GF married in Philippines wants to get married in Canada... possible divorce?

[droppingplates]

Long story, but here it is. Apparently my Filipina Girlfriend got tricked into "on paper" marrying a guy in philippines so that he could stay in the country. For the past 4.5 years, she left philippines and has lived and working in Taiwan and in Canada and has never lived with or been romantically involved with this guy. He now has another girlfriend and a child with her. Apparently he paid off some officials in the government so that this marriage is legal, he forged her signature ect.

My question is, if she wants to get that marriage annulled, what would she have to do. I ask this because divorce in philippines is not legal. Also, what risks is she facing now that he is technically her husband? Can he ruin her credit, steal her identity ect? She owns a house and a business in philippines, is that at risk because of this guy?

I can see a future with this girl and eventually want to marry her here in Canada. She made a HUGE and stupid mistake by doing this when she was younger. Please if anyone knows the ins and outs of the philippines legal system, please help me out with this if you can.

 

[sashali78]

Long story, but here it is. Apparently my Filipina Girlfriend got tricked into "on paper" marrying a guy in philippines so that he could stay in the country. For the past 4.5 years, she left philippines and has lived and working in Taiwan and in Canada and has never lived with or been romantically involved with this guy. He now has another girlfriend and a child with her. Apparently he paid off some officials in the government so that this marriage is legal, he forged her signature ect.

My question is, if she wants to get that marriage annulled, what would she have to do. I ask this because divorce in philippines is not legal. Also, what risks is she facing now that he is technically her husband? Can he ruin her credit, steal her identity ect? She owns a house and a business in philippines, is that at risk because of this guy?

I can see a future with this girl and eventually want to marry her here in Canada. She made a HUGE and stupid mistake by doing this when she was younger. Please if anyone knows the ins and outs of the philippines legal system, please help me out with this if you can.

Is she in Canada? If she is here and has been living in Canada for a while (in Ontario 12 months for example) she can apply for divorce in Canada. Otherwise she will have to apply for divorce based on rules of the country she currently lives in.

 

[droppingplates]

Thanks for the quick reply.

She has been in canada for 7 months, She will be living here a year on May 1st 2016. She does not plan on ever getting married in Philippines, but is very upset because she thinks that she will not be able to get married in Canada as well.

Also, is she facing any sort of identity theft seeing that he forged her documents ect

 

[sashali78]

Thanks for the quick reply.

She has been in canada for 7 months, She will be living here a year on May 1st 2016. She does not plan on ever getting married in Philippines, but is very upset because she thinks that she will not be able to get married in Canada as well.

Also, is she facing any sort of identity theft seeing that he forged her documents ect

You can consult this guide how to do the divorce from Canada (Ontario), its pretty simple, will take 4-5 months to complete the process if no complications.
http://www.lsuc.on.ca/For-Lawyers/Manage-Your-Practice/Practice-Area/Family-Law/How-to-Prepare-an-Uncontested-Divorce-by-Simple-Application/

 

[droppingplates]

You can consult this guide how to do the divorce from Canada (Ontario), its pretty simple, will take 4-5 months to complete the process if no complications.
XXX

Thanks for the link.

I have a feeling this guy will not want to sign the documents. He is still trying to get her to add his name to her business and home ect. He has found a mark and will not want to lose that. What are the options if he will not sign the documents? Also, do you know how much money will be involved with this?

 

[sashali78]

Thanks for the link.

I have a feeling this guy will not want to sign the documents. He is still trying to get her to add his name to her business and home ect. He has found a mark and will not want to lose that. What are the options if he will not sign the documents? Also, do you know how much money will be involved with this?

Do your homework and read through it first...He doesn't have to sign.

 

[droppingplates]

Do your homework and read through it first...He doesn't have to sign.

Ok thank you for the help, you are the first person that I have talked to that is willing to give me simple and clear answers to my questions, I really appreciate it.

 

[sashali78]

Ok thank you for the help, you are the first person that I have talked to that is willing to give me simple and clear answers to my questions, I really appreciate it.

You are welcome

 

[joeythecat]

an update to this situation that I could use some help with.... On all of her papers that she filled out for her immigration to Canada, she filled them out as being single... UGH I didnt know that. what happens if she gets caught lying on her papers? what can we do about it now? does she have to wait until she is PR before she can get an annulment or a divorce from Canada?

 

[scylla]

an update to this situation that I could use some help with.... On all of her papers that she filled out for her immigration to Canada, she filled them out as being single... UGH I didnt know that. what happens if she gets caught lying on her papers? what can we do about it now? does she have to wait until she is PR before she can get an annulment or a divorce from Canada?

How is she planning on applying for PR? She needs to be truthful about her marriage status in her PR application. If she lies on her PR application and is caught - the PR application will be refused and she'll end up with a 5 year ban from Canada.

 

[joeythecat]

How is she planning on applying for PR? She needs to be truthful about her marriage status in her PR application. If she lies on her PR application and is caught - the PR application will be refused and she'll end up with a 5 year ban from Canada.

This is exactly what I am afraid of. Seems like for her working visa and permit, she put down that she is single.

 

[mikeymyke]

This is exactly what I am afraid of. Seems like for her working visa and permit, she put down that she is single.

Why did she put herself down as single?

 

[joeythecat]

Why did she put herself down as single?

She says she did it because the guy she is "married" to tricked her into it and she hadn't seen him for over 5 years. so she thought she was single. I told her that this was wrong, but she did not realize at the time. what can be done? I told her that she cannot put single for her PR application next year, but if they catch the lie they will deport her. Also, even if she gets it annulled now or in the future, she still lied on her permit/visa application. I am so worried and scared now. We are planning a life together and now I feel like my whole world is falling apart.

 

[Dayton]

Big Red Flags.... She already lied on her immigration, sounds like major headaches ahead.

 

[jag21]

Thanks for the link.

I have a feeling this guy will not want to sign the documents. He is still trying to get her to add his name to her business and home ect. He has found a mark and will not want to lose that. What are the options if he will not sign the documents? Also, do you know how much money will be involved with this?

There is 1 year residency requirements if she want to apply the divorce. Lawyer's fee is under $1,000 for uncontested divorce and the processing takes 2-3 months. Just to remind you that divorced obtain abroad is not recognize in the Philippines unless the person initiating the divorce is Non- Filipino citizen. Regarding the signature of the other party nothing to worry about the lawyer can do the trick.