Puerto Rico clarifies court process for relatives seeking contact with a minor

Act 136-2026 specifies that when a parent or guardian exercising parental authority and custody opposes the relationship or the time, place or manner of contact with a nonemancipated minor, grandparents or aunts and uncles may petition the court. The judge decides by a preponderance of the evidence considering the child’s best interests, individual circumstances, the parties’ interests and the child’s preference. This amendment clarifies the statutory provision; it should not be described as creating a wholly new right or as setting an age threshold for a child’s preference. The act took effect immediately on approval. This is a research translation of the Spanish enacted text.