Summary.
The law establishes how a deceased public employee’s wages, vacation pay, and other employment benefits pass to beneficiaries without probate. It also governs beneficiaries’ pending claims and assignments of wages.
What it covers.
- Judicial delivery of a deceased public employee’s employment benefits.
- Beneficiaries’ pursuit of claims and continuation of pending proceedings.
- Invalidity of wage assignments to third parties, except where expressly authorized by law.
Who it applies to.
- Relatives and other beneficiaries of deceased public employees.
- State entities that employed deceased public employees.
- Judges responsible for delivering the amounts owed.
- Public employees who assign wages to third parties.
Key points.
- The state entity sends the deceased public employee’s wages, vacation pay, and other benefits to the competent judge for delivery without probate.Art. 1
- Delivery goes first to minor children; failing them, to the spouse or cohabiting partner, then to the mother or father. If none of them qualifies, it goes to those entitled under the Civil Code.Art. 1
- If the amount exceeds 1,500 balboas (B/1,500.00), the judge assesses the evidence and orders publication of a notice giving interested persons five days to appear.Art. 1
- The judge resolves disputes summarily, can order interim payments, and final first-instance decisions are appealable with suspensive effect.Art. 1
- Beneficiaries can bring claims and continue pending proceedings arising from the deceased public employee’s administrative-law employment relationship without probate.Art. 2
- A full or partial assignment of wages to third parties is void unless expressly authorized by law.Art. 3