(The Rule on Legal Separation, covered in A.M. No. 02-11-11-SC, took effect on March 15, 2003 following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation. For a summary of the rules, see Steps / Procedure in Legal Separation Cases)
RULE ON LEGAL SEPARATION
SECTION 1. Scope. – This Rule shall govern petitions for legal separation under the Family Code of the Philippines.
The Rules of Court shall apply suppletorily.
Sec. 2. Petition. – (a) Who may and when to file. – (1) A petition for legal separation may be filed only by the husband or the wife, as the case may be, within five years from the time of the occurrence of any of the following causes:
(a) Repeated physical violence or grossly abusive conduct directed against the petitioner, a common child, or a child of the petitioner;(b) Physical violence or moral pressure to compel the petitioner to change religious or political affiliation;
(c) Attempt of respondent to corrupt or induce the petitioner, a common child, or a child of the petitioner, to engage in prostitution, or connivance in such corruption or inducement;
(d) Final judgment sentencing the respondent to imprisonment of more than six years, even if pardoned;
(e) Drug addiction or habitual alcoholism of the respondent;
(f) Lesbianism or homosexuality of the respondent;
(g) Contracting by the respondent of a subsequent bigamous marriage, whether in or outside the Philippines;
(h) Sexual infidelity or perversion of the respondent;
i) Attempt on the life of petitioner by the respondent; or
(j) Abandonment of petitioner by respondent without justifiable cause for more than one year.
(b) Contents and form. – The petition for legal separation shall:
(1) Allege the complete facts constituting the cause of action.
(2) State the names and ages of the common children of the parties, specify the regime governing their property relations, the properties involved, and creditors, if any.
If there is no adequate provision in a written agreement between the parties, the petitioner may apply for a provisional order for spousal support, custody and support of common children, visitation rights, administration of community or conjugal property, and other similar matters requiring urgent action.
(3) Be verified and accompanied by a certification against forum shopping. The verification and certification must be personally signed by the petitioner. No petition may be filed solely by counsel or through an attorney-in-fact.
If the petitioner is in a foreign country, the verification and certification against forum shopping shall be authenticated by the duly authorized officer of the Philippine embassy or legation, consul general, consul or vice-consul or consular agent in said country.
(4) Be filed in six copies. The petitioner shall, within five days from such filing, furnish a copy of the petition to the City or Provincial Prosecutor and the creditors, if any, and submit to the court proof of such service within the same period.
Failure to comply with the preceding requirements may be a ground for immediate dismissal of the petition.
(c) Venue. – The petition shall be filed in the Family Court of the province or city where the petitioner or the respondent has been residing for at least six months prior to the date of filing or in the case of a non-resident respondent, where he may be found in the Philippines, at the election of the petitioner.
Sec. 3. Summons. – The service of summons shall be governed by Rule 14 of the Rules of Court and by the following rules:
(a) Where the respondent cannot be located at his given address or his whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry, service of summons may, by leave of court, be effected upon him by publication once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines and in such place as the court may order.
In addition, a copy of the summons shall be served on respondent at his last known address by registered mail or by any other means the court may deem sufficient.
(b) The summons to be published shall be contained in an order of the court with the following data: (1) title of the case; (2) docket number; (3) nature of the petition; (4) principal grounds of the petition and the reliefs prayed for; and (5) a directive for respondent to answer within thirty days from the last issue of publication.
Sec. 4. Motion to Dismiss. – No motion to dismiss the petition shall be allowed except on the ground of lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter or over the parties; provided, however, that any other ground that might warrant a dismissal of the case may be raised as an affirmative defense in an answer.
Sec. 5. Answer. – (a) The respondent shall file his answer within fifteen days from receipt of summons, or within thirty days from the last issue of publication in case of service of summons by publication. The answer must be verified by respondent himself and not by counsel or attorney-in-fact.
(b) If the respondent fails to file an answer, the court shall not declare him in default.
(c) Where no answer is filed, or if the answer does not tender an issue, the court shall order the public prosecutor to investigate whether collusion exists between the parties. .
Sec. 6. Investigation Report of Public Prosecutor. – (a) Within one month after receipt of the court order mentioned in paragraph (c) of the preceding section, the public prosecutor shall submit a report to the court on whether the parties are in collusion and serve copies on the parties and their respective counsels, if any.
(b) If the public prosecutor finds that collusion exists, he shall state the basis thereof in his report. The parties shall file their respective comments on the finding of collusion within ten days from receipt of copy of the report. The court shall set the report for hearing and if convinced that parties are in collusion, it shall dismiss the petition.
(c) If the public prosecutor reports that no collusion exists, the court shall set the case for pre-trial. It shall be the duty of the public prosecutor to appear for the State at the pre-trial.
Sec. 7. Social Worker. – The court may require a social worker to conduct a case study and to submit the corresponding report at least three days before the pre-trial. The court may also require a case study at any stage of the case whenever necessary.
Sec. 8. Pre-trial. –
(a) Pre-trial mandatory. – A pre-trial is mandatory. On motion or motu proprio, the court shall set the pre-trial after the last pleading has been served and filed, or upon receipt of the report of the public prosecutor that no collusion exists between the parties on a date not earlier than six months from date of the filing of the petition.
(b) Notice of Pre-trial. – (1) The notice of pre-trial shall contain:
(a) the date of pre-trial conference; and
(b) an order directing the parties to file and serve their respective pre-trial briefs in such manner as shall ensure the receipt thereof by the adverse party at least three days before the date of pre-trial.
(2) The notice shall be served separately on the parties and their respective counsels as well as on the public prosecutor. It shall be their duty to appear personally at the pre-trial.
(3) Notice of pre-trial shall be sent to the respondent even if he fails to file an answer. In case of summons by publication and the respondent failed to file his answer, notice of pre-trial shall be sent to respondent at his last known address.
Sec. 9. Contents of pre-trial brief. – The pre-trial brief shall contain the following:
(1) A statement of the willingness of the parties to enter into agreements as may be allowed by law, indicating the desired terms thereof;
(2) A concise statement of their respective claims together with the applicable laws and authorities;
(3) Admitted facts and proposed stipulations of facts, as well as the disputed factual and legal issues;
(4) All the evidence to be presented, including expert opinion, if any, briefly stating or describing the nature and purpose thereof;
(5) The number and names of the witnesses and their respective affidavits; and
(6) Such other matters as the court may require.
Failure to file the pre-trial brief or to comply with its required contents shall have the same effect as failure to appear at the pre-trial under the succeeding section.
Sec. 10. Effect of failure to appear at the pre-trial. – (1) If the petitioner fails to appear personally, the case shall be dismissed unless his counsel or a duly authorized representative appears in court and proves a valid excuse for the non-appearance of the petitioner.
(2) If the respondent filed his answer but fails to appear, the court shall proceed with the pre-trial and require the public prosecutor to investigate the non-appearance of the respondent and submit within fifteen days a report to the court stating whether his non-appearance is due to any collusion between the parties. If there is no collusion, the court shall require the public prosecutor to intervene for the State during the trial on the merits to prevent suppression or fabrication of evidence.
Sec. 11. Pre-trial conference. – At the pre-trial conference, the court may refer the issues to a mediator who shall assist the parties in reaching an agreement on matters not prohibited by law.
The mediator shall render a report within one month from referral which, for good reasons, the court may extend for a period not exceeding one month.
In case mediation is not availed of or where it fails, the court shall proceed with the pre-trial conference, on which occasion it shall consider the advisability of receiving expert testimony and such other matters as may aid in the prompt disposition of the petition.
Sec. 12. Pre-trial order. – (a) The proceedings in the pre-trial shall be recorded. Upon termination of the pre-trial, the court shall issue a pre-trial order which shall recite in detail the matters taken up in the conference, the action taken thereon, the amendments allowed on the pleadings, and, except as to the ground of legal separation, the agreements or admissions made by the parties on any of the matters considered, including any provisional order that may be necessary or agreed upon by the parties.
(b) Should the action proceed to trial, the order shall contain a recital of the following:
(1) Facts undisputed, admitted, and those which need not be proved subject to Section 13 of this Rule;
(2) Factual and legal issues to be litigated;
(3) Evidence, including objects and documents, that have been marked and will be presented;
(4) Names of witnesses who will be presented and their testimonies in the form of affidavits; and
(5) Schedule of the presentation of evidence.
The pre-trial order shall also contain a directive to the public prosecutor to appear for the State and take steps to prevent collusion between the parties at any stage of the proceedings and fabrication or suppression of evidence during the trial on the merits.
(c) The parties shall not be allowed to raise issues or present witnesses and evidence other than those stated in the pre-trial order. The order shall control the trial of the case unless modified by the court to prevent manifest injustice.
(d) The parties shall have five days from receipt of the pre-trial order to propose corrections or modifications.
Sec. 13. Prohibited compromise. – The court shall not allow compromise on prohibited matters, such as the following:
(1) The civil status of persons;
(2) The validity of a marriage or of a legal separation;
(3) Any ground for legal separation;
(4) Future support;
(5) The jurisdiction of courts; and
(6) Future legitime.
Sec. 14. Trial. – (a) The presiding judge shall personally conduct the trial of the case. No delegation of the reception of evidence to a commissioner shall be allowed except as to matters involving property relations of the spouses.
(b) The grounds for legal separation must be proved. No judgment on the pleadings, summary judgment, or confession of judgment shall be allowed.
(c) The court may order the exclusion from the courtroom of all persons, including members of the press, who do not have a direct interest in the case. Such an order may be made if the court determines on the record that requiring a party to testify in open court would not enhance the ascertainment of truth; would cause to the party psychological harm or inability to effectively communicate due to embarrassment, fear, or timidity; would violate the party’s right to privacy; or would be offensive to decency or public morals.
(d) No copy shall be taken nor any examination or perusal of the records of the case or parts thereof be made by any person other than a party or counsel of a party, except by order of the court.
Sec. 15. Memoranda. – The court may require the parties and the public prosecutor to file their respective memoranda in support of their claims within fifteen days from the date the trial is terminated. No other pleadings or papers may be submitted without leave of court. After the lapse of the period herein provided, the case will be considered submitted for decision, with or without the memoranda.
Sec. 16. Decision. – (a) The court shall deny the petition on any of the following grounds:
(1) The aggrieved party has condoned the offense or act complained of or has consented to the commission of the offense or act complained of;
(2) There is connivance in the commission of the offense or act constituting the ground for legal separation;
(3) Both parties have given ground for legal separation;
(4) There is collusion between the parties to obtain the decree of legal separation; or
(5) The action is barred by prescription.
(b) If the court renders a decision granting the petition, it shall declare therein that the Decree of Legal Separation shall be issued by the court only after full compliance with liquidation under the Family Code.
However, in the absence of any property of the parties, the court shall forthwith issue a Decree of Legal Separation which shall be registered in the Civil Registry where the marriage was recorded and in the Civil Registry where the Family Court granting the legal separation is located.
(c) The decision shall likewise declare that:
(1) The spouses are entitled to live separately from each other but the marriage bond is not severed;
(2) The obligation of mutual support between the spouses ceases; and
(3) The offending spouse is disqualified from inheriting from the innocent spouse by intestate succession, and provisions in favor of the offending spouse made in the will of the innocent spouse are revoked by operation of law.
(d) The parties, including the Solicitor General and the public prosecutor, shall be served with copies of the decision personally or by registered mail. If the respondent summoned by publication failed to appear in the action, the dispositive part of the decision shall also be published once in a newspaper of general circulation.
Sec. 17. Appeal. –
(a) Pre-condition. – No appeal from the decision shall be allowed unless the appellant has filed a motion for reconsideration or new trial within fifteen days from notice of judgment.
(b) Notice of Appeal. – An aggrieved party or the Solicitor General may appeal from the decision by filing a Notice of Appeal within fifteen days from notice of denial of the motion for reconsideration or new trial. The appellant shall serve a copy of the notice of appeal upon the adverse parties.
Sec. 18. Liquidation, partition and distribution, custody, and support of minor children. – Upon entry of the judgment granting the petition, or, in case of appeal, upon receipt of the entry of judgment of the appellate court granting the petition, the Family Court, on motion of either party, shall proceed with the liquidation, partition and distribution of the properties of the spouses, including custody and support of common children, under the Family Code unless such matters had been adjudicated in previous judicial proceedings.
Sec. 19. Issuance of Decree of Legal Separation. – (a) The court shall issue the Decree of Legal Separation after:
(1) registration of the entry of judgment granting the petition for legal separation in the Civil Registry where the marriage was celebrated and in the Civil Registry where the Family Court is located; and
(2) registration of the approved partition and distribution of the properties of the spouses, in the proper Register of Deeds where the real properties are located.
(b) The court shall quote in the Decree the dispositive portion of the judgment entered and attach to the Decree the approved deed of partition.
Sec. 20. Registration and publication of the Decree of Legal Separation; decree as best evidence. –
(a) Registration of decree. – The prevailing party shall cause the registration of the Decree in the Civil Registry where the marriage was registered, in the Civil Registry of the place where the Family Court is situated, and in the National Census and Statistics Office. He shall report to the court compliance with this requirement within thirty days from receipt of the copy of the Decree.
(b) Publication of decree. – In case service of summons was made by publication, the parties shall cause the publication of the Decree once in a newspaper of general circulation.
(c) Best evidence. – The registered Decree shall be the best evidence to prove the legal separation of the parties and shall serve as notice to third persons concerning the properties of petitioner and respondent.
Sec. 21. Effect of death of a party; duty of the Family Court or Appellate Court. – (a) In case a party dies at any stage of the proceedings before the entry of judgment, the court shall order the case closed and terminated without prejudice to the settlement of estate in proper proceedings in the regular courts.
(b) If the party dies after the entry of judgment, the same shall be binding upon the parties and their successors in interest in the settlement of the estate in the regular courts.
Sec. 22. Petition for revocation of donations. – (a) Within five (5) years from the date the decision granting the petition for legal separation has become final, the innocent spouse may file a petition under oath in the same proceeding for legal separation to revoke the donations in favor of the offending spouse.
(b) The revocation of the donations shall be recorded in the Register of Deeds in the places where the properties are located.
(c) Alienations, liens, and encumbrances registered in good faith before the recording of the petition for revocation in the registries of property shall be respected.
(d) After the issuance of the Decree of Legal Separation, the innocent spouse may revoke the designation of the offending spouse as a beneficiary in any insurance policy even if such designation be stipulated as irrevocable. The revocation or change shall take effect upon written notification thereof to the insurer.
Sec. 23. Decree of Reconciliation. – (a) If the spouses had reconciled, a joint manifestation under oath, duly signed by the spouses, may be filed in the same proceeding for legal separation.
(b) If the reconciliation occurred while the proceeding for legal separation is pending, the court shall immediately issue an order terminating the proceeding.
(c) If the reconciliation occurred after the rendition of the judgment granting the petition for legal separation but before the issuance of the Decree, the spouses shall express in their manifestation whether or not they agree to revive the former regime of their property relations or choose a new regime.
The court shall immediately issue a Decree of Reconciliation declaring that the legal separation proceeding is set aside and specifying the regime of property relations under which the spouses shall be covered.
(d) If the spouses reconciled after the issuance of the Decree, the court, upon proper motion, shall issue a decree of reconciliation declaring therein that the Decree is set aside but the separation of property and any forfeiture of the share of the guilty spouse already effected subsists, unless the spouses have agreed to revive their former regime of property relations or adopt a new regime.
(e) In case of paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), if the reconciled spouses choose to adopt a regime of property relations different from that which they had prior to the filing of the petition for legal separation, the spouses shall comply with Section 24 hereof.
(f) The decree of reconciliation shall be recorded in the Civil Registries where the marriage and the Decree had been registered.
Sec. 24. Revival of property regime or adoption of another. – (a) In case of reconciliation under Section 23, paragraph (c) above, the parties shall file a verified motion for revival of regime of property relations or the adoption of another regime of property relations in the same proceeding for legal separation attaching to said motion their agreement for the approval of the court.
(b) The agreement which shall be verified shall specify the following:
(1) The properties to be contributed to the restored or new regime;
(2) Those to be retained as separate properties of each spouse; and
(3) The names of all their known creditors, their addresses, and the amounts owing to each.
(c) The creditors shall be furnished with copies of the motion and the agreement.
(d) The court shall require the spouses to cause the publication of their verified motion for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation.
(e) After due hearing, and the court decides to grant the motion, it shall issue an order directing the parties to record the order in the proper registries of property within thirty days from receipt of a copy of the order and submit proof of compliance within the same period.
Hi atty. fred,
in legal separation there’s always a separation of property… what im getting confused is about the term absolute community of property, conjugal property and separate property?
and how does it apply in real case?
many thanks =)
Pax, you’re asking for a very long discussion. =) I’ll probably have that discussion in a separate post, maybe this week. There are distinctions between the three types. In the absence of a pre-nuptial agreement, the default property relationship between the spouses is absolute community of property.
I’ll add the link here as soon as the discussion is posted.
oh.. sory to bother you about that, but im looking forward to such nice discussion, that is in relation to our family code subject in Polsci.
thanks and more power =)
Hi Atty.Fred,
just want to ask about legal separation..My husband and I was separated for almost 6 yrs. w/out legal papers of separation.He is now a lawyer.If he file legal separation in court,my children still can get from his properties?Almost 6 yrs.he never give any amount/support to my children.What should I do?
Chavi, I recommend that you discuss the issue on support with him. Please think of legal options only after exhausting non-litigious means. (There’s a separate article on support in this Forum. Please use the search function or the Categories to look for it). Good luck.
Atty Fred;
I ran into this forum as my sister is getting so desperate.
My sister filed for a legal separation. Her husband is a worthless piece of husband, no work, do not support their son, drinks, etc . and has been constantly demanding money from her. She has been supporting him and their son for so many years, hoping one day he will wake up and be a good husband and father. But this did not materialize. He was asked to leave my parent’s house as he cannot and will not support the family at all and he had become a problem to the entire family including my parents whom he tried to harm physically.
They currently have a case and the husband has numerous friend lawyers who’s helping him. He’s into his third lawyer/ proxy, but he and his attorney are demanding P50,000.00 from my sister to sign the separation paper. My sister does not have that kind of money as she has to work and pay for everything, while his husband will not even give her any money to support their kid. What is your advice? His attorney has been assigning proxy and my sister is really getting hurt financially. His proxy attorney keeps on postponing the hearing since he claims he has no right to do cross-examination. This is becoming a problem. My sister do not want her husband to get custody of their son as she knows their son will just be beaten up, just like what he used to do while living at my parents’ house. The husband do not care about their son, but he’s hoping he can extort money from my sister. I want to help her take care of this problem and want her husband to pay for all the financial problem he has given her. What should I do. I don’t know who her lawyer is but I feel she needs to find a better lawyer. Is there anybody you can recommend. She lives in Cebu
The judge seems to keep on prolonging the hearing and my sister is getting desperate and she’s the only bread winner in the family and her income is fix. I really need to help her and maybe we can discuss this personally and come into terms with you.
my email is xxx
Thank you for reading this message
Nelly, I’ll check who I could recommend in Cebu. I’m sorry I can’t comment on the matter as this should be discussed with her lawyer. Good luck.
Atty. Fred,
Just want to inquire about legal separation. My mom found out that their civil marriage was a fake when she was asking for a copy at the Civil Registrar as part of the requirements for their church wedding. Now that many years has passed, a total of 27 years for being together, my mom has gone through a lot of abuses alreadt. May it be physical, mental or emotional. Lately, my mother has been experiencing “emotional and physical batteredness.” But she cant complain bcoz whenever she does, my father will hit her. I’ve been witnessing this since childhood upto now that i live away from them.
Now, my mom wants to file for legal separation since my father has always reiterated and said that once he received his retirement (he is a Military) he will leave my mom and be with his other girl. A big slap in my mom’s face but she’s afraid that once she complained she could not get anything from my father’s retirement. And that bitch could be the beneficiary. what shall we do? my father has filed for his retirement already.
Annalie
hi attorney,
just want to clear something about a 1.) my marriage b.)legal separation:
First, I was married but unfortunately and obviously, it didn’t get well. He was an OFW during the time we got married, he only had a vacation for 2 weeks that was year 2003 but since her Auntie has a connection in our Municipality even the permit is still on the process the Mayor married us. I check at the NSO and yes it was there. My question is can I use that instance for filing a declare of nulity of marriage?
And then, when his contract was ended by February 2004 I guess, the guy of course need to stay here and I became his “gatasan”, Im the one supporting him all along, untill It came to my senses that he is the guy and yet Im the one who works for him. He’s not looking for a new job. By the way while he’s in abroad 50% of his salary was ment for his family. So, inshort I left him. And since then we dont have communication and had our own lives. Though I know that he’s in abroad back and forth like that. And I know that he’s asking about me because we are from same place. I had my own life and family of my own.
Until december last year, the guy had a vacation here again with his girlfriend a filipina but a citizen from other country and the guy told me to sign a legal separation (they had prepared it already) because they will use it coz the girl will sponsor him, they’ll get a visa the guy told me. But I dont want to sign it because I said incased of that, why not file an annullment? And you know what? they are harrassing me through sms, he told me that he will sue me, he has lots of evidences against me (because i already have a family of my own but of course we didn’t get marry because my man knows my situation) and they even send sms that i am stupid, makapal ang mukha, my daughther is illigitimate, etc. just because I dont wanna sign the legal separation. Well, attorney what can you comment about this matter?
Thank you so much and you know at least there’s a website like this.. Thank you again.
Hi attorney,
Im sharon rose from mindanao(General Santos).I want to ask how much it wil cost in filing separation,im not wealthy woman.Im married 6years and he abondon us for 1year and 3months never support our son.He had a girl in his town although i dont have evidence to proof.I decided to separate with him,im still young wants to marry again.Can you help me how much i will paid if i will file the case?
Hope to hear from you soon…THANK YOU
GOD BLESS YOU…
sharon rose
Hi Atty,
an inquiry for legal separation. my wife demanded to have a legal separation and i agreed. she then told me that i should be giving her support as well not just our kids, she is also working here abroad. is it possible? i am the one who’s handling all our liabilities here abroad and i am the one who is supporting our kids in the philippines. she’s demanding so many things for her and my kids in the philippines. i don’t think i can provide all of those. can i refuse?
regards,
jcexlh
Hi atty,
Good day may I inquire how Sec 2 (e) Drug addiction or habitual alcoholism of the respondent; be prove in court as legal basis for legal separation. Can you cite Case with final judgement..Thank you and more power. This site is very helpul for people like me.
Thank you very much and God bless you all.
Ronnie
Hi Atty.,
I am not happily married, thus, I committed an extramarital relationship. I want to have a legal separation with my husband. Is it possible that my ground would be my own infidelity?
Thank you.
Hi Atty.,
Good day! My husband chaeted on me two times and i can say that i am not happily married. Can i file for legal separation with just almost 4 years of being married? thank you and more power.
Glenda
Hi Atty.,
additional info, my husband is also into drugs, for a year and half he’s been abandoning me and my child and i am not physically abuse but verbally. no financial support from him since i left out of country and i get the child from his parents. with his adultery i have no proof of them being together but i know he’d been having an affair. i caught his cellular phone once with the message of a woamn. i am still young i want to live a happy life without him. thank you and God bless attorney.
glenda
I got married 2 yrs ago, but we did not live together for a year after our marriage since I was an OFW. We only started living together (in my mother’s house, with my mom and siblings) last year. Before I married my husband, he had a common-law wife and had 2 kids (both minors) with her (who are still staying in his mother’s house). My husband continues to support them with 3/4 of his salary (saying that it’s for the 2 kids). I agreed on that since I was not in need of financial support, since I also had savings from my previous work as an OFW. Ever since our marriage I never asked for financial support from him. However, now that I have no regular work, and it’s been a year since I left my job abroad, I badly needed his financial support. Also considering that I am 5 months pregnant now. I asked him to sign an agreement stating that he will support me (being pregnant) with 1/4 of his salary, duly notarized. But 2 months had passed he has not given me a single centavo. Please give me an advice on what to do next. I researched on legal separation, but I think my situation does not fall under it. I love my husband but I think I can have a better life without him and without depending on him. But I want him to meet his obligations even only for this child I’m bearing, as he is well taking care of the other 2 kids he has.
Atty.,
My wife and I agreed to legally separate. However, in the petition she portrayed me a very bad person so I contested it.
The Prosecutor issued that NO COLLUSION existed. However, in the manifestation she stated that “the parties did not mutually agree to annul their marriage”. I think her use of the word “annul” makes it inconsistent with the case at bar which is Legal Separation. What will I do?
Also, the Court after receipt of that NO COLLUSION Manifestation, issued an Order setting the pre-trial conference on December 16, 2014. Isn’t it that the rules provide that pre-trial should be held only after six months had elapsed from date of filing? The Petition was filed on 02 July 2014 and I think the six month falls on 02 January 2015? Am I correct? What will I do?
Thanks very much and God bless.
Atty, after rite wedding we separeted that was 2004, he never come back to me, our marriages is void.. at NSO. i want to clear out this.. i can file legal separation or annulment?
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Atty, after rite wedding we separeted that was 2008, i never sleep that night to her , because it was a shotgun marriage she has my company collection worth of 2.5m and then she keep my motorcycle that was issued to me by the company and threatens me to kill me kill me if were not get marriage that time, we are o longer communicating for 7 years. our marriages is void.. at NSO. i want to clear out this.. i want our be annulled coz i meet someone that i spent for the rest if my life..
attny… i just want to inquire regarding the legality of the second marriage .. my husband and i were married january of 2012 were both ofw.. he went back to middle east and im in europe.. but after one yr of being far away from each other i discover he is having an affair so in short it never went good… 2013 is the last communication we had.. and then i found out this yr. that he converted to muslim and get married in middle east.. is their marriage valid? how about our marriage… is really converting into muslim is the escaping mode to be able to remarry again? is he really free to remarry again just because he converted into muslim? can i used it as a ground to file a legal seperation from him.. please im desperately looking for an advice… i much appreciate your consideration regarding this matter… pls email me you respoce.. thank you and more power..
Atty. Fred,
When I was abroad my wife cheated me, she have an affair to guy, after I came back to Philippines she said that she doesn’t love me anymore..so I just ignored it and continued my vacation and I heard some rumors that my wife is have an affair to other guy..so I am not listening to them co’z I love my wife, the time comes that I see the truth I just leave her and we did not made to file any separation papers or annulment for our case..when I came back after 1 year she is pregnant to the guy that have an affair with her before.. we went to the DSWD for terms that we are going for not looking each other and no matter what happened into my life and her life is up to us..and no tamper to each other. I’ll gave my house to her and they are using it with my daughter and the guy that she’s with until now….The question is..Can I still apply annulment for this situation?..I know I have a commitment with my daughter but I am continuously working and saving money in the bank for my daughter so if she’s 18 years old I will give that to her so she know’s hows to use it. ..I have no any complaint either they are using my house actually that is for my daughter if she grow’s up..and we are now 7 years no communications.
Best Regard’s
Melo
is legal seperation applicable for marriage which lives only two weeks together and last only for three months and the wife found having explicit relationship and lack of communication for more than two years while working abroad..?Pls advise.thank you.
hi atty..
tagalog na lan po ora mas maintindihan q.. base sa experience q, sbay ng bigyan @ bday ng anak q 1yr/o hiwalay na kami ng asawa q. hanggang sa nka grad ng un 2 anak q ng elem wla xa support.. nagparamdam lan xa magsuporta @ kunin an isa sa mga anak nmin.. sa 12 yrs nmin hiwalay pwd na po ba un na maging basehan pta mkpag file aq ng legal separation? sa 12yrs na un, nagkaron na rin ng 3 anak sa ibat iban babae @ may pinakasalan pa xa year 2006.. wla po akong pera pra mapawalan bisa an kasal nmin umaasa na lan aq po sa legal separation..
Atty …, i am married to my husband for 16 yrs last Jan 2015 — i left him on Nov 2014 because – i am terrified already with my safety and my kids too- he always hit me—and my kids saw it too—i have medico legal — He is into drugs—and so irresponsible///we have 4 kids (ages 15-13-11-10). he doesn’t have job now -and he is broke bec of his drug addiction—his income is support from his parents that are in the US—is it possible atty we can ask support from his parents instead? i am an private employee here in Cebu—-i cant meet ends–esp with my kids education— please atty help me what shall i do—
hi atty.
just want to ask about legal separation,my husband and i was separated for almost 3 years..without legal papers of separation,he has another family now with 1 kid..ever since he never give any amount for my kids,,and never contact with us for 3 years..Do i have a right to file for legal separation?..but Atty.how? please help me to find out,,,
maricel
Atty, may I ask if can an emotionally battered wife appeal her case for a legal separation on the grounds of “grossly abusive conduct against the petitioner” by being constantly blamed by her husband on nearly all of his misfortunes even if it is not of her doing?
Attry Fred!?
Good day po!!? 11 years na po akong separate since 2005.kasal kmi ng 1998 I have 2 kids with me.ako po yung nagbibigay support a sa dalwa kong anak? 2005 po my ex- husband po my kinakasama na syang ibang wife.i want to clear po allowed na po ba to marrying again.
Thanks and Godbless po
Reply pls….
Good day atty fred,
I am now 3 years separated with my wife with no communication what’s so ever, Now I’m planning to avail our salary loan on our company but they are requiring me to submit a Legal Separation and i have no idea on how to make one, can you help me on making one. Hope you could help me.
Thank you very much and More power
A pleasant day to you, Atty.
Before I let you know about my concern, here’s a brief history of my married life. I moved out from my husband’s house in 2008 for the following reasons: drug addiction (shabu), immaturity, he is also irresposible and never had a steady job (mostly unemployed), theft (stole from me, my parents and his), and gambles. Furthermore, he was a consistent lier and I was verbally abused most of the time. As soon as I left, he never gave a single peso for our son up to present. I have never seen or spoken to him since then. Our kid is with me and I handle all the finances. After 3 years of moving out, I met someone and we have fallen inlove. My case is currently being processed and I even payed for publishing because he was difficult to find. My concern is, can he sue me for adultery?
Thank you for taking time to read.
My sister who is now living in Australia for 33 years has been divorced with his husband who committed extramarital with another woman and bears a child. They got married here in the Phils. My sister has a new partner and got prperties here in the Phils. Her partner cannot transfer the ownership of his property to her name for reason that she has not filed legal separation on her 1st marriage. My question is: if ever the prperty was transferred to her name, is it possible for her ex-husband to claim for his share in said property? Or does he has the right to demand for his share although it was not a conjugal property? Hope to hear your advice soon. Thank you po!
I forgot to tell you that they have been separated for 15 years now. Can she file a legal separation using the ground of having extramarital affair with one child? Could you enlighten me on how to file case against his exhusband. They were divorced abroad is it valid here in the Phils.?
Hi Atty,
Atty. gusto ko lang po magtanung tungkol sa annulment po kong pwde po bah sa PAO ako lumapit, medyo mahal po magpa annulment.
Hi Atty.,
If a couple filed for legal separation and it is granted, and later on one of them file for annulment.Is it possible and will have the chance to be granted?Because correct me if im wrong. In legal separation one cannot remarry while in annulment they already can. Right atty?
Good day Sir,
I just need to clarify something. My boyfriend is legally separated (with papers) with his ex-wife. Can his ex-wife file any case against us? I mean like concubinage or anything? His ex-wife is harassing me and is spreading rumors and false accusations.
Hope you can help me.
Thank you so much.
Hi attorney! I was battered once due to misunderstanding and fighting conversations…My husband is a military personnel and I am a teacher. This really affected me. Before, he cannot provide our ways and means because of loans so my parents help me to feed my child. This time, he can provide also but it is not enough because of car loans.I have minimal earnings. Financial instability causes us to fight always and last night he hurt me physically and until now, i still feel the pain. I saved his text messages which affects me emotionally (saying,, punieta ka, punieta kang babae ka, bullshit ka)…Its my first time to encounter these from him and I would like to seek legal separation or annulment for the security of my child and myself.
Thank you and I appreciate you for responding immediately!
Atty Fred,
I found out that my wife is pregnant with another guy. When can you say that I am legally separated and can re-marry again? Thank you
hi attorney fred, were just to inform to u how we supost be do file for separation paper…how much it wll be cost also/ how long is gonna take to process
attorney, my question is were been separate for 20 yrs for now, what is the best option to do fo me to epation pape worki fo us attonty, and how long I will wait? what rqiments I need it to process the separated papers, would u give me more upate. pls give he best option attorney so I can get quickly as possible, thank u.
hi attorney , mag ask po ako kung ano po dapat kong gawin para mawalang visa po ang marriage ko sa asawa ko? hiwalay na po kami more than 20 yrs na po at mayron kami anak isa. ang tanong kopo kung ano po ang mabisang gawin ko po kung gawa po ba ako mag file ng separation paper work po? kasal po kami ng asawa ko since 1994 separate kami 1995 haggang ngayon po hiwalay kamiis more than 20yrs for now po. pag mag file po ako ng separation how long po ang waiting para makuha ko ang hinihingi kong separation sa kanya at para na rin maging legal lahat? magkano po ang magagastos ko po para po malaman ko at makapag file ng sepation sa asawa ko. need ko rin malaman po kung hanggang kilan ang proseso pag lakad po dahl may work po ako ditto sa Saudi. kung need ko po bang umuwi a pinas para magawa ko rin don sa pinas ang lahat ng paper work, ano po ba ang need pag mag file ng separation po? sana po masagot nyo tanong ko at maka uwi para mag file. thank u!
Good Day Attorney,
Im Sam, separated from first husband at may 3 kids after sa unang asawa.I was single mom for 8 yrs. Till na met ko yng kasama ko ngayn sa buhay na from U.S.A..We leave together since 2007, at nagpakasal kmi 2012..at may dalawang anak..Last 2015, nag simula ang delubyo..Bigla nalang syang nag iba sa akin..I been trying na maging maayos ulit relasyon nmin but I felt hopeless kc d nman sya nag cooperate.He always refused every time na mag lambing ako..Mahirap po eexplain yng mga galaw nya, para akng may sakit na nakakahawa at ganon nalng ang takot nya na madikit balat nya sa akin..Iniiwasan nya yng mga oras na kami lng dalawa, we never talked na parang d na magkakilala, walang imikan kahit kami lng sa room..Ang layo nya sa akin..Para syang naging guy..May time na nag ask nalng ako na mag hiwalay nalng kmi kay sa ganong sitwasyon..Pero ang sagot nya ay “NO”..Ayaw nya na mag hihiwalay kmi..Mabilis ang takbo ng araw hanggang ngayn 2017 mas lalong naging worST..We always fight about our food..Everytime na may lista ako kng anu need kc mula ng nag retired sya na nag manage lahat pati pag grogrocery..
At yan pa naman ang pnakaayaw ko na mawala sa amin yng obligasyon na dapat nya ibigay sa amin..
I always asked him, kng bakit pag dating sa kunsumo sa bahay nmin nag mamaktol sya, pero every night nyang bar happy, big spender sya?
I understand if he will say that we need to budget or controll expenses bec wala na sya work, kng tutuosin nga ginawa ko na po lahat ng adjustment na pabor sa knya..Ni never syang gumastos sa akin para sa layaw..Never akng nag pa parlor para sa hair ko at mga koko! Unlike others pag may foreigner meron cla budget for salon, or personal Allowance, while me “WALA”!
I told him why he always complaint about expenses here in the house, na d nman sya araw araw o gabi gabi gumagastos sa amin ng mga anak ko..All I want na sana maging patas nman sya, kasi family nya kami eh..If he wants mag tipid dapat mag bawas din sya sa night life nya!
Walang araw na d kmi mag aaway kc lagi na sya nag cocomplain na parang ayaw nya na kmi halos pakainin….So bakit pa kmi magsasama. We cant used sa mga kitchen utinsels nya, at one time nakikain kami sa burger nya kmi ng anak nya, galit na galit sya..Pag kain daw nya yn..Hinayaan ko na nga syang malaya, bakit pati respeto nya sakin knakalimutan nya? RESPETO bilang tao kahit d na bilang asawa…I cant use the car, if I use it I should put fuel and pay for the driver.Sobra na po talaga..He using me forEms,nagkausap na kmi n maybe he had personal reason..last Christmas nag ask ako 10k cash sa knya, but I pay for it 2k a week..Everything was charged to credit!! Who I am for Him? Seems like Im nothing for him..We are in one house but separate rooms..Kids with me downstair and he’s all alone at masters bed room..
Ano po ba dapat kng gawin, na ayaw nya talagang mag hihiwalay kmi! Para sa akin mag hiwalay nalng kmi para matigil na sya sa kakahanap sa mga pagkain ma suply nya sa amin eh sardines at egg lng nman, daing etc …At tsaka para kc akng gnagamit lng nya ako..May nahalungkat akng mga papers na mula pala nong nakasal kmi 2012, me and my 4 kids kc 4 pa cla non, his company gave monthy allowance for us but he never gave it to me..Tapos sa Tax Return malaki din makukuha nya kc cnama nya ako..May pera nman pala kmi ng mga anak ko bakit kami ginigipit!
Ano po ba dapat kng gawin…
Mag file nalang ba ako ng annulment sa kortebat don na kmi mag harap?
Sa support po ba para sa mga bata automatic po ba at anu po dapat kng ifile na pati ako may makuhang suporta mula sa knya?
Hntayin ko po payo nyo at suggestion kng ano dapat sa sitwasyon ko po.
Thank you po ang more powers
Sam
I have read the laws including the posts and comments but I did not find a clearer view that will resolve my problem. I am married in legal papers from 1982. My husband abandoned me and my children in 2006 sending just a text message that he is not coming back. In 2006 I uncovered his infidelity of 6 years with a Filipina singer he met abroad. That explained his lack of interest coming back home during his usual vacation period from working abroad. After forgiving him, he went abroad again to work but this time apparently has no plan of coming back. I lost communication with him, no appearance, no cards, no calls, and later his only email I’ve know was also terminated. I filed a petition for nullity of marriage in 2009, after a lengthy and rigorous process, the court denied my petition in December 2015.
I started working abroad when my husband left in order to financially support my 3 children and pay for family maintenance. Now my 3 children are all stable, I bought a property but to my dismay I cannot own this property without my husband’s consent and by the law it seemed my husband can one day appear and claim rights on the property I bought.
Just in November 2016, for the first time in 10 years my estranged husband contacted my son inviting all my children to attend the 100th birthday of their grand mother from their father. It all became clear that the family of my husband has know ledged of my husband’s whereabouts and status after all the lies and denial on their side. He now has a 5 or 6 year old daughter from his mistress who were there at the party.
What is my remedy to protect my interest on the properties I bought from working abroad while my husband was nowhere to be found or contacted? Is there any waiver of right I can ask from my estranged husband? Can I still get my petition for annulment? What about legal separation? It is very clear that the law is blind in my case.
Thank you for your legal opinion and assistance.
Adelaida Labrador – Garcia
i want to find more about my husband who is a candian and me being a filipina residing in the philippines . it was his decision that our set up would be such,. being a filipina i always submit to his wishes.it reached a point where i can no longer take the emotional stress of being far away from him, even a visit was denied for a lot of rdifferent reasons. four months ago he called it quits,i was in the state of shocked.after accepting all the traumatic set up of being married.my business was affected, more so this month he stopped the financial help he was giving me to pay for his lawyer for the divorce.first he offered me 10 thousand canadian dollarsfor the out of court settlement but i am aware of the separation pay due him upon his retirement from the company where he is working and i being his wife is entitled based oon the length of time we were married. we all know would not be sufficient enough to have a fresh start in life being a senior citizen. i am about to close my business since i cannot focus much longer because of the emotional stress.
can you give me an insight how to deal with this based on what constitute in the family law.their law if different from ours i am aware of that. but i know there are ways to protect my rights as a wife in the proper course of the law.i have all the documents i have inquired about going to a psychologist to help me get through this stress but i cannot afford it and i only have limited time as i have to come up with money to pay for my basic needs and rentals.
please i need some experts advice. thank you so muuch
mrs. dv
Goodmorning atty. Fred i have question regarding civil marriage theres no properties involve but just need to do the separation whats the best suggestion you can give. The husband is the only one who do everything the wife doesnt do anything for the children negligence and lazy not doing anything to help out and the wife now has new bf. civil marriage to a Mayor only not in church.
in the legal separations…bigamous husband….what the wife get…especially the wife is no income only the husband working, but she to end their marriage life…
what the wife get in legal separations…especially that only his husband is working…she only a plain house wife caring their two children and now in legal age…but they have a house…where the house go..
hi Atty..
me and my husband was already separated for almost 7 years without any legal separation or annulment. We have a 2 siblings, I am handling all the responsibilities for my two children. my husband was already living with his mistress together with their 2 siblings.. on my part I am now also living with my new partner and 2 months old baby. Atty I want to file a legal separation for now while earing money for the annulment. Atty if I file a legal separation, what will be the best things to do and the procedure/processes, and if this legal separation will be granted do I need to carry or use his surname as my surname or I will my maiden name? I thank you and I you hope you will enlighten me.
Hello Atty,
What case could i file a Widower (byudo) and my estranged Wife who have been seeing each other privately some time now. I have pictures and circumstantial evidence of her sleeping in the Widowers house in HongKong (2 instances) and the guy also visits the country just weeks ago. My kids are with me and she has left our home almost 3 years already. My Kids were the ones badly affected by her infidelity. i need help
Good day Atty.Fred I am separated in 5 yrs , but with out any separation paper, my ex husband he knows i have live in partner now in abroad, i am ofw ,but i am contenues supporting my schooling of my daughter , i am trying to ask my ex husband i need to file annulment to him but he can´t agree, I am planning to live in philippines with my live in partner if we buy properties by our name of my cohabited partner it is true my ex husband he has a 50 percent share of my properties even we are writing my name also the name of my live in partner? because someone told me my married not yet annuled, what i need to do.Thanks