Individuals and families
In Paraguay, there is no divorce without a court judgment that grants it. A de facto separation or a verbal agreement does not, on its own, dissolve the marriage. We provide legal assistance in divorce proceedings and in the dissolution of the marital community (comunidad conyugal). We focus on reaching fair agreements on the division of assets, and we handle each case with discretion and sensitivity.
Paraguay's divorce law is Law No. 45 of 1991. There is no divorce without a court judgment that grants it: a de facto separation or a verbal agreement does not, on its own, dissolve the marriage. An absolute divorce (divorcio vincular) dissolves the marriage bond and allows the divorced persons to marry again.
Ley N.º 45/1991 que establece el divorcio vincular del matrimonio (BACN) (opens in a new tab)
In its original text, Law No. 45/91 only allowed divorce by joint petition after three years of marriage. Law No. 5422, promulgated on May 5, 2015, amended that law. Since then, no minimum length of marriage is required to divorce by mutual consent.
Ley N.º 5422 que modifica los artículos 4, 5, 6, 7 y 13 de la Ley N.º 45/91 (BACN) (opens in a new tab) · Ley N.º 45/1991 que establece el divorcio vincular del matrimonio (BACN) (opens in a new tab) · La Nación: Ya no habrá plazo mínimo para los divorcios de mutuo acuerdo (opens in a new tab)
The judge hears each spouse separately and tries to reconcile them. The judge also sets a period of 30 to 60 days for a hearing at which the spouses either ratify their wish to divorce or do not.
The grounds for divorce include adultery, voluntary and malicious abandonment of the home, and de facto separation for more than one year, where either spouse has no intention of reuniting. Law No. 5422 also added, as a ground, the commission of a criminal offense (hecho punible) against the other spouse or against the children, whether or not they are children of both spouses.
Ley N.º 5422 que modifica los artículos 4, 5, 6, 7 y 13 de la Ley N.º 45/91 (BACN) (opens in a new tab) · Diario HOY: Infidelidad, abandono y otras causas: el divorcio en Paraguay y qué dice la ley (13/07/2026) (opens in a new tab)
When the divorce proceedings are filed, proceedings for the dissolution and liquidation of the community of property (comunidad de bienes) are also filed in a separate case file (por cuerda separada). The same judge handles them. Under Law No. 1/1992, if there is no marital property agreement (capitulaciones matrimoniales), or if it is void or has been annulled, the community of acquired property (comunidad de gananciales) under joint administration applies.
Ley N.º 45/1991 que establece el divorcio vincular del matrimonio (BACN) (opens in a new tab) · Ley N.º 1/1992 de Reforma Parcial del Código Civil (BACN) (opens in a new tab)
No. In Paraguay, there is no divorce without a court judgment that grants it. A de facto separation or a verbal agreement does not, on its own, dissolve the marriage. However, de facto separation for more than one year, where either spouse has no intention of reuniting, is a ground for divorce.
No. Since Law No. 5422 of 2015, no minimum length of marriage is required to divorce by mutual consent. Before that reform, Law No. 45/91 only allowed divorce by joint petition after three years of marriage.
The Juzgado de Primera Instancia en lo Civil y Comercial (Civil and Commercial Court of First Instance) of the last marital domicile or of the plaintiff's domicile, as chosen by the person who files the case (Article 17 of Law No. 45/91). The same judge also handles the dissolution and liquidation of the community of property.
In the Juzgado de la Niñez y la Adolescencia (Childhood and Adolescence Court) of the child's place of residence, through a brief, summary proceeding that is free of charge.
This page provides general information and does not replace advice on your case. Laws and requirements may change; we confirm them at the consultation.