The Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico ruled on August 24, 2026, in the case of Georgina Jiménez De La Cruz v. Víctor M. Toribio García (Docket TA2026RA00360). The court upheld a previous administrative decision regarding child support obligations. This ruling affects both parents and their child, as it clarifies the responsibilities of a non-custodial parent once the child reaches adulthood.
The case centers around a child support order established in 2008, which required Toribio García to pay $373 monthly for the support of his daughter, J.T.J. The order was effective from March 7, 2007, until J.T.J. turned 18 on August 9, 2024. After reaching adulthood, Toribio García sought to have the child support case closed, arguing that the support obligation should end since the child was no longer a minor.
Toribio García filed a motion with the Administration for Child Support (ASUME) in August 2025, requesting the termination of his child support payments and the removal of restrictions on his passport. He claimed that the debt owed to ASUME was incorrect and that the mother, Georgina Jiménez, lacked the legal standing to pursue the debt since their daughter had reached adulthood. He argued that any claims regarding the debt should come from J.T.J. herself.
The ASUME denied his request to close the case in January 2026, stating that the debt owed was over $500, which did not meet the criteria for closure under both state and federal regulations. Toribio García then appealed the decision, leading to the current court ruling.
The Ruling
The Court of Appeals, led by Judge Lotti Rodríguez, ruled against Toribio García's appeal. The court affirmed ASUME's decision to keep the case open, stating, "The ASUME within the authority delegated by law ceased to collect the current child support but maintains the arrears account open and conducts automatic collection efforts due to the existence of a debt greater than $500." The court also noted that ASUME does not have the authority to relieve the child support obligation; only the First Instance Court can do so.
The court further stated that even though J.T.J. had reached the age of majority, the debt owed was not less than $500, and the claim was not time-barred. Therefore, the court found that ASUME's decision to keep the case open was justified.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for child support cases in Puerto Rico. It clarifies that reaching adulthood does not automatically terminate a parent's obligation to pay child support unless a court specifically orders it. The court emphasized that the responsibility to claim any unpaid support falls to the adult child, not the custodial parent.
The decision reinforces the legal principle that child support obligations are of high public interest and must be adhered to unless a court determines otherwise. This ruling may influence similar cases in the future, as it sets a precedent regarding the responsibilities of non-custodial parents once their children reach adulthood.
What's Next
Toribio García can potentially appeal this decision to a higher court. However, details regarding any related cases or further actions were not available in the court filing.