Family Law

Divorce in Mexico costs: no-fault divorce $400–1,250 USD, contested divorce $1,500–5,000+ USD.
The cheapest is administrative divorce at Civil Registry ($75–150 USD), valid only with no assets and no minor children.
With family attorneys, costs in Mexico City and Monterrey are 40% higher. Many offer payment plans.
Compare real prices from verified family lawyers at AbogadoMex.mx with free first consultation.

NO, they cannot take your children away just for divorcing. Parental authority belongs to both parents, except in cases of proven domestic violence, abandonment, serious addictions, or child abuse.
The family judge decides custody based on the “child’s best interest.” Key factors: economic stability, emotional bond, and available time.
A family attorney protects your parental rights. Find custody specialists at AbogadoMex.mx to defend your relationship with your children.

Child support in Mexico is minimum 15% of income per child, and may reach 50% of total income.
It is calculated on salaries, benefits, rents, and businesses.
If you can’t pay, consequences include: account/asset seizure, payroll deduction, or prison up to 6 months for family abandonment.
You can request a reduction if circumstances change. Family attorneys at AbogadoMex.mx negotiate fair amounts and avoid jail.

Yes, it is entirely possible. If you accumulate a large child support debt, the judge can order the seizure of your assets (house, car, bank accounts) to auction them and pay your children. Furthermore, with the new reforms, you will not be able to sell or donate that house before a notary if you appear in the Debtors Registry.

The law has not changed the age, but the criteria have. It is mandatory until age 18, or until age 25 (and sometimes more) if the child continues studying a career according to their age and gets good grades. It does not cut off automatically upon turning 18; you must ask the judge to formally cancel it.

You must notify the judge immediately. You have to process a pension reduction incident. If you don't do it and simply stop paying, the debt keeps accumulating with the original higher amount, and that debt is impossible to erase later. The judge doesn't guess that you were fired, you have to prove it to them.

Yes, it is a valid cause to ask for a reduction, since your income must now be divided among more dependents. However, it is not automatic nor does it exempt you from paying. The judge will adjust the percentages so that it is equitable for all your children, both those from the first marriage and those from the second.

It is very real. Non-compliance with the alimony obligation is a criminal offense. If it is proven that you have resources and do not want to pay (malice), or that you put yourself in a state of insolvency on purpose (quitting or putting assets in others' names), the Public Prosecutor can exercise criminal action and you can end up in prison, in addition to having to pay the debt.