In a recent ruling, the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals denied an appeal from José Luis Castillo Colón regarding a divorce case with Wilmaris Rodríguez Figueroa. The court emphasized that any disputes over property must be handled in a separate legal proceeding, not within the divorce case itself. This decision affects individuals navigating divorce and property division in Puerto Rico.

The case, Wilmaris Rodríguez Figueroa v. José Luis Castillo Colón (Docket TA2026CE00599), arose when Rodríguez Figueroa filed for divorce on January 28, 2026, citing irreparable breakdown of the marriage. Along with the divorce, she sought spousal support and indicated her intention to pursue property claims in a separate case. Castillo Colón responded to the divorce filing but did not contest the claim regarding property.

On March 20, 2026, the lower court ruled in favor of Rodríguez Figueroa, granting the divorce but stating that any issues related to the division of property and debts acquired during the marriage would need to be addressed in a separate lawsuit. This ruling was made despite the couple having entered into a marriage contract that specified separation of property.

After the initial ruling, Rodríguez Figueroa withdrew her request for spousal support, which the court accepted. However, Castillo Colón later filed a motion asking the court to address outstanding property issues. On May 6, 2026, the lower court issued an order stating that all property disputes must be handled in a separate action. Castillo Colón then sought a review of this order from the Court of Appeals.

The Court of Appeals, led by Judge Ronda Del Toro, reviewed Castillo Colón's appeal but ultimately denied it. The court stated, "Any controversy related to the property must be attended to in a separate and independent process, not under the cause of epigraph." This ruling underscores the court's position that property division is not automatically included in divorce proceedings unless specifically addressed.

This decision clarifies the legal framework for divorce cases in Puerto Rico, particularly regarding how property disputes are handled. The court noted that when a divorce petition is filed individually for irreparable breakdown, the court is not required to adjudicate property matters as part of the divorce process. Instead, these issues must be resolved in a separate legal action.

The impact of this ruling is significant for future divorce cases in Puerto Rico. It sets a clear precedent that property disputes must be pursued separately, which may affect how individuals approach divorce and financial settlements. Couples going through a divorce will need to be aware that issues regarding property division cannot be resolved within the same case as the divorce itself.

Moving forward, individuals in similar situations may need to prepare for additional legal proceedings to address property matters after a divorce is finalized. This ruling could lead to longer and more complex divorce processes, as parties will have to navigate multiple legal actions to fully resolve their issues.

As for next steps, Castillo Colón has the option to pursue further legal action regarding the property disputes in a separate case, as indicated by the court's ruling. There are no indications of a related case pending at this time. The court's decision reinforces the importance of understanding the legal requirements and procedures involved in divorce and property division in Puerto Rico.