Steady counsel for life's most difficult decisions.

In the Philippines these are two distinct remedies. A declaration of nullity applies to marriages that were void from the very beginning — for example, those celebrated without a valid marriage license, bigamous marriages, or marriages where a spouse is psychologically incapacitated under Article 36 of the Family Code. An annulment applies to marriages that are valid until annulled (voidable), on grounds such as lack of parental consent for parties aged 18 to 21 at the time, fraud, or unsound mind, provided the petition is filed within the period allowed by law. We assess your situation to determine which remedy applies to you.

It varies with the court's docket, the complexity of the case, and whether it is contested. Many cases conclude within roughly one to three years. Cooperation between the parties, complete documentation, and the court's calendar all affect the timeline. We work to keep your case moving as efficiently as the process allows and keep you informed at each stage.

A foreign divorce is not automatically recognized here. If you are a Filipino who was married to a foreign national, or in certain other situations recognized by current jurisprudence, a divorce validly obtained abroad may be recognized in the Philippines through a court petition for judicial recognition of foreign divorce. Once recognized, your civil status can be updated so that you are free to remarry. We handle these petitions, including proving the foreign law and the divorce decree as our courts require.

Beyond family law and annulment, we handle property and title transfer, labor and employment matters, corporate and retainer services, litigation, and administrative law. If you are unsure whether we can help with your concern, contact us and we will let you know or point you in the right direction.