Family Courts in Castellón de la Plana: Local References, Specifics, and Volume
In Castellón de la Plana, family law matters—including divorces, custody, alimony, and modifications of measures—are handled by the Family, Childhood, and Capacity Section of the Court of Instance, located at the City of Justice (Bulevar Blasco Ibáñez, 10, 12003 Castelló de la Plana). This section now covers the responsibilities previously managed by First Instance Courts No. 7 and 9, both specialized in family matters. For birth, marriage, or filiations, the Civil Registry is also at the same address.
The judicial district of Castellón de la Plana covers the city and surrounding municipalities, being the main reference for all family law procedures in the area. While there are no specific public figures on local divorce volumes, according to INE data, over 10,000 divorces were processed in the Valencian Community in 2022, with Castellón de la Plana being a key hub in the province.
Types of Divorce in Castellón de la Plana: Procedures, Deadlines, and Costs
Locally, there are two main routes:
- Mutual agreement divorce: Both parties jointly file the petition with a regulatory agreement. The process usually takes 2 to 3 months from filing to judgment. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
- Contentious divorce: When there is no agreement, one party files the petition and the process requires a court hearing. The usual timeframe is 6 to 12 months, depending on the court's workload and the case's complexity.
As for average costs in Castellón de la Plana, legal fees for a mutual agreement divorce usually range from 600 to 1,200 euros (plus VAT and court agent), while a contentious case can exceed 1,500 euros depending on the complexity. These amounts may vary according to the number of children, shared assets, or family businesses involved.
The regulatory agreement is essential in mutual agreement divorces. It must regulate:
- Use of the family home.
- Care and custody of minor children.
- Visitation schedule for the non-custodial parent.
- Child support and, where applicable, spousal support.
- Liquidation of the matrimonial economic regime.
Alimony and Custody: Criteria and Figures in Castellón de la Plana
Child support is calculated according to Articles 142 et seq. of the Spanish Civil Code, proportionate to both parents' incomes and the children's needs. Courts in Castellón de la Plana apply the guidelines of the General Council of the Judiciary, also considering extraordinary expenses, disabilities, or special circumstances. In Spain, the average child support ranges between 150 and 400 euros per child, although in Castellón de la Plana specific amounts are adapted to the family's economic reality and local living standards.
Regarding custody, the judicial trend in the Valencian Community is to favor joint custody when both parents request it and have adequate parental capacity, in accordance with Article 92 of the Civil Code and Supreme Court case law. Sole custody is granted when the child's interests so require. The standard visitation schedule in cases of sole custody typically involves alternate weekends, one weekday visit, and half of school holidays.
Our Law Firm in Castellón de la Plana: Mediation, Negotiation, and Personalized Attention
Our firm, located in Castellón de la Plana, defends your family rights with a focus on mediation and out-of-court negotiation to avoid litigation whenever possible. We offer in-person services at our city offices, as well as online consultations for those unable to travel or living elsewhere. We collaborate with independent medical experts when psychological or medical assessments are required in family proceedings.
The no-obligation initial consultation allows us to analyze your situation and assess the best legal options in Castellón de la Plana, whether for divorce, custody, modification of measures, or Civil Registry procedures.
