The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals recently ruled on a significant child support and custody case involving Keimarisse Colón Díaz and Carlos F. Pratts Santiago. The court's decision, issued on July 28, 2026, confirmed a lower court's ruling that set child support payments and established shared custody for their minor child. This ruling affects the financial responsibilities of parents in custody disputes and highlights the importance of considering each parent's economic situation.
The case, docketed as TA2026AP00359, arose from a dispute over child support payments for the couple's son, K.E.P.C., born on February 26, 2019. The lower court had previously determined that Pratts Santiago would pay a monthly child support amount of $357.93, effective February 1, 2026, after the couple was awarded shared custody of their son. Colón Díaz, the child's mother, appealed this decision, arguing that the court did not adequately consider her economic needs or the presence of another dependent child in her care.
The dispute began when Pratts Santiago requested a review of his child support obligations, citing a significant reduction in his income due to a pay cut at work. He argued that his financial situation had changed and that the child support amount should be adjusted accordingly. The lower court agreed to modify the custody arrangement to shared custody and set the new child support amount based on recommendations from a child support examiner.
In her appeal, Colón Díaz claimed that the lower court failed to consider her financial responsibilities, particularly regarding another dependent child she was caring for. She argued that the court should have taken into account her economic situation and the full context of Pratts Santiago's financial capabilities. However, the Appeals Court noted that Colón Díaz did not provide a transcript of the evidentiary hearing, which limited their ability to review the evidence presented in the lower court.
The court ruled, "the appellant did not put us in a position to weigh the testimonial evidence presented at the evidentiary hearing." This lack of evidence made it difficult for the court to overturn the lower court's findings. The judges on the panel included Candelaria Rosa, Adames Soto, Campos Pérez, and Trigo Ferraiuoli, with Adames Soto serving as the lead judge.
The Appeals Court emphasized that child support cases are of high public interest and that the well-being of the child is the primary concern. The court highlighted that both parents have a personal obligation to support their child based on their economic capacity and the child's needs. The ruling confirmed that the lower court's decision was in line with the established legal principles regarding child support and custody.
This ruling has implications for future child support cases in Puerto Rico, particularly in how courts assess the financial responsibilities of parents in custody disputes. It underscores the importance of providing complete evidence during hearings and the necessity for both parents to disclose their financial situations fully. The court's decision reinforces the principle that child support obligations must be proportionate to each parent's capacity to pay while ensuring the child's needs are met.
Looking ahead, it is unclear whether Colón Díaz will seek further appeal options. The court's ruling appears to be final unless new evidence comes to light or procedural issues arise that warrant a re-examination of the case. As of now, there are no related cases pending that could impact this ruling.