Duran & Duran-Schulze Law

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Duran & Duran-Schulze Law Duran & Duran-Schulze Law ("DDS") is a law firm located in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines.

We are a full-service law firm in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, Philippines, specializing in Corporate and Business Law, Family Law, Civil Litigation, Estate Planning, Property Law, Philippine Visa, and Immigration Law. We specialize in providing comprehensive legal services tailored to meet the needs of diverse clients. Our legal practice area include:

✅ Corporate Law (Contract Drafting, Corporate Housekeeping, Mergers and Acquisitions, Trademark Licensing, etc.)
✅ Litigation (Family Law, Real Property and land Dispute, Estate and Probate, etc. )
✅ Special Projects (Petition for Citizenship, Trust and Estate Planning, Australian Visa)
✅ Philippine Visa/Immigration Laws (Work Visa, Stay Visa, Invest Visa, Other Immigration Assistance Services)

📍 Office Address: Unit 1210 High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower 2,
26th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, 1634

📱 Cellphone No.: +63 917 194 0482
☎️ Landline No.: (02) 8478 5826
📧 Email Address: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.duranschulze.com

Yes, family law is at the core of what we do.Behind every family law matter is a question of legal rights, obligations, ...
25/09/2026

Yes, family law is at the core of what we do.

Behind every family law matter is a question of legal rights, obligations, relationships, or civil status—whether involving a marriage, a child, a family property, or the legal recognition of a change in family circumstances.

At Duran & Duran-Schulze (“DDS Law”), these matters are addressed within the legal framework established by the Family Code of the Philippines (Executive Order No. 209), related legislation, and applicable Supreme Court jurisprudence.

Our practice encompasses annulment, declaration of nullity of marriage, recognition of foreign divorce, legal separation, custody and support, marriage settlements, paternity and filiation, adoption and child welfare, family protection, and civil registry matters.

Leading the practice is Atty. Mary Wendy Duran, Founding Senior Partner and Head of the Family Law and Litigation Team, with more than 19 years of courtroom experience handling family law, litigation, and special proceedings.

For legal consultations and assistance, email us at [email protected]. We are located at Unit 1006, One World Place, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City, Philippines.






How much should a father or mother give for child support? Under Article 201 of the Family Code, “The amount of support,...
24/09/2026

How much should a father or mother give for child support?

Under Article 201 of the Family Code, “The amount of support, in the cases referred to in Articles 195 and 196, shall be in proportion to the resources or means of the giver and to the necessities of the recipient.”

What is physical incapacity as a ground for annulment?Under Article 45(5) of the Family Code (E.O. No. 209), a marriage ...
23/09/2026

What is physical incapacity as a ground for annulment?

Under Article 45(5) of the Family Code (E.O. No. 209), a marriage may be annulled if either party was physically incapable of consummating the marriage with the other at the time of the marriage, and such incapacity continues and appears to be incurable. The provision states:

“(5) That either party was physically incapable of consummating the marriage with the other, and such incapacity continues and appears to be incurable; or”

In Alcazar v. Alcazar, G.R. No. 174451 (October 13, 2009), the Supreme Court (SC) explained that physical incapacity (impotentia copulandi) refers to lack of power to copulate. Such incapacity may be caused by physical or structural defects in the anatomy of the party, chronic illness, and inhibitions or fears arising from psychophysical conditions.

In Sarao v. Guevarra, C.A. No. 4264 (1940), the Court held that the test of impotency is the ability to copulate, not the ability to procreate. Thus, sterility (impotentia generandi), even if permanent and incurable, does not constitute physical incapacity under Article 45(5) and does not, by itself, make a marriage voidable.

Furthermore, under Article 47(5) of the Family Code, the injured spouse has five (5) years after the marriage to file an annulment on the ground of physical incapacity.

Physical incapacity under Article 45(5) should also be distinguished from psychological incapacity under Article 36. The former is a ground that makes a marriage voidable, while the latter may render a marriage void from the beginning (void ab initio) when the requirements established under Article 36 and applicable jurisprudence are met. The two grounds differ in their legal nature, requirements, and evidentiary considerations.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional.

Duran & Duran-Schulze Law is a family law firm in the Philippines specializing in annulment of voidable marriages. For legal consultations and inquiries, email [email protected].






When does your spouse share in your winnings—but not your losses?Under Article 123 of the Family Code, “Whatever may be ...
22/09/2026

When does your spouse share in your winnings—but not your losses?

Under Article 123 of the Family Code,

“Whatever may be lost during the marriage in any game of chance or in betting, sweepstakes, or any other kind of gambling whether permitted or prohibited by law, shall be borne by the loser and shall not be charged to the conjugal partnership, but any winnings therefrom shall form part of the conjugal partnership property.”

R.A. 9262 does not punish marital infidelity itself—what, then, does it punish?In ### v. People, G.R. No. 268619 (Januar...
21/09/2026

R.A. 9262 does not punish marital infidelity itself—what, then, does it punish?

In ### v. People, G.R. No. 268619 (January 13, 2026), the Supreme Court (SC) reiterated that the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 (R.A. 9262) does not punish marital infidelity per se, but psychological violence that causes mental or emotional suffering.

In this case, the husband left his wife and two children and lived with another woman. His actions caused the wife severe emotional distress, depression, and loss of self-esteem, as corroborated by a psychologist and other witnesses.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) and Court of Appeals (CA) found the husband guilty under Section 5(i) of R.A. 9262, and the SC affirmed the decision.

The Court explained that while infidelity may constitute an act of psychological violence, the resulting mental or emotional anguish must be proven. Here, the wife’s testimony, psychological evaluation, and other witness testimonies sufficiently established the harm caused by her husband’s abandonment and infidelity.

The SC also clarified that the husband’s acquittal in a separate concubinage case did not affect his liability under RA 9262, as the two offenses have different elements.

In dissent, Senior Associate Justice Leonen agreed that infidelity alone does not constitute psychological violence but found the evidence insufficient to prove that the husband deliberately caused his wife mental or emotional anguish.

Disclaimer: This summary is for informational purposes only and may omit important details. Please read the full court decision and seek legal advice before acting on this information.

For legal consultations regarding violence against women and their children (VAWC), email Duran & Duran-Schulze Law at [email protected]





How costly can a late business permit renewal really be?Under Sections 166 and 167 of the Local Government Code (R.A. 71...
21/09/2026

How costly can a late business permit renewal really be?

Under Sections 166 and 167 of the Local Government Code (R.A. 7160), local business taxes, fees, and charges generally accrue on January 1 and are payable within the first 20 days of January or each subsequent quarter, subject to allowable extensions.

Late business permit renewal and late payment of these taxes trigger a surcharge of up to 25% and interest of up to 2% per month, consistent with Section 168.

The consequences may extend beyond these monetary penalties. Section 516 allows LGUs to prescribe fines of Php 1,000 to Php 5,000, or imprisonment of one to six months, for violations of tax ordinances, subject to court imposition.

Under Sections 174 and 175, unpaid local taxes may also be collected through administrative remedies, including the distraint of personal property, or through judicial action.

Operating without the required business permit also exposes a business to regulatory enforcement. Under Section 444(b)(3)(iv), in relation to Section 16, the mayor may issue Cease and Desist Orders, with the Supreme Court recognizing that unlicensed businesses may be summarily shut down under police power (Roble Arrastre, Inc. v. Villaflor, G.R. No. 128509, August 22, 2006).

Additionally, businesses with outdated permits may be disqualified from government bidding under the New Government Procurement Act (R.A. 12009).

In the end, the exact penalties and additional permit-related requirements may vary depending on the applicable LGU ordinances and the specific violations involved.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional.

Duran & Duran-Schulze Law (“DDS Law”) is a corporate law firm in the Philippines specializing in company incorporation and regulatory compliance, including business permit renewals. Email us at [email protected].






What is fraud as a ground for annulment?Under Article 45(3) of the Family Code, a marriage may be annulled when the cons...
17/09/2026

What is fraud as a ground for annulment?

Under Article 45(3) of the Family Code, a marriage may be annulled when the consent of either party was obtained by fraud. It provides:

“That the consent of either party was obtained by fraud, unless such party afterwards, with full knowledge of the facts constituting the fraud, freely cohabited with the other as husband and wife.”

Article 46 further identifies the specific circumstances that constitute fraud, including:

(1) Non-disclosure of a previous conviction by final judgment of the other party of a crime involving moral turpitude;

(2) Concealment by the wife of the fact that at the time of the marriage, she was pregnant by a man other than her husband;

(3) Concealment of sexually transmissible disease, regardless of its nature, existing at the time of the marriage; or

(4) Concealment of drug addiction, habitual alcoholism or homosexuality or lesbianism existing at the time of the marriage.

It further provides that no other misrepresentation or deceit as to character, health, rank, fortune, or chastity shall constitute fraud as a ground for annulment.

Importantly, an action for annulment based on fraud must be filed exclusively by the injured party within five (5) years after the discovery of the fraud, pursuant to Article 47(3) of the Family Code.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional.

Duran & Duran-Schulze Law is a family law firm in the Philippines specializing in annulment of voidable marriages. For legal consultations and inquiries, email [email protected].







Whose right and duty is it to manage the household—the wife’s, the husband’s, or both?“The management of the household s...
16/09/2026

Whose right and duty is it to manage the household—the wife’s, the husband’s, or both?

“The management of the household shall be the right and the duty of both spouses. The expenses for such management shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of Article 70.”

— Article 71, Family Code of the Philippines

Dear Attorney,My father entered into a long-term lease agreement for a commercial property. He recently passed away, and...
15/09/2026

Dear Attorney,

My father entered into a long-term lease agreement for a commercial property. He recently passed away, and I inherited the property. The lessee, however, claims that the lease remains binding and that I must honor its terms for the remainder of the contract. Do lease contracts really bind heirs and successors-in-interest?

Atty. March, our Managing Partner and property lawyer, briefly explains:

As an heir who succeeded to your father’s rights over the leased commercial property, you may likewise be bound by the obligations arising from the lease.

Under Article 1311(1) of the Civil Code, your father’s death, by itself, does not extinguish a valid lease or automatically terminate the lessee’s right to occupy the property. Thus, the lease generally continues to bind the parties and their successors-in-interest, subject to the terms of the contract and applicable law.

Under Article 1673, however, the lease may be terminated or the lessee may be judicially ejected on specific grounds, including the expiration of the lease, nonpayment of rent, violation of contractual conditions, or improper use of the leased property causing its deterioration.

Therefore, it is essential to check the lease agreement for specific clauses governing lease duration, termination, assignment, or the effects of the lessor’s death.

Read the full article here: https://duranschulze.com/lease-contracts-bind-heirs-successors-in-interest/

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established. For advice tailored to your specific circumstances, consult a qualified professional.

Duran & Duran-Schulze Law (“DDS Law”) is an estate and property law firm in the Philippines specializing in real estate transactions, land title transfers, inheritance and successions, lease contracts, and other property-related legal matters. If you need assistance, email us at [email protected].







What is “collusion” in annulment and nullity cases?In Republic v. Ramoran-Wong, G.R. No. 276986 (February 03, 2026), the...
15/09/2026

What is “collusion” in annulment and nullity cases?

In Republic v. Ramoran-Wong, G.R. No. 276986 (February 03, 2026), the Supreme Court defined collusion as “a secret agreement or cooperation, typically for illegal or deceitful purposes, including schemes to defraud or to obtain something prohibited by law.”

In annulment and nullity cases, Article 48 of the Family Code mandates the State through the prosecuting attorney or fiscal to participate in the legal process to prevent collusion and ensure that evidence is not fabricated or suppressed. This is further reinforced by A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC or the Rule on Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages and Annulment of Voidable Marriages.

Upon order of the court, the public prosecutor conducts a summary investigation—typically by issuing notices or calling the parties to a hearing—to determine whether the spouses fabricated evidence or conspired to obtain the decree.

If the prosecutor uncovers evidence of collusion and submits an adverse report, the court will set it for hearing and dismiss the case.

Consistent with these principles, Philippine jurisprudence has clarified that a spouses’ mutual desire to end their marriage does not, by itself, prove collusion. Likewise, a spouse’s failure to oppose the petition, testify, or appear during the presentation of evidence does not automatically establish collusion (Republic v. Ramoran-Wong, 2026; Puyat v. Puyat, 2021).

Moreover, a marriage may still be declared void ab initio despite the respondent’s failure to answer or present evidence. The respondent cannot simply be declared in default; the required collusion investigation must be conducted to safeguard due process (Juliano-Llave v. Republic, 2011).

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional.

Duran & Duran-Schulze Law is a family law firm specializing in annulments and declarations of nullity of marriage. For legal consultations and inquiries, email [email protected].








Address

Taguig

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5am
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 12pm

Telephone

+6324785826

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