Family Law Processes in Brazil: A Complete Guide

Family Law in Brazil has undergone significant transformations in recent decades, reflecting social changes and new family arrangements. This guide addresses the main processes related to Family Law in the Brazilian legal system, providing essential information for those facing family issues that require legal intervention.

Divorce

Divorce in Brazil can be carried out in different ways:

Consensual Divorce: When both spouses agree to the dissolution of the marriage and related conditions (division of assets, alimony, child custody). It can be conducted:
- At a Notary's Office: If there are no minor or incapable children, through a public deed
- Judicial: When there are minor or incapable children, requiring judicial approval
- Online Extrajudicial: Recent possibility that allows consensual divorce through digital means
Litigious Divorce: When there is no agreement between spouses about the divorce or its conditions. It necessarily proceeds through the judicial route.

Since Constitutional Amendment 66/2010, it is no longer necessary to comply with deadlines or prove prior separation for divorce.

Child Custody

Brazilian legislation provides for different custody arrangements:

Joint Custody: Preferred model according to the Civil Code, in which both parents maintain legal and practical responsibilities for raising children.
Sole Custody: Assigned to only one parent, while the other has the right to visitation and supervision of the children's interests.
Alternating Custody: Although not explicitly provided for in law, it occurs when the child lives alternately with each parent for determined periods.

The definition of custody should always prioritize the best interest of the child or adolescent, as established by the Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA).

Alimony

Alimony is a fundamental right and encompasses:

Value Determination: Considers the need-possibility-proportionality trinomial, evaluating the needs of the recipient and the financial capacity of the payer.
Payment Methods: Can be fixed as a percentage of salary, fixed amount, or mixed.
Enforcement: In case of default, it can be enforced through different procedures, including the possibility of civil imprisonment of the debtor.
Review and Exoneration: Alimony can be reviewed when there is a change in the financial situation of the parties or when the beneficiary reaches adulthood and completes their educational training.

Recognition and Dissolution of Stable Union

Stable union is recognized as a family entity by Brazilian law:

Recognition: Puede ser feito por escritura pública en notaría o por decisión judicial.
Derechos: Genera efectos similares al matrimonio en relación a alimentos, régimen de bienes y derechos sucesorios.
Dissolution: Puede ocurrir por voluntad de las partes, vía notaría (consensual) o por vía judicial.

Investigation de Paternidad

El reconocimiento de la paternidad es un derecho personalísimo:

Reconocimiento Voluntario: Puede ser hecho por declaración en el registro de nacimiento, escritura pública, testamento o documento particular.
Acción de Investigación: Cuando no hay reconocimiento voluntario, se puede ingresar con acción judicial, generalmente acompañada de examen de ADN.
Efectos: El reconocimiento genera derechos y deberes recíprocos entre padres e hijos, incluyendo derechos sucesorios y obligación alimentaria.

Adopción

El proceso de adopción en Brasil sigue reglas específicas:

Registro Nacional de Adopción: Los candidatos deben inscribirse y pasar por evaluaciones psicosociales.
Etapa de Convivencia: Período de adaptación entre el adoptante y el adoptado, acompañado por el equipo técnico judicial.
Sentencia de Adopción: Concedida después de la etapa, crea vínculo de filiación irrevocable.

Conclusion

Family Law in Brazil is a complex and constantly evolving area. Family processes often involve intense emotional aspects, in addition to legal issues. Therefore, accompaniment by a specialized lawyer is essential to ensure that the rights of all parties involved are respected, always prioritizing the well-being of the most vulnerable family members, especially children and adolescents.