Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
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Second Marriages and SSS Death Benefits: Why Court Decisions Matter
The Supreme Court rules on whether the SSS can disregard a court declaration of presumptive death when awarding death benefits.
Protecting Marital Property: Why Proof of Acquisition During Marriage Matters in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that the conjugal presumption requires proof the property was acquired during the marriage. Learn the rules.
Unraveling Presumptions: How Philippine Courts Determine Marital Status and Inheritance Rights
Philippine courts rely on presumptions to decide marital status and inheritance. Learn how from a Supreme Court case on disputed marriages and heirs.
Judge Dismissed and Suspended From Law Practice for Gross Immorality in Extramarital Affair
Supreme Court dismisses a judge and suspends him from law practice for gross immorality arising from an extramarital affair and child born outside marriage.
Bigamy and Presumptive Death: When a Second Marriage Becomes a Crime
The Supreme Court explains why a judicial declaration of presumptive death is required before remarrying, and when bigamy applies.
Spousal Testimony Protecting Marriage VS Seeking Justice IN Arson Cases
Psychological Incapacity: Abandonment and Infidelity Alone Insufficient for Marriage Nullity
The Supreme Court clarifies that abandonment, infidelity, and even bigamy do not automatically prove psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Psychological Incapacity and Marital Damages: Reconciling Grounds for Nullity and Liability
Explains why damages cannot be awarded when a spouse's acts stem from psychological incapacity, and how property is divided in void marriages.
Void Marriages and Property Rights: Ownership in Cohabitation After Bigamous Marriage
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on property ownership when a marriage is void due to bigamy. Learn the rules on co-ownership and creditor claims.
Can Employers Restrict Employee Marriages to Competitors? The Glaxo Case
The Supreme Court upholds a drug company's policy against employees marrying competitor employees, citing management prerogative and conflict-of-interest prevention.
Disbarment for Bigamous Marriage and Betrayal of Client Trust
A lawyer who married his client's daughter while still married was disbarred for grossly immoral conduct and betrayal of trust.
Psychological Incapacity and Annulment: Abandonment Alone Is Not Enough
The Supreme Court clarifies that mere abandonment does not prove psychological incapacity for marriage annulment under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Support Obligations in Nullified Marriages: Protecting Child Welfare After Annulment
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that child support survives a nullified marriage and can be modified as needs and resources change, but only with proper evidence.
Challenging Nullity Decrees When Improper Summons Invalidates A Marriage Annulment
When a marriage annulment is granted by default without proper summons, the judgment may be void for lack of jurisdiction over the respondent spouse.
Bigamy and Void Marriages: When a Second Marriage Can Be Valid
The Supreme Court explains when a second marriage is not bigamous, even if the first marriage was never judicially annulled.
Donation Propter Nuptias Under the Old Civil Code: Acceptance Not Required for Validity
Supreme Court explains why donations by reason of marriage under the Old Civil Code need no formal acceptance, and why the action to annul the title prescribed.
Judge Dismissed and Suspended From Law Practice for Gross Immorality in Extramarital Affair
Supreme Court dismisses a judge and suspends him from law practice for gross immorality over an extramarital affair and child born outside marriage.
Judicial Accountability: Signing Marriage Contracts Without Licenses Is Negligence
Philippine Supreme Court holds judges liable for signing marriage contracts without licenses, ruling it constitutes gross negligence in judicial duties.
Valid Service of Summons in Cross-Border Marital Disputes: The Licaros Case
How Philippine courts acquire jurisdiction over non-resident spouses in marriage nullity cases, explained through the Licaros ruling.
Indefinite Suspension for Lawyer’s Gross Immoral Conduct: Zaguirre v. Castillo
The Supreme Court indefinitely suspends a lawyer for siring a child outside marriage and reneging on his sworn support, reaffirming that lawyers must uphold moral standards at all times.
Who May Nullify a Bigamous Marriage? The Supreme Court’s Ruling in Quirit-Figarido v. Figarido
Only the aggrieved or injured innocent spouse may petition to nullify a bigamous marriage. The guilty spouse cannot seek nullity to remarry.
Judges' Marriage Solemnization: Territorial Limits and License Requirements
A judge who solemnizes a marriage outside his court's jurisdiction or without a marriage license faces administrative liability, as this case shows.
Spousal Liability in Estafa: Why Marriage Alone Does Not Prove Guilt
Supreme Court ruling: a husband's mere presence when his wife issued a bouncing check does not prove conspiracy in estafa.
Divorce Recognition Proving Legal Capacity To Remarry After A Foreign Divorce
Philippine courts do not take judicial notice of foreign laws and divorce decrees. Both must be proven, or a second marriage may be void.