The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals recently ruled against Roxana De Jesús Díaz in her appeal regarding the collection of a pension from her ex-husband, Ernesto Campos Sánchez. The court's decision, issued on June 5, 2026, clarifies the legal mechanisms available for collecting spousal support after divorce. This ruling is significant for individuals in similar situations who rely on such payments for financial support.
The case originated from a divorce settlement in 2012, where Campos Sánchez was ordered to pay De Jesús Díaz a monthly spousal support of $3,500, along with health insurance. However, De Jesús Díaz claimed that Campos Sánchez failed to make consistent payments, leading her to seek legal recourse in 2025. The court's ruling emphasizes the limitations of using contempt of court as a method for enforcing spousal support payments.
Ernesto Campos Sánchez and Roxana De Jesús Díaz were married on December 21, 1986, and had two children, now adults. Their divorce proceedings began on December 4, 2012, when they filed for a mutual consent divorce. The divorce decree included a stipulation that Campos Sánchez would pay De Jesús Díaz $3,500 monthly as spousal support. However, after years of inconsistent payments, De Jesús Díaz filed a motion for contempt in June 2025, claiming that Campos Sánchez owed her approximately $150,000.
In response to her claims, the lower court initially ordered Campos Sánchez to be served personally. However, after difficulties in serving him, the court allowed De Jesús Díaz to serve him through public notice, which was published in a local newspaper. Despite these efforts, Campos Sánchez did not respond to the court's notices.
On March 18, 2026, the lower court concluded that while Campos Sánchez owed De Jesús Díaz a total of $175,880 in unpaid spousal support, the contempt of court motion was not the appropriate legal mechanism for her to collect the debt. The court stated, "We conclude that the mechanism of contempt is not adequate for the collection of money for spousal support in the circumstances of this case." This decision led De Jesús Díaz to seek a review from the Court of Appeals.
The Court of Appeals, led by Judge Lebrón Nieves and joined by Judges Pagán Ocasio and Álvarez Esnard, reviewed the case under the criteria for issuing a writ of certiorari. They ultimately decided not to intervene in the lower court's ruling, stating that the lower court did not err in its discretion regarding the use of contempt for collecting spousal support. The court emphasized the need for caution when using extraordinary remedies like certiorari.
The ruling has significant implications for individuals seeking to enforce spousal support payments in Puerto Rico. It clarifies that contempt of court may not be the appropriate route for collecting such debts, potentially affecting future cases involving similar circumstances. The decision underscores the importance of understanding the legal mechanisms available for enforcing spousal support agreements.
Going forward, individuals in similar situations may need to explore alternative legal avenues for collecting spousal support, as the ruling sets a precedent regarding the limitations of contempt as a collection method. The court's decision may encourage lawmakers or legal advocates to consider reforms to the enforcement of spousal support payments.
Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether De Jesús Díaz plans to appeal this ruling further or if there are related cases pending in the courts. The implications of this decision may resonate with many individuals navigating the complexities of divorce and financial support in Puerto Rico.