of property between two former partners, Maribel Rodríguez Alvarado and Ginny Grace Avilés Avilés. The ruling, issued on September 23, 2026, confirmed the dissolution of their community of goods and the sale of their jointly owned property. This decision impacts individuals involved in similar disputes over property division in Puerto Rico.

The case, identified as TA2026AP00685, arose from a dispute between Rodríguez Alvarado and Avilés, who had a consensual relationship from 2006 to 2013. They purchased an apartment together in 2009, located in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. After their relationship ended, Rodríguez Alvarado claimed that Avilés had refused to divide their shared property or buy her out of her share. She alleged that Avilés had exclusively occupied the apartment since 2013 and sought legal intervention to resolve the matter.

Rodríguez Alvarado filed a lawsuit in February 2023, seeking the division of their community of goods. Avilés contested the claims, arguing that Rodríguez Alvarado had not contributed financially to the property or its upkeep. The lower court proceedings included a request from Rodríguez Alvarado for the imposition of rent on Avilés for her exclusive use of the apartment, which was denied.

On May 19, 2026, the lower court ruled in favor of Avilés, ordering the liquidation of their community of goods through the sale of the apartment. The court found that Avilés had made the majority of the financial contributions towards the property, including the down payment, mortgage payments, and maintenance costs. Rodríguez Alvarado was recognized for a smaller amount related to maintenance payments during her occupancy. The court concluded that Rodríguez Alvarado had not proven her claims regarding her financial contributions.

The Court of Appeals, led by Judge Sánchez Ramos, reviewed the case and determined that the lower court's findings were supported by the evidence presented. The ruling stated, "The evidence demonstrated that the Appellee made all the monthly payments of the mortgage and also made the down payment of $5,000 for the purchase of the Apartment." The appellate court emphasized that the lower court did not err in its assessment of the contributions made by each party.

In its ruling, the appellate court also addressed Rodríguez Alvarado's claims regarding the imposition of rent. The court stated, "The only reimbursement to which the Appellant is entitled is the one corresponding to the maintenance payments she made while living in the Apartment." The court found that Rodríguez Alvarado had not demonstrated that she had been excluded from the use of the apartment or that she had made any affirmative request for rent before filing her lawsuit.

This ruling is significant as it clarifies the legal principles surrounding the division of property in community of goods cases in Puerto Rico. The court reaffirmed that contributions to property must be documented and that claims for rent must be substantiated with evidence of exclusion or prior requests.

The decision will impact future cases involving the division of property among former partners in Puerto Rico, as it sets a precedent regarding the evaluation of contributions and the rights of parties in community of goods disputes. It underscores the importance of clear documentation and communication between parties regarding financial contributions and property usage.

Looking ahead, it is unclear whether Rodríguez Alvarado plans to appeal the ruling further. The court filing did not specify any intentions for further legal action. However, this case serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in property division and the need for clear agreements between parties in similar situations.