Family Law
Family Law
Family law deals with all the legal effects of a marriage, from its beginning to its end. Cases for Annulment and Recognition of Foreign Divorce are well known, but Family law also includes contracts such as prenuptial agreements that define the rights of each spouse to the marriage property as well as arrangements regarding child custody and child support.
Family Law Services
RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN DIVORCE
A case recognizing a foreign divorce to amend the PSA marriage certificate, fulfill immigration needs & remove spousal rights to common property.
ANNULMENT
A case ending a marriage between 2 Filpinos for remarriage and immigration, as well to end spousal claims to conjugal property.
JUDICIAL SEPARATION OF PROPERTY
A case ending the conjugal property regime of spouses so that property can belong to each spouse individually. It's best done when the spouses agree.
LEGAL SEPARATION
Legal separation is a combative case where the judge awards all conjugal property to the innocent spouse. It doesn't end the marriage.
PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS
FCB handles cases for child support, and custody including those under the Hague Convention on International Parental Child Abduction.
RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN ADOPTION
A case recognizing a foreign adoption, so that the PSA birth certificate bears the name of the adoptive parent for consistency across identity documents.
CHILD CUSTODY/SUPPORT
FCB handles cases for child support, and custody including those under the Hague Convention on International Parental Child Abduction.
ADOPTION/PSA CORRECTIONS
Corrections to PSA documents as well as adoptions can all be handled by FCB law to ensure that the documents correctly reflect your identity.
START A CASE
IN 
EASY STEPS
WHAT TO EXPECT
When we start your case, we discuss your goals, gather facts, and explain which paths are allowed based on the case facts and Philippine law. We always encourage you to ask all your questions at the beginning when you Contact Us so that your concerns are met and your expectations are correctly set.
A combative case involves opposing sides, like when dividing Conjugal Property after a marriage ends. Legal Separation features conflict between spouses, while Judicial Separation of Property requires mutual agreement. In such cases, provide your lawyer with all relevant facts, documents, and resources to support your position.
Philippine law differs from international law, especially in ending a marriage. While divorce abroad is often quick and simple, Annulment in the Philippines requires a trial and strong evidence. It is a longer, more complex process. Clients must understand this early to prepare for the timeline and legal demands involved.
Read More
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Contact Us and send us information on the case and what you are trying to achieve. Add as many details as you can and include any relevant documents. We will ask more questions to understand the case and then also send you a quotation.
FCB Law Office has a deep family law practice and covers Prenuptial Agreements, Recognition of Foreign Divorce, Annulment, Recogniton of Foreign Adoption, Judicial Separation of Property, Child custody and support and the correction of PSA certificates.
Yes, you can get an annulment even if you and your spouse are both abroad so long as you lived together as husband and wife in the Philippines. For more information, visit our article, How to file for Annulment in the Philippines while abroad or Contact Us to start a case.
Legal separation allows married couples to live separately and allocate their shared assets without officially terminating the marriage. Annulment, in contrast, invalidates the marriage, giving both parties the freedom to remarry. Our website contains an article titled The Difference between Legal Separation and Annulment in the Philippines which provides a comprehensive comparison.
Yes, a foreign divorce obtained by a foreign spouse can be recognized in the Philippines. This recognition formally ends the marriage in the Philippines and avoids confusion over property rights.
There are two main ways to legally end a marriage in the Philippines. Annulment ends a marriage between 2 Filipinos while Recognition of Foreign Divorce recognizes a valid divorce obtained abroad. People often think that another case called Legal Separation will also end a marriage, but Legal Separation is only concerned with the division of Conjugal Property and does not actually end a marriage.
Establishing a prenuptial agreement is essential because it defines expectations of how Conjugal Property is split when a marriage ends. It must be signed and notarized before the marriage and it is best if it is also registered.
In the Philippines, specific rules dictate the division of property during a separation. Refer to our website’s blog on Conjugal Property for more details. Generally, property acquired during the marriage when there is no Prenuptial Agreement is split between the spouses.
When a marriage ends, it is best to communicate with your spouse on how to address child custody, financial support, and property matters and to formalize that agreement in a written document. FCB Law Office can assist you in this process.
Some issues can be resolved by filing at the Local Civil Registrar yourself, while others require a lawyer’s help. FCB Law Office can guide you in determining the best approach for your specific circumstances.
Visit the “Legal Resources on Family” section on our website for more information, including articles by Atty Franco Britanico and others.
Certain individuals might be eligible to seek Filipino citizenship through judicial or administrative naturalization. Our article Philippine Judicial and Administrative Naturalization (Everything You Need To Know About Becoming A Philippine Citizen) offers a comprehensive guide on the requirements and application process.
For any additional questions or help with family law matters, don’t hesitate to contact FCB Law Office. Our team of skilled legal professionals is dedicated to assisting you in navigating the intricacies of Philippine family law and working toward the most favorable outcome for your situation.