We have four installments on this topic (refer to Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV), as well as related posts on annulment, legal separation, declaration of nullity and divorce. We’re trying to cope with the numerous questions raised, but with our schedules, it’s impractical to answer the questions one by one. This is [...]

(This is the Explanatory Note and full text of House Bill No. 1699, filed on 27 July 2010 by Representatives Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerenciana de Jesus, both of Gabriela Women’s Party. HB 1699 proposes a law introducing divorce in the Philippines. Discuss here, please click)

Divorce is a controversial topic, except that it’s often discussed with hushed voices. Many are just waiting for the right opportunity to end their respective marriages, and the reasons are diverse — physical abuse (against the spouse and/or the children), sexual infidelity, irreconcilable differences and conflicting personalities, gross irresponsibility, loss (and transfer) of affection, among [...]

My fiancee and I secured a marriage license, but no marriage ceremony was ever celebrated. I learned, however, that my “wife” is already using my surname in her documents, including her passport. Am I considered as “married”?

Here’s something that should keep everyone busy over the long weekend. One of the recurring issues in this forum, perhaps primarily because of the apparent increase in interest of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in annulment, is the proper venue of petitions for annulment or declaration of nullity. To address this issue, let’s consider the following [...]

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 [...]

Among the grounds for annulment of marriage (annulment is different from divorce), psychological incapacity is the most commonly used. It is also one of the more controversial provisions of the Family Code (Article 36).

It’s no surprise that one of the most popular internet searches is annulment, psychological incapacity and divorce. The emergence of these topics on top of the list makes my task easier. In order to achieve one of the purposes of this blawg, which is to make the law less alien to non-lawyers, I am constrained [...]