Matters Concerning Petitions of Declaration of Nullity, Annulment and Legal Separation

Grounds (see Persons Effects of Pendency of How can Marriage be

Who can Invoke Action? When to File Action?
Reviewer) Action Ratified?
Petition for Absence of Requirements A petition for declaration of absolute The action or defense for the If there is no written Void marriages cannot be
Declaration nullity of void marriage may be filed declaration of absolute nullity agreement between the ratified.
of Nullity Bigamous Before solely by the husband or the of a marriage shall not spouses, the court shall
(Void Marriages Judicial wife. (Sec. 2, AM No. 02-11-10-SC) prescribe. (as amended by provide:
Marriages) Declaration of RA 8533, approved February 1) for the support of the
Absolute Compulsory or intestate heirs can 23, 1998) spouses and common
Nullity still question the validity of the children;
marriage of the spouses, not in a Void marriages can be 2) for the custody of the
Before proceeding for declaration of nullity questioned even after the their common children;
Judicial but upon the death of the spouse in death of either party but 3) for appropriate
Declaration of a proceeding for the settlement voidable marriages can be visitation rights of the
Presumptive of the estate of the deceased assailed only during the other parent. (Art. 49,
Death (Art. spouse filed in the regular lifetime of the parties and not FC)
41, FC) courts. (Carlos v. Sandoval) after death of either, in which
Bad Faith of Both Spouses case the parties and their The court shall take into
(Art. 44, FC) General Rule: Only the husband or offspring will be left as if the account all relevant
wife can question the validity of marriage had been perfectly considerations, especially
Psychological Incapacity marriage. valid. (Ninal v. Bayadog) the choice of the child over 7
(Art. 36, FC) years of age, unless the
Exceptions (i.e. when third parties parent chosen is unfit. (Art.
Incestuous Marriages (Art. may question): 213, FC)
37, FC)
1) When the petition for absolute No child under 7 years of
Marriages Against Public nullity was filed before March age shall be separated from
Policy (Art. 38, FC) 15, 2003; or the mother unless the court
2) The marriage was solemnized finds compelling reasons to
before the Family Code order otherwise. (Id.)
(August 3, 1988).

A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC covers

marriages under the Family Code of
the Philippines (August 3, 1998),
and is prospective in its application.
(Enrico v. Heirs of Medinaceli)
Non-Compliance Under
Article 53
Petition for Absence of Parental party who was not able to get w/n 5 years after attaining 21 During the proceedings for free cohabitation after
Annulment Consent parental consent. annulment of marriage the reaching 21
(Voidable parent or guardian before child reaches 21 spouses and their children cannot be ratified through
Marriages) shall be supported from the cohabitation
properties of the absolute
Insanity the sane spouse before the death of the community or the conjugal free cohabitation
parent or guardian either party partnership. After the final cannot be ratified through
judgment granting the cohabitation
the insane spouse during lucid petition, the obligation of free cohabitation after
interval mutual support between the regaining sanity
Fraud the injured party w/n 5 years from discovery spouses ceases. (Art 198, free cohabitation after
of fraud FC) knowledge of fraud

Support pending litigation for

Force, Intimidation and
Undue Influence
Physical Incapacity/Impotent
Affliction with STD
Petition for Repeated Physical Violence
Legal or Grossly Abusive Conduct
Separation
Physical Violence or Moral
Pressure to Compel
Petitioner to Change
Religion or Political
Affiliation
the potent party
The healthy party
Under Article 99 of the New Civil
Code, “no person shall be entitled
to a legal separation who has not
resided in the Philippines for one
year prior to the filing of the petition,
unless the cause for the legal
separation has taken place within
the territory of this Republic.
However, today, the Family Code is
silent with this requirement under
Article 55.
w/n 5 years from cessation
of cause
w/n 5 years after marriage
An action for legal separation
shall be filed within five
years from the time of the
occurrence of the cause.
(Art. 57, FC)
spouse and children will first free cohabitation after cause
come from the CPG/ACP. If has disappeared
insufficient, will be taken
from the exclusive
properties.
cannot be ratified but action
Once the decree has been prescribes
issued, support will be taken
from the liquidated and
distributed properties of the
spouses. (Mawis)
a. Cooling-Off Period See Persons Reviewer on
Reconciliation
An action for legal separation
shall in no case be tried
before six months shall
have elapsed since the filing
of the petition. (Art. 58, FC)
b. Right of Consortium
After the filing of the
petition for legal separation,
the spouses shall be entitled
to live separately from each
other. (Art. 61(1), FC)
Attempt to Corrupt Petitioner Only the husband or the wife can
or Child to Engage in file for petition for legal separation. c. Administration of
Prostitution (Mawis) Property

The court, in the absence of

a written agreement between
the spouses, shall designate
Final Judgment Sentencing either of them or a third
Respondent to More than 6 person to administer the
Years Imprisonment absolute community or
conjugal partnership
property. The administrator
appointed by the court shall
have the same powers and
Drug Addiction or Habitual duties as those of a guardian
Alcoholism under the Rules of Court.
(Art. 62(2), FC)

d. Support and Custody

Pendente Lite
Lesbianism or
Homosexuality During the pendency of the
action for legal separation,
the provisions of Article 49
shall likewise apply to the
support of the spouses and
Contracting by One Spouse the custody and support of
of Another Marriage the common children. (Art.
62, FC)

During the proceedings for

legal separation the spouses
Sexual Infidelity or and their children shall be
Perversion supported from the
properties of the absolute
community or the conjugal
partnership. After the final
judgment granting the
Attempt by One Spouse
Against the Life of the Other
Abandonment of One
Spouse by the Other for
more than 1 year
petition, the obligation of
mutual support between the
spouses ceases. The court
may order that the guilty
spouse shall give support to
the innocent one, specifying
the terms of such order. (Art.
198, FC)
 Effects of Decree of Nullity, Annulment and Legal Separation
On Personal Relations Status and Custody of Presumptive Legitimes On the Use of
On Remarriage On Support
(Civil Status) Children / Hereditary Rights Surnames
Decree of The absolute nullity of a Children conceived or After the final judgment In said partition, the (Bar Matter No. 1625 –
Nullity previous marriage may born before the judgment granting the petition, the value of the presumptive Petition to Use Maiden
Decree of be invoked for purposes of annulment or absolute obligation of mutual legitimes of all common Name in Petition to Take
Annulment of remarriage on the nullity of the marriage support between the children, computed as of the 2006 Bar
basis solely of a final under Article 36 has spouses ceases. (Art. the date of the final Examinations, Josephine
judgment declaring such become final and 198, FC) judgment of the trial P. Uy-Timosa)
previous marriage void. executory shall be court, shall be delivered
(Art. 40, FC) considered legitimate. in cash, property or Once the wife used the
Children conceived or sound securities, unless surname of the husband,
Either spouses may born of the subsequent the parties, by mutual the maiden name can no
marry again after marriage under Article 53 agreement judicially longer be used. (Remo v.
registering the following shall likewise be approved, had already DFA)
with the appropriate civil legitimate. (Art. 54, FC) provided for such
registry and registries of matters.
property:
1) judgment of absolute The children or their
nullity; guardian or the trustee of
2) partition and their property may ask
distribution of for the enforcement of
properties of the judgment.
spouses; and
3) delivery of the
children’s The delivery of the
presumptive presumptive legitimes
legitimes. (Art 53, herein prescribed shall in
FC) no way prejudice the
ultimate successional
rights of the children
accruing upon the death
of either of both of the
parents; but the value of
the properties already
received under the
decree of annulment or
absolute nullity shall be
considered as advances
on their legitime. (Art. 51,
FC)

The judgment of
annulment or of absolute
nullity of the marriage,
the partition and
Decree of Spouses may not marry The spouses shall be The custody of the minor After the final judgment The offending spouse When legal separation
Legal again because the entitled to live separately children shall be granting the petition, the shall be disqualified from has been granted, the
Separation marriage is still valid and from each other, but the awarded to the innocent obligation of mutual inheriting from the wife shall continue using
subsisting. marriage bonds shall not spouse, subject to the support between the innocent spouse by her name and surname
be severed. (Art. 63(1), provisions of Article 213 spouses ceases. intestate succession. employed before the
FC) of this Code. (Art 63(3), However, in case of legal Moreover, provisions in legal separation. (Art.
FC) separation, the court favor of the offending 372, NCC)
may order that the guilty spouse made in the will
The custody of the minor spouse shall give of the innocent spouse A decree of legal
children shall be support to the innocent shall be revoked by separation is not a
awarded to the innocent one, specifying the terms operation of law. (Art. ground for a petition for
spouse, unless of such order. (Art. 198, 63(4), FC) change of name under
otherwise directed by the FC) the Rules of Court.
court in the interest of (Laperal v. Republic)
said minors, for whom
said court may appoint a
guardian. (Art. 106(3),
NCC)

In case of separation of
his parents, no child
under five years of age
shall be separated from
his mother unless the
court finds compelling
reasons to do so. (Art.
17(3), PD 603)

Effects on the Property Regime Between Spouses

Decree of Nullity Under Void ab inito

Marriages / Article 36 (Psychological Decree of Annulment / Reappearance of Absent Spouse Decree of Legal Separation
Incapacity)
The final judgment in such cases shall provide
for the liquidation, partition and distribution of
the properties of the spouses, the custody and
support of the common children, and the
delivery of third presumptive legitimes, unless
such matters had been adjudicated in previous
judicial proceedings. (Art. 50, FC)
All creditors of the spouses shall be notified of
the proceedings for liquidation. (Id.)
When a man and a woman under a void
marriage, their wages and salaries shall be
owned by them in equal shares and the
property acquired by both of them through
their work or industry shall be governed by the
rules on co-ownership.
In the absence of proof to the contrary,
properties acquired while they lived together
shall be presumed to have been obtained by
their joint efforts, work or industry, and shall be
owned by them in equal shares. For purposes
of this Article, a party who did not participate in
the acquisition by the other party of any
property shall be deemed to have contributed
jointly in the acquisition thereof if the former's
efforts consisted in the care and maintenance
of the family and of the household.
Neither party can encumber or dispose by acts
inter vivos of his or her share in the property
acquired during cohabitation and owned in
common, without the consent of the other, until
after the termination of their cohabitation.
When only one of the parties to a void
marriage is in good faith, the share of the party
in bad faith in the co-ownership shall be
forfeited in favor of their common children. In
case of default of or waiver by any or all of the
The final judgment in such cases shall provide for the liquidation,
partition and distribution of the properties of the spouses, the custody
and support of the common children, and the delivery of third
presumptive legitimes, unless such matters had been adjudicated in
previous judicial proceedings. (Art. 50, FC)
All creditors of the spouses as well as of the absolute community or
the conjugal partnership shall be notified of the proceedings for
liquidation. (Id.)
In the partition, the conjugal dwelling and the lot on which it is
situated, shall be adjudicated in accordance with the provisions of
Articles 102 and 129. (Id.)
The children of the subsequent marriage conceived prior to its
termination shall be considered legitimate. (Art. (43(1), FC)
The absolute community of property or the conjugal partnership, as
the case may be, shall be dissolved and liquidated, but if either
spouse contracted said marriage in bad faith, his or her share of the
net profits of the community property or conjugal partnership property
shall be forfeited in favor of the common children or, if there are
none, the children of the guilty spouse by a previous marriage or in
default of children, the innocent spouse. (Id.,(2))
Donations by reason of marriage shall remain valid, except that if the
donee contracted the marriage in bad faith, such donations made to
said donee are revoked by operation of law. (Id.,(3))
The innocent spouse may revoke the designation of the other spouse
who acted in bad faith as beneficiary in any insurance policy, even if
such designation be stipulated as irrevocable. (Id.,(4))
The spouse who contracted the subsequent marriage in bad faith
shall be disqualified to inherit from the innocent spouse by testate
and intestate succession. (Id.,(5))
If both spouses of the subsequent marriage acted in bad faith, said
marriage shall be void ab initio and all donations by reason of
marriage and testamentary dispositions made by one in favor of the
other are revoked by operation of law. (Art. 44, FC)
The absolute community or the conjugal partnership shall
be dissolved and liquidated but the offending spouse shall
have no right to any share of the net profits earned by the
absolute community or the conjugal partnership, which
shall be forfeited in accordance with the provisions of
Article 43(2) (Art. 63(2), FC)
After the finality of the decree of legal separation, the
innocent spouse may revoke the donations made by him
or by her in favor of the offending spouse, as well as the
designation of the latter as beneficiary in any insurance
policy, even if such designation be stipulated as
irrevocable. The revocation of the donations shall be
recorded in the registries of property in the places where
the properties are located. Alienations, liens and
encumbrances registered in good faith before the
recording of the complaint for revocation in the registries
of property shall be respected. The revocation of or
change in the designation of the insurance beneficiary
shall take effect upon written notification thereof to the
insured.
The action to revoke the donation under this Article must
be brought within five years from the time the decree of
legal separation become final. (Art. 64, FC)
common children or their descendants, each
vacant share shall belong to the respective
surviving descendants. In the absence of
descendants, such share shall belong to the
innocent party. In all cases, the forfeiture shall
take place upon termination of the
cohabitation. (Art. 147, FC)
In cases of cohabitation not falling under the
preceding Article, only the properties acquired
by both of the parties through their actual joint
contribution of money, property, or industry
shall be owned by them in common in
proportion to their respective contributions. In
the absence of proof to the contrary, their
contributions and corresponding shares are
presumed to be equal. The same rule and
presumption shall apply to joint deposits of
money and evidences of credit.
If one of the parties is validly married to
another, his or her share in the co-ownership
shall accrue to the absolute community or
conjugal partnership existing in such valid
marriage. If the party who acted in bad faith is
not validly married to another, his or her shall
be forfeited in the manner provided in the last
paragraph of the preceding Article.
The foregoing rules on forfeiture shall likewise
apply even if both parties are in bad faith. (Art.
148, FC)
Upon dissolution of the absolute community regime, the following procedure shall apply:
(1) An inventory shall be prepared, listing separately all the properties of the absolute community and the exclusive properties of
each spouse.
(2) The debts and obligations of the absolute community shall be paid out of its assets. In case of insufficiency of said assets, the
spouses shall be solidarily liable for the unpaid balance with their separate properties in accordance with the provisions of the
second paragraph of Article 94.
(3) Whatever remains of the exclusive properties of the spouses shall thereafter be delivered to each of them.
(4) The net remainder of the properties of the absolute community shall constitute its net assets, which shall be divided equally
between husband and wife, unless a different proportion or division was agreed upon in the marriage settlements, or unless there
has been a voluntary waiver of such share provided in this Code. For purpose of computing the net profits subject to forfeiture in
accordance with Articles 43, No. (2) and 63, No. (2), the said profits shall be the increase in value between the market value of the
community property at the time of the celebration of the marriage and the market value at the time of its dissolution.
(5) The presumptive legitimes of the common children shall be delivered upon partition, in accordance with Article 51.
(6) Unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties, in the partition of the properties, the conjugal dwelling and the lot on which it is
situated shall be adjudicated to the spouse with whom the majority of the common children choose to remain. Children below the
age of seven years are deemed to have chosen the mother, unless the court has decided otherwise. In case there in no such
majority, the court shall decide, taking into consideration the best interests of said children. (Art. 102, FC)
Upon the dissolution of the conjugal partnership regime, the following procedure shall apply:
(1) An inventory shall be prepared, listing separately all the properties of the conjugal partnership and the exclusive properties of
each spouse.
(2) Amounts advanced by the conjugal partnership in payment of personal debts and obligations of either spouse shall be credited
to the conjugal partnership as an asset thereof.
(3) Each spouse shall be reimbursed for the use of his or her exclusive funds in the acquisition of property or for the value of his
or her exclusive property, the ownership of which has been vested by law in the conjugal partnership.
(4) The debts and obligations of the conjugal partnership shall be paid out of the conjugal assets. In case of insufficiency of said
assets, the spouses shall be solidarily liable for the unpaid balance with their separate properties, in accordance with the
provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 121.
(5) Whatever remains of the exclusive properties of the spouses shall thereafter be delivered to each of them.