Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies has placed on its voting agenda a bill that establishes the automatic end of child support when the child turns 18. The initiative, by Colorado deputies Jatar Fernández and Hugo Meza, has received divergent opinions from technical committees.
Currently, upon reaching the age of majority, payment does not cease automatically: the payer must file a new court case to request suspension. According to the authors, this generates wasted time, legal costs, and emotional strain, in addition to overloading the judiciary with unnecessary procedures.
The bill amends Article 189 of Law 1680/01 (Children and Adolescents Code). The text provides that sentences or interlocutory orders must expressly set the expiration date of the obligation. If approved, the support “shall lapse by operation of law” on the day the recipient reaches the age of majority, even without a subsequent court decision, and all restrictions against the payer will be automatically suspended.
The bill clarifies that the automatic termination does not forgive accumulated debts. Delinquent payers will remain subject to legal actions regarding installments due before age 18. In Paraguay, failure to comply with the support obligation is a crime under Article 226 of the Penal Code, punishable by imprisonment.
The committees on Legislation and Codification and on Justice, Labor, and Social Security recommended approval, arguing that the measure serves citizens who have complied with the law. The committees on Social Equity and Equal Rights and on Children and Adolescents advised rejection, citing the constant increase in the registry of child support debtors.