Knowing many Expats its suprising how many have divorced or maybe not as the answers coming from nearly all are the same including myself. Its odd how so many people have similar reasons for heading to the Philippines or just getting away from it all. My opinion is mainly from the male view because quite simply I am one and the experiences are the ones I have had but discussing with others you find its pretty normal.

The first thing to realise and the sooner the better is its a lose/lose situation there are no winners. Even if you lost everything and walk away with a bag of clothing, the woman you have now managed to seperate with may have the house and everything in it. Likely to now have your kids and you have "visiting rights" which seems to get shuffled round depending on when your ex feels it suits her lifestyle. But for every minute you had together its been wiped from the slate but your years and hers haven't you both wear your scars of the years that passed and that time can never be given back. Money can be re-earned so don't get hung up on the fact of the loss of most of your goods. It has a silver lining.. your now going or in the Philippines enjoying life. Something you may have never even thought about before and without too many excess bills from your now seperated ex and if your bills are so high.. then sell up and disappear! I'm all for supporting kids etc. But im well aware how many guys get robbed blind in a divorce case and I don't see why the ex party has to keep everything then not lift a finger to keep it. Thing I would advise is take your time when you get to the Philippines have a good time and relax. Don't get committed into anything until your sure of what you really want.

Kids and the 1000s of miles.. this is something that if your used to being away from home or a bitter divorce could probably find it a bit easier than the average guy. But its an area that I will always find difficult personally. There are several reasons for this. As you move into a new marriage/relationship your commitments grow with your new partner but you are also regarded as betraying your child(s) that you have with your ex which are caused by several reasons :-

1. Bitterness between you and your ex.

2. Your Ex now has insecurities well aware you can drop off the planet.

3. Jealousy on multiple levels, from you getting your life together to the fact you are dating a beautiful woman maybe 100lbs lighter than your ex and younger.

With this you need to be ready to take flack because its going to hit you for weeks if not months. This is the downside of the divorce, if you want to see your kids. Personally I strongly advise keeping conversations about your new life (if you are on speaking terms) to a minimum. It only makes things worse and your ex really doesn't need to know that your feeling 10years younger, happier and have a woman that is beautiful who loves you for who you are.

The reason ive aded about the kids thing is for several reasons but the main ones being your not alone and if you ever want to talk about things ill happily listen or discuss things with you. But the other thing is you need to look deeply at where you want your life to go. If you have kids in another country how is this going to effect you and them. Because you may find it too much and want to go back. Which then leaves a mess you caused in the Philippines with a woman who loves you and your thinking of leaving her behind or a couple of years of heartache processing paperwork to get your new spouse back to your home country.Just tread carefully and most important enjoy the life and freedom you've just gained with the divorce but keep things on an even keel..

"This is your life, your living it, you have one go of it and there are no re-runs so never dwell on mistakes and make your life what you want it to be!"

Divorce in the the Philippines doesn't exist only annulment which has to go via the church and expensive. Although you can serve for divorce in your home country and serve her with papers. IF you divorce in your home country she will still be married to you in the eyes of Philippines law but you will be free to marry. Only advice I give on the Philippines in divorce is just pick your wife right.. there are plenty of wonderful women out there pick the right one and you will never need the information from this page.