Parents in Panama who are not up to date with child support payments are in serious trouble. After the bill to reform Law 42 of 2012 passed its second debate in the National Assembly, the situation is about to become much tougher for them. Family law specialists detail that the new provisions establish that individuals with arrears will no longer be able to pay any amount to catch up. Moreover, with the reform, they will have to pay at least 75% of the total debt to regularize their situation. Additionally, the penalty for non-compliance is also increasing. Another point is that previously, such a violation could result in a 30-day detention, but with the modification, as explained, the penalty can be extended to 45 days if the person fails to make the payment ordered by the court. Deputies have stated that the bill aims to streamline child support processes. Authorities have also said that these measures seek to strengthen the protection of the rights of children and adolescents, and to improve the effectiveness in the fulfillment of alimentary obligations.
