There are a lot of questions posted here and at the Forum as to how much will it cost for an annulment. The standard reply is: it depends. We could not possibly speak for the standard fees charged by all lawyers and the costs would normally go up if the case drags on as a result of contingencies (as when hearings are postponed for various reasons). It would also depend on the ground or grounds for annulment or declaration of nullity.
An Inquirer news reads in part:
The move, according to lawyer Nimfa Cuesta-Vilches, assistant court administrator, is meant to regulate the fees of doctors and medical experts following complaints from litigants that their services have become costly.
“Before, the fee was around P10,000 to P15,000 per case. Now, the fees ranged from P20,000 to more than P30,000,” she said.
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“Psychiatrists appeared to have agreed to charge the uniform rate of P30,000 that many clients could not afford,” a lawyer said.
An accreditation system would prevent them from turning their services into a business that would be detrimental to the cause of poor litigants.
In other words, the Supreme Court is considering an accreditation system for psychiatrists and psychologists who examine couples seeking to annul their marriages. The report and testimony of psychiatrists and psychologists are needed should a petitioner seek a declaration of nullity based on Article 36 of the Family Code (Psychological Incapacity).
I presume that the need for accreditation will be the subject of a study by the Supreme Court should it pursue this move. In the meantime, let’s hear what you have to say about this move.
Related posts:
- Annulment in the Philippines: Questions and Answers (Part II)
- Venue of Petitions for Annulment or Declaration of Nullity
- The irony of love and annulment (steps and procedure for annulment)
- Questions and Answers: Annulment in the Philippines (Part 4)
- Annulment in the Philippines: Questions and Answers (Part 3)
- Psychological Incapacity and Annulment
- Annulment, Divorce and Legal Separation in the Philippines: Questions and Answers
by warrior
18 Nov 2007 at 19:01
The move of the Supreme Court to regulate the fees of doctors and psychiatrists, who are presented as expert witnesses in an annulment case, deserves our support.
It is sad to note that there are some members of our society, some of whom are professionals, who cashed in on certain situations and make a business out of it. Professionals, specially those who provide services in the medical, or legal field, must realize that most of the people who avail of their services are the ordinary everyday people.
The proposed accreditation of doctors and psychiatrists should be done soon enough in order to stop abuse from certain professionals who lack the initiative to provide their services at minimum cost. This is a concrete step by which social inequity may be addressed.
by gamong-ey
30 Nov 2007 at 08:04
aba eh sa aming mga ordinaryong tao eh libre ang kasal. magpakain ka lang at konting bayad sa konting papeles. tapos ang mahal ng annulment. kelangan pang patunayan na bu-ang ang asawa. at ang magpapatunay e baka isa ring bu-ang.
by Atty. Fred
01 Dec 2007 at 15:34
Warrior, accreditation indeed contribute to the regulation of the fees…but for purposes of discussion, could the psychiatrists/psychologists complain considering that they are not under the SC? Also, could they argue against fixing their fees, considering that the fees of lawyers — who are under the SC — are not fixed.
gamony-ey, that’s precisely the reason (well, at least one of them) why people should think a million times before getting married. =)
by Johanne Marie
05 Dec 2007 at 16:26
Hi! My bf has been separated from his wife for three years, and is now planning to file an annulment so he can marry me. (we are both in Dubai) They have a seven year old daughter(will be turning eight on April 2008) ,who is in his parent’s custody now since he found out that his wife in the Philippines is pregnant from another man. Will this help his case? What is the best thing to do to speed up the trial? How long would it take to finalize the annulment? Can he maintain the custudy of the child? Please help… Thank you..
by MARITESS
13 Dec 2007 at 17:28
Im married for 19 years now and from the day one we’ve been together, I never feel that Im happy. Coz I never feel that he treats me like a woman or wife. During our early marriage, he’s bitting me and he keep’s on using bad words. The reason why Im not filing becuase of my 2 children. Now they are grown up and I think it is the right time to file.
Now, even we are in one roof we’re not living as a husband and wife. No sex involved at all for more than 2 years now. Im just doing my obligation being the mother of 2 children. Now I want to give up this marriage to start all over again. Would you please give me an advise how can I pursue to this case.
by MARITESS
13 Dec 2007 at 17:31
By the way, Im planning to go to Canada to start all over again there with my 2 children. But I know, on the day of my interview, the Immigration Officer will ask about my marriage status and If I cant provide any annulment paper, they might decline my application. Please advise
by janet
08 Jan 2008 at 09:22
I have filed an annulment for my husband last dec.2005.
Until now I still dont know when this crutial thing will end.My lawyer always told me that the reason for taking this case too long is schedule were being move. I have been waiting for 3 years. Pls help me know how long it really takes for an annulment to finish?
by Meldrid
16 Jan 2008 at 16:23
Hi, good day! My bf has been separated for about ten years. He is planning to file an annulment so he can marry me. By the way, we are now both working abroad but not in the same country. They have 2 children ages 11 & 9 under the custody of his parents. His wife has another family now in the Philippines (with kids). Are these enough grounds to nullify their marriage? I would like to know the total cost in filing annulment and how long would it take for its approval. He plans to go home to our country to do the filing, but I’ve read filing of the said matter can be done even overseas. So how is filing be done overseas? Counting a lot of your help. Thank you & God bless!
by angel
22 Feb 2008 at 20:34
Dear Atty at Law,
I would like to file a declaration of absolute nullity of my marriage record on the basis of psycholgical incapacity. Is it possible for me and my future lawyer to prove that I am the one suffering from psychological incapacity and not my ex?
by julie
15 Mar 2008 at 17:42
hi atty fred!
im been separated april 1996 to my husband, and i never seen since were separated, and we have two kids and he never support us, and until now i dont know where he is, last july 2007 i filed for annulment and in my case when my lawyer gave to summons to my husband to his family, and her mother responsed to the summons, and she said she never knows about his son in how many years, and now im waiting the papers from the court thats my lawyer said, atty what happen my case is’t can be annul, i hope you give me more advice, atty how long the processing the annulment? thanks and have a good day to read my case
by mhahckintosh
29 Jan 2009 at 07:11
Hi atty. My wife and I are married since 2002 but I left her since 2004. can it be a ground for annulment
by boy
28 Mar 2009 at 23:01
hello atty. 6 yrs na kaming hiwalay ng asawa ko at wala na kaming communication. nag kahiwalay kami dahil nagkaroon sya ng relasyon sa ibang lalaki at nag karoon pa sila ng anak. madali bang mapapawalang bisa ang kasal namin, at mga magkano ang aking magagastos kasi wala din akong pagkukunan ng malaking pera.
by Zenki
07 Jun 2009 at 15:24
Hi Attorney,
1990 po kami kinasal ng wife ko and iniwan po niya ako noon 2000. Nagka-boyfriend po siya and at that time wala po akong girlfriend nung nalaman ko yun. nagkaanak po kami ng 2 boys noong 1991 and 1992 and both nakatira dito sa house ng parents ko.
May balak po akong mag pa-annul ng marriage ko sa wife ko, may chance of success po ba kung mag file ako ng annulment? Wala na po talagang pag-asa itong marriage ko and gusto ko pong makapag-asawa muli bago ako tumanda. I’m 39 and do not have much.
by sofia
25 Jun 2009 at 16:21
hi atty, im only 22 and weve just married ds 2009. But sad to say it was just a forced marriage. Gusto ko sana mgfile ng annulment kasi hindi kame mgkasundo at ilang besis na rin nya ako pinagbuhatan ng kamay at pinahiya sa mga kaibigan ko. At my problema dn kasi sa pgkatao nya, paglasing kasi siya parang lumalabas ang tunay na pgkatao nya “bakla”.Gustohin ko mn mgfile ng annulment kaso ang mahal wla akong pagkukunan ng pera. Naisip ko, pwedi ba kame mgpermahan na nkasaad doon na hindi na nya ako pwedi pakialaman, pagbuhatan ng kamay at wla na siyang karapatan sa akin? Kasi ilang besis ko na rin siyang pinalayas sa bahay namin ng parents ko, ayaw talaga umalis. i really hope matulongan mo ako..tnx
by Arlene
25 Jul 2009 at 18:00
my partner and i want to get married but his status is still married. former wife filed for divorce in canada (but shes not a canadian citizen yet) last 2005 and was granted a year after. they havent been communicating for almost 9 years. what are te initial steps to filing an annulment? and if the fee will depend on the grounds that we have, is there an easy or cheap annulment? tnx.