Carlos Felipe B.Managing partner and founder
A tool for cross-border family cases
That person forced to pay foods live in the extranjero does not mean that the a claim should be abandoned. German The Hague Convention of 2007 establishes mechanisms for cooperation for collection trust of food intended for children and other members of the FamilyThe HCCH confirmed its entry into force for the Dominican Republic on March 23, 2025. On utility It depends on the review and relationship with the other the State are effectively covered.
Recognizing a decision and establishing alimony are separate procedures
The text of the agreement allows for various requests to be processed, such as recognizing and enforcing an existing judgment or establishing a judgment when appropriate. Having a Dominican judgment does not equate to immediately having an enforceable order against any foreign property . The proper procedure , the supporting documents, and the authority responsible for enforcement must be determined . Cooperation facilitates access to the procedure, but does not, in itself, guarantee the financial outcome.
The Dominican reservation about age
Although Article 2 provides coverage for certain parental obligations regarding individuals under 21 years of age, it allows for a reservation limiting it to those under 18. The Dominican Republic made this reservation, as evidenced by its official declarations and reservations . Therefore, the automatic application of the conventional regime should not be guaranteed to every adult child who continues their studies. The potential obligation to provide support and the availability of this international channel are related but distinct issues.
Other declarations and relations between States
The Dominican Republic also declared an extension of the convention to obligations regarding vulnerable persons; this effect must be examined in accordance with the reciprocity of declarations provided for in Article 2. Furthermore, there are particularities in the relations between States: the HCCH records an objection from Denmark to the Dominican accession . Before submitting an application, it is essential to review the status table and notifications, rather than assuming that accession guarantees conventional cooperation with any country.
The central authority and the documentation
Articles 4 through 6 outline central authorities that facilitate the transmission of and assistance with applications. The HCCH directory identifies the Attorney General's Office for the Dominican Republic, specifically its Child, Adolescent, and Family division . It is helpful to prepare documents such as parentage records, existing court orders, proof of service, information on the responsible party, and a calculation of any outstanding payments, depending on the procedure. Translations, forms, and specific requirements should be confirmed with the competent authority.
What to do before starting
The first step is to determine where the obligated party lives and whether a child support order already exists. Next, the agreement must be reviewed and the request formulated with legal support and guidance from the central authority. If the agreement does not apply to the specific relationship, this does not necessarily mean that a claim is impossible: other available avenues must be explored. What must be avoided is confusing a cooperation mechanism with an automatic order for payment, location, seizure, or arrest outside the country.