Annulment of Marriage

Good day Atty. Is it required personal appearance to file petition for annulment in Philippines? I am an OFW working in UAE. How much approximately do I need to pay for consultation of lawyer if in Pampanga area. Is it required that I need to get a Filipino lawyer not other nationalities? My fiancée visa documents was processed by Malaysian lawyer referred in UK Immigration but it was not stamped in Malaysian court due to Annulment Certificate required. Can that Malaysian lawyer process my certificate without my presence or will it be denied in our court as he is other nationality? Will he be required to attend all hearings? Please advise.

regarding the cost, only the lawyer you will retain can answer that. If your annulment will be filed in the Philippines, then only lawyers who are legally valid to practice law in the Philippines can represent you. And yes, the petitioner will be required to appear in court for pre-trial and testimony. the appearance of the respondent is not required.

I can file petition of annulment in other countries ? Here in UAE ? If here in UAE any nationality of lawyer will be allowed ? Or still Filipino lawyer to accompany me on pre trial n testimony?

If you want your Philippine recognized marriage to be annulled, then you can only file it in the Philippines. Even if you were to get an annulment decree in UAE, it is not automatically recognized in the Philippines. You would have to file a petition again in court (now in the Philippines) to have your annulment abroad recognized.

u need to retain a Filipino lawyer who handles domestic law cases like annulment, legal separation etc. to avoid complications.