Divorce is one of the most important legal processes in a person's life, and yet one of the situations people face with the least information. Knowing the available options in SLP can reduce the time, cost, and emotional toll of the process.
Types of Divorce in SLP
In San Luis Potosí, as throughout Mexico, there are primarily three types of divorce:
- No-fault divorce (divorcio incausado): either spouse may request it without citing any cause. It is the fastest option: it can conclude in 3 to 6 months when there are no children or assets to divide.
- Mutual consent divorce: both spouses agree to separate and present a settlement agreement to the court. If everything is agreed upon, it can be resolved in 2 to 4 months.
- Contested divorce: when there is no agreement. The proceeding may take 1 to 3 years and is significantly more costly.
What Is Decided in a Divorce?
Divorce does not only dissolve the marriage. It also requires resolving:
- Custody and care of minor children
- Visitation arrangement for the non-custodial parent
- Child support and, in some cases, spousal support
- Division of marital property (assets acquired during the marriage)
- Use of the family home during the proceedings
How to Protect Your Assets During the Process
The most vulnerable moment for personal assets is the start of divorce proceedings. We recommend: inventorying all assets before notifying your spouse, reviewing the marital property regime (community property or separate property), documenting bank accounts and balances, and never making unilateral financial decisions that could be interpreted as dissipation of assets.