RUBEN BALANE SUCCESSION REVIEWER

Succession Reviewer

Inside: Illustrative Problems by Mr. Patrick, Sample Exam Questions, Answer Key and more!!!1

“Solvitur Ambulando”

I. General Provisions

Art.774.Successionisamodeofacquisitionbyvirtueofwhichtheproperty,rightsandobligationstotheextentofthe value of the inheritance, of a person are transmittedthroughhisdeathtoanotherorotherseitherbyhiswillorbyoperationoflaw.(n)2ClassNotes:KindsofSuccession

• accordingtomomentoftransmission:1) mortiscausa2) intervivos(noneinPHlaw,onlydonations)

1Disclaimer:AllphotosliftedfromGoogleimages.Nocopyrightinfringementintended.2provisionsrecited

• accdgtoextentofrightsandobligationstransmitted:

1) universal–entirepatrimonyoranaliquotpart2) particular–devise,legacy• accdgtoimportance:1) compulsory2) testamentary3) intestate

Parties:

• Decedento Testatoro Decedent(intestate)

• Successoro Heiro DeviseeorLegatee

Balane:

• Onlytransmissiblerightsandobligationspassbysuccession

o Criterion:iftherightsorobligationisstrictlypersonal(intuitupersonae),itisintransmissible;otherwise,itistransmissible.

• Pecuniaryobligationsmustbepaidfirstbeforedistributingtheresidueoftheestatetotheheirs.

UnionBankvs.Santibañez(2005)

F:Decedentcontractedloansduringhislifetime.Afterdecedentdied,creditorfiledanactionforcollectionagainsttheheirs.H:ThebankshouldhavefileditsclaimintheprobatecourtpursuanttoSec.5,Rule86oftheRulesofCourt.Thefilingofamoneyclaimagainstthedecedent’sestateintheprobatecourtismandatory.

EstateofK.H.Hemadyvs.LuzonSurety(1956)F:LowercourtruledthatclaimsfiledbyLuzonSuretyagainstdecedent’sestatebasedoncontractsofsuretyshipenteredintobythedecedentwerenotchargeablebecausedeathextinguishedliabilityassurety/guarantor.H:Obligationsofaguarantoraretransmissible.Contractstakeeffectonlybetweenparties,theirassignsandheirs,unlesstheyareintransmissiblebytheirnature,bystipulationorbyoperationoflaw.

Alvarezvs.IntermediateAppellateCourt(1990)F:Ajudgmentorderingdecedenttoreturnthelotswasenteredduringhislifetimebutwasnotexecutedbecausehesoldthelotstoa3rdperson.Asuitforrecoveryofthelotswasfiledagainsttheheirsofseller.H:Liabilitythatarosefromthesaleofdecedentinbadfaithwasnotextinguishedbyhisdeathandwaspassedontohisheirs.However,theheirsareonlyliabletotheextentofthevalueoftheirinheritance.Art. 775. In this Title, "decedent" is the general termapplied to the person whose property is transmittedthroughsuccession,whetherornotheleftawill.Ifheleftawill,heisalsocalledthetestator.(n)

Rea Bautista Patrick Manalo

Loraine Saguinsin Naomi Quimpo

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SUCCESSION – RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 2 of 73

Art.776.Theinheritanceincludesalltheproperty,rightsandobligationsofapersonwhicharenotextinguishedbyhisdeath.(659)

Art.777.Therightstothesuccessionaretransmittedfromthemomentofthedeathofthedecedent.(657a)Notes:

• Infelicitouswording.Therightstothesuccessionarevested;inheritancetransmitted

• CONSEQUENCES:

1. Thelawatthetimeofthedecedent’sdeathwilldeterminewhotheheirsshouldbe.

Usonvs.DelRosario(1953)

F:Nebredadiedin1945andwassurvivedbyhiswifeand4 illegitimate children. Wife brought action againstillegitimatechildrenfortherecoveryofthepossessionoflandleftbyhusbandonthetheorythatsheisthesoleheir.Defense:whileundertheOldCCspuriouschildrendonothave successional rights, under the New CC they aregranted the samestatusasnatural children thusentitledtosucceedfromtheirfather’sestate.H:TherightgrantedundertheNewCCcannotbegivenretroactiveeffect.Newrightshaveretroactiveeffectonlywhentheydonotprejudiceorimpairvestedoracquiredrightsofthesameorigin.TherightofownershipofWifeoverthelandbecamevestedin1945upondecedent’sdeathbecauseofArticle657oftheOldCivilCode(now777)whichwasineffectatthetimehedied.

2. Ownershippassestotheheirattheverymomentofdeathwhotherefore,fromthatmoment,acquirestherighttodisposeofhisshare.

DeBorjavs.Vda.DeBorja(1972)

F:Decedentdiedwithawill.Beforeprobateofhiswillandto end suits between them,D’s son by his firstmarriageand 2nd wife entered into a compromise agreement that2nd wife will receive P800,000 as full and completepaymentofherhereditaryshare.H:Agreementisvalid.Thereisnolegalbarfortheheirtodispose of her share immediately upon death of thedecedenteven ifactualextent isnotyetdetermined.Theagreement isasaleof thesharesandnotasettlementoftheestate.

Alfonsovs.Sps.Andres(2010)F:Joseinheritedsubjectpropertyfromhisfather.ThiswasassignedtohiminaDeedofExtrajudicialSettlement.JosesolditSpsAndres.H:Thetransferisvalidbecausetitleofpropertyofpersonwhodiedintestatepassesatoncetohisheirs,subjecttotheclaimsofadministrationandpaymentsofdebtsandexpenses.

Note:• Heir can sell his aliquot share but not specific

property/physical portion of property.Otherwise,itisonlyprotantovalid(totheextentofseller’sshare)[LeevsRTC(2007)]

3. Theheirshavetherighttobesubstitutedfor

deceasedaspartyinanactionthatsurvives

Bonillavs.Barcena(1976)F:Decedent, during her lifetime, filed an action to quiettitle.Duringthependencyofthecase,Ddiedandcounselaskedthatherheirsbesubstituted.H: The heirs may be substituted to the deceased partybecause upon the latter’s death, her claim/rights to thelandwere not extinguished butwere transmitted to herheirs.Note:

• Whatwastransmittedwastherighttoprosecutetheaction

• If there isdisputeas towhoare the legalheirs,must first establish the right to succeed in aseparate action [Heirs of Yaptinchay vs DelRosario,304SCRA18]

Republicvs.Marcos(2012)

F:Casesforreversion,reconveyanceandrestitutionofill‐gottenwealthwerefiledagainstpersonsincludingheirsofMarcosweresoughttobedismissedagainstthelatter‐mentioneddefendants.H:Despitethefindingthattheirinvolvementintheallegedillegalactivitieswasnotestablished,theyshouldbemaintainedasdefendantsbecausethecaseisanactionthatsurvivesthusitisimperativethattheestateberepresented.AstoImeldaandBongbong,theyaretheexecutorsofFM’sestate,andastoImeeandIrene,theypossiblypossess/edill‐gottenproperties.Art.778.Successionmaybe:(1)Testamentary;(2)Legalorintestate;or(3)Mixed.(n)Art. 779. Testamentary succession is that which resultsfromthedesignationofanheir,madeinawillexecutedintheformprescribedbylaw.(n)Art.780.Mixedsuccessionisthateffectedpartlybywillandpartlybyoperationoflaw.(n)Balane:

• Someinaccuracies:o Didnotmentioncompulsoryo Mixedisnotreallyatypeofsuccessiono NodefinitionofLegal/intestate

• PerAgbayani,ourExpertinSuccession,the3KindsofSuccessionaccordingtoimportanceare:1. Compulsory2. Testamentary3. Intestate

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Art.781.Theinheritanceofapersonincludesnotonlythepropertyandthetransmissiblerightsandobligationsexistingatthetimeofhisdeath,butalsothosewhichhaveaccruedtheretosincetheopeningofthesuccession.(n)Balane:

• Bestdeleted!Inheritancedoesnotincludeaccruals!

Balusvs.Balus(2010)F: Mortgage on decedent’s land was foreclosed by theBank and there being to redemption, title wasconsolidated to the Bank. D died and 2 of his 3 childrenbought land from theBank. 3rd child demanded share inthepropertyashisinheritance.H: Property, the ownership over which has been lostduringthelifetimeofadecedent,nolongerformspartofthe estate which his compulsory heirs may lay a claimover.

Art. 782. An heir is a person called to the successioneitherbytheprovisionofawillorbyoperationoflaw.Deviseesandlegateesarepersonstowhomgiftsofrealandpersonalpropertyarerespectivelygivenbyvirtueofawill.(n)Balane:

• Heir=onewhosucceedstothewholeoranaliquotpartoftheinheritance

• Devisee=Succeedstodefinite,specific,individualREALproperties

• Legatee=Succeedstodefinite,specific,individualPERSONALproperties

• Distinctionisimportantinpreterition!

II. Testamentary Succession a. Wills

1.1. Wills in General

Art.783.Awill isanactwherebyaperson ispermitted,with the formalities prescribed by law, to control to acertaindegreethedispositionofthisestate,totakeeffectafterhisdeath.(667a)Balane:Operativewords:

1. Act – too broad, it is suggested that it bedelimited with a more specific term such as“instrument”

2. Permitted–purelystatutory3. Formalities prescribed by law – depends on

whetherattestedorholographic4. Control to a certain degree – power to dispose

gratuitouslyislimitedbyrulesonlegitime5. Afterhisdeath–takesplacemortiscausa

a. Sirsays thisshouldbe“at themomentof/upondeath”

11CharacteristicsofWills:<PRIMEFEUDSS>

1. Purelypersonal

2. Freeandintelligent3. Solemnandformal4. Revocableandambulatory5. Mortiscausa6. Individual7. Executedwithanimustestandi8. Executedwithtestamentarycapacity9. Unilateral10. Dispositiveofproperty11. Statutory

Vitugvs.CourtofAppeals(1990)

F: Husband and Decedent Wife executed a SurvivorshipAgreementwiththeBankthatafterthedeathofeitherofthem, the money in their joint savings account wouldbelongtothesurvivor.H:Theagreementisnotamortiscausaconveyancewhichneedstobeinawillbutamereobligationwithaterm,thetermbeingdeath.Take note of the definition of a will in this case: “apersonal, solemn, revocable and free act by which acapacitatedpersondisposesofhispropertyandrightsanddeclares or complies with duties to take effect after hisdeath”(Thedepositwasnotpropertyofthedecedentbutwasconjugalproperty.)

Seangiovs.Reyes(2006)F:Holographicwillcontainsonlyaclausedisinheritinganheirwithoutexpressdispositionofproperty.H:Whileitdoesnotmakeanaffirmativedispositionofthetestator’sproperty,thedisinheritanceofthesonisanactof disposition of the property of the testator in favor ofthose who would succeed in the absence of the persondisinherited.Art.784.Themakingofawillisastrictlypersonalact;itcannot be left in whole or in part of the discretion of athirdperson,oraccomplishedthroughtheinstrumentalityofanagentorattorney.(670a)Notes:

• Purelypersonalcharacterofwills• What is non‐delegable is the exercise of the

disposingpower,mechanicalactsnotincluded.• In this article, “third person” should read as

“another person” because who is the “secondperson”?JerichoRosales?!

Art. 785. The duration or efficacy of the designation ofheirs, devisees or legatees, or the determination of theportions which they are to take, when referred to byname, cannot be left to the discretion of a third person.(670a)Notes:

• Theffarenon‐delegable:<DDD>1. designationofheirs,devisees,legatees2. duration or efficacy of such designation

(includingconditions,terms,substitutions)

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3. determination of portions they are toreceive

Art.786. The testatormayentrust to a thirdperson thedistributionofspecificpropertyorsumsofmoneythathemay leave in general to specified classes or causes, andalso the designation of the persons, institutions orestablishmentstowhichsuchpropertyorsumsaretobegivenorapplied.(671a)Notes:

• TwothingstheTmustdetermine:1. Propertyoramountofmoneytobegiven2. Classorcausetobebenefitted

• Twothingshemaydelegate:1. Designation of persons, institutions or

establishmentswithintheclassorcause2. Mannerofdistribution

Art. 787. The testator may not make a testamentarydisposition in such manner that another person has todeterminewhetherornotitistobeoperative.(n)Notes:

• This does not prejudice right of heirs, devisee,legateetoacceptorrenounce.

RULESOFCONSTRUCTIONANDINTERPRETATIONIncaseofdoubtastodifferentinterpretations

Art.788.Ifatestamentarydispositionadmitsofdifferentinterpretations, in case of doubt, that interpretation bywhichthedispositionistobeoperativeshallbepreferred.(n)

• The thing may rather be effective than bewithouteffect

Ambiguity;LatentorPatent

Art.789.Whenthereisanimperfectdescription,orwhenno person or property exactly answers the description,mistakes and omissions must be corrected, if the errorappears from the context of the will or from extrinsicevidence,excludingtheoraldeclarationsofthetestatorastohisintention;andwhenanuncertaintyarisesupontheface of the will, as to the application of any of itsprovisions, the testator's intention is to be ascertainedfrom thewordsof thewill, taking into consideration thecircumstances underwhich it wasmade, excluding suchoraldeclarations.(n)

• Latent=notobviousonthefaceofthewill• Patent=Obviousonthefaceofthewill• Howtodealwithambiguitieswhether latentor

patent:Clearup/resolveinordertogiveeffecttothe disposition by any evidence admissible andrelevant excluding in either case, oraldeclarationsofthetestator(DeadMan’sStatute)

Words;TechnicalWords

Art. 790. The words of a will are to be taken in theirordinaryandgrammatical sense,unlessa clear intention

to use them in another sense can be gathered, and thatothercanbeascertained.Technicalwordsinawillaretobetakenintheirtechnicalsense, unless the context clearly indicates a contraryintention, or unless it satisfactorily appears that he wasunacquaintedwithsuchtechnicalsense.(675a)Preferencetotestacy

Art. 791. The words of a will are to receive aninterpretationwhichwill give to every expression someeffect, rather than one which will render any of theexpressionsinoperative;andoftwomodesofinterpretingawill,thatistobepreferredwhichwillpreventintestacy.(n)Invalidityofoneofseveraldispositions

Art. 792. The invalidity of one of several dispositionscontainedinawilldoesnotresult intheinvalidityoftheother dispositions, unless it is to be presumed that thetestatorwould not havemade such other dispositions ifthefirstinvaliddispositionhadnotbeenmade.(n)

• severabilityPropertyacquiredafterwillwasmade

Art. 793. Property acquired after the making of a willshallonlypassthereby,asifthetestatorhadpossesseditatthetimeofmakingthewill,shoulditexpresslyappearbythewillthatsuchwashisintention.(n)Devise/Legacy

Art.794.Everydeviseorlegacyshallcoveralltheinterestwhich the testator could device or bequeath in theproperty disposed of, unless it clearly appears from thewillthatheintendedtoconveyalessinterest.(n)

Art.795.Thevalidityofawillastoitsformdependsupontheobservanceofthelawinforceatthetimeitismade.Notes:

• AspectsofValidity:o Extrinsic–Formalo Intrinsic–Substantive

1.2. Testamentary Capacity and

Intent

Art.796.Allpersonswhoarenotexpresslyprohibitedbylawmaymakeawill.(662)Art. 797. Persons of either sex under eighteen years ofagecannotmakeawill.(n)Art. 798. In order tomake awill it is essential that thetestatorbeofsoundmindatthetimeofitsexecution.(n)Art.799.Tobeofsoundmind,itisnotnecessarythatthetestatorbeinfullpossessionofallhisreasoningfaculties,or that his mind be wholly unbroken, unimpaired, or



unshatteredbydisease,injuryorothercause.Itshallbesufficientifthetestatorwasableatthetimeofmaking the will to know the nature of the estate to bedisposed of, the proper objects of his bounty, and thecharacterofthetestamentaryact.(n)Art.800.Thelawpresumesthateverypersonisofsoundmind,intheabsenceofprooftothecontrary.The burden of proof that the testator was not of soundmind at the time of making his dispositions is on theperson who opposes the probate of the will; but if thetestator, onemonth, or less, beforemaking his will waspublicly known to be insane, the person whomaintainsthevalidityofthewillmustprovethatthetestatormadeitduringalucidinterval.(n)Art. 801. Supervening incapacity does not invalidate aneffectivewill,nor is thewillofan incapablevalidatedbythesuperveningofcapacity.(n)

Ortegavs.Valmonte(2005)F:81yearoldtestator’swillwasopposedonthegroundthathewasnotofsoundmind.H:Mereoldagedoesnotmeanthatapersonisnotofsoundmind.Tobeofsoundmind,atthetimeofmakingthewill,thetestatorneedonlyknow(1)thenatureoftheestatetobedisposedof,(2)theproperobjectsofhisbounty,and(3)thecharacterofthetestamentaryact.

Baltazarvs.Laxa(2012)F:78‐year‐old spinster’swillwas being assailed becauseshewas allegedly not of soundmindwhen it wasmade(becauseshewas“forgetful”)H: Soundness of mind is presumed. Forgetfulness is notequivalenttounsoundnessofmind.Art.802.Amarriedwomanmaymakeawillwithouttheconsentofherhusband,andwithouttheauthorityof thecourt.(n)Art.803.Amarriedwomanmaydisposebywillofallherseparate property as well as her share of the conjugalpartnershiporabsolutecommunityproperty.(n)

1.3. Forms of Wills

Art.804.Everywillmustbeinwritingandexecutedinalanguageordialectknowntothetestator.(n)

Surozavs.Honrado(1981)F: Will of illiterate testatrix was written in English, alanguageshedidnotunderstand.H:WillisvoidbecauseofthemandatoryprovisionofArt804 that every will must be executed in a language ordialectknowntothetestator.

Abanganvs.Abangan(1919)F:Recordsdonotshowthatthewill,executedinCebuandwritteninthedialectofthatlocalitywherethetestatrixisneighbor,wasinalanguageknowntothetestatrix.H: Compliance with the language requirement ispresumed if (but Sir says “provedby”): (1) thewill is inthe language/dialect generally spoken in the place ofexecution and (2) the testator is a native or resident ofsaidlocality.

Art.805. Everywill, other thanaholographicwill,mustbesubscribedattheendthereofbythetestatorhimselforby the testator's namewritten by some other person inhis presence, and by his express direction, and attestedandsubscribedbythreeormorecrediblewitnessesinthepresenceofthetestatorandofoneanother.Thetestatoror thepersonrequestedbyhimtowritehisnameandtheinstrumentalwitnessesofthewill,shallalsosign,asaforesaid,eachandeverypagethereof,exceptthelast, on the left margin, and all the pages shall benumberedcorrelativelyinlettersplacedontheupperpartofeachpage.Theattestationshallstatethenumberofpagesuseduponwhich the will is written, and the fact that the testatorsigned the will and every page thereof, or caused someother person to write his name, under his expressdirection, in the presence of the instrumentalwitnesses,and that the latterwitnessed and signed thewill and allthe pages thereof in the presence of the testator and ofoneanother.Iftheattestationclauseisinalanguagenotknowntothewitnesses,itshallbeinterpretedtothem.(n)Art. 806. Every will must be acknowledged before anotary public by the testator and the witnesses. Thenotarypublicshallnotberequiredtoretainacopyofthewill, or file anotherwith theOfficeof theClerkofCourt.(n)(1)subscribedbytheTorhisagentinhispresenceandbyhisexpressdirectionattheendthereof,inthepresenceofthewitnesses

• signature

Payadvs.Tolentino(1936)F:Testatrix thumbmarkedendandeachandeverypageofthewillthenherlawyerwrotehernametoindicatetheplaceswhereherthumbmarkswere.H:Willisvalid.Astatuterequiringawilltobe“signed”issatisfiedifthesignatureismadebythetestator’smark.

Matiasvs.Salud(1958)F:Thetestatrixplacedherthumbmarkinlieuofherusualsignature on the will. Beside the thumb mark was thenameofthetestatrixaspurportedlywrittenbyoneofthewitnesses. The attestation clause, however, does not



indicate that the person who wrote the name of thetestatrixthereonwasdirectedbythelattertodoso.H:Athumbmarkisconsideredasignature.Itisthereforeunnecessary to indicate in the attestation clause thatanotherpersonhasbeendirectedbythetestatortowritehis (testator’s) name thereon, because in effect, thetestatorsignedthewillhimself.

Garciavs.Lacuesta(1951)F:Lawyerwrote thenameof the testator followedby “aruego del testador” then the lawyer’s name on thetestator’swill. Beside his name, the testatorwrote an X.Attestation clause did not state that the lawyer wasexpresslydirectedtowritetestator’sname.H:Voidforattestationclause’sfailuretostatethatlawyerwroteT’snameunderhisexpressdirection.Thecrosscannotbetakenasasignaturebecauseitisnottheusualwaybywhichthedeceasedsignedhisname,norisitoneoftheusualwaysbywhichhesigned.Acrossdoesnothavethetrustworthinessofathumbmark.

• SigningbyanagentofTo MustsigninT’spresenceo Byhisexpressdirection

BarutvsCabacungan(1912)

F:Theagent(whowasalsoawitness)signedthenameofthe testator in the latter's presence and by his expressdirection. Probate was opposed on the ground that thehandwriting of the person who signed the name of thetestatorwasofanotherwitness.H:Valid.Itisnotessentialthatthepersonsigningforthetestatoralsosignhisname.Thelawonlyrequires:1.namewaswrittenatT’sexpressdirection;2.inT’spresence;and3.inthepresenceofallwitnesses.

• Signingattheend‐ Iftherearenon‐dispositiveportions,thereare2

ends:o Physicalend:wherethewritingstopso Logicalend:wherethetestamentary

dispositionends‐ Tmaysignateitherendasthenon‐dispositive

portionsarenotessentialpartsofthewill.‐ IfTsignsbeforetheend,theENTIREwillis

invalid!

• Signinginthepresenceofwitnesses

Neravs.Rimando(1911)Doctrine: Test of presence – not whether they actuallysaw each other sign but whether they might have seeneachothersignhadtheychosentodoso,consideringtheirmental andphysical condition andpositionwith relationto each other at the moment of inscription of eachsignature.

• Suchthatthepositionofthepartieswithrelationtoeachotheratthemomentofthesubscription

ofeachsignaturemustbesuchthattheymayseeeachothersigniftheychoosetodoso.

Bymerelycastingtheeyesintheproperdirectiontheycouldhaveseeneachothersign(2)attestedandsubscribedbyatleast3witnessesinthepresenceoftheTandofoneanother

• Attesting:actofwitnessing• Subscribing:actofsigning

Q:MustWsignattheendofthewill?A:Literallyandideally,theWsshouldsignattheendofthewill,thoughfailureinthisregardmaybeoverlooked(TaboadavsRosal[1982])

(3)theTorhisagentmustsigneverypage,exceptthelast,ontheleftmargininthepresenceofthewitnesses

• Mandatory–signingoneverypageinthewitnesses’presence

• Directory–placeofthesignature

Icasianovs.Icasiano(1964)F:Originalof thewilldidnotcontainsignatureofoneofthewitnessesbutduplicatecopydoes.H:Inadvertentfailureofonewitnesstoaffixhissignaturetoonepage,duetosimultaneousliftingofpages,isnotperse sufficient denial of probate. Impossibility ofsubstitution of page is assured by the signature of thetestatrixand the twootherwitnesses,and the imprintofthesealofthenotarypublic.(4)thewitnessesmustsigneverypage,exceptthelast,ontheleftmargininthepresenceoftheTandofoneanother

Leevs.Tambago(2008)

F:Willwasattestedbyonly2witnesses.H:Void!(5)allnumbersmustbenumberedcorrelativelyinlettersontheupperpartofeachpage

• Mandatory–paginationbymeansofaconventionalsystem

• Directory–paginationinlettersontheupperpartofeachpage

(6)attestationclause

• Statingthenumberofpagesofthewill;• ThefactthattheT/hisagentsignedthewilland

everypagethereofinthepresenceoftheWs• ThefactthattheWwitnessedandsignedthewill

andeverypagethereofinthepresenceoftheTandofoneanother

‐ Theattestationclauseistheaffairofthewitnesses,therefore,itneednotbesignedbytheT

Cagrovs.Cagro(1953)



F:Thesignaturesofthe instrumentalwitnesseswerenotatthebottomoftheattestationclausebutontheleft‐handmarginofthepagecontainingtheAC.H:Fatallydefective.Signaturesattheleft‐handsidewereincompliancewiththemandatethatthewillbesignedontheleft‐handmarginofallitspages

Azuelavs.CA(2006)F:Witnessesdidnotsignatthebottomoftheattestationclause but they signed the left‐hand margin of the pagewheretheACisfound.H:Willvoid.Signaturesontheleft‐handmargincomplywiththerequirementthatwitnessessigneachpageofthewill.Thesignaturestotheattestationclauseestablishthatthewitnessesarereferringtothestatementscontainedintheattestationclauseitself.Theattestationclauseisseparateandapartfromthedispositionofthewill.Anunsignedattestationclauseresultsinanunattestedwill.(7)acknowledgementbeforeanotarypublic

Javellanavs.Ledesma(1955)F: The notary public signed the certificate ofacknowledgementinhisofficeandnotinthepresenceofTandwitnesses.H:VALID.TheCivilCode,whilerequiringthatawillmustbesignedbytheTandthewitnessesinthepresenceofeachother,doesnotrequirethattheacknowledgementbythenotaryhappeninthepresenceoftheparties.Obiter:ItisnotrequiredthattheTandtheWsacknowledgeonthesamedayitwasexecuted.Logicalinference:NeitherdoesArt806requirethatTandWsacknowledgeineachother’spresence.

Cruzvs.Villasor(1973)F:Therewereonlythreewitnessestothewillanditwasacknowledgedbeforeanotarypublicwhowasoneofthewitnesses.H:VOIDforfailingtomeetthe3‐witnessrequirement.Thenotary public cannot acknowledge before himself hishavingsignedthewill.

Balane asks: If one of the witnesses is a dulycommissionednotarypublicandhenotarizesthewill,thewillisvoid.TRUEORFALSE?A:FALSE(Iftherearemorethan3witnesses,thewillmeetsthe3‐witnessrequirementhencestillvalid)

Guerrerovs.Bihis(2007)

F:Notary public who acknowledged the will was actingoutsidetheplaceofhiscommission.H:VOID.Nonotaryshallpossessauthoritytodoanynotarialactbeyondthelimitsofhisjurisdiction.SinceAtty.inthiscasewasnotcommissionedintheplacewhere

henotarizedthedocument,helackedtheauthoritytotaketheacknowledgmentofthetestatrixandthewitnesses.

Ortegavs.Valmonte(2005)F:Valmonte’swill isbeing contestedbecause thedateofexecutionandthedateofacknowledgmentaredifferent.H:Willisvalid.Conflictbetweenthedatesdoesnotinvalidatethewillbecausethelawdoesevenrequirethatanotarialwillbeexecutedandacknowledgedonthesameoccassion.

Q:Mustanattestedwillbedated?A:No. Consequently, variance between theindicateddatesdoesnotinitselfinvalidateawill(Ortegavs.Valmonte[2005])

Art.807. If the testatorbedeaf,oradeaf‐mute,hemustpersonally read the will, if able to do so; otherwise, heshalldesignatetwopersonstoreaditandcommunicatetohim,insomepracticablemanner,thecontentsthereof.(n)Art.808. If the testator isblind, thewillshallbereadtohimtwice;once,byoneofthesubscribingwitnesses,andagain, by the notary public before whom the will isacknowledged.(n)

• Arts807and808aremandatory

Garciavs.Vasquez(1970)F:ThewillandtheACwerecrammedtogetheronasinglepage and had typographical errors. It was alleged byproponentsthatTreadthewillsilentlybeforeshesigneditBUTtherewasevidencethatT’svisionwasforcountingfingersat5ftandfordistantobjectsonly.H:VOID.Tcouldnothavereadthewillsilentlyasshewasnot unlike a blind testator and execution of the willrequiresobservanceofArt.808.

Alvaradovs.Gaviola,Jr(1993)F: Testator had glaucoma. When the will was executed,eachwitnessandthenotaryweregiventheirowncopiesofthewill.Itwasreadaloudbythelawyertothetestator.Thecourtheldtherewassubstantialcompliance.H: T was blind for purposes of Art 808 but there wassubstantialcomplianceinthiscase.Thepurposeofthelawwassatisfied(tomakeknowntotheTthecontentsofthewillandconfirmhisdesires)Art.809.Intheabsenceofbadfaith,forgery,orfraud,orundueand improperpressureand influence,defects andimperfectionsintheformofattestationorinthelanguageusedthereinshallnotrenderthewillinvalidifitisprovedthat the will was in fact executed and attested insubstantial compliance with all the requirements ofArticle805.(n)Note:



• This iscriticizedas“liberalizationrunningriot”.JBL’ssuggestedrewording:

“In the absence of bad faith, forgery, or fraud, or undueand improper pressure and influence, defects andimperfections in the form of the attestation or in thelanguageused therein shall not render thewill invalid ifsuch defects and imperfections can be supplied by anexaminationofthewill itselfandit isprovedthatthewillwas in fact executed and attested in substantialcompliancewithalltherequirementsofArticle805.”

Canedavs.CourtofAppeals(1993)F:Theattestationclausefailedtospecificallystatethefactthat the attestingwitnesses and the testator signed thewill andall itspages in theirpresenceand that they, thewitnesses,likewisesignedthewillandeverypagethereofinthepresenceofthetestatorandofeachother.H: AC not valid. Art 809 does not apply. It cannot beconclusively inferred from the signatures that theyweremade in the presence of each other. Furthermore, thedefectswerenotinthe“form...orlanguage.”Rule:Omissionswhichcanbesuppliedbyanexaminationofthewillitself,withouttheneedofresortingtoextrinsicevidence, will not be fatal...However, those omissionswhich cannot be supplied except by evidence aliundewould result in the invalidation of the attestation clauseandultimately,ofthewillitself.

Azuelavs.CourtofAppeals(2006)F:Attestationclausefailedtostatethenumberofpages.H:VOID. Art 809was not applied because therewas noindication inanypartof thewill that itwascomposedofsuchanumberofpages.

Lopezvs.Lopez(2012)F: The will stated that it contained 7 pages but theacknowledgement stated that there were 8. AC did notstatethenumberofpages.H: Art 809 does not apply. The discrepancy cannot beexplained by mere examination of the will itself butthroughthepresentationofevidencealiunde.Art.810.Apersonmayexecuteaholographicwillwhichmustbeentirelywritten,dated,andsignedbythehandofthe testator himself. It is subject to no other form, andmaybemadeinoroutofthePhilippines,andneednotbewitnessed.(678,688a)(1)EntirelywrittenbythehandoftheT(2)DatedbytheT

Roxasvs.DeJesus(1985)F:TheholographicwillwasdatedFEB./61H:VALID. GR: Date in a holographic will should includetheday,monthandyearofitsexecutionasthisisrelevanttoprovide forcontingenciesofascertainingsoundnessofmind,orwhentherearetwocompetingwills.

XPN:Substantialcomplianceisconsideredvalidifthereisnoappearanceoffraud,BF,undueinfluenceandpressureandtheauthenticityofthewillisestablished.

Labradorvs.CourtofAppeals(1990)F: Date was stated in the first paragraph of the secondpageofthewill.H:VALID. The law does not specify a particular locationwherethedateshouldbeplacedinawill.(3)SignedbytheTSUMMARY:FORMALREQUIREMENTSOFWILLSTestamentaryCapacity

1. Thereisageneralgrantoftestamentarycapacitytonaturalpersons

2. Exceptions:a. Under18b. Unsoundmind

• Alegalquestion,notmedical• SoundnessofmindwasdefinedNegatively‐ Notnecessarythattestatorbe infullpossession

ofreasoningfaculties‐ Not necessary that testator’s mind be wholly

unbroken, unimpaired, or unshattered bydisease,injuryorothercause

PositivelyAbilitytoknow:

‐ Natureofestatetobedisposedof‐ Properobjectsofone’sbounty‐ Characteroftestamentaryact3. There is a presumption of soundness of mind,

butapresumptionofinsanityexistswhen:(1) onemonthor lessbeforemakinghiswill, Twaspubliclyknowntobeinsane(2) executed after being placed underguardianship or ordered committed because ofinsanityandbeforesaidorderwaslifted

CommonRequirements(AttestedandHolographic)

1.inwriting2.languageanddialectknowntothetestator

• There is no presumption that language isknowntotheT

• BUT the will need not state that it is alanguageknownto theT. Itmaybeprovenbyextrinsicevidence

SpecialRequirements;AttestedWills

1.Thatthetestatorsign‐inthepresenceofthewitnesses

• Rememberthetestofpresence!‐attheend on eachand every page, except the last, on the lefthandmargin‐ifsigningthroughanagent

• IntheT’spresence• Underhisexpressdirection• Write in his ownhand the T’s name in the

properplaces• There is no need to sign the agent’s name

(Barut)



• Itisdisputedwhethertheagentmaybeoneofthe3witnesses

2. Attested and subscribed by 3 or more crediblewitnesses‐on eachand every page, except the last, on the lefthandmarginintheT’spresenceandinthepresenceofeachother3.Allpagesmustbenumberedcorrelativelyinlettersontheupperpartofeachpage4.Attestationclause‐ stating the number of pages uponwhich the will iswrittenthefactthattheTsignedthewillandeachandeverypagethereof(orcausedanagenttowritehisname,inhis presence and under his express direction)in thepresenceofthewitnesses thatthewitnesseswitnessedandsignedthewillandthepagesthereofinthepresenceofTandofeachother5.Acknowledgedbeforeanotarypublic

Special Requirements; Attested Wills; HandicappedTestators

1. Deaf/deaf‐mute• Ifabletoread–mustreadpersonally• Ifunabletoread–designate2personsto:

(1) Readit(2) Communicatetohimthecontents

‐ in some practicable manner (signlanguage,lipreading,pictures,etc)

2. Blind,Illiterate,Unabletoread• Thewillshallbereadtohimtwice(1) Oneofthesubscribingwitnesses(2) Notary public before whom the will is

acknowledged

Theburdenofproofisupontheproponentofthewillthat the special requirement of the article wascompliedwith.There is also no requirement that compliance bestatedintheattestationclause.

SpecialRequirements;Holographicwills1.EntirelywrittenBalaneasks:Whatifthewillwaspartlywritten?A: If with knowledge/consent of T, VOID AS AWHOLE;If without, the part written by another is void(the validity of a will cannot be placed in thehandsofanother;itmaybesabotaged)

2.Dated• Test is if designated date can be

independentlycheckedandascertained• Examples: Christmas Day 2012, 71st

anniversary of Pearl Harbor, At thebeginningofRamadan2013

3.Signed

ART.811.Intheprobateofaholographicwill,itshallbenecessarythatatleastonewitnesswhoknowsthe

handwritingandsignatureofthetestatorexplicitlydeclarethatthewillandthesignatureareinthehandwritingofthetestator.Ifthewilliscontested,atleastthreeofsuchwitnessesshallberequired.Intheabsenceofanycompetentwitnessreferredtointheprecedingparagraph,andifthecourtdeemitnecessary,experttestimonymayberesortedto.Notes:

‐ thisarticleprescribesthestatutoryrequisitesfortheprobateofaholographicwill;testimonialevidence(ruleofevidence)

‐ jurisprudentialrequirement(inadditiontothestatutoryrequirements):

o thewillitselfmustbepresented(Ganv.Yap[1958],infra)

thewillitselfistheonlymaterialproof(Scaevola)

Art.811appliesonlytopostmortem(notantemortem)probatesHowtoprovegenuinenessofahandwriting(Sec.22,Rule132,RulesofCourt)

‐ awitnesswhoactuallysawthepersonwritingtheinstrument

‐ awitnessfamiliarwithsuchhandwritingandwhocangivehisopinionthereon,suchopinionbeinganexceptiontotheopinionrule

‐ acomparisonbythecourtofthequestionedhandwritingandadmittedgenuinespecimenthereof;and

‐ expertevidenceThethreewitnessprovisionincaseofcontestedholographicwillsisdirectory,notmandatory

Azaolav.Singson(1960)Facts:Inprobateoftestatrix’sholographicwill,onlyonewitnesswaspresentedbyproponent.Opposition:thatthewillwasprocuredbyundueandimproperinfluence;thattestatrixdidnotintendtheinstrumenttobeherlastwill.Held:Thatsincetheauthenticityoftheholographicwillwasnotcontested,productionofmorethanonewitnessnotrequired.Thatevenifthewillwascontested,ART.811doesnotrequirepresentationofthreewitnessestoidentifyhandwritingoftestatorsincenowitnessmayhavebeenpresentatexecution.BalaneNotes:

‐ to“contest”meanstoattacktheauthenticityofthewill(i.e.thatthewillisforged)

‐ theLatinmaximtestisunus,testisnullus(onewitnessisnotwitness)istooarchaicarule(quotingJ.B.L.Reyes)

o qualityoftestimonyovernumberofwitnesses

Codoyv.Calugay(1999)

Facts:Holographicwillofthetestatrixpresentedforprobate.Proponentspresentedsixwitnesses.Opposition:



thatthewillwasforgedandthatthesameisillegible.Probateallowed,lowercourtcitingAzaolav.Singson.Held:ThattheprovisionsofArticle811aremandatorybecauseoftheword“shall.”Thatnotallofthewitnessespresentedbytheproponentswerefamiliarwiththetestatrix’shandwriting.Thatavisualexaminationofthewillrevealsthatthestrokesaredifferentcomparedwithotherdocumentswrittenbythetestatrix.Thatcasemustberemandedtoallowcontestantstoadduceevidenceinsupportoftheiropposition.BalaneAsks:DidCodoyreverseAzaola?BalaneThinks:No,forthefollowingreasons:

‐ Codoyrulingnotbasedontherebeinglessthanthreewitnesses(therewereinfactsix)

‐ Codoyrulingdidnotstatethatsincetherewerelessthanthreewitnesses,eveniftheirtestimonieswereconvincing,probatemustbedenied(testimonieswereindecisive)

‐ Codoyrulingsaidthatvisualexaminationofthewillrevealsthatstrokesaredifferentcomparedwithstandarddocuments

‐ basisofCodoyruling:evidenceforauthenticity,inadequate,notfailureonthepartofproponentstopresentthreewitnesses

BalaneNotes:

‐ CodoyisconsistentwithAzaola(qualityoftestimonyoverquantityofwitnesses)

‐ Codoy,ratherthanreversingAzaola,mayhaveaffirmedit

‐ thestatementoftheCourtinCodoytotheeffectthattheuseoftheword“shall”inArticle811denotesthatitismandatory,istooshallow

Intheprobateofaholographicwill,thedocumentitselfmustbeproduced;alostholographicwillcannotbeprobated

Ganv.Yap(1958)Facts:Petitionforprobateoftestatrix’swill.Opposition:thattestatrixleftnowill.Proponentdidnotpresentwillandinsteadtriedtoestablishcontentsanddueexecutionthrutestimonies.Held:Thatholographicwillmustbepresentedtocourtforprobate,thedocumentitselfbeingmaterialproofofauthenticity.Thatifholographicwillnotpresented,opportunitytoopposeandassessthehandwritingofthetestator,foreclosed.Thatlostordestroyedholographicwillmaybeprovedbyaphotographicorphotostaticcopyorbyothersimilarmeans.ExceptiontotheGanruling:

Rodelasv.Aranza(1982)Facts:Aphotostaticcopyoftestator’sholographicwillwaspresentedforprobate.Opposition:thattheoriginalmustbepresented.Held:Thataphotostaticcopyorphotocopyoftheholographicwill,allowedbecausecomparisoncanbe

madewiththestandardwritingsofthetestator.ThatthisexceptiontothegeneralrulewasstatedinafootnoteinGanv,Yap(1958).ART.812.Inholographicwills,thedispositionsofthetestatorwrittenbelowhissignaturemustbedatedandsignedbyhiminordertomakethemvalidastestamentarydispositions.ART.813.Whenanumberofdispositionsappearinginaholographicwillaresignedwithoutbeingdated,andthelastdispositionhasasignatureanddate,suchdatevalidatesthedispositionsprecedingit,whateverbethetimeofpriordispositions.Formalrequirementforadditionaldispositionsinaholographicwill

‐ signature,and‐ date

Whenthereareseveraladditionaldispositions

‐ signatureanddate,or‐ eachadditionaldispositionsignedandundated,

butthelastdispositionsignedanddatedIf(incaseofseveraladditionaldispositions)theadditionalonesbeforethelastaredatedbutnotsigned—

‐ onlythelastwillbevalid,providedthelastissignedanddated

Ifthereareseveraladditionaldispositionsandtheadditionalonesbeforethelastareneithersignednordated,butthelastisbothsignedanddated—

‐ intermediatedispositions:o VALIDifalldispositionsmadeonone

occasion(signatureanddateunderlastadditionaldispositionvalidateall)

o INVALIDorVOIDifdispositionsmadeondifferentoccasions

ART.814.Incaseofanyinsertion,cancellation,erasureoralterationinaholographicwill,thetestatormustauthenticatethesamebyhisfullsignature.“Fullsignature,”meaning

‐ notnecessarilyfullnameoftestator‐ itmeanshisusualandcustomary(habitual)

signatureEffectofnoncompliancewitharticle

‐ change(insertion,cancellation,etc.)issimplyconsideredasnotmade

‐ willisnotinvalidatedasawhole,butatmost,onlyasregardstheparticularwordserased,corrected,orinserted(Kalawv.Relova[1984])

o unlesstheportioninvolvedisanessentialpartofthewill,suchasthedate

Illustration—

Kalawv.Relova(1984)Facts:ProponentGregoriofiledapetitionforprobateoftestatrix’swill.OppositionbyRosa:thatshewasnamedas



soleheirandsoleexecutrix.Thereweretwoalterations:first,Rosa’snamecrossedoutassoleheirandGregorio’snamewrittenaboveit(noinitial);second,Rosa’snamecrossedoutassoleexecutrixandGregorio’snamewrittenaboveit(withinitial).Held:Thatordinarily,erasureswithoutpropersignaturedonotinvalidatethewillasawhole,butatmostonlyasrespectstheparticularwordserased.Thatthatgeneralruledoesnotapplyinthiscasebecausetheholographicwillhadonlyonesubstantialprovisionwhichwasalteredwithoutproperauthentication.Thattheentirewillisvoidbecausenothingremainsinthewillthatcouldremainvalid.Thatnoteventheoriginalunalteredtextcanbegiveneffectbecauseoftheseemingchangeofmindoftestatrix.BalaneComments:

‐ itisbeyondcavilthattheinsertionofGregorio’snamecannotbegiveneffectbecauseoflackofproperauthentication

‐ butwhywasthecancellationgiveneffectwhenitwasnotproperlydone?

‐ tosaythatgivingeffecttothewillasfirstwrittenwoulddisregardtheseemingchangeofmindofthetestatrixisnoargumentatall

o itisnotenoughthatthetestatormanifesthisintent—hemustmanifestitinamannerrequiredbylaw

ART.815.WhenaFilipinoisinaforeigncountry,heisauthorizedtomakeawillinanyoftheformsestablishedbythelawofthecountryinwhichhemaybe.SuchwillmaybeprobatedinthePhilippines.ART.816.ThewillofanalienwhoisabroadproduceseffectinthePhilippinesifmadewiththeformalitiesprescribedbythelawoftheplaceinwhichheresides,oraccordingtotheformalitiesobservedinhiscountry,orinconformitywiththosewhichthisCodeprescribes.ART.817.AwillmadeinthePhilippinesbyacitizenorsubjectofanothercountry,whichisexecutedinaccordancewiththelawofthecountryofwhichheisacitizenorsubject,andwhichmightbeprovedandallowedbythelawofhisowncountry,shallhavethesameeffectasifexecutedaccordingtothelawsofthePhilippines.ART.815to817governrulesofformalvalidityinthefollowinginstances(notcovered:aFilipinoexecutingawillinthePhilippines)

‐ aFilipinoabroad(ART.815)‐ analienabroad(ART.816)‐ analieninthePhilippines(ART.817)

Therule(combiningthesethreearticles,ART.15and17):

‐ everytestator,whetherFilipinooralien,whereverhemaybe,hasfivechoicesastowhatlawtofollowfortheformofhiswill,viz.:

o lawofcitizenshipo lawofplaceofexecutiono lawofdomicileo lawofresidenceo lawofthePhilippines

Illustration

‐ Anengineer(Germancitizen),withpermanentresidenceinParis(whereheandhiswifereside),wascontractedbytheBraziliangovernmenttoconstructadaminBrasilia.HeresidedinBrazilforfiveyears.Onesummeronaholiday,hegoestoTokyoforatour.HealsohasinvestmentsinthePhilippines.TheGermanengineer,whileinTokyo,madeawill.

o thefollowinglawsmaygoverntheformoftheengineer’swill:

lawofGermany–Germancitizen

lawofFrance–domiciledinFrance

lawofBrazil–residentofBrazil

lawofJapan–placeofexecution

lawofthePhilippinesART.818.Twoormorepersonscannotmakeawilljointly,orinthesameinstrument,eitherfortheirreciprocalbenefitorforthebenefitofathirdperson.Jointwill,meaning

‐ onedocumentwhichconstitutesthewillsoftwoormoreindividuals

Thefollowingisajointwill—

‐ “We,thetestators,oflegalageandofsoundanddisposingmind...”

ThefollowingisNOTajointwill—

‐ ifthereareseparatedocuments,eachservingasoneindependentwill(evenifwrittenonthesamesheet)

o e.g.willoftestatorAonfrontpartofsheet;willoftestatorBonthebackofthesamesheet

o e.g.willoftestatorAonupperpartofsheet;willoftestatorBonlowerpartofthesamesheet

JointwillsareVOID,butreciprocalwillsareVALID

‐ reciprocalwills:twowillsinstitutingeachoftherespectivetestatorsasheirs

o e.g.willoftestatorAdesignatedBasheir;willoftestatorBdesignatedAasheir

Reasonsfortheprohibitionagainstjointwills

‐ limitationonmodesofrevocation‐ diminutionoftestamentarysecrecy‐ increaseddangerofundueinfluence‐ increaseddangerofonetestatorkillingtheother

ART.819.Wills,prohibitedbytheprecedingarticle,executedbyFilipinosinaforeigncountryshallnotbevalidinthePhilippines,eventhoughauthorizedbythelawsofthecountrywheretheymayhavebeenexecuted.Outlineonjointwills

‐ executedbyFilipinosinthePhilippines



o VOID‐ executedbyFilipinosabroad

o VOID,evenifauthorizedbylawofplaceofexecution

‐ executedbyaliensabroado seeART.816

‐ executedbyaliensinthePhilippineso oneview:VOID(publicpolicy)o anotherview:ART.817applies

‐ executedbyaFilipinoandanalieno VOIDastoFilipinoo ART.816or817appliesastoalien

Subsection 4 – Witnesses to Wills

ART.820.Anypersonofsoundmindandoftheageofeighteenyearsormore,andnotblind,deafordumb,andabletoreadandwrite,maybeawitnesstotheexecutionofawillmentionedinarticle805ofthisCode.ART.821.Thefollowingaredisqualifiedfrombeingwitnessestoawill:(1)AnypersonnotdomiciledinthePhilippines;(2)Thosewhohavebeenconvictedoffalsificationofadocument,perjury,orfalsetestimony.Sixqualificationsofwitnesses

‐ ofsoundmindo attestationisanactofthesenses

‐ atleast18yearsofage‐ notblind,deaf,ordumb

o again,witnessingisanactofthesenseso dumbmeansmute,notsomeonewhois

simplystupid‐ abletoreadandwrite

o orliterate,becausesuchliteratewitnesswouldhaveabetterunderstandingofthesolemnityoftheexecutionofawillandhisactofbeingawitnessthereto

‐ domiciledinthePhilippineso citizenshipofwitness,immaterial(even

ifheisnotaFilipinooraforeigner)o theonlyrequirementisthatthe

witnessisdomiciledinthePhilippines thereisahighprobabilitythat

witnesswouldbeinthecountryifwillisprobatedandsaidwitnessiscalledtotestifyincourt

‐ mustnothavebeenconvictedoffalsificationofadocument,perjury,orfalsetestimony

o convictionmustbebyfinaljudgmento thesecrimesrelatetothewitness’s

trustworthinessorcredibility ifawitnesshadbeen

convictedofmurderorrape,heisqualifiedbecausehecanstillbehonest

Competenceandcredibility,distinguished

Gonzalesv.CA(1979)

Facts:Testatrix’swillsubmittedforprobate.Opposition:thatthewillwasnotattestedtobythreecrediblewitnesses.Witnessesweredriverofthetestatrix,driver’swife,andpianoteacheroftestatrix’sgrandchild.Contestantarguedthatwitnessesmustinitiallytestifyastotheirgoodstandinginthecommunity,theirreputationfortrustworthinessandreliability,theirhonestyanduprightness,inorderthattheirtestimonymaybebelievedandaccepted.Held:Thatthecredibilityofawitnessispresumedunlessthecontraryisproved.ThattheruleisthattheinstrumentalwitnessesinordertobecompetentmustbeshowntohavethequalificationsunderART.820andnoneofthedisqualificationsunderART.821.Thatthecontestant’sargumentsmustfail.ART.822.Ifthewitnessesattestingtheexecutionofawillarecompetentatthetimeofattesting,theirbecomingsubsequentlyincompetentshallnotpreventtheallowanceofthewill.Note:

‐ timeofexecutionofthewillistheonlyrelevanttemporalcriterion

ART.823.Ifapersonatteststotheexecutionofawill,towhomortowhosespouse,orparent,orchild,adeviseorlegacyisgivenbysuchwill,suchdeviseorlegacyshall,sofaronlyasconcernssuchperson,orspouse,orparent,orchildofsuchperson,oranyoneclaimingundersuchpersonorspouse,orparent,orchild,bevoid,unlesstherearethreeothercompetentwitnessestosuchwill.However,suchpersonsoattestingshallbeadmittedasawitnessasifsuchdeviseorlegacyhadnotbeenmadeorgiven.Notes:

‐ articleismisplaced,sinceitisnotconcernedwithcapacitytobeawitness,butwithcapacitytosucceed

‐ inessence,awitnesscannotsucceedtoawillheiswitnessing

o becausesuchwitnesswillbeverypartial;hewillhavesomeinteresttoprotect(i.e.evenifthewillhadsomedefect,witnesswillofcoursenottestifyastosaiddefect)

‐ itmustbenotedthatthelawdoesnotdisqualifythewitness

Disqualificationofawitnesstosucceedtoadeviseorlegacywhenthereareonlythreewitnesses

‐ competenceofwitnesses,notaffected‐ willisvalidbutwitness(orrelativesspecifiedin

thisarticle)cannotinheritArticlealsoappliestoheirs(notonlylegateesanddevisees)

‐ intentofthelawistocoveralltestamentaryinstitutions

Disqualificationtosucceedappliesonlytotestamentarydispositionmadeinfavorofthewitnessorthespecifiedrelatives



‐ ifthepartyisalsoentitledtoalegitimeoranintestateshare,thatportionisnotaffectedbytheparty’switnessingthewill

o testamentarydispositioninfavorofawitness,VOID

o butifthesamewitnessisacompulsoryheir,hislegitimeisunaffected

EXCEPTION

‐ iftherearethreeotherwitnesses(orfourwitnesses)—

o thetestamentarydispositioninfavorofoneofthemisvalid

ART.824.Amerechargeontheestateofthetestatorforthepaymentofdebtsdueatthetimeofthetestator’sdeathdoesnotpreventhiscreditorsfrombeingcompetentwitnessestohiswill.Notes:

‐ thecreditordoesnotneedthetestator’swillinorderthathemaybepaid

o hisclaimwillbeprovedinthesettlementofthedecedent’sestate

o thecreditorisnotanheir

Subsection 5 – Codicils and Incorporation by Reference

ART.825.Acodicilisasupplementoradditiontoawill,madeaftertheexecutionofawillandannexedtobetakenasapartthereof,bywhichanydispositionmadeintheoriginalwillisexplained,addedto,oraltered.ART.826.Inorderthatacodicilmaybeeffective,itshallbeexecutedasinthecaseofawill.Codicil

‐ explains,addsto,oraltersadispositioninapriorwill

Subsequentwill

‐ makesindependentanddistinctdispositionsCodicilneednotconformtotheformofthewilltowhichitrefers

‐ anattestedwillmayhaveaholographiccodicil‐ aholographicwillmayhaveanattestedcodicil

ART.827.Ifawill,executedasrequiredbythisCode,incorporatesintoitselfbyreferenceanydocumentorpaper,suchdocumentorpapershallnotbeconsideredapartofthewillunlessthefollowingrequisitesarepresent:(1)Thedocumentorpaperreferredtointhewillmustbeinexistenceatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewill;(2)Thewillmustclearlydescribeandidentifythesame,statingamongotherthingsthenumberofpagesthereof;(3)Itmustbeidentifiedbyclearandsatisfactoryproofasthedocumentorpaperreferredtotherein;and(4)Itmustbesignedbythetestatorandthewitnessesoneachandeverypage,exceptincaseofvoluminous

booksofaccountorinventories.Documents

‐ inventories,booksofaccounts,documentsoftitle,papersofsimilarnature

‐ mustnotmaketestamentarydispositions(lestformalrequirementsforwillsbecircumvented)

Holographicwillscannotincorporatedocumentsbyreference

‐ par.4ofthearticlerequiresthesignaturesofthetestatorandthewitnessesoneverypageoftheincorporateddocument(exceptvoluminousannexes)

Subsection 6 – Revocation of Wills and

Testamentary Dispositions ART.828.Awillmayberevokedbythetestatoratanytimebeforehisdeath.Anywaiverorrestrictionofthisrightisvoid.Awillisessentiallyrevocableorambulatory

‐ thischaracteristiccannotbewaivedevenbythetestator

‐ awillisrevocableadnutum,i.e.atthetestator’spleasure,duringhislifetime

‐ nosuchthingasanirrevocablewill‐ cf.ART.777(successionalrightsvestonlyupon

death)ART.829.ArevocationdoneoutsidethePhilippines,byapersonwhodoesnothavehisdomicileinthiscountry,isvalidwhenitisdoneaccordingtothelawoftheplacewherethewillwasmade,oraccordingtothelawoftheplaceinwhichthetestatorhadhisdomicileatthetime;andiftherevocationtakesplaceinthiscountry,whenitisinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisCode.Rulesforrevocation

‐ ifmadeinthePhilippineso followPhilippinelaw

‐ ifmadeoutsidethePhilippineso iftestatordomiciledinthePhilippines

followlawofplaceofexecution,or

followlawofplacewheretestatorwasdomiciledatthetimeofrevocation

o iftestatordomiciledinthePhilippines(notgovernedbyART.829)

followPhilippinelaw followlawofplaceof

revocation followlawofplaceof

executionART.830.Nowillshallberevokedexceptinthefollowingcases:(a)Byimplicationoflaw;or(b)Bysomewill,codicil,orotherwritingexecutedasprovidedincaseofwills;or(c)Byburning,tearing,cancelling,orobliteratingthe



willwithintentionofrevokingit,bythetestatorhimself,orbysomeotherpersoninhispresence,andbyhisexpressdirection.Ifburned,torn,cancelled,orobliteratedbysomeotherperson,withouttheexpressdirectionofthetestator,thewillmaystillbeestablished,andtheestatedistributedinaccordancetherewith,ifitscontents,anddueexecution,andthefactofitsunauthorizeddestruction,cancellation,orobliterationareestablishedaccordingtotheRulesofCourt.Firstmodeofrevocation:Byoperationoflaw—

‐ revocationmaybetotalorpartial‐ examples

o preterition(ART.854)o legalseparation(ART.63,par.4,

FamilyCode)o unworthinesstosucceed(ART.1032)o transformation,alienation,orlossof

theobjectdevisedorbequeathed(ART.957)

o judicialdemandofacreditgivenasalegacy(ART.936)

Secondmodeofrevocation:Byasubsequentwillorcodicil—

‐ revocationmaybetotalorpartial‐ requisites

o subsequentinstrumentmustcomplywiththeformalrequirementsofawill

o testatormustpossesstestamentarycapacity

o subsequentinstrumentmusteithercontainanexpressrevocatoryclause(express)orbeincompatiblewiththepriorwill(implied)

‐ revocatorywillmustbeprobatedThirdmodeofrevocation:Byphysicaldestruction—

‐ fourwaysofdestroying:o burningo tearingo cancellingo obliterating

Physicaldestructionmaybedone—

‐ bytestatorpersonally,or‐ byanotherpersonactinginthetestator’s

presenceandbythetestator’sexpressdirectionEffectofunauthorizeddestruction

‐ willmaybeprovedaslostordestroyedo butonlyifwillisattestedo ifholographic,willcannotbeprobated

iflostordestroyedwithoutauthority(Ganv,Yap),unlessacopysurvives(Rodelasv.Aranza)

Elementsofavalidrevocationbyphysicaldestruction*

‐ corpuso thephysicaldestructionitselfo theremustbeevidenceofphysical

destruction‐ animus

o capacityandintenttorevoke

sameasintestamentarycapacity

o thetestatormusthavecompletedeverythingheintendedtodo

*mustconcur,otherwise,norevocation

TestateEstateofAdrianaMalotov.CA(1988)Facts:HeirsoflateMalotoinstitutedintestateproceedingforsettlementofdecedent’sestate.Later,adocumentpurportingtobethewillofdecedentwasdiscovered.Someheirsfiledapetitionforprobateofallegedwill.Opposition:thatthetestatrix’swillhadbeenrevoked,hermaidhavingburnedthesame.Held:Thattherewasnovalidrevocationbyphysicaldestructionbecauseanimusrevocandiandcorpusdidnotconcur.Thatwhileanimusrevocandimaybeconcededbecausethatisastateofmind,corpuswasnotestablished.Thatitwasnotshownthatthepaperburnedbythemaidwasthewillofthetestatrix;thattheburningwasnotproventohavebeendoneunderthetestatrix’sexpressdirection;thattheburningwasnotdoneinthepresenceofthetestatrix.Thelossorunavailabilityofawillmay,undercertaincircumstances,giverisetothepresumptionthatithadbeenrevokedbyphysicaldestruction

Gagov.Mamuyac(1927)Facts:Proponentsoughttohavewillofdecedentprobated,presentingacarboncopyofsame.Opposition:thatoriginal(will)hadbeenrevokedbytestator,astestifiedtobywitnesses.Originalcopyofwillcouldnotbefound.Held:Thatthereisapresumptionthatthewillhadbeenrevoked(cancelledordestroyed)ifitcannotbefoundandisshowntobeinthepossessionofthetestatorwhenlastseen.Thatthepresumptionisthatthewillwasrevokedbythetestatorhimself.Thatthewillofthetestatorinthiscaseispresumedtohavebeenproperlyrevoked.ART.831.Subsequentwillswhichdonotrevokethepreviousonesinanexpressmanner,annulonlysuchdispositionsinthepriorwillsasareinconsistentwithorcontrarytothosecontainedinthelaterwills.Note:

‐ theexecutionofasubsequentwilldoesnotipsofactorevokeapriorone

ART.832.Arevocationmadeinasubsequentwillshalltakeeffect,evenifthenewwillshouldbecomeinoperativebyreasonoftheincapacityoftheheirs,deviseesorlegateesdesignatedtherein,orbytheirrenunciation.Efficacyoftherevocatoryclausedoesnotdependonthetestamentarydispositionsoftherevokingwill

‐ unlessthetestatorsoprovides



GENERALRULE:RevocationisanabsoluteprovisionindependentoftheacceptanceorcapacityofthenewheirsEXCEPTION(“dependentrelativerevocation”):Iftestatorprovidesinthesubsequentwillthattherevocationoftheprioroneis—

‐ dependentonthecapacityoftheheirs,devisees,orlegateesinstitutedinthesubsequentwill,or

‐ dependentontheacceptanceoftheheirs,devisees,orlegateesinstitutedinthesubsequentwill

Dependentrelativerevocation,explanation(Molov.Molo[1951])

‐ ifactofrevocationofaprevious(original)willismadebyexecutingasubsequent(new)will,therevocationisconditionalanddependentupontheefficacyofthesubsequentwill

‐ if,foranyreason,thenewwillintendedtobemadeasasubstituteisinoperative,therevocationfailsandtheoriginalwillremainsinfullforce

‐ failureofthenewwilluponwhosevaliditytherevocationdependsisequivalenttothenon‐fulfillmentofasuspensivecondition,andhencepreventstherevocationoftheoriginalwill

DependentrelativerevocationappliesONLYifitappearsthatthetestatorintendedhisactofrevocationtobeconditionedon—

‐ themakingofanewwill,or‐ thevalidityofanewwill,or‐ theefficacyofanewwill

Ruleofdependentrelativerevocationappliesiftherevocationisbyphysicaldestruction

Molov.Molo(1951)Facts:Testatorlefttwowills:originalandnewwhichcontainedarevocatoryclause.Newwillwasprobated.Later,probationwassetasideasoppositorsprovedthatnewwillnotmadeinaccordancewithlaw.Proponentssoughttohaveoriginalwillprobated.Opposition:thatoriginalwillhadbeenrevokedbynewwill,notwithstandingdisallowanceofnewwill.Evidencewaspresentedbycontestantsthatoriginalwillhadbeendestroyedbytestator.Held:Thatoriginalwillstandsbecausesubsequent(new)willcontainingarevocatoryclausehasbeendisallowed.Thatasubsequentwillcontainingarevocatoryclausewhichwasdeniedprobatecannotproducetheeffectofannullingtheoriginalorpreviouswillbecausetherevocatoryclauseisvoid.Thatdestructionoforiginalwillcannothavetheeffectofdefeatingsaidwill(priorwill)becauseofthefactthatitisfoundedonmistakenbeliefthatsubsequentwillhasbeenvalidlyexecutedandwouldbegiveneffect.BalaneThinks:

‐ “Canitnotbearguedthattheactofthetestatorindestroyingthewillinfactconfirmedhisintenttorevokeit?(referringtothecaseofMolov.Molo)”

Diazv.DeLeon(1922)

Facts:Testatorexecutedasecondwillrevokingthefirst.Firstwillpresentedtocourtforprobate.Held:Thatthesecondwilldidnotconstitutesufficientrevocation.Thatexistenceofanimusrevocandi,sufficientforrevocation.Thatfirstwill,havingbeenshowntohavebeendestroyedwithanimusrevocandi,isconsideredrevoked.Thatfirstwillwasreturnedtotestatorwhoorderedhisservanttotearthesame,whichwasdoneinthepresenceoftestator,clearlymanifestinghisintenttorevokesaidfirstwill.Thatfirstwillcannotbeprobatedforhavingbeendestroyedwithanimusrevocandi.Ruleifrevocationisimplied(incompatibilityofprovisions)

‐ ruleinART.832applies‐ intentoftestatortosetasidepriorwillisclear

ART.833.Arevocationofawillbasedonafalsecauseorillegalcauseisnullandvoid.Wills,revocableadnutum

‐ testatordoesnothavetohaveareasonorcauseforrevokinghiswill

‐ thelawprotectsthetestator’strueintent(i.e.torevoke),sothisarticlesetsasidearevocationthatdoesnotreflectsuchtrueintent

RequisitesfortheapplicationofART.833regardingrevocationforafalsecause

‐ causemustbeconcrete,factual,andnotpurelysubjective

‐ causemustbefalse‐ testatormustnotknowofthefalsityofthecause‐ itmustappearfromthewillthatthetestatoris

revokingbecauseofthefalsecauseExtensionofART.833toillegalcauses(reason:publicpolicy),ineffect,restrictsthetestator’sfreedomtorevoke

‐ illegalcausemustbestatedinthewillasthecauseofrevocation

ART.834.Therecognitionofanillegitimatechilddoesnotloseitslegaleffect,eventhoughthewillwhereinitwasmadeshouldberevoked.Notes:

‐ recognitionofanillegitimatechildinawillisirrevocable(i.e.evenifthewillisrevoked,therecognitionremainseffective)

‐ undertheFamilyCode(cf.ART.175,FamilyCode),admissionofillegitimatefiliationinawillwouldconstituteproofofillegitimatefiliation

Subsection 7 – Republication and Revival of Wills

ART.835.Thetestatorcannotrepublish,withoutreproducinginasubsequentwill,thedispositionscontainedinapreviousonewhichisvoidastoitsform.ART.836.Theexecutionofacodicilreferringtoapreviouswillhastheeffectofrepublishingthewillas



modifiedbythecodicil.Notes:

‐ republicationorrevivaltogivebackefficacytoawillwhichhasbecomeinefficacious

Will,voidastoformifitdoesnotcomplywiththerequirementsofART.804to808;810to814;818and819Howtorepublishawillthatisvoidastoitsform—

‐ toexecuteasubsequentwillandreproduce(i.e.copyout)thedispositionsoftheoriginalwill

o merereference,notenoughHowtorepublishawillthatisnotvoidastoitsformbut(a)voidforareasonotherthanaformaldefect[e.g.awillthatinstitutesoneofthethreeattestingwitnesses],or(b)previouslyrevoked—

‐ toexecuteasubsequentwillorcodicilreferringtothepreviouswill

o noneedtoreproducetheprovisionsofthepriorwillinthesubsequentinstrument

ART.837.Ifaftermakingawill,thetestatormakesasecondwillexpresslyrevokingthefirst,therevocationofthesecondwilldoesnotrevivethefirstwill,whichcanberevivedonlybyanotherwillorcodicil.Explanation—

‐ therevocationofasecondwill(revokingafirstwill)byathirdwilldoesnotrevivethefirstwill

o therevocatoryclauseofarevokedwill(secondwill)remainseffective(becausethirdwillrevokingsecondwilldoesnotrevivefirstwill)

BalaneNotes:

‐ thisarticleisbasedonthetheoryofinstantrevocation,whichisinconsistentwiththeprinciplethatwillstakeeffectmortiscausa

‐ arevocatorywill,asineverywill,inordertohaveeffectmustbeprobated;butasecondwillrevokingthefirst,whichsecondwillhasalreadybeenrevoked,mustbesubmittedtocourtforprobate?

ART.837doesnotapplyincaseofimpliedrevocation(i.e.thearticleonlyappliesifrevocationofthefirstwillbythesecondwillisexpress)—

‐ therevocationofasecondwill(revokingafirstwill)byathirdwillwouldrevivethefirstwill,UNLESSthethirdwillisitselfinconsistentwiththefirst

EXCEPTION

‐ ifthesecondwillisholographicandisrevokedbyphysicaldestruction

o becauseitcannotbeprobated,unlessacopysurvives

Subsection 8 – Allowance and Disallowance of Wills ART.838.Nowillshallpasseitherrealorpersonalpropertyunlessitisprovedandallowedinaccordance

withtheRulesofCourt.Thetestatorhimselfmay,duringhislifetime,petitionthecourthavingjurisdictionfortheallowanceofhiswill.Insuchcase,thepertinentprovisionsoftheRulesofCourtfortheallowanceofwillsafterthetestator’sdeathshallgovern.TheSupremeCourtshallformulatesuchadditionalRulesofCourtasmaybenecessaryfortheallowanceofwillsonpetitionofthetestator.Subjecttotherightofappeal,theallowanceofthewill,eitherduringthelifetimeofthetestatororafterhisdeath,shallbeconclusiveastoitsdueexecution.Probate,defined

‐ ajudicialprocesstodeterminethedueexecution(formalorextrinsicvalidity)ofawill

Probateofawill,mandatory

Guevarav.Guevara(1943)Facts:Testatorexecutedawillwhichwasneverpresentedtocourtforprobate.Respondentsoughttorecoveraparceloflandsoldtopetitioner,claimingthatsaidlandwaspartofherlegitime.Tosupportherclaim,respondentpresentedthewillbeforethecourttoprovethatshewasacknowledgedbytestatorashisnaturalchild,andonlyforthatpurpose(i.e.notforprobate).Respondentclaimedtobeanintestateandcompulsoryheirofdecedent.Held:Thattheprocedureadoptedbyrespondentcannotbesanctionedbecausepresentationofwilltocourtforprobateismandatory,anditsallowanceessentialandindispensableforitsefficacy.Twostagesofsettlementofestate

‐ probateofwillo formalvalidityisdetermined

‐ settlementpropero substantivevalidity(i.e.efficacyof

provisions)ofwillispasseduponOnceadecreeofprobatebecomesfinal,itisresjudicata

DelaCernav.Potot(1964)Facts:Jointwillexecutedbytestatorandtestatrix.Whentestatordied,willadmittedtoprobate.Probatedecreebecamefinal.Later,samewillsubmittedtocourtforprobatewhentestatrixdied.Probatecourtdeniedprobate(thesecondtime)becausejointwillsarevoid.Held:Thattheadmissionofajointwilltoprobateisanerroroflawwhichshouldhavebeencorrectedbyappeal,butwhichdidnotaffectthejurisdictionoftheprobatecourt,northeconclusiveeffectofitsfinaldecision.Thatsincetheprobatecourt(duringthefirstprobate)hasspokenwithfinalitywhenitadmittedthejointwilltoprobate,thefinaldecreeofprobatehasconclusiveeffectastotestator’swill.



Scopeoffinaldecreeofprobate:GENERALRULE:Conclusiveastodueexecution(i.e.extrinsicorformalvalidityonly)

Gallanosav.Arcangel(1978)Facts:Legalheirsoftestatorfiledanactionforannulmentoftestator’sdulyprobatedwill.Ground:fraudintheexecutionandsimulation.Testamentaryheirsopposed.Lowercourtannulledprobatedwill.Held:Thatprocedurallawsdonotsanctionanactionforthe“annulment”ofawill.Thatdecreeofprobateofwillisconclusiveastoitsdueexecutionorformalvalidity.Thatadmissionofwilltoprobatemeansthatthetestatorwasofsoundanddisposingmind;thathisconsentwasnotvitiated;thatthewillwassignedbyhiminthepresenceoftherequirednumberofwitnesses;andthatthewillisgenuine.Thatthesefactscannotagainbequestionedinasubsequentproceeding,noteveninacriminalactionforforgeryofwill.Thattrialjudgegravelyabusedhisdiscretioninannullingdulyprobatedwill.Whatformalvalidityencompasses(Dorotheov.CA[1999])

‐ whetherthewillsubmittedisindeedthedecedent’slastwillandtestament

‐ compliancewiththeprescribedformalitiesfortheexecutionofwills

‐ testamentarycapacity‐ dueexecutionofthewill

Dueexecutionmeans:

‐ thetestator’ssoundanddisposingmind‐ freedomfromvitiatingfactors(duress,menace,

undueinfluence)‐ willgenuine,notforgery‐ propertestamentaryage‐ thetestatorisnotexpresslyprohibitedbylaw

frommakingawillAnotherwayofdefiningthescopeofafinaldecreeofprobateistorefertoART.839,infra—

‐ objectiontoawillonanyofthegroundsenumeratedinthatarticleisforeclosedbyafinaldecreeofprobate

EXCEPTION:Adecreeofprobatedoesnotconcernitselfwiththequestionofintrinsicvalidity,andtheprobatecourtshouldnotpassuponthatissue,exceptifonitsfacethewillappearstobeintrinsicallyvoid

Nepomucenov.CA(1985)Facts:Testatordevisedentirefreeportiontokabit.Testatornotedinhiswillthathecouldnotmarrykabitbecausehewaslegallymarriedtosomeoneelse.Kabitpresentedwilltocourtforprobate.Legalwifeopposed.Probatedenied:thewillwasinvalidonitsfacebecauseofprohibiteddisposition.Appellatecourtreversed:willvalidexceptthatdeviseinfavorofkabitisnullandvoid,perART.739inrelationwithART.1028oftheCivilCode.Held:Thatwhilethegeneralruleisthatinprobateproceedingsthecourt’sareaofinquiryislimitedtoan

examinationandresolutionoftheextrinsicvalidityofthewill,thegeneralruleisnotinflexibleandabsolute,forprobatecourtnotpowerlesstopassuponcertainprovisionsofwill.Thatprobateofawillmightbecomeanidleceremonyifonitsfaceitappearstobeintrinsicallyvoid.Thatadonationcannotbegivenbetweenpersonslivinginadulteryorconcubinage,inwhichcasedonationisvoid.Thatthisrulealsoappliestotestamentarydispositions.Thatthereforethetestamentarydispositioninfavorofkabitisvoid.

Baltazarv.Laxa(2012)Facts:Willofthetestatrixpresentedtocourtforprobate.Opposition:thoseenumeratedinART.839,infra).Held:Thatcourtsareonlytaskedtopassupontheextrinsicvalidityofwillinprobateproceedings.Thatdueexecutionofwilloritsextrinsicvaliditypertainstowhethertestator,beingofsoundmind,freelyexecutedwillinaccordancewithformalitiesprescribedbylaw(ART.805to806).Thatthereisfaithfulcompliancewithformalitieslaiddownbylawapparentfromfaceofwill.Thatcontestantsfailedtosubstantiatetheirallegations,henceprobateofwillmustbeallowed.ART.839.Thewillshallbedisallowedinanyofthefollowingcases:(1)Iftheformalitiesrequiredbylawhavenotbeencompliedwith;(2)Ifthetestatorwasinsane,orotherwisementallyincapableofmakingawill,atthetimeofitsexecution;(3)Ifitwasexecutedthroughforceorunderduress,ortheinfluenceoffear,orthreats;(4)Ifitwasprocuredbyundueandimproperpressureandinfluence,onthepartofthebeneficiaryorofsomeotherperson;(5)Ifthesignatureofthetestatorwasprocuredbyfraud;(6)Ifthetestatoractedbymistakeordidnotintendthattheinstrumenthesignedshouldbehiswillatthetimeofaffixinghissignaturethereto.GroundsfordisallowanceofawilllistedinART.839,exclusive

‐ afinalprobatedecreeforeclosesanysubsequentchallengeonanyofthemattersenumeratedinthisarticle

‐ ifanyofthesegroundsfordisallowanceisproved,thewillshallbesetasideasvoid

o awilliseithervalidorvoid(nosuchthingasavoidablewill)

VALID–ifnoneofdefectsinART.839arepresent

VOID–ifanyoneofthedefectsispresent

ReART.839(1)—

‐ SeeART.804to814,818to819,and820to821



ReART.839(2)—

‐ cf.ART.796to803ReART.839(3)—

‐ force(violence),asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.1335)

‐ duress(intimidation),asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.1335)

ReART.839(4)—

‐ undueorimproperpressureorinfluence(undueinfluence),asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.1337)

ReART.839(5)—

‐ fraud,asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.1338)ReART.839(6)—

‐ mistake,asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.1331)

Section 2 – Institution of Heir ART.840.Institutionofheirisanactbyvirtueofwhichatestatordesignatesinhiswillthepersonorpersonswhoaretosucceedhiminhispropertyandtransmissiblerightsandobligations.Notes:

‐ rulesoninstitutionofheirapplyalsotoinstitutionofdeviseesandlegatees

‐ willsareforinstitutionofheirsART.841.Awillshallbevalideventhoughitshouldnotcontainaninstitutionofanheir,orsuchinstitutionshouldnotcomprisetheentireestate,andeventhoughthepersonsoinstitutedshouldnotaccepttheinheritanceorshouldbeincapacitatedtosucceed.Insuchcasesthetestamentarydispositionsmadeinaccordancewithlawshallbecompliedwithandtheremainderoftheestateshallpasstothelegalheirs.Notes:

‐ cf.Seangiov.Reyes(2006)o involvingawillwithouttestamentary

dispositions(disinheritance)‐ ifheir,legatee,ordeviseedoesnotacceptoris

incapacitatedo intestacyastothatpartresults

ART.842.Onewhohasnocompulsoryheirsmaydisposebywillofallhisestateoranypartofitinfavorofanypersonhavingcapacitytosucceed.OnewhohascompulsoryheirsmaydisposeofhisestateprovidedhedoesnotcontravenetheprovisionsofthisCodewithregardtothelegitimeofsaidheirs.Evenifwilldoesnotcontainanytestamentarydisposition—

‐ itwillbeformallyvalidprovideditcomplieswithalltheformalrequisites

Howmuchcanbedisposedofbywill—

‐ iftestatorhasnocompulsoryheirs:

o theentirehereditaryestate‐ iftestatorhascompulsoryheirs:

o thedisposableportion(i.e.thenethereditaryestateminusthelegitimes)

Iftestatordisposesbywilloflessthanheisallowedwhetherornotheleavescompulsoryheirs—

‐ mixedsuccessionresultso testamentarysuccessionastothatpart

disposedofbywill,ando intestatesuccessionastothatpartnot

disposedofbywillo (legitimespassbystrictoperationof

law)ART.843.Thetestatorshalldesignatetheheirbyhisnameandsurname,andwhentherearetwopersonshavingthesamenames,heshallindicatesomecircumstancebywhichtheinstitutedheirmaybeknown.Eventhoughthetestatormayhaveomittedthenameoftheheir,shouldhedesignatehiminsuchmannerthattherecanbenodoubtastowhohasbeeninstituted,theinstitutionshallbevalid.ART.844.Anerrorinthename,surname,orcircumstancesoftheheirshallnotvitiatetheinstitutionwhenitispossible,inanyothermanner,toknowwithcertaintythepersoninstituted.If,amongpersonshavingthesamenamesandsurnames,thereisasimilarityofcircumstancesinsuchawaythat,evenwiththeuseofotherproof,thepersoninstitutedcannotbeidentified,noneofthemshallbeanheir.Requirementfordesignationofheir

‐ thattheheir,legatee,ordeviseemustbeidentifiedinthewillwithsufficientclaritytoleavenodoubtastothetestator’sintention

Designationofnameandsurnameisdirectory

‐ whatismandatoryisthattheidentityoftheheirs,legatees,ordeviseesmustbesufficientlyestablished(usually,bygivingthenameandsurname,butthereareotherways)

Otherwaysofestablishingidentityofheir,devisee,orlegacy

‐ “Idesignateasheirtoone‐eighthofmyestatemyeldestfirstcousin”

‐ “IdevisemylechonparlortomyCivilProcedureprofessor”

Ifthereisanyambiguityinthedesignation,theambiguitymustberesolvedinaccordancewithART.789

‐ i.e.byevidencealiunde,excludingoraldeclarationsofthetestator

Ifambiguitycannotberesolved—

‐ testator’sintentbecomesunascertainableo intestacythereforeastothatportion

results



ART.845.Everydispositioninfavorofanunknownpersonshallbevoid,unlessbysomeeventorcircumstancehisidentitybecomescertain.However,adispositioninfavorofadefiniteclassorgroupofpersonsshallbevalid.Unknownperson

‐ referstoasuccessorwhoseidentitycannotbedeterminedbecausethedesignationinthewillissounclearorsoambiguousastobeincapableofresolution

‐ thisdoesnotrefertoonewithwhomthetestatorisnotpersonallyacquainted

‐ testatormayinstitutesomebodywhoisaperfectstrangertohim,providedtheidentityisclear

Illustrationsofasuccessorwhoseidentitycannotbedetermined

‐ “Idesignateasheirtoone‐fourthofmyestateafictionwriter”

‐ “Igiveone‐thirdofmyestatetosomeonewhocares”

Illustrationofadesignationofanunknownpersonwhoseidentity,“bysomeeventorcircumstance”becomescertain

‐ “Idesignateasheirtoone‐fourthofmyestate,whoevertopsthebartheyearaftermydeath”

Illustrationofadispositioninfavorofadefiniteclassorgroupofpersons

‐ “Iinstituteasheirtotheentirefreeportionofmyestate,thepoor”

ART.846.Heirsinstitutedwithoutdesignationofsharesshallinheritinequalparts.Generalpresumptionincasesofcollectivedesignation—

‐ EQUALITY‐ iftestatorintendsanunequalapportionment,he

shouldsospecifyART.846appliesonlytotestamentaryheirsassuch(ordeviseesorlegatees),andNOTtoanheirwhoisbothacompulsoryandatestamentaryheir(becausetheheirwillgethislegitimeandhistestamentaryshare)Toillustrate—

‐ atestatorinstituteshisson,hisfriend,andhiscousinastestamentaryheirs

o sonwillgethislegitimeplushistestamentaryshare

o friendandcousineachgetanequalshare

o son’stestamentaryshareisequaltoeachoffriend’sandcousin’stestamentaryshare

songetsmore(legitimeplustestamentaryshare)

NotexplicitlycoveredbyART.846isasituationwherethesharesofsomeoftheheirsaredesignatedandthoseofothersarenot

ART.847.Whenthetestatorinstitutessomeheirsindividuallyandotherscollectivelyaswhenhesays,“IdesignateasmyheirsAandB,andthechildrenofC,”thosecollectivelydesignatedshallbeconsideredasindividuallyinstituted,unlessitclearlyappearsthattheintentionofthetestatorwasotherwise.Equalityandindividualityofdesignation

‐ inaddition,thisarticleestablishesthepresumptionthattheheirscollectivelyreferredtoaredesignatedpercapitaalongwiththoseseparatelydesignated

‐ iftestatorintendsablockdesignation,hemustsospecify

Illustration

‐ “IdesignateasheirsMrs.ShoalHalimawis,herdaughterMs.CeraHalimawis,andBlockA2015ofthePUPCollegeofLaw”(BlockA2015composedof20people;testatordiedsingleandwithoutlegitimateissue)

o Mrs.Shoal,Ms.Cera,andthe20peopleofBlockA2015wouldbeconsideredasindividuallyinstituted

eachwouldreceive1/22oftheestate

ART.848.Ifthetestatorshouldinstitutehisbrothersandsisters,andhehassomeoffullbloodandothersofhalfblood,theinheritanceshallbedistributedequallyunlessadifferentintentionappears.Again,EQUALITYofshares

‐ iftestatorintendsotherwise,hemustsospecifyThisarticleappliestotestamentarysuccessiononly

‐ intestamentarysuccessiono equalityofsharesoffull‐andhalf‐blood

brothersandsisters,unlessthetestatorprovidesotherwise

‐ inintestatesuccessiono proportionof2:1betweenfull‐and

half‐bloodbrothersandsisters(ART.1006)andonlyifthedisqualificationinART.992doesnotapply

ART.848seemstoapplyeventoillegitimatebrothersandsisters,incaseswherethetestatorisoflegitimatestatus,andviceversa

‐ thearticlemakesnodistinction‐ ubilexnondistinguit,necnosdistinguere

debemusART.849.Whenthetestatorcallstothesuccessionapersonandhischildren,theyarealldeemedtohavebeeninstitutedsimultaneouslyandnotsuccessively.Note:

‐ equalityandindividualityruleagainART.850.Thestatementofafalsecausefortheinstitutionofanheirshallbeconsideredasnotwritten,unlessitappearsfromthewillthatthetestatorwouldnothavemadesuchinstitutionifhehadknownthefalsityofsuchcause.



Note:‐ truthorfalsityofcauseisimmaterialbecausethe

basisofinstitution,likedonation,isliberalityGeneralRule:Falsityofstatedcausefortestamentarydispositiondoesnotaffectvalidityorefficacyofinstitution

‐ reason:testamentarydispositionsareultimatelybasedonliberality

Exception:Falsityofstatedcauseforinstitutionwillsetasideorannultheinstitutionifcertainfactorsarepresent

‐ thefactors/requisites(Austriav.Reyes[1970])o thecausefortheinstitutionmustbe

statedinthewillo thecausemustbeshowntobefalseo itmustappearfromthefaceofthewill

thatthetestatorwouldnothavemadesuchinstitutionifhehadknownthefalsityofthecause

Austriav.Reyes(1970)

Facts:Testatrixinstitutedasheirsherlegallyadoptedchildren.Antemortemprobateofwillallowed.Oppositiontopartitionofestate:entireestateshoulddescendtocontestantsbyintestacybecauseofintrinsicnullityofinstitutionofheirs(theoryoffalseadoption);thattestatrixwasledintobelievingthatinstitutedheirsentitledtolegitimesascompulsoryheirs,asevidencedbyheruseofthephrase“sapilitangmana.”Held:Thatrequisitesforannulment(seefactorsenumeratedintheExceptionabove)ofinstitutionofheirsbasedonfalsecausenotpresent.Thattherewasnotevenacauseforinstitutionstatedinwill.Thattestatrix’suseofphrase“sapilitangmana”probablymeansthatsheapprovedofsystemoflegitimes.CorrelateART.850(annullingfactor:falsity)withART.1028inrelationtoART.739(annullingfactor:illegality)ART.851.Ifthetestatorhasinstitutedonlyoneheir,andtheinstitutionislimitedtoanaliquotpartoftheinheritance,legalsuccessiontakesplacewithrespecttotheremainderoftheestate.Thesameruleapplies,ifthetestatorhasinstitutedseveralheirseachbeinglimitedtoanaliquotpart,andallthepartsdonotcoverthewholeinheritance.WordingofART.851,erroneous

‐ legalsuccessiondoesnottakeplacewithrespecttotheremainderoftheestate,buttotheremainderofthedisposableportion

o theremaybecompulsoryheirswhoselegitimeswillcoverpartoftheestate

o thelegitimesdonotpassbylegalorintestatesuccession

ART.851statesexactlythesamerulelaiddowninART.841ART.852.Ifitwastheintentionofthetestatorthatthe

institutedheirsshouldbecomesoleheirstothewholeestate,orthewholefreeportion,asthecasemaybe,andeachofthemhasbeeninstitutedtoanaliquotpartoftheinheritanceandtheiraliquotpartstogetherdonotcoverthewholeinheritance,orthewholefreeportion,eachpartshallbeincreasedproportionally.ART.853.Ifeachoftheinstitutedheirshasbeengivenanaliquotpartoftheinheritance,andthepartstogetherexceedthewholeinheritance,orthewholefreeportion,asthecasemaybe,eachpartshallbereducedproportionally.ElementscommontobothART.852and853

‐ therearemorethanoneinstitutedheir‐ thetestatorintendedthemtogetthewhole

estateorthewholedisposableportion‐ thetestatorhasdesignatedadefiniteportionfor

eachheirInART.852—

‐ totalofallportionsislessthanthewholeestate(orfreeportion)

o therefore,aproportionateincreaseisnecessary

o differencecannotpassbyintestacybecausetheintentionofthetestatorisclear—togivetheinstitutedheirstheentireamount

InART.853—

‐ thetotalexceedsthewholeestate(orfreeportion)

o therefore,aproportionatereductionmustbemade

IllustrationsofART.852:

‐ Xdieswithoutanycompulsoryheirsbutleavesawill:“IinstituteA,B,andCtomyentireestateinthefollowingproportions:A–1/2,B–1/3.C–1/8.”TheestateisvaluedatP600,000atthetimeofX’sdeath.

o thetotalofthespecifiedportionsisonly23/24

o totalofproportions:575,000 A=300,000(1/2or12/24of

600,000) B=200,000(1/3or8/24) C=75,000(1/8or3/24)

o tofindA’sincreasedshare(x):SOLUTION1:x=300,000_600,000575,000

575x=180,000,000_ 575 575 x=313,043.48 SOLUTION2: Aisentitledto12/24 Bisentitledto8/24 Cisentitledto3/24 Total:23/24



Ratioof12:8:3=23 So: 12=x_____ 23 600,000 23x=7,200,000__ 23 23 x=313,043.48

o findB’sincreasedshareusinganyofthesolutionspresentedabove(youmayalsouseyourowndevisedsolutionandshareitwiththeclass);youranswermustbe208,695.65

o findC’sincreasedshare;youranswermustbe78,260.87

o nowaddA’s,B’s,andC’sincreasedshares;totalmustbe600,000

‐ XdieswithY(alegitimatechild)ashisonly

compulsoryheir.Xleavesawill:“IgiveA,B,andCtheentirefreeportionofmyestate,suchthatAgets1/4,Bgets1/8,andCgets1/2ofsaidfreeportion.”X’snetestateisworthP600,000.

o thetotalofthespecifiedportionsisonly11/24


600,000) B=75,000(1/8or3/24) C=50,000(1/12or2/24)

o NOTE:thefreeportionisonly1/2oftheestate,i.e.halfof600,000oronly300,000

asthetotallegaciesgiventoA,B,andCisonly275,000(25,000shortof300,000)theirsharesneedtobeproportionatelyincreased

SOLUTION1:x=150,000__300,000275,000275x=45,000,000_

275 275 x=163,636.36

SOLUTION2: Aisentitledto6/24 Bisentitledto3/24 Cisentitledto2/24 Total:11/24 Ratioof6:3:2=11 So: 6=x_____ 11 300,000 11x=1,800,000__ 1111 x=163,636.36

o findB’sincreasedshare;youranswermustbe81,818.19

o findC’sincreasedshare;youranswermustbe54,545.45

o nowaddA’s,B’s,andC’sincreasedshares;thetotalmustbe300,000(Yisentitledto300,000,hislegitime)

IllustrationsofART.853:

‐ Xdieswithoutanycompulsoryheirsbutleavesawill:“IinstituteA,B,andCtomyentireestate.Aistoget1/2,Bistoget1/3,andCistoget1/4thereof.”X’snetestateisvaluedatP600,000atthetimeofhisdeath.

o thetotalofthespecifiedportionsis13/12

o totalproportions:650,000 A=300,000(1/2or6/12of

600,000) B=200,000(1/3or4/12) C=150,000(1/4or3/12)

o tofindA’sreducedshare(x):

SOLUTION1: x=300,000__ 600,000650,000 650x=180,000,000_ 650 650 x=276,923.08 SOLUTION2:



Aisentitledto6/12 Bisentitledto4/12 Cisentitledto3/12 Total:13/12 Ratioof6:4:3=13 So: 6=_x_____ 13600,000 13x=3,600,000__ 1313 x=276,923.08

o findB’sreducedshare;youranswermustbe184,615.38

o findC’sreducedshare;youranswermustbe138,461.54

o nowaddA’s,B’s,andC’sreducedshares;thetotalmustnowbe600,000

‐ XdieswithY(alegitimatechild)ashisonly

compulsoryheir.Xleavesawill:“IgiveA,B,andCtheentiredisposableportionofmyestate,suchthatAistoget1/4oftheestate,Bistoget1/6ofmyestate,andCistoget1/8ofmyestate.”X’snetestateisworthP600,000.

o thetotalofthespecifiedportionsis13/24(morethan1/2or12/24availableasdisposable)


600,000) B=100,000(1/6or4/24) C=75,000(1/8or3/24)

o NOTE:thefreeportionisonly1/2oftheestate,i.e.halfof600,000oronly300,000

asthetotallegaciesgiventoA,B,andCis325,000(25,000inexcessofthe300,000disposableportion)theirsharesneedtobeproportionatelydecreased

SOLUTION1:x=150,000__300,000325,000

325x=45,000,000_325 325 x=138,461.54SOLUTION2:Aisentitledto6/24Bisentitledto4/24Cisentitledto3/24 Total:13/24

Ratioof6:4:3=13 So: 6=x_____ 13 300,000 13x=1,800,000__ 13 13 x=138,461.54

o findB’sreducedshare;youranswermustbe92,307.69

o findC’sreducedshare;youranswermustbe69,230.77

o nowaddA’s,B’s,andC’sreducedshares;thetotalmustnowbe300,000(Yisentitledto300,000,hislegitime)

ART.854.Thepreteritionoromissionofone,some,orallofthecompulsoryheirsinthedirectline,whetherlivingatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewillorbornafterthedeathofthetestator,shallannultheinstitutionofheir;butthedevisesandlegaciesshallbevalidinsofarastheyarenotinofficious.Iftheomittedcompulsoryheirsshoulddiebeforethetestator,theinstitutionshallbeeffectual,withoutprejudicetotherightofrepresentation.Preterition(omission)insum:

‐ omissionfromwhat?o frominheritance,NOTfromthewill

(“totalomissionintheinheritance”)‐ whocanbepreterited?

o compulsoryheirsinthedirectline‐ whatistheeffectofpreterition?



o annulstheinstitutionofheirbutrespectslegaciesanddevisesinsofarasthesedonotimpairthelegitimes

ThefollowingcasesdoNOTconstitutepreterition:*

‐ iftheheirinquestionisinstitutedinthewillbuttheportiongiventohimbythewillislessthanhislegitime(Reyesv.BarrettoDatu[1967])

‐ iftheheirisgivenalegacyordevise(Aznarv.Duncan[1966])

‐ iftheheirhadreceivedadonationintervivosfromthetestator

o donationintervivosisconsideredasanadvanceonthelegitime(cf.ART.906,909,910,and1062)

‐ iftheheirisnotmentionedinthewillnorwasarecipientofadonationintervivosfromthetestator,butnotalloftheestateisdisposedofbywill

o theomittedheirwouldreceivesomethingbyintestacyfromthevacantportion(notdisposedofbywill)

*inallthesecases,theremedyofthecompulsoryheir,ifthevalueofwhathereceivedislessthanhislegitime,istodemandcompletionofthesame(ART.906and907)

Reyesv.BarrettoDatu(1967)Facts:Testatorinstitutedasheirshistwodaughters,SaludandMilagros.Later,itturnedoutthatSaludwasnotthetestator’sdaughterbyhiswife.MilagrosclaimedthatSaludnotentitledtoanyshareinherfather’sestate.Held:ThatwhiletheshareassignedtoSaludimpingedonthelegitimeofMilagros,Saluddidnotforthatreasonceasetobeatestamentaryheir.Thattherewasnopreteritionortotalomissionofaforcedheir(Milagros)despitethefactthatMilagroswasallottedinherfather’swillasharesmallerthanherlegitime.Thatsuchallotmentdidnotinvalidatetheinstitutionofheir(Salud).BalaneComments:

‐ inReyes:(a)therewasacompulsoryheir[Milagros];(b)suchheirwasinstitutedinthewill;(c)thetestamentarydispositiongiventosuchheirwaslessthanherlegitime

o therewasNOPRETERITIONo reason:therewasNOTOTAL

OMISSIONinasmuchastheheirreceivedsomethingfromtheinheritance

o remedyofcompulsoryheirwhoreceivedlessthanhislegitime:

completionorsatisfactionoflegitime(ART.906and907)

Aznarv.Duncan(1966)

Facts:Testatorinstitutedasheirhisacknowledgednaturaldaughter,LucyDuncan.HelenGarcia,anothernaturaldaughteroftestatorwhohoweverwasnotacknowledged,complainedthatshehadbeenpreterited.HelenGarciawasgivenonlyalegacyof3,600pesos.

Held:ThattherewasnopreteritionbecauseHelenGarcia,acompulsoryheir,wasnotentirelyomittedfromtheinheritanceasinfactshereceivedalegacy.ThatHelenGarcia’sremedyistohaveherlegitimesatisfied.

HeirsofUretav.HeirsofUreta(2011)Facts:HeirsofPolicronioarguedthattheyhadbeenpreteritedbecausetheyweredeprivedofashareintheestateoftheirlatefather.Held:Thatpreteritionisaconceptoftestamentarysuccessionandthatwheredecedentleavesnowill,asinthiscase,therecanbenopreterition.Thereispreteritonifacompulsoryheirreceivednothingfromthetestatorbywayof:

‐ testamentarysuccession‐ legacyordevise‐ donationintervivos‐ intestacy

Whatconstitutespreteritionisnotomission(inthesenseofnotbeingmention)inthewillbutbeingcompletelyleftoutoftheinheritance

Seangiov.Reyes(2006)Facts:Testatorexecutedaholographicwillwhereinhedisinheritedoneofhiscompulsoryheirs(Alfredo,testator’sson).Virginia’snamementionedintheholographicwill.Held:Thattherewasnopreteritionbecauseitwastestator’sintentiontobequeathhisestatetoallhiscompulsoryheirsexceptAlfredo.Thattestatordidnotinstituteanheirtotheexclusionofothercompulsoryheirs.ThatmerementionofVirginia’snamedidnotinstituteherasuniversalheirbutamerewitnesstoAlfredo’smaltreatmentoftestator.WhoareincludedwithinthetermsofART.854

‐ acompulsoryheirinthedirectline,“whetherlivingatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewillorbornafterthedeathofthetestator”

o butquasi‐posthumouschildrenalsoincluded

thosebornaftertheexecutionofthewillbutbeforethetestator’sdeath

Compulsoryheirsinthedirectline—

‐ childrenordescendants*o includingadoptedchildren(Acainv.

IAC[1987])‐ parentsorascendants(indefaultofchildrenor

descendants)**legitimateorillegitimate;thelawdoesnotdistinguish(Manresa)SurvivingspouseisNOTacompulsoryheirinthedirectline

‐ whileacompulsoryheir,heisNOTinthedirectline(Balanayv.Martinez,Acainv.IAC)

‐ meaningofdirectline(ART.964,par.2)



o “adirectlineisthatconstitutedbytheseriesofdegreesamongascendantsanddescendants”

Predeceaseofpreteritedcompulsoryheir(par.2,ART.854)

‐ thedeterminationofwhetherornottherearepreteritedheirscanbemadeonlyuponthetestator’sdeath

‐ ifthepreteritedheirpredeceases(orisunworthytosucceed)thetestator,preteritionbecomesmoot

o BUTifthereisadescendantofthatheirwhoishimselfpreterited,thentheeffectsofpreteritionwillarise

o toillustrate— ifatestator(X)makesawill

whichresultsinthepreteritionofoneofhistwosons(A);ApredeceaseshisfatherXbutAleavesason(A‐1);ART.854applies(i.e.A‐1ispreteritedbecausehesucceedsXbyrepresentationofhisfatherA,thesonofX)

Adoptedchildren—

Acainv.IAC(1987)Facts:Widowandlegallyadoptedchildoftestatoropposedprobateoftestator’swill:theyhadbeenpreterited.Willhadnolegaciesordevises.Held:Thatwidownotpreteritedbecausesheisnotacompulsoryheirinthedirectline;butlegallyadoptedchild,preterited.Thatadoptiongivestoadoptedpersonsamerightsanddutiesasifhewerelegitimatechildofadopterandmakesadoptedpersonalegalheirofadopter.Thatwillistotallyabrogated.Effectofpreterition

‐ annulmentoftheinstitutionofheir,but‐ validityoflegaciesanddevisestotheextentthat

thesedonotimpairlegitimes(totheextentofthefreeportion;legaciesanddevisesmerelytobereducediflegitimesareimpaired)

o preteritionistheonlyinstancewheredistinctionbetweenheirsandlegatees/deviseesisrelevant

ifwillcontainsonlyinstitutionsofheirsandthereispreterition—totalintestacyresults

Meaningofannulmentofinstitutionofheir:

Nuguidv.Nuguid(1966)Facts:Testatrixdiedwithoutdescendants.Testatrixinstitutedinherwillhersisterassoleheir.Testatrix’sparentsopposedprobate:thattheyhadbeenpreterited.Held:Thattestatrix’sparents(forcedheirsinthedirectascendingline)hadbeenpreterited,aswillcompletelyomitsbothofthem.Thattheword“annul”meansto

abrogate,tomakevoid,toreducetonothing,toannihilate,toobliterate,toblotout,tomakevoidorofnoeffect,tonullify,toabolish.Thatinstitutionoftestatrix’ssisterassoleherisannulled.Preteritioncontraineffectivedisinheritance

‐ preteritionisthetotalomissionfromtheinheritance,withouttheheirbeingexpresslydisinherited

o impliedbasis:inadvertentomissionbythetestator

soiftestatorexplicitlydisinheritstheheir,ART.854willnotapply

‐ ifthedisinheritanceisineffectiveforabsenceofoneorotheroftherequisitesforavaliddisinheritance—

o theheirissimplyentitledtodemandhisrightfulshare

ART.855.Theshareofachildordescendantomittedinawillmustfirstbetakenfromthepartoftheestatenotdisposedofbywill,ifany;ifthatisnotsufficient,somuchasmaybenecessarymustbetakenproportionallyfromthesharesoftheothercompulsoryheirs.ProperapplicationofART.855—

‐ whereacompulsoryheirisnotpreteritedbutleftsomething(becausenotalltheestateisdisposedofbywill)lessthanhislegitime

Howtofillupacompulsoryheir’simpairedlegitime:

‐ fromthevacantportion‐ fromthesharesofthetestamentaryheirs,

legatees,anddevises,proportionallyART.855issuperfluousbecauseisspeaksofcompletionoflegitime(dealtwithindetailinART.907,etseq.)ART.855isinaccurate

‐ coverageshouldbeallcompulsoryheirs,notjustchildrenordescendants

‐ proportionatereductionmustbebornebytestamentaryheirs,includingdeviseesandlegatees,andNOTbythecompulsoryheirs

ART.856.Avoluntaryheirwhodiesbeforethetestatortransmitsnothingtohisheirs.Acompulsoryheirwhodiesbeforethetestator,apersonincapacitatedtosucceed,andonewhorenouncestheinheritance,shalltransmitnorighttohisownheirsexceptincasesexpresslyprovidedforinthisCode.Righttosucceedcannotbetransmitted—itisapurelypersonalrightRepresentation

‐ representativeisraisedtothelevelofthepersonrepresented

Completestatementoftherule:

‐ anheir(whethercompulsory,voluntaryortestamentary,orlegal)transmitsnothingtohis



heirsincaseofpredecease,incapacity,renunciation,ordisinheritance

o however,incaseofpredeceaseorincapacityofcompulsoryorlegalheirs,aswellasdisinheritanceofcompulsoryheirs—

therulesonrepresentationshallapply

Section 3 – Substitution of Heirs

ART.857.Substitutionistheappointmentofanotherheirsothathemayenterintotheinheritanceindefaultoftheheiroriginallyinstituted.SimplesubstitutionisreallyaformofconditionalinstitutionBasisofsubstitutions

‐ testamentaryfreedom‐ insimplesubstitutions,thetestatorsimply

makesasecondchoice,incasethefirstchoicedoesnotinherit

‐ infideicommissarysubstitutions,thetestatorimposesarestrictionorburdenonthefirstheircoupledwithaselectionofasubsequentrecipientoftheproperty

ART.858.Substitutionofheirsmaybe:(1)Simpleorcommon;(2)Briefofcompendious;(3)Reciprocal;or(4)Fideicommissary.Fourkindsofsubstitution:

‐ simpleorcommon(vulgar)[ART.859]‐ brieforcompendious(brevilocuaocompendiosa)

[ART.860]‐ reciprocal(recíproca)[ART.861]‐ fideicommissary(fideicomisaria)[ART.863]

Inreality,thereareonlytwokindsofsubstitutions:vulgarandfideicomisaria(mutuallyexclusive,i.e.substitutionmustbeoneortheother,cannotbebothatthesametime)

‐ theothertwoaremodalidadesofthevulgarorthefideicomisaria

ART.859.Thetestatormaydesignateoneormorepersonstosubstitutetheheirorheirsinstitutedincasesuchheirorheirsshoulddiebeforehim,orshouldnotwish,orshouldbeincapacitatedtoaccepttheinheritance.Asimplesubstitutionwithoutastatementofthecasestowhichitrefers,shallcomprisethethreementionedintheprecedingparagraphunlessthetestatorhasotherwiseprovided.Causesofsimplesubstitution

‐ predeceaseofthefirstheir‐ renunciationofthefirstheir

‐ incapacityofthefirstheirHowtestatormayprovideforsimplesubstitutionwithallthreecauses—

‐ byspecifyingallthethreecauses‐ bymerelyprovidingforasimplesubstitution

Restrictedsimplesubstitution

‐ testatormaylimittheoperationofsimplesubstitutionbyspecifyingonlyoneortwoofthethreecauses

o vacancyresultsifthecausespecifieddoesnothappen(i.e.ifanothercausenotspecifiedinthewilloccurs)

ART.860.Twoormorepersonsmaybesubstitutedforone;andonepersonfortwoormoreheirs.Brieforcompendioussubstitution

‐ apossiblevariationofeitheravulgarorafideicomisaria

‐ briefo twoormoresubstitutesforone

originalheir‐ compendious

o onesubstitutefortwoormoreoriginalheirs

Substitutionwilltakeplaceonlyifalltheoriginalheirsaredisqualified—

‐ ifoneissubstitutedfortwoormoreoriginalheirs,andonebutnotallisnotqualifiedtoinherit

o NOSUBSTITUTION—shareleftvacantwillaccruetosurvivingco‐heir/s

ifAandBwereinstitutedasheirsto1/3oftheestate,withCassubstitute,substitutionwilltakeplaceonlyifbothAandBaredisqualifiedtoinherit;ifonlyAisdisqualified,BwouldinheritA’sshare,exclusively

o EXCEPTION— iftestatorprovidesotherwise

(thatsubstitutionwilltakeplaceincaseanyoneoftheoriginalheirsdies,renounces,orisincapacitated

ART.861.Ifheirsinstitutedinunequalsharesshouldbereciprocallysubstituted,thesubstituteshallacquiretheshareoftheheirwhodies,renounces,orisincapacitated,unlessitclearlyappearsthattheintentionofthetestatorwasotherwise.Iftherearemorethanonesubstitute,theyshallhavethesameshareinthesubstitutionasintheinstitution.Reciprocalsubstitution

‐ justavariationofsimpleorfideicommissarysubstitution

Illustrationofsecondsentence,ART.861—

‐ A,B,andCareinstituted,respectively,to1/2,1/3,and1/6oftheestate



o ifApredeceasesthetestator,BandCwillacquireA’s1/2portionintheproportionof2:1(theirtestamentarysharesbeing1/3and1/6)

o shouldBpredecease,AandCwillgetB’s1/3portioninproportionof3:1(1/2and1/6)

o ifCpredeceases,AandBwillshareC’s1/6portionintheproportionof3:2

ART.862.Thesubstituteshallbesubjecttothesamechargesandconditionsimposedupontheinstitutedheir,unlessthetestatorhasexpresslyprovidedthecontrary,orthechargesorconditionsarepersonallyapplicableonlytotheheirinstituted.Rationale

‐ substitutemerelytakestheplaceoftheoriginalheir

ART.863.Afideicommissarysubstitutionbyvirtueofwhichthefiduciaryorfirstheirinstitutedisentrustedwiththeobligationtopreserveandtotransmittoasecondheirthewholeorpartoftheinheritance,shallbevalidandshalltakeeffect,providedsuchsubstitutiondoesnotgobeyondonedegreefromtheheiroriginallyinstituted,andprovided,further,thatthefiduciaryorfirstheirandthesecondheirarelivingatthetimeofthedeathofthetestator.Elementsofthefideicomisaria

‐ afirstheir(fiduciary/fiduciario)whotakesthepropertyuponthetestator’sdeath

o thefiduciaryentersupontheinheritanceupontheopeningofthesuccession(i.e.whenthetestatordies)

‐ asecondheir(fideicommissaryheir/fideicomisario)whotakesthepropertysubsequentlyfromthefiduciary

o fideicommissaryheirdoesnotreceivepropertyuntilthefiduciary’srightexpires

o bothheirsenterintotheinheritancesuccessively(i.e.oneaftertheother,eachinhisownturn)

o notethatwhilethefideicommissaryheirdoesnotreceivepropertyuponthetestator’sdeath,hisrighttheretovestsatthattimeandmerelybecomessubjecttoaperiod,andthatrightpassestohisownheirsshouldhediebeforethefiduciary’srightexpires

‐ thesecondheirmustbeonedegreefromthefiduciaryorfirstheir

o onlyonetransmissionisallowedinthefideicomisaria(fromfiduciarytothefideicommissaryheir)

o “onedegree”meansthatthefideicommissaryheirmustbeinthefirstdegreeofrelationshipwiththefiduciaryorfirstheir(i.e.secondheirmusteitherbeachildoraparentofthefirstheir)perPalaciosv.Ramirez(1982),infra

theruleappliesandistrueafortioriincaseofanadopted

childvis‐à‐vishisadopter(cf.Acainv.IAC)

‐ thedualobligationimposeduponthefiduciarytopreservethepropertyandtotransmititafterthelapseoftheperiodtothefideicommissaryheir

o thisistheessenceofthefideicomisaria(Crisologov.Singson[1962])

o fiduciaryorfirstheirisbasicallyausufructuary,withtherighttouseandenjoythepropertybutwithouttherighttodisposeofthesame(jusdisponendi)

o effectifthereisnoobligationtopreserveandtransmit—thereisnofideicommissarysubstitution,butsomethingelse(PCIBv.Escolin[1974])

‐ bothheirsmustbelivingandqualifiedtosucceedatthetimeofthetestator’sdeath

o livingo qualified(cf.ART.1024to1034)

thesetworequisitesaremetonlyuponthetestator’sdeath,andappliestoboththefirstandsecondheirs

thus,thesecondheirneednotsurvivethefirstheir

ifthesecondheirdiesbeforethefirstheir,thesecondheir’sownheirsmerelytakehisplace

Palaciosv.Ramirez(1982)

Facts:Testator’swillinstitutedhiscompanionover2/3ofestate(usufruct),andatthesametimeinstitutedassubstitutesofcompaniontwoothersnotrelatedatalltocompanion.Held:Thatthefideicommissarysubstitutionisvoidbecauselawmandatesthat“suchsubstitutiondoesnotgobeyondonedegreefromtheheiroriginallyinstituted.”That“degree”meansgeneration,andsecondheirmustberelatedtoandbeonegenerationfromfirstheir.Thatfideicommissaryheircanonlybeeitherachildoraparentoffirstheir.BalaneCriticizesthePalaciosRuling:

‐ perJusticeJoséVitug,thePalaciosinterpretationof“degree”asdegreeofrelationship“woulddisenfranchiseajuridicalpersonfrombeingeitherafiduciaryorfideicommissaryheir”

PCIBv.Escolin(1974)

Facts:Testatrixinstitutedtothewholeestateherhusband,withrighttodispose,andatthesametimehersiblingsortherespectiveheirsofhersiblings,asheirstoresidueandremainderofestate,afterdeathofhusband.Held:Thatthereisnofideicommissarysubstitutionbecausethereisnoobligationonthepartoftestatrix’shusbandasfirstheir,topreservepropertiesforsubstituteheirs.Thatsiblingsoftestatrixinstitutedsimultaneously



withtestatrix’shusband,subjecttocertainconditions.Thatbrothersandsistersoftestatrixweretoinheritwhathusbandwouldnotdisposeofduringhislifetime.Thatthisisavalidsimultaneousinstitutionofheir.BalaneComments:

‐ theinstitutioninPCIBisasimultaneousinstitution(notafideicomisariabecausethereisnoobligationimposeduponthehusbandtopreservetheestateoranypartthereofforanyoneelse)

o ontheonehand,ofthehusbandsubjecttoaresolutorycondition(i.e.rightterminatesatthetimeofdeath)

o ontheother,ofthehusband’sbrothers‐andsisters‐in‐lawsubjecttoasuspensivecondition(i.e.conditionmayormaynothappen—remainderofestate)

Tenureofthefiduciaryorfirstheir

‐ primaryruleo periodindicatedbythetestator

‐ secondaryruleo thefiduciary’slifetime(ifthetestator

didnotindicateaperiod)ART.864.Afideicommissarysubstitutioncanneverburdenthelegitime.Note:

‐ thelegitimepassesbystrictoperationoflaw,thereforethetestatorhasnopoweroverit

ART.865.Everyfideicommissarysubstitutionmustbeexpresslymadeinorderthatitmaybevalid.Thefiduciaryshallbeobligedtodelivertheinheritancetothesecondheir,withoutotherdeductionsthanthosewhicharisefromlegitimateexpenses,creditsandimprovements,saveinthecasewherethetestatorhasprovidedotherwise.Repar.1:

‐ mannerofimposingafideicomisaria:expresso twoways

bytheuseofthetermfideicommissary,or

byimposinguponthefirstheirtheabsoluteobligationtopreserveandtotransmittothesecondheir

Repar.2:

‐ allowabledeductionso generalrule:thefiduciaryshould

deliverthepropertyintactandundiminishedtothefideicommissaryheiruponthearrivaloftheperiod

o exception:theonlydeductionsallowed,intheabsenceofacontraryprovisioninthewill—

legitimateexpenses(i.e.necessaryanduseful,notornamentalexpenses)

credits

improvementsDamageto,ordeteriorationof,property

‐ ifcausedbyafortuitouseventorordinarywearandtear

o fiduciarynotliable‐ ifcausedbyfiduciary’sfaultornegligence

o fiduciaryliableART.866.Thesecondheirshallacquirearighttothesuccessionfromthetimeofthetestator’sdeath,eventhoughheshoulddiebeforethefiduciary.Therightofthesecondheirshallpasstohisheirs.Notes:

‐ secondheir’srightvestsuponthetestator’sdeath(cf.ART.777andART.878sinceasfarasthesecondheirisconcerned,theinstitutionofhimisonesubjecttoasuspensiveterm)

‐ thesecondheirneednotsurvivethefirstheirinorderforsubstitutiontobeeffective

o thesecondheir’sownheirssimplytakehisplace

ART.867.Thefollowingshallnottakeeffect:(1)Fideicommissarysubstitutionswhicharenotmadeinanexpressmanner,eitherbygivingthemthisname,orimposinguponthefiduciarytheabsoluteobligationtodeliverthepropertytoasecondheir;(2)Provisionswhichcontainaperpetualprohibitiontoalienate,andevenatemporaryone,beyondthelimitfixedinArticle863;(3)Thosewhichimposeupontheheirthechargeofpayingtovariouspersonssuccessively,beyondthelimitprescribedinArticle863,acertainincomeorpension;(4)Thosewhichleavetoapersonthewholeorpartofthehereditarypropertyinorderthathemayapplyorinvestthesameaccordingtosecretinstructionscommunicatedtohimbythetestator.Repar.1:

‐ seenotesunderART.865‐ notethatlackofthiselementdoesnot,bythat

factalone,nullifytheinstitutiono itonlymeansthattheinstitutionisnot

afideicomisaria;itcouldhoweverbesomethingelse,asinPCIB

Repar.2:

‐ ifthereisafideicomisaria,thelimitisthefirstheir’slifetime

‐ ifthereisnofideicomisaria,thelimitis20years(ART.870)

Repar.3:

‐ therecanonlybetwobeneficiariesofthepension,oneaftertheother,andthesecondmustbeonedegreefromthefirst(asinART.863)

‐ thereisnoprohibitionhoweveronsimultaneousbeneficiaries



Repar.4:‐ theostensibleheirisinrealityonlyadummy,

becauseinreality,thepersonintendedtobebenefitedistheonetowhomthesecretinstructionsrefer

o purposeofsurreptitiousdispositionistocircumventsomeprohibitionordisqualification—T.C.B.C.I.T.J.(thiscannotbecountenancedinthisjurisdiction)

o effect:entiredispositionorprovisionisVOID

ART.868.Thenullityofthefideicommissarysubstitutiondoesnotprejudicethevalidityoftheinstitutionoftheheirsfirstdesignated;thefideicommissaryclauseshallsimplybeconsideredasnotwritten.Effectiffideicommissarysubstitutionisvoidorineffective—

‐ institutionoffirstheirsimplybecomespureandunqualified

Effectiftheinstitutionofthefirstheirisvoidorineffective—

‐ notprovidedinART.868‐ “whenthefiduciarypredeceasesorisunableto

succeed,thefideicommissaryheirtakestheinheritanceuponthedeathofthedecedent”(Mr.JusticeVitug)

o thenullityorinefficacyoftheinstitutionofthefiduciaryshouldnotnullifytheinstitutionofthefideicommissaryheir

o therightofthefideicommissaryheirshouldthenbeabsoluteandeffectiveuponthetestator’sdeath,asifnofiduciaryorfirstheirhadbeeninstituted

sinceultimately,theintentionofthetestatoristoultimatelypassthepropertytothesecondheir(Manresa)

ART.869.Aprovisionwherebythetestatorleavestoapersonthewholeorpartoftheinheritance,andtoanothertheusufruct,shallbevalid.Ifhegivestheusufructtovariouspersons,notsimultaneously,butsuccessively,theprovisionsofArticle863shallapply.Note:

‐ iftestatorinstitutessuccessiveusufructuaries,therecanonlybetwo,oneaftertheother,andastothetwoofthem,alltherequisitesofART.863mustbepresent

ART.870.Thedispositionsofthetestatordeclaringallorpartoftheestateinalienableformorethantwentyyearsarevoid.Effectiftestatorimposesalongerperiodthan20years

‐ prohibitiontopartitionisvalidonlyfor20yearsIfthereisafideicommissarysubstitution—

‐ timelimitationwillnotapply‐ ART.863willapply,whichallows,asaperiod,

thelifetimeofthefirstheirRationale(asinART.867,par.2,supra)

‐ commerceSection 4 – Conditional Testamentary Dispositions

and Testamentary Dispositions With a Term Threekindsoftestamentarydispositions

‐ conditionaldispositionso condition(seeART.1179,par.1)

‐ dispositionswithatermo term(seeART.1193,par.1and3)

‐ dispositionswithamode(modaldispositions)o mode(seeART.882)

General Provisions: ART.871.Theinstitutionofanheirmaybemadeconditionally,orforacertainpurposeorcause.ART.872.Thetestatorcannotimposeanycharge,conditionorsubstitutionwhatsoeveruponthelegitimeprescribedinthisCode.Shouldhedoso,thesameshallbeconsideredasnotimposed.Conditions: ART.873.Impossibleconditionsandthosecontrarytolaworgoodcustomsshallbeconsideredasnotimposedandshallinnomannerprejudicetheheir,evenifthetestatorshouldotherwiseprovide.Impossibleconditions

‐ maybefactuallyorlegallyimpossibleEffectifimpossibleorillegalconditionisimposedbytestator

‐ conditionissimplyconsideredasnotwritteno testamentarydispositionisnot

annulledo dispositionbecomespure(no

condition)‐ ruleindonationsissame(ART.727)whilerule

inobligationsisdifferent(ART.1183)o reasonforthedifference:basisof

testamentarydispositionsanddonations,bothgratuity(liberality);ontheotherhand,obligationsareonerous(conditionimposediscausa,andifeliminatedforbeingimpossibleorillegal,therewouldbeafailureofconsideration)

ART.874.Anabsoluteconditionnottocontractafirstorsubsequentmarriageshallbeconsideredasnotwrittenunlesssuchconditionhasbeenimposedonthewidoworwidowerbythedeceasedspouse,orbythelatter’sascendantsordescendants.Nevertheless,therightofusufruct,oranallowanceorsomepersonalprestationmaybedevisedorbequeathedtoanypersonforthetimeduringwhichheorsheshouldremainunmarriedorinwidowhood.



Conditionsprohibitingmarriage

‐ ifafirstmarriageisprohibitedo conditionalwaysconsiderednot

imposed‐ ifasubsequentmarriageisprohibited

o ifimposedbythedeceasedspouseorbyhis/herascendantsordescendants—VALID

o ifimposedbyanyoneelse—considerednotwritten

Repar.2:

‐ thisparagraphmayprovidethetestatorofameansofterminatingthetestamentarybenefactionshouldtheheircontractmarriage(evenafirstone)

‐ wordingofdispositionmustnotbesoastoconstituteaprohibitionforbiddeninpar.1

o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto1/5ofmyfreeportionMr.Quevedoughprovidedhedoesnotmarryalawyeroranon‐lawyer”

NOTALLOWED(absoluteprohibition)

o e.g.“IinstituteasheirtomyentirefreeportionMs.Buttadforaslongassheremainssingleorawidow”

ALLOWEDART.874doesnotprohibittheimpositionofaconditiontomarry(eitherwithreferencetoaparticularpersonornot)

‐ cf.conditiontomarryNeitherdoesART.874declarevoidarelativeprohibition

‐ e.g.“Iinstituteto2/5ofmyfreeportionMr.SeraphimSalvavidadorprovidedhedoesnotmarryahotelreceptionist”

ART.875.Anydispositionmadeupontheconditionthattheheirshallmakesomeprovisioninhiswillinfavorofthetestatororofanyotherpersonshallbevoid.Thisarticleisthescripturacaptatoria(“Legacyhuntingdispositions,whethertoheirsorlegatees,arevoid”)

‐ itisnotallowed‐ quidproquo,forbidden

Reasonsfortheprohibition

‐ captatoriaconvertstestamentarygrantsintocontractualtransactions

‐ itdeprivestheheiroftestamentaryfreedom‐ itgivesthetestatorthepowertodisposemortis

causanotonlyofhisproperty,butalsoofhisheir’s

Whatisdeclaredvoid—

‐ testamentarydispositionitself,notmerelythecondition

ART.876.Anypurelypotestativeconditionimposeduponanheirmustbefulfilledbyhimassoonashelearnsofthetestator’sdeath.

Thisruleshallnotapplywhenthecondition,alreadycompliedwith,cannotbefulfilledagain.ART.877.Iftheconditioniscasualormixed,itshallbesufficientifithappenorbefulfilledatanytimebeforeorafterthedeathofthetestator,unlesshehasprovidedotherwise.Shouldithaveexistedorshouldithavebeenfulfilledatthetimethewillwasexecutedandthetestatorwasunawarethereof,itshallbedeemedascompliedwith.Ifhehadknowledgethereof,theconditionshallbeconsideredfulfilledonlywhenitisofsuchanaturethatitcannolongerexistorbecompliedwithagain.ART.883.xxxIfthepersoninterestedintheconditionshouldpreventitsfulfillment,withoutthefaultoftheheir,theconditionshallbedeemedtohavebeencompliedwith.ART.879.Ifthepotestativeconditionimposedupontheheirisnegative,orconsistsinnotdoingornotgivingsomething,heshallcomplybygivingasecuritythathewillnotdoorgivethatwhichhasbeenprohibitedbythetestator,andthatincaseofcontraventionhewillreturnwhateverhemayhavereceived,togetherwithitsfruitsandinterests.Thesearticlesgovernpotestative,casual,andmixedconditions

‐ potestative:onethatdependssolelyonthewilloftheheir/legatee/devisee

o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto4/5ofmyfreeportionMs.ChitHa‐eprovidedthatsheestablishapermanentresidenceinBurunggan”

‐ casual:onethatdependsonthewillofathirdpersonoronchance

o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto4/5ofmyfreeportionMs.ChitHa‐eprovidedthatMt.Pinatuboerupts”(chance)

o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto4/5ofmyfreeportionMs.ChitHa‐eprovidedthatKnorrMiswarisurrenderstothePresident”(willofathirdperson)

‐ mixed:onethatdependspartlyonthewilloftheheir/legatee/deviseeandpartlyeitheronthewillofathirdpersonorchance

o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto4/5ofmyfreeportionMs.ChitHa‐eprovidedshemarriesduringmylifetimeMr.RubberBellyhar”(dependentpartlyonthewillofMs.ChitHae,theheiress,andthewillofMr.Bellyhar,athirdperson)

Ruleonpotestativeconditions(ART.876)

‐ positiveo generalrule:mustbefulfilledassoon

astheheirlearnsofthetestator’sdeatho exception:

iftheconditionwasalreadycompliedwithatthetimethe



heirlearnsofthetestator’sdeath,and

theconditionisofsuchanaturethatitcannotbefulfilledagain

o constructivecompliance(ART.883,par.2):conditiondeemedfulfilled

‐ negative(ART.879)o heirmustgivesecurity(caución

muciana)toguaranteethereturnofthevalueoftheproperty,fruits,andinterests,incaseofcontravention

ifconditionisviolated,intestateorlegalheirsmustgoaftersecurity(cauciónmuciana)

Ruleoncasualormixedconditions(ART.877)

‐ generalrule:maybefulfilledatanytime(beforeorafterthetestator’sdeath),unlessthetestatorprovidesotherwise

o qualification:ifalreadyfulfilledatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewill—

iftestatorunawareoffactoffulfillment—deemedfulfilled

iftestatorawarethereof—(a)ifcannotbefulfilledagain:deemedfulfilled;(b)ifcanbefulfilledagain:mustbefulfilledagain

‐ constructivecompliance(ART.883,par.2)o ifcasual—notapplicableo ifmixed—

ifdependentpartlyonchance—notapplicable

ifdependentpartlyonthewillofathirdparty—(a)ifthirdpartyisaninterestedparty:applicable;(b)ifthirdpartyisnotaninterestedparty:notapplicable

ART.880.Iftheheirbeinstitutedunderasuspensiveconditionorterm,theestateshallbeplacedunderadministrationuntiltheconditionisfulfilled,oruntilitbecomescertainthatitcannotbefulfilled,oruntilthearrivaloftheterm.Thesameshallbedoneiftheheirdoesnotgivethesecurityrequiredintheprecedingarticle.ART.881.Theappointmentoftheadministratoroftheestatementionedintheprecedingarticle,aswellasthemanneroftheadministrationandtherightsandobligationsoftheadministratorshallbegovernedbytheRulesofCourt.Betweentimeoftestator’sdeathandtimeoffulfillmentofsuspensiveconditionorofcertaintyofitsnonoccurrence—

‐ propertytobeplacedunderadministrationo ifconditionhappens:propertytobe

turnedovertoinstitutedheiro ifitbecomescertainthatconditionwill

nothappen:propertytobeturnedovertoasecondaryheir(ifthereisone)or

totheintestateheirs,asthecasemaybe

ART.880mustnotbeappliedtoinstitutionswithatermdespitewording

‐ otherwise,therewillbeanirreconcilableconflictwithART.885,par.2,whichmandatesthatbeforethearrivaloftheterm,thepropertyshouldbegiventothelegalheirs

Repar.2,ART.880—

‐ propertyshallbeintheexecutor’soradministrator’scustodyuntiltheheirfurnishesthecauciónmuciana

Proceduralrulesgoverningappointmentofadministrator—

‐ Rules77to90,RulesofCourtART.884.ConditionsimposedbythetestatorupontheheirsshallbegovernedbytherulesestablishedforconditionalobligationsinallmattersnotprovidedforbythisSection.Note:

‐ suppletorilygoverningconditionalinstitutionsareART.1179to1192,onconditionalobligations

Terms: ART.878.Adispositionwithasuspensivetermdoesnotpreventtheinstitutedheirfromacquiringhisrightsandtransmittingthemtohisheirsevenbeforethearrivaloftheterm.Term:certaintoarrive

‐ mayeitherbesuspensiveorresolutoryCondition:uncertaintohappenWhenheir’srightvests(indispositionswithaterm)

‐ uponthetestator’sdeatho shouldheirdiebeforethearrivalofthe

suspensiveterm,hemerelytransmitshisrighttohisownheirswhocandemandwhenthetermarrives(cf.ART.866)

Ruleinconditionalinstitutions(ifinstitutedheirdiesbeforethehappeningofthecondition)

‐ cf.ART.1034,par.3(“iftheinstitution,devise,orlegacyshouldbeconditional,thetimeofthecompliancewiththeconditionshallalsobeconsidered”)

o import:inconditionalinstitutions,theheirshouldbelivingandqualifiedtosucceedbothatthetimeofthetestator’sdeathandatthetimeofthehappeningofthecondition

i.e.,theheirordeviseeorlegateewhodiesbeforethehappeningofthecondition,evenifhesurvivesthetestator,transmitsnorighttohisheirs(SpanishCivilCode)



ART.885.Thedesignationofthedayortimewhentheeffectsoftheinstitutionofanheirshallcommenceorceaseshallbevalid.Inbothcases,thelegalheirshallbeconsideredascalledtothesuccessionuntilthearrivaloftheperiodor(from)itsexpiration.Butinthefirstcaseheshallnotenterintopossessionofthepropertyuntilafterhavinggivensufficientsecurity,withtheinterventionoftheinstitutedheir.Iftermsuspensive(exdie,“outintheday”;“[from]its[period’s]expiration”)—

‐ beforethearrivaloftheterm,thepropertyshouldbedeliveredtothelegalorintestateheirs

‐ acauciónmucianahastobepostedbythemIftermisresolutory(indiem,“intotheday”;“untilthearrivaloftheperiod”)—

‐ beforethearrivaloftheterm,thepropertyshouldbedeliveredtotheinstitutedheir

‐ nocauciónmucianarequiredModes: ART.882.Thestatementoftheobjectoftheinstitutionortheapplicationofthepropertyleftbythetestator,orthechargeimposedbyhim,shallnotbeconsideredasaconditionunlessitappearsthatsuchwashisintention.Thatwhichhasbeenleftinthismannermaybeclaimedatonceprovidedthattheinstitutedheirorhisheirsgivesecurityforcompliancewiththewishesofthetestatorandforthereturnofanythingheortheymayreceive,togetherwithitsfruitsandinterests,ifheortheyshoulddisregardthisobligation.ART.882,par.1—

‐ definesamodeobliquely‐ inbrief,amodeisanobligationimposedupon

theheir,withoutsuspending(asaconditiondoes)theeffectivityoftheinstitution

o amodeobligatesbutdoesnotsuspendo aconditionsuspendsbutdoesnot

obligateModemustbeclearlyimposedasanobligation

‐ merepreferencesorwishesexpressedbytestator,notmodes

o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto2/5ofmyfreeportionMs.SteffanieSummeraandIwouldbeverydelightedandmysoulwouldsurelyrestinpeaceifshegivesmydaughterMs.CeraHalimawismoneyallowanceofP50,000permonthtobetakenfromsaid2/5ofmyfreeportion”—NOTMODE

Amodefunctionssimilarlytoaresolutorycondition

Rabadillav.CA(2000)Facts:TestatrixinstitutedasheirinherwillMr.Rabadilla,predecessorofpetitioners.WillstatedthatMr.Rabadillashallhaveobligationuntilhedies,everyyear,togiveto

Ms.Coscolluela100piculsofsugar,andthatshouldMr.Rabadilladie,hisheirsshallsimilarlyhavesameobligation,andintheeventthatpropertydevisedissold,etc.,seller,etc.shallhavesameobligation.Held:ThattheinstitutionofMr.Rabadillaisamodalinstitution(becauseitimposesachargeorobligationupontheinstitutedheirwithoutaffectingtheefficacyofsuchinstitution),andART.882applies.Thatinmodalinstitutions,thetestatorstates(a)theobjectoftheinstitution,(b)thepurposeorapplicationofthepropertyleftbythetestator,or(c)thechargeimposedbythetestatorupontheheir.Thataconditionsuspendsbutdoesnotobligate;andthemodeobligatesbutdoesnotsuspend.Thattosomeextent,modeissimilartoaresolutorycondition.CauciónmucianatobepostedbytheinstitutedheirART.883.Whenwithoutthefaultoftheheir,aninstitutionreferredtointheprecedingarticlecannottakeeffectintheexactmannerstatedbythetestator,itshallbecompliedwithinamannermostanalogoustoandinconformitywithhiswishes.xxxNote:

‐ intentionofthetestatorshouldalwaysbetheguidingnormindeterminingthesufficiencyoftheanalogousperformance

o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto1/5ofmyfreeportionMr.St.Peterandheshall,everymonth,givetomydaughterMs.CeraHalimawisonesackofMilagrosaricetheexpenseforwhichistobetakenfromsaid1/5share”

ifMilagrosariceisnolongeravailableinthemarket,thenavarietyofsimilarqualityshouldbegivenbyMr.St.Peter,theinstitutedheir,toMs.CeraHalimawis,inthesamequantity

Section 5 – Legitime

PreliminaryNotes:

‐ legitimeo theportionofthedecedent’sestate

reservedbylawinfavorofcertainheirs‐ freeordisposableportion

o theportionleftavailablefortestamentarydispositionafterthelegitimeshavebeencovered

‐ compulsoryheirso theheirsforwhomthelawreservesa

portionofthedecedent’sestateNatureoflegitimes

‐ legitimesaresetasidebymandateoflaw‐ testatorisrequiredtosetasideorreservethem

o thetestatorisprohibitedfromdisposingbygratuitoustitle(intervivosormortiscausa)oftheselegitimes



o butdispositionsbyoneroustitleareNOTprohibitedbecause,intheory,nothingislostfromtheestateinanonerousdisposition,(thereismerelyanexchangeofvalues)

‐ becausethetestatoriscompelledtosetasidethelegitimes,theheirsinwhosefavorthelegitimesaresetasidearecalledcompulsoryheirs

o note:testatoristheonecompelled,nothisheirswhoarefreetoacceptorrejecttheinheritance

ART.886.Legitimeisthatpartofthetestator’spropertywhichhecannotdisposeofbecausethelawhasreserveditforcertainheirswhoare,therefore,calledcompulsoryheirs.ART.887.Thefollowingarecompulsoryheirs:(1)Legitimatechildrenanddescendants,withrespecttotheirlegitimateparentsandascendants;(2)Indefaultoftheforegoing,legitimateparentsandascendants,withrespecttotheirlegitimatechildrenanddescendants;(3)Thewidoworwidower;(4)Acknowledgednaturalchildren,andnaturalchildrenbylegalfiction;(5)OtherillegitimatechildrenreferredtoinArticle287.CompulsoryheirsmentionedinNos.3,4,and5arenotexcludedbythoseinNos.1and2;neitherdotheyexcludeoneanother.Inallcasesofillegitimatechildren,theirfiliationmustbedulyproved.Thefatherormotherofillegitimatechildrenofthethreeclassesmentioned,shallinheritfromtheminthemannerandtotheextentestablishedbythisCode.ART.887enumeratesthecompulsoryheirs;enumerationisexclusiveClassificationofcompulsoryheirs

‐ primary–legitimatechildrenand/ordescendants

o calledassuchbecausetheyarepreferredover,andexclude,thesecondary

‐ secondary–legitimateparentsand/orascendants;illegitimateparents

o calledassuchbecausetheyreceivelegitimesonlyindefaultoftheprimary

legitimateparents/ascendants–onlyindefaultoflegitimatechildren/descendants

illegitimateparents–onlyindefaultofanykindofchildren/descendants

‐ concurring–survivingspouse;illegitimatechildrenand/ordescendants

o calledassuchbecausetheysucceedascompulsoryheirstogetherwithprimaryorsecondaryheirs(exceptonlythatillegitimatechildren/descendantsexcludeillegitimateparents,i.e.onlyillegitimatechildren/descendantswillgettheirlegitimes,theillegitimateparentstogetnothingintheformoflegitimes)

TheCOMPULSORYHEIRS

‐ legitimatechildren(lawdoesnotspecifyhowtheyshouldshare,butuniversalagreementisthattheywillshareequallyregardlessofage,sex,ormarriageoforigin;includelegitimatedescendantsotherthanchildren,inthepropercases)

o ART.164,FamilyCode childrenconceivedorborn

duringthemarriageofparents

childrenconceivedofartificialinsemination

o ART.54,FamilyCode childrenconceivedorborn

beforejudgmentofannulmentorabsolutenullityofmarriageunderART.36hasbecomefinal/executory

childrenconceivedorbornofsubsequentmarriageunderART.53(i.e.afterannulment/declarationofnullityofmarriage,andseparatedspousessubsequentlyremarry)

o ART.179,FamilyCode legitimatedchildren(i.e.

subsequentvalidmarriagebetweenparentsofillegitimatechildren)

o Sec.17and18,RA8552(DomesticAdoptionActof1998)

adoptedchildren(isanadoptedchildentitledtoinheritbycompulsoryandintestatesuccessionfromhisbiologicalparentsandrelatives?—noanswer)

‐ legitimatedescendantso generalrule:thenearerexcludethe

moreremote children,ifallqualified,will

excludegrandchildren,andsoon

o qualification:rightofrepresentation(successionperstirpes),whenproper

‐ legitimateparents(includelegitimateascendantsotherthanparents,inthepropercases—seeBarituav.CA[1990],infra)

o includingadopter(perSec.18,RA8552)

‐ legitimateascendantso onlyindefaultofparents



o therule(absoluteintheascendingline):thenearerexcludethemoreremote

‐ survivingspouseo ofthedecedent,notthespouseofa

childwhohaspredeceasedthedecedent(Rosalesv.Rosales[1987],infra)

o marriagemustbevalidorvoidable(withnofinaldecreeofannulmentatthetimeofthedecedent’sdeath)

o mereestrangementnotagroundfordisqualificationofsurvivingspouseasheir

o effectofdecreeoflegalseparation offendingspouse:

DISQUALIFIEDtoinherit innocentspouse:QUALIFIED

toinherito deathofeitherspouseduringpendency

ofpetitionforlegalseparation—dismissalofcase

survivingspouse,QUALIFIEDtoinherit(whetherinnocentornot)(Lapuzv.Eufemio[1972],infra)

‐ illegitimatechildreno ingeneral:childrenconceivedandborn

outsideavalidmarriage(ART.165,FamilyCode)

o inparticular:childrenbornof—(takenfromSempioDiy)

coupleswhoarenotlegallymarried,orofcommon‐lawmarriages

incestuousmarriages bigamousmarriages adulterousrelationsbetween

theparents marriagesvoidforreasonsof

publicpolicyunderART.38,FamilyCode

couplesbelow18yearsold,whethermarried(void)ornot

othervoidmarriagesunderART.35,FamilyCode

o note:ruleifdecedentdiedbeforetheeffectivityoftheFamilyCode(August3,1988)isART.895oftheCivilCode

o cf.rightofrepresentation(anillegitimatechildcanberepresentedbybothlegitimateandillegitimatedescendants,whilealegitimatechildcanonlyberepresentedbylegitimatedescendants,perART.902andART.992)

‐ illegitimatedescendantso sameruleasinlegitimatedescendants

nearerexcludethemoreremote

rightofrepresentation‐ illegitimateparents

o onlyparentsintheillegitimateascendingline)

unlikeinthelegitimateascendingline(includes

ascendantsofwhateverdegree)

o excludedbylegitimatechildrenandillegitimatechildren

unlikelegitimateparents(excludedonlybylegitimatechildren/descendants)

Variationsinlegitimaryportions

‐ generalrule:1/2ofestateisgiventooneheiroronegroupofheirs

‐ exceptions:o survivingspouseandillegitimate

children(ART.894)o survivingspouseinamarriagein

articulomortis,withtheconditionsspecified(ART.900,par.2)

o survivingspouseandillegitimateparents(ART.903)

Thedifferentcombinations

‐ legitimatechildrenalone(ART.888)o 1/2ofestatedividedequally

‐ legitimatechildrenandsurvivingspouse(ART.892,par.2)

o legitimatechildren–1/2ofestateo survivingspouse–ashareequaltothat

ofonechild‐ onelegitimatechildandsurvivingspouse(ART.

892,par.1)o legitimatechild–1/2ofestateo survivingspouse–1/4ofestate

‐ legitimatechildrenandillegitimatechildren(ART.176,FamilyCode)

o legitimatechildren–1/2ofestateo illegitimatechildren–eachwillget1/2

ofshareofonelegitimatechild‐ legitimatechildren,illegitimatechildren,and

survivingspouseo legitimatechildren–1/2ofestateo illegitimatechildren–eachwillget1/2

ofshareofonelegitimatechildo survivingspouse–ashareequaltothat

ofonelegitimatechild hisorhershareispreferred

overthoseoftheillegitimatechildrenwhichshallbereducedifnecessary(ART.895)

‐ onelegitimatechild,illegitimatechildren,andsurvivingspouse

o legitimatechildren–1/2ofestateo illegitimatechildren–eachwillget1/2

ofshareofonelegitimatechild ineffect,justdividethe1/4

remainderofestatetotheillegitimatechildren,equally

o survivingspouse–1/4ofestate hisorhershareispreferred

overthoseoftheillegitimatechildrenwhichshallbereducedifnecessary(ART.895)

‐ legitimateparentsalone(ART.889)o 1/2ofestate



‐ legitimateparentsandillegitimatechildren(ART.896)

o legitimateparents–1/2ofestateo illegitimatechildren–1/4ofestate

‐ legitimateparentsandsurvivingspouse(ART.893)

o legitimateparents–1/2ofestateo survivingspouse–1/4ofestate

‐ legitimateparents,illegitimatechildren,andsurvivingspouse(ART.899)

o legitimateparents–1/2ofestateo illegitimatechildren–1/4ofestateo survivingspouse–1/8ofestate

‐ survivingspousealoneo 1/2ofestate(ART.900,par.1),oro 1/3ofestate(ifmarriage,beingin

articulomortis,fallsunderART.900,par.2)

‐ survivingspouseandillegitimatechildren(ART.894)

o survivingspouse–1/3ofestateo illegitimatechildren–1/3ofestate

‐ survivingspouseandillegitimateparents(ART.903)

o survivingspouse–1/4ofestateo illegitimateparents–1/4ofestate

‐ illegitimatechildrenalone(ART.901)o 1/2ofestate

‐ Illegitimateparentsalone(ART.903)o 1/2ofestate

Rosalesv.Rosales(1987)

Facts:Decedentdiedintestate,leavingasheirsherhusband,herchild,andhergrandchildbyanotherchildwhopredeceasedher.Widowofthechildwhopredeceaseddecedentclaimedthatshe,assurvivingspouseofpredeceasedchild,wasacompulsoryheirofmother‐in‐law(decedent).Held:Thatspouseofpredeceasedchildofdecedentnotacompulsoryheirofdecedentmother‐in‐law.ThatART.887referstoestateofdeceasedspouseinwhichcasesurvivingspouseisacompulsoryheir,anddoesnotapplytoestateofparent‐in‐law.

Lapuzv.Eufemio(1972)Facts:Wifefiledapetitionforlegalseparationagainsthusband:sexualinfidelity.Wifediedpendentelite.Trialcourtdismissedaction.Held:Thatdeathofeitherspouseduringpendencyofactionforlegalseparation(beforefinaldecree)abatesaction.Thatthisabatementalsoappliesifactioninvolvespropertyrights.Thateffectisultimately,survivingspouse,whetherguiltyornot(note:nofinaldecreeoflegalseparationbecauseofdeathofoneofthespouses),isnotdisqualifiedtoinheritfromdecedent(spousewhodied).

Barituav.CA(1990)Facts:Decedentdiedinanaccident,andpartiesresponsiblefordeathsettledwithsurvivingspouse.Decedent’sparentslaterfiledacomplaintfordamagesagainstpartiesliablefordeathoftheirson.

Held:Thatdecedent’sparentsnotentitledtopaymentbecausepaymentwasalreadyreceivedbydecedent’ssurvivingspouseandchild,thedeceased’scompulsoryheirs.Thatparentsofdeceasedsucceedonlywhenlatterdieswithoutlegitimatedescendant.Thatsurvivingspouseconcurswithallclassesofheirs.

Tumbokonv.Legaspi(2010)Facts:Grandmother(decedent)diedintestate.Sheleftascompulsoryandintestateheirsherdaughterandhergrandson(sonofpredeceaseddaughter).Widowerorson‐in‐law(husbandofpredeceaseddaughter)claimedtobedecedent’scompulsoryheir.Held:Thatson‐in‐law(widowerofdecedent’spredeceaseddaughter)notacompulsoryheirofdecedent.Articles governing the particular combinations: ART.888.Thelegitimeoflegitimatechildrenanddescendantsconsistsofone‐halfofthehereditaryestateofthefatherandofthemother.Thelattermayfreelydisposeoftheremaininghalf,subjecttotherightsofillegitimatechildrenandofthesurvivingspouseashereinafterprovided.Equalsharingamonglegitimatechildren(includingadoptedchildren)regardlessofage,sex,ormarriageoforigin,of1/2oftheestateoftheirdeceasedparentDescendantsotherthanchildren

‐ generalrule:thenearerexcludethemoreremoteo grandchildrencannotinheritsince

childrenwillbarthem,unlessallthechildrenrenounce

o therulegoesondowntheline(nolimittothenumberofdegreesinthedescendinglinethatmaybecalledtosucceed)

‐ qualification:rightofrepresentationART.889.Thelegitimeoflegitimateparentsorascendantsconsistsofone‐halfofthehereditaryestatesoftheirchildrenanddescendants.Thechildrenordescendantsmayfreelydisposeoftheotherhalf,subjecttotherightsofillegitimatechildrenandofthesurvivingspouseashereinafterprovided.ART.890.Thelegitimereservedforthelegitimateparentsshallbedividedbetweenthemequally;ifoneoftheparentsshouldhavedied,thewholeshallpasstothesurvivor.Ifthetestatorleavesneitherfathernormother,butissurvivedbyascendantsofequaldegreeofthepaternalandmaternallines,thelegitimeshallbedividedequallybetweenbothlines.Iftheascendantsshouldbeofdifferentdegrees,itshallpertainentirelytotheonesnearestindegreeofeitherline.Legitimateparents/ascendantsassecondarycompulsoryheirs



‐ theysucceedonlyindefaultofthelegitimatedescendingline

Threebasicrulesgoverningsuccessionintheascendingline—

‐ thenearerexcludethemoreremoteo ruleisABSOLUTE(i.e.noqualification;

norightofrepresentation)‐ divisionbyline

o appliesiftherearemorethanoneascendantinthenearestdegree

o legitimetobedividedinequalpartsbetweenthepaternalandmaternallines

‐ equaldivisionwithinthelineo afterportioncorrespondingtotheline

hasbeenassigned,therewillbeequalapportionmentbetweenoramongtherecipientsbetweentheline,shouldtherebemorethanone

ART.892.Ifonlyonelegitimatechildordescendantofthedeceasedsurvives,thewidoworwidowershallbeentitledtoone‐fourthofthehereditaryestate.Incaseofalegalseparation,thesurvivingspousemayinheritifitwasthedeceasedwhohadgivencauseforthesame.Iftherearetwoormorelegitimatechildrenordescendants,thesurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoaportionequaltothelegitimeofeachofthelegitimatechildrenordescendants.Inbothcases,thelegitimeofthesurvivingspouseshallbetakenfromtheportionthatcanbefreelydisposedofbythetestator.TEST:Onelegitimatechild,survivingspouse—whatisthesharing?Iftherehasbeenlegalseparation—

‐ ifthereisafinaldecreeoflegalseparationandthedeceasedistheoffendingspouse

o survivingspousegetshislegitime(ART.63,par.4,FamilyCode)

‐ ifthereisafinaldecreeoflegalseparationandthedeceasedistheinnocentspouse

o surviving(offending)spouseisdisqualifiedfrominheriting(idem.)

‐ ifafterthefinaldecreeoflegalseparationtherewasareconciliationbetweenthespouses

o reciprocalrighttosucceedisrestored(reconciliationsetsasidethefinaldecree)(ART.66,par.2,FamilyCode)

Deathpendentelite—seeLapuzv.Eufemio,supraProblem:Terminationofmarriagebyreappearanceofpriorspouse/decreeofannulmentorabsolutenullityofmarriage

‐ reappearanceofpriorspouseo supposeaperson(husband),believing

ingoodfaiththathiswifehadalreadydied,remarries,andthensubsequentlyhiswifereappears,arebothhisfirstwifeandsecondwifeentitledtolegitimefromthehusbandifhedies?

‐ marriagesjudiciallyannulledordeclaredvoidabinitio

o sameruleasinreappearanceapplies;problemarisesifeitherorbothpartnersinthedefectivemarriageremarrylater

‐ Balanecomments:whyshouldconsortsofaterminatedmarriage,oranannulledone,oronedeclaredvoidabinitio,continuetobeheirsofeachotherwhentheverybasisoftherightofsuccession(i.e.marriage)nolongerexists?

TEST:Legitimatechildren,survivingspouse—whatisthesharing?Determinationofsurvivingspouse’sshare:

‐ aslongasatleastoneofseveralchildreninheritsinhisownright

o equivalenttoshareofonechild‐ supposeallthechildrenpredecease(orare

disinheritedorunworthytosucceed):allthegrandchildreninheritperstirpes,andthereforeindifferentamounts

o spousestillgetsashareequivalenttothatofwhatonechildwouldhavegottenifqualified

‐ supposeallthechildrenrenounce:allthegrandchildreninheritpercapita,andthereforeequally

o spousestillgetsashareequivalenttothatofwhatonechildwouldhavegottenhadhesucceeded

Inwhatinstancethenwillthesurvivingspousegetashareequivalenttotheshareofadescendant?ART.893.Ifthetestatorleavesnolegitimatedescendants,butleaveslegitimateascendants,thesurvivingspouseshallhavearighttoone‐fourthofthehereditaryestate.Thisfourthshallbetakenfromthefreeportionoftheestate.TEST:Legitimateascendants,survivingspouse—whatisthesharing?ART.894.Ifthetestatorleavesillegitimatechildren,thesurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoone‐thirdofthehereditaryestateofthedeceasedandtheillegitimatechildrentoanotherthird.Theremainingthirdshallbeatthefreedisposalofthetestator.TEST:Illegitimatechildren,survivingspouse—whatisthesharing?[ART.895.Thelegitimeofeachoftheacknowledgednaturalchildrenandeachofthenaturalchildrenbylegalfictionshallconsistofone‐halfofthelegitimeofeachofthelegitimatechildrenordescendants.Thelegitimeofanillegitimatechildwhoisneitheranacknowledgednatural,noranaturalchildbylegalfiction,shallbeequalineverycasetofour‐fifthsofthelegitimeofanacknowledgednaturalchild.]



Thelegitimeoftheillegitimatechildrenshallbetakenfromtheportionoftheestateatthefreedisposalofthetestator,providedthatinnocaseshallthetotallegitimeofsuchillegitimatechildrenexceedthatfreeportion,andthatthelegitimeofthesurvivingspousemustfirstbefullysatisfied.TEST:Onelegitimatechild,illegitimatechildren,survivingspouse—whatisthesharing?TEST:Legitimatechildren,illegitimatechildren,survivingspouse—whatisthesharing?Reductionofshares(iftotallegitimesexceedtheentireestate);rules

‐ legitimesoflegitimatechildrenneverreduced(theyareprimaryandpreferredcompulsoryheirs)

‐ legitimeofsurvivingspouseneverreduced‐ legitimesofillegitimatechildrenwillbereduced

prorataandwithoutpreferenceamongthemART.896.Illegitimatechildrenwhomaysurvivewithlegitimateparentsorascendantsofthedeceasedshallbeentitledtoone‐fourthofthehereditaryestatetobetakenfromtheportionatthefreedisposalofthetestator.TEST:Illegitimatechildren,legitimateparents—whatisthesharing?ART.897.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswithlegitimatechildrenordescendants,andacknowledgednaturalchildren,ornaturalchildrenbylegalfiction,suchsurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoaportionequaltothelegitimeofeachofthelegitimatechildrenwhichmustbetakenfromthatpartoftheestatewhichthetestatorcanfreelydisposeof.ART.898.Ifthewidoworwidowersurviveswithlegitimatechildrenordescendants,andwithillegitimatechildrenotherthanacknowledgednatural,ornaturalchildrenbylegalfiction,theshareofthesurvivingspouseshallbethesameasthatprovidedintheprecedingarticle.ART.899.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswithlegitimateparentsorascendantsandwithillegitimatechildren,suchsurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoone‐eighthofthehereditaryestateofthedeceasedwhichmustbetakenfromthefreeportion,andtheillegitimatechildrenshallbeentitledtoone‐fourthoftheestatewhichshallbetakenalsofromthedisposableportion.Thetestatormayfreelydisposeoftheremainingone‐eighthoftheestate.TEST:Legitimateparents,illegitimatechildren,survivingspouse—whatisthesharing?ART.900.Iftheonlysurvivoristhewidoworwidower,sheorheshallbeentitledtoone‐halfofthehereditaryestateofthedeceasedspouse,andthetestatormayfreelydisposeoftheotherhalf.Ifthemarriagebetweenthesurvivingspouseandthe

testatorwassolemnizedinarticulomortis,andthetestatordiedwithinthreemonthsfromthetimeofthemarriage,thelegitimeofthesurvivingspouseasthesoleheirshallbeone‐thirdofthehereditaryestate,exceptwhentheyhavebeenlivingashusbandandwifeformorethanfiveyears.Inthelattercase,thelegitimeofthesurvivingspouseshallbethatspecifiedintheprecedingparagraph.Survivingspouseassolecompulsoryheir

‐ generalrule:1/2ofestate‐ exception:1/3ofestate,ifthefollowing

circumstancesconcuro themarriagewasinarticulomortiso thetestatordiedwithinthreemonths

fromthetimeofthemarriageo thepartiesdidnotcohabitformore

thanfiveyears,ando thespousewhodiedwasthepartyin

articulomortisatthetimeofthemarriage

ART.901.Whenthetestatordiesleavingillegitimatechildrenandnoothercompulsoryheirs,suchillegitimatechildrenshallhavearighttoone‐halfofthehereditaryestateofthedeceased.Theotherhalfshallbeatthefreedisposalofthetestator.TEST:Illegitimatechildrenalone—howmuchdotheyget?ART.902.Therightsofillegitimatechildrensetforthintheprecedingarticlesaretransmittedupontheirdeathtotheirdescendants,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate.Rightofrepresentationtothelegitimateandillegitimatedescendantsofanillegitimatechild

‐ comparewithART.992(incaseoflegitimatechildren,rightofrepresentationisgivenonlytotheirlegitimatedescendants)

‐ effect:rightofrepresentationofillegitimatechildrenisbroaderthanrightofrepresentationoflegitimatechildren

ART.903.Thelegitimeoftheparentswhohaveanillegitimatechild,whensuchchildleavesneitherlegitimatedescendants,norasurvivingspouse,norillegitimatechildren,isone‐halfofthehereditaryestateofsuchillegitimatechild.Ifonlylegitimateorillegitimatechildrenareleft,theparentsarenotentitledtoanylegitimewhatsoever.Ifonlythewidoworwidowersurviveswithparentsoftheillegitimatechild,thelegitimeoftheparentsisone‐fourthofthehereditaryestateofthechild,andthatofthesurvivingspousealsoone‐fourthoftheestate.TEST:Illegitimateparentsalone—howmuchdotheyget?TEST:Illegitimateparents,survivingspouse—whatisthesharing?



Thisistheonlyinstancewhenillegitimatechildrenexcludesecondarycompulsoryheirs(illegitimateparents)Intentofthelawingivingspousearbitraryshares—

‐ sothatsomethingmaybeleftforfreedispositionLEGITIMESQUIZZERSET1:Writehowmucheachcompulsoryheirwouldget.Donotshowyoursolution.Timelimit—5minutes.

1) 1legitimatechild=1adoptedchild=

2) 2adoptedchildren=legitimateparents=

3) 1adoptedchild=4illegitimatechildren=

4) survivingspouse=6legitimatechildren=

5) 5legitimatechildren=1illegitimatechild=

6) 5illegitimatechildren=legitimateparents=

7) 4illegitimatechildren=legitimateparents=survivingspouse=

8) legitimateparents=survivingspouse=

9) 1legitimatechild=legitimateparents=1illegitimatechild=survivingspouse=

10) survivingspouse=1illegitimateparent=

LEGITIMESQUIZZERSET2:Writehowmucheachcompulsoryheirwouldget.Donotshowyoursolution.Timelimit—5minutes.

1) 3legitimatechildren=survivingspouse=

2) 2legitimatechildren=4illegitimatechildren=survivingspouse=

3) 3legitimatechildren=2adoptedchildren=

4) illegitimateparents=2illegitimatechildren=

5) 2legitimatechildren=1illegitimatechild=

6) 3adoptedchildren=1legitimateparent=

7) 1legitimatechild=

survivingspouse=

8) 1legitimateparent=2illegitimatechildren=

9) 3legitimatechildren=2adoptedchildren=survivingspouse=

10) 2legitimatechildren=survivingspouse=

The Reserva Troncal ART.891.Theascendantwhoinheritsfromhisdescendantanypropertywhichthelattermayhaveacquiredbygratuitoustitlefromanotherascendant,orabrotherorsister,isobligedtoreservesuchpropertyashemayacquiredbyoperationoflawforthebenefitofrelativeswhoarewithinthethirddegreeandwhobelongtothelinefromwhichthesaidpropertycame.IllustrationanddiagramOorM.S.R’istag.t.o.ofl.

P

Explanationofillustrationanddiagram—

‐ P(prepositus)inheritsapieceoflandfromhisfather,OorM.S.(originormediatesource).Subsequently,Pdies,intestate,single,andwithoutlegitimateissue,andthelandisinturninheritedbyhismotherR’ista(reservista)

‐ R’istaisnowrequiredtoreservethepropertyinfavorofP’spaternalrelativeswithinthethirddegree(R’iosorreservatarios)

Othertermsforreservatroncal

‐ lineal,familiar,extraordinaria,semi‐troncal,pseudo‐troncal

Purpose

‐ “thereservatroncalisaspecialruledesignedprimarilytoassurethereturnofthereservablepropertytothethirddegreerelativesbelongingtothelinefromwhichthepropertyoriginallycame,andtoavoiditsbeingdissipated...bytherelativesoftheinheritingascendant(Padurav.Baldovino[1958])

‐ “toavoidthedangerthatpropertyexistingformanyyearsinafamily’spatrimonymightpassgratuitouslytooutsidersthroughtheaccidentofmarriageanduntimelydeath(Gonzalesv.CFI[1981])

‐ “topreventoutsidersfromacquiring,throughanaccidentoflife,propertywhich,butforsuch

R’ios



accident,wouldhaveremainedinthefamily”(idem.)

Requisites(asgiveninChuav.CFI[1977])

‐ thatthepropertywasacquiredbyadescendantfromanascendantorfromabrotherorsisterbygratuitoustitle

o termdescendantshouldreadperson(ifgrantorisbrotherorsister,acquirerisnotadescendant)

o acquisitionisbygratuitoustitle(títulolucrative)whentherecipientdoesnotgiveanythinginreturn

encompassestransmissionsbydonationorbysuccessionofwhateverkind

‐ thatsaiddescendantdiedwithoutanissueo shouldread:“thatsaidpersondied

withoutlegitimateissue”(becauseonlylegitimatedescendantswillpreventthepropertyfrombeinginheritedbythelegitimateascendinglinebyoperationoflaw)

ifdescendantdieswithillegitimateissue,therewillbereservatroncal

‐ thatthepropertyisinheritedbyanotherascendantbyoperationoflaw

o byoperationoflawislimitedtosuccessiontothelegitimeorbyintestacy,NOTtestamentarysuccession

nodonation‐ thattherearerelativeswithinthethirddegree

belongingtothelinefromwhichsaidpropertycame

o reservatarios,tobediscussedinfraProcess

‐ firsttransfero bygratuitoustitle,fromapersontohis

descendant,brother,orsister‐ secondtransfer

o byoperationoflaw,fromthetransfereeinthefirsttransfertoanotherascendant

itisthissecondtransferthatcreatesthereserva

‐ thirdtransfero fromthetransfereeinthesecond

transfertotherelatives(reservatarios)

Soliviov.CA(1990)Facts:Motherdiedintestate,leavingallpropertiestosoleheir,herchild.Child(decedent)diedintestate,single,andwithoutlegitimateissue.Decedentwassurvivedbymaternalauntandpaternalaunt.Maternalaunt:propertiesleftbydecedentbelongtoherbecausesheisathirddegreerelativeofdecedent’smother,fromwhoselinepropertycame.Held:Thatthereisnoreservatroncalbecausedescendant(decedent)inheritedfromascendant(mother),thereverseofsituationcoveredbyART.891.Parties

‐ originormediatesourceo thetransferorinthefirsttransfer

‐ preposituso thefirsttransferee,whoisa

descendantorbrother/sisteroftheorigin

‐ reservistaorreservoro theascendantobligedtoreserve

‐ reservatariosorreserveeso therelativesbenefited

Twobasicrules—

‐ noinquiryistobemadebeyondtheorigino itdoesnotmatterwhotheownerofthe

propertywasbeforeitwasacquiredbytheorigin

‐ alltherelationshipsamongthepartiesmustbelegitimate

TheOrigin/MediateSource

‐ eitheranascendantorabrotherorsisteroftheprepositus

o ascendant:maybeofanydegreeofascent

o brotherorsister:conflictingviews oneview–mustbeofthe

half‐blood(becauseotherwise,propertywouldnotchangelinesinpassingtoacommonascendantoftheprepositusandthebrother;noreserveiffraternalrelationshipisofthefull‐bloodbecauseitwouldbeimpossibletoidentifythelineoforigin—whetherpaternalormaternal)(J.B.L.Reyes)

anotherview–doesnotmatterwhetherofthefull‐orhalf‐blood(SánchezRomán)

ThePrepositus

‐ eitheradescendantorabrotherorsisteroftheoriginwhoreceivespropertyfromtheoriginbygratuitoustitle

o heisthefirsttransferee‐ whilepropertyisstillwithhim,thereisasyetno

reservao reservearisesonlyuponthesecond

transfero whileprepositusownstheproperty,he

hasallrightsofownershipoveritandmayexercisesuchrightsinordertopreventareservefromarising,by:

substitutingoralienatingtheproperty

bequeathingordevisingiteithertothepotentialreservistaortothirdpersons(subjecttotheconstraintsofthelegitime),or

partitioninginsuchawayastoassignthepropertytopartiesotherthanthepotentialreservista(subject



totheconstraintsofthelegitime)

‐ theprepositusthereforeisthearbiterofthereservatroncal(SánchezRomán)

TheReservista

‐ heisanascendantoftheprepositus,ofwhateverdegree

o mustbeanascendantotherthantheorigin(iftheoriginisalsoanascendant)

iftwopartiesarethesameperson,noreservatroncal

‐ shouldtheoriginandthereservistabelongtodifferentlines(i.e.grandchildreceivespropertybydonationfrompaternalgrandfather;grandchilddies;propertyreceivedbydonationpassesbysuccessiontothelegitimeandintestacytothefather,thepaternalgrandfather’sson)?

o oneview–nobecauseanotherascendantisonebelongingtoalineotherthanthatofthereservista(purposeofreserveisonlycurative)(J.B.L.Reyes)

o anotherview–yesbecause(a)thelawdoesnotdistinguish,and(b)purposeofreservaisnotonlycurative,butalsopreventive,i.e.topreventthepropertyfromleavingtheline(SánchezRomán)

TheReservatarios

‐ thereservaisinfavorofaclass,collectivelyreferredtoasthereservatarios(reservees)

‐ requirementstobeareservatario:o hemustbewithinthethirddegreeof

consanguinityfromtheprepositus(Cabardov.Villanueva[1922])

o hemustbelongtothelinefromwhichthepropertycame(determinedbytheorigin)

iforiginisanascendant—eitherofthepaternalormaternalline

iforiginisabrotherorsisterofthefullblood—itwouldbeimpossibletodistinguishthelines

o mustthereservatarioalsoberelatedtotheorigin?

oneview:no,becausethearticlespeaksonlyoftwolines(paternalandmaternal)ofthedescendant,withoutregardtosubdivisions(Manresa)

anotherview:yes,otherwiseresultswouldarisecompletelycontrarytothepurposeofthereserva,whichistopreventpropertyfrompassingtopersonsnotofthelineoforigin(SánchezRomán)

‐ reservainfavorofreservatariosasaclass

o itisnotrequiredthatthereservatariomustalreadybelivingwhentheprepositusdies,becausethereserveisestablishedinfavorofagrouporclass,notinfavorofspecificindividuals(Manresa)

aslongasthereservatarioisaliveatthetimeofthereservista’sdeath,hequalifiesassuch,evenifhewasconceivedandbornaftertheprepositus’sdeath

‐ preferenceamongthereservatarioso rulesonintestatesuccessiongovern

howreservablepropertyistobedistributedtoreservatarios(Padurav.Baldovino[1958])

i.e.thenearerexcludethemoreremote,shareof2:1infavoroffull‐bloodinrelationtohalf‐bloodrelativesoftheprepositus

‐ representationamongthereservatarios(seeFlorentinov.Florentino[1919])

o thereisonlyoneinstanceofrepresentationamongthereservatarios:

ifthepreposituswassurvivedbybrothersorsistersandchildrenofapredeceasedorincapacitatedbrotherorsister

Padurav.Baldovino(1958)

Facts:Origin(father)died,leavingpropertiesbywilltosurvivingwife(motherorreservista)andthreechildren(onefromfirstmarriage,twofromsecondmarriage).Oneoftwochildren(prepositus,single,withoutlegitimateissue)inthesecondmarriagepredeceasedthemother(reservista).Reservatarioswerefull‐bloodsisterofprepositusandhishalf‐brother(childoforiginfromfirstmarriage).Held:Thatreservatariosofthefull‐bloodareentitledtoasharetwiceaslargeasthatofothers(half‐bloodrelatives).Thatreservablepropertyshouldpassnottoallreservatariosasaclassbutonlytothosenearestindegreetotheprepositus,excludingthosereservatariosofmoreremotedegree.Thatreservatroncalmerelydeterminesgroupofrelatives(reservatarios)towhompropertyshouldbereturned;butwithinthatgroupindividualrighttopropertyshouldbedecidedbyrulesofintestatesuccession.Thatbasicprinciplesofintestacytobeappliedare(a)proximityindegree,(b)rightofrepresentation,and(c)ruleofdoubleshareforrelativesorcollateralsofwholeblood.

Florentinov.Florentino(1919)Facts:Originleftbywillallhispropertiesto11children.Onechild(prepositus)diedintestate,single,andwithoutlegitimateissue,andwassucceededbyhismother(reservista).Reservistainstitutedherdaughterassoleheir,givingtodaughterthepropertiessheinheritedfromprepositus,herson.Survivingsiblingsandnephewsand



nieces,asrepresentativesofpredeceasedsiblingsofpreposituscomplained.Held:Thatpropertiesgivenbyreservistatoherdaughterarereservable.Thatreservatarioswithinthethirddegree,asincaseofnephewsandniecesofprepositusfromwhomreservablepropertycame,haverightofrepresentation(torepresenttheirascendants,orfathersandmothers,whoarebrothersandsistersofprepositus).Juridicalnature

‐ natureofreservista’sright(Edrosov.Sablan[1913],infra)

o reservista’srightoverthereservedpropertyisoneofownership

o ownershipissubjecttoaresolutorycondition(i.e.theexistenceofreservatariosatthetimeofthereservista’sdeath)

o rightofownershipisalienable,butsubjecttothesameresolutorycondition

o reservista’srightofownershipisregistrable(ifpropertycanberegistered)

‐ natureofreservatarios’right(Sienesv.Esparcia[1961],infra)

o reservatarios’rightoverthereservedpropertyisoneofexpectancy

o expectancyissubjecttoasuspensivecondition(i.e.existenceofreservistaatthetimeofthereservatarios’death;expectancyripensintoownershipifthereservatariossurvivethereservista)

o rightofexpectancyisalienable,butsubjecttothesamesuspensivecondition

o reservatarios’rightofexpectancyisregistrable(ifpropertycanberegistered)

Edrosov.Sablan(1913)

Facts:Father(origin)diedwithawill.Propertyoffatherpassedtoonlyson(prepositus)whodiedintestate,single,andwithoutlegitimateissue.Propertyofsoninheritedfromhisfatherpassedbyoperationoflawtomother(reservista).Mothersoughttohavepropertyinheritedfromsonregistered.Unclesofsonorprepositus(brothersoffatherororigin),reservatarios,opposed.Held:Seenatureofreservista’sright,supra.

Sienesv.Esparcia(1961)Facts:Father(origin)diedwithawill.Propertyoffatherpassedtofivechildren.Onechild(prepositus)diedintestate,single,andwithoutlegitimateissue.Propertyofchildinheritedfromhisfatherpassedbyoperationoflawtomother(reservista).Mothersoldproperty.Survivinghalf‐sistersofprepositusalsosoldsameproperty.Held:Seenatureofreservatarios’right,supra.Reservistahasnopowertoappoint,bywill,whichreservatariosweretogetthereservedproperty:

Gonzalesv.CFI(1981)

Facts:Father(origin)diedintestate.Propertyoffatherpassedtochildren.Onechild(prepositus)diedintestate,single,andwithoutlegitimateissue.Propertyinheritedbychildpassedbyoperationoflawtomother(reservista).Mothergavebyholographicwillpropertysheinheritedfromprepositustohergrandchildren(childrenofhersurvivingsons).Held:Thatreservistacannotconveyreservablepropertiesbywill(mortiscausa)toreservatarioswithinthethirddegree,totheexclusionofreservatariosintheseconddegree(hersurvivingdaughtersandsons).Thattheprincipleisthatthenearerexcludedthemoreremote.Thatreservistacannotbywillselectreservatariostowhomreservablepropertyshouldbegivenanddeprivetheotherreservatariosoftheirsharetherein.BalaneComments:

‐ therulethereforeisthatuponthereservista’sdeath,thereservedpropertypassesbystrictoperationoflaw(accordingtotherulesofintestatesuccession)totheproperreservatarios

‐ thustheselectionofwhichreservatarioswillgetthepropertyismadebylawandnotbythereservista

Propertyreserved

‐ kindofpropertyreservableo anykind(realorpersonal,corporealor

incorporeal,fungibleornon‐fungible,etc)

inRodriguezv.Rodriguez(1957),asugarquotaallotment(incorporeal)washeldtobereservable

‐ effectofsubstitutiono theruleisthattheverysameproperty

mustgothrutheprocessoftransmissions

o whatmustcomefromtheorigintotheprepositus(bygratuitoustitle)andtothereservista(byoperationoflaw)mustbethesameproperty

ifprepositussubstitutesthepropertybyselling,bartering,orexchangingit.thesubstitutecannotbereserved

e.g.therewouldbenoreservaiftheprepositussoldthepropertyhereceivedfromtheoriginunderapactoderetroandthenredeemedit(becausepropertywouldnotbethesameasprepositusboughtitbackfromthevendeearetro)

Reservedproperty,notpartofreservista’sestateuponhisdeath:

Canov.Director(1959)



Facts:Reservistadied.Survivingreservatariosoughttohaveland(reservedproperty)registeredinhername.Sonofreservistaopposed.Held:Thatreservatarioisnotreservista’ssuccessormortiscausanorisreservablepropertypartofreservista’sestate.Thatupondeathofreservista,reservatarionearesttoprepositusbecomesautomaticallyandbyoperationoflawownerofreservableproperty.Thatreservablepropertycannotbetransmittedbyareservistatohisownsuccessorsmortiscausasolongasareservatariowithinthethirddegreefromprepositusandbelongingtolinewherepropertycameexistswhenreservistadies.BalaneStates:

‐ sincethereservedpropertyisnotcomputedaspartofthereservista’sestate,itisnottakenintoaccountindeterminingthelegitimesofthereservista’scompulsoryheirs

Aproblemwillariseiftwocircumstancesconcur:(a)theprepositusmakesawillinstitutingtheascendantreservistatothewholeorapartofthefreeportion;and(b)thereisleftintheprepositus’sestate,uponhisdeath,inadditiontothereservedproperty,propertynotreservable[or,if(a)prepositusdieswithtwoormoreproperties,onereservable,onehisown;and(b)prepositusmakesawillgivingallorpartofthefreeporstiontoreservista]

‐ twotheoriesadvanced:o reservamáxima–asmuchofthe

potentiallyreservablepropertyaspossiblemustbedeemedincludedinthepartthatpassesbyoperationoflaw(maximizingthescopeofthereserva)

o reservamínima–everysinglepropertyintheprepositus’sestatemustbedeemedtopass,partlybywillandpartlybyoperationoflaw,inthesameproportionthatthepartgivenbywillbearstothepartnotsogiven

‐ toillustrate:supposeprepositusreceives2Mfromorigin,andearns4Mashisown;prepositusmakesawillinstitutinghismother(reservista)tohisfreeportion(1/2ofestate);prepositusdiessingleandwithoutlegitimateissue;reservistainheritsentireestateofprepositus(halfbylegitime,halfbytestamentarysuccession);howmuchofthe2Mwillbereserved?

o reservamáxima–allofthe2M(reservableproperty)willpasstoreservistaasherlegitime(rule:fitasmuchofreservablepropertyinthatpartwhichpassesbyoperationoflaw)

3Masreservista’slegitime(includedinthis3Misthe2Mreservableproperty)

o reservamínima–only1Mofthe2Mreservablepropertywillpasstoreservistaaspartofherlegitime(rule:everyitemtopasstoreservistainproportionorratioastohowmuchofthefreeportiontheprepositusgavetothereservista)

3Masreservista’slegitime(composedof1Mfromthe2Mreservableproperty,and2Mfromthe4Mownpropertyoftheprepositus;1Mofthe2Mreservablepropertypassestoreservistabywill,and2Mofthe4Mownpropertyofthepreposituspassestoreservistabywill)

Rightsofreservatariosandobligationsofthereservista

‐ toinventorythereservedproperties‐ toannotatethereservablecharacter(if

registeredimmovables)intheRegistryofPropertywithin90daysfromacceptancebythereservista

o thereisonlyonetitletotheimmovableproperty,theregisteredownerbeingthereservista,andthereservablecharacterofthepropertyhastobeannotatedatthebackofthetitleasalienorencumbranceinfavorofthereservatarios

‐ toappraisethemovables‐ tosecurebymeansofmortgage:(a)the

indemnityforanydeteriorationofordamagetothepropertyoccasionedbythereservista’sfaultornegligence,and(b)thepaymentofthevalueofsuchreservedmovablesasmayhavebeenalienatedbythereservistaonerouslyorgratuitously

Extinguishment;howreservatroncalextinguished

‐ bydeathofreservistao reservatariostogetproperty;nomore

reserva reservatroncalbeginswhen

theprepositusdies reservatroncalendswhenthe

reservistadies(reservatariosmustbealive)

‐ bydeathofallthereservatarioso note:ifonesubscribestotheviewthat

thereservistacanbelongtothelineoforigin,deathofallreservatarioswillnotipsofactoextinguishthereservabecausethereservistacouldhaveachildsubsequently,whowouldbeareservatario

‐ byrenunciationbyallthereservatarios,providedthatnootherreservatarioisbornsubsequently

‐ bytotalfortuitouslossofthereservedproperty‐ byconfusionormergerofrights

o aswhenthereservatariosacquirethereservista’srightbyacontractintervivos

e.g.saleofreservatoreservatarios

‐ prescriptionoradversepossessionART.904.Thetestatorcannotdeprivehiscompulsoryheirsoftheirlegitime,exceptincasesexpresslyprovidedbylaw.



Neithercanheimposeuponthesameanyburden,encumbrance,condition,orsubstitutionofanykindwhatsoever.Thelegitimeisnotwithinthetestator’scontrol

‐ legitimepassestocompulsoryheirsbystrictoperationoflaw

Testatordevoidofpowertodeprivecompulsoryheirsoflegitime

‐ itisthelaw,notthetestator,whichdeterminesthetransmissionofthelegitimes

‐ EXCEPT:indisinheritanceo theonlyinstanceinwhichthelaw

allowsthetestatortodeprivethecompulsoryheirsoftheirlegitimes

Testatordevoidofpowertoimposeburdensonlegitime

‐ qualifications:inatleasttwoinstances,thelawgrantsthetestatorsomepoweroverthelegitime

o paymentoflegitimeincash(ART.1080,par.2)aswhenaparentwhowishestokeepanagriculturalenterpriseintact,andsuchagriculturalenterprisewasassignedtoachildwhodoesnotknowhowtooperatethesame

o prohibitiononpartition(ART.1083,par.1)

‐ restrictionsonthelegitimeimposedbylawo thefamilyhomecannotbepartitioned

(ART.159,FamilyCode)o thereservatroncal

ART.905.Everyrenunciationorcompromiseasregardsafuturelegitimebetweenthepersonowingitandhiscompulsoryheirsisvoid,andthelattermayclaimthesameuponthedeathoftheformer;buttheymustbringtocollationwhatevertheymayhavereceivedbyvirtueoftherenunciationorcompromise.Reasonfortherule—

‐ beforepredecessor’sdeath,heir’srightissimplyinchoate

Dutytocollate

‐ anypropertywhichthecompulsoryheirmayhavegratuitouslyreceivedfromhispredecessorbyvirtueoftherenunciationorcompromisewillbeconsideredasanadvanceonhislegitimeandmustbedulycredited

o e.g.ifsonaskedfor30Mfromhisfatherinordertostartabusiness,andthefatheragrees,the30Mwouldbeconsideredasanadvanceontheson’slegitime

duringthesettlementofhisfather’sestate,ifitturnsoutthatthesonisentitledto50Maslegitime,hewouldbegiven20Mmore(the30Malreadycreditedtohislegitime)

Scopeandprohibition

‐ articleonlyappliestotransactionsofcompromiseorrenunciationbetweenthepredecessorandtheprospectivecompulsoryheir

o BUTatransactionofsimilarcharacterbetweenaprospectivecompulsoryheirandanotherprospectivecompulsoryheir,orbetweenaprospectivecompulsoryheirandastranger,alsonotallowed(ART.1347,par.2)

e.g.Aasked50Mfromhiswealthybrother,Binordertostartabusiness,inexchangeforwhichArenouncesthelegitimehewillgetfromtheirfatherXinfavorofB;Xdies;duringthesettlementofX’sestateitturnsoutthatAisentitledto80Maslegitime;BclaimsthatAcannolongergetthe30MbalanceasAalreadyrenouncedhisshareinfavorofB;Biswrong,forAcanstillgethis30Mshare

ART.906.Anycompulsoryheirtowhomthetestatorhasleftbyanytitlelessthanthelegitimebelongingtohimmaydemandthatthesamebefullysatisfied.ART.906appliesonlytotransmissionsbygratuitoustitle

‐ e.g.donation,etc.Thisisthewellknownrightofcompletionoflegitime

‐ cf.ART.855,909and910Principle:anythingthatacompulsoryheirreceivesbygratuitoustitlefromthepredecessorisconsideredasanadvanceonthelegitimeandisdeductedtherefrom

‐ exceptions:o ifthepredecessorgavethecompulsory

heiradonationintervivosandprovidedthatitwasnottobechargedagainstthelegitime(ART.1062)

o testamentarydispositionsmadebythepredecessortothecompulsoryheir,unlessthetestatorprovidesthatitshouldbeconsideredpartofthelegitime(ART.1063)

ART.907.Testamentarydispositionsthatimpairordiminishthelegitimeofthecompulsoryheirsshallbereducedonpetitionofthesame,insofarastheymaybeinofficiousorexcessive.Notes:

‐ sameprincipleasinART.904‐ iftestamentarydispositionsexceedthe

disposableportion,compulsoryheirsmaydemandtheirreductiontotheextentthatthelegitimeshavebeenimpaired

‐ cf.ART.911ART.908.Todeterminethelegitime,thevalueofthepropertyleftatthedeathofthetestatorshallbeconsidered,deductingalldebtsandcharges,whichshall



notincludethoseimposedinthewill.Tothenetvalueofthehereditaryestate,shallbeaddedthevalueofalldonationsbythetestatorthataresubjecttocollation,atthetimehemadethem.Thenethereditaryestate

‐ ART.908makespossiblethecomputationoftheabsoluteamountsofthelegitimesbylayingdownthemannerofcomputingthenetvalueoftheestate(thenethereditaryestate),onwhichtheproportionsarebased

Howtocomputethehereditaryestate:

‐ inventoryofallexistingassetso appraisalorvaluationofexistingassets

atthetimeofthedecedent’sdeatho assetsincludeonlythosethatsurvive

thedecedent(i.e.notextinguishedbyhisdeath)

o valuedeterminedbyinventorywillconstitutethegrossassets

‐ deductunpaiddebtsandchargeso allunpaidobligationsofthedecedent

mustbedeductedfromgrossassetso onlyobligationswithmonetaryvalue,

notextinguishedbydeath,areconsidered(i.e.notintuitupersonaeobligations)

o differencebetweengrossassetsandunpaidobligationswillbetheavailableassets

‐ addthevalueofdonationsintervivoso addtothevalueofavailableassetsall

theintervivosdonationsmadebythedecedent

o donationsintervivosmustbevaluedasofthetimetheyweremade(increaseordecreaseinvalue,forthedonee’saccount)

o sumofavailableassetsandalldonationsintervivosisthenethereditaryestate

Toillustrate—

‐ inventoriedassets:17M(grossassets)‐ deductdebts:6M(11Masavailableassets)‐ adddonationsintervivos:4M(15Masnet

hereditaryestate)o iftestatorleft3legitimatechildrenand

asurvivingspouse,theywillgetthefollowing:

2.5Meachto3legitimatechildren(rule:1/2ofestate)

2.5Mtosurvivingspouse(rule:shareequivalenttothatofonechild)

totallegitimes:10M freeportion:1M(note:

availableassets,only11M;valueofnethereditaryestate[15M]onlyrelevantforpurposesofcomputingthelegitimes)

Vizcondev.CA(1998)

Facts:Decedentsoldparceloflandtodaughter.Daughterhadhusbandandtwochildren.Daughterandchildrendiedinmassacre,inwhichdaughterdiedahead.Childrenbecameheirsofmother.Whenchildrendied,theirfather(husband)becamesoleheir.Husband(widower)extrajudiciallysettledestateofwifewithparents‐in‐law(decedentandhiswife).Decedentdiedandacollationwasaskedwherewidowerincluded.Held:Thatinclusionofwidower(son‐in‐lawinrelationtodecedent)insettlementofintestateestateofhisfather‐in‐law(fatherofhislatewife)iserroneousbecauseson‐in‐lawnotacompulsoryheirofhisfather‐in‐law.Thatassumingcollationwereproper,stillpropertysoldbydecedenttohisdeaddaughter(wifeofdecedent’sson‐in‐laworthewidower)notcollationableforthereasonthattransferwasnotbygratuitoustitlebutbyoneroustitle(sale).Thatobligationtocollateislodgedwithdecedent’scompulsoryheir,hisdeaddaughter,andnottosaiddeceaseddaughter’shusband.ART.909.Donationsgiventochildrenshallbechargedtotheirlegitime.Donationsmadetostrangersshallbechargedtothatpartoftheestateofwhichthetestatorcouldhavedisposedbyhislastwill.Insofarastheymaybeinofficiousormayexceedthedisposableportion,theyshallbereducedaccordingtotherulesestablishedbythisCode.ART.910.Donationswhichanillegitimatechildmayhavereceivedduringthelifetimeofhisfatherormother,shallbechargedtohislegitime.Shouldtheyexceedtheportionthatcanbefreelydisposedof,theyshallbereducedinthemannerprescribedbythisCode.Donationsintervivostocompulsoryheirs,consideredasanadvanceontheirlegitimes

‐ coverageofruleo appliestoallcompulsoryheirs

includingascendants excludingasurvivingspouse

(exceptincasesofdonationspropternuptiasandmoderategifts)

‐ exceptiono ruleofimputationoflegitimewillnot

applyifdonorprovidedotherwise(videART.1062)

inwhichcasedonationtobeimputedtothefreeportion

Donationsintervivostostrangers

‐ astrangerisanyonewhodoesnotsucceedasacompulsoryheir

o e.g.father,ifdecedenthaschildren‐ donationsintervivostostrangersareimputedto

thedisposableportionART.911.Afterthelegitimehasbeendeterminedinaccordancewiththethreeprecedingarticles,the



reductionshallbemadeasfollows:(1)Donationsshallberespectedaslongasthelegitimecanbecovered,reducingorannulling,ifnecessary,thedevisesorlegaciesmadeinthewill;(2)Thereductionofthedevisesorlegaciesshallbeprorata,withoutanydistinctionwhatever;Ifthetestatorhasdirectedthatacertaindeviseorlegacybepaidinpreferencetoothers,itshallnotsufferanyreductionuntilthelatterhavebeenappliedinfulltothepaymentofthelegitime.(3)Ifthedeviseorlegacyconsistsofausufructorlifeannuity,whosevaluemaybeconsideredgreaterthanthatofthedisposableportion,thecompulsoryheirsmaychoosebetweencomplyingwiththetestamentaryprovisionanddeliveringtothedeviseeorlegateethepartoftheinheritanceofwhichthetestatorcouldfreelydispose.Legitimesareinviolable

‐ ifimpaired,gratuitousdispositionsofthetestator(intervivosormortiscausa)havetobesetasideorreducedasmayberequiredtocoverthelegitimes

Methodofreduction*

‐ first,reduceproratathenon‐preferredlegaciesanddevises(ART.911[2]),andthetestamentarydispositions(toheirs)(ART.907)

o nopreferenceamongtheselegacies,devises,andtestamentarydispositions

‐ second,reduceproratathepreferredlegaciesanddevises(ART.911,lastpar.)

‐ third,reducethedonationsintervivosaccordingtotheinverseorderoftheirdates(i.e.theoldestisthemostpreferred)

*reductionsshallbetotheextentrequiredtocompletethelegitimes,evenifintheprocess,thedispositionisreducedtonothingDevises/legaciesofusufruct/lifeannuities/pensions(ART.911[3])

‐ ifuponbeingcapitalizedaccordingtoactuarialstandards,thevalueofthegrantexceedsthefreeportion(i.e.itimpairsthelegitime),ithastobereduced,becausethelegitimecannotbeimpaired

‐ thetestatorcanimposenousufructoranyotherencumbranceonthepartthatpassesaslegitime

‐ subjecttothetworulesabovementioned,thecompulsoryheirsmayelectbetweencedingtothedevisee/legateethefreeportion(ortheproportionalpartthereofcorrespondingtothesaidlegacy/devise,incasethereareotherdispositions),andcomplyingwiththetermsoftheusufructorlifeannuityorpension

Art.912.Ifthedevisesubjecttoreductionshouldconsistofrealproperty,whichcannotbeconvenientlydivided,itshall go to the devisee if the reduction does not absorb

one‐half of its value; and in a contrary case, to thecompulsory heirs; but the former and the latter shallreimburse each other in cash for what respectivelybelongstothem.The deviseewho is entitled to a legitimemay retain theentireproperty,provideditsvaluedoesnotexceedthatofthedisposableportionandofthesharepertainingtohimaslegitime.(821)Balane:Provisioncoverstheff.cases:

1. Thedeviseehastobereduced2. Thethinggivenasadeviseisindivisible• Ineithercase,thereshouldbepecuniary

reimbursmenttothepartywhodidnotgethisphysicalportionofthething

Rules:

1. Iftheextentofreductionislessthan½ofthevalueofthething–itshouldbegiventothedevisee.

2. Iftheextenetofreductionis½ormoreofthevalueofthething–itshouldbegiventothecompulsoryheir.

Art. 913. If the heirs or devisees do not choose to availthemselves of the right granted by the preceding article,any heir or devisee who did not have such right mayexercise it; should the latter not make use of it, thepropertyshallbesoldatpublicauctionattheinstanceofanyoneoftheinterestedparties.(822)Balane:

• Thisarticleappliesifneitherparty(thecompulsoryheirandthedevisee)electstoexercisehisrightunderArt.912.

Rules:

1. Anyotherheirordevisee,whoelectstodoso,mayacquirethethingandpaytheparties(thecompulsoryheirandthedeviseeinquestion)theirrespectiveshareinmoney.

2. Ifnoheirordeviseeelectstoacquireit,itshallbesoldatpublicauctionandthenetproceedsaccordinglydividedbetweenthepartiesconcerned.

Art.914Thetestatormaydeviseandbequeaththefreeportionashemaydeemfit.(n)

6. Disinheritance

Art.915.Acompulsoryheirmay,inconsequenceofdisinheritance,bedeprivedofhislegitime,forcausesexpresslystatedbylaw.(848a).Balane:Requisitesofavaliddisinheritance:(SLaWPUTT)

1. Itmustbemadeinawill.• Itmustbeadmittedintoprobate.

2. Itmustbeforacausespecifiedbylaw.3. Thewillmustspecifythecause.4. Itmustbeunconditional.



5. Itmustbetotal.6. Thecausemustbetrue.7. Ifthetruthofthecauseisdenied,itmustbe

provedbytheproponent.Effectofdisinheritance:Thedisinheritedheirforfeits:

1. hislegitime2. hisintestateportion,ifany,and3. anytestamentarydispositionmadeinaprior

willofthedisinheritingtestatorClassNotes:

• ThisshouldbecorrelatedwithArt.904.Art.916.Disinheritancecanbeeffectedonlythroughawillwhereinthelegalcausethereforshallbespecified.(849)Art.917.Theburdenofprovingthetruthofthecausefordisinheritanceshallrestupontheotherheirsofthetestator,ifthedisinheritedheirshoulddenyit.(850)Art.918.Disinheritancewithoutaspecificationofthecause,orforacausethetruthofwhich,ifcontradicted,isnotproved,orwhichisnotoneofthosesetforthinthisCode,shallannultheinstitutionofheirsinsofarasitmayprejudicethepersondisinherited;butthedevisesandlegaciesandothertestamentarydispositionsshallbevalidtosuchextentaswillnotimpairthelegitime.(851a)Balane:

• Ifthedisinheritancelacksoneorotheroftherequisitesinthisarticle,theheirinquestiongetshislegitime.

• Astowhetherhewillgetalsoanypartoftheintestateportionornot,itdependsinwhetherthetestatorgaveawaythefreeportionthroughtestamentarydispositions:

o Ifthroughtestamentaryprovision,thesedispositionsarevalidandthecompulsoryheirimproperlydisinheritedgetsonlyhislegitime.

o Hewillgethiscorrespondingshareofthefreeportionisifisnotthroughtestamentaryprovision.

Art.919.Thefollowingshallbesufficientcausesforthedisinheritanceofchildrenanddescendants,legitimateaswellasillegitimate:(1)Whenachildordescendanthasbeenfoundguiltyofanattemptagainstthelifeofthetestator,hisorherspouse,descendants,orascendants;(2)Whenachildordescendanthasaccusedthetestatorofacrimeforwhichthelawprescribesimprisonmentforsixyearsormore,iftheaccusationhasbeenfoundgroundless;(3)Whenachildordescendanthasbeenconvictedofadulteryorconcubinagewiththespouseofthetestator;(4)Whenachildordescendantbyfraud,violence,intimidation,orundueinfluencecausesthetestatortomakeawillortochangeonealreadymade;(5)Arefusalwithoutjustifiablecausetosupporttheparentorascendantwhodisinheritssuchchildordescendant;(6)Maltreatmentofthetestatorbywordordeed,bythechildordescendant;

(7)Whenachildordescendantleadsadishonorableordisgracefullife;(8)Convictionofacrimewhichcarrieswithitthepenaltyofcivilinterdiction.(756,853,674a)Balane:Groundsfordisinheritance:(DAMAFASI)

1. Attemptagainstthelife• Allstagesofcommissionareincluded–

attempted,frustrtaedorconsumated.• Intenttokillmustbepresent.• Finalconvictionisnecessary.

2. Accusation• Thisincludesthefilingofthecomplaint

beforetheprosecutor,orpresentingincriminatingevidenceagainstthetestator,orevensupressingexculpatoryevidence.

• Thereshouldbeimprisonmentofmorethansixyears.

• Theaccusationmustbefoundtobegroundless.

3. Adulteryandconcubinage• Finalconvictionisrequired.

4. Fraud,violence,intimidationandundueinfluenceinthemakingofthewill

5. Refusaltosupportwithoutjustifiablecause• Thedemandmustbeunjustifiablyrefused.• Refusalmaybejustified:

o E.g.Iftheobligordoesnothaveenoughresourcesforallwhomheisobligedtosupport.Theascendantsareonlythirdinthehierarchyofpreferenceamongclaimantsofsupport.

6. Maltreatment• Itisrequiredthattheactofverbalor

physicalassaultbeofseriousnature.• Noconvictionisrequired.Itisnoteven

requiredthatanycriminalcasebefiled.• Thismaybeprovedbypreponderanceof

evidence.7. Leadsadishonorableordisgracefullife

• Theremustbehabitualitytotheconduct.• Theconductneednotbesexualinnature.

8. Crimewithcivilinterdictiono Finalconvictionisrequired.

ClassNotes:

• Accusationo Theexonerationoracquittalmustbe

becausethechargeisgroundless. Iftheacquittalisonlybeyond

reasonabledoubt,thenthereissomeground.

• Fraud,violence,intimidationandundueinfluenceinthemakingofthewill

o Noconvictionisrequiredhere• Maltreatment

o Usuallythisishardtoprovebecausethereisnowitnessandthetestatorisdead.

• Leadsadishonorableordisgracefullifeo Itcannotbeonlyonce.o Itneednotbesexualinnature.For

example,partakingintheporkbarrelscamwithJanetNapoles.



Art.920.Thefollowingshallbesufficientcausesforthedisinheritanceofparentsorascendants,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate:(1)Whentheparentshaveabandonedtheirchildrenorinducedtheirdaughterstoliveacorruptorimmorallife,orattemptedagainsttheirvirtue;(2)Whentheparentorascendanthasbeenconvictedofanattemptagainstthelifeofthetestator,hisorherspouse,descendants,orascendants;(3)Whentheparentorascendanthasaccusedthetestatorofacrimeforwhichthelawprescribesimprisonmentforsixyearsormore,iftheaccusationhasbeenfoundtobefalse;(4)Whentheparentorascendanthasbeenconvictedofadulteryorconcubinagewiththespouseofthetestator;(5)Whentheparentorascendantbyfraud,violence,intimidation,orundueinfluencecausesthetestatortomakeawillortochangeonealreadymade;(6)ThelossofparentalauthorityforcausesspecifiedinthisCode;(7)Therefusaltosupportthechildrenordescendantswithoutjustifiablecause;(8)Anattemptbyoneoftheparentsagainstthelifeoftheother,unlesstherehasbeenareconciliationbetweenthem.(756,854,674a)Balane:

• Number2,3,4,5and7arethesamegroundunderArticle919.

Othergroundsfordisinheritanceofparentsorascendants:(CIA)

1. Abandonmentbyparentofhischildren• Thisisnotrestrictedtothoseinstancesof

abandonmentpenalizedbylaw.2. Inducementtoliveacorruptorimmorallife.

• Appliesonlytodaughters• Itincludesgrandparentstogranddaughters

astheprovisioncontemplatesascendantsvis‐à‐visdescendants.

• Mereattemptagainsttheirvirtueisenoughaslongasitcanbeproven.

• Noconvictionisrequiredinallthreecasesprovidedintheprovision.

3. Lossofparentalauthority• Notallcausesforlossofparentalauthority

aregroundsfordisinheritance;forinstance,attainmentofmajority.

• Onlythosecauseswhichinvolveculpabilityonthepartoftheparentswillprovidegroundsfordisinheritance:

o Judicialdeprivationofparentalauthorityonthegroundofsexualabuse

o Lossofparentalauthorityasaresultofjudicialdeclarationofabandonmentofthechild

o Judicialdeprivationofparentalauthorityonthegroundsof

Excessivelyharshorcrueltreatmentofthechild

Givingthechildcorruptingorders,counselorexample

Compellingthechildtobeor

Subjectingthechildorallowinghimtobesubjectedtoactsoflasciviousness

4. Attemptagainstthelifeofaparentbyanother• Includesallstagesofconsummation.No

convictionisrequired.ClassNotes:

• AccusationArt.921.Thefollowingshallbesufficientcausesfordisinheritingaspouse:(1)Whenthespousehasbeenconvictedofanattemptagainstthelifeofthetestator,hisorherdescendants,orascendants;(2)Whenthespousehasaccusedthetestatorofacrimeforwhichthelawprescribesimprisonmentofsixyearsormore,andtheaccusationhasbeenfoundtobefalse;(3)Whenthespousebyfraud,violence,intimidation,orundueinfluencecausethetestatortomakeawillortochangeonealreadymade;(4)Whenthespousehasgivencauseforlegalseparation;(5)Whenthespousehasgivengroundsforthelossofparentalauthority;(6)Unjustifiablerefusaltosupportthechildrenortheotherspouse.(756,855,674a)Balane:

• Theonlynewgroundisnumberfour.Adecreeoflegalseparationisnotrequired.TherearetencausesoflegalseparationgiveninArticle55oftheFamilyCode.

• Art.55.Apetitionforlegalseparationmaybefiledonanyofthefollowinggrounds:

o (1)Repeatedphysicalviolenceorgrosslyabusiveconductdirectedagainstthepetitioner,acommonchild,orachildofthepetitioner;

o (2)Physicalviolenceormoralpressuretocompelthepetitionertochangereligiousorpoliticalaffiliation;

o (3)Attemptofrespondenttocorruptorinducethepetitioner,acommonchild,orachildofthepetitioner,toengageinprostitution,orconnivanceinsuchcorruptionorinducement;

o (4)Finaljudgmentsentencingtherespondenttoimprisonmentofmorethansixyears,evenifpardoned;

o (5)Drugaddictionorhabitualalcoholismoftherespondent;

o (6)Lesbianismorhomosexualityoftherespondent;

o (7)Contractingbytherespondentofasubsequentbigamousmarriage,whetherinthePhilippinesorabroad;

o (8)Sexualinfidelityorperversion;o (9)Attemptbytherespondentagainst

thelifeofthepetitioner;oro (10)Abandonmentofpetitionerby

respondentwithoutjustifiablecauseformorethanoneyear.



o ForpurposesofthisArticle,theterm"child"shallincludeachildbynatureorbyadoption.(9a)

• UnlikeinArt.920whereactuallossofparentalauthorityisrequired,heregivinggroundsthereforissufficient.

Art.922.Asubsequentreconciliationbetweentheoffenderandtheoffendedpersondeprivesthelatteroftherighttodisinherit,andrendersineffectualanydisinheritancethatmayhavebeenmade.(856)Balane:Reconciliationiseither:

1. Anexpresspardon–whichmustbeexpresslyandconcretelyextendedtotheoffenderwhoacceptsit.Ageneralpardonextendedbythetestatoronhisdeatbedtoallwhohaveoffendedhimwillnotsuffice.

2. Anunequivocalconduct–whereintheintenttoforgivemustbeclear.Thisisultimatelyaquestionoffactswhichmustberesolvedbythecourts.

Effectsofreconciliation:

1. Ifitoccursbeforedisinheritanceismade–righttodisinheritisdistinguished.

2. Ifitoccursafterthedisinheritanceismade,disinheritanceissetaside.

Effectsofsettingasidedisinheritance:

1. Disinheritedheirisrestoredtohislegitime.2. Ifthedisinheritingwilldidnotdisposeofthe

disposableprotion,thedisinheritedheirisentitledtohisproportionateshare,ifany,ofthedisposableportion.

3. Ifthedisposablewilloranyofthesubsequentwilldisposedofthedisposableportion(oranypartthereof)infavoroftestamentaryheirs,legatees,ordevisees,suchdispositionsremainvalid.

Art.923.Thechildrenanddescendantsofthepersondisinheritedshalltakehisorherplaceandshallpreservetherightsofcompulsoryheirswithrespecttothelegitime;butthedisinheritedparentshallnothavetheusufructoradministrationofthepropertywhichconstitutesthelegitime.(857)Balane:

• Therightofrepresentationisgrantedonlytodescendantsofdisinheriteddescendants.Howeveriftheheirdisinheritedisaparent/ascendantorspouse,thechildrenordescendantsofthedisinheritedheirdonothaveanyrightofrepresentation.

• Therepresentativetakestheplaceofthedisinheritedheirnotonlywithrespecttothelegitime,butalsotoanyintestateportionthedisinheritedheirwouldhaveinherited.Representationtherefore,occursincompulsoryandintestatesuccessionbutnotintestamentarysuccession.

8. Legacies and Devises

Art.924.Allthingsandrightswhicharewithinthecommerceofmanbebequeathedordevised.(865a)Balane:

• Whatcanbedevisedorbequethed:anythingwithinthecommerceofman.Itisnotrequiredthatthethingdevisedorbequethedbelongtothetestator.

• Limitationsonlegacyordevise–itshouldnotimpairthelegitime.

Art.925.Atestatormaychargewithlegaciesanddevisesnotonlyhiscompulsoryheirsbutalsothelegateesanddevisees.Thelattershallbeliableforthechargeonlytotheextentofthevalueofthelegacyorthedevisereceivedbythem.Thecompulsoryheirsshallnotbeliableforthechargebeyondtheamountofthefreeportiongiventhem.(858a)Balane:

• Thewordingofthisprovisioniserroneous.Acompulsoryheirassuchcannotbeburdenedwithalegacyordevisebecausethatwouldimpairhislegitime.Onlyatestamentaryheircanbesoburdened.

Art.926.Whenthetestatorchargesoneoftheheirswithalegacyordevise,healoneshallbebound.Shouldhenotchargeanyoneinparticular,allshallbeliableinthesameproportioninwhichtheymayinherit.(859)Balane:

• Generalruleisthattheestateischargedwiththelegacy.

• Exceptionisthatthetestatormayimposetheburdenonatestamentaryheiroralegateeordevisee.Ifhedoesso,thentheheir,legatee,ordeviseechargedwill,ifheacceptsthedispositioninhisfavor,beboundtodeliverthelegacyordevisetothepersonspecified.

Art.927.Iftwoormoreheirstakepossessionoftheestate,theyshallbesolidarilyliableforthelossordestructionofathingdevisedorbequeathed,eventhoughonlyoneofthemshouldhavebeennegligent.(n)Balane:

• Theliabilityimposedgereisbasedonmalice,faultornegligence.Theliabilitywillalsoattachtotheexecutororadministratorinthepropercases.

Art.928.Theheirwhoisboundtodeliverthelegacyordeviseshallbeliableincaseofeviction,ifthethingisindeterminateandisindicatedonlybyitskind.(860)Balane:

• Generalrule,theestateisliableincaseofeviction.

• Exceptionisinthecaseofasubsidiarylegacyordevise,theheir,legateeordeviseechargedshallbeliable.

Art.929.Ifthetestator,heir,orlegateeownsonlyapart



of,oraninterestinthethingbequeathed,thelegacyordeviseshallbeunderstoodlimitedtosuchpartorinterest,unlessthetestatorexpresslydeclaresthathegivesthethinginitsentirety.(864a)Art.930.Thelegacyordeviseofathingbelongingtoanotherpersonisvoid,ifthetestatorerroneouslybelievedthatthethingpertainedtohim.Butifthethingbequeathed,thoughnotbelongingtothetestatorwhenhemadethewill,afterwardsbecomeshis,bywhatevertitle,thedispositionshalltakeeffect.(862a)Art.931.Ifthetestatorordersthatathingbelongingtoanotherbeacquiredinorderthatitbegiventoalegateeordevisee,theheiruponwhomtheobligationisimposedortheestatemustacquireitandgivethesametothelegateeordevisee;butiftheownerofthethingrefusestoalienatethesame,ordemandsanexcessivepricetherefor,theheirortheestateshallonlybeobligedtogivethejustvalueofthething.(861a)Art.932.Thelegacyordeviseofathingwhichatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewillalreadybelongedtothelegateeordeviseeshallbeineffective,eventhoughanotherpersonmayhavesomeinteresttherein.Ifthetestatorexpresslyordersthatthethingbefreedfromsuchinterestorencumbrance,thelegacyordeviseshallbevalidtothatextent.(866a)Art.933.Ifthethingbequeathedbelongedtothelegateeordeviseeatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewill,thelegacyordeviseshallbewithouteffect,eventhoughitmayhavesubsequentlyalienatedbyhim.Ifthelegateeordeviseeacquiresitgratuitouslyaftersuchtime,hecanclaimnothingbyvirtueofthelegacyordevise;butifithasbeenacquiredbyoneroustitlehecandemandreimbursementfromtheheirortheestate.(878a)Art.934.Ifthetestatorshouldbequeathordevisesomethingpledgedormortgagedtosecurearecoverabledebtbeforetheexecutionofthewill,theestateisobligedtopaythedebt,unlessthecontraryintentionappears.Thesameruleapplieswhenthethingispledgedormortgagedaftertheexecutionofthewill.Anyothercharge,perpetualortemporary,withwhichthethingbequeathedisburdened,passeswithittothelegateeordevisee.(867a)Art.935.Thelegacyofacreditagainstathirdpersonoroftheremissionorreleaseofadebtofthelegateeshallbeeffectiveonlyasregardsthatpartofthecreditordebtexistingatthetimeofthedeathofthetestator.Inthefirstcase,theestateshallcomplywiththelegacybyassigningtothelegateeallrightsofactionitmayhaveagainstthedebtor.Inthesecondcase,bygivingthelegateeanacquittance,shouldherequestone.Inbothcases,thelegacyshallcompriseallinterestsonthecreditordebtwhichmaybeduethetestatoratthetimeofhisdeath.(870a)Art.936.Thelegacyreferredtointheprecedingarticleshalllapseifthetestator,afterhavingmadeit,shouldbringanactionagainstthedebtorforthepaymentofhisdebt,evenifsuchpaymentshouldnothavebeeneffected

atthetimeofhisdeath.Thelegacytothedebtorofthethingpledgedbyhimisunderstoodtodischargeonlytherightofpledge.(871)Art.937.Agenericlegacyofreleaseorremissionofdebtscomprisesthoseexistingatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewill,butnotsubsequentones.(872)Balane:

• Legacy/Deviseofathingownedinpartbythetestator:

o GeneralRule:conveysonlytheinterestorpartownedbythetestator.

o Exception:ifthetestatorprovidesotherwise.

Hemayconveymorethanheowns.Theestateshouldtrytoacquirethepartofinterestownedbyotherparties.Iftheotherpartiesareunwillingtoalienate,theestateshouldgivethelegatee/deviseethemonetaryequivalent.

Hemayconveylessthanheowns.

• Legacy/Deviseofathingbelongingtoanother:o Ifthetestatororderedtheacquisition

ofthething–theordershouldbecompliedwith.Iftheownerisunwillingtopartwiththething,thelegatee/deviseeshouldbegiventhemonetaryequivalent.

o Ifthetestatorerroneouslybelievedthatthethingbelongedtohim–legacy/devisevoid.

Exception:ifsubsequenttothemakingofthedisposition,thethingisacquiredbythetestatoronerouslyorgratuitously,thedispositionisvalidated.

o Ifthetestatorknewthatthethingdidnotbelongtohimbutdidnotorderitsacquisition,theCodeissilentonthis.

• Legacy/Deviseofthingbelongingtothelegatee/deviseeorsubsequentlyacquiredbyhim:

o Ifthethingalreadybelongedtothelegate/deviseeatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewill–legacy/devisevoid.Itisnotvalidatedbyanalienationbythelegatee/deviseesubsequenttothemakingofthewill,unlesstheacquireristhetestatorhimself.

o Ifthethingwasownedbyanotherpersonatthetimeofthemakingofthewillandacquiredthereafterbythelegatee/devisee:

Ifthetestatorerroneouslybelievedthatitbelongedtohim–legacy/devisevoid.

Ifthetestatorwasnotinerror.

• Ifthethingwasacquiredonerouslybylegatee/devisee–



thelegatee/deviseeisentitledtoreimbursement

• Ifthethingwasacquiredgratuitouslybylegatee/devisee,nothingmoreisdue.

o Ifthethingwasownedbythetestatoratthetimeofmakingthewillandacquiredthereafterfromhimbythelegatee/devisee–Art932and933aresilentonthisbutArt.957par.2canbeappliedandthelegacy/deviseshouldbedeemedrevoked.

• Legacy/Devisetoremoveanencumbranceoverathingbelongingtothelegatee/devisee:

o Validiftheencumbrancecanberemovedforaconsideration.

• Legacy/Deviseofathingpledged:o Theencumbrancemustberemovedby

payingthedebt,unlessthetestatorintendedotherwise.

o Achargeotherthanapledgeormortgage(asausufructoreasement)passestothelegateeordeviseetogetherwiththething

• Legacyofcreditorremission:o Appliesonlytoamountstillunpaidat

thetimeofthetestator’sdeatho Revokediftestatorsubsequentlysues

thedebtorforcollectiono Ifgeneric,appliesonlytothoseexisting

atthetimeofexecutionofthewill,unlessotherwiseprovided

Art.938.Alegacyordevisemadetoacreditorshallnotbeappliedtohiscredit,unlessthetestatorsoexpresslydeclares.Inthelattercase,thecreditorshallhavetherighttocollecttheexcess,ifany,ofthecreditorofthelegacyordevise.(837a)Art.939.Ifthetestatorordersthepaymentofwhathebelievesheowesbutdoesnotinfactowe,thedispositionshallbeconsideredasnotwritten.Ifasregardsaspecifieddebtmorethantheamountthereofisorderedpaid,theexcessisnotdue,unlessacontraryintentionappears.Theforegoingprovisionsarewithoutprejudicetothefulfilmentofnaturalobligations.(n)Balane:

• Legacy/Devisetoacreditoro Generalrule:Itwillbetreatedlikeany

otherlegacy/deviseandthereforewillnotbeimputedtothedebt.

o Exception:Itwillbeimputedtothedebtifthetestatorsoprovides,andifthedebtexceedsthelegacy/devise,theexcessmaybedemandedasanobligationoftheestate.

Art.940.Inalternativelegaciesordevises,thechoiceispresumedtobelefttotheheiruponwhomtheobligationtogivethelegacyordevisemaybeimposed,ortheexecutororadministratoroftheestateifnoparticular

heirissoobliged.Iftheheir,legateeordevisee,whomayhavebeengiventhechoice,diesbeforemakingit,thisrightshallpasstotherespectiveheirs.Oncemade,thechoiceisirrevocable.Inthealternativelegaciesordevises,exceptashereinprovided,theprovisionsofthisCoderegulatingobligationsofthesamekindshallbeobserved,savesuchmodificationsasmayappearfromtheintentionexpressedbythetestator.(874a)Balane:Towhomtherightofchoice(onemadeisirrevoacble)istobegiven:

• Generalruleo Theestatethroughtheexecutoror

administrator–inadirectlegacy/devise

o Theheir,legatee,ordeviseecharged–inasubsidiarylegacy/devise

• Exception:o Thelegatee/devisee(orindeedany

otherperson),ifthetestatorsoprovides

Ifthepersonwhoistochoosediesbeforethechoiceismade:

• Ifthechoicebelongedtoexecutororadministrator–therightistransmittedtohissuccessorinoffice.

• Ifthechoicebelongstoanheir,legateeordevisee–therightistransmittedtohisownheirs.

Art.941.Alegacyofgenericpersonalpropertyshallbevalideveniftherebenothingsofthesamekindintheestate.Adeviseofindeterminaterealpropertyshallbevalidonlyiftherebeimmovablepropertyofitskindintheestate.Therightofchoiceshallbelongtotheexecutororadministratorwhoshallcomplywiththelegacybythedeliveryofathingwhichisneitherofinferiornorofsuperiorquality.(875aArt.942.Wheneverthetestatorexpresslyleavestherightofchoicetotheheir,ortothelegateeordevisee,theformermaygiveorthelattermaychoosewhicheverhemayprefer.(876a)Art.943.Iftheheir,legateeordeviseecannotmakethechoice,incaseithasbeengrantedhim,hisrightshallpasstohisheirs;butachoiceoncemadeshallbeirrevocable.(877a)Balane:Rulesonvalidity:

• Genericlegacy–validevenIfnosuchmovableexistinthetestator’sestateuponhisdeath.Theestatewillsimplyhavetoacquirewhatisgivenbylegacy.

• Genericdevise–validonlyifthereexistssuchanimmovableinthetestator’sestateatthetimeofhisdeath

Rulesonrightofchoice:



• Generalrule:theexecutororadministrator,actingfortheestatehastherightofchoice.

• Exception:ifthetestatorgivestherightofchoicetothelegatee/devisee,ortotheheirsonwhomtheobligationtogivethebenefitisimposed(inasubsidiarylegacyordevise)

Transmissibilityofchoices:

• Ifthechoicebelongstotheexecutor/administratorandhediesbeforemakingthechoice–rightistransmittedtohissuccessorintheposition.

• Ifthechoicebelongstothelegatee/deviseeandhediesbeforemakingthechoice–therightpassedtohisheirs.

Regardingchoices:

• Thechoicemustbelimitedtosomethingwhichisneithersuperiornorinferiorinquality.Thisruleapplieswhetherthechoicebelongstotheexecutor/administratororthelegatee/devisee.

Art.944.Alegacyforeducationlastsuntilthelegateeisofage,orbeyondtheageofmajorityinorderthatthelegateemayfinishsomeprofessional,vocationalorgeneralcourse,providedhepursueshiscoursediligently.Alegacyforsupportlastsduringthelifetimeofthelegatee,ifthetestatorhasnototherwiseprovided.Ifthetestatorhasnotfixedtheamountofsuchlegacies,itshallbefixedinaccordancewiththesocialstandingandthecircumstancesofthelegateeandthevalueoftheestate.Ifthetestatororduringhislifetimeusedtogivethelegateeacertainsumofmoneyorotherthingsbywayofsupport,thesameamountshallbedeemedbequeathed,unlessitbemarkedlydisproportionatetothevalueoftheestate.(879a)Balane:

• Onlegacyforeducation:o Thedurationistheageofmajorityor

thecompletionofaprofessional,vocational,orgeneralcourse,whichevercomeslater[inthelatterinstanceonlyifthelegateepursueshisstudiesdiligently.]

o Ontheamount,itisprimarilyfixedbythetestator.Secodarilyisthatwhichisproperasdeterminedbytwovariables:(i)thesocialstandingandcircumstancesofthelegatee,and(ii)thevalueofthedisposableportionoftheestate.

• Onlegacyforsupport:o Thedurationmustbethelegatee’s

lifetimeunlessthetestatorprovidesotherwise.

o Theamountisprimarilyfixedbythetestator.Secondarilyisthatwhichthetestatorduringhislifetimeusedtogivethelegateebywayofsupport,unlessmarkedlydisproportionatetothevalueofthedisposableportion.Tertiarilyisthatwhichreasonable,onthebasisoftwovariables:(i)thesocialstandingandcircumstancesofthelegatee,and

(ii)thevalueofthedisposableportionoftheestate.

• Legacyofaperiodicalpensioncanbedemandedupontestator’sdeath,andthesucceedingonesatthebeginningoftheperiodwithoutdutytoreimburseshouldthelegateediebeforethelapseoftheperiod.

Art.945.Ifaperiodicalpension,oracertainannual,monthly,orweeklyamountisbequeathed,thelegateemaypetitionthecourtforthefirstinstallmentuponthedeathofthetestator,andforthefollowingoneswhichshallbedueatthebeginningofeachperiod;suchpaymentshallnotbereturned,eventhoughthelegateeshoulddiebeforetheexpirationoftheperiodwhichhascommenced.(880a)Art.946.Ifthethingbequeathedshouldbesubjecttoausufruct,thelegateeordeviseeshallrespectsuchrightuntilitislegallyextinguished.(868a)Art.947.Thelegateeordeviseeacquiresarighttothepureandsimplelegaciesordevisesfromthedeathofthetestator,andtransmitsittohisheirs.(881a)Art.948.Ifthelegacyordeviceisofaspecificanddeterminatethingpertainingtothetestator,thelegateeordeviseeacquirestheownershipthereofuponthedeathofthetestator,aswellasanygrowingfruits,orunbornoffspringofanimals,oruncollectedincome;butnottheincomewhichwasdueandunpaidbeforethelatter'sdeath.Fromthemomentofthetestator'sdeath,thethingbequeathedshallbeattheriskofthelegateeordevisee,whoshall,therefore,bearitslossordeterioration,andshallbebenefitedbyitsincreaseorimprovement,withoutprejudicetotheresponsibilityoftheexecutororadministrator.(882a)Art.949.Ifthebequestshouldnotbeofaspecificanddeterminatething,butisgenericorofquantity,itsfruitsandinterestsfromthetimeofthedeathofthetestatorshallpertaintothelegateeordeviseeifthetestatorhasexpresslysoordered.(884a)Balane:Rulesondemandability,ownershipandfruitsoflegacies/devises:

• Demandability:o pure–upontestator’sdeatho witha(suspensive)term–upon

arrivalofthetermo conditional–uponthehappeningofthe

condition• Whenownershipvests:

o pureanddeterminate–upontestator’sdeath

o pureandgeneric– iffromtestator’sestate‐

upontestator’sdeath ifacquiredfromathird

person–uponacquisitiono witha(suspensive)term–uponarrival

oftheterm,buttherighttoitvestsuponthetestator’sdeath



o conditional(suspensive)–uponthetestator’sdeath,iftheconditionisfulfilled

• Fruits:o pureanddeterminate–upontestator’s

deatho pureandgeneric‐upondetermination,

unlessthetestatorprovidesotherwiseo withaterm–uponarrivalofthetermo withacondition–uponthehappening

ofsuchcondition,unlessthetestatorprovidesotherwise

Art.950.Iftheestateshouldnotbesufficienttocoverallthelegaciesordevises,theirpaymentshallbemadeinthefollowingorder:(1)Remuneratorylegaciesordevises;(2)Legaciesordevisesdeclaredbythetestatortobepreferential;(3)Legaciesforsupport;(4)Legaciesforeducation;(5)Legaciesordevisesofaspecific,determinatethingwhichformsapartoftheestate;(6)Allothersprorata.(887a)Art.951.Thethingbequeathedshallbedeliveredwithallitsaccessoriesandaccessoriesandintheconditioninwhichitmaybeuponthedeathofthetestator.(883a)Art.952.Theheir,chargedwithalegacyordevise,ortheexecutororadministratoroftheestate,mustdelivertheverythingbequeathedifheisabletodosoandcannotdischargethisobligationbypayingitsvalue.Legaciesofmoneymustbepaidincash,eventhoughtheheirortheestatemaynothaveany.Theexpensesnecessaryforthedeliveryofthethingbequeathedshallbefortheaccountoftheheirortheestate,butwithoutprejudicetothelegitime.(886a)Art.953.Thelegateeordeviseecannottakepossessionofthethingbequeatheduponhisownauthority,butshallrequestitsdeliveryandpossessionoftheheirchargedwiththelegacyordevise,oroftheexecutororadministratoroftheestateshouldhebeauthorizedbythecourttodeliverit.(885a)Art.954.Thelegateeordeviseecannotacceptapartofthelegacyordeviseandrepudiatetheother,ifthelatterbeonerous.Shouldhediebeforehavingacceptedthelegacyordevise,leavingseveralheirs,someofthelattermayacceptandtheothersmayrepudiatethesharerespectivelybelongingtotheminthelegacyordevise.(889a)Art.955.Thelegateeordeviseeoftwolegaciesordevises,oneofwhichisonerous,cannotrenouncetheonerousoneandaccepttheother.Ifbothareonerousorgratuitous,heshallbefreetoacceptorrenounceboth,ortorenounceeither.Butifthetestatorintendedthatthetwolegaciesordevisesshouldbeinseparablefromeachother,thelegateeordeviseemusteitheracceptorrenounceboth.Anycompulsoryheirwhoisatthesametimealegateeordeviseemaywaivetheinheritanceandacceptthelegacyordevise,orrenouncethelatterandaccepttheformer,orwaiveoracceptboth.(890a)

Balane:Rulesonacceptanceandrepudiationoflegacies/devises:

1. Aceptancemaybetotalorpartial(asimpliedfromArt.954,par.1)• Exception:Ifthelegacy/deviseispartly

onerousandpartlygratuitous,therecipientcannotacceptthegratuitouspartandtherenouncetheonerouspart.Anyothercombinationhoweverispermitted.

• Ifthelegateeordeviseediesbeforeacceptingorrenouncing,hisheirsshallexercisesuchrightastotheirpro‐indivisoshare,andinthesamemannerasoutlinedabove.

2. Whenthereistwolegacies/devisestothesamerecipient:• Ifbothgratuitous–therecipientmayaccept

orrenounceeitherorboth• Ifbothonerous–sameruleasabove• Ifoneisgratuitousandtheotherisonerous

–therecipientcannotacceptthegratuitouspartandtherenouncetheonerouspart.Anyothercombinationhoweverispermitted.

3. Whenlegacyordeviseisalsogiventoonewhoisacompulsoryheir• Therecipientmayaccepteitherorboth

4. Effectifwillprovideotherwise–alltherulesaboveoutlinedapplyintheabsenceofastipulationinthewillprovidingotherwise.

Art.956.Ifthelegateeordeviseecannotorisunwillingtoacceptthelegacyordevise,orifthelegacyordeviseforanyreasonshouldbecomeineffective,itshallbemergedintothemassoftheestate,exceptincasesofsubstitutionandoftherightofaccretion.(888a)Balane:Rulesincaseofrepudiationbyorincapacityoflegatee/devisee:

1. Primarily–substitution2. Secondarily–accretion3. Tertiarily–intestacy

Art.957.Thelegacyordeviseshallbewithouteffect:(1)Ifthetestatortransformsthethingbequeathedinsuchamannerthatitdoesnotretaineithertheformorthedenominationithad;(2)Ifthetestatorbyanytitleorforanycausealienatesthethingbequeathedoranypartthereof,itbeingunderstoodthatinthelattercasethelegacyordeviseshallbewithouteffectonlywithrespecttothepartthusalienated.Ifafterthealienationthethingshouldagainbelongtothetestator,evenifitbebyreasonofnullityofthecontract,thelegacyordeviseshallnotthereafterbevalid,unlessthereacquisitionshallhavebeeneffectedbyvirtueoftheexerciseoftherightofrepurchase;(3)Ifthethingbequeathedistotallylostduringthelifetimeofthetestator,orafterhisdeathwithouttheheir'sfault.Nevertheless,thepersonobligedtopaythelegacyordeviseshallbeliableforevictionifthethingbequeathedshouldnothavebeendeterminateastoitskind,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofArticle928.(869a)



Balane:Instanceswhenlegacy/deviseisrevokedbyoperationoflaw:

1. transformation–thetestatorconvertsaplantationintoafishpond

2. alienation–thealienationbythetestatormaybeonerousorgratuitous.• Thealienationrevokesthelegacy/devise

evenifforanyreasonthethingrevertstothetestator.

• Exceptions:o Ifthereversioniscausedbythe

annulmentofthealienationandthecauseforannulmentwasvitiationofconsentonthegrantor’spart,eitherbyreasonofincapacityorofduress.

o Ifthereversionisbyvirtueofredemptioninasalewithpactoderetro.

3. totalloss–thiswillbeacauseforrevocationonlyifittakesplacebeforethetestator’sdeath.Fortuitouslossafterthetestator’sdeathwillnotconstituterevocation.

Art.958.Amistakeastothenameofthethingbequeathedordevised,isofnoconsequence,ifitispossibletoidentifythethingwhichthetestatorintendedtobequeathordevise.(n)Art.959.Adispositionmadeingeneraltermsinfavorofthetestator'srelativesshallbeunderstoodtobeinfavorofthosenearestindegree.(751)

III. Legal or Intestate Succession 1. General Provisions

Art.960.Legalorintestatesuccessiontakesplace:(1)Ifapersondieswithoutawill,orwithavoidwill,oronewhichhassubsequentlylostitsvalidity;(2)Whenthewilldoesnotinstituteanheirto,ordisposeofallthepropertybelongingtothetestator.Insuchcase,legalsuccessionshalltakeplaceonlywithrespecttothepropertyofwhichthetestatorhasnotdisposed;(3)Ifthesuspensiveconditionattachedtotheinstitutionofheirdoesnothappenorisnotfulfilled,oriftheheirdiesbeforethetestator,orrepudiatestheinheritance,therebeingnosubstitution,andnorightofaccretiontakesplace;(4)Whentheheirinstitutedisincapableofsucceeding,exceptincasesprovidedinthisCode.(912a)Balane:Intestacy:

• Thatwhichtakesplacebyoperationoflawindefaultofcompulsoryandtestamentarysuccession.Itistheleastpreferredamongthethreemodesofsuccession,butisthemostcommon.

• Itappliestheprincipleofexclusionandconcurrence(thesameprincipleasincompulsorysuccession).

Kinds:

1. Total–notestamentarydisposition;onlyifthereisnowilldisposingoftheproperty.

2. Partial–Awillthatdisposesofpartofthefreeportion;insofarasitdoesnotimpair

Instanceswhenlegalorintestatesuccessionoperates:(WISEPIR)

1. Ifapersondieswithoutawill,orwithavoidwill,oronewhichhassubsequentlylostitsvalidity;

• Sir:Thewilldoesnotloseitsvalidity.

2. Whenthewilldoesnotinstituteanheirto,ordisposeofallthepropertybelongingtothetestator.Insuchcase,legalsuccessionshalltakeplaceonlywithrespecttothepropertyofwhichthetestatorhasnotdisposed;

3. Ifthesuspensiveconditionattachedtotheinstitutionofheirdoesnothappenorisnotfulfilled,oriftheheirdoesnothappenorisnotfulfilled,oriftheheirdiesbeforethetestatororrepudiatestheinheritance,therebeingnosubstitution,andnorightofaccretiontakesplace.

4. Whentheheirinstitutedisincapableofsucceeding,exceptincasesprovidedinthisCode.

5. happeningofresolutorycondition6. expirationofresolutoryterm7. preterition

Art.961.Indefaultoftestamentaryheirs,thelawveststheinheritance,inaccordancewiththeruleshereinaftersetforth,inthelegitimateandillegitimaterelativesofthedeceased,inthesurvivingspouse,andintheState.(913a)Art.962.Ineveryinheritance,therelativenearestindegreeexcludesthemoredistantones,savingtherightofrepresentationwhenitproperlytakesplace.Relativesinthesamedegreeshallinheritinequalshares,subjecttotheprovisionsofarticle1006withrespecttorelativesofthefullandhalfblood,andofArticle987,paragraph2,concerningdivisionbetweenthepaternalandmaternallines.(912a)Balane:BasisofInstateSuccession:

• Thepresumedwillofthedecedent,whichwoulddistributetheestateinaccordancewiththeloveandaffectionhehasforhisfamilyandcloserelatives,andindefaultofthesepersons,thepresumeddesireofthedecedenttopromotecharitableandhumanitarian.

BasicRulesofIntestacy:

• Theruleofpreferenceoflineso Thethreelinesofrelationshipare:

thedescending theascending thecollateral

o Thelawlaysdownanorderofpreferenceamongtheselines,suchthatthedescendingexcludestheascendingandthecollateral,andtheascendingexcludesthecollateral.

• Theruleofproximityofdegreeo Thenearerexcludethemoreremote

withoutprejudicetorepresentation.



• Theruleofequalityamongrelativesofthesamedegree

o Ifthenearerexlucdethemoreremote,logicallythoseofequaldegreeshouldinheritinequalshares

o Exceptionstoruleofequalityinthesamedegree:

theruleofpreferenceoflines,supra

thedistinctionbetweenthelegitimateandillegitmatefiliation

theruleofdivisionbylineintheascendingline

thedistinctionbetweenfull‐bloodandhalf‐bloodrelationshipsamongbrothersandsisters,aswellasnephewsandnieces

representationClassNotes:Additionalruleofintestacy(notfoundinthebook):

• Theruleofrelationship(therearefourkinds):(FaBSS)

a. Family–Jusfamilial,ascendantsanddescendantsinthedirectline

b. Blood–Jussanguinis,collateralsuptothefifthdegree

c. Spouse–Jusconjugisd. State–Jusimperii,therightof

sovereignty

1.1. Relationship Art.963.Proximityofrelationshipisdeterminedbythenumberofgenerations.Eachgenerationformsadegree.(915)Art.964.Aseriesofdegreesformsaline,whichmaybeeitherdirectorcollateral.Adirectlineisthatconstitutedbytheseriesofdegreesamongascendantsanddescendants.Acollaterallineisthatconstitutedbytheseriesofdegreesamongpersonswhoarenotascendantsanddescendants,butwhocomefromacommonancestor.(916a)Art.965.Thedirectlineiseitherdescendingorascending.Theformerunitestheheadofthefamilywiththosewhodescendfromhim.Thelatterbindsapersonwiththosefromwhomhedescends.(917)Art.966.Intheline,asmanydegreesarecountedastherearegenerationsorpersons,excludingtheprogenitor.Inthedirectline,ascentismadetothecommonancestor.Thus,thechildisonedegreeremovedfromtheparent,twofromthegrandfather,andthreefromthegreat‐grandparent.Inthecollateralline,ascentismadetothecommonancestorandthendescentismadetothepersonwithwhomthecomputationistobemade.Thus,apersonistwodegreesremovedfromhisbrother,threefromhisuncle,whoisthebrotherofhisfather,fourfromhisfirstcousin,andsoforth.(918a)

Balane:Line:

• Directo Descendingo Ascending

• Collateralo DirectandCollateral–Importanceof

distinction:thedirectispreferredoverthecollateral.

o Descendingdirectandascendingdirect–Importanceofdistinction:Thedesce

Computationofdegrees:

• Directline–thereisnolegallimittothenumberofdegreesforentitlementtointestatesuccession.Thepracticallimit,ofcourse,ishumanmortality.

o Modeofcountingdegreesinthedirectline:

onegeneration=onedegree parent‐child=onedegree grandparent‐grandchild=two

degrees great‐grandparents‐great‐

grandchild=thirddegrees;andsoforth

• Collateralline–Computationofdegreesisparticularlyimportantinthecollaterallinebecauseintestatesuccessionextendsonlytothe5thofcollateralrelationship.

o Modesofcountingdegreesinthecollateralline:

Fromonereferencepoint,ascendtonearestcommonancestor[Iftherearemorethanonenearestcommonancestor,chooseanyone]

Thendescendtotheotherreferencepoint

Numberofgenerationsconstitutingtheascentandthedescentisthedegreeofcollateralrelationship

o CollateralbyDegrees Firstdegree–none Seconddegree–

brothers/sisters Thirddegree

• Uncles/Aunts• Nephews/Nieces

Fourthdegree• Firstcousins• Brothers/Sistersofa

grandparent(granduncles/grandaunts)

• Grandchildrenofabrother/sister(grand‐nephews/grand‐nieces)

Fifthdegree• Childrenofafirst

cousin• Firstcousinsofa

parent



• Brothers/sistersofagreat‐grandparent

• Greatgrandchildrenofabrother/sister

Art.967.Fullbloodrelationshipisthatexistingbetweenpersonswhohavethesamefatherandthesamemother.Halfbloodrelationshipisthatexistingbetweenpersonswhohavethesamefather,butnotthesamemother,orthesamemother,butnotthesamefather.(920a)Balane:Importanceofrulesonrelationships:

• Thenearerexcludesthemoreremote• Directlineispreferredoverthecollateral• Descendinglineispreferredovertheascending

Twobasicconceptsinrelationship:

• Conceptofdegree–Thismethodofcomputingtheproximityofrelationship.Everydegreeisonegeneration.

• Conceptoflines–Thesearerelativepositionsinthefamilybetween2persons.

o Inintestacy: Thereisnolimitinthedirect

lineeitherascendingordescending.

Thereisalimitoffivedegreesinthecollateralline(2personshavingacommonancestor)

Art.968.Ifthereareseveralrelativesofthesamedegree,andoneorsomeofthemareunwillingorincapacitatedtosucceed,hisportionshallaccruetotheothersofthesamedegree,savetherightofrepresentationwhenitshouldtakeplace.(922)Balane:

• Thereisaccretioninintestacyamongheirsofthesamedegree,incaseofpredecease,incapacityorrenunciationofanyofthem.

• Incaseofpredeceaseorincapacity,representation,ifproper,willpreventaccretionfromoccurring.

• Relativesmustbeinthesamekindofrelationship.Foraccretiontotakeplacetheheirsinvolvedmustbeinthesamekindofrelationshiptothedecedent.Thus,therecanbenoaccretionamongagrandchild,agrandparentandabrotherofthedecedentbecausetheyarenotinheritingtogetherinthefirstplace.

Art.969.Iftheinheritanceshouldberepudiatedbythenearestrelative,shouldtherebeoneonly,orbyallthenearestrelativescalledbylawtosucceed,shouldtherebeseveral,thoseofthefollowingdegreeshallinheritintheirownrightandcannotrepresentthepersonorpersonsrepudiatingtheinheritance.(923)Balane:EffectofRenunciationbyAllintheSameDegree:

• Thedescendinglinefirst–ifallthedescendantsofacertaindegreerenounce,successionpassestothedescendantsofthenextdegree,andsoon,adindefinitum.

• Theascendinglinenext–Shouldnoonebeleftinthedescendingline,theheirsintheascendingacquiretherightofsuccession,againinorderofdegreesofproximity;

• Thecollaterallinelast–Onlyifallthedescendantsandascendantsrenouncewillthecollateralrelativesacquiretherighttosucceed.

PredeceaseorIncapacitybyAllintheSameDegree:

• Thiseventualityisnotprovidedforbythisarticle.Therulesaboveareequallyapplicabletosuchasituationexceptincaseswhererepresentationisproper,i.e.,inthedescendingline.

• Representationdoesnotapplyincasesofuniversalrenunciationoutlinedabove.

1.2. Right of Representation

Art.970.Representationisarightcreatedbyfictionoflaw,byvirtueofwhichtherepresentativeisraisedtotheplaceandthedegreeofthepersonrepresented,andacquirestherightswhichthelatterwouldhaveifhewerelivingorifhecouldhaveinherited.(942a)Art.971.Therepresentativeiscalledtothesuccessionbythelawandnotbythepersonrepresented.Therepresentativedoesnotsucceedthepersonrepresentedbuttheonewhomthepersonrepresentedwouldhavesucceeded.(n)Art.972.Therightofrepresentationtakesplaceinthedirectdescendingline,butneverintheascending.Inthecollateralline,ittakesplaceonlyinfavorofthechildrenofbrothersorsisters,whethertheybeofthefullorhalfblood.(925)Art.973.Inorderthatrepresentationmaytakeplace,itisnecessarythattherepresentativehimselfbecapableofsucceedingthedecedent.(n)Art.974.Wheneverthereissuccessionbyrepresentation,thedivisionoftheestateshallbemadeperstirpes,insuchmannerthattherepresentativeorrepresentativesshallnotinheritmorethanwhatthepersontheyrepresentwouldinherit,ifhewerelivingorcouldinherit.(926a)Art.975.Whenchildrenofoneormorebrothersorsistersofthedeceasedsurvive,theyshallinheritfromthelatterbyrepresentation,iftheysurvivewiththeirunclesoraunts.Butiftheyalonesurvive,theyshallinheritinequalportions.(927)Art.976.Apersonmayrepresenthimwhoseinheritancehehasrenounced.(928a)Art.977.Heirswhorepudiatetheirsharemaynotberepresented.(929a)Balane:Instanceswhenrepresentationoperates:(DIP)

• Predecease• IncapacityorUnworthiness• Disinheritance



Inwhatkindofsuccessionrepresentationoperates:• Thelegitime–thereisnoexpressprovisionon

representationinlegitime,exceptinArticle923,incaseofdisinheritance.

• Intestacy–thereisnorepresentationintestamentarysuccession.

Inwhatlinesdoesrepresentationobtain:

• Withrespecttothelegitime–inthedirectdescendinglineonly

• Withrespecttointestacyo Inthedirectdescendinglineo Inoneinstanceinthecollateral;i.e.

nephewsandniecesrepresentingbrothersandsistersofthedeceased.

Representationbyillegitimatechildren:

• Ifthechildtoberepresentedislegitimate–onlylegitimatechildren/descendantscanrepresenthim

• Ifthechildtoberepresentedisillegitimate‐bothlegitimateandillegitimatechildren/descendantscanrepresenthim

Representationofandbyanadoptedchild:

• Anadoptedcanneitherrepresentorberepresented.

Teoticovs.DelVal(1965)

F:OppositorclaimstobeanadopteddaughterofFranciscaMortera,adeceasedsisterofthetestatrix.SCruledthattheoppositorhasnorighttointerveneeitherastestamentaryoraslegalheirintheprobateproceedingofthedeceasedsisterofheradoptedmother.H:Relationshipofadoptionislimitedsolelytotheadopterandtheadoptedanddoesnotextendtotherelativesoftheadoptingparentsoroftheadoptedchildexceptonlyasexpresslyprovidedforbylaw.Asaconsequence,theadoptedisanheiroftheadopterbutnotoftherelativesoftheadopter.Represenationbyarenouncer:

• Althougharenouncercannotberepresented,hecanrepresentthepersonwhoseinheritancehehasrenounced.

Howrepresentationoperates:

• Perstirpes–therepresentativeorrepresentativesreceiveonlywhatthepersonrepresentedwouldhavereceived.Iftherearemorethanonerepresentativeinthesamedegree,thendividetheportionequally,withoutprejudicetothedistinctionbetweenlegitimateandillegitimatechildren,whenapplicable.

RulesonQualification:

• Therepresentativemustbequalifiedtosucceedthedecedent.

• Therepresentativeneednotbequalifiedtosucceedthepersonrepresented.

• Thepersonrepresentedneednotbequalifiedtosucceedthedecedent–infact,thereasonwhyrepresentationistakingplaceisthattheperson

representedisnotqualified,becauseofpredecease,orincapacityordisinheritance.

RepresentationbygrandchildrenandRepresentationbynephews/nieces:DifferenceRule

• Ifallthechildrenaredisqualified–thegrandchildrenstillinheritbyrepresentation.

• Ifallthebrothers/sistersaredisqualified–thenephews/niecesinheritpercapita.

• Note:Ifonlysome,notallchildrenorbrothers/sistersaredisqualifedtheruleisthesame.

2. Order of Intestate Succession

Intestate Heirs

I. LegitimateChildren/DescendantsII. IllegitimateChildren/DescendantsIII. LegitimateParents/AscendantsIV. IllegitimateParentsV. SurvivingSpouseVI. Brothers,Sisters,Nephews,NiecesVII. OtherCollaterals–tothe5thdegreeVIII. State

ClassNotes:• Itiscorrecttosaythatacompulsoryheirisan

intestateheir.Butitisnotcorrecttosaythatanintestateheirisnotacompulsoryheir.

Intestacy

Balane:RulesofExclusionandConcurrence:(Note:Childreninclude,inpropercases,otherdescendants;andparents,otherascendants.)

1. legitimatechildrena. excludeparents,collaterals&Stateb. concurwithsurvivingspouse&

illegitimatechildrenc. areexcludedbynoone

2. illegitimatechildrena. excludeillegitimateparents,collaterals

&Stateb. concurwithsurvivingspouse,

legitimatechildren,andlegitimateparents

c. areexcludedbynoone3. legitimateparents

a. excludecollaterals&stateb. concurwithillegitimatechildren&

survivingspousec. areexcludedbylegitimatechildren

4. illegitimateparents[only,notascendants]a. excludecollaterals&Stateb. concurwithsurvivingspousec. areexcludedbylegitimatechildrenand

illegitimatechildren5. survivingspouse

a. excludescollateralsotherthanbrothers,sisters,nephews&nieces,&State

b. concurwithlegitimatechildren,illegitimatechildren,legitimate



parents,illegitimateparents,brotherssisters,nephews&nieces

c. isexcludedbynoone6. brothers&sisters,nephews&nieces

a. excludeallothercollaterals&theStateb. concurwithsurvivingspousec. areexcludedbylegitimatechildren,

illegitimatechildren,legitimateparents,andillegitimateparents

7. Othercollateralsa. excludecollateralsinremoterdegrees

&theStateb. concurwithcollateralsinthesame

degreec. areexcludedbylegitimatechildren,

illegitimatechildren,legitimateparents,illegitimateparents,survivingspouse,brothers&sisters,andnephews&nieces

8. Statea. excludesnooneb. concurswithnoonec. isexcludedbyeveryone

ClassNotes:

• Number5survivingspousedoesnotexcludethegroupinnumber6.

Balane:CombinationsinIntestateSuccession(foundpassiminArt.978):

1. legitimatechildrenalone• thewholeestatedividedequally

2. legitimatechildren&illegitimatechildren• thewholeestate,eachillegitimatechild

getting½theshareofonelegitimatechild

3. legitimatechildren&survivingspouse• thewholeestate,dividedequally(the

survivingspousecountedasonelegitimatechild)

4. legitimatechildren,survivingspouse&illegitimatechildren

• thewholeestate,thesurvivingspousebeingcountedasonelegitimatechild

• eachillegitimatechildgetting½theshareofonelegitimate

5. legitimateparentsalone• thewholeestatedividedequally

6. legitimateascendants(otherthanparents)alone• thewholeestate,observing,inproper

cases,theruleofdivisionbyline7. legitimateparents&illegitimatechildren*

• legitimateparents–½oftheestate• illegitimatechildren–½oftheestate

8. legitimateparents&surivingspouse*• legitimateparents–½oftheestate• survivingspouse–½oftheestate

9. legitimateparents,survivingspouse,illegitimatechildren*

• legitimateparents–½oftheestate• survivingspouse–¼oftheestate• illegitimatechildren–¼oftheestate

10. illegitimatechildrenalone• thewholeestatedividedequally

11. illegitimatechildren&survivingspouse*

• illegitimatechildren–½oftheestate• survivingspouse–½oftheestate

12. survivingspousealone• thewholeestate

13. survivingspouse&illegitimateparents(noarticlegoverning,combinationappliedbyanalogywithArt.997)*

• survivingspouse–½oftheestate• illegitimateparents–½oftheestate

14. survivingspouse&legitimatebrothers&sisters,nephews&nieces*

• survivingspouse–½oftheestate• legitimatebrothers,sisters,nephews,

nieces–½oftheestate(thenephews&niecesinheritingbyrepresentation,inthepropercases)

15. survivingspouse&illegitimatebrothers&sisters,nephews&nieces*

• survivingspouse–½oftheestate• illegitimatebrothers,sisters,nephews,

nieces–½oftheestate(thenephews&niecesinheritingbyrepresentation,inthepropercases)

• theillegitimatebrothers&sistersarethosementionedinArt.994.

16. illegitimateparentsalone• thewholeestate

17. illegitimateparents&childrenofanykind• illegitimateparents–excluded• childreninheritinaccordancewith

Nos.1,2&10.18. legitimatebrothers&sistersalone

• thewholeestate,withabrother/sisterofthehalf‐bloodinheriting½oftheestatetheshareofabrother/sisterofthefullblood

19. legitimatebrothers&sisters,nephews&nieces• thewholeestate,observingthe2:1

proportionofthefull‐andhalf‐bloodfraternity(No.18supra)andthenephewsandniecesinheritingbyrepresentationinthepropercases

20. nephew&nieceswithuncles&aunts• byinferenceunclesandaunts–

excluded(accdg.toBacayov.Borromeo)nephewsandniecesinheritinginaccordancewithNo.23infra

21. illegitimatebrothersandsistersalone–noarticlegoverning

• thewholeestate,observingthe2:1proportionoffull‐andhalf‐bloodfraternity–byanalogywithNo.18supra

22. illegitimatebrothers,sisters,nephewsandnieces‐noarticlegoverning

• thewholeestate,asinNo.19supra,byanalogy

23. nephews&niecesalone• thewholeestate,percapita,but

observingthe2:1proportionforthefull‐andthehalf‐blood

24. othercollaterals• thewholeestate,percapita,thenearer

indegreeexcludingthemoreremote25. State



• thewholeestate• Assignment&dispositionofdecedent’s

assetso Ifthedecedentwasaresident

ofthePhilippinesatanytime: Personalproperty–

tomunicipalityoflastresidence

Realproperty–wheresituated

o IfthedecedentneveraresidentofthePhilippines:

Personalandrealproperty–whererespectivelysituated

• Howpropertyistobeusedo Forthebenefitofpublic

educationalandcharitableinstitutionsintherespectivemunicipalities/cities

o Alternatively,attheinstanceofaninterestedparty,ormotupropio,courtmayordercreationofapermanenttrustforthebenefitoftheinstitutionsconcerned

ClassNotes:

• Followtherulesexceptfornumber2andnumber4.Bothhavedifferentstepsfromthestep.Becarefulbecauseyoumightendupimpairingthelegitime.

• Justfollowtherulesonintestacy,thelegitimeswillneverbeimpaired.Theyareautomaticallycoveredbytherules.

• ButArt.983(whichcoversnumber2also)mightimpairthelegitime.

IllustrationonhowArt.983canimpairthelegitime:X’sestateisworthP1,800,000

X(decedent)| | : : : : :A B C D E F G4M 4M 2M 2M 2M2M2MHerethelegitimeofAandBisimpairedbecausetheirlegitimeisP900,000andtheirsharetogetherisP800,000.ThereisadeficitofP100,000intheirlegitime.SinceArt.983impairsthelegitimeasshownintheillustration,twostepsmustbefollowedtoavoidsuch:

1. Givethelegitimefirst–legitimatebeforeillegitimate.

2. Ifthereisanexcessdividedittoaratioof2:1.3. Iflacking,reducetheshareofillegitimate

childrenpro‐rata.Illustration:

X(decedent)| | : : : : :A B C D E F G4.5 4.52.252.252.252.252.25

ThetotalisP2,025,000.TheestateisonlyP1,800,000.ThereisadeficitofP225,000.Thesolutionistoreducethesharesofillegitimatechildrenpro‐rata.Reductionofshareofeachillegitimatechild:225,000(deficit)/5(illegitimatechildren)=P45,000.TheshareofeachillegitimatechildshouldbereducedbyP45,000.ThusfromP225,000,eachillegitimatechildwillnowgetP180,000each.ClassNotes:

• Number1illustratedtotalintestacy.• Number15willonlyhappeninonecase.

o InacasewhereXhasthreechildren,A(legitimate),B(illegitimate)andC(illegitimate),whenBdies,Acannotinheritfromhim(andBcannotinheritfromhim)butCcan.

o ThisisnotprohibitedbyArticle992.o InManuelv.Ferrer:“Whenthelaw

speaksof‘brothersandsisters,nephewsandnieces’aslegalheirsofanillegitimatechild,itreferstoillegitimatebrothersandsistersaswellastothechildren,whetherlegitimateofillegitimateofsuchbrothersandsisters.”

• Innumber20,iftherearenephewsandnieces,theyexcludeunclesandaunts.

SampleProblems:

1. Patrick,illegitimatechildofthelateDonRubenbyhislatemistressEvelyndiesinavehicularaccidentwhileridinghisHarleybecausehehateswearingahelmet.HedidnotleaveawillandhisestateisworthP25,000,000.HisspouseAmirahandhisfullsisterCieloweredevastatedbyhisabruptdeath.MeanwhileRobert,DonRuben’schildbyhiswifeAraceli,isalsomaddenedwithgriefashewasnotabletomakepeacewithhisestrangedbrother.HowshouldMr.Patrick’sestatebedistributed?

2. Serafin,anotoriouswomanizerandself‐proclaimedCassanova,waskilledinflagrantedelictowithhiscurrentmistressDanica.HewasshotbyJohnMark,Danica’sex‐boyfriendwhenhecaughtthemtogether.ThisscandalizedhiswifeLorietonoend.Tocompoundthewife’sgrief,Danica’schildrenwithSerafin:Auring,Koring,Kristina,Paula,OgieandJoselitarefightingwithLorie’stwinchildrenJessandRosleneovertheirlatefather’sestatewhichisworthonlyP500,000.Howshouldtheestatebeapportioned?

2.1. Descending Direct Line

Art.978.Successionpertains,inthefirstplace,tothedescendingdirectline.(930)Art.979.Legitimatechildrenandtheirdescendantssucceedtheparentsandotherascendants,withoutdistinctionastosexorage,andeveniftheyshouldcomefromdifferentmarriages.Anadoptedchildsucceedstothepropertyoftheadopting



parentsinthesamemannerasalegitimatechild.(931a)Balane:

• TherightofanadoptedchildinrelationtohisadopterisnowgovernedbySecs.17and18ofR.A.8552,whichlaysdownthesameruleasthesecondparagraphofthisarticle.

Saysonvs.CourtofAppeals(1992)

F:PrivaterespondentswhoareadoptedchildrenofTeodoroandIsabel,filedaclaimintheestateoftheparentsoftheiradopters.H:SCheldthattheprivaterespondentsexclusiveheirsoftheirparentsanddeemedtoastotalstrangerstotheirgrandparents.Theadoptedchildshallbedeemedtobealegitimatechildandhavethesamerightasthelatter,buttheserightsdonotincludetherightofrepresentation.Art.980.Thechildrenofthedeceasedshallalwaysinheritfromhimintheirownright,dividingtheinheritanceinequalshares.(932)Art.981.Shouldchildrenofthedeceasedanddescendantsofotherchildrenwhoaredead,survive,theformershallinheritintheirownright,andthelatterbyrightofrepresentation.(934a)Art.982.Thegrandchildrenandotherdescendantsshallinheritbyrightofrepresentation,andifanyoneofthemshouldhavedied,leavingseveralheirs,theportionpertainingtohimshallbedividedamongthelatterinequalportions.(933)Art.983.Ifillegitimatechildrensurvivewithlegitimatechildren,thesharesoftheformershallbeintheproportionsprescribedbyArticle895.(n)Balane:

• Segregatethelegitimesofthechildren–bothlegitimateandillegitimate.

• Ifanyresidueisleft,apportionitinproportionof2:1

• Iftheestatemaynotbesufficienttosatisfythelegitimes,thelegitimesoftheillegitimateswillhavetobereducedprorata.

Art.984.Incaseofthedeathofanadoptedchild,leavingnochildrenordescendants,hisparentsandrelativesbyconsanguinityandnotbyadoption,shallbehislegalheirs.(n)Balane:

• RepealedbySecs.17and18ofR.A.8552.

2.2. Ascending Direct Line Art.985.Indefaultoflegitimatechildrenanddescendantsofthedeceased,hisparentsandascendantsshallinheritfromhim,totheexclusionofcollateralrelatives.(935a)Art.986.Thefatherandmother,ifliving,shallinheritinequalshares.Shouldoneonlyofthemsurvive,heorsheshallsucceedto

theentireestateofthechild.(936)Art.987.Indefaultofthefatherandmother,theascendantsnearestindegreeshallinherit.Shouldtherebemorethanoneofequaldegreebelongingtothesamelinetheyshalldividetheinheritancepercapita;shouldtheybeofdifferentlinesbutofequaldegree,one‐halfshallgotothepaternalandtheotherhalftothematernalascendants.Ineachlinethedivisionshallbemadepercapita.(937)

2.3. Illegitimate Children Art.988.Intheabsenceoflegitimatedescendantsorascendants,theillegitimatechildrenshallsucceedtotheentireestateofthedeceased.(939a)Art.989.If,togetherwithillegitimatechildren,thereshouldsurvivedescendantsofanotherillegitimatechildwhoisdead,theformershallsucceedintheirownrightandthelatterbyrightofrepresentation.(940a)Art.990.Thehereditaryrightsgrantedbythetwoprecedingarticlestoillegitimatechildrenshallbetransmittedupontheirdeathtotheirdescendants,whoshallinheritbyrightofrepresentationfromtheirdeceasedgrandparent.(941a)Art.991.Iflegitimateascendantsareleft,theillegitimatechildrenshalldividetheinheritancewiththem,takingone‐halfoftheestate,whateverbethenumberoftheascendantsoroftheillegitimatechildren.(942‐841a)Art.992.Anillegitimatechildhasnorighttoinheritabintestatofromthelegitimatechildrenandrelativesofhisfatherormother;norshallsuchchildrenorrelativesinheritinthesamemannerfromtheillegitimatechild.(943a)

CorpuzvsAdministrator(1978)F:DeceasedTeodorohasnoforcedheirs.Hisclosestrelativeswerehalf‐siblings.Tomas,theson,ofJuanita,whoisinturnthedaughterofTeodoro’shalf‐brotherJose,filedanactiontorecoverhermother’ssupposedshareintheintestateestateofthedecedent.H:JuanitaisnotalegalheirofTeodorosincethereisnoreciprocalsuccessionbetweenlegitimateandillegitimaterelatives.Theruleisbasedonthetheorythattheillegitimatechildisdisgracefullylookeduponbythelegitimatefamily,whilethelatteris,inturn,hatedbytheillegitimatechild.

LeonardovsCourtofAppeals(1983)F:PetitionerCresenciano,claimingtobethesonofthelateSotero,soughttobedeclaredoneofthelawfulheirsofdecedentwhoisthegrandfatherofSotero.H:Atmost,petitionerwouldbeanillegitimatechildwhohasnorighttoinheritinabintestatofromthelegitimatechildrenandrelativesofhisfather,likethedeceased.

Diazvs.IAC(1987)



F:Thecaseinvolvesadisputebetweenthepetitioners,theillegitimatechildrenofdecedent’ssonPabloSantero,andthedecedent’snieceFelisaPamutiJardin,astowhocouldlegallyinheritfromthedecedent.Petitionersallegethattheycouldinheritbyrightofrepresentationoftheirfather,whoisalegitimatechildofthedecedent.H:SCheldthelegalheirtobetheniece.TheNewCivilCodestilldoesnotconfertoillegitimatechildrentherighttorepresenttheirparentsintheinheritanceoftheirlegitimategrandparents,eveniftheNewCivilCodehavemadeillegitimatechildrenascompulsoryprimaryheirsunderArt.887.

Diazvs.IAC(1990)F:AsecondMRfromtheearlier1987case.Issuehereisdoestheterm“relatives”inArt.992includethelegitimateparentsofthefatherormotheroftheillegitimatechildren?MaytheseillegitimatechildrenofPablo(father)inheritfromSimona(grandmother),byrightofrepresentationoftheirfatherPablowhowasalegitimateson?H:Art.992prohibitsabsolutelyasuccessionabintestatobetweenanillegitimatechildandthelegitimatechildrenand“relatives”ofthefatherormotherofsaidlegitimatechild.Art.993.Ifanillegitimatechildshoulddiewithoutissue,eitherlegitimateorillegitimate,hisfatherormothershallsucceedtohisentireestate;andifthechild'sfiliationisdulyprovedastobothparents,whoarebothliving,theyshallinheritfromhimshareandsharealike.(944)Art.994.Indefaultofthefatherormother,anillegitimatechildshallbesucceededbyhisorhersurvivingspousewhoshallbeentitledtotheentireestate.Ifthewidoworwidowershouldsurvivewithbrothersandsisters,nephewsandnieces,sheorheshallinherittone‐halfoftheestate,andthelattertheotherhalf.(945a)Balane:

• Accordingtojurisprudence,whenthelawspeaksofbrothersandsisters,nephewsandniecesaslegalheirsofanillegitimatechild,itreferstoillegitimatebrothersandsistersaswellasthechildren,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate,ofsuchbrothersandsisters.

2.4. Surviving Spouse

Art.995.Intheabsenceoflegitimatedescendantsandascendants,andillegitimatechildrenandtheirdescendants,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate,thesurvivingspouseshallinherittheentireestate,withoutprejudicetotherightsofbrothersandsisters,nephewsandnieces,shouldtherebeany,underarticle1001.(946a)Art.996.Ifawidoworwidowerandlegitimatechildrenordescendantsareleft,thesurvivingspousehasinthesuccessionthesameshareasthatofeachofthechildren.(834a)

Balane:• Thisruleholdsevenifthereisonlyone

legitimatechild,inwhichcasethechildandthesurvivingspousewilldividetheestateequally.

Santillonvs.Miranda(1965)

F:Howshalltheestateofapersonwhodiesintestatebedividedwhentheonlysurvivorsarethespouseandonelegitimatechild?ThesonisclaimingthatArt.892shouldbeappliedwhilethewifestatesthatthedivisionis½betweenthem.H:SCruledforthewife.Art.996whichappliesinintestacyshouldberead:“Ifthewidoworwidowerandalegitimatechildareleft,thesurvivingspousehasthesameshareasthatofthechild.”Art.997.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswithlegitimateparentsorascendants,thesurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoone‐halfoftheestate,andthelegitimateparentsorascendantstotheotherhalf.(836a)Art.998.Ifawidoworwidowersurviveswithillegitimatechildren,suchwidoworwidowershallbeentitledtoone‐halfoftheinheritance,andtheillegitimatechildrenortheirdescendants,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate,totheotherhalf.(n)Art.999.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswithlegitimatechildrenortheirdescendantsandillegitimatechildrenortheirdescendants,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate,suchwidoworwidowershallbeentitledtothesameshareasthatofalegitimatechild.(n)Art.1000.Iflegitimateascendants,thesurvivingspouse,andillegitimatechildrenareleft,theascendantsshallbeentitledtoone‐halfoftheinheritance,andtheotherhalfshallbedividedbetweenthesurvivingspouseandtheillegitimatechildrensothatsuchwidoworwidowershallhaveone‐fourthoftheestate,andtheillegitimatechildrentheotherfourth.(841a)Art.1001.Shouldbrothersandsistersortheirchildrensurvivewiththewidoworwidower,thelattershallbeentitledtoone‐halfoftheinheritanceandthebrothersandsistersortheirchildrentotheotherhalf.(953,837a)Art.1002.Incaseofalegalseparation,ifthesurvivingspousegavecausefortheseparation,heorsheshallnothaveanyoftherightsgrantedintheprecedingarticles.(n)

2.5. Collateral Relatives Art.1003.Iftherearenodescendants,ascendants,illegitimatechildren,orasurvivingspouse,thecollateralrelativesshallsucceedtotheentireestateofthedeceasedinaccordancewiththefollowingarticles.(946a)Art.1004.Shouldtheonlysurvivorsbebrothersandsistersofthefullblood,theyshallinheritinequalshares.(947)Art.1005.Shouldbrothersandsisterssurvivetogetherwithnephewsandnieces,whoarethechildrenofthe



descendant'sbrothersandsistersofthefullblood,theformershallinheritpercapita,andthelatterperstirpes.(948)Art.1006.Shouldbrotherandsistersofthefullbloodsurvivetogetherwithbrothersandsistersofthehalfblood,theformershallbeentitledtoasharedoublethatofthelatter.(949)Art.1007.Incasebrothersandsistersofthehalfblood,someonthefather'sandsomeonthemother'sside,aretheonlysurvivors,allshallinheritinequalshareswithoutdistinctionastotheoriginoftheproperty.(950)Art.1008.Childrenofbrothersandsistersofthehalfbloodshallsucceedpercapitaorperstirpes,inaccordancewiththeruleslaiddownforthebrothersandsistersofthefullblood.(915)Art.1009.Shouldtherebeneitherbrothersnorsistersnorchildrenofbrothersorsisters,theothercollateralrelativesshallsucceedtotheestate.Thelattershallsucceedwithoutdistinctionoflinesorpreferenceamongthembyreasonofrelationshipbythewholeblood.(954a)Art.1010.Therighttoinheritabintestatoshallnotextendbeyondthefifthdegreeofrelationshipinthecollateralline.(955a)

2.6. The State Art.1011.IndefaultofpersonsentitledtosucceedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheprecedingSections,theStateshallinheritthewholeestate.(956a)Art.1012.InorderthattheStatemaytakepossessionofthepropertymentionedintheprecedingarticle,thepertinentprovisionsoftheRulesofCourtmustbeobserved.(958a)Art.1013.Afterthepaymentofdebtsandcharges,thepersonalpropertyshallbeassignedtothemunicipalityorcitywherethedeceasedlastresidedinthePhilippines,andtherealestatetothemunicipalitiesorcities,respectively,inwhichthesameissituated.IfthedeceasedneverresidedinthePhilippines,thewholeestateshallbeassignedtotherespectivemunicipalitiesorcitieswherethesameislocated.Suchestateshallbeforthebenefitofpublicschools,andpubliccharitableinstitutionsandcenters,insuchmunicipalitiesorcities.Thecourtshalldistributetheestateastherespectiveneedsofeachbeneficiarymaywarrant.Thecourt,attheinstanceofaninterestedparty,oronitsownmotion,mayordertheestablishmentofapermanenttrust,sothatonlytheincomefromthepropertyshallbeused.(956a)

IV. Provisions Common to Testate and Intestate Succession

1. Right of Accretion

Art. 1015. Accretion is a right by virtue ofwhich,when

twoormorepersons are called to the same inheritance,devise or legacy, the part assigned to the one whorenouncesorcannotreceivehisshare,orwhodiedbeforethe testator, is added or incorporated to that of his co‐heirs,co‐devisees,orco‐legatees.(n)Art. 1016. In order that the right of accretionmay takeplaceinatestamentarysuccession,itshallbenecessary:(1) That two or more persons be called to the sameinheritance,or to the sameportion thereof,pro indiviso;and(2) That one of the persons thus called die before thetestator,orrenouncethe inheritance,orbe incapacitatedtoreceiveit.(928a)Accretion

a. Definition(Art.1015)Occasionsfortheoperationofaccretion:

• Renunciation• Predecease• Incapacity

b. Elements(Art.1016)

Proindiviso–“asundivided”or“incommon”;doesnotimportequalityEx: IgivemyportiontoA,BandC Igive1/8ofmyestatetoA,BandCCantherebeaccretionifthesharesarenotequal?Ex:Atoget½,Btoget1/3,andCtoget1/6

• Tolentino:NO.Mustbeequal.• Sir:Yes,itispossible.SeeArt.1019,which

contemplatesunequalshares.Art. 1017. The words "one‐half for each" or "in equalshares" or any others which, though designating analiquotpart,donotidentifyitbysuchdescriptionasshallmake each heir the exclusive owner of determinateproperty,shallnotexcludetherightofaccretion.In case ofmoney or fungible goods, if the share of eachheir isnotearmarked, thereshallbearightofaccretion.(983a)Art. 1018. In legal succession the share of the personwhorepudiatestheinheritanceshallalwaysaccruetohisco‐heirs.(981)Inintestacy,accretionoccurs:(RIP)

a. Inrepudiationorrenunciationb. Inpredecease,onlyifrepresentationdoesnot

takeplacec. Inincapacityorunworthiness,onlyif

representationdoesnottakeplaceTheco‐heirsinwhosefavoraccretionoccursmustbeco‐heirsinthesamecategoryastheexcludedheir.



Art. 1019. The heirs to whom the portion goes by therightofaccretiontakeitinthesameproportionthattheyinherit.(n)

Art. 1020. The heirs to whom the inheritance accruesshall succeed to all the rights and obligationswhich theheir who renounced or could not receive it would havehad.(984)Exceptions:

a. Intestamentarysuccession,ifthetestatorprovidesotherwise

b. Iftheobligationispurelypersonal,andhence,intransmissible

Art. 1021. Among the compulsory heirs the right ofaccretionshalltakeplaceonlywhenthefreeportionisleftto two ormore of them, or to any one of themand to astranger.Shouldthepartrepudiatedbethelegitime,theotherco‐heirsshallsucceedtoitintheirownright,andnotbytherightofaccretion.(985)Inwhatkindsofsuccessiondoesaccretiontakeplace?

1) Testamentarysuccession2) IntestatesuccessionNotcompulsory(refertopar.2,Art.1021)

Art.1022. In testamentarysuccession,whentherightofaccretion does not take place, the vacant portion of theinstitutedheirs,ifnosubstitutehasbeendesignated,shallpasstothelegalheirsofthetestator,whoshallreceiveitwiththesamechargesandobligations.(986)Intestamentarysuccession,accretionissubordinatetosubstitution,ifthetestatorhassoprovided.

• Substitution–expressintent• Accretion–impliedintent

Nosubstitution,Noaccretion:Vacantpartwilllapseintointestacyandbedisposedofaccordingly

2. Capacity to Succeed by Will or by Intestacy Art.1024.Personsnotincapacitatedbylawmaysucceedbywillorabintestato.The provisions relating to incapacity bywill are equallyapplicabletointestatesuccession.(744,914)Gen.Rule:Infavorofcapacitytosucceed,aslongassuccessorhasjuridicalpersonalityToproveincapacity:Legalground;MustbeshownPar.2iswrong.Art.1025. Inorder tobecapacitated to inherit, theheir,devisee or legatee must be living at the moment the

successionopens,exceptincaseofrepresentation,whenitisproper.A child already conceivedat the timeof thedeathof thedecedent is capable of succeeding provided it be bornlaterundertheconditionsprescribedinarticle41.(n)Par.1iswrong;thereisnoexception.NaturalPersons:Requirementforcapacitytosucceed:MustbelivingwhensuccessionopensSeeArts.40and41oftheCivilCode

• Living:alreadyconceivedwhendecedentdies,

provideditbebornlater• Whensuccessionopens:Decedent’sdeath

Ifinstitutionissubjecttoasuspensivecondition:Mustbelivingbothwhendecedentdiesandwhentheconditionhappens.Ifinstitutionissubjecttoasuspensiveterm:MustbelivingwhendecedentdiesException:None

ParishPriestofRomanCatholicChurchofVictoria,

Tarlacvs.Rigor(1979)F:Testatorintendedtodevisehisricelandtohis“nearestmalerelativewhowouldbecomeapriestafterhisdeath”.Therewas an ambiguity as to whether he contemplatedonlyhisnearestmale relativeat the timeofhisdeathorany of his nearest male relatives at any time after thesame.H: The bequest refers to the testator’s nearest malerelative living at the time of his death and not to anyindefinitetimethereafter.Art. 1026. A testamentary disposition may be made tothe State, provinces, municipal corporations, privatecorporations, organizations, or associations for religious,scientific,cultural,educational,orcharitablepurposes.All other corporations or entities may succeed under awill, unless there is a provision to the contrary in theircharterorthelawsoftheircreation,andalwayssubjecttothesame.(746a)JuridicalPersons:Requirementforcapacitytosucceed:Mustexistasajuridicalpersonwhenthedecedentdies.(1)TheStateanditspoliticalsubdivisions

• State:musthaveacquiredthe4elements–territory,people,government,sovereignty

• Localgovernmentunit:musthavebeencreatedbylaw

(2)Othercorporations,institutionsandentitiesforpublicinterestorpurpose,createdbylaw

• theirpersonalitybeginsassoonastheyhavebeenconstitutedaccordingtolaw;



(3)Corporations,partnershipsandassociationsforprivateinterestorpurpose

• Corporation:musthavebeencreatedinaccordancewiththeCorporationCode

• Partnership:partnersmusthaveagreed(exceptwhenrealpropertyiscontributed,whereyou’llneedapublicinstrument

ExceptfortheState,Juridicalpersonscannotsucceedbylegitimeorintestacy.Art.1027.Thefollowingareincapableofsucceeding:(1) The priest who heard the confession of the testatorduring his last illness, or theminister of the gospelwhoextendedspiritualaidtohimduringthesameperiod;(2)The relativesof suchpriestorministerof thegospelwithin the fourth degree, the church, order, chapter,community, organization, or institution to which suchpriestorministermaybelong;(3)Aguardianwithrespect to testamentarydispositionsgivenby award inhis favorbefore the final accounts oftheguardianshiphavebeenapproved,evenifthetestatorshould die after the approval thereof; nevertheless, anyprovisionmadebythewardinfavoroftheguardianwhenthe latter ishisascendant,descendant,brother,sister,orspouse,shallbevalid;(4) Any attesting witness to the execution of a will, thespouse, parents, or children, or any one claiming undersuchwitness,spouse,parents,orchildren;(5) Any physician, surgeon, nurse, health officer ordruggist who took care of the testator during his lastillness;(6) Individuals, associations and corporations notpermittedbylawtoinherit.(745,752,753,754a)Par.15:

• Applyonlytonaturalpersons• Applicable in testamentary succession, not to

legitimeorintestacy• Rationale: The law seeks to prevent possible

abuseofmoralorspiritualascendancy• Duress or influence is conclusively presumed;

neednotbeproved

Par.1• To whom applicable: priests, pastors,

ministersetc.belongingtoreligions,sectsorcults,whoseofficeorfunctionitistoextendthe peculiar spiritualministrations of theircreed

• Requisites:a. Will must have been executed during

thetestator’slastillnessb. Spiritual ministration must have

extendedduringthelastillnessc. Willmusthavebeenexecutedduringor

afterthespiritualministration

Amakesawillinfavorofhispastor.Later,hebecomesseriously ill, and calls the pastor for spiritualministration.Adies.Isthepastordisqualified?No.Proper sequence: A is dying Summons pastor Spiritual ministration During or After spiritualministration,hemakesawill,withadispositioninfavorofthepastorAdiesDoes the prohibition apply to ministers of religionsotherthantheChristiandenomination?Yes,ifsuchreligionhasacounterpart(someonewhogivesspiritualministration)

Par.2 Purpose: To prevent indirectviolationsorcircumventionsofPar.1

SupposeBsummonsapriest,whoisalsohisson,andhemakesadispositioninhiswill,inhisson’sfavor.B’ssonis disqualified from receiving the terstamentarydisposition,butnottohislegitime.

Par.3• Requisite:Willmusthavebeenexecutedby

the ward during the effectivity of theguardianship

• Towhomapplicable:GuardiansofpersonsandpropertyException: Guardian who is also anascendant, descendant, brother, sister orspouseofward‐testator

Note: the provision does not exclude the relatives of theguardian,unliketheruleforpriests

Par.4• There is an exception. See Art. 823, where

thewitnessmay be qualified if there are 3otherwitnesses

Par.5

• Scope of prohibition: Person must havetakencareofthetestatorduringthelatter’sfinalillness“Taking care” means medical attendancewithsomeregularityorcontinuity

Par.6: Total disqualification; Should be a separate

articleArt. 1028. The prohibitions mentioned in article 739,concerning donations inter vivos shall apply totestamentaryprovisions.(n)Art. 1029. Should the testator dispose of the whole orpart of his property for prayers andpiousworks for thebenefitofhissoul,ingeneraltermsandwithoutspecifyingits application, the executor, with the court's approvalshalldeliverone‐halfthereoforitsproceedstothechurchordenomination towhich the testatormaybelong, tobeusedforsuchprayersandpiousworks,andtheotherhalfto theState, for thepurposesmentioned inArticle1013.(747a)



Requisites:

a. Disposition forprayersandpiousworks for thebenefitofthetestator’ssoul

b. NospecificationofapplicationofdispositionApportionmentofdispositionoritsproceeds:

• ½ to the church or denomination to which thetestatorbelonged

• ½totheState(seeArt.1013)Art.1030.Testamentaryprovisionsinfavorofthepooringeneral, without designation of particular persons or ofanycommunity,shallbedeemedlimitedtothepoorlivingin the domicile of the testator at the time of his death,unless it should clearly appear that his intention wasotherwise.Thedesignationof thepersonswhoaretobeconsideredaspoorandthedistributionofthepropertyshallbemadeby thepersonappointedby the testator for thepurpose;in default of such person, by the executor, and shouldthere be no executor, by the justice of the peace, themayor,andthemunicipaltreasurer,whoshalldecidebyamajorityofvotesallquestionsthatmayarise.Inallthesecases, theapprovalof theCourtofFirst Instanceshallbenecessary.The preceding paragraph shall apply when the testatorhas disposed of his property in favor of the poor of adefinitelocality.(749a)Beneficiaries:ThepoorPar.1referstothepoorofthetestator’sdomicile,unlessexcludedbythetestatorinhiswill.Who determines the individual beneficiaries within theclassdesignatedbythetestator?AEA

a. Person authorized by the testator, or in hisdefault

b. Executor,orinhisdefaultc. Administator

Art. 1031. A testamentary provision in favor of adisqualifiedperson,eventhoughmadeundertheguiseofan onerous contract, or made through an intermediary,shallbevoid.(755)Effect of simulation or circumvention: Disposition isvoid,hence ineffectiveas to the intendedbeneficiaryandtheintermediary.Intestateheirs,towhomthepropertywouldgo,havetherighttoclaimthenullity.Art. 1032.The following are incapable of succeeding byreasonofunworthiness:(1) Parents who have abandoned their children orinducedtheirdaughterstoleadacorruptorimmorallife,orattemptedagainsttheirvirtue;(2) Any person who has been convicted of an attempt

against the life of the testator, his or her spouse,descendants,orascendants;(3)Anypersonwhohasaccusedthetestatorofacrimeforwhich the law prescribes imprisonment for six years ormore,iftheaccusationhasbeenfoundgroundless;(4) Any heir of full age who, having knowledge of theviolentdeathofthetestator,shouldfail toreport it toanofficer of the lawwithin amonth, unless the authoritieshavealreadytakenaction;thisprohibitionshallnotapplytocaseswherein,accordingto law, there isnoobligationtomakeanaccusation;(5)Anypersonconvictedofadulteryorconcubinagewiththespouseofthetestator;(6) Any person who by fraud, violence, intimidation, orundue influence shouldcause the testator tomakeawillortochangeonealreadymade;(7)Anypersonwhobythesamemeanspreventsanotherfrommakingawill,orfromrevokingonealreadymade,orwhosupplants,conceals,oraltersthelatter'swill;(8)Anypersonwho falsifiesor forgesasupposedwillofthedecedent.(756,673,674a)Application:allkindsofsuccessionGroundsforunworthiness:Pars. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6: see discussion under Art. 919 (asgroundsfordisinheritance)Par.4:

a. Heir has knowledge of violent death of thedecedent

b. Heirisoflegalagec. Heir fails to report it to all officer of the law

withinamonthafterlearningofitd. Authoritieshavenotyettakenactione. Legal obligation for the heir to make an

accusationEffect of Unworthiness: Total disqualification by anyformofsuccessionArt. 1033. The cause of unworthiness shall be withouteffectifthetestatorhadknowledgethereofatthetimehemade thewill,or if,havingknownof themsubsequently,heshouldcondonetheminwriting.(757a)2waystorestorecapacity:

a. Writtencondonationb. Execution by the offended party of a will with

knowledgeofthecauseofunworthiness(thewillmustalsoinstitutetheunworthyheirorrestorehimtocapacity)

How to reconcile commongrounds forUnworthinessandDisinheritance(Arts.1033and922):

a. If offended party does not make a willsubsequent to the occurrence of the commoncause:Art.1033applies



b. Ifoffendedpartymakesawillsubsequenttotheoccurrenceofthecommoncause:Ifheknewofthecause1) Ifhedisinherits–applyArt.9222) If he institutes or pardons the offender –

restoredtocapacity3) Ifwillissilent–unworthinessstays

Ifhedidnot knowof thecause–unworthinessstays

Art. 1034. In order to judge the capacity of the heir,devisee or legatee, his qualification at the time of thedeathofthedecedentshallbethecriterion.IncasesfallingunderNos.2,3,or5ofArticle1032,itshallbenecessarytowaituntilfinaljudgmentisrendered,andinthecasefallingunderNo.4,theexpirationofthemonthallowedforthereport.If the institution, devise or legacy should be conditional,thetimeofthecompliancewiththeconditionshallalsobeconsidered.(758a)Whencapacityistobedetermined:Gen.Rule:Timeofdecedent’sdeathIfinstitutionissubjecttoasuspensivecondition:

a. Timeofdecedent’sdeath,andb. Timeofhappeningofcondition

If final judgment isarequisiteofunworthiness:TimeoffinaljudgmentArt.1035.Ifthepersonexcludedfromtheinheritancebyreasonofincapacityshouldbeachildordescendantofthedecedent and should have children or descendants, thelattershallacquirehisrighttothelegitime.The person so excluded shall not enjoy the usufruct andadministration of the property thus inherited by hischildren.(761a)ExtentofRepresentation:LegitimeandintestacyRepresentation in the collateral line: If the unworthyheir is a brother or sister, his children (nephews andniecesofthedecedent)willrepresentArt.1036.Alienationsofhereditaryproperty,andactsofadministrationperformedbytheexcludedheir,beforethejudicialorderofexclusion,arevalidastothethirdpersonswhoactedingoodfaith;buttheco‐heirsshallhavearighttorecoverdamagesfromthedisqualifiedheir.(n)ThisappliestheDoctrineofInnocentPurchaserforValuewithout prejudice to the right to damages of theprejudicedheirsagainsttheincapacitatedheir.Art. 1037.The unworthy heirwho is excluded from thesuccession has a right to demand indemnity or anyexpenses incurred in the preservation of the hereditaryproperty, and to enforce such credits as he may haveagainsttheestate.(n)

Thisarticlegrantsarightofreimbursementofnecessaryexpensestotheexcludedheir.Art. 1038. Any person incapable of succession, who,disregarding the prohibition stated in the precedingarticles, entered into the possession of the hereditaryproperty, shall be obliged to return it together it itsaccessions.Heshallbe liableforall thefruitsandrentshemayhavereceived, or could have received through the exercise ofduediligence.(760a)Disqualifiedheirhereisapossessorinbadfaith.

a. Obligationtoreturn,withaccessionsb. Liabilityforfruitswhichwerereceivedandcould

havebeenreceivedArt.1039.Capacity tosucceed isgovernedbythe lawofthenationofthedecedent.(n)Art.1040.Theaction foradeclarationof incapacityandfor therecoveryof the inheritance,deviseor legacyshallbebroughtwithinfiveyearsfromthetimethedisqualifiedpersontookpossessionthereof.Itmaybebroughtbyanyonewhomayhaveaninterestinthesuccession.(762a)The right of heir to recover the inheritance must beexercisedwithin5years.5‐yearprescriptiveperiodappliesto:

a. thedeclarationofincapacityoftheheirb. the recovery of the inheritance or portion

thereofwrongfullypossessedbythedisqualifiedheir.

3. Acceptance and Repudiation of the

Inheritance Art. 1041. The acceptance or repudiation of theinheritance is an actwhich is purely voluntary and free.(988)Art. 1042. The effects of the acceptance or repudiationshall always retroact to themoment of the death of thedecedent.(989)Retroactivity:

a. Of acceptance – successor will be deemed tohave owned and possessed the property fromthemomentofdecedent’sdeath

b. Ofrenunciation–substitute,co‐heirorintestateheir who gets the property in default of therenouncer, is deemed to have owned andpossessed it from the moment of decedent’sdeath

c. Conditionalinstitutions

1) Condition happens – Property passes withretroactiveeffect

2) Conditiondoesnothappen–Propertygoestotheappropriatesuccessor,withthesameretroactiveeffect

Art. 1043. No person may accept or repudiate an



inheritanceunlessheiscertainofthedeathofthepersonfrom whom he is to inherit, and of his right to theinheritance.(991)Articlerequires:

a. Certaintyofdeathb. Establishedrighttoinherit

Art. 1044. Any person having the free disposal of hispropertymayacceptorrepudiateaninheritance.Any inheritance left to minors or incapacitated personsmaybeacceptedbytheirparentsorguardians.Parentsorguardians may repudiate the inheritance left to theirwardsonlybyjudicialauthorization.The right to accept an inheritance left to the poor shallbelong to the persons designated by the testator todeterminethebeneficiariesanddistributetheproperty,orintheirdefault,tothosementionedinArticle1030.(992a)Art. 1045. The lawful representatives of corporations,associations, institutionsandentitiesqualified toacquirepropertymayacceptanyinheritancelefttothelatter,butinordertorepudiateit,theapprovalofthecourtshallbenecessary.(993a)Art. 1046. Public official establishments can neitheracceptnorrepudiateaninheritancewithouttheapprovalofthegovernment.(994)Art. 1047. A married woman of age may repudiate aninheritancewithouttheconsentofherhusband.(995a)Art.1048.Deaf‐muteswhocanreadandwritemayacceptor repudiate the inheritance personally or through anagent. Should they not be able to read and write, theinheritance shall be accepted by their guardians. Theseguardiansmayrepudiatethesamewithjudicialapproval.(996a)

Accept RepudiateParentsorguardians Yes Yes*Authorizedperson Yes NoLawfulrepresentatives

Yes Yes*

Publicofficialestablishments

Yes,butonlywithapprovalofgovernment

Marriedperson(w/ospouse’sconsent)

Yes Yes

Deaf‐muteswhocanreadandwrite

Yes,personallyorthroughanagent

Deaf‐muteswhocannotreadandwrite

Yes,throughtheirguardians

Yes,throughtheir

guardians**RequiresjudicialauthorizationArt.1049.Acceptancemaybeexpressortacit.Anexpressacceptancemustbemadeinapublicorprivatedocument.Atacitacceptanceisoneresultingfromactsbywhichtheintention to accept is necessarily implied, or which onewouldhavenorighttodoexceptinthecapacityofanheir.

Acts of mere preservation or provisional administrationdonot implyanacceptanceof the inheritance if, throughsuch acts, the title or capacity of an heir has not beenassumed.(999a)Kindsofacceptance:

a. Express1) Publicdocument2) Privatewriting

b. Tacitc. Implied

Art.1050.Aninheritanceisdeemedaccepted:(1) If the heirs sells, donates, or assigns his right to astranger,ortohisco‐heirs,ortoanyofthem;(2) If the heir renounces the same, even thoughgratuitously,forthebenefitofoneormoreofhisco‐heirs;(3)Ifherenouncesitforapriceinfavorofallhisco‐heirsindiscriminately; but if this renunciation should begratuitous,andtheco‐heirsinwhosefavoritismadearethoseuponwhom theportion renouncedshoulddevolvebyvirtueofaccretion,theinheritanceshallnotbedeemedasaccepted.(1000)Tacit acceptance is inferred from acts of ownershipperformedbytheheirovertheproperty.Art. 1051. The repudiation of an inheritance shall bemade in a public or authentic instrument, or by petitionpresented to the court having jurisdiction over thetestamentaryorintestateproceedings.(1008)Formofrenunciation:

a. Publicorauthentic(genuine)instrumentb. Petitionfiledinthesettlementproceedings

Art. 1052. If the heir repudiates the inheritance to theprejudiceofhisowncreditors,thelattermaypetitionthecourt to authorize them to accept it in the name of theheir.The acceptance shall benefit the creditors only to anextentsufficienttocovertheamountoftheircredits.Theexcess,shouldtherebeany,shallinnocasepertaintotherenouncer, but shall be adjudicated to the persons towhom, in accordance with the rules established in thisCode,itmaybelong.(1001)This is an instance ofaccion pauliana,which is the rightgiven to creditors to impugn or set aside contracts,transactions or dispositions of their debtors which willprejudiceordefraudthem.Extentofrightofcreditortoaccepttheinheritanceinthe name of the debtor: Only to the amount or valuenecessarytosatisfythecreditArt.1053.Iftheheirshoulddiewithouthavingacceptedor repudiated the inheritance his right shall betransmittedtohisheirs.(1006)Art. 1054. Should there be several heirs called to the



inheritance,someofthemmayacceptandtheothersmayrepudiateit.(1007a)Their right to accept or repudiate corresponds to thealiquotsharetowhichtheyareentitled.Art. 1055. If a person, who is called to the sameinheritanceasanheirbywillandabintestato,repudiatestheinheritanceinhiscapacityasatestamentaryheir,heisunderstoodtohaverepudiateditinbothcapacities.Should he repudiate it as an intestate heir, withoutknowledge of his being a testamentary heir, hemay stillacceptitinthelattercapacity.(1009)Rationale: The testamentary disposition is the expresswillof the testator,whereas intestacy isonlyhis impliedwill. One who renounces the express will is deemed tohave renounced the implied also, but not the other wayaround.Ruledoesnotapplytolegitime.Art. 1056. The acceptance or repudiation of aninheritance, once made, is irrevocable, and cannot beimpugned, exceptwhen it wasmade through any of thecauses that vitiate consent, or when an unknown willappears.(997)Gen. Rule: Acceptance or repudiation of inheritance isirrevocableExceptions:

a. Factors vitiating consent are present –FIVUM(fraud, intimidation, undue influence, mistake,fraud)

b. Appearance of an unknownwill (which is validandadmittedtoprobate)

Art.1057.Withinthirtydaysafterthecourthasissuedanorderforthedistributionoftheestateinaccordancewiththe Rules of Court, the heirs, devisees and legatees shallsignify to the court having jurisdiction whether theyacceptorrepudiatetheinheritance.If theydonotdosowithinthattime,theyaredeemedtohaveacceptedtheinheritance.(n)Implied acceptance – failure to signify acceptance orrenunciationwithinthe30‐dayperiod

4. Executors and Administrators Art. 1058. All matters relating to the appointment,powers and duties of executors and administrators andconcerning the administration of estates of deceasedpersonsshallbegovernedbytheRulesofCourt.(n)Art.1059. If theassetsof theestateofadecedentwhichcanbeapplied to thepaymentofdebtsarenotsufficientfor thatpurpose, theprovisionsofArticles2239 to2251onPreferenceofCreditsshallbeobserved,providedthatthe expenses referred to in Article 2244, No. 8, shall bethose involved in the administration of the decedent'sestate.(n)

Art. 1060. A corporation or association authorized toconductthebusinessofatrustcompanyinthePhilippinesmaybeappointedasanexecutor,administrator,guardianofanestate,ortrustee,inlikemannerasanindividual;butitshallnotbeappointedguardianofthepersonofaward.(n)SeeRules78‐90oftheRulesofCourt

5. Collation 3meaningsofcollation:

1. Ascomputation–addallavailableassets,deductdebts, and add the donations to get the nethereditaryestateArts.1061,1067,1071,1072

2. As imputation – determine if the donation ischargeable/imputable to the legitime or freeportionArts.1062–1066,1068,1069,1071–1073

3. Asreturn–Ifdonationtoastrangerexceedsthe

free portion, hewould have to give back to theestate as much as is needed to complete thelegitimesArts.1075,1076

Art. 1061. Every compulsory heir, who succeeds withother compulsory heirs,must bring into themass of theestateanypropertyorrightwhichhemayhavereceivedfromthedecedent,duringthelifetimeofthelatter,bywayofdonation,oranyothergratuitous title, inorder that itmaybecomputed in thedeterminationof the legitimeofeachheir,andintheaccountofthepartition.(1035a)Donations inter vivos–made to compulsory heirsANDstrangersValueofdonation:AtthetimedonationwasmadeArt. 1062. Collation shall not take place amongcompulsory heirs if the donor should have so expresslyprovided,orifthedoneeshouldrepudiatetheinheritance,unless the donation should be reduced as inofficious.(1036)Gen. Rule: Donations inter vivos to compulsory heirsshould be imputed to the heir’s legitime (considered anadvancetothelegitime)Exceptions:

a. Donorprovidesotherwiseb. Doneerenouncestheinheritance

Instances when donations inter vivos are to beimputedtothefreeportion:

a. Whenmadetostrangersb. Whenmade to compulsoryheirs and thedonor

soprovidesc. Whenmade to compulsory heirswho renounce

theinheritanced. Wheninexcessofthecompulsoryheir’slegitime,

astotheexcessArt.1063.Property leftbywill isnotdeemedsubject tocollation, if the testator has not otherwise provided, but



thelegitimeshallinanycaseremainunimpaired.(1037)Gen.Rule:Testamentarydispostionstocompulsoryheirsshould not be imputed to the legitime, but to the freeportionException:IfthetestatorprovidesotherwiseArt. 1064. When the grandchildren, who survive withtheir uncles, aunts, or cousins, inherit from theirgrandparents inrepresentationof their fatherormother,theyshallbringtocollationall thattheirparents, ifalive,would have been obliged to bring, even though suchgrandchildrenhavenotinheritedtheproperty.They shall also bring to collation all that theymay havereceivedfromthedecedentduringhislifetime,unlessthetestatorhasprovidedotherwise,inwhichcasehiswishesmust be respected, if the legitime of the co‐heirs is notprejudiced.(1038)Grandchildrenhavetoimputetotheirlegitime:

a. Whatever the parent whom they arerepresentingwouldhavebeenobligedtocollate;and

b. Whatever they themselves have received fromthe grandparent by gratuitous title (subject totherulesandexceptionsunderArt.1062)

Art.1065.Parentsarenotobligedtobringtocollationinthe inheritance of their ascendants any property whichmay have been donated by the latter to their children.(1039)Donationtothegrandchildshouldbeimputedtothefreeportion,sinceitisadonationtoastranger.Art. 1066.Neither shall donations to the spouse of thechildbebrought tocollation;but if theyhavebeengivenby the parent to the spouses jointly, the child shall beobligedtobringtocollationone‐halfofthethingdonated.(1040)Donationgiventothechild’sspousewillnotbeimputedtothechild’slegitime,asitisadonationmadetoastranger.Treatmentofdonationsmadetothespousesjointly:

• ½belongstothedonor’schild(Art.1062)• ½ belongs to the child’s spouse (donation to

stranger)Art. 1067. Expenses for support, education, medicalattendance,even inextraordinary illness, apprenticeship,ordinaryequipment,orcustomarygiftsarenotsubjecttocollation.(1041)Support – defined in Art. 194, Family Code; does notinclude expenses for the recipient’s professional,vocationalorothercareerArt. 1068. Expenses incurred by the parents in givingtheir children a professional, vocational or other careershall not be brought to collation unless the parents soprovide,orunlesstheyimpairthelegitime;butwhentheircollationisrequired,thesumwhichthechildwouldhave

spent if he had lived in the house and company of hisparentsshallbedeductedtherefrom.(1042a)Gen. Rule: Expenses for the child’s professional,vocational,orothercareer,arenotinofficious;shouldnotbechargedagainsttherecipient’slegitime,butagainstthefreeportionException:IftheparentsprovideotherwiseArt.1069.Anysumspaidbyaparentinsatisfactionofthedebtsofhischildren,electionexpenses,fines,andsimilarexpensesshallbebroughttocollation.(1043a)DonationsbytheparenttothechildshouldbetreatedlikeotherdonationstocompulsoryheirsunderArt.1062.Art. 1070. Wedding gifts by parents and ascendantsconsisting of jewelry, clothing, and outfit, shall not bereducedas inofficiousexcept insofar as theymayexceedone‐tenthofthesumwhichisdisposablebywill.(1044)Wedding gifts in excess of 1/10 of the free portion areinofficious.Art.1071.Thesamethingsdonatedarenottobebroughttocollationandpartition,butonlytheirvalueatthetimeofthedonation,eventhoughtheirjustvaluemaynotthenhavebeenassessed.Theirsubsequentincreaseordeteriorationandeventheirtotallossordestruction,beitaccidentalorculpable,shallbe for the benefit or account and risk of the donee.(1045a)Value tobecomputedand imputed: thevalueof thingdonatedatthetimedonationwasmadeReason: Any appreciation or depreciation of the thingafter that time should be for the donee’s account, sincedonationtransfersownershiptohimArt. 1072. In the collation of a donation made by bothparents,one‐halfshallbebroughttotheinheritanceofthefather,andtheotherhalf,tothatofthemother.Thatgivenby one alone shall be brought to collation in his or herinheritance.(1046a)Jointdonation:Pertaining toequal shares to theestatesofthefatherandmotherDonationbyoneparent:TreatedseparatelyArt. 1073. The donee's share of the estate shall bereduced by an amount equal to that already received byhim;andhisco‐heirsshallreceiveanequivalent,asmuchas possible, in property of the same nature, class andquality.(1047)Art.1074. Should theprovisionsof theprecedingarticlebeimpracticable,ifthepropertydonatedwasimmovable,the co‐heirs shall be entitled to receive its equivalent incash or securities, at the rate of quotation; and shouldthere be neither cash or marketable securities in theestate,somuchoftheotherpropertyasmaybenecessaryshallbesoldatpublicauction.



If the property donated was movable, the co‐heirs shallonlyhavearighttoselectanequivalentofotherpersonalpropertyoftheinheritanceatitsjustprice.(1048)AppliesifArt.1073isnotpossible.

a. Immovables – co‐heirs entitled to cash orsecurities

b. Movables – co‐heirs entitled to similarly‐valuedmovable

Art.1075.Thefruitsandinterestofthepropertysubjecttocollationshallnotpertaintotheestateexceptfromthedayonwhichthesuccessionisopened.For the purpose of ascertaining their amount, the fruitsandinterestofthepropertyoftheestateofthesamekindandqualityas that subject to collationshallbemade thestandardofassessment.(1049)Rationale:Theobligation toreturn inofficiousdonationsto the estate arises at the time succession vests(decedent’sdeath).Fromthattime,thecompulsoryheirisentitledtothefruits.Extentofcompulsoryheir’srighttofruits:

a. Entirety of fruits – if donation was totallyinofficious

b. Prorated between heir and donee – if partiallyinofficious

Art. 1076. The co‐heirs are bound to reimburse to thedonee thenecessary expenseswhichhehas incurred forthe preservation of the property donated to him, thoughtheymaynothaveaugmenteditsvalue.Thedoneewhocollates inkindan immovablewhichhasbeengiventohimmustbereimbursedbyhisco‐heirsforthe improvementswhichhave increased thevalueof theproperty, and which exist at the time the partition ifeffected.As toworksmadeon theestate for themerepleasureofthedonee,noreimbursementisduehimforthem;hehas,however,therighttoremovethem,ifhecandosowithoutinjuringtheestate.(n) Totally

inofficiousPartiallyinofficious

Necessary ReimburseinfullUseful Reimburseinfull,

ifimprovementstillexists

Partialreimbursementinproportiontothevaluetobereturned

Ornamental NoreimbursementOnlyremoval,ifnoinjurytotheestate

NoreimbursementOnlyremoval*ifnoinjurytotheestate

* If theproperty is physically divided, and theornamenthappens to be located in the donee’s portion, doneewillhaveallrightsofownership.Art.1077.Shouldanyquestionariseamong theco‐heirsupontheobligationtobringtocollationorastothethingswhich are subject to collation, the distribution of theestate shall not be interrupted for this reason, provided

adequatesecurityisgiven.(1050)

6. Partition and Distribution of Estate

6.1. Partition Partition is a judicial proceeding that comprises theentire settlement of the decedent’s estate, covered byRules73to90oftheRulesofCourt.

1Decedentdies

2

Coownershipofheirsovernethereditaryestate

orpartibleestate3

Subsequentpartitionby:‐extrajudicialagreement

(Rule74,Sec.1,RulesofCourt),OR

‐throughjudicialorderinappropriatesettlement

proceedings(Rule90,RulesofCourt)

Art.1078.Wheretherearetwoormoreheirs,thewholeestate of the decedent is, before its partition, owned incommonbysuchheirs,subjecttothepaymentofdebtsofthedeceased.(n)Art.1079.Partition,ingeneral,istheseparation,divisionandassignmentofathingheldincommonamongthosetowhomitmaybelong.Thethingitselfmaybedivided,oritsvalue.(n)Kindsofpartition:

a. Actual–physicaldivisionofthethingamongtheco‐heirs

b. Constructive – any act, other than physicaldivision,whichterminatestheco‐ownership(ex:saletoa3rdperson)

Casilangvs.Dizon(2013)

F: The decedent’s grandchildren petitioned to have Joseevictedandexecutedadeedofextrajudicialpartitionoverthelot.H: Jose is the lawfulownerof the lot.Heandhissiblingswereabletopresentsufficientevidencethattheyenteredintoaverbalpartition,whileRosariowasunabletoshowanyproofthatherfatherinheritedthelotfromLiborio.Art.1080.Shouldapersonmakepartitionofhisestatebyan act inter vivos, or by will, such partition shall berespected, insofaras itdoesnotprejudice the legitimeofthecompulsoryheirs.Aparentwho, inthe interestofhisorher family,desiresto keep any agricultural, industrial, or manufacturingenterprise intact, may avail himself of the right grantedhim in this article, by ordering that the legitime of theother children towhom the property is not assigned, be



paidincash.(1056a)PartitionbytheCausante(decedent):Characteristics:

a. Takeseffectonlyupondeathb. Revocableaslongasthecausanteisalive(hence,

canbechanged,modifiedorrescinded)Howmade:

a. Bywill,orb. Byactintervivos

• Inwriting• Inapublicinstrument

Legastovs.Verzosa(1930)

F:During the testatrix's lifetime, shemade apartitionofthe parcels of land to her heirs by virtue of deeds ofassignment.Howeverprobateofthewillwasdenied.H: Will is not valid as it was not admitted for probate.Partition of the testator's estate inter vivos, ascontemplatedintheCivilCode,canonlybevalidlymadeinthe presence of a valid will, which is why the (old)provisionspeaksofa"testator."Limitation on partition by causante: Legitimes ofcompulsoryheirscannotbeimpairedArt.1081.Apersonmay,byanact intervivosormortiscausa, intrustthemerepowertomakethepartitionafterhisdeathtoanypersonwhoisnotoneoftheco‐heirs.Theprovisionsofthisandoftheprecedingarticleshallbeobserved even should there be among the co‐heirs aminor or a person subject to guardianship; but themandatary, in such case, shall make an inventory of theproperty of the estate, after notifying the co‐heirs, thecreditors,andthelegateesordevisees.(1057a)Mandatary cannot be a co‐heir, to ensure fairness andimpartiality.Art. 1082. Every actwhich is intended to put an end toindivision among co‐heirs and legatees or devisees isdeemedtobeapartition,althoughitshouldpurporttobea sale, and exchange, a compromise, or any othertransaction.(n)

Tuasonvs.Tuason(1951)F:TheshareofoneoftheTuasonsiblingsinahugeparcelof landwassoldtoAraneta.TheyexecutedaMoAwheretheyagreedthatnoco‐ownershallsellhisinterestinthelandw/o first giving preference to the other co‐owners.Angela argued that the contract is null and void forviolatingCC400.H: CC400 is not applicable. The contract’s provisionpreservingtheco‐ownershipuntilall lotshavebeensold,isamereincidenttothemainobjectofdissolvingtheco‐ownership.Art. 1083. Every co‐heir has a right to demand thedivision of the estate unless the testator should haveexpresslyforbiddenitspartition,inwhichcasetheperiod

ofindivisionshallnotexceedtwentyyearsasprovidedinarticle494.Thispowerofthetestatortoprohibitdivisionappliestothelegitime.Even though forbiddenby the testator, the co‐ownershipterminateswhenanyofthecausesforwhichpartnershipis dissolved takes place, or when the court finds forcompellingreasonsthatdivisionshouldbeordered,uponpetitionofoneoftheco‐heirs.(1051a)Gen.Rule:Anyco‐heirmaydemandpartitionatanytimeExceptions:

a. Whenforbiddenbythetestatorforaperiodnotexceeding20yearsExceptionstotheexception:

• Whenanyofthecausesfordissolutionofapartnershipoccurs

• When the court finds compellingreasonsforpartition

b. When the co‐heirs agree on indivision for aperiodnotexceeding10years(renewable)

c. WhenthelawprohibitspartitionArt. 1084. Voluntary heirs upon whom some conditionhas been imposed cannot demand a partition until thecondition has been fulfilled; but the other co‐heirs maydemanditbygivingsufficientsecurityfortherightswhichthe former may have in case the condition should becompliedwith,anduntilitisknownthattheconditionhasnot been fulfilled or can never be complied with, thepartitionshallbeunderstoodtobeprovisional.(1054a)Rationale:Right as heir vests onlywhen the suspensiveconditionhappens.Otherheirscandemandparitionafterfurnishingadequatesecurity.Art.1085. Inthepartitionoftheestate,equalityshallbeobservedasfaraspossible,dividingthepropertyintolots,or assigning to each of the co‐heirs things of the samenature,qualityandkind.(1061)Equalityamongcoheirs:

a. Quantitative – Shares of co‐heirs aredeterminedbylawandbywill

b. Qualitative – The law mandates equality innature,kindandqualityExceptions:• Causantehasmadethepartitionhimself• Co‐heirsagreeotherwise• Qualitative equality is impossible or

impracticableArt.1086.Shouldathingbeindivisible,orwouldbemuchimpairedbyitsbeingdivided,itmaybeadjudicatedtooneoftheheirs,providedheshallpaytheotherstheexcessincash.Nevertheless, if any of the heirs should demand that thething be sold at public auction and that strangers beallowedtobid,thismustbedone.(1062)Towhomthingmaybesold:



a. Toa3rdperson,orb. Toanyoftheco‐heirs(ifnoneofthemobject)

Art. 1087. In the partition the co‐heirs shall reimburseoneanother for the incomeand fruitswhicheachoneofthemmayhavereceivedfromanypropertyof theestate,for any useful and necessary expenses made upon suchproperty, and for any damage thereto throughmalice orneglect.(1063)Upon partition, the co‐heirs shall render a mutualaccountingofbenefitsreceivedandnecessaryandusefulexpensesincurredbyeachofthem.Art. 1088. Should any of the heirs sell his hereditaryrights toastrangerbefore thepartition,anyorallof theco‐heirsmaybesubrogatedtotherightsofthepurchaserbyreimbursinghimforthepriceofthesale,providedtheydosowithintheperiodofonemonthfromthetimetheywerenotifiedinwritingofthesalebythevendor.(1067a)Rightofredemptiongiventoacoheir

• Co‐heir sold his undivided share or portion intheestate

• Sharewassoldtoastranger• Writtennoticebyco‐heirstothevendor

Garciavs.Calaliman(1989)

F: Therewasanextrajudicialpartitionanddeedof sale.Two groups of heirs sold their shares to Calaliman andTrabadillo. The heirs of the vendors filed a case againstCalalimanandTrabadilloforlegalredemption.Heirswerenot notified of the sale so they claim the 30 day periodstipulatedinArt1088hasyettobegin.H:Written notice is required before the period of onemonthfortheotherco‐heirstoredeembeginstorun.Theredemptioner is entitled to written notice to remove alluncertaintyastothesale,itstermsanditsvalidity,andtoquietanydoubtthatthealienationisnotdefinitive.Ifonly1coheirredeems:hewillpaythepurchasepriceIfmorethan1willredeem:theywillpayproportionallytotheirshareinthepropertyArt.1089.The titlesof acquisitionorownershipofeachproperty shall be delivered to the co‐heir to whom saidpropertyhasbeenadjudicated.(1065a)Art.1090.Whenthetitlecomprisestwoormorepiecesoflandwhichhavebeenassignedtotwoormoreco‐heirs,orwhen it coversonepieceof landwhichhasbeendividedbetweentwoormoreco‐heirs,thetitleshallbedeliveredtotheonehavingthelargestinterest,andauthenticcopiesof the title shallbe furnished to theotherco‐heirsat theexpenseoftheestate.Iftheinterestofeachco‐heirshouldbethesame,theoldestshallhavethetitle.(1066a)

6.2. Effects of PartitionArt.1091.Apartitionlegallymadeconfersuponeachheirthe exclusive ownership of the property adjudicated tohim.(1068)

Obviouseffect:Terminationofco‐ownershipArt.1092.Afterthepartitionhasbeenmade,theco‐heirsshallbereciprocallyboundtowarrantthetitleto,andthequalityof,eachpropertyadjudicated.(1069a)Obligationofmutualwarranty:Liablefordefectsoftitleandquality(Art.501)Warrantiesarethesameasinsales:

a. Eviction(title)b. Hiddendefects(quality)

Art.1093.Thereciprocalobligationofwarrantyreferredto in the preceding article shall be proportionate to therespectivehereditarysharesoftheco‐heirs,butifanyoneof them should be insolvent, the other co‐heirs shall beliable for his part in the same proportion, deducting thepartcorrespondingtotheonewhoshouldbeindemnified.Thosewhopayfortheinsolventheirshallhavearightofactionagainsthimforreimbursement,shouldhisfinancialconditionimprove.(1071)Proportionalliabilityofcoheirsonwarranty:BurdensshouldbeproportionaltobenefitsArt.1094.Anactiontoenforcethewarrantyamongheirsmustbebroughtwithintenyearsfromthedatetherightofactionaccrues.(n)Actiontoenforcewarranty:10yearsTobe counted from the time theportionwas lost or thehiddendefectwasdiscovered.Art.1095.Ifacreditshouldbeassignedascollectible,theco‐heirsshallnotbe liable for thesubsequent insolvencyof thedebtorof theestate,butonly forhis insolvencyatthetimethepartitionismade.The warranty of the solvency of the debtor can only beenforcedduringthefiveyearsfollowingthepartition.Co‐heirs do not warrant bad debts, if so known to, andaccepted by, the distributee. But if such debts are notassignedtoaco‐heir,andshouldbecollected,inwholeorin part, the amount collected shall be distributedproportionatelyamongtheheirs.(1072a)Creditassignedtoacoheirinpartition:Warrantycoversonlyinsolvencyofthedecedent’sdebtorat the time of partition, not subsequent insolvency, forwhichtheco‐heirtakestherisk.Prescriptiveperiod:5yearsArt. 1096. The obligation of warranty among co‐heirsshallceaseinthefollowingcases:(1) When the testator himself has made the partition,unlessitappears,oritmaybereasonablypresumed,thathisintentionwasotherwise,butthelegitimeshallalwaysremainunimpaired;(2) When it has been so expressly stipulated in the



agreementofpartition,unlesstherehasbeenbadfaith;(3)Whentheevictionisduetoacausesubsequenttothepartition,orhasbeencausedbythefaultofthedistributeeoftheproperty.(1070a)Instanceswhenthereisnomutualwarranty:

1. Partitionbythetestatorhimself(savewherethelegitimehasbeenimpaired)

2. Agreement among the co‐heirs to suppress thewarranty

3. Supervening events causing the loss or thediminutioninvalue

4. Faultoftheco‐heir5. Waiver

6.3. Rescission and Nullity of

Partition Art. 1097. A partitionmay be rescinded or annulled forthesamecausesascontracts.(1073a)Causesforannulment:Art.1390Causesforrescission:Art.1381‐1382Art.1098.Apartition, judicialorextra‐judicial,mayalsoberescindedonaccountoflesion,whenanyoneoftheco‐heirsreceivedthingswhosevalueis less,byat leastone‐fourth,thanthesharetowhichheisentitled,consideringthevalueofthethingsatthetimetheywereadjudicated.(1074a)Lesion is economic injury,where thep arty receives lessthanheisentitledtoreceive.Amountoflesion:Minimumis¼Art. 1099. Thepartitionmadeby the testator cannot beimpugned on the ground of lesion, except when thelegitimeofthecompulsoryheirsistherebyprejudiced,orwhenitappearsormayreasonablybepresumed,thattheintentionofthetestatorwasotherwise.(1075)Gen.Rule:Heirscannotdemandpartitiononthegroundoflesion,ifpartitionwasdonebythetestator.ExceptionstoArt.1098:

a. Impairmentofthelegitimeb. Mistakebythetestatororvitiationofhisintent

Art.1100.Theaction for rescissiononaccountof lesionshallprescribeafterfouryearsfromthetimethepartitionwasmade.(1076)Prescriptiveperiod(lesion):4yearsArt.1101.Theheirwho is suedshallhave theoptionofindemnifying theplaintiff for the loss, or consenting to anewpartition.Indemnity may be made by payment in cash or by thedelivery of a thing of the same kind and quality as thatawardedtotheplaintiff.Ifanewpartitionismade,itshallaffectneitherthosewho

have not been prejudiced nor those have not receivedmorethantheirjustshare.(1077a)Coheirwhoissuedforrescissionhastwooptions:

a. Re‐partition,orb. Indemnify the co‐heir the amount of lesion

sufferedArt. 1102. An heir who has alienated the whole or aconsiderablepartoftherealpropertyadjudicatedtohimcannotmaintainanactionforrescissiononthegroundoflesion,butheshallhavearighttobeindemnifiedincash.(1078a)Art. 1103. The omission of one or more objects orsecuritiesoftheinheritanceshallnotcausetherescissionof thepartitionon thegroundof lesion,but thepartitionshall be completed by the distribution of the objects orsecuritieswhichhavebeenomitted.(1079a)Incompletenessofpartitionisnotagroundforrescission.Remedy:SupplementalpartitionArt.1104.Apartitionmadewithpreteritionofanyofthecompulsory heirs shall not be rescinded, unless it beprovedthattherewasbadfaithorfraudonthepartoftheother persons interested; but the latter shall beproportionatelyobliged topay to thepersonomitted thesharewhichbelongstohim.(1080)Heirismistakenlyexcluded

• Ingood faith ‐ theomittedheirgetshis rightfulshare

• Inbadfaith–partitionshallbeannulledArt.1105.Apartitionwhichincludesapersonbelievedtobeanheir,butwhoisnot,shallbevoidonlywithrespecttosuchperson.(1081a)Heir is mistakenly included. In this case the propertywillbetakenawayfromhimandredistributedamongtheproperrecipients.

Congratulations!Youarenowreadytonailtheexam!Afewthingstoremember:

• Spotconceptsthatmightapply(ifthere’sawill,

there’saway...forpreteritiontooperate,oriftherearetwotransfers—reservatroncal)

• Whatrulesshouldapply?Legitimes?PartialIntestacy?

• Usedarkink.Youmaynowproceedtotestyourskills.Trythefollowingsampleexamquestions.



QUESTIONS:

1. Afinaldecreeofprobateforeclosesobjectionstothe

willonthegroundofpreterition.TorF?2. Fullandhalf‐bloodsiblingsinstitutedinawillinherit

equallyunlessotherwiseprovided.TorF?3. Itisnotnecessarytoinstituteanheirbyname.Tor

F?4. Apersonwithouttestamentarycapacitymaynot

revokeawill.TorF?5. Anilliteratepersondoesnothavetestamentary

capacity.TorF?6. Insomecase,thetestatorispresumedinsane.TorF?7. Awillneednotalwaysbewitnessed.TorF?8. Aholographicwillcannotbeprobatedonthebasis

solelyoftestimonialevidence.TorF?9. SuperveningIncapacitydoesnotinvalidateawillbut

deprivesthetestatorthepowertorevokeit.TorF?10. Republicationofawillthatisformallyvoidcannotbe

donebymerereference.TorF?11. Thedateofaholographicwillneednotbewrittenat

thebottom.TorF?12. Thetestatormaydelegatetherevocationofhiswill.T

orF?13. Adeaf‐mutepersonmayexecuteawillbutcannot

witnessone.TorF?14. Ifthereispreterition,alltestamentarydispositions

areconsiderednotwritten.TorF?15. Awillandacodicilhaveidenticalformal

requirements.TorF?16. Preteritioncanneveroccuriftestatordiedwithouta

will.TorF?17. Theattestationclausemustbeinalanguageknown

tothetestator.TorF?18. Ablindmancanneithermakenorwitnessawill.Tor

F?19. Aminorcanneithermakenorwitnessawill.TorF?20. Aconvictedthiefhascompetencetowitnessawill.T

orF?21. Aforeignermaywitnessawill.TorF?22. Atestamentarydispositioninfavourofawitness

doesnotaffecthiscompetenceasawitness.TorF?23. Aprobatedwillmaybeineffective.TorF?24. Anundatedwillisnotipsofactovoid.TorF?25. Robertdiedintestate,withanestateworth6M.Heis

survivedbyhiswifeDiane,theironlychild,BigBird,andRobert’s3illegitimatechildren:Elmo,OscarandErnie.HowshouldRobert’sestatebedivided?

26. Onhiswaytothelibrary,Ranulfo,single,childless,diedwhenameteoritefellonhim.Heleftawillwhichgave1/3ofhisestatetohisgirlfriend,Marjorie,andalegacyofP600,000totheUPAstronomicalSociety(UPAS).HewassurvivedbyhisparentsCornelioandMaiskawhonowcontendsthatthewillisineffectivebecausetheyareleftwithnothing.Ranulfo’sestateisworth900,000a. Istheircontentioncorrect?b. HowmuchwillMarjorieandUPASget?

27. JohnwasmarriedtoShelanbutafter60yearsofmarriagethecouplewerechildless.Shelanhad3sisters:Claire(full‐blood),Lindsey(half‐blood)andLorely(half‐blood).

Thesistershadchildren:a.Claire:SkullandSpikeb.Lindsey:Mahinhin,Makahiya,MakisigandMaliksic.Lorely:SerafinandSalvi

In2004,Shelanmadeawillgiving¼ofhistotalestatetoher3sisters,withsimplesubstitutionofanyoftheminfavoroftheirrespectivechildren.

AllthreesisterspredeceasedShelan.

WhenShelandiedin2007,survivedbyherhusband,nephewsandnieces,shehadanestatevaluedat24M.Howshoulditbeapportioned?

28. JaypeeandAmirah,bothnativesofSurigao,havebeenmarriedfor30years.Theyhaveonedaughter,Jamie,27yeasrold,single,nochildrenandajuniorexecutiveatHopeCigarettesCorp.OnedayinMay,Warlainvitesherparentstospendtheweekendwithherandherfiance,NickinacottageonthebeachofSanFabian,Pangasinan.The4ofthemleaveManilaatdawnonSaturdayinNick’snewcar.InTarlac,theymetaterribleaccident:asouth‐boundten‐wheelertruckdrivenbyCarihitsthemheadon.Nickdiesonthespot.Thethreeotherssurvivedandwererushedtothehospitalwhere,thatevening,Jaypeeexpired.AmirahandJamiearetransferredtoManilaforbettertreatment.JamielingersonforaweekbutthetraumaprovestoomuchandshediesonMonday.Amirahraliiesandactuallyregainsconsciousness,butunexpectedbloodclotformsinthebrainthreeweeksafterherdaughter’sdeathandshetoodiesonFriday.Theill‐starredfamilyaresurvivedbyKorinaandEnrique(Amirah’sparents),RosalynandKarren(Jaypee’ssisters),andJantzenandJess(Amirah’ssiblings).Jaypeeownedapieceofland(Surigaoproperty)worth6Mpesos–thatwashisonlypropertyinheritedbyhimfromhisparents.Amirahownednothing.JamieownedalotinAlabang(Alabangproperty)worth3M–hehadboughtfromhisbonusesfromHope.Towhomshallthetwopiecesofpropertygo?ANSWERS:(Thesamplexdidnothaveanswers.Thefollowingaswersarenotnecessarilycorrect.–Rea)1. F.Adecreeofprobateonlyconcernsthe

extrinsicvalidityofawill.2. T.Distinctionbetweenfull‐andhalf‐bloodhasno

applicationintestamentarysuccession.Unlessthecontraryclearlyappears,thereisapresumptionofequality.

3. T.Whatisessentialisthattheheirbeidentifiable.

4. T.Awillisrevokedwiththeparticipationofthetestatoronlyintwoways:byanother



will/codicilorbyphysicaldestruction.Bothrequiretestamentarycapacity.

5. F.6. T.SeeArt.800par2.7. T.Holographicwills.8. T.Thewillitself(oracopy)mustbepresented.9. T.Thetestatormusthavetestamentarycapacity

torevokeawill.SeealsoArt.801.10. T.Art.835.11. T.Thelawdoesnotrequireaspecificlocationfor

thedateoftheholographicwill.(LabradorvCA)12. T.Physicaldestruction.13. T.Art.820.14. F.Onlyinstitutionofheirisannulled;legacies

anddevisesremainvalidsolongastheyarenotinofficious.SeeArt.854.

15. T.Art.826.16. T.Ifthereisnotestamentarydisposition,the

compulsoryheirwouldalwaysreceivesomethingthroughintestacy.(ButwhatiftheTdisposedallpropertiesbydonationintervivos?MystandisthatthereisstillnopreteritionbecausethedonationsimpingingonthelegitimewillbeinofficiousperArt752.I’mnotsure.Reallynotsure.)

17. F.TheACisnotthebusinessofthetestator.18. F.Ablindmanmaymakeawill!19. T.1)Notestamentarycapacity;2)Notqualified

tobeawitness.20. T.SeeArt.821.21. T.22. T.Thedispositionsarevoidunlessthereare3

otherwitnesses.23. T.Ifthewillisintrinsicallyinvalid.24. T.Attestedwillsneedotbedated.25. Diane:1.714M

BigBird:1.714MElmo:0.857MOscar:0.857MErnie:0.857M

26. a.Yes.Theyarepreterited.(1/3ofestatethatwillgotoMarjorie=300,000pluslegacyof600,000toUPASequals900,000.Theparents,whoareOyie’scompulsoryehirsareleftwithnothing.)b.Marjoriewillgetnothingbecauseinpreterition,theinstitutionofheirisannulled.LegacytoUPASremainsvalidbutshouldbereducedto450,000becauseitexceedsthefreeportion.

27. PARTIALINTESTACYWill:¼=6MThiswillpasstonephewsandniecesbysubstitution.(2Mpersetofsubstitutes)Legitime:John:1/2oftheestateashislegitimeRemaining¼goestonephewsandniecesgoesbyintestacyandbyvirtueoftheirrighttorepresentation(withdistinctionbetweenfullandhalf‐blood—2:1:1=3M:1.5M:1.5M)Hence,John=12MSkullandSpike=2.5eachMahinhin,Makahiya,MakisigandMaliksi=875keachSerafinandSalvi=1.75Meach

28. First,Jaypee’sestate:6MSurigaoproperty

Byintestacy,Jamie=½=3MAmirah=½=3MNext,Jamie’sestate:Ayalaproperty(3M)plus3MfromJaypee=6MByintestacy,ThewholeestategoestoAmirahFinally,Amirah’sestate:½ofSurigaopropertyfromJaypee+Ayalaproperty(3M)fromJamie+second‐halfofSurigaopropertyfromJamiewhichthelattergotfromJaypee=9MBUTthesecond‐halfofSurigaopropertyissubjecttoreservatroncalhence,willgotoRosalynandKarren(1/4each).Remaining6MwillpassontoAmirah’sintestateheirs:KorinaandEnrique(3Meach).JantzenandJessareexcluded.Therefore,Surigaoproperty:Korina,Enrique,RosalynandKarren=¼undividedinteresteachAyalaproperty:KorinaandEnrique=½undividedinteresteach.