Posts by Joyce
How to file a report of birth for a Filipino born abroad: a step-by-step guide
Every year, tens of thousands of Filipino children are born outside the Philippines — to OFW parents working abroad, to Filipino-foreign couples, to dual citizens living overseas. These children are Filipino citizens by blood, from the moment of birth. But unless their birth is formally reported to the Philippine government through the correct legal channel,…
Read MoreChild custody in the Philippines: sole vs. joint and the best interest standard
When a marriage breaks down — or when parents who were never married separate — the most difficult question is rarely about money or property. It is about the children. Who do they live with? Who decides where they go to school, what doctor they see, what religion they practice? Can a parent take them…
Read MoreDefending against RA 9262 (VAWC): rights of the accused
A note on perspective: This article addresses the rights and remedies available to persons charged under RA 9262. This firm takes seriously the protection that the law affords victims of genuine violence and abuse. At the same time, we recognize that RA 9262 cases — like all criminal cases — require the prosecution to prove…
Read MoreWhat is a notice of lis pendens and why it matters in real estate disputes
You filed a case in court. Your lawyer is handling it. You think the property is safe while the case is pending. Then you find out that the defendant — while your case was sitting in the court calendar — quietly sold the property to someone else. The new buyer claims to have purchased it…
Read MorePsychological incapacity after Tan-Andal: what it now means for your case
For decades, filing a petition for declaration of nullity of marriage on the ground of psychological incapacity felt like running a legal obstacle course. You needed a psychologist. The psychologist needed to diagnose a specific personality disorder. The diagnosis had to trace back to a root cause that existed before the wedding. Courts routinely dismissed…
Read MoreReceived a BIR notice to comply? Here is what to do — and what not to do
A letter arrives from the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Your name or your business is on the envelope. You open it and the words “Notice to Comply” or “Open Case Notice” stare back at you. Your heart sinks. For most Filipinos — whether they are individual taxpayers, heirs settling an estate, or small business owners…
Read MorePROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Why Use a Professional Property Manager Professional property management can make owning (and profiting from!) rental properties a hassle-free experience. For most, the decision to use a professional property management is a simple cost/benefit equation. Not only are professional property managers experts at handling properties and tenants, they generally take only a small percentage of…
Read MoreTransfer of Title
How to Transfer Registration of Land Title You cannot underestimate the value of registration. Registration presents to the whole world the contract of sale between the buyer and the seller and, in effect, binds other persons to respect that contract. Without registration, the seller may fraudulently sell the same real property to another person other than…
Read MorePurchase Real Property in the Philippines
Taxes to be paid when Buying Real Estate in the Philippines The SELLER pays for the: Capital Gains Tax equivalent to 6% of the selling price on the Deed of Sale or the zonal value, whichever is higher. (Withholding Tax if the seller is a corporation) Unpaid real estate taxes due (if any). Agent /…
Read MoreMortgages
SEE ALSO: TRANSFER OF TITLE HOW TO REGISTER A PROPERTY IN THE PHILIPPINES
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