Family Law and Divorce in Cáceres: Essential and Practical Information
The Cáceres Courthouse, located at Avda. de la Hispanidad, s/n (10002 Cáceres), houses the First Instance Courts responsible for family law matters in the city. All divorce petitions, child custody matters, modifications of measures, or maintenance claims must be filed at this judicial headquarters. Public service hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Specific features of the Cáceres judicial district
The Cáceres judicial district centralizes family law cases from the city and surrounding municipalities. Family law matters are mainly handled by the First Instance Courts, which have specialized staff in civil and family law. If a change in civil status (marriage, divorce, filiation) is required, the Cáceres Civil Registry is located at Ronda de San Francisco, 23, 10002 Cáceres.
Types of divorce and real timelines in Cáceres
In Cáceres, as in the rest of Spain, there are two main types of divorce:
- Mutual consent divorce: Both spouses agree on all measures (custody, maintenance, housing use, etc.). The process is faster and usually resolved within 2 to 3 months from the filing of the petition and regulatory agreement.
- Contentious divorce: When there is no agreement, each party submits their proposals and the judge makes a decision. The process is considerably longer, commonly lasting between 6 and 12 months, depending on court workload and case complexity.
Estimated cost and regulatory agreement contents
The cost of a divorce proceeding in Cáceres varies depending on the type and the professionals involved (both a lawyer and a court representative are mandatory). Mutual consent divorces are generally less expensive than contentious ones. The regulatory agreement must include at least:
- Custody and visitation arrangements for minor children.
- Child maintenance and, where applicable, spousal support.
- Use of the family home.
- Division of assets and marital obligations.
Child maintenance and custody criteria in Cáceres
The determination of child maintenance is based on Articles 142 et seq. of the Spanish Civil Code. The judge will consider:
- Income and resources of both parents.
- Specific needs of the children (food, education, health, housing, extracurricular activities).
- Proportionality between economic capacity and needs.
In practice, the average child maintenance in Spain ranges from 150 to 400 euros per month per child, although the final amount depends on each family's economic situation and the judge's decision.
Shared and sole custody
In Cáceres, courts apply Supreme Court doctrine on shared custody (STS 257/2013, among others), prioritizing the best interests of the child. Shared custody is increasingly common if both parents can provide stability and cooperation. In sole custody cases, the other parent usually has a standard visitation schedule, which may include alternate weekends, midweek visits, and school holidays divided equally.
Our law firm’s services in Cáceres
We offer in-person service in Cáceres and online options for those living elsewhere or seeking convenience. Our team prioritizes mediation and out-of-court negotiation to avoid lengthy litigation whenever possible and beneficial for the client. We collaborate with independent forensic experts if it is necessary to assess parental capacity or special needs of children.
The no-obligation initial consultation allows us to review your case, explain the steps to follow, and answer questions about procedures, timelines, and required documentation.
