LEGAL AND JUDICIAL EVOLUTION OF MAINTENANCE AND CHILD SUPPORT IN PANAMA: A CRITICAL EXAM OF A PUBLIC ORDER RIGHT FREQUENTLY FAILED BY THE PARENT OBLIGOR

Abstract

Law number 42, August 7th, 2012, General de Pensión Alimenticia regulates child maintenance or support in the Republic of Panama. This Law introduces some legislative changes by regulating in a unique norm substantive and procedural matters concerning this subject. We analyze this Law and the most important changes that it includes, and only time will tell if this Law has accomplished one of its principal aims, that is, to reach a larger number of compliance of the duty of child support or child maintenance by the obligors to the obligees.