I am a foreigner and I don’t know the family law in the states.
MS Helpless asked:
Hello, I am a filipina married to a U.s army. We are now stationed in Japan. I went to the legal office and I ask my right being a legal wife. I am 4 months pregnant and our married is on the rock. According to the military lawyer, we can get a divorce in the U.s or my husband can file a divorce in the states, and the Philippines will recognize the divorce decree and he told me that there’s no need to file an annulment in the Philippines because of the decision that made in the U.s. He also said that there’s no existing federal bilateral child support arrangement between the U.s and Philippines and theres nothing I can do to seek some help coz Im not an American citizen. How true is this? if there is no federal or state reciprocal arrangement on child support enforcement what other options are available? Where do I go to get help? My husband gonna retired in the army next year and he told me that he gonna send me home with nothing and he also said that he gonna send $100 for child support. Please help me. I don’t know what to do. I don’t have much time left here. Im so worried about the baby’s future.
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Hello, I am a filipina married to a U.s army. We are now stationed in Japan. I went to the legal office and I ask my right being a legal wife. I am 4 months pregnant and our married is on the rock. According to the military lawyer, we can get a divorce in the U.s or my husband can file a divorce in the states, and the Philippines will recognize the divorce decree and he told me that there’s no need to file an annulment in the Philippines because of the decision that made in the U.s. He also said that there’s no existing federal bilateral child support arrangement between the U.s and Philippines and theres nothing I can do to seek some help coz Im not an American citizen. How true is this? if there is no federal or state reciprocal arrangement on child support enforcement what other options are available? Where do I go to get help? My husband gonna retired in the army next year and he told me that he gonna send me home with nothing and he also said that he gonna send $100 for child support. Please help me. I don’t know what to do. I don’t have much time left here. Im so worried about the baby’s future.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Oh honey, this sounds like a dilemma best left to the legal system. You might try going to the Phillipines Ambasador where you are now, if they have one. Family law in the US varies from state to state but they are in sympathy about supporting the children. Try support enforcement in any US state and maybe they can tell you. Also on the internet look up federal law regarding child support for foreigners.I wouldn’t just take the military lawyer at his word. They seem to be in sympathy to military men. Try to ask this of a private lawyer in the US or in the Philipines. Your husband knows your language barriers and what you don’t know so he may tell you anything. Do you know any Philipina’s who have access to answers? God bless you. I made duwah for you
April 9th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Houston, we’ve got a problem!
Go to the US and take your chance. The best thing that can happen to you there is that your son will be a US citizen.
File a divorce case in the US and allege in your petition that your husband is the one at fault. If he beats you up, then tell it in Court. If he is engaged in a romantic relationship with another woman. Dont be afraid to say it.And finally ask for support for your American child.
After all the things are said and done, go home to the Philippines. Take a long rest. You deserve it. File an annulment case. Get married again and be happy.
Try to contact a lawyer in manila at for the legal steps on annulment.
Good luck!