Confirmation of provisional child support for an adolescentConfirmación de cuota provisional alimentaria adolescente

IV.- ON THE MERITS: After having reviewed the case file and the arguments of the parties, the undersigned judge is inclined to maintain the provisional support order (cuota provisional) set, and these are the reasons. It must be considered that we are at the stage of setting the provisional support order, so it must be for the most urgent needs and, as it is impossible to make a comprehensive assessment of all the evidence, since this is not the appropriate time, the support order must be set with great caution. That is why it is very difficult, at this procedural stage, to determine the standard of living; in this regard, we must recall what the Sala Constitucional stated in Voto 7455-2014, to the effect that we are dealing with an undefined legal concept (concepto jurídico indeterminado); therefore, it will be through the assessment of all the evidence and in a comprehensive manner that content can be given to it in the specific case. In Voto 875-2014 of the Tribunal de Familia, the concept was broadened and extended to what is necessary for the development of the minimum physical and emotional existence of the support recipients (alimentarios), including ordinary as well as extraordinary expenses. As can be seen, technically, it is impossible to analyze this issue when setting the provisional support order. [...] The mother will have to make the proportional contribution that corresponds to her, because the entire burden cannot be placed on the father, who also has personal, family, and civil needs to meet. It should be noted that the beneficiaries depend on both parents for the satisfaction of their needs, since both are support obligors (obligados alimentarios) to them, and therefore they must jointly attend to the satisfaction of the needs regulated by Article 164 of the Código de Familia: food, housing, clothing, footwear, medicine, recreation, study, etc. Likewise, Article 29 of the Código de la Niñez y la Adolescencia states that: "The father, the mother, or the person in charge are obligated to ensure the physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual, and social development of their children under eighteen years of age." Although the mother provides in-kind labor, this does not mean that the support (manutención) of her daughter falls solely on the father, because precisely Article 27 of the Ley de Pensiones Alimentarias establishes that the fact that the obligor does not work is not a reason to be exempted from that duty. Although it is valued that the mother assumes the care, in this case, we are dealing with an adolescent beneficiary, with a certain degree of independence; therefore, the mother must seek the appropriate means to supplement her daughter's needs. Furthermore, Article 166 of the Código de Familia indicates that: "Support is only owed to the extent that the assets and labor of the support recipient do not satisfy them"; meaning that the budgeted expenses must correspond to reality and, in this case, the budget of 1,062,000.00 colones offered by the mother is not yet justified; a task that must be defined in the judgment, because it is not just about making a list of expenses with specified amounts; without prejudice to the prudential value that may be given to some of them. Regarding the defendant's income, it must be established from now on that Mr. [Nombre 002] has the burden of proving this point related to his means (posibilidades). Article 317 of the Código Procesal Civil, Ley 7130, still applicable in family cases, pursuant to Ley 9621 of October 3, 2018, establishes that the person who affirms a fact must prove it; however, in support matters, it is the support obligor who must demonstrate his income, under penalty of the provisions of Article 27 of the Ley de Pensiones Alimentarias if they are concealed. Regarding the duty of support debtors to prove income, the Tribunal de Familia has termed this task Reversal of the Burden of Proof (Reversión de la Carga Probatoria), which can be consulted in Voto 337-2011 as well as 1617-2010 and 973-2011. [...]

**IV.- ON THE MERITS**: After having reviewed the case file and the arguments of the parties, the undersigned judge is inclined to maintain the provisional support obligation (cuota provisional) set, and these are the reasons. It must be considered that we are dealing with the setting of the provisional support obligation, meaning it must be for the most urgent needs, and since it is impossible to make a comprehensive assessment of all the evidence, as this is not the appropriate time, the amount must be set with great caution. Therefore, it is very difficult, at this procedural stage, to determine the standard of living; in this regard, we must recall what the Constitutional Chamber (Sala Constitucional) stated in Voto 7455-2014, in the sense that we are dealing with an undefined legal concept; therefore, it will be through the assessment of all the evidence, in a comprehensive manner, that it can be given content in the specific case. In Voto 875-2014 of the Family Court (Tribunal de Familia), the concept was expanded and extended to what is necessary for the minimum physical and emotional development of the support creditors (alimentarios), including both ordinary and extraordinary expenses. As can be seen, technically, it is impossible to analyze this issue when setting the provisional support obligation.[...] The mother will have to make the proportional contribution that corresponds to her, because the entire burden cannot be placed on the father; who also has personal, family, and civil needs to fulfill.

Likewise, Article 29 of the Childhood and Adolescence Code (Código de la Niñez y la Adolescencia) states that: "The father, mother, or person in charge is obligated to ensure the physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual, and social development of their children under eighteen years of age". Despite the fact that the mother provides in-kind work, this does not mean that the support (manutención) of her daughter falls solely on the father, precisely because Article 27 of the Alimony Law (Ley de Pensiones Alimentarias) establishes that the fact that the obligated person does not work is not a reason to be exempt from that duty. Although it is valued that the mother assumes the care, in this case, we are dealing with an adolescent beneficiary, with a certain degree of independence; therefore, the mother must seek the appropriate tools to complement her daughter's needs. On the other hand, Article 166 of the Family Code (Código de Familia) states that: "Support (alimentos) is only owed to the extent that the assets and work of the support creditor do not satisfy them"; so the expenses budgeted must correspond to reality, and in this case, the budget offered by the mother of 1,062,000.00 colones has not yet been justified; a task that must be defined in the judgment, because it is not just about making a list of expenses specifying amounts; without prejudice to the prudential value that may be given to some of them.

Regarding the defendant's income, it must be established from the outset that Mr. [Name 002] has the burden of proof in demonstrating that point, which relates to his means. Article 317 of the Civil Procedure Code (Código Procesal Civil), Ley 7130, still applicable in family cases, according to Ley 9621 of October 3, 2018, establishes that the person who affirms a fact must prove it; however, in support matters, it is the support debtor who must demonstrate their income, under penalty of what Article 27 of the Alimony Law (Ley de Pensiones Alimentarias) states if they are concealed. Regarding the duty of support debtors to prove their income, the Family Court (Tribunal de Familia) has called this task Reversal of the Burden of Proof (Reversión de la Carga Probatoria), which can be consulted in Voto 337-2011 as well as 1617-2010 and 973-2011.[...]" It must be taken into account that the beneficiary persons depend on both parents for the satisfaction of their needs, since both are support obligors (obligados alimentarios) of them, and therefore they must jointly attend to the satisfaction of the needs regulated by numeral 164 of the Family Code (Código de Familia): food, housing, clothing, footwear, medicine, recreation, study, etc. Likewise, numeral 29 of the Childhood and Adolescence Code (Código de la Niñez y la Adolescencia) indicates that: "The father, mother, or the person in charge is obliged to ensure the physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual, and social development of their children under eighteen years of age." Although the mother provides a contribution in kind, that does not mean that the maintenance (manutención) of her daughter falls solely on the father, because precisely article 27 of the Alimony Law (Ley de Pensiones Alimentarias) establishes that the fact that the obligated person does not work is not a reason to be exempted from that duty. Although it is valued that the mother assumes the care, in this case, we are dealing with an adolescent beneficiary, with a certain independence; so the mother must seek the appropriate tools to complement the needs of her daughter. On the other hand, article 166 of the Family Code (Código de Familia) indicates that: "Support payments (alimentos) are only owed to the extent that the goods and work of the recipient do not satisfy them"; so the expenses that are budgeted must correspond to reality and, in this case, the budget offered by the mother of 1,062,000.00 colones is not yet justified; a task that must be defined in judgment, because it is not just about making a list of expenses specifying amounts; without prejudice to the prudential value that may be given to some of them. Regarding the income of the defendant, it must be established from now on that Mr. [Name 002] has the burden of proof in demonstrating that point, which relates to the possibilities. Numeral 317 of the Civil Procedure Code (Código Procesal Civil), Law 7130, still applicable in family cases, according to Law 9621 of October 3, 2018, establishes that the person who affirms a fact must prove it; however, in support matters, it is the support obligor who must demonstrate their income, under penalty of what numeral 27 of the Alimony Law (Ley de Pensiones Alimentarias) provides if they are hidden. Regarding the duty of support debtors to prove income, the Family Court (Tribunal de Familia) has called that task Reversal of the Burden of Proof (Reversión de la Carga Probatoria), which can be consulted in Ruling (Voto) 337-2011 as well as 1617-2010 and 973-2011.[...]."

"IV.- SOBRE EL FONDO: Después de haber revisado el expediente y los argumentos de las partes, la suscrita juzgadora se inclina por mantener la cuota provisional fijada y estas son las razones. Debe considerarse que estamos ante la fijación de la cuota provisional, por lo que la misma debe ser para la atención de las necesidades más urgentes y como es imposible hacer una valoración integral de todas las pruebas, ya que no es el momento oportuno, la cuota debe ser fijada con mucha cautela. Por eso es muy difícil, en este momento procesal, determinar el nivel de vida; al respecto, debemos recordar lo dicho por la Sala Constitucional en el Voto 7455-2014, en el sentido de que estamos ante un concepto jurídico indeterminado; por lo que será mediante la valoración de toda la prueba y de forma integral que se le pueda dar contenido en el caso concreto. En el Voto 875-2014 del Tribunal de Familia se amplió el concepto y se extendió a lo necesario para el desarrollo de la existencia física y emocional mínima de los alimentarios, incluyéndose los gastos ordinarios como extraordinarios. Como se ve, técnicamente, es imposible hacer un análisis de ese tema en la fijación de la cuota provisional.[...] La madre tendrá que hacer el aporte proporcional que le corresponde, porque no se le puede dar toda la carga al padre; quien también tiene necesidades personales, familiares y civiles que cumplir. Tómese en cuenta que las personas beneficiarias dependen de ambos progenitores para la satisfacción de sus necesidades, pues ambos son obligados alimentarios de ellos, por lo que de manera conjunta deben atender la satisfacción de las necesidades que regula el numeral 164 del Código de Familia: alimentos, habitación, vestido, calzado, medicina, recreación, estudio, etc. Asimismo, el numeral 29 del Código de la Niñez y la Adolescencia señala que: "El padre, la madre o la persona encargada están obligados a velar por el desarrollo físico, intelectual, moral, espiritual y social de sus hijos menores de dieciocho años". Pese a que la madre aporta una labor en especie, eso no significa que la manutención de su hija quede solo a cargo del padre, porque precisamente el artículo 27 de la Ley de Pensiones Alimentarias establece que no es motivo para eximirse de ese deber, el hecho de que la persona obligada no trabaje. Aunque se valora que la madre asume el cuido, en este caso, estamos ante una beneficiaria adolescente, con cierta independencia; por lo que la madre debe buscar las herramientas adecuadas para complementar las necesidades de su hija. Por otro lado, el artículo 166 del Código de Familia señala que: "Los alimentos no se deben sino en la parte que los bienes y el trabajo del alimentario no los satisfagan"; de manera que los gastos que se presupuesten deben corresponder a la realidad y en este caso, el presupuesto ofrecido por la madre de 1.062.000,00 colones no se encuentra justificado aún; labor que debe ser definida en sentencia, porque no se trata solo de hacer una lista de gastos con especificación de montos; sin perjuicio del valor prudencial que se le pueda dar a algunos de ellos. En cuanto a los ingresos del demandado, se tiene que establecer desde ahora que don [Nombre 002] tiene la carga de la prueba en la demostración de ese punto que se relaciona con las posibilidades. El numeral 317 del Código Procesal Civil, Ley 7130, aplicable aún en los casos de familia, según Ley 9621 del 3 de octubre de 2018, establece que la persona que afirma un hecho debe acreditarlo; sin embargo, en materia alimentaria, es al obligado alimentario demostrar sus ingresos, bajo sanción de lo que reza el numeral 27 de la Ley de Pensiones Alimentarias si se ocultan. En cuanto al deber de las personas deudoras alimentarias de acreditar los ingresos, el Tribunal de Familia, ha denominado a esa labor Reversión de la Carga Probatoria, lo cual puede ser consultado en el Voto 337-2011 así como 1617-2010 y 973-2011.[...]."