Servicios Legales de PR (SLPR) GivingTuesday 2021

Filiation process to guarantee Family law and Heirship rights 

Let us share another story that shows how services provided are making certain that low-income individuals and communities have equal access to justice. 

Angelica T. requested PRLS’ legal aid because she wanted to make sure her daughter Bella could enjoy her constitutional, family,and heirship rights.  You see, Bella was born out of wedlock and her father had not acknowledge paternity prior to his recent death, even though he visited his daughter at times.After four years of her birth,her mother wanted to initiate a filiation process to have her paternal surname added to Bella’s vital record.  

In our legal system, it is her legal right to have each parent surname since all children have the same rights and the same obligations towards their parents. Failure to acknowledge her rights would restrict Bella from the enjoyment of the constitutional rights that she possesses by virtue of her birth and the rights of the recognized natural child.  

Angelica visited our Ponce office for representation. The lawyer assigned to the case filed a complaint against Bella's paternal family requestingthe court to declare Bella T. as the daughter of Imanol F., with the right to bear her father's surname and to issue a judgment ordering the Vital Statistics Registry of Puerto Rico to include in the birth certificate of the minor the name of the father as Imanol F. and that the name of the minor appears as Bella F.T. 

After certain legal procedures and proper notices to her paternal family, the Court decided in her favor. Granting filiation, the legal system correctly distributes rights and obligations between parents and child.  

We vow to continue to support those in need of our services and thank you for helping us do so. 

(Pseudonyms used to protect identity) 

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