divorce or annulment whats the cost and how quick

pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

1489POSTS

6 years ago

Redgirl3 wrote:
Hi to all here. I would like to ask if you know where to file an annualment here in philippine that is quick , for a weeks or a month and how much would be the cost. Any good lawyer that you can recomment me? Thank you.

Did you even read through the posts on this thread?

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Redgirl3 Member

2POSTS

6 years ago

#82

Not yet, but thanks to your reply msg.

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rpbacani Member

3POSTS

6 years ago

#83

Hello,

I was married in the Philippines but my ex-husband and I are separated. We are not annulled back home but we are divorce here in Canada. I went to a lawyer and he process all the paper work. Mine was easy because we do not have kids and properties. So our's is uncontested divorce. My ex received a documents that he needs to sign but he didn't cooperate so my lawyer file a motion which has additional cost. But luckily, i got divorced. I got the chance to remove his name and started using my maiden name again. I had no plan to file but immigration asked me to provide a proof that we are separated or divorce, if not, he will be coming in Canada wether I like it or not. I was applying for my residency that time.

Now that I am a Canadian citizen, It is way better for me to live my life. It's like I am a new born here in Canada. There is no need for me to file an annulment because I will no longer live in the Philippines. And my ex-husband has his own family and residing in Australia which he probably used our divorce papers. Which I am happy for him!

Tsmslf Active member

38POSTS

6 years ago

#84

Dear Okieboy

Your legal advice about the 7 day wait time in Guam for divorce is inaccurate. If the divorce is UNcontested, then the residency required is 7 days prior to filing the original petition. If one spouse contests, then the prefiling residency time is 90 days.

Okieboy Serial expat

659POSTS

6 years ago

#85

I was just going by a lawyer in Guam who does divorce for Americans married to Filipina I know of one individual who was divorced in Guam at that time no waiting period, I don't know of many Filipina who could get a visa or has the money to fight a divorce in Guam or any other US Territory in the USProper she would have to appear before the judge again the visa and cost would be out of reach and if no children involved impossible

Munchie Serial expat

273POSTS

6 years ago

#86

I am wondering if you ever you came back to the Philippines, are you still considered to be married by PSA. I am reading somewhere that the Filipina must file a petition to have the foreign divorce document Jusicially recognised by a Philippines court.

I cannot find any information if I am free to remarry in the Philippines or am I still considered married within the Philippines under philippines law..BTW , I am Australian, married in Manila, divorced in Australia...My ex and I filed jointly and it was done by email with an attorney in Australia..Because it was an uncontested divorce, we did not have to appear in the court in Australia.

rich357 New member

3POSTS

5 years ago

#87

I am about to start on this myself. My girlfriend is in the Manila area and we are trying to make a final decision on which attorney to hire. Any recommendations since you've been going at it for so long? She has also suffered many years of physical and sexual abuse. Not sure how that plays in.

pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

1489POSTS

5 years ago

#88

This is a very old thread, but it still has relevant posts. Please read them! The annulment I started in late 2016 is STILL NOT DONE.. some delays due to Covid of course, but it's beyond ridiculous. That said it is still alive, but barely - just had another court hearing last month with the witness. We unfortunately filed in a court where the respondent lives and it has proven to be very overloaded. Many delays. Nothing you can do.

Seriously man, no matter what, this is going to be a long and expensive process and after it all you may not get a favorable decision. We westerners think we can just throw money at things and fix them. Well, it works differently in the Philippines. It depends on the court, the witness, the respondent, the psych evaluation, and many other factors. After my experience I would strongly discourage it.

Okieboy Serial expat

659POSTS

5 years ago

#89

Go to the USA get your divorce, there will be a resident waiting period but after that easy ,in Oklahoma it is 6 months cost about $700, as long as you know where she is at you can have the papers mailed, if you don't know there is a little more to it, you have to post it in a news paper for a period of time, a lawyer will know

rich357 New member

3POSTS

5 years ago

#90

Ok, I am actually already in the US and 'my' divorce was finalized in 2018. My girlfriend/fiance is still married to this guy and we are researching the various annulment attorneys for 'her'. Btw, she is living with physical, emotional and sexual abuse regularly and she has 2 boys, ages 5 and 10.

But if there is a way that she can come to the US (to establish residency) and then we go through a divorce for her, of course we would do that. It seems like it would save tons of time and money. But HOW do we get her here so she can establish residency? I realize that covid restrictions are one obstacle, but assuming things open up, which type of visa would she get? a travelers visa? or fiance visa?

Can we get married before the annulment is started? or before its completed? Meet in Guam to reduce the residency requirements to a minimum?

lasvegan Serial expat

616POSTS

5 years ago

#91

rich357
Hi
once you have a reputable Annulment attorney(Rare bird) They will have go to barangay office about the home situation for the kids! BTW the Fiancee visa is the highest priority visa of the K type so fastest to process! The annulment will drag on for years! The attorney will bleed you dry! One of the PI's biggest scams! You might want to check out counties like Costa Rica where you can get a divorce that will be recognized by every country except PI! Nobody outside the PI cares about what PI thinks! This divorce will be recognized by the USA! Costa Rica has a large Filipino community and your gf should have very little trouble getting a visa! There are several other countries in SE Asia that will also be good starting point!

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pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

1489POSTS

5 years ago

#92

Fantastic idea Dennis, why didn't I think of that, lol!

manwonder ViP

1904POSTS

5 years ago

#93

lasvegan wrote:
rich357
Hi
once you have a reputable Annulment attorney(Rare bird) They will have go to barangay office about the home situation for the kids! BTW the Fiancee visa is the highest priority visa of the K type so fastest to process! The annulment will drag on for years! The attorney will bleed you dry! One of the PI's biggest scams! You might want to check out counties like Costa Rica where you can get a divorce that will be recognized by every country except PI! Nobody outside the PI cares about what PI thinks! This divorce will be recognized by the USA! Costa Rica has a large Filipino community and your gf should have very little trouble getting a visa! There are several other countries in SE Asia that will also be good starting point!

Not too sure....but this could have been the result/remedy/related.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/newsinfo.i … icates/amp

Maybe lesser options these days....but never give up in the search for your freeeedoooom.

pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

1489POSTS

5 years ago

#94

Rich, she needs to be divorced before the US will consider letting her in, no matter the visa. Obviously the case for a Fiance visa, but even for a tourist visa - unless she is a successful Filipino business person with assets of her own, the likelihood of a tourist visa is extremely low due to the number of Filipinos that overstay their visa. Sorry to say, this is one area where the situation is really messed up.

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rich357 New member

3POSTS

5 years ago

#95

I really appreciate the comments and advice. This woman is the love of my life, so I'll wait as long as I need to (and I'm already 50 yrs old, haha). Anyway, I will keep trying. Thanks lasvegan for the Costa Rica idea... So my options to pursue are:

1. Meet her in Costa Rica. No visas required for US nor Filipinos. While there, she files for a divorce to the guy in Philippines. Once the divorce goes through, we get married in Costa Rica.

2. She is an IT professional. Have one of my entrepreneur friends here in Utah hire her so she comes over on a temporary work visa (I believe it would be an HB1 or 2)

Could either of these work?

lasvegan Serial expat

616POSTS

5 years ago

#96

yup! But needs to be done right as customs here is aware of that scheme? She will need to show bank account info showing work related income being deposited for 6 months! LOL! We can talk more about this later! I will check on what i see as the best method depending on what is happening in Mexico! You can fly into Mexico with no visa but can't cross land border without at least a passport card!

coach53 ViP

1564POSTS

5 years ago

#97

rich
Even if you get HER out, it can be other problem to get her KIDS out if the father dont approve. But perhaps he is sensitive of geting "benifit" if he sign

. .
I have no idea now with covid, but around five - seven years ago some got annulment solved in 2 years ffor around 200 000 pesos. IF I remember correct that skilled lawyer was stationed in Davao.
(In Phils many lawyers are not skilled

or even crocks.)

lasvegan Serial expat

616POSTS

5 years ago

#98

Remember no divorce in PI so nothing to recognize! Annulment only there! But you still need to record it at the BI! So it can be found by any searching that is done by those who need that info to help you with whatever! BTW Okieboy is correct that Oklahoma is the best place to do divorce in the States!

capricornrising Serial expat

212POSTS

5 years ago

#99

Kano friend here in Baguio got divorced in America. His Pinay wife insisted on it. She got 1/3 of everything. He has 3 pensions so he might be ok. Problem is that after he divorced 1st Pinay wife he married another one here in Baguio about 7 years ago. Already bought her a house. I dont' know how that's all going. Money sure seems to be the priority for women here. Haven't heard from my friend. Hope he's ok- I think he married her so he could get the resident visa. Jimmy

capricornrising Serial expat

212POSTS

5 years ago

#100

Span Pete-My understanding is that there is NO divorce in the Philippines, I have heard of some Pinoy guys here leaving there Pinay wife and kids and living with or in some case marrying another Pinay and even having kids with the 2nd or third one. Annulment is 7 years I believe and can be costly-several thousand USD.Jimmy

lasvegan Serial expat

616POSTS

5 years ago

#101

Pensions in US are pretty safe. Even with a court order can't get much! They can only get so much of what's left after twice the amount of total pensions. So keep no more then that in any single account! Banking people know this law and usually won't respond to any efforts to get that money!

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coach53 ViP

1564POSTS

5 years ago

#102

capricornrising wrote:
I have heard of some Pinoy guys here leaving there Pinay wife and kids and living with or in some case marrying another Pinay and even having kids with the 2nd or third one.

Well. Thats only posible if the first marriage isnt registered proper only local - or if bribe to get the clearance

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manwonder ViP

1904POSTS

5 years ago

#103

coach53 wrote:
capricornrising wrote:
I have heard of some Pinoy guys here leaving there Pinay wife and kids and living with or in some case marrying another Pinay and even having kids with the 2nd or third one.

Well. Thats only posible if the first marriage isnt registered proper only local - or if bribe to get the clearance

Bribe or Bride?

pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

1489POSTS

5 years ago

#104

Before Duterte came in there were known courts that would expedite things, probably for some type of monetary incentive, thus a case could be filed in those jurisdictions. My understanding is that has all but stopped now.

coach53 ViP

1564POSTS

5 years ago

#105

manwonder wrote:
coach53 wrote:
capricornrising wrote:
I have heard of some Pinoy guys here leaving there Pinay wife and kids and living with or in some case marrying another Pinay and even having kids with the 2nd or third one.

Well. Thats only posible if the first marriage isnt registered proper only local - or if bribe to get the clearance

Bribe or Bride?

In such case TWO brides and perhap a bribe in between

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manwonder ViP

1904POSTS

5 years ago

#106

coach53 wrote:
manwonder wrote:
coach53 wrote:

Well. Thats only posible if the first marriage isnt registered proper only local - or if bribe to get the clearance

Bribe or Bride?

In such case TWO brides and perhap a bribe in between

manwonder ViP

1904POSTS

5 years ago

#107

Yes money does talk....Just make sure you hang on to it for your dear life...preferably in a foreign safe deposit.

manwonder ViP

1904POSTS

5 years ago

#108

Time for an youtube clip....

https://youtu.be/9FnO3igOkOk

Munchie Serial expat

273POSTS

5 years ago

#109

Okieboy wrote:
Go to the USA get your divorce, there will be a resident waiting period but after that easy ,in Oklahoma it is 6 months cost about $700, as long as you know where she is at you can have the papers mailed, if you don't know there is a little more to it, you have to post it in a news paper for a period of time, a lawyer will know

He will still be married in the Philippines. I got divorced in Australia but the divorce papers have to go thru a regional trials court here to be what they call, Judicially Recognized. Attorney told me about 150,000 pesos and still might not be accepted. PS, By Australian law, I am free to marry anywhere in the world but by Philippines law, I am still married here.

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capricornrising Serial expat

212POSTS

5 years ago

#110

Why get married anyway with the high possibility of divorce? The 30-40 year plus marriages like our parents had just dont happen anymore. My 2 brothers both married at a young age. I sure dont see happiness there. Maybe my younger brother as both him and his wife are Christians. That helps a lot as long as you remain in your beliefs.1 out of 2 marriages nowadays in America end up in divorce. Hard to tell what it is in Philippines as there is no divorce here. Just annulment after 7 years. Freedom has a meaning. Once it is gone its gone. Being married restricts the limited freedom we have. Marriage works for some and not for others. Life is about choices. We must be careful how we choose. There are always consequences whether good or bad.......JIMMY

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FortuneFavorsTheBold Banned

736POSTS

5 years ago

#111

It would be interesting to know what the "divorce" rate is here if there was such a thing. I see a LOT of Filipino guys who simply disappear after getting Filipinas pregnant., and of course a lot of single moms.

capricornrising Serial expat

212POSTS

5 years ago

#112

Fame and Fortune(Joke Lang) I was wondering the same thing. Seems there are no concrete stats on divorces here in PI.Congress is finally trying to get divorce legalized and its looking pretty good so far.Soon be passed I think. Way past due in my opinion. Looks like there are 7 reasons for divorce when Congress passes the law here in Phil.. It also states online ONLY Muslims allowed to get divorced under specific reasons. Divorce is a bad thing for everyone and especially the kids who can grow up without a father image. I have lived with two women in my life time. 7 yrs in California and 3 years here. Broke up with both of them because of same reason . I seem to keep getting the same type. Their way or the highway. Others see I am a giving person with a kind heart-a big heart and take advantage of that. I have found its better to be alone and enjoy the God given freedom we have been given than struggle with a selfish person.. Marriages of 44 years like my parents had just dont happen anymore. I am content for the time being. If it happens it happens and will be because there is strong respect, trust and a physical and mental CONNECTION and not for other reasons. Gotta like your future mate before you can love them and marry them. Takes time. I have found this out. Still searching but in no hurry. Quality verses quantity makes sense to me. Good luck to all here in this forum. May God bless America and also the wonderful people of the Philippines. JIMMY

coach53 ViP

1564POSTS

5 years ago

#113

capricornrising wrote:
Why get married anyway with the high possibility of divorce?

Because big part of Phils is still as "western" countries were 80 years ago,
so many of the "good family women" (rural) demand marriage because otherwiice they arent "good family women"
(Some can agree to a SHORT live-in IF geting marriage soon.

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FortuneFavorsTheBold Banned

736POSTS

5 years ago

#114

Yes Jimmy, I don't think statistics would be valid here since there are no divorces allowed, and even if there were, it wouldn't account for the Filipinos who got women pregnant and took off without getting married.

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capricornrising Serial expat

212POSTS

5 years ago

#115

Fortune- Real Men are supposed to take care of their responsibilities. Its a part of their manhood. That's all I have to say about that.

FortuneFavorsTheBold Banned

736POSTS

5 years ago

#116

Of course Jimmy, but taking responsibility for actions isn't a big deal here......and you can't change the culture.

capricornrising Serial expat

212POSTS

5 years ago

#117

Fortune-Yep! Most observations speak for themselves. Some things are inherent but can still be changed depending on the individual and his/her desire to change. Life is the way it is.

FortuneFavorsTheBold Banned

736POSTS

5 years ago

#118

Hard to teach an old dog new tricks Jimmy. Different culture and different morals and ethics. It's all about parenting. If I see a kid being a brat I slap the mom. Hahaha

Munchie Serial expat

273POSTS

5 years ago

#119

The government and church know there are tens of thousands of people separated and living in new relationships with no way they can ever legitimize their offspring. Still, they brush the divorce debate under the carpet. There is more to this than meets the eye. Maybe the courts like to be bogged down by annulment cases and for sure, lawyers make a killing off of it.

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pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

1489POSTS

5 years ago

#120

That is exactly the problem Munchie. Millions of illegitimate kids, with a lesser status within the legal framework - support and inheritance, etc. Not to mention those partners in abusive relationships that can't legally get out. What a terrible situation.