Balane Lecture in Succession

8/12/2019 Balane Lecture in Succession

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Notes And Cases On SUCCESSION pp 70

Based on Lectures given by:

Pro! "uben Ba#ane and Pro! Arace#i Baviera

IN$"O%UC$ION

Concept!&& Succession is t'e #ast (ode o ac)uiringo*ners'ip. It is an independent mode of acquiring ownership.

"e)uisites o Succession: (DEPA)(1) %eat'of the predecessor;(2) E+istence and capacity of the successor;() Provision o t'e #a*or provision o a *i##granting the rightof succession;(!) Acceptance"# the successor.

,: Is tradition -de#ivery. re)uired or o*ners'ip to transer/A$ %o. &wnership is transferred "# succession' not "# an# other

mode.

Ety(o#ogy!&& Succession is deried from 2 atin words$ sub'meaning under (e.g.' an under*ing' a su"ordinate' if a p*anetrae*s at a su"sonic speed or f*# "e*ow opposite++ su"sonic) andcedere' meaning to gie' to pass.

Succession' therefore' is a passing under. It gies the ideaof the nature of succession as originated from ,oman aw. -h#

do the ,omans ca** it a passing under /ec. of the fiction in,oman aw that a persona*it# occupies a space' that is' a *ega*persona*it# is permanent. A permanent fi0ture "ut the occupantwi** go awa#. And it is the successor who wi** occup# the space#ou *eft acant. here is a*wa#s what #ou ca** personalitas.Sound through *i3e a p*a#' where #ou wear a mas3' and the one"ehind the curtain is sounding through. that is' some"od# isrea**# ta*3ing "ehind #ou. his' "# ana*og# is' succession.

Persona means #ou' the character. Personalita orpersona*it# w4c is a*wa#s there' and there is or there wi** a*wa#s"e an occupant' who comes and goes; it ma# change thecharacter' the person passes under. -hat is "ehind a** this


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Persona*it# neer dies. -e are "ut dust and shadows "ased onthe rea*it# of death.

-h# do we hae to deise this fiction -h# the *aw onsuccession he aw on succession has arious underpinnings

in ,oman aw' that is' firstthe ague idea of after *ife' *i3e theideas of 5orace ++ state of good in the E*ipian fie*ds; second' thatthe *aw dee*ops "ased on conditions of societ#. &ne of the most"asic desire of man is the desire for immorta*it#.

5ow' -hen' o -hom' In -hat proportion are the# transmitted ++Succession.

/ASIS &6 5E A- &% S788ESSI&%$

1. Succession proides the ehic*e for satisf#ing #our yearningand #onging or i((orta#ity. It satisfies or conso*es #ourse*fthat something in #ou *ies foreer and this is #our persona*it#.&thers usua**# *eae something *i3e paintings' "oo3 of poems'statue so that the# wi** "e remem"ered foreer' e.g.' 5orace "#Sha3espeare.

2. 8oncept ofpater familias! Di*igence ofpater familias. Paterfamilias (eans 'ead o t'e a(i#y. he "asic unit of ,omansociet#. It is he who managed and e0ercised authorit# oer hischi*dren' a"so*ute contro* oer his wife. In ,oman *aw' a man9swife is his chi*d. It is he who is the guardian of the fami*# gods. Itis a position that must "e occupied eer# time. It is unthin3a"*e to"e otherwise. &nce he dies' it is a"so*ute*# necessar# not on*# inre*igion that he is to "e rep*aced immediate*#. his is

indispensa"*e.

hese underpinnings are gone now. oda#' succession isnothing "ut a mode of acquiring ownership. -h# /ecause #oudo not hae the fiction to hae succession' "ec. of the spread of8hristianit# w4c too3 the p*ace of those #earning that it is "e*ieingin :od and *ife after death. %o more #earnings for immorta*it#'un*ess #ou do not "e*iee in the teachings of 8hristianit#.

A*so' the concept of pater familias is no *onger app*ica"*e"ec. of parenta* authorit# w4c restricted the authorit# of the headof the fami*#. -e no *onger hae s*aes' a"so*ute contro* oerchi*dren' etc.

/ut o*d "e*iefs do not die easi*#. Some proisions of the *awon succession are inf*uenced "# these underpinnings. i3e'

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heirs are the continuation of the persona*it# of the decedent.Another is$ when a condition is imposed upon the su"stitute'does the su"stitute hae to fu*fi** the condition A** of these areresidua* e*ements of ,oman aw.

%einition o Succession!&& Succession in a uridica* sense isthe su"stitution of one person for another in a determina"*ere*ationship or a su"rogation of one person "# another in a

uridica* situation. (


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A. /# the (o(ent of transmission$1. mortis causa-- ta3es p*ace "# irtue of death2. inter vivos-- ta3es p*ace independent*# of death during

the *ifetime of the parties (now ca**ed Donation inter vivos.)

/. E0tent of rights ino*ed$1. Universal++ this is er# catch#+ it ino*es the entire

estate or fractiona* or a*iquot or undiided part of the estate' e.g.' Igie #ou 142 of m# estate.

2. Particular/ partial.++ succession to specific itemsa. #egacy&& speciicpersonalprop.' e.g.' I gie #ou

m# car

". devise&& speciic realprop.' e.g.' I gie to : m#fishpond in aguna.

8. As to cause$

1. Compulsory.++ that effected "# operation of *aw to forcedheirs een if not in a wi**; succession to the resered portion4#egiti(e

2. Testamentary.--by *i##

. Intestate or legal.-- succession in defau*t of a wi**;su"ordinate to testamentar# succession!. Mixed.++ com"ination of the a"oe.>. Contractual.++ E.g.' donation propter nuptias "# one to

another of future prop. w4c ta3es effect after death. -h#contractua* /ec. of the transfer of prop. is not "# irtue of a wi**"ut "# contract. So it is goerned "# the #a* on contracts.5ence' it must "e goerned "# the Statute of 6rauds. It must "ein writing to "e enforcea"*e.

D. As to parties to succession$1. Decedent' transferor' causante, acutor, de cuius2. Successor' transferee' causa abiente

E. As to terms$1. estator.++ decedent *eft a wi**2. Intestate.++ decedent did not *eae a wi**

. 5eir.++ one who succeeds "# uniersa* tit*e or to a shareof the estate

!. Deisee.++ one who succeeds "# particu*ar tit*e to rea*prop.

>. egatee.++ one who succeeds to a specific persona* prop.

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E#e(ents o Succession -6anresa!.:

1. 8hange of su"ect (cambio de sueto.)++ ownership istransferred from deceased to heir (su"ectie change.)

2. Identit# of &"ect (identidad de ob!ecto)++ same prop. isino*ed' on*# the owner is changed. he right is the same(o"ectie identit#.)

I(portant Princip#es o Succession -*'ic' per(eate -meansfill. t'e entirety o Succession.:

1. Mortis Causa.--Succession cannot ta3e p*ace whi*e theowner is a*ie. he heir4 successor has a (ere e+pectancy rig'tto the prop. of the decedent' during the *ifetime of the *atter.

2. Interest of the fami*# ma# oerride the wi** of the decedent"ec. of compu*sor# heirs. here is a *egitime resered for thefami*#. A *i## cannot i(pair t'e #egiti(e!

. he estate passes or deo*es to the fami*# un*ess thedecedent e0press*# orders otherwise in a wi**. 6ami*# coers

spouse' ascendants' descendants' and co##atera# re#atives.!. he fami*# can not "e entire*# depried of the estate "ec.of the s#stem of *egitime.

>. -ithin the fami*#' heirs of equa* degree4 pro0imit# inheritin equa* shares. Presu(ption o e)ua#ity. his is on*# thegenera* ru*e. Tere are exceptions.

?. he State has a share in the inheritance through ta0es.@. he heirs are not *ia"*e for the de"ts of the estate "e#ond

their share in the inheritance. Estate is *ia"*e for the de"ts *eft "#

the decedent. De"ts are to "e deducted "efore the heirs can gettheir shares. Procedure$ Co##ect a## assets' deduct debts' thenpartition t'e s'ares. 7p to what e0tent 7p to a** its assets. Ifthe estate is ero "a*ance' the heirs get nothing.

7nder the modern cii* *aw' if the decedent *eft more de"ts thanassets' it wi** not change or affect #our status an#wa#' "ut not w4the decedent9s creditors++ the# hae to "eware++ caveat creditor!

Basis o t'e La* on Succession!&& Some sa# it is the #a* onpropertyw4c seems to "e the "asic attitude of the 8ode. &therssa# succession is a #a* on persons"ec. of the compu*sor# heirs.5ow can #ou e0p*ain that Is there some *in3 "et. the *aw onsuccession and propert# here is. 8astan said that *aw on

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- and t'e gui#t o t'e donorand donee (ay be proved by preponderance oevidence in t'e sa(e action!

. Increase of the free portion++ coro**ar# to the a"o*ition ofthe me!ora

C. imitation of the fideicommisar# su"stitution to one

degree ("efore' two degrees)1B. Intestate succession is narrowed from si0th degree to

fifth degree.11. A"o*ition of the institution under pupilar and e!emplar

(su"stitution.)12. A**owance of *ifetime pro"ate.

Areas in Succession Aected by t'e A(erican Code:

1. ,u*es in interpretation.++ Arts. @+@C22. ,u*es on forma* requirements of a wi**.++ Arts. B!+BC. ,u*es goerning witnesses to wi**s.++ Arts. 2B+2!!. ,u*es on repu"*ication and reia* of wi**s.++ Arts. >+?>. ,u*es on reocation.++ Arts. 2C+1?. ,u*es on a**owance and disa**owance of wi**s.++ Arts. +C@. ,u*es on estamentar# capacit#.

8hapter 1

ENE"AL P"O@ISIONS

Art! 77! Succession is a (ode o ac)uisition by virtueo *'ic' t'e property rig'ts and ob#igations to t'e e+tent ot'e va#ue o t'e in'eritance o a person are trans(ittedt'roug' 'is deat' to anot'er or ot'ers eit'er by 'is *i## or byoperation o #a*!

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succession *'et'er or not 'e #et a *i##! I 'e #et a *i## 'e isca##ed t'e testator!

/a*ane$ Every testator is a decedent but not a## decedentsare testators! 7nder the American s#stem' a decedent who didnot *eae a wi** is ca**ed intestate. /ut this is not true in thePhi*s.

Art! 77! $'e in'eritance inc#udes a## t'e propertyrig'ts and ob#igations o a person *'ic' are not

e+tinguis'ed by 'is deat'!

/a*ane$ ransmissi"*e propert#' rights and o"*igations constituteinheritance.

uide#ines on *'et'er rig'ts; ob#igations are e+tinguis'edby deat':

1. Propert#' rights and o"*igations which are pure#ypersona# are e0tinguished "# the death of the decedent. he#are not part of the inheritance' e.g.'

mem"ership in the "ar or rightof consortium w4 #our wife.

2. hose w4c are pure*# patrimonia*. :enera* ru*e$ he#form part of the inheritance' e.g.' credits.

E0ception$


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succession to inheritance (the right to succeed is an inc'oate(means unclear) right) and the er" transmitted to "ecomeested.

?. 4our E#e(ents o Succession: -%&2O&EC&A.

1. Death2. -i** or &peration of *aw. E0istence and capacit# of the successor!. Acceptance.

. his proision is the heart and sou* of succession. he most

essentia* proision of the *aw on succession.

!. ,ights to succession vest at the moment of death' nottransmitted. he right shou*d "e made effectie from the momentof death. his is so "ec. the rights to succession "efore death aremere inchoate (E%AIE ,I:5). /ut from the moment ofdeath' those inchoate rights "ecome a"so*ute.

,ights to succession are ested from the moment of death'

not upon the fi*ing of petition for testate4 intestate proceedings' notupon the dec*aration of heirship or upon sett*ement of the estate.he rights to succession are automatic. radition or de*ier#

is not needed. 6iction of the *aw is that from the moment of thedeath of the decedent' the right passes to the heirs.

During the *ifetime of the predecessor' rights to successionare a mere e0pectanc#. 5ence' no contract can "e *ega**#entered into regarding the e0pected inheritance. -hen an heirreceies his inheritance' he is deemed to hae receied it at the

point of death this is so "# *ega* fiction to aoid confusion.

>. 8ASES$Uson v! %e# "osario.++ 7pon the death of the hus"and

"efore the %88' the rights of the wife to the inheritance wereested. So the rights of the i**egitimate chi*dren under the %88 toinherit cannot preudice the ested rights of the wife. -e hae toapp*# the &88 "ec. at the time of his death' it is the &88 w4c

goerned the *aw on succession. 6or the determination ofsuccessiona* rights' the *aw at the point of death shou*d "e the

one app*ied.

Bora v! Bora.++ he right to inherit is ested at the momentof death. Een if she did not 3now how much she was going to

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inherit' she cou*d sti** dispose of her share in the inheritance.Said right to the share was hers from the moment of death andshe cou*d do whateer she wanted w4 her share' een se** it.

Boni##a v! Barcena.++ =ou do not need a dec*aration ofheirship whether testate or intestate' o*untar#' etc. he rights ofthe heirs to the prop . est in them een "efore udicia* dec*arationof their "eing heirs in the testate proceedings.

An action to )uiet tit#eis not e0tinguished "# the death ofthe decedent' it "eing a patrimonia* right. 5ence' the heirs haethe right to "e su"stituted to the action een "efore their haingdec*ared as heirs.

3i(eneF v! 4ernandeF.++ 8ar*os died in 1C?' "efore theeffectiit# of the %88. As such' his i**egitimate chi*d cannot inheritfrom him. As such' tit*e to the *and "e*ongs to the cousin whoinherited the *and w4 8ar*os.

.

Art! 778! Succession (ay be:

-9. $esta(entary>-?. Lega# or Intestate> or-


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Art! 789! $'e in'eritance o a person inc#udes not on#yt'e property and t'e trans(issib#e rig'ts and ob#igationse+isting at t'e ti(e o 'is deat' but a#so t'ose *'ic' 'aveaccrued t'ereto since t'e opening o t'e succession!

/a*ane$ It is "etter to scrap Art. @1. It has no significance. Eenw4o it' those w4c accrue after death wi** sti** "e*ong to the heirs.

E.g.' A has a son' F. A dies in 1C. Inheritance is a mangop*antation. In 1CCB' there is a crop. Is it part of the inheritance

1. According to Art. @1' #es. his is inconsistent w4 Art @@@"ec. succession occurs at the moment of death. Art. @1 imp*ies

a second succession.2. ega* concept.++ %o. F owns it through accession and

not succession. 6ruits are no *onger part of the inheritance. It"e*ongs to the heir "ec. of ownership of the *and he receied atthe moment of death. (Art. @@@.)

hose w4c hae accrued thereto after death do not comprisethe inheritance "ut the# accrue "# irtue of ownership (accretion.)

Art! 78?! An 'eir is a person ca##ed to t'e successioneit'er by t'e provision o a *i## or by operation o #a*!

%evisees and #egatees are persons to *'o( gits o rea#and persona# property are respective#y given by virtue o a*i##!

/a*ane$ he definitions gien in this artic*e are not good. hedefinitions contained in the Spanish 8ii* 8ode were "etter. An

heir succeeds "# uniersa* tit*e. Deisee or *egatee succeeds "#particu*ar tit*e.

According to 8astan' an heir is one who succeeds to thewho*e (uniersa*) or a*iquot part of the estate. Deisee or *egateeis one who succeeds to definite' specific' and indiidua*iedproperties.

E.g.' I "equeathed 142 of m# fishpond in Pampanga to A. Isthe successor an heir' *egatee or deisee A deisee' the prop.

"eing a specific rea* prop.

,: Is it i(portant to distinguis' bet! 'eir devisee and#egatee/

A$ /efore' #es. he heir inherited een de"ts of the decedent'een if it e0ceed the a*ue of the propert#. Deisees or *egatees

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were *ia"*e for de"ts of the decedent on*# up to the e0tent of thea*ue of the prop.

%ow' %o. E0cept in one instance' in case of preterit ion inArt. >!. If read carefu**#' institution of heir is annu**ed whi*e

deise and *egac# are not' so *ong as there is no impairment ofthe *egitime.

Art! 78? is not a *orGing deinition!&& Someone who is adeisee (succeeded "# a particu*ar tit*e) can fit into the definitionof an heir (succeeds to a fractiona*4 a*iquot4 undiided part of theestate.) and ice ersa.

C'apter ?

$ES$A6EN$A"H SUCCESSION

Section 9

2ILLS

Subsection 9

2ILLS IN ENE"AL

Art! 78

decedent to dispose of his estate is a"so*ute. If there arecompu*sor# heirs' he on*# has a *imited degree to dispose. hatis wh# the wi** can on*# coer the disposa"*e portion of the estate(free portion.)

. 8omment$ .

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a. An act.++ is too genera*; "etter document "ec. awi** must "e in writing

". After++ "etter upon.

C'aracteristics o 2i##s: - P4%

1. Pure*# persona* act. (Arts. @!+@@.)++ non+de*ega"*e;persona* participation of the testator is required.

2. 6ree act.++ it means w4o fraud' io*ence' deceit' duress'or intimidation. It is o*untar#. %o itiated consent.

. Dispositie of propert#.++ If it does not' it wi** "e use*ess./ut as far as the *aw is concerned' it can "e pro"ated "ut a

use*ess e0pense. It is on*# a*id as to form and nothing e*se.E0ceptions$ ,DAa. when a wi** recognies an i**egitimate chi*d". when a wi** disinherits a compu*sor# heirc. when it appoints an e0ecutor

!. Essentia**# reoca"*e.++ ambulatory,it is not fi0ed' can "eta3en "ac3 (whi*e the testator is a*ie.) here is no such thing as

an irreoca"*e wi**. It on*# "ecomes irreoca"*e upon death of thetestator.>. 6orma**# e0ecuted.++ If the form is defectie' it is oid. It

can not "e cured.?. estamentar# capacit# of the testator.@. 7ni*atera* act.++ does not ino*e an e0change of a*ues

or depend on simu*taneous offer and acceptance.. Mortis causa.++ ta3es effect upon the person9s death (Art.

@@@.)

C. Statutor# grant.++ granted on*# "# cii* *aw. he *aw cana*so ta3e it awa#. It is not a constitutiona* right "ut mere*#statutor#. In ,ussia' there are no wi**s' a** intestac#

1B. #nimus Testandi.-- here must "e an intent to disposemortis causa the propert# of the testator. here must "e a rea*intent to ma3e a wi** or a disposition to ta3e effect upon death.Said intent must appear from the words of the wi**.


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11. Indiidua*.++ &ne person a*one. Goint wi**s areprohi"ited under Art. 1.

itug . 8A.++ A coup*e e0ecuted a suriorship agreement

wherein their oint "an3 account wou*d "ecome the so*e propert#of the suriing spouse shou*d one of them die. he S8 he*d thatsuch agreement is a*id. he cone#ance is not a wi** "ec. in awi**' a person disposes of his prop. In this case' the "an3 accountis part of the conuga* funds. %either is the agreement a donationinter vivos "ec. it ta3es effect after death.

Art! 78! $'e (aGing o a *i## is a strict#y persona# act> itcannot be #et in *'o#e or in part to t'e discretion o a t'irdperson or acco(p#is'ed t'roug' t'e instru(enta#ity o anagent o an attorney!

/a*ane$ he ma3ing of a wi** is a pure*# persona* act. It is ane0ercise of the disposing power w4c can not "e de*egated. /utthe p'ysica# act o (aGing a notaria# *i## can be de#egated to

t'e secretary "ut not the e0ecution or ma3ing of ho*ographicwi**s.

E.g.' A dictated he Secretar# wrote it down and t#ped. Is the wi**a*id =es. -hat cannot "e *eft in who*e or in part to a thirdperson is the e0ercise of the wi** ma3ing power' the e0ercise ofthe disposing or testamentar# power. $'e (ec'anica# act canbe de#egated!

Art! 78D! $'e duration or eicacy o t'e designation o'eirs devisees or #egatees or t'e deter(ination o t'eportions *'ic' t'ey are to taGe *'en reerred to by na(ecannot be #et to t'e discretion o a t'ird person/a*ane$ his proision c*arifies Art. @! on wi**+ma3ing power.

$'ings 2'ic' Cannot be %e#egated to a $'ird Person by t'e$estator:

1. Designation of heir' *egatee or deisee' e.g.' I here"#appoint F as m# e0ecutor and it is in his discretion to distri"ute m#estate to whom eer he wants to gie it. his cannot "e done.

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2. Duration or efficac# of such disposition *i3e' /aha*a 3ana' ,u"en.

. Determination of the portion to w4c the# are to succeed'when referred to "# name.

Art! 78! $'e testator (ay entrust to a t'ird person t'e

distribution o speciic property or su(s o (oney t'at 'e(ay #eave in genera# to speciied c#asses or causes and a#sot'e designation o t'e persons institutions orestab#is'(ents to *'ic' suc' property or su(s o (oney areto be given or app#ied!

/a*ane$ Art. @? is an e0ception to Arts @! and @>. It coersthings that are part of the essence of wi** ma3ing "ut a**owed to "ede*egated.

E+a(p#es o Pro'ibited %e#egation:

1. 8an not de*egate the designation of the amount of prop.' e.g.' I

here"# set aside the sum HHHHH w4c m# e0ecutor ma# determinefor the cause of menta* hea*th. he amount is not specified.

2. 8an not de*egate the determination of causes or c*asses to w4ca certain amount is to "e gien' e.g.' I here"# set aside P1< forsuch worth# causes as #ou ma# determine. his is not a*id "ec.the cause is not specific.

/# wa# of e0ception' there are 2 things w4c can "e de*egated.

he testator must specif#++ (a) the a(ount o property; (2) t'ecause o c#asses o property++ "efore the de*egation can ta3eeffect.

1. he designation of person or institution fa**ing under the c*assspecified "# the testator. 8hoosing the mem"ers of the c*ass "utis restricted "# the c*ass designation' e.g.' I here"# set aside thesum of P1< for the dee*opment of AIDS research. < wi** choose

w4c institution. his is a**owed "ec. #ou hae guided a*read#


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in m# estate and appoint < to apportion the amount of P1BB'BBB for the fo**owing institutions$ 7P' P:5' S,' inan amount as m# e0ecutor ma# determine.

he a"oe mentioned are e0ceptions to the ru*e that the ma3ingof a wi** are non+de*ega"*e.

Art! 787! $'e testator (ay not (aGe a testa(entarydisposition in suc' (anner t'at anot'er person 'as todeter(ine *'et'er or not it is to be operative!

/a*ane$ his proision c*arifies what is meant that a wi** ispersona*. his is in effect de*egating the discretion to thedisposition of the wi**.

Artic#es 788& 7=?! Interpretation o 2i##s; "u#es oConstruction!

Art! 788! I a testa(entary disposition ad(its o

dierent interpretations in case o doubt t'at interpretationby *'ic' t'e disposition is to be operative s'a## be preerred!

/a*ane$ Art. @C is the ru*e on interpretation in order that the wi**ma# "e a*id and not perish.

,ationa*e$ he State prefers testate to intestate. -h#/ec. testamentar# disposition is the e0press wi** of the decedent.Intestamentar# is the presumed wi** of the decedent. his is merespecu*ation on what the decedent wanted.

Ut res mages valet $uam pereat.-- that the thing "e a*id thanperish.

E.g.' he word chic3 can hae 2 interpretations$ (1) a gir* in w4ccase inoperatie "ec. not w4in the commerce of man and (2)sisiw.++ operatie. Interpret according to the second.

Art! 78=! 2'en t'ere is an i(perect description or*'en no person or property e+act#y ans*ers t'e description(istaGes and o(issions (ust be corrected i t'e errorappears ro( t'e conte+t o t'e *i## or ro( e+trinsicevidence e+c#uding t'e ora# dec#arations o t'e testator as to

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'is intention> and *'en an uncertainty arises upon t'e aceo t'e *i## as to t'e app#ication o any o its provisions t'etestators intention is to be ascertained ro( t'e *ords o t'e*i## taGing into consideration t'e circu(stances under

*'ic' it *as (ade e+c#uding suc' ora# dec#arations!

/a*ane$9! 5inds o A(biguity:

a. Patent apparent.++ that w4c appears in the face of thewi**' e.g.' I gie 142 of m# estate to one of m# "rothers. -hoamong the "rothers his is patent*# am"iguous.

"! Latent 'idden!&& perfect*# unc*ear on its face. he

am"iguit# does not appear unti* #ou app*# the proisions of thewi**' e.g.' I gie to < the prop. intersecting /uendia and P. de,o0as. he am"iguit# is determined on*# when the wi** ispro"ated. hat is' when it appears that I am the owner of a** the !corners of the *ot. %ow' w4c of those *ots

?! "u#e: 8*arif# am"iguit# and "e guided "# these$ estac#shou*d "e preferred or uphe*d as far as practica"*e. An# dou"t

sha** "e reso*ed in faor of testac#.

,: 1o* *i## you reso#ve t'e a(biguity/ 2'at evidence doyou ad(it/

A$ =ou can admit an# 3ind of eidence as *ong as re*eant andadmissi"*e according to the ,u*es of 8ourt. his inc*udes writtendec*arations.

E0cept$ &ra* dec*arations of the testator. -h# /ec. the#

cannot "e questioned "# the deceased. A*so' "ec. the# are eas#to fa"ricate.

If inspite of eidence #ou sti** cannot cure am"iguit#' tenannul te %ill.

I t'e a(biguity is patent disregard t'e *i##! I #atent#ooG into t'e evidences a##o*ed by #a*!

Art! 7=0! $'e *ords o a *i## are to be taGen in t'eirordinary and gra((atica# sense un#ess a c#ear intention touse t'e( in anot'er sense can be gat'ered and t'at ot'ercan be ascertained!

$ec'nica# *ords in a *i## are to be taGen in t'eirtec'nica# sense un#ess t'e conte+t c#ear#y indicates a

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contrary intention or un#ess it satisactori#y appears t'at t'e*i## *as dra*n so#e#y by t'e testator and t'at 'e *asunac)uainted *it' suc' tec'nica# sense!

Art! 7=?! $'e inva#idity o one o severa# dispositionscontained in a *i## does not resu#t in t'e inva#idity o t'eot'er dispositions un#ess it is to be presu(ed t'at t'etestator *ou#d not 'ave (ade suc' ot'er dispositions i t'eirst inva#id disposition 'ad not been (ade!

/a*ane$ :enera* ru*e$ Seera"i*it#. A f*aw does not affect theother proisions. E0ception$ If it was meant that the# were to "e

operatie together as seen in the wi**.

Art! 7=

/a*ane$ his is a new proision. It is "etter if this was not p*acedhere. -h# /ec. prop. acquired after the ma3ing of the wi** wi**not pass un*ess there is a c*ear intention or e0press proisionsthat the prop. wi** "e passed "# the testator. E.g.' I gie as *egac#to < m# cars. I on*# had 2 cars when I e0ecuted the wi**. Afterw4c I acquired 1> more cars. -hen I die' how man# cars wi** sheget 6o**owing Art. @C' she wi** get on*# 2 cars. he additiona*cars are not inc*uded.

:enera* ru*e$ After acquired propert# sha** not pass.

E0ception$ If the wi** proides otherwise. If he said a** m#cars when I die' then < gets a** 1@ cars.

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Art! 7=! Every devise or #egacy s'a## convey a## t'einterest *'ic' t'e testator cou#d devise or be)ueat' in t'e

property disposed o un#ess it c#ear#y appears ro( t'e *i##t'at 'e intended to convey a #ess interest!

/a*ane$ :enera* ru*e$ egac# or deise wi** pass e0act*# theinterest of the testator oer the propert#.

E0ception$ 7n*ess it appears from the wi** that he is giing*ess.

E.g.' sa# #ou own a parce* of *and. &n*# the ownership ofthe *and can "e gien. If the testator is a usuructuary' he canon*# "equeath his rig'ts as usuructuary' nothing more' nothing*ess.

8an #ou gie "igger =es. Art. C2C sa#s so. &n*# good ifthe other co+owner is wi**ing to se**.

$ /' : and G are co+owners. / gae to A the *and the# owned in

common' that is the entire *and and fu** ownership oer it giingmore than what he owns. Is this a**owedA$ =es. he remed# is to "u# the shares of G and : "ut hecannot compe* them to "u# his share' there "eing no redemptionof the who*e *and or gie to A the a*ue of /9s share' if : and Gare not wi**ing to se** their shares.

he testator ma# gie a *esser interest' e.g.' I gie theusufruct of m# *and to F. -hat resu*ts 7sufruct to F' ownership

of the *and goes "# intestac#.

Art! 7=D! $'e va#idity o a *i## as to its or( dependsupon t'e observance o t'e #a* in orce at t'e ti(e it is(ade!

/a*ane$

9! 4or(a# @a#iditya. ime criterion.++ *aw at the time of e0ecution; su"sequent

*aws cannot app*# retroactie*#.". P*ace criterion.++ 7nder Art 1>+1@' fie (>) choices are

aai*a"*e to the testator$ (8,+DEP)1. 8itienship

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2. ,esidence. Domici*e!. E0ecution>. Phi*ippines

?! Intrinsic @a#iditya. ime.++ time of death "ec. of Art. @@@". P*ace.++ aw of citienship of decedent.

Subsection ?!&& Testamentary Capacity and Intent

/a*ane$ Testamentification activa is the capacity to (aGe a*i##.

Testamentification pasiva is the capacity to in'eritbased on a *i##.

-ho has testamentar# capacit# A** natura* persons.8orporations cannot ma3e wi**s. &n*# natura* human "eings

can ma3e a wi**.

Art! 7=! A## persons *'o are not e+press#y pro'ibitedby #a* (ay (aGe a *i##!

/a*ane$ :enera* ru*e$ A** persons hae the testamentar# capacit#to ma3e a wi**. E0ception$ Incapacity' when e0press*# prohi"ited"# *aw$ (1) dis)ua#iied by reason o age (Art. @C@); (2)dis)ua#iied by reason o (enta# inco(petence. (Art. @C.)

Art! 7=7! Persons o eit'er se+ under eig'teen years o

age cannot (aGe a *i##!

/a*ane$,: 1o* do you co(pute t'e age/

A$ According to the Admin. 8ode' age is rec3oned according tothe ca*endar month.

Art! 7=8! In order to (aGe a *i## it is essentia# t'at t'etestator be o sound (ind at t'e ti(e o its e+ecution!

/a*ane$

&oundness of mind is determined at the time of thee0ecution of the wi**.

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Art! 7==! $o be o sound (ind it is not necessary t'att'e testator be in u## possession o a## 'is reasoningacu#ties or t'at 'is (ind be *'o##y unbroGen uni(paired

or uns'attered by disease inury or ot'er cause! - negativetest)

It s'a## be suicient i t'e testator *as ab#e at t'e ti(e o(aGing t'e *i## to Gno* t'e -a. nature o t'e estate to bedisposed o t'e -b. p

roper obects o 'is bounty and t'e -c.c'aracter o t'e testa(entary act! -positive test)

/a*ane$

9! Soundness o (ind!&& does not require that the testator "e infu** possession of reasoning capacit# or that it "e who**#un"ro3en' unimpaired or unshattered.

?! It (eans rea#iFation o or Gno*ing:a. he nature of his estate.++ Jnow what #ou own. his

does not mean that the testator has to 3now the description of hispropert# in detai*. It is enough that he has more or *ess a fair*#

accurate idea what his properties are. his depends upon thecircumstances. Sa# ,oc3efe**er. he idea is *ess if #ou ownedmore. the more a person owns' the more he is apt to forget whathe has in detai*. If #ou thin3 #ou own A#a*a "ridge and gies it asa deise' something is wrong w4 #ou.

". Proper o"ects of his "ount#.++ Jnow his immediatere*aties. E0perience of man3ind is that #ou gie to peop*e whoare attached to #ou "# "*ood. Immediate re*aties referred to arespouses' parents' chi*dren ' "rothers' sisters' "ut not first cousins.

6irst cousins usua**# are not 3nown especia**# if the# *ie a"road.he nearer the re*ation' the more #ou shou*d 3now. he farther'the *ess the *aw e0pects of #ou. If the testator cannot recogniehis immediate re*aties' then there is something wrong.

c. 8haracter of the testamentar# act.++ Jnow the essence ofma3ing a wi**. Jnow that #ou are$ (1) ma3ing a document thatdisposes (free*#' gratuitous*#) of #our propert#; (2) to ta3e effectupon #our death.

%ote$ Een if #ou are insane as to other things' as *ong as #ou3now these three () things' #ou hae testamentar# capacit#.

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Art! 800! $'e #a* presu(es t'at every person is osound (ind in t'e absence o proo to t'e contrary!

$'e burden o proo t'at t'e testator *as not o sound(ind at t'e ti(e o (aGing 'is disposition is on t'e

person*'o opposes t'e probate o t'e *i##> but i t'e testator one(ont' or #ess beore (aGing 'is *i## *as pub#ic#y Gno*n tobe insane t'e person *'o (aintains t'e va#idity o t'e *i##

(ust prove t'at t'e testator (ade it during a #ucid interva#!

/a*ane$ his is the *aw on presumption of soundness of mind asof the time of the e0ecution of the wi**.

enera# ru#e: Presumption is for soundness of mind.++proponent of wi** does not hae to proe the soundness of mind ofthe testator. -h# he #a* on evidencesa#s that #ou don9t

hae to proe$ (1) that w4c is admitted; (2) that w4c is presumed;and () that w4c is ta3en udicia* notice of. Disputa"*epresumptions ma# "e oercome "# proof to the contrar#. hereare < presu(ptions o #a*$ (1) conc#usive; (2) )uasi&conc#usive w4c can "e oercome on*# "# specific proof; ()disputab#e

E+ception: Insanit# is re"utta"*e presumed when$1. Art. BB par. 2.++ &ne month or *ess "efore the ma3ing of

the wi**' the testator was pub#ic#y Gno*n to be insane! E.g.' A'one month "efore ma3ing of the wi** was running in the P*aa


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1. A guardian appointed"# reason of insanit#. (,u*e C',&8.)

2. If the insane was 'ospita#iFed"# order of the court

In either of these cases' there is a presumption of insanit#. /utonce the order is *ifted' the presumption ceases.

Effect$ 1. ,e"utta"*e presumption of sanit# is nu**ified or sweptawa#.

2. here is a re"utta"*e presumption of unsoundness ofmind.

Art! 809! Supervening incapacity does not inva#idate aneective *i## nor is t'e *i## o an incapab#e va#idated by t'esupervening o capacity!

/a*ane$ his artic*e ma3es e0p*icit what was mentioned in Art.BB. he requirement is that sanit# shou*d e0ist on*# at the timeof e0ecution. Su"sequent insanit# does not affect the a*idit# of

the wi** nor an ina*id wi** "e a*idated "# the recoer# of thesenses of the testator.

Art! 80?! A (arried *o(an (ay (aGe a *i## *it'out t'econsent o 'er 'usband and *it'out aut'ority o t'e court!

Art! 80

'er separate property as *e## as 'er -b. s'are o t'e conuga#partners'ip or abso#ute co((unity property!

Subsection

/a*ane$ 5inds o 2i##s a##o*ed under t'e NCC!&& (1) ordinary

or notarial %ill w4c requires an attestation c#ause' an

acGno*#edge(ent beore a notary pub#ic; (2) olograpic %illw4c must "e

entire#y *ritten dated and signed in t'e'and*riting o t'e testator!

,: 1o* about Non-cupative2i##s/

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A$ he# are not a**owed "# the %88. his 3ind of wi** is an ora#*i## made "# the testator in contemp*ation of death. his isa**owed among


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A$ %o. Sometimes' circumstantia* eidence is sufficient. E.g.' aperson w4 a co**ege degree does a wi** in Eng*ish. Is it notenough that he studied *ee*s to proe that he understandsEng*ish.

Artic#es 80D to 80=!&& Specia# "e)uire(ents or Attested2i##s!

Art! 80D! Every *i## ot'er t'an a 'o#ograp'ic *i## (ustbe -a. subscribed at t'e end t'ereo by t'e testator 'i(se# or

by t'e -b. testators na(e *ritten by so(e ot'er person in'is presence and by 'is e+press direction and -c. attestedand subscribed by t'ree or (ore credib#e *itnesses in t'epresence o t'e testator and o one anot'er!

$'e testator or t'e person re)uested by 'i( to *rite 'isna(e and t'e instru(enta# *itnesses o t'e *i## s'a## a#sosign as aoresaid eac' and every page t'ereo e+cept t'e#ast on t'e #et (argin and a## t'e pages s'a## be nu(bered

corre#ative#y in #etters p#aced on t'e upper part o eac' page!$'e attestation s'a## -9. state t'e nu(ber o pages usedupon *'ic' t'e *i## is *ritten and t'e -?. act t'at t'etestator signed t'e *i## and every page t'ereo or causedso(e ot'er person to *rite 'is na(e under 'is e+pressdirection in t'e presence o t'e instru(enta# *itnesses andt'at t'e #atter *itnessed and signed t'e *i## and a## t'e pagest'ereo in t'e presence o t'e testator and o one anot'er!

I t'e attestation c#ause is in a #anguage not Gno*n to

t'e *itnesses it s'a## be interpreted to t'e(!

/a*ane$A. 6ourth Paragraph.++ Jnow the *anguage

1. /od# of the wi**.++ testator2. Attestation c*ause

a. estator.++ %o.". witnesses.++ %o. &n*# required to 3now the

contents thereof.

/. Discrepancies1. Par. 1.++ %o mention that the testator signs in the

presence of witnesses and #et par. states this.

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2. Par. 2.++ %o statement that the testator and thewitnesses must sign eer# page in one another9s presence and#et that is required to "e stated in the attestation c*ause.

. Par. .++ In case of agent' a** it requires is that the agent

signed "# his direction and not in his presence' "ut that isrequired in par. 1.

8. ,equisites for an ordinar# attested wi** (notaried wi**.).++Purpose of requisites$ udgment ca** of 8ode 8ommission;"a*ancing of 2 po*icies.++ (1) to encourage a person to ma3e awi**; (2) to ma3e sure that the wi** is testament of the testator tominimie fraud.

9! Signed by t'e testator or 'is agent in 'is presence and by'is e+press direction at t'e end t'ereo and in t'e presenceo t'e *itnesses!

a. Su"scri"e.++ *itera**# means to write one9s name. Signmeans to put a distinctie mar3 (this is the "etter term to use.)

". Signing.++ "# writing his own name; a person ma# sign inother wa#s(i) 6atias v! Sa#ud.++ he testator signed affi0ing her

thum" mar3 on the wi**' this is "ecause he can no *onger write dueto sic3ness4 disease ca**ed erpes "oster' co*d' ph#sica* infirmit#.Is this a sufficient signature =es. A thum" mar3 is a sufficientsignature of the testator. In fact' it is a*wa#s and under an# anda** circumstances a a*id wa# to sign a wi**. ,eason$ It is *essposssi"*e to forge. A thum" mar3 is a*wa#s a a*id wa# of signing

whether *iterate or i**iterate. 5oweer' there is a*so the danger offa*sif#ing it "# affi0ing the thum" of a new*# dead person.

$ -hat if the testator has no disease "ut signed in his thum"mar3

A$ his wi** do "ec! t'u(b (arG is a suicient signature undera## circu(stances.

he controers# is that what if after the testator affi0ed histhum" mar3' another person signed on her "eha*f. Attestationc*ause does not state this. I mean' it wou*d not appear in theattestation c*ause. he S8 said that the person signing on his"eha*f is not an agent and "esides it was a*read# signed "# the

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testator affi0ing his thum" mar3 and to state this (the affi0ing ofthe thum" mar3) in the attestation is a mere surp*us age.

(ii) :arcia . de *a 8uesta.++ estator signed w4 a

cross. Is this a*id %o. his is so "ec. such cross is eas# tofa*sif#. A cross cannot "e considered a signature.

enera# ru#e$ A cross is unaccepta"*e as a signature.E+ception$ hat is his norma* wa# of signing.

c. Purpose.++ to authenticate the wi**

d! 2'ere s'ou#d t'e testator sign/ At the end of the wi**.

here are 2 3inds of ends$(i) P'ysica# end.++ where the writing ends(ii) Logica# end!&& that where testamentar# disposition

ends.7sua**#' the# are the same. /ut if different' then either wi**

do. -hat if after the signature' some c*auses fo**ow -hat is theeffect of the said c*auses to the wi** If annu*s or ma3es thewho*e oid "ec. of the non+comp*iance w4 Art. B>.

e. estator directs another to sign his name.(i) 6our cases$ estator+ A; Agent+ /

a. / is not a*id". A handwritten "# / t#pewritten is a*idc. A t#pewritten "# / handwritten is not a*id.d. A is a*id

(ii) 8ases$

a.

/arut . 8a"acungan.++ ,equirements$ (1)agent must write the name of the testator "# hand; (2) adisa"*eif the agent write his name a*so.

". /a*onan . A"e**ana.++ he witness signed hisname a"oe the t#pewritten words por *a testadora Anac*eta

A"e**ana. he S8 he*d that the testator9s name "e written "# theagent signing in his stead in the p*ace where he wou*d hae

signed if he were a"*e to do so. It is required that the witnesswrite the testator9s name in the testator9s presence and under here0press direction.

(iii) he agent must sign where the testator9s signatureshou*d "e.

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(i) Purpose of the ru*es$ to test the authenticit# of theagenc#. It is an added safeguard to minimie fraud.

f. estator must sign in the presence of witnesses

(i) 6our cases$ estator.++ A; -itnesses.++ /' 8' Da. A signs w4 / "reathing on her face. Is it signing

in the presence of the testator =ES.". A signs whi*e / is ta*3ing to 8. / can see A

through perip'era# vision. Is A signing in /9 s presence =ESc. A signs whi*e / is ta*3ing to 8 w4 /9s "ac3 to A.

Is it signing in /9s presence =ES.d. / goes out and stands "ehind the wa**. 5e

cannot see A. / is a*so ta*3ing to 6. Is a signing in /9s presence%&.

(ii) Nera v! "i(ando!&& Actua* seeing is not required.-hat is required is that the person required to "e present musthae "een a"*e to see the signing' if he wanted to do so'

"#

casting his e#es in the proper direction. 5is *ine of ision must not"e i(peded "# a *a## or curtain. his is a question of fact for

the *ower court to determine.

/*ind witnesses are thereforedisqua*ified.

?! Attested and subscribed by at #east t'ree credib#e*itnessesin t'e testators presence and o one anot'er!

a! ,$ 8an the testator sign first not in the witness9 presence'then *et the witnesses sign %o. Art. B> requires that thetestator shou*d sign at their presence (da. de ,amos case.)

here is some inconsistenc# here "ut we hae to fo**ow Art. B>.

,$ 8an the a*idit# "e affected if the witness signed ahead of thetestatorA: %o. Proided it is made in one occasion or transaction.5oweer' in strict theor#' it cannot "e done "ec. "efore thetestator signed there is no wi** at a** w4c the witnesses can signand attest to. If there is more than one transaction' then the

testator must a*wa#s sign ahead of the witnesses.

". Attestation Su"scri"ing++isua* act ++ manua* act++witness ++ sign

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he three witnesses must do "oth attesting andsubscribing.

c. -here must witnesses sign his is not c*ear.

a"oada . ,osa*.++ In this case' the witnesses signed atthe *eft hand margin. Petitioner contended that the# shou*d haesinged at the same p*ace where the testator signed' that is' at the"ottom of the end of the wi**. he S8 was *i"era*. he purpose ofsigning at the end is to preent interpo*ation. he o"ect ofattestation and su"scription which is for identification' was metwhen the witnesses signed at the *eft hand margin of the so*e

page w4c contained a** the testamentar# dispositions. (hisconcerned a 2+page wi** w4 the first page containing a** thedispositions and the second page the attestation andac3now*edgement.) he wi** was signed "# the witnesses at eachand eer# page thereof.

Litera# re)uire(ent.++ witnesses must a*so sign at the end4*ast page

In t'e case.++ as *ong as signed in the margin' &JNo*!&& under or on margin' &J.

d. 8an witnesses sign w4 thum" mar3 (1) Some sa# =es"ec. it is on*# an act of authentication; (2) some sa# no "ec. onerequirement is that witnesses must 3now how to readand *ritew4c imp*ies that the witness write his name.

on t'e #et (argin!

a. Purpose.++ to preent the disappearance of the pages.". Eer# page e0cept the *ast. -h# not the *ast /ec. it

wi** a*read# "e signed at the "ottom.c. Let 'and (argin!&& requirement was made when right

hand was not ustified when t#ped.d. %ow' testator can sign an#where in the page.

(i) each page is signed and authenticated.++ mandator#(ii) *eft margin.++ director#.

! 2itnesses (ust sign eac' and every page e+cept t'e #aston t'e #et (argin!

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his is the same as num"er .2itnesses (ay sign any*'ere as #ong as t'ey sign

Icasiano v! Icasiano!&& In the wi** su"mitted for pro"ate'

one page was not signed "# one of the witnesses. Such fai*ure tosign was due to inadertence since in the cop#' a** pages weresigned. he S8 he*d that this was not a fata* defect. 8onsideringthe circumstances' the fact that the other requirement wascomp*ied with' and the notaria* sea* coincided w4 the third pageduring the sea*ing' then the wi** cou*d "e pro"ated. 7nusua*circumstances w4c e0isted in the case$

(1) there was another cop#

(2) inadertence4 oersight() "ecause of the notaria* sea*.

he presence of these facts *ed the S8 to a**ow the wi**.

$'e genera# ru#e 'o*ever is t'at t'e ai#ure to sign anypage is a ata# deect!

D! A## pages (ust be nu(bered in #etters on t'e upper part ot'e page!

a. 6andatory.++ there must "e a method "# w4c thesequence of the pages can "e 3nown; to preent an insertion orta3ing out of a page.

". %irectory(i)


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". Attestation c*ause is not a part of the wi** proper "ec. ifcontains no dispositions. It is mere*# essentia* for the forma*requirements of a a*id wi**. It is a state(ent o t'e *itnesses.

c. -here must witnesses sign At the "ottom in order topreent additions.

Cagro v! Cagro!&& In the case' the page where theattestation c*ause appears was signed "# the witnesses on theside and not after the attestation c*ause. he S8 he*d that thiswas a fata* defect. he *ogic is that if there had "een no signature

at the "ottom "ut on the sides' there wi** "e amp*e room for fraud'that is' to add in the attestation c*ause upon the death of thedecedent an essentia* matter w4c was not there in the first p*aceto a*idate it.;

d.


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signed "# the testator and the witnesses at the "ottom' then thereis no need for them to sign at the *eft margin. he secondconcerns the second page. Since it was a*read# signed "# thewitnesses at the "ottom of the attestation c*ause' then there is no

need for them to sign on the margin.

$


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. 3ave##ana v! Ledes(a.++ he case dea*s w4 the question ofwhether or not the ac3now*edgement of the wi** shou*d "e doneon the same occasion as the e0ecution of the wi**. he S8 saidno. he *aw does not require that e0ecution and

ac3now*edgement "e done on the same occasion.Ac3now*edgement ma# "e a*id*# done after e0ecution. In fact'the testator and the witnesses do not hae to ac3now*edgetogether. =ou can ac3now*edge one "# one. he *aw does notrequire it to "e made simu*taneous*#. As *ong as the testatormaintains his testa(entary capacity and the *itnessesmaintain their *itnessing capacity unti* the *ast personac3now*edges' then the wi** is a*id. 5oweer' if the testator dies

"efore the *ast person ac3now*edges' then the wi** is not a*id.he wi** is considered as "eing unac3now*edged.

!. ,uestions.1$ 8an a witness "e an agent who wi** sign for the

testatorA1$ (a) =es. here is no prohi"ition.

(") %o. he testator must sign "efore witnesses. 5e

cannot sign "efore himse*f.o "e safe' do not *et this happen. As the *aw#er' "e sure#ou hae at *east witnesses.

,?: Is t'ere any particu#ar order o signing/A2$ (a) %o. As *ong as the signing is done on one

occasionor onecontinuing transaction! (") =es. If the signing is not done on one occasion or

transaction. In such a case' there is nothing that the witness is

attesting to.

Artic#es 807 and 808 are specia# additiona# re)uire(ents*'ic' are (andatory!

Art! 807! I t'e testator be dea or a dea&(ute 'e (ustpersona##y read t'e *i## i ab#e to do so> ot'er*ise 'e s'a##designate t*o persons to read it and co((unicate to 'i( inso(e practicab#e (anner t'e contents t'ereo!

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/a*ane$ his proision *ists down a specia* requirement if anotaria* wi** is e0ecuted "# a deaf+mute testator.

1. here are two cases contemp*ated$ (1) If the testator can

read' then he must read the wi** persona**#; (2) If i##iterate' then2 persons must read the wi** and communicate to him themeaning of the wi** in some practica"*e manner.

2. he *aw is not c*ear if the 2 persons reading it to him wou*d doit separate*# or in consonance.

. hese additiona* requirements are mandator# "# perfect

ana*og# to the case of arcia v! @as)ueF!!

Art! 808! I t'e testator is b#ind t'e *i## s'a## be read to'i( t*ice> once by one o t'e subscribing *itnesses andagain by t'e notary pub#ic beore *'o( t'e *i## isacGno*#edged!

/a*ane$1. If the testator is "*ind' the wi** must "e read to him twice$ (1)"# one of the su"scri"ing witnesses; and (2) "# the notar# pu"*ic'not necessari*# in that order.

2. a. Is the proision mandator# =es. If this is not fo**owed'the wi** is oid. (:arcia . asque.)

In the case' the wi** was read to the testator on*# once. heS8 denied pro"ate of the wi** for fai*ing to comp*# w4 the

requirements of Art! 808. Suc' ai#ure is a or(a# deect!

". 8an this "e presumed %o.c. 8an this "e proen to hae "een comp*ied w4 "#

co(petent evidence/ =es. In the a"sence of w4c the wi** isoid. Such fact or reading must "e proen "# eidence during thepro"ate proceedings.

. Purpose$ he reading is mandator# for the purpose of ma3ing3nown to the testator the proision of the wi** so that he ma#o"ect if it is not in accordance w4 his wishes.

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Art! 80=! In t'e absenceo bad ait' orgery or raud orundue and i(proper pressure and in#uence deects andi(perections in t'e or( o attestation or in t'e #anguageused t'erein s'a## not render t'e *i## inva#id i it is proved

t'at t'e *i## *as in act e+ecuted and attested in substantia#co(p#iance *it' a## t'e re)uire(ents o artic#e 80D!

- b&iii&du.

/a*ane$ his is a *i"era*iation ru*e' an attempt to *i"era*ieArtic*es B! to B. Su"stantia* comp*iance w4 Artic*es B> andB? wi** a*idate the wi** despite some defects in the attestationc*ause.

oo3ing at Art. BC' #ou get the impression of utmost*i"era*iation. -e can not determine how *i"era* we can "e or canwe go. his artic*e does not gie a c*ear ru*e. G/ ,e#es ando*entino suggest that #ou ma3e a distinction.

:uide$ If the defect is something that can "e remedied "#the visua# e+a(ination of the wi** itse*f' *i"era*ie. If not' then#ou hae to "e strict.

I**ustration$ If in an attestation c#ause the num"er of pagesused was not stated' then #ou can *i"era*ie "ec. "# e0aminingthe wi** itse*f' #ou can detect the defect. his is "ec. thepagination of statement in the attestation c*ause is mere*# adou"*e chec3.

If the attestation c*ause fai*ed to state that the testatorsigned in the presence of witnesses' and this cannot "eremedied "# visual examinationof the wi**' then #ou need to "estrict.

Suggested amendment of the *aw$ If such defect andimperfections can "e supp*ied "# e0amination of the wi** itse*f andit is proed.

Artic#es 890 to 89!&& Provisions on Holograpic Wills!

Art! 890! A person (ay e+ecute a 'o#ograp'ic *i## *'ic'

(ust be

entire#y *ritten dated and signed by t'e 'and o t'etestator 'i(se#! It is subect to no ot'er or( AN% 6AH BE6A%E IN O" OU$ O4 $1E P1ILIPPINES AN% NEE% NO$ BE2I$NESSE%! -"#$.

/a*ane$

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A. Adantages$1. 8heaper' simp*e' easier to reise' no notar# pu"*ic

needed2. A"so*ute secrec# is guaranteed+ on*# #ou' the father and

the mem"ers of the fami*# wi** 3now its contents.

Disadantages$1. Precise*# "ec. it guarantees secrec# and is simp*er' it is

a*so easier to fa*sif#++ *ess peop*e #ou need to co**ude w4++ on*##ourse*f' "ut in attested wi**' #ou need at *east four (!) otherpeop*e.

2. It ma# not e0press testator9s wishes due to fau*t#

e0pression. %o protection against causes itiating consent "ec. there

are no witnesses++ danger is higher.!. Does not reea* testamentar# capacit# of testator due to

*ac3 of witnesses>. Easier to concea* than an attested wi**.++ #ou can a**ege

that no wi** was made?. :enera**#' danger of am"iguit# is greater than in attested

wi**s.++ "ec. testator is not a *aw#er' he ma# not understandtechnica* and *ega* words. In attested wi**' the testator is assisted"# a *aw#er.

G/ ,e#es opines that the disadantages outweigh theadantages. 5e suggested a midd*e ground' a m#stic wi**(testamento cerrado.) It is not as strict as a notaria* wi**' "ut notas fraught w4 ris3s as a ho*ographic wi**. his 3ind of wi** is sea*edin an ene*ope and "rought to the notar# who puts his sea* and

signs to authenticate' and it wi** "e opened on*# upon the death ofthe testator. his 3ind of wi** minimies the ris3 of fraud andprotects the priac# of the testator.

/. ,ea* ,equirements.++


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(c) If another person wrote an additiona* part w4 the3now*edge of the testator' &ID.

2. Dated

a. (1) "o+as v! de 3esus!&& &n the wi**' the date waswritten as 6e".4 ?1. Is it a*id =es.

:enera* ru*e$ Da#' month and #ear must "e indicated.E0ception$ -hen there is no appearance of fraud' "ad faith'

undue inf*uence' and pressure and the authenticit# of the wi** isesta"*ished' and the on*# issue is whether or not 6e".4?1 isa*id' then it shou*d "e a**owed under the P,I%8IPE &6

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8. 1. Are ho*ographic wi**s in *etters a**owed =es' proidedthere is an intent on the part of the testator to dispose of thepropert# in the *etters and the requisites are present.

E.g.' I gie #ou 142 of m# estate as proided for in thedocument I 3ept in the safe. his is a ho*ographic wi** "ec. the*etter does not in itse*f dispose of the propert#.

2. 8an a "*ind testator ma3e a ho*ographic wi** =es.here is no form required. -hat is important is the presence ofthe < re)uisites.

Art! 899! In t'e probate o a 'o#ograp'ic *i## it s'a## benecessary t'at at #east one *itness *'o Gno*s t'e'and*riting and signature o t'e testator e+p#icit#y dec#aret'at t'e *i## and t'e signature are in t'e 'and*riting o t'etestator! I t'e *i## is contested at #east t'ree o suc'

*itnesses s'a## be re)uired!In t'e absence o any co(petent *itness reerred to int'e preceding paragrap' and i t'e court dee( it necessarye+pert testi(ony (ay be resorted to!

/a*ane$"e)uire(ents in t'e Probate o 1o#ograp'ic 2i##s:

1. Documentar# ,equirement

a. :enera* ru*e$ he wi** itse*f must "e presented

an v! Hap!&& In the case' the proponent of the supposedwi** sought to esta"*ish its contents through e0trinsic eidence.he S8 denied such attempt to pro"ate a ho*ographic wi** thatwas not presented "efore the court. he S8 said that the actua*wi** shou*d "e presented to the court. he reason is that the wi**itse*f is the on*# materia* proof of authenticit#. 5ow can the#

oppose the wi** if the wi** is not thereE.g.' =ou are presented in the pro"ate court the "*ood# test

papers of A in 8ii* aw' ust to show the handwriting of A' "ut #oudo not hae the wi**. 5ow wi** #ou compare when #ou do not haean# wi** to "e compared. /ut if the wi** is there' I wou*d "e the first

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one to proe #our handwriting "# showing #our "*ood# testpapers. (/a*ane.)

E0ception$ If there is an e+isting copy or dup#icate

p'otostatic +ero+!

"ode#as v! AranFa!&& In the case' the proponent of the wi**sought to present a cop# of the ho*ographic wi** to the court. hecourt a**owed the production of the cop#. he "asis of thisacceptance is the ootnote no! 8 in t'e case o an v! =anwhere the court said that perhaps if a photostatic cop# ispresented...

he merit of the ,ode*as case is dou"tfu*.. Aut'enticity ot'e *i## is "ased on the handwriting and the signature.5andwriting e0perts use as a "ases the pen#its o t'e *riter. Inphotocopies' pen*ifts are not discerni"*e and so the e0perts aredepried of their "asis in determining the authenticit# of the wi**.

b! Lost 'o#ograp'ic *i##scannot "e pro"ated een "# thetestimonies of the witnesses. he reason is that the *i## itse# is

t'e on#y proo o its aut'enticity!

2. $esti(onia# "e)uire(enta. 7ncontested wi**.++ on*# one witness to identif# the

signature and handwriting of the testator.". 8ontested wi**.++ three witnesses to identif# the signature

and handwriting of the testator.AFao#a v! Singson!&& In the case' the oppositors of the wi**

contested the wi** on the ground that it was e0ecuted through

raud. he#' howeer' admitted its due e0ecution. During thecase' the proponent presented on*# one witness to identif# thesignature and handwriting of the testator. Is one witness sufficientconsidering there is an oppositor to the wi**

Hes. he S8 he*d that one witness is sufficient. -hat the*aw enisions is that the genuineness of the handwriting andsignature "e contested. 8ontested ho*ographic wi** refers to thecha**enge "# the oppositors that the wi** is not in the handwriting

of the deceased. he oppositors in this case did not cha**engethe handwriting of the deceased. heir ground for opposingpro"ate is that the wi** was e0ecuted through fraud and improperand undue inf*uence. 5ence' the pro"ate required on*# onewitness.

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he authenticit# of the wi** is not contested. herefore' thewi** itse*f' not "eing contested was that of the testator. heoppositors here precise*# admit that authenticit# of the wi** "utoppose on the ground that there is fraud or undue inf*uence

initiated upon her in the e0ecution of the wi**. 5ence' it isuncontested.

'biter dictum( he three witness proision for contestedho*ographic wi** is mere*# director#. he court upon satisf#ingitse*f of the authenticit# of the wi** can require one or tenwitnesses. he udge 3nows "est. he second paragraph of Art.11 gies the court discretion' hence the director# effect of the

Art.++ (a) it is a matter of qua*it# and not quantit#; (") to require

witnesses' ma3es it worse than treason' w4c requires on*# 2witnesses.

-hich is "etter &ne who testif# "ut w4 unquestionedcredi"i*it# or 2B ASE8&< witnesses So do not re*# on thequantit#. he case of Aao*a is mere*# a guide and interprets Art.11 for us. It is not mandator#. It a*wa#s depends on the udge.

Art! 89?! In 'o#ograp'ic *i##s t'e dispositions o t'etestator *ritten be#o* 'is signature (ust be dated andsigned by 'i( in order to (aGe t'e( va#id as testa(entarydispositions!

/a*ane$ o authenticate additiona# dispositions' the same must"e signedand dated"# the testator.

Art! 89

/a*ane$ If a wi** has seera* additions' the testator has twooptions$

(1) Sign each disposition and sign and date the *ast; or(2) Sign and date each one of the additions.

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Art! 89! In case o any insertion cance##ation erasureor a#teration in a 'o#ograp'ic *i## t'e testator (ustaut'enticate t'e sa(e by 'is u## signature!

/a*ane$ Insertion Cance##ation Erasure or A#teration!&&Authenticate "# fu** signature' that is' in the manner the testatorusua**# signs his name.

5a#a* v! "e#ova.++ In the case' there were 2 a*terations. Inthe first a*teration' the name of ,osa as so*e heir was crossed outand :regorio9s name was inserted. In the second a*teration' thename of ,osa as e0ecutor was crossed out and :regorio9s name

was inserted. he second a*teration was initia*ed. Are thea*terations a*id %o.

A*teration 1$ %ot signed' thus' not a*id.A*teration 2$ Initia*ed' thus' not a*id; it must "e fu**

signature.:regorio cannot inherit as a so*e heir "ec. it was not

authenticated. ,osa cannot inherit as so*e heir "ec. her namewas crossed out. his indicated a change of mind on the part of

the testator. he S8 he*d that a change done "# cance**ation andputting in a new name' w4o the fu** signature' is not a*id. Assuch' the pro"ate is denied and the# "oth inherit "# intestac#.

/a*ane$ ,osa shou*d inherit as so*e heir. he cance**ationwas not done proper*# since it was not signed. he effect is as ifthe cance**ation was not done. If the testator wants to change hismind' he shou*d ref*ect it in the proper wa#.

,: 1o* do *e (aGe a c'ange in a notaria# *i##/A$ here is no proision of *aw dea*ing on this. he ordinar#ru*es of eidence wi** app*#. o proe change' the testator shou*daffi0 either his signature or initia*s. he "est wa#' howeer' is tohae the testator and notar# pu"*ic sign.

Artic#es 89D to 897!&& %a&s &ic govern formal execution

according to te place of execution!

Art! 89D! 2'en a 4i#ipino is in a oreign country 'e isaut'oriFed to (aGe a *i## in any o t'e or(s estab#is'ed byt'e #a* o t'e country in *'ic' 'e (ay be! Suc' *i## (ay beprobated in t'e P'i#ippines!

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Art! 89! $'e *i## o an a#ien *'o is abroad produceseect in t'e P'i#ippines i (ade *it' t'e or(a#ities

prescribed by t'e #a* o t'e p#ace in *'ic' 'e resides oraccording to t'e or(a#ities observed in 'is country or inconor(ity *it' t'ose *'ic' t'is Code prescribes!

Art! 897! A *i## (ade in t'e P'i#ippines by a citiFen orsubect o anot'er country *'ic' is e+ecuted in accordance*it' t'e #a* o t'e country o *'ic' 'e is a citiFen or subect

and *'ic' (ig't be proved and a##o*ed by t'e #a* o 'iso*n country s'a## 'ave t'e sa(e eect as i e+ecutedaccording to t'e #a*s o t'e P'i#ippines!

/a*ane$1. 6our com"inations as to situation$

a. 6i*ipino ma3es a wi** here

". 6i*ipino ma3es a wi** a"road.c. 6oreigner ma3es a wi** here.d. 6oreigner ma3es a wi** a"road.

2. -hat *aw goerns the a*idit# of wi**a. Intrinsic.++ the nationa* *aw of the testator". ime.++ At the time of death.c. P*ace.++ the same for 6i*ipinos and a*iens. he same ru*e

whereer #ou ma3e #our wi**. =ou hae fie (>) choices++ the *aw

of1. he testator9s citienship2. estator9s domici*e. P*ace of e0ecution!. estator9s residence>. Phi*ippines.

E0amp*e' an Argentine citien' domici*ed in 6rance' residing in

/e*gium isiting the Phi*s. In Gapan' he e0ecuted a wi**. 5e ma#choose among the fie (>) p*aces as to what *aw sha** goern theforma* requirements of his wi**.

If ,u"en e0ecuted a wi** in


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Art! 898! $*o or (ore persons cannot (aGe a *i##

oint#y or in t'e sa(e instru(ent eit'er or t'eir reciproca#beneit or or t'e beneit o a t'ird person!

/a*ane$ 9! %einitions!&& (a) A oint wi** is one document w4cseres as the wi** of 2 persons; this is prohi"ited; (") A reciproca*wi** ino*es 2 instruments reciproca**# ma3ing each other heir;this is not prohi"ited.

?! E#e(ents o a 3oint 2i##: (a) one sing*e instrument; (") it isthe wi** of 2 or more persons.

to 3i** the other "ec. genera**#' oint wi**s "enefit each other.(") It runs counter to the idea that wi**s are reoca"*e.

It ma3es reocation more difficu*t. E.g.' tearing it up++ destro#s

the wi** of another.(c) It undermines the persona* e*ement of a wi**.++ It"ecomes a mu*tip*e wi**.

! E+a(p#es:a. &ne sheet of paper. &n each side is a wi** of one person.

Is it a*id =es' "ec. there are 2 documents.". &ne sheet of paper. &n the front page' on the upper ha*f

is a wi** of A. &n the "ottom ha*f is the wi** of /. Is it a*id =es.

his is not a oint wi** "ec. there are sti** 2 documents.

!. In :erman#' oint wi**s are a**owed on*# if e0ecuted "# thespouses.

>. he presumption is that wi**s are a*id. he fau*t pro"a"*# is inthe wording of the *aw. Goint wi**++ one instrument. -hat the *awprohi"its is not 2 wi**s on the same sheet of paper "ut oint wi**s.

Art! 89=! 2i##s pro'ibited by t'e preceding artic#ee+ecuted by 4i#ipinos in a oreign country s'a## not be va#idin t'e P'i#ippines even t'oug' aut'oriFed by t'e #a*s o t'ecountry *'ere t'ey (ay 'ave been e+ecuted!

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/a*ane$

1. his proision is an e0ception to the ru*e enunciated in Artic*es1> to 1@ that for 6i*ipinos' as *ong as the wi** is a*id in the p*aceof e0ecution' then it is a*id in the Phi*s.

2. 6i*ipinos' whether here or a"road' cannot e0ecute oint wi**s. Itis against pu"*ic po*ic#.

. 8an a*iens e0ecute oint wi**s

a. If e0ecuted in the countr# where it is a**owed' =ES' it ma#"e pro"ated here.

". If made here and their countr# a**ows them to do thishere are 2 iews on this$

(i) =es' fo**ow the persona* *aw.(ii) %o "ec. it is against pu"*ic po*ic#.

Subsection !&& Witnesses to Wills!

Art! 8?0! Any person o sound (ind and o t'e age oeig'teen years or (ore and not b#ind dea or du(b andab#e to read and *rite (ay be a *itness to t'e e+ecution o a*i## (entioned in artic#e 80D o t'is Code!

Art! 8?9! $'e o##o*ing are %IS,UALI4IE% ro( being

*itnesses to a *i##:-9. Any person not do(ici#ed in t'e P'i#ippines>-?. $'ose *'o 'ave been CON@IC$E% O4

4ALSI4ICA$ION O4 A %OCU6EN$ PE"3U"H O" 4ALSE$ES$I6ONH!

/a*ane$ Artic*es 2B and 21 ma# "e ta3en together. heseproisions are app*ica"*e on*# to attested wi**s and not to

ho*ographic wi**s.

Si+ ,ua#iications o 2itnesses to 2i##s or "e)uisites orCo(petence to be a 2itness:

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financia* position has nothing to do w4 a witness9 credi"i*it#.ast*#' the S8 said that competenc# and credi"i*it# are different.

A witness to a wi** is competent if he has a** the qua*ifications andnone of the disqua*ifications to "e a witness whi*e credi"i*it#

depends on the appreciation of the court of the testimon# of thewitness.

Art! 8??! I t'e *itnesses attesting t'e e+ecution o a*i## are co(petent at t'e ti(e o attesting t'eir beco(ingsubse)uent#y inco(petent s'a## not prevent t'e a##o*ance ot'e *i##!

/a*ane$ 8ompetenc# or capacit# to "e a witness$ (1) isdetermined at the time of witnessing; (2) must hae the si0qua*ifications. In effect' this is the same ru*e in testamentar#capacit#.

Art! 8?

/a*ane$ his is a misp*aced proision. It shou*d not "e put here"ut on the section on the disqua*ification to inherit. It does not te**us that it incapacitates a witness. It te**s us of the incapacit# of awitness to succeed.

:enera* ru*e$ -itness' his spouse' parent' chi*d' or personc*aiming under an# of them cannot inherit.

E0ception$ here are three other witnesses to the wi**.

E.g.$ (a) estator A' -itnesses /' 8' D. It is presumed that the#are a** qua*ified to "e witnesses. A' in a wi**' ma3es *egac# to /'giing him a car. Does it disqua*if# / to "e a witness %o' itdisqua*ifies / to inherit. he *egac# is oid.

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(") If there were ! witnesses. he *egac# is gien to /. Isthe *egac# a*id =es' "ec. there are other witnesses.

(c) If there are four witnesses' each one is gien a deise or*egac#.

(i) Are the# competent to "e witnesses =es.(ii) Are "equests to them a*id here are 2 iews$

1. =es. /ec. for each of them' there are threeother witnesses. (i"era* iew.)

2. %o. /ec. this is an o"ious circumention of Art.2. Art. 2 has for its purpose the preention of co**usion.(Strict iew.)

Art! 8?! A (ere c'arge on t'e estate o t'e testator ort'e pay(ent o debts due at t'e ti(e o t'e testators deat'does not prevent 'is creditors ro( being co(petent*itnesses to 'is *i##!

Subsection D!&& Codicils and Incorporation by .eference!

Art! 8?D! A codicilis a supp#e(ent or addition to a *i##(ade ater t'e e+ecution o a *i## and anne+ed to be taGen asa part t'ereo by *'ic' any disposition (ade in t'e origina#*i## is e+p#ained added to or a#tered!

/a*ane$E.g.' In a wi**' I gie m# car to A' Gu*# 2' 1CC>. /ec. I want to

specif# w4c of m# cars' I ma3e a wi** stating In m# wi** of Gu*# 2'1CC>' I gae a car to A. I want to c*arif# that I am giing him m#/' I gie m# car to A.

Gu*# 1' 1CC>' I gie m# house to /. his is a secondwi**.

6our uestions$

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1. If origina* wi** is attested' can #ou ma3e an attested codici*2. If origina* wi** is attested' can #ou ma3e a ho*ographic codici*. If origina* wi** is ho*ographic' can #ou ma3e a ho*ographiccodici*

!. If the origina* wi** is ho*ographic' can #ou ma3e an attestedcodici*

A$ =es to a**. he form of a codici* does not hae to conform tothe form of the wi**. A wi** does not impose its form on the codici*.

As *ong as the codici* comp*ies w4 the form of wi**s' it is a*id. (Art.2?.)

Art! 8?! In order t'at a codici# (ay be eective it s'a##be e+ecuted as in t'e case o a *i##!

/a*ane$ -hether #ou ca** the second document a wi** or a codici*does not rea**# matter. It is a** theoretica*. It is on*# a matter oftermino*ogies. he# "oth require the forma* requisites of a wi**.

Art! 8?7! I a *i## e+ecuted as re)uired by t'is Codeincorporates into itse# by reerence any docu(ent or papersuc' docu(ent or paper s'a## not be considered a part o t'e*i## un#ess t'e o##o*ing re)uisites are present: -E&%I&S&S.

-9. $'e docu(ent or paper reerred to in t'e *i## (ustbe in e+istence at t'e ti(e o t'e e+ecution o t'e *i##>

-?. $'e *i## (ust c#ear#y describe and identiy t'e sa(e

stating a(ong ot'er t'ings t'e nu(ber o pages t'ereo>- and-. It (ust be signed by t'e testator and t'e *itnesses

on eac' and every page e+cept in case o vo#u(inous booGso account or inventories!

/a*ane$

$ -hat do #ou incorporateA$ :enera**#' the documents that c*arif# proisions in the wi** tow4c it is attached. E.g.' inentories' s3etches' "oo3s of account

$ 8an a document contain an# testamentar# disposition -h#A$ %o. /ec. the# do not conform to the requirements of wi**s.

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"e)uisites or Incorporation by "eerence: E&"&I&S

1. %ocu(ent (ust pre&e+ist t'e *i##! It must "e in

e0istence when the wi** is made.2. he *i## (ust reer to t'e docu(ent' stating among

other things the num"er of pages of the document.. he docu(ent (ust be identiied during t'e probate

o t'e *i##as the document referred to in the wi**!. It must "e signed by t'e testator and t'e *itnesses on

eac' and every page' e0cept in case of o*uminous "oo3s ofaccounts or inentories.

$ 8an a document "e incorporated in a ho*ographic wi**considering that the attached document must "e signed "#witnesses and that the ho*ographic wi** has no witnesses

A$ here are 2 iews. (a) =es' witnesses referred to "# *awshou*d "e ta3en to mean on*# if there are witnesses to the wi**.here is no specification in the *aw.

(") %o. he fourth requisite presupposes there werewitnesses. It seems to coer on*# attested wi**s.

Subsection ! .evocation of Wills and Testamentary#ispositions!

Art! 8?8! A *i## (ay be revoGed by t'e testator at anyti(e beore 'is deat'! Any *aiver or restriction o t'is rig'tis void!

/a*ane$ &ne of the characteristics of a wi** is that it isa(bu#atory. It is not fi0ed' it is reoca"*e. ,eoca"i*it# is anessentia* requisite of a wi**. So an# waier or restriction of this

right is oid. here are no e0ceptions to this ru*e.

$ 8an the testator ma3e a wi** irreoca"*eA$ %o. As *ong as he is a*ie' he can reo3e wi** at p*easure.Distinguish this from a donation inter vivos w4c cannot "e reo3edat p*easure "# the donor.

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Art! 8?=! A revocation done outside t'e P'i#ippines by a

person *'o does not 'ave 'is do(ici#e in t'is country isva#id *'en it is done according to t'e #a* o t'e p#ace *'eret'e *i## *as (ade or according to t'e #a* o t'e p#ace in*'ic' t'e testator 'ad 'is do(ici#e at t'e ti(e> and i t'erevocation taGes p#ace in t'is country *'en it is inaccordance *it' t'e provisions o t'is Code!

/a*ane$ his artic*e is incomp*ete. It does not coer a** situations.

$ 5ow do #ou reo3e -hat *aw goerns reocationA$ It depends where the reocation is made$

1. If done outside the Phi*s$a. If the testator is not domici*ed in the Phi*s$

-i. t'e #a* o t'e p#ace *'ere t'e *i## *as(ade

(ii) t'e #a* o t'e p#ace *'ere t'e testator *as

do(ici#ed at t'e ti(e o t'e revocation

". If the testator is domici*ed in the Phi*s$(i) Phi*. *aw "ec. his domici*e is here.(ii) aw of the p*ace of reocation "ec. of Art. 1@'

%88

2. If done inside the Phi*s.' fo**ow Phi*. *aw.

Art! 8 or-?. By so(e *i## codici# or ot'er *riting e+ecuted as

provided in case o *i##s> or-


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t'e act o its unaut'oriFed destruction cance##ation orob#iteration are estab#is'ed according to t'e "u#es o Court!

/a*ane$

$'ree 2ays o "evoGing a 2i##:

9! By I(p#ication o La*!

a. Art! 90


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a. Corpus.++ Act of destruction++ comp*etion of intent++ a**acts needed to reo3e hae "een done

$


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!. If the testator tota**# destro#ed the wi** and he changedhis mind' is there reocation =es. he act was a*read#consummated. 5is remed# is to e0ecute another wi**.

6a#oto v! CA.++ In the case' the estate was distri"utedequa**# "# intestac# "et. the ! heirs. Su"sequent*#' a wi** wasfound. In the wi**' more was gien to 2 of the heirs. As such' the2 who got more sought the pro"ate of the wi**. he other 2o"ected c*aiming that the wi** had "een reo3ed. he issue iswhether or not there had "een a a*id reocation. he S8 he*dno. -hi*e there ma# hae "een intent to reo3e' there was no

corpus. here is no eidence to show that what was reo3ed wasthe wi** of the testator. A*so' the destruction was not proen tohae "een done in the presence and under the e0pression of thetestator.

:ago .


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reason o t'e incapacityo t'e 'eirs devisees or #egateesdesignated t'erein or by t'eir renunciation!

/a*ane$ :enera* ,u*e$ %octrine o Abso#ute "evocation!&&

he reocation of a prior wi** "# means of a su"sequent wi** isa"so*ute. Such reocation does not depend on$

1. 8apacit# of heirs' deisees' and *egatees in the 2nd wi**;or

2. &n their acceptance.

he reocation wi** "e operatie een the heirs' deisees' or*egatees named in the reo3ing wi** are disqua*ified or the#

renounce.E.g.' -i** 1.++ I gie m# house and *ot to A. (1CC>)

-i** 2.++ I gie m# house to / and here"# reo3e m#first wi**. (1CC@)

Suppose' upon the testators9s death' / renounces or isincapacitated' what is the effect he institution of A is sti**reo3ed. 5ouse and *ot wi** go "# intestac#. he first wi** not "ereied "# the reason of the inoperation of the reo3ing wi** due to

its renunciation or the incapacit# of heirs' deisees' or *egatees init. he rationa*e is that the second wi** was a*id e0cept that itwas rendered inoperatie.

E0ception$ %octrine o %ependent "e#ative "evocation!&&,eocation of the first wi** is made "# the testator to "e dependenton the capacit# and acceptance of the heirs' deisees' and*egatees of the su"sequent wi**. 5ow do #ou 3now he testatorsaid so in the wi**.

E.g.' -i** 1.++ I gie m# car to A. (1CC>)-i** 2.++ I gie m# car to /. Such *egac# is dependent

upon the capacit# and acceptance of /. (1CC@)he institution of / is conditiona*.Primar# institution++ /; Secondar# institution++ A.

Art! 8an i##ega# cause is NULL AN% @OI%!

/a*ane$ Is this artic*e io*atie of the right to reo3e' een withoutreason %o. he testator need not hae a reason to reo3e hiswi**. 5e ma# reo3e it capricious#yor *'i(sica##yat p*easure./ut if the reocation is due to mista3e or is "ased on some cause

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and such cause was *ater proen to "e fa*se' then the reocationis oid "ec. a** transactions "ased on mista3e are itiated' that is'#ou are acting on a fa*se cause of facts. he cause' howeer'must "e stated in the wi**. his shows respect for the freedom of

the testator to reo3e' that his rea* intent "e fo**owed.E.g.' a. Based on act (3ind of dependent re*atie

reocation "ec. he wou*d reo3e on*# if his information is true.)++ Iinstituted 8 as m# heir. ater' I heard that it was 8 who 3i**ed m#"rother in Daao. So' I reo3ed m# wi**. /ut it turned out that 8did not do it. ,eocation therefore is oid.

". Based on i(pression!&& I gie m# car to / who isfrom


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Art! 8


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,eocation Instanter-- instant*#-i** 1 is not reied "ec. its reocation was instant

E+ception$ 1. -i** e0press*# reies -i** 1.2. wi** reproduces proisions of -i** 1.

-h# cra# /ec. this is contrar# to esta"*ished princip*es insuccession.

Succession Princip*e Art. @

1. -i** ta3es effect upon death. 1. :ies the wi** 2effects ante mortem' een if thetestator is sti** a*ie. It

ma3es the wi** operatie een if thetestator is a*ie.

2. ,eoca"i*it# of wi**s. 2.


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Subect to t'e rig't o appea# t'e a##o*ance o t'e *i##eit'er during t'e #ieti(e o t'e testator or ater 'is deat's'a## be conc#usive as to its due e+ecution!

/a*ane$ Pro"ate is mandator#.

here are 2 3inds of pro"ate$ (a) ante-mortem at theinstance of the testator; (") post-mortem at the instance of an#interested part#.

Effect$ It is su"ect to appea* "ut once fina*' it "ecomesconc#usive or res /udicata as to its due e0ecution and

testamentar# capacit# of the testator (e0trinsic a*idit#.)

Advantages o(nte-mortemProbate:

1. It eases the mind of the testator2. here is opportunit# to change. =ou can proe the capacit# of the testator

%isadvantage o(nte-mortemProbate!&& otios++ superf*uous'futi*e. -h# /ec. the testator can easi*# ma3e a su"sequent wi**reo3ing it. So un*ess the testator is er# sure' it might "euse*ess to hae an ante-mortempro"ate.

he issue in pro"ate is the e+trinsic or or(a# va#idity o t'e*i##!

:enera* ru*e$ Intrinsic or su"stantie a*idit# is not in issue.

E+ception: $'ere is an intrinsic deect on t'e ace o t'e*i##!

Nepo(oceno v! CA!&& In the case' the testator *eft hisentire estate to his *ega* wife and chi*dren "ut deised the freeportion to his common+*aw wife. -hen the common+*aw wifesought the pro"ate of the wi**' the 8A dec*ared the wi** a*id' "uthe*d the deise to the common+*aw wife nu** and oid for "eing

contrar# to Art. @C of the %88. In effect' the court ru*ed on theintrinsic a*idit# of the wi** in the pro"ate proceedings. -as theho*ding of the 8A correct he S8 he*d that it was correct.

A*though the genera* ru*e is that on*# e0trinsic a*idit# cou*d "e atissue during the pro"ate' this ru*e is not a"so*ute. ivene+ceptiona# circu(stances' the pro"ate court ma# do what the

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situation constrains it to do "# passing upon certain proisions ofthe wi**. 8*ear*#' the deise for the common+*aw wife was oid.he 8A had the authorit# to ru*e on such nu**it#. It wou*d "epractica* for the court to ru*e on such an o"ious matter.

Ot'er*ise t'e probate (ig't beco(e an id#e cere(ony i onits ace it appears to be intrinsica##y void!

ALLANOSA @! A"CANEL& Pro"ate are proceedings inrem and are mandator#. If the pro"ate is a**owed' it "ecomesconc*usie as to its e0trinsic a*idit# which proides that$

1. he testator was of sound (indwhen he e0ecuted the

wi**.2. he testator was not acting under duress or raud++ his

consent *as not vitiated. he *i## *as e+ecuted in accordance *; t'e

or(a#ities re)uired by #a*!. he wi** is genuine and not a orgery

$ -hat if after the pro"ate court "ecomes fina* a person was

charged w4 forger# of the wi**' can he can he "e conictedA: No t'e probate is conc#usive as to t'e *i##s genuinenesseven against t'e state!

%E LA CE"NA @! "EBECA&PO$O$!&& his case ino*es aoint *i##e0ecuted "# a hus"and and a wife. he hus"and died"efore the wife and the wi** was pro"ated. %ow' the wife died andthe testamentar# heirs sought the pro"ate of the wi**. -i** the wi**

"e pro"ated %o. he S8 he*d that the first pro"ate was a*idon*# as to the share of the hus"and. 5oweer' such ear*ierpro"ate cannot "e app*ied for the share of the wife "ec. she wassti** *iing at the time the first pro"ate was made. As such' there isno res !udicata as to the share of the wife. As to the wife' since itis against a oint wi**' then it is oid and her propert# wi** pass "#intestac#.

Art! 8

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-?. I t'e testator *as insane or ot'er*ise (enta##yincapab#e o (aGing a *i## at t'e ti(e o its e+ecution>

-

-. I it *as procured by undue and i(proper pressureand in#uence on t'e part o t'e beneiciary or o so(e ot'erperson>

-D. I t'e signature o t'e testator *as procured byraud>

-. I t'e testator acted by (istaGe or did not intend t'att'e instru(ent 'e signed s'ou#d be 'is *i## at t'e ti(e oai+ing 'is signature t'ereto!

/a*ane$ his enumeration is e0c*usie. he# either ma3e the wi**oid or a*id. $'ere is no suc' t'ing as a voidab#e *i##! 4&I&4%&U&4&6

1. 6orma*ities.++ Art. B> et seq.2. Insanit#.++ Art. @CC

. 6orce.++ io*ence++ Art. 1> par. 1 Duress++ intimidation++ Art. 1> par. 2!. 7ndue and Improper pressure and inf*uence.++ Art. 1@>. 6raud.++ Art. 1?.


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In suc' cases t'e testa(entary dispositions (ade inaccordance *it' #a* s'a## be co(p#ied *it' and t'ere(ainder o t'e estate s'a## pass to t'e #ega# 'eirs!

/a*ane$ 1. Een if there is no institution of an heir' the wi** isa*id' "ut it is use*ess un*ess it ac3now*edges an i**egitimate chi*dor disinherits a compu*sor# heir.

2. If the institution does not coer the entire estate' the e0cesssha** either go to the compu*sor# heirs or "# intestac#. (c. 2'en it instituted an e+ecutor!

>. If the instituted heir shou*d repudiate or "e incapacitated toinherit' then *ega* succession ta3es p*ace.

Art! 8?! One *'o 'as no co(pu#sory 'eirs (ay

dispose by *i## o a## 'is estate or any part o it in avor oany person aving capacity to succeed!

One *'o 'as co(pu#sory 'eirs (ay dispose o 'isestate provided 'e does not contravene t'e provisions ot'is Code *it' regard to t'e legitimeo said 'eirs!

/a*ane$F ++++++++ spouse

4 L M A / 8

F has a spouse and chi*dren.8hi*dren get 142 of the estateM

+++++++ egitimes

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Spouse gets 14? of the estate4

Art! 8

/a*ane$ :enera* ru*e$ An heir must "e designated "# name andsurname. his a*so app*ies to deisees and *egatees.

If there are 2 or more peop*e haing the same name andsurname' the testator must indicate some identif#ing mar3 orcircumstance to which he ma# "e 3nown' otherwise there ma# "ea *atent am"iguit#.

E.g.' I institute m# cousin A. /ut I hae cousins "# thename of A. 7n*ess I gie an identif#ing mar3 or circumstance asto w4c cousin A I refer to' there wi** "e a #atent a(biguity!

E0ception$ Een w4o giing the name' the identit# of the heircan "e ascertained w4 sufficient certaint# or c*arit#' e.g. thepresent Dean of the 7P 8o**ege of aw' m# o*dest "rother.

-hat is important is that the identit# of the heir be *no%n

and not necessari*# his name.

Art! 8! An error in t'e na(e surna(e orcircu(stances o t'e 'eir s'a## not vitiate t'e institution*'en it is possib#e in any ot'er (anner to Gno* *it'certainty t'e person instituted!

I a(ong persons 'aving t'e sa(e na(es and

surna(es t'ere is a si(i#arity o circu(stances in suc' a*ay t'at even *it' t'e use o ot'er proo t'e personinstituted cannot be identiied none o t'e( s'a## be an 'eir!

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/a*ane$ 1. Paragraph 1.++ Een though there ma# "e an error inthe name of the heir' the error is immateria* if his identit# can "e3nown in an# other manner.

2. Paragraph 2.++ See the ru*es on *atent am"iguit#.6irst$ 7se e0trinsic eidence e0cept the ora* dec*arations of

the testator as to his intentions to cure the am"iguit#.Second$ If am"iguit# sti** e0ists' none of them wi** inherit.

Art! 8D! Every disposition in avor o an unGno*nperson s'a## be void un#ess by so(e event or circu(stance

'is identity beco(es certain! 1o*ever a disposition in avoro a deinite c#ass or group o persons s'a## be va#id!

/a*ane$ 1. 8an the testator gie his entire free portion to aperson he does not persona**# 3now =es.

he un3nown person referred to in this artic*e refers to onewho cannot "e identified and not to one whom the testator doesnot persona**# 3now. he "asis of the nu**it# is the ina"i*it# to

determine the intention of the testator.

E.g.' o someone who cares. ++ oid.o someone w4 ten e#es. ++ oid' this refers to

someone who does not e0ist.

his designation is a*id if the identit# is not 3nown at thetime of ma3ing the wi** "ut can "e 3nown in the future "#circumstances. 5ow /# esta"*ishing certain criteria at the

proper time' e.g.' 6irst 6i*ipino who wins a go*d meda* in the&*#mpics.

2. 8*ass designation is a*id' c*ass in 8ii* aw ,eiew' 7P8o**ege of aw' 1CC>+1CC?.

C

(re*aties)' 1B2C (pra#ers and pious wor3s for the "enefit of hissou*)' and 1BB (poor.)

Art! 8! 1eirs instituted *it'out designation o s'aress'a## in'erit in e)ua# parts!

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/a*ane$ his is a presu(ption o e)ua#ity. his supports theunder*#ing princip*e of this chapter w4c is respect for the wishes ofthe testator.

Art! 87! 2'en t'e testator institutes so(e 'eirsindividua##y and ot'ers co##ective#y as *'en 'e says Idesignate as (y 'eirs A and B and t'e c'i#dren o C t'oseco##ective#y designated s'a## be considered as individua##yinstituted un#ess it c#ear#y appears t'at t'e intention o t'etestator *as ot'er*ise!

/a*ane$ Pro"*em$ he testator proides I gie 14 of m# estateto A' / and 8. 8 is a c*ass of peop*e. 5ow do #ou diide theestate

A$ It is not to "e interpreted as 14 to A' / and c*ass 8.,ather' the 14 of the estate shou*d "e diided equa**# among A'

/ and the mem"ers of c*ass 8. -h# /ec. the presumption isthat the mem"ers of 8 were individua##y designated./ut if the testator sa#s I gie 14 of m# estate to A' / and

c*ass 8 as a unit' then 14 wi** "e diided equa**# among A' / andc*ass 8.

Art! 88! I t'e testator s'ou#d institute 'is brot'ers andsisters and 'e 'as so(e o u## b#ood and ot'ers o 'a#

b#ood t'e in'eritance s'a## be

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