I have a friend that lives in panama. She has a son 16 years old. She was never married to son's father. Does the father have to support the son by law?

My research says the father is legally bound to support the child IF paternity has been proven. Does she have DNA proof?

Where does the father live ? You say they live in Panama but are they citizens, is that where the father is from, is that where the child was born

Most countries have laws that require support of children. But we really need more info. Was she married when the child was born? Did she ever marry? Does she know the father? Is she a Panamanian citizen? Is the father?

Yes, the father knows he is the father. And is working in panama and only calls the son on birthdays. An atempt has been made previous to talk to a lawyer, but the lawyer seems not to know what he is doing

You were asked several questions. To provide advice we need answers to all of them and maybe more.

http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20101029160238325

Yes, the father knows he is the father. and is working in panama and only calls the son on birthdays. An atempt has been made previous to talk to a lawyer, but the lawyer seems not to know what he is doing

That may or may not be true about the lawyer. When you hire them they are suppose to act in your best interest. If your not in Panama then its not going to do any good to pursue collection from the outside. You should get a judgement and let it accrue just in case. But forget collecting from the outside.

(quote from ref)

•Collection of Foreign Judgment Treaties – Panama is in none of these treaties with any country. No foreign judgment from any other country has any validity in Panama. Foreign judgments cannot be domesticated or brought into Panama Courts for collection.


•Spousal Support, Alimony, Child Support – Panama has no reciprocity or treaties calling for the collection of these matters if the order or judgment was issued by a court in a foreign country. There is no civil reciprocity in Panama with other countries.


Ref site:

Why You Should Choose Panama for Offshore Banking and Asset Protection (http://www.panamalaw.org/attributes.html)

I should have asked more questions - I "assumed" the father, mother and child are in Panama.

I should have asked more questions - I "assumed" the father, mother and child are in Panama.

I don't know for sure what the real situation is. But if this is a case of trying to collect from an outside country then at least there is a post as to how it is treated.

In reading through this thread it seems it can go either way. If all the facts are known then we can give our best answers. Until then it's a guess.

i have a friend that lives in panama. she has a son 16 years old.

Yes, the father knows he is the father. and is working in panama

I "assumed" the father, mother and child are in Panama.
I will second Judy...