In the Philippine legal system, the dissolution of marriage is primarily governed by the Family Code. Since absolute divorce is not currently available for non-Muslim Filipinos, the most common legal remedies are a Petition for Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Marriage (Article 36, Psychological Incapacity) or a Petition for Annulment (Article 45).

While the legal grounds differ, the procedural roadmap and financial requirements for these petitions are largely similar. Navigating this process requires a clear understanding of the significant investment of both time and resources involved.

I. Estimated Financial Costs

The cost of a petition for nullity is not fixed and varies based on the complexity of the case, the location of the court, and the professional fees of the experts involved. On average, a petitioner should prepare for a total expenditure ranging from ₱250,000 to ₱600,000 or more.

1. Acceptance and Legal Fees

The most substantial portion of the budget is allocated to legal counsel.

Acceptance Fee: This is the initial payment to retain a lawyer's services, typically ranging from ₱100,000 to ₱300,000.
Appearance Fees: Lawyers charge for every scheduled court hearing, usually between ₱3,000 and ₱10,000 per session.
Pleading Fees: Some firms charge per document drafted (e.g., the petition, judicial affidavits, and formal offer of evidence).

2. Psychological Evaluation

In cases involving Psychological Incapacity (Article 36), the testimony of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist is indispensable.

Evaluation and Report: Fees for testing, interviews, and the written psychological report range from ₱30,000 to ₱100,000.
Expert Witness Fee: The professional will also charge an appearance fee for their testimony in court, often higher than standard legal appearance fees.

3. Filing and Administrative Costs

Filing Fees: Paid to the Clerk of Court upon filing the petition. This is based on the value of any real properties included in the inventory of the marriage but generally starts around ₱5,000 to ₱15,000.
Publication: The law requires the petition to be published in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for three consecutive weeks if the other spouse cannot be located. This costs approximately ₱15,000 to ₱30,000.

II. Estimated Duration

A petition for nullity is not a summary proceeding; it is a full-blown trial. Depending on the court's docket and the cooperation of the parties, the process usually takes 2 to 5 years.

1. Pre-Trial Phase (3–6 Months)

This includes the drafting of the petition, filing, the issuance of summons by the court, and the mandatory investigation by the Public Prosecutor to ensure there is no collusion between the parties.

2. Trial Phase (1–3 Years)

This is the longest stage, where the petitioner, witnesses, and the expert psychologist present their evidence. Delays are common due to:

Clogged court dockets and frequent postponements.
The availability of the judge or the expert witnesses.
The intervention of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

3. Decision and Finality (6 Months – 1 Year)

After the case is submitted for decision, the judge has 90 days to issue a ruling. However, the process does not end there. The OSG may appeal the decision to the Court of Appeals, which can extend the timeline by several more years. If no appeal is filed, a Certificate of Finality is issued.

III. Key Factors Influencing the Outcome

The Tan-Andal Ruling (G.R. No. 225433): A landmark Supreme Court decision in 2021 modified the requirement for psychological incapacity. It is no longer viewed as a medical or clinical illness but a legal concept. This has somewhat eased the burden of proof, though the "gravity, juridical antecedence, and incurability" of the incapacity must still be proven by clear and convincing evidence.
Property and Custody: If the petition includes the partition of significant assets or a heated battle for child custody, the duration and cost will increase exponentially.
Jurisdiction: Filing in a court with a lighter caseload may result in a faster resolution, but the petitioner must strictly comply with residency requirements to avoid dismissal on jurisdictional grounds.

IV. Procedural Summary Table

Stage	Estimated Time	Key Requirement
Filing & Summons	1–2 Months	Residency Certificate & Marriage Contract
Collusion Investigation	1–3 Months	Appearance before the Prosecutor
Pre-Trial	2–4 Months	Marking of Evidence
Presentation of Evidence	1–2 Years	Testimony of Petitioner & Expert
Judgment & Entry	6–12 Months	Court Decision & OSG Clearance

Note: The "Summary Process" or "Quickie Divorce" does not exist in Philippine law. Any individual or entity promising a guaranteed annulment within a few months without court appearances is likely operating a legal scam. Proper legal procedure in the Regional Trial Court is the only valid way to declare a marriage null and void.