Custody of children is one of the most intense aspects in family litigation. A custody battle could be an independent case or a mere incident in an annulment/separation case. Some basic matters pertaining to child custody under Philippine laws are discussed below.
In custody disputes, what is the paramount criterion?
The paramount criterion in custody disputes is the welfare and well-being of the child, or the best interest of the child. The court, in arriving at its decision as to whom custody of the minor should be given, must take into account the respective resources and social and moral situations of the contending parents. Nevertheless, this primordial rule can override the rights of one or both parents over their children.
What is the general rule as to custody over children?
The general rule is that a child under seven years of age shall not be separated from his mother, which is based on the basic need of a child for his mother’s loving care. Article 213 of the Family Code provides that “[n]o child under seven years of age shall be separated from the mother, unless the court finds compelling reasons to order otherwise.” This is more pronounced in case of illegitimate children, as the law expressly provides that illegitimate children shall be under the parental authority of their mother.
Is this rule absolute?
This rule is not absolute. Even a mother may be deprived of the custody of her child who is below seven years of age for “compelling reasons.” Instances of unsuitability are neglect, abandonment, unemployment and immorality, habitual drunkenness, drug addiction, maltreatment of the child, insanity, and affliction with a communicable illness. Negligent and careless failure to perform the duties of parenthood is a significant element of abandonment, regardless of actual intention. A strong basis for a finding of the parent’s abandonment of his or her child is found in the case where the parent has left the child permanently or indefinitely in the care of others, given it to another, or surrendered it entirely.
I left my child with a relative, even signing a document to such effect. Am I barred from taking back my child?
Parental authority and responsibility are inalienable and may not be transferred or renounced except in cases authorized by law. The right attached to parental authority, being purely personal, the law allows a waiver of parental authority only in cases of adoption, guardianship and surrender to a children’s home or an orphan institution. When a parent entrusts the custody of a minor to another, such as a friend or godfather, even in a document, what is given is merely temporary custody and it does not constitute a renunciation of parental authority. Even if a definite renunciation is manifest, the law still disallows the same.
Is the court bound by such preference of a child below 7 years of age?
While such choice is given respect, the court is not bound by that choice. The court may exercise its discretion by disregarding the child’s preference should the parent chosen be found to be unfit, in which instance, custody may be given to the other parent, or even to a third person. Decisions on custody of children are always open to adjustment as the circumstances may warrant.
[See also Child Custody of the Father and Mother, Visitation Rights in the Philippines]
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Dear Ma’am/Sir,
Good day!
I would like to ask if what case can be file to a person who registered the name of a baby in his/her name? Who has not pass thru legal adoption, the baby was newborn gave by somebody and paid 7,000 pesos only. The baby was late registered and the baby was baptized already, can you help me with my inquiries? Thank you!
Lol he/she will just rebat your file of motion, and will succeed and can even sue you for money, i suggest file a motion of visitorial rights, after achieving visitorial rights of 2 days atleast, get a medical report saying the child is not in goodshape, file a motion and do not return the child, and do not the bring the child on court, after this the case will just go on and go on, you dont even have to attend, and civil case and contempt will not imprison you. So do not be scared. Then move to another town change name and everything, start over.
Misleading info, its always going to be under the mothers custody, that 7 years old law is crap, I filed a case of sole custody, and the case took 4 years and still nothing, our judicial system is corrupt and slow, all the money i spent went to nothing, i suggest do it the illegal way, kidnap and change your kid’s name. See our country is corrupt and lawless by technicality, why follow it? I followed this website’s advise, don’t be a a victim like me…
How
Can i take the custody for my son even i am i abroad
Atty
Hndi n po kmi mgksundo ng aswa ko. Ilang beses n pg mag aaway kmi pinapanakot nya skin n hihiwalayan n nya ako. Na kkunin dw nya ang 3 yr old nming ank. S knya dw mppunta ang custody ng bata kasi wla nmn dw akong trabaho. Pero sya nmn po ang may ayaw n mgtrbho ako dhil sino nmn dw po mg aasikso s bta eh ngbabarko sya. At gusto dw nya asiksuhin ko sya pg andto sya s lupa. Nkapangliliit po at nkakawalang pg asa. Prng wla akong laban. Kht mgulang ko kumakampi s knya kasi ayw nila n mghiwlay kmi. Pti s mgulang ko wla akong mkuhang support.
Ask lang po my brother had a son 8 months na sya di sila kasal ng nanay ng bata pero surname ng brother ko gamit n bata. May work n po yung babae at yung bata iiwan sa tyahin gusto oo makita at maalagaan ng kapatid ko bata pero ayaw nila may karalatan po ba kapatid ko sa bata para maalagaan nya? Salamat po
Magandang Araw po, Isa po akong OFW 30 yrs. Old at kasal, Tatanong ko lng po sana kung may chance ba akong makuwa custody ng kambal ko sa asawa ko kung sakaling mag hiwalay kame, 4 yrs na po kameng kasal ng asawa ko at maraming bagay po ang hinde namin napagkakasunduan tulad ng pera, bahay.. etc..Ayaw ko pong iwan sa family nya yung anak namin yung Tatay nya kasi ay may iba ng kasama na babae at ganun din nmn yung nanay nya, plan nya pongviwan anak nya sa antique na kung saan hinde nya rin kasundo yung lola nya dun.. sana po may ma ipapayo po kayo n makatulong sa anak ko.. salamat po ng marami.. God Blesa
Hi, i need your advise..I have a daughter and she is 3 years old..i left her in a nanny’s house while im working because im a single mother..i dont have any relatives..i got pregnant again and wasn’t able to support my daughter whom i left during my pregnancy..the nanny contacted me and asking me to get my daughter because they can no longer take care of her..but everytime i will tell them i will they will tell me that i have to pay them first before i can get my daughter..i told them i dont have the amount yet because i just gave birth and just went back to work..after my news to them they said that they will be going to give my daughter to someone else because i cannot give them the payment they are asking me..now they said they no longer have my daughter and they already gave it to someone without my consent..what actions should i need to do for me to get my daughter back?please help me.
Dear Atty,
I have 2 kids, 1 is 4yrs. old & 12 yrs. old. my husband & I were living on his parents since we got married 15 yrs ago, pero di ko n po makasundo ang parents niya at palagi na rin kaming nag-aaway. Meron ibang anak ang asawa ko at gumagamit din siya ng ipinagbabawal na gamot at wala din naman siyang hanapbuhay. Ako ang nagma-manage ng water station business na nakapangalan lng sa kanya. Alam ng magulang niya ang kanyang bisyo at sa kanyang anak sa iba pero wala silang magawa. May kaya ang pamilya nila. Gusto ko nang makipaghiwalay at dalhin ang mga anak ko. Wala akong trabaho sa ngayon pero may naipon ako na alam ko makasasapat para makapagtayo ako ng negosyo at pwde din ako magtrabaho dahil nakatapos ako ng pag-aaral bilang isang Tourism graduate. Hindi nila alam na may naipon ako. Sinasabi ng biyenan ko na hindi ko basta basta madadala ang mga anak ko nang hindi kami nag-uusap mag-asawa. Alam ko naman po na hindi siya papayag na dalhin ko ang mga bata. Ayaw ko rin naman iwan sa kanila kahit pa alam kong kaya nilang buhayin ang anak ko dahil kung sila ay hindi nila kayang alagaan ang mga sarili nila at sa kondisyon ng anak nila ay baka masira ang pag-aaral ng anak ko kapag nalaman niya ang tungkol sa ama niya. Ano po ang maipapayo nyo sa akin at ano ang pwede kong gawin. maraming Salamat po.
hello attorney,
i need help,meron akong anak na dalawa 4 and 5 years old,gusto ko silang kunin pero ayaw ibigay ng kanilang ama sa akin ang mga anak ko,hindi kami kasal,at sa kasalukuyan po meron akong live in partner sa ngayon,ang gusto ko lng po attorney gusto ko ,silang bawiin at kunin sa ama nila pero ayaw ibigay sa akin,3 buwan na po akong hindi nakikita ang mga anak ko,ayaw kasi ipakita sa akin,ano ang gagawin ko attorney,i need advice..salamat po!
regards,
janet
Question: in 2006 our child was born by my xgirlfriend, by the time she was born my xgirlfriend did not gave me a chance to hold our baby nor see her until now year 2016. Are there any possible ways for me to know my daughter? She was 11 years old by now. By the way, I got an accident way back 2008 and i have this disability(SCI) I cannot walk and i can only use a wheelchair. Let me know your thoughts pls. Looking forward on your response.