How long does a divorce take in Costa Rica?

How long a divorce takes in Costa Rica depends almost entirely on one factor: whether both spouses agree.

Mutual consent divorce: 2 to 4 months

If both spouses agree on the terms (child custody, child support, division of assets), the process moves fast:

• A joint petition is filed with the Family Court.
• The judge schedules a hearing to ratify the agreement.
• If everything is in order, judgment is issued within weeks.

Realistic timeline: 2–4 months, depending on the court’s caseload.

Contested divorce: 1 to 3 years

When there is no agreement, the divorce becomes a contested proceeding:

• Initial complaint and service of process.
• Answer, counterclaim, evidence offering.
• Preliminary hearing.
• Evidentiary hearing (witnesses, documents, expert testimony).
• First-instance judgment.
• Possible appeals.

Realistic timeline: 12–36 months. Complex assets or intense custody disputes can extend further.

What slows a divorce down?

1. Child custody disputes — require psychosocial studies.
2. Hidden or hard-to-appraise assets — companies, foreign properties.
3. Domestic violence proceedings — run in parallel.
4. Service of process delays — when one party evades notification.

Can the process be sped up?

Yes — with the correct procedural strategy from day one. As a former Family Court judge, I have seen cases lose months over errors in the initial complaint.

Going through or facing a divorce? Call (+506) 2221-0122 for a confidential consultation — we handle English-speaking clients with attorney Terry Steele.