As a citizen of the Philippines, access to legal assistance and lawyers is essential. Unfortunately, the fees associated with getting legal counsel can often prove prohibitively expensive for individuals to afford.
Unfortunately, the legal profession does not have any set fees for legal services. As a result, many people struggle to determine (a) how much a lawyer will cost; and (b) whether that price is reasonable.
Abogado Fees
Abogado fees in the Philippines differ depending on what type of case you need to handle. A civil case such as a marriage annulment can range from 200 thousand pesos up to 600 thousand pesos, while more serious matters such as murder or rape trials would cost much more.
It is essential to comprehend the different types of attorney fees in the Philippines so you can make an informed decision on who best serves your legal needs. Furthermore, consider your budget and if you can comfortably afford certain attorney’s fees.
The initial consultation fee is the first fee that you should be aware of when hiring an attorney. During this initial meeting, they attempt to get a sense of your situation and decide if they can assist. Some lawyers charge this as either a fixed rate or hourly rate; it’s best to inquire beforehand.
In addition to the Consultation Fee, some attorneys also charge an Acceptance Fee when they accept your case. This payment indicates that they have entered into an exclusive arrangement with you and relinquishing other representation opportunities. It could mean less work in the future for them/her as a result.
In the Philippines and many other countries where there is a high demand for legal services, some lawyers offer pro bono bases where they take cases on a volunteer basis to those who cannot afford to pay full fees.
As previously stated, there is no standard fee structure in the Philippines and fees will vary from lawyer to lawyer. Some attorneys may even work on a contingency basis and only get paid if they successfully resolve your case.
When in doubt about what type of attorney fee to request, consult a lawyer whose reputation you respect. Doing this will guarantee that you get quality representation at an affordable cost.
Filing Fees
Annulment of marriage is a time-consuming and costly process that involves researching, selecting an attorney, filing the petition, investigations, trials and ultimately reaching a court decision. This explains why many Filipino couples opt for annulment instead of divorce: they know it will provide them with peace of mind throughout their relationship.
The filing fee is one of the most significant expenses involved with a Philippine annulment of marriage case. It can range from 2,832 pesos (P10,000) up to 4,800 pesos (P14,000.) The fee covers various things like filing a petition, affidavits and other court documents.
Depending on which court you file your case in, pleading fees may differ between courts. On average, however, most pleadings cost around P10,000.
In addition to the filing fee, you should also consider the service fees associated with filing a complaint and obtaining judgment in your annulment of marriage case. These costs include summons and notices that must be served by a sheriff.
These may be expensive, but they are the only way to guarantee that your case is filed correctly and handled promptly.
Another crucial fee to consider is the annotation fee. This charge covers the expense of sending your court’s decision on to other government entities such as the Civil Registrar or Office of the President.
This fee is the highest of all filing fees associated with an annulment of marriage case and should be considered an integral part of your total legal costs. This fee is required by the government to guarantee that your annulment of marriage is a true and complete record, which will aid in future verifications and the revocation of previous marriages.
To accurately estimate how much an annulment of marriage case will cost, consult an experienced annulment lawyer. They can provide you with all relevant fees and help you decide which route is most advantageous for your specific circumstance.
Service Fees
When seeking legal counsel, there are several things to take into account – not least of which is the cost. When hiring an attorney, however, one of the most important elements to take into account will be your budget.
It is essential to be aware that attorneys in the Philippines do not charge a set rate. This makes it challenging for clients to know what can be expected and how much they can afford when hiring a legal representative.
Another problem is that many lawyers and law firms do not publish their fees. Those that do usually only do so as a guide for pricing services and to help litigants understand how much it costs to retain an expert.
Fortunately, there are a few ways to get an estimate of how much these services will cost. One is looking at the attorney’s “acceptance fee” for a case. This fee provides some insight into potential costs.
Lawyers typically agree to pay their client a fee regardless of whether their case is resolved favorably or not. This fee stands separately from “appearance fees”, which are charged each time the lawyer appears in court for a client’s hearing.
For criminal cases heard at the Municipal Trial Court (MTC) in Cities, the fee starts at P30,000; it rises to P50,000 for more serious offenses like murder or rape and appealed cases. Separate from this is the fee charged by Sandiganbayan or Court of Appeals which ranges from P5,000-P10,000.
Other service fees pertain to specific tasks, such as the cost of prepping a court case. These include filing and annotation fees.
An annulment requires a combined filing fee of 2,832 pesos plus additional annotation costs ranging from 4,400 to 4,800 pesos depending on where in the Philippines the case is filed. These additional fees may include service of summons, notices and other court papers as well.
Psychological Evaluation Fees
Psychopsychiatric evaluation is an assessment of mental health conditions, intellectual abilities, personality characteristics and social-emotional functioning. It involves interviews, observations and psychological testing and provides information about someone’s mental condition under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
Many therapists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals provide services both online and over the phone. These may include e-prescriptions for medication and psychotherapy sessions. Some even provide home-based acupuncture or ventosa treatments.
Recovery Hub Philippines provides online counseling through video calls from their Mandaue City office to clients around the country. Rates vary based on service and which psychologist or counselor you select; additionally, they offer a complimentary initial consultation.
The Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services offers brief psychological services to adults and students enrolled at the university. You can sign up for one-to-two session appointments via their Google Form; however due to high demand you may need to wait up to three weeks before your slot is confirmed due to high demand.
In addition to free telemental health services, some hospitals and clinics also feature mental health departments. These provide a range of treatments for anxiety and depression that are typically provided by psychiatrists or psychologists who may also prescribe medications.
If you are in need of a psychologist or psychiatrist, here is an extensive list of mental health resources in the Philippines (Ctrl/Command + F for browser or “Find on Page” on mobile). There are services available for both individuals and couples alike.
An annulment requires a psychological evaluation in order to prove your spouse’s mental incapacity. Your attorney will then craft the petition you need to submit in court, which could take anywhere from six months up to four years depending on the court’s schedule.
