• accdgtoextentof
rightsandobligations

transmitted:
1) universal–
entirepatrimony
oranaliquotpart
2) particular–
devise,
legacy

• accdgtoimportance:
1) compulsory

2) testamentary

3) intestate

Parties:
•Decedent
o Testator
o Decedent(intestate)
•Successor
o H
eir
o DeviseeorLegatee
Rea Bautista
Balane:
Patrick Manalo
•Only
transmissiblerightsandobligationspassby

Loraine Saguinsin succession
Naomi Quimpo o Criterion:if
therightsorobligationis
strictly
personal(intuitupersonae),
itis
intransmissible;
otherwise,
itis
transmissible.

Succession Reviewer •Pecuniary
obligationsmustbepaidfirstbef
ore

distributingtheresidueof
theestatetotheheirs.

UnionBankvs.Santibañez
(2005)
Inside: Illustrative Problems by
 Mr. Patrick,
 Sample
Exam Questions,
 Answer Key
 and more!!! 1
F:Decedentcontractedloansduringhislif
etime.Af
ter
decedentdied,
creditorfiledanactionf
orcollection
againsttheheirs.

H
:Thebankshouldhavefileditsclaimintheprobate
courtpursuanttoSec.5,
Rule86
of
theRulesof
Court.The
filingof
amoney
claimagainstthedecedent’sestateinthe
probatecourtismandatory
.

Estateof
K.H
.H
emady
vs.Luz
onSurety
(1956
)

F:Lowercourtruledthatclaimsfiledby
Luz
onSurety

againstdecedent’sestatebasedoncontractsof
surety
ship
enteredintoby
thedecedentwerenotchargeablebecause
deathextinguishedliability
assurety
/guarantor.

H
:Obligationsof
aguarantoraretransmissible.Contracts
takeeffectonly
betweenparties,
theirassignsandheirs,

unlessthey
areintransmissibleby
theirnature,
by

stipulationorby
operationof
law.

“Solvitur Ambulando” Alvarez
vs.IntermediateAppellateCourt(1990)

I. General Provisions
Art.774.Successionisamodeof
acquisitionby
virtueof

whichtheproperty
,
rightsandobligationstotheextentof
 H
:Liability
thatarosef
romthesaleof
decedentinbad
the value of
 the inheritance,
 of
 a person are transmitted
throughhisdeathtoanotherorotherseitherby
hiswillor
by
operationof
law.(n)2
F:Ajudgmentorderingdecedenttoreturnthelotswas
enteredduringhislif
etimebutwasnotexecutedbecause
hesoldthelotstoa3rdperson.Asuitf
orrecovery
of
the
lotswasfiledagainsttheheirsof
seller.
f
aithwasnotextinguishedby
hisdeathandwaspassedon
tohisheirs.H
owever,
theheirsareonly
liabletothe
extentof
thevalueof
theirinheritance.

ClassNotes:
Kindsof
Succession
•accordingtomomentof
transmission:
1) mortiscausa
2) intervivos(noneinPH
law,
only
donations)
Art. 775. In this Title,
 "decedent" is the general term
applied to the person whose property
 is transmitted
throughsuccession,
whetherornothelef
tawill.If
helef
t
1 awill,
heisalsocalledthetestator.(n)
Disclaimer:Allphotoslif
tedf
romGoogleimages.Nocopy
right
inf
ringementintended.
2provisionsrecited

Art.776
.Theinheritanceincludesalltheproperty
,
rights
andobligationsof
apersonwhicharenotextinguishedby

hisdeath.(6
59)
Art.777.Therightstothesuccessionaretransmitted
f
romthemomentof
thedeathof
thedecedent.(6
57a)
Notes:
•Inf
elicitouswording.Therightstothesuccession
arevested;
inheritancetransmitted
•CONSEQUENCES:
1. Thelawatthetimeof
thedecedent’sdeath
willdeterminewhotheheirsshouldbe.
Usonvs.DelRosario(1953)
F:Nebredadiedin1945andwassurvivedby
hiswif
eand
4 illegitimate children. Wif
e brought action against
illegitimatechildrenf
ortherecovery
of
thepossessionof
 •Whatwastransmittedwastherighttoprosecute
landlef
tby
husbandonthetheory
thatsheisthesoleheir.
Def
ense:whileundertheOldCCspuriouschildrendonot
have successional rights,
 under the New CC they
 are
granted the same status as natural children thus entitled
tosucceedf
romtheirf
ather’sestate.
H
:TherightgrantedundertheNewCCcannotbegiven
retroactiveeffect.Newrightshaveretroactiveeffectonly

whenthey
donotprejudiceorimpairvestedoracquired
rightsof
thesameorigin.Therightof
ownershipof
Wif
e
overthelandbecamevestedin1945upondecedent’s
deathbecauseof
Article6
57of
theOldCivilCode(now
777)whichwasineffectatthetimehedied.
2. Ownershippassestotheheiratthevery
 allegedillegalactivitieswasnotestablished,
they
should
momentof
deathwhotheref
ore,
f
romthat
moment,
acquirestherighttodisposeof
his
share.
DeBorjavs.Vda.DeBorja(1972)
F:Decedentdiedwithawill.Bef
oreprobateof
hiswilland
to end suits between them,
 D’s son by
 his first marriage
and 2nd wif
e entered into a compromise agreement that
2nd wif
e will receive P800,
000 as f
ull and complete
pay
mentof
herhereditary
share.
H
:Agreementisvalid.Thereisnolegalbarf
ortheheirto
dispose of
 her share immediately
 upon death of
 the
decedent even if
 actual extent is not y
et determined. The
agreement is a sale of
 the shares and not a settlement of
 Art. 779. Testamentary
 succession is that which results
theestate.
Alf
onsovs.Sps.Andres(2010)
F:Joseinheritedsubjectproperty
f
romhisf
ather.This
wasassignedtohiminaDeedof
ExtrajudicialSettlement.
JosesolditSpsAndres.
H
:Thetransf
erisvalidbecausetitleof
property
of
person
whodiedintestatepassesatoncetohisheirs,
subjectto
theclaimsof
administrationandpay
mentsof
debtsand
expenses.
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
Note:
• H
eir can sell his aliquot share but not specific
property
/phy
sical portion of
 property
.
Otherwise,
itisonly
protantovalid(totheextent
of
seller’sshare)[LeevsRTC(2007)]
3. Theheirshavetherighttobesubstitutedf
or
deceasedasparty
inanactionthatsurvives
Bonillavs.Barcena(1976
)
F: Decedent,
 during her lif
etime,
 filed an action to quiet
title.Duringthependency
of
thecase,
Ddiedandcounsel
askedthatherheirsbesubstituted.
H
: The heirs may
 be substituted to the deceased party

because upon the latter’s death,
 her claim/rights to the
land were not extinguished but were transmitted to her
heirs.
Note:
theaction
•If
 there is dispute as to who are the legal heirs,

must first establish the right to succeed in a
separate action [H
eirs of
 Yaptinchay
 vs Del
Rosario,
304SCRA18]
Republicvs.Marcos(2012)
F:Casesf
orreversion,
reconvey
anceandrestitutionof
ill‐
gottenwealthwerefiledagainstpersonsincludingheirsof

Marcosweresoughttobedismissedagainstthelatter‐
mentioneddef
endants.
H
:Despitethefindingthattheirinvolvementinthe
bemaintainedasdef
endantsbecausethecaseisanaction
thatsurvivesthusitisimperativethattheestatebe
represented.AstoImeldaandBongbong,
they
arethe
executorsof
FM’sestate,
andastoImeeandIrene,
they

possibly
possess/edill‐gottenproperties.
Art.778.Successionmay
be:
(1)Testamentary
;

(2)Legalorintestate;
or
(3)Mixed.(n)
f
romthedesignationof
anheir,
madeinawillexecutedin
thef
ormprescribedby
law.(n)
Art.780.Mixedsuccessionisthateffectedpartly
by
will
andpartly
by
operationof
law.(n)
Balane:
•Someinaccuracies:
o Didnotmentioncompulsory

o Mixedisnotreally
aty
peof
succession
o Nodefinitionof
Legal/intestate
•PerAgbay
ani,
ourExpertinSuccession,
the3
Kindsof
Successionaccordingtoimportanceare:
1. Compulsory

2. Testamentary

3. Intestate
Page 2 of
 73
 2. Freeandintelligent
3. Solemnandf
ormal
Art.781.Theinheritanceof
apersonincludesnotonly

4. Revocableandambulatory

theproperty
andthetransmissiblerightsandobligations
5. Mortiscausa
existingatthetimeof
hisdeath,
butalsothosewhichhave
6
. Individual
accruedtheretosincetheopeningof
thesuccession.(n)
7. Executedwithanimustestandi
8. Executedwithtestamentary
capacity

Balane: 9. Unilateral
•Bestdeleted!Inheritancedoesnotinclude 10. Dispositiveof
property

accruals! 11. Statutory


Balusvs.Balus(2010)
F: Mortgage on decedent’s land was f
oreclosed by
 the
Bank and there being to redemption,
 title was
consolidated to the Bank. D died and 2 of
 his 3 children
bought land f
rom the Bank. 3rd child demanded share in
theproperty
ashisinheritance.
Vitugvs.Courtof
Appeals(1990)
F: H
usband and Decedent Wif
e executed a Survivorship
AgreementwiththeBankthataf
terthedeathof
eitherof

them,
 the money
 in their joint savings account would
belongtothesurvivor.

H
: Property
,
 the ownership over which has been lost H
:Theagreementisnotamortiscausaconvey
ancewhich
duringthelif
etimeof
adecedent,
nolongerf
ormspartof
 needstobeinawillbutamereobligationwithaterm,
the
the estate which his compulsory
 heirs may
 lay
 a claim termbeingdeath.
over.
Take note of
 the definition of
 a will in this case: “a
personal,
 solemn,
 revocable and f
ree act by
 which a
capacitatedpersondisposesof
hisproperty
andrightsand
declares or complies with duties to take effect af
ter his
Art. 782. An heir is a person called to the succession
death”(Thedepositwasnotproperty
of
thedecedentbut
eitherby
theprovisionof
awillorby
operationof
law.
wasconjugalproperty
.)
Deviseesandlegateesarepersonstowhomgif
tsof
real
Seangiovs.Rey
es(2006
)
andpersonalproperty
arerespectively
givenby
virtueof

awill.(n)
F:H
olographicwillcontainsonly
aclausedisinheritingan
heirwithoutexpressdispositionof
property
.
Balane:
H
:Whileitdoesnotmakeanaffirmativedispositionof
the
•H
eir=
onewhosucceedstothewholeoran
testator’sproperty
,
thedisinheritanceof
thesonisanact
aliquotpartof
theinheritance
of
 disposition of
 the property
 of
 the testator in f
avor of

•Devisee=
Succeedstodefinite,
specific,

those who would succeed in the absence of
 the person
individualREALproperties
disinherited.
•Legatee=
Succeedstodefinite,
specific,

individualPERSONALproperties
•Distinctionisimportantinpreterition!

II.Testamentary
 Succession
a. Wills Art.784.Themakingof
awillisastrictly
personalact;
it
1.1. Wills in General cannot be lef
t in whole or in part of
 the discretion of
 a
thirdperson,
oraccomplishedthroughtheinstrumentality

of
anagentorattorney
.(6
70a)

Art. 783. A will is an act whereby
 a person is permitted,


with the f
ormalities prescribed by
 law,
 to control to a
certaindegreethedispositionof
thisestate,
totakeeffect
af
terhisdeath.(6
6
7a)
Balane:
Operativewords:
1. Act –
 too broad,
 it is suggested that it be
delimited with a more specific term such as
“instrument”
2. Permitted–
purely
statutory
 heirs,
 devisees or legatees,
 or the determination of
 the
3. Formalities prescribed by
 law –
 depends on
whetherattestedorholographic
4. Control to a certain degree –
 power to dispose
gratuitously
islimitedby
rulesonlegitime
5. Af
terhisdeath–
takesplacemortiscausa
a. Sir say
s this should be “at the moment
of
/upondeath”
11Characteristicsof
Wills:<PRIMEFEUDSS>
1. Purely
personal
Notes:
•Purely
personalcharacterof
wills
•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 “second
person”?
JerichoRosales?
!
Art. 785. The duration or efficacy
 of
 the designation of

portions which they
 are to take,
 when ref
erred to by

name,
 cannot be lef
t to the discretion of
 a third person.
(6
70a)
Notes:
•Theffarenon‐delegable:<DDD>
1. designationof
heirs,
devisees,
legatees
2. duration or efficacy
 of
 such designation
(includingconditions,
terms,
substitutions)

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 3 of
 73
 3. determination of
 portions they
 are to
receive
Art. 786
. The testator may
 entrust to a third person the
distributionof
specificproperty
orsumsof
money
thathe
may
 leave in general to specified classes or causes,
 and
also the designation of
 the persons,
 institutions or
establishmentstowhichsuchproperty
orsumsaretobe
givenorapplied.(6
71a)
Notes:
•TwothingstheTmustdetermine:
1. Property
oramountof
money
tobegiven
2. Classorcausetobebenefitted
•Twothingshemay
delegate:
1. Designation of
 persons,
 institutions or
establishmentswithintheclassorcause
2. Mannerof
distribution
Art. 787. The testator may
 not make a testamentary
 containedinawilldoesnotresultintheinvalidity
of
the
disposition in such manner that another person has to
determinewhetherornotitistobeoperative.(n)
Notes:
•This does not prejudice right of
 heirs,
 devisee,
 •severability
legateetoacceptorrenounce.
RULESOFCONSTRUCTIONANDINTERPRETATION
Incaseof
doubtastodifferentinterpretations
Art.788.If
atestamentary
dispositionadmitsof
different
interpretations,
 in case of
 doubt,
 that interpretation by

whichthedispositionistobeoperativeshallbepref
erred.
(n)
• The thing may
 rather be effective than be
withouteffect
Ambiguity
;
LatentorPatent
Art.789.Whenthereisanimperf
ectdescription,
orwhen
no person or property
 exactly
 answers the description,

mistakes and omissions must be corrected,
 if
 the error
appears f
rom the context of
 the will or f
rom extrinsic
evidence,
excludingtheoraldeclarationsof
thetestatoras
tohisintention;
andwhenanuncertainty
arisesuponthe
f
ace of
 the will,
 as to the application of
 any
 of
 its
provisions,
 the testator's intention is to be ascertained
f
rom the words of
 the will,
 taking into consideration the
circumstances under which it was made,
 excluding such
oraldeclarations.(n)
Latent=
notobviousonthef
aceof
thewill
•
• Patent=
Obviousonthef
aceof
thewill
H
ow to deal with ambiguities whether latent or
•
patent:Clearup/resolveinordertogiveeffectto
the disposition by
 any
 evidence admissible and
relevant excluding in either case,
 oral
declarationsof
thetestator(DeadMan’sStatute)
Words;
TechnicalWords
Art. 790. The words of
 a will are to be taken in their
ordinary
 and grammatical sense,
 unless a clear intention
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
to use them in another sense can be gathered,
 and that
othercanbeascertained.
Technicalwordsinawillaretobetakenintheirtechnical
sense,
 unless the context clearly
 indicates a contrary

intention,
 or unless it satisf
actorily
 appears that he was
unacquaintedwithsuchtechnicalsense.(6
75a)
Pref
erencetotestacy

Art. 791. The words of
 a will are to receive an
interpretation which will give to every
 expression some
effect,
 rather than one which will render any
 of
 the
expressionsinoperative;
andof
twomodesof
interpreting
awill,
thatistobepref
erredwhichwillpreventintestacy
.
(n)
Invalidity
of
oneof
severaldispositions
Art. 792. The invalidity
 of
 one of
 several dispositions
other dispositions,
 unless it is to be presumed that the
testator would not have made such other dispositions if

thefirstinvaliddispositionhadnotbeenmade.(n)


Property
acquiredaf
terwillwasmade
Art. 793. Property
 acquired af
ter the making of
 a will
shallonly
passthereby
,
asif
thetestatorhadpossessedit
atthetimeof
makingthewill,
shoulditexpressly
appear
by
thewillthatsuchwashisintention.(n)
Devise/Legacy

Art.794.Every
deviseorlegacy
shallcoveralltheinterest
which the testator could device or bequeath in the
property
 disposed of
,
 unless it clearly
 appears f
rom the
willthatheintendedtoconvey
alessinterest.(n)
Art.795.Thevalidity
of
awillastoitsf
ormdependsupon
theobservanceof
thelawinf
orceatthetimeitismade.
Notes:
•Aspectsof
Validity
:
o Extrinsic–
Formal
o Intrinsic–
Substantive
1.2. Testamentary
Capacity

Intent and
Art.796
.Allpersonswhoarenotexpressly
prohibitedby

lawmay
makeawill.(6
6
2)
Art. 797. Persons of
 either sex under eighteen y
ears of

agecannotmakeawill.(n)
Art. 798. In order to make a will it is essential that the
testatorbeof
soundmindatthetimeof
itsexecution.(n)

Art.799.Tobeof
soundmind,
itisnotnecessary
thatthe
testatorbeinf
ullpossessionof
allhisreasoningf
aculties,

or that his mind be wholly
 unbroken,
 unimpaired,
 or
Page 4 of
 73

unshatteredby
disease,
injury
orothercause.
Itshallbesufficientif
thetestatorwasableatthetimeof
 F:Recordsdonotshowthatthewill,
executedinCebuand
making the will to know the nature of
 the estate to be
disposed of
,
 the proper objects of
 his bounty
,
 and the
characterof
thetestamentary
act.(n)
Art.800.Thelawpresumesthatevery
personisof
sound
mind,
intheabsenceof
proof
tothecontrary
.
The burden of
 proof
 that the testator was not of
 sound
mind at the time of
 making his dispositions is on the
person who opposes the probate of
 the will;
 but if
 the
testator,
 one month,
 or less,
 bef
ore making his will was
publicly
 known to be insane,
 the person who maintains
thevalidity
of
thewillmustprovethatthetestatormadeit
duringalucidinterval.(n)
Art. 801. Supervening incapacity
 does not invalidate an
effective will,
 nor is the will of
 an incapable validated by

thesuperveningof
capacity
.(n)
Ortegavs.Valmonte(2005)
F:81y
earoldtestator’swillwasopposedontheground
thathewasnotof
soundmind.
H
:Mereoldagedoesnotmeanthatapersonisnotof
 other person to write his name,
 under his express
soundmind.Tobeof
soundmind,
atthetimeof
making
thewill,
thetestatorneedonly
know(1)thenatureof
the
estatetobedisposedof
,
(2)theproperobjectsof
his
bounty
,
and(3)thecharacterof
thetestamentary
act.
Baltaz
arvs.Laxa(2012)
F: 78‐y
ear‐old spinster’s will was being assailed because
she was allegedly
 not of
 sound mind when it was made
(becauseshewas“f
orgetf
ul”)
H
: Soundness of
 mind is presumed. Forgetf
ulness is not
equivalenttounsoundnessof
mind.
Art.802.Amarriedwomanmay
makeawillwithoutthe
consentof
herhusband,
andwithouttheauthority
of
the
court.(n)
Art.803.Amarriedwomanmay
disposeby
willof
allher
separate property
 as well as her share of
 the conjugal
partnershiporabsolutecommunity
property
.(n)
1.3. Forms of
 Wills
Art.804.Every
willmustbeinwritingandexecutedina
languageordialectknowntothetestator.(n)
Suroz
avs.H
onrado(1981)
F: Will of
 illiterate testatrix was written in English,
 a
languageshedidnotunderstand.
H
:Willisvoidbecauseof
themandatory
provisionof
Art
804 that every
 will must be executed in a language or
dialectknowntothetestator.
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
Abanganvs.Abangan(1919)
writteninthedialectof
thatlocality
wherethetestatrixis
neighbor,
wasinalanguageknowntothetestatrix.
H
: Compliance with the language requirement is
presumed if
 (but Sir say
s “proved by
”): (1) the will is in
the language/dialect generally
 spoken in the place of

execution and (2) the testator is a native or resident of

saidlocality
.
Art. 805. Every
 will,
 other than a holographic will,
 must
besubscribedattheendthereof
by
thetestatorhimself
or
by
 the testator's name written by
 some other person in
his presence,
 and by
 his express direction,
 and attested
andsubscribedby
threeormorecrediblewitnessesinthe
presenceof
thetestatorandof
oneanother.
Thetestatororthepersonrequestedby
himtowritehis
nameandtheinstrumentalwitnessesof
thewill,
shallalso
sign,
asaf
oresaid,
eachandevery
pagethereof
,
exceptthe
last,
 on the lef
t margin,
 and all the pages shall be
numberedcorrelatively
inlettersplacedontheupperpart
of
eachpage.
Theattestationshallstatethenumberof
pagesusedupon
which the will is written,
 and the f
act that the testator
signed the will and every
 page thereof
,
 or caused some
direction,
 in the presence of
 the instrumental witnesses,

and that the latter witnessed and signed the will and all
the pages thereof
 in the presence of
 the testator and of

oneanother.
If
theattestationclauseisinalanguagenotknowntothe
witnesses,
itshallbeinterpretedtothem.(n)
Art. 806
. Every
 will must be acknowledged bef
ore a
notary
 public by
 the testator and the witnesses. The
notary
publicshallnotberequiredtoretainacopy
of
the
will,
 or file another with the Office of
 the Clerk of
 Court.
(n)
(1)subscribedby
theTorhisagentinhispresence
andby
hisexpressdirectionattheendthereof
,
inthe
presenceof
thewitnesses
•signature
Pay
advs.Tolentino(1936
)
F: Testatrix thumb marked end and each and every
 page
of
thewillthenherlawy
erwrotehernametoindicatethe
placeswhereherthumbmarkswere.
H
:Willisvalid.Astatuterequiringawilltobe“signed”is
satisfiedif
thesignatureismadeby
thetestator’smark.
Matiasvs.Salud(1958)
F:Thetestatrixplacedherthumbmarkinlieuof
herusual
signature on the will. Beside the thumb mark was the
nameof
thetestatrixaspurportedly
writtenby
oneof
the
witnesses. The attestation clause,
 however,
 does not
Page 5 of
 73
indicate that the person who wrote the name of
 the
testatrixthereonwasdirectedby
thelattertodoso.
H
:Athumbmarkisconsideredasignature.Itistheref
ore
unnecessary
 to indicate in the attestation clause that
anotherpersonhasbeendirectedby
thetestatortowrite
his (testator’s) name thereon,
 because in effect,
 the
testatorsignedthewillhimself
.
Garciavs.Lacuesta(1951)
F: Lawy
er wrote the name of
 the testator f
ollowed by
 “a
ruego del testador” then the lawy
er’s name on the
testator’s will. Beside his name,
 the testator wrote an X.
Attestation clause did not state that the lawy
er was
expressly
directedtowritetestator’sname.
H
:Voidf
orattestationclause’sf
ailuretostatethatlawy
er
wroteT’snameunderhisexpressdirection.Thecross
cannotbetakenasasignaturebecauseitisnottheusual
way
by
whichthedeceasedsignedhisname,
norisitone
of
theusualway
sby
whichhesigned.Acrossdoesnot
havethetrustworthinessof
athumbmark.
•Signingby
anagentof
T
o MustsigninT’spresence
o By
hisexpressdirection
BarutvsCabacungan(1912)
F:Theagent(whowasalsoawitness)signedthenameof
 se sufficient denial of
 probate. Impossibility
 of
the testator in the latter's presence and by
 his express
direction. Probate was opposed on the ground that the
handwriting of
 the person who signed the name of
 the
testatorwasof
anotherwitness.
H
:Valid.Itisnotessentialthatthepersonsigningf
orthe
testatoralsosignhisname.Thelawonly
requires:
1.namewaswrittenatT’sexpressdirection;

2.inT’spresence;
and
3.inthepresenceof
allwitnesses.
•Signingattheend
‐If
therearenon‐dispositiveportions,
thereare2
ends:
o Phy
sicalend:wherethewritingstops
o Logicalend:wherethetestamentary
 lettersontheupperpartof
eachpage
dispositionends
‐Tmay
signateitherendasthenon‐dispositive
portionsarenotessentialpartsof
thewill.
‐If
Tsignsbef
oretheend,
theENTIREwillis
invalid!
•Signinginthepresenceof
witnesses
Neravs.Rimando(1911)
Doctrine: Test of
 presence –
 not whether they
 actually
 andevery
pagethereof
inthepresenceof
theT
saw each other sign but whether they
 might have seen
eachothersignhadthey
chosentodoso,
consideringtheir
mental and phy
sical condition and position with relation
to each other at the moment of
 inscription of
 each
signature.
•Suchthatthepositionof
thepartieswithrelation
toeachotheratthemomentof
thesubscription
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
of
eachsignaturemustbesuchthatthey
may
see
eachothersignif
they
choosetodoso.
By
merely
castingtheey
esintheproperdirectionthey

couldhaveseeneachothersign
(2)attestedandsubscribedby
atleast3witnessesin
thepresenceof
theTandof
oneanother
•Attesting:actof
witnessing
•Subscribing:actof
signing
Q:MustWsignattheendof
thewill?

A:Literally
andideally
,
theWsshouldsign
attheendof
thewill,
thoughf
ailureinthis
regardmay
beoverlooked(Taboadavs
Rosal[1982])
(3)theTorhisagentmustsignevery
page,
exceptthe
last,
onthelef
tmargininthepresenceof
the
witnesses
•Mandatory
–
signingonevery
pageinthe
witnesses’presence
•Directory
–
placeof
thesignature
Icasianovs.Icasiano(196
4)
F: Original of
 the will did not contain signature of
 one of

thewitnessesbutduplicatecopy
does.
H
:Inadvertentf
ailureof
onewitnesstoaffixhissignature
toonepage,
duetosimultaneouslif
tingof
pages,
isnotper


substitution of
 page is assured by
 the signature of
 the
testatrix and the two other witnesses,
 and the imprint of

thesealof
thenotary
public.
(4)thewitnessesmustsignevery
page,
exceptthe
last,
onthelef
tmargininthepresenceof
theTandof

oneanother
Leevs.Tambago(2008)
F:Willwasattestedby
only
2witnesses.
H
:Void!
(5)allnumbersmustbenumberedcorrelatively
in
•Mandatory
–
paginationby
meansof
a
conventionalsy
stem
•Directory
–
paginationinlettersontheupper
partof
eachpage
(6
)attestationclause
•Statingthenumberof
pagesof
thewill;

•Thef
actthattheT/hisagentsignedthewilland
every
pagethereof
inthepresenceof
theWs
•Thef
actthattheWwitnessedandsignedthewill
andof
oneanother
‐Theattestationclauseistheaffairof
the
witnesses,
theref
ore,
itneednotbesignedby
the
T
Cagrovs.Cagro(1953)
Page 6
 of
 73
F:Thesignaturesof
theinstrumentalwitnesseswerenot
atthebottomof
theattestationclausebutonthelef
t‐hand
marginof
thepagecontainingtheAC.
H
:Fatally
def
ective.Signaturesatthelef
t‐handsidewere
incompliancewiththemandatethatthewillbesignedon
thelef
t‐handmarginof
allitspages
Az
uelavs.CA(2006
)
F:Witnessesdidnotsignatthebottomof
theattestation
clause but they
 signed the lef
t‐hand margin of
 the page
wheretheACisf
ound.
H
:Willvoid.Signaturesonthelef
t‐handmargincomply
 A: No. Consequently
,
 variance between the
withtherequirementthatwitnessessigneachpageof
the
will.Thesignaturestotheattestationclauseestablishthat
thewitnessesareref
erringtothestatementscontainedin
theattestationclauseitself
.Theattestationclauseis
separateandapartf
romthedispositionof
thewill.An
unsignedattestationclauseresultsinanunattestedwill.
(7)acknowledgementbef
oreanotary
public
Javellanavs.Ledesma(1955)
F: The notary
 public signed the certificate of

acknowledgementinhisofficeandnotinthepresenceof
T
andwitnesses.
H
:VALID.TheCivilCode,
whilerequiringthatawillmust
besignedby
theTandthewitnessesinthepresenceof

eachother,
doesnotrequirethattheacknowledgementby

thenotary
happeninthepresenceof
theparties.
Obiter:ItisnotrequiredthattheTandtheWs
acknowledgeonthesameday
itwasexecuted.
Logicalinf
erence:NeitherdoesArt806
requirethatTand
Wsacknowledgeineachother’spresence.
Cruz
vs.Villasor(1973)
F:Therewereonly
threewitnessestothewillanditwas
acknowledgedbef
oreanotary
publicwhowasoneof
the
witnesses.
H
:VOIDf
orf
ailingtomeetthe3‐witnessrequirement.The
notary
 public cannot acknowledge bef
ore himself
 his
havingsignedthewill.
Balane asks: If
 one of
 the witnesses is a duly
 F: Testator had glaucoma. When the will was executed,
commissionednotary
publicandhenotariz
esthe
will,
thewillisvoid.TRUEORFALSE?
 of
thewill.Itwasreadaloudby
thelawy
ertothetestator.
A:FALSE(If
therearemorethan3witnesses,
the
willmeetsthe3‐witnessrequirementhencestill
valid)
Guerrerovs.Bihis(2007)
F: Notary
 public who acknowledged the will was acting
outsidetheplaceof
hiscommission.
H
:VOID.Nonotary
shallpossessauthority
todoany

notarialactbey
ondthelimitsof
hisjurisdiction.Since
Atty
.inthiscasewasnotcommissionedintheplacewhere
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
henotariz
edthedocument,
helackedtheauthority
totake
theacknowledgmentof
thetestatrixandthewitnesses.
Ortegavs.Valmonte(2005)
F: Valmonte’s will is being contested because the date of

executionandthedateof
acknowledgmentaredifferent.
H
:Willisvalid.Conflictbetweenthedatesdoesnot
invalidatethewillbecausethelawdoesevenrequirethat
anotarialwillbeexecutedandacknowledgedonthesame
occassion.
Q:Mustanattestedwillbedated?

indicateddatesdoesnotinitself
invalidatea
will(Ortegavs.Valmonte[2005])
Art. 807. If
 the testator be deaf
,
 or a deaf
‐mute,
 he must
personally
 read the will,
 if
 able to do so;
 otherwise,
 he
shalldesignatetwopersonstoreaditandcommunicateto
him,
insomepracticablemanner,
thecontentsthereof
.(n)

Art. 808. If
 the testator is blind,
 the will shall be read to
himtwice;
once,
by
oneof
thesubscribingwitnesses,
and
again,
 by
 the notary
 public bef
ore whom the will is
acknowledged.(n)
• Arts807and808aremandatory

Garciavs.Vasquez
(1970)
F:ThewillandtheACwerecrammedtogetheronasingle
page and had ty
pographical errors. It was alleged by

proponentsthatTreadthewillsilently
bef
oreshesigned
itBUTtherewasevidencethatT’svisionwasf
orcounting
fingersat5f
tandf
ordistantobjectsonly
.
H
:VOID.Tcouldnothavereadthewillsilently
asshewas
not unlike a blind testator and execution of
 the will
requiresobservanceof
Art.808.
Alvaradovs.Gaviola,
Jr(1993)


eachwitnessandthenotary
weregiventheirowncopies
Thecourtheldtherewassubstantialcompliance.
H
: T was blind f
or purposes of
 Art 808 but there was
substantialcomplianceinthiscase.Thepurposeof
thelaw
wassatisfied(tomakeknowntotheTthecontentsof
the
willandconfirmhisdesires)
Art.809.Intheabsenceof
badf
aith,
f
orgery
,
orf
raud,
or
undue and improper pressure and influence,
 def
ects and
imperf
ectionsinthef
ormof
attestationorinthelanguage
usedthereinshallnotrenderthewillinvalidif
itisproved
that the will was in f
act executed and attested in
substantial compliance with all the requirements of

Article805.(n)
Note:
Page 7 of
 73
 • This is criticiz
ed as “liberaliz
ation running riot”. XPN:Substantialcomplianceisconsideredvalidif
thereis
JBL’ssuggestedrewording: noappearanceof
f
raud,
BF,
undueinfluenceandpressure
“In the absence of
 bad f
aith,
 f
orgery
,
 or f
raud,
 or undue andtheauthenticity
of
thewillisestablished.
and improper pressure and influence,
 def
ects and
imperf
ections in the f
orm of
 the attestation or in the Labradorvs.Courtof
Appeals(1990)
language used therein shall not render the will invalid if

such def
ects and imperf
ections can be supplied by
 an F: Date was stated in the first paragraph of
 the second
examinationof
thewillitself
anditisprovedthatthewill pageof
thewill.
was in f
act executed and attested in substantial
compliancewithalltherequirementsof
Article805.” H
: VALID. The law does not specif
y
 a particular location
wherethedateshouldbeplacedinawill.
Canedavs.Courtof
Appeals(1993)
(3)Signedby
theT
F:Theattestationclausef
ailedtospecifically
statethef
act
that the attesting witnesses and the testator signed the SUMMARY:FORMALREQUIREMENTSOFWILLS
will and all its pages in their presence and that they
,
 the Testamentary
Capacity

witnesses,
likewisesignedthewillandevery
pagethereof
 1. Thereisageneralgrantof
testamentary
capacity

inthepresenceof
thetestatorandof
eachother. tonaturalpersons
2. Exceptions:
H
: AC not valid. Art 809 does not apply
. It cannot be a. Under18
conclusively
 inf
erred f
rom the signatures that they
 were b. Unsoundmind
made in the presence of
 each other. Furthermore,
 the •Alegalquestion,
notmedical
def
ectswerenotinthe“f
orm...orlanguage.” •Soundnessof
mindwasdefined
Rule:Omissionswhichcanbesuppliedby
anexamination Negatively

of
thewillitself
,
withouttheneedof
resortingtoextrinsic ‐Notnecessary
thattestatorbeinf
ullpossession
evidence,
 will not be f
atal...H
owever,
 those omissions of
reasoningf
aculties
which cannot be supplied except by
 evidence aliunde ‐Not necessary
 that testator’s mind be wholly

would result in the invalidation of
 the attestation clause unbroken,
 unimpaired,
 or unshattered by

andultimately
,
of
thewillitself
. disease,
injury
orothercause
Positively

Az
uelavs.Courtof
Appeals(2006
) Ability
toknow:
‐Natureof
estatetobedisposedof

F:Attestationclausef
ailedtostatethenumberof
pages. ‐Properobjectsof
one’sbounty

‐Characterof
testamentary
act
H
: VOID. Art 809 was not applied because there was no 3. There is a presumption of
 soundness of
 mind,

indicationinany
partof
thewillthatitwascomposedof
 butapresumptionof
insanity
existswhen:
suchanumberof
pages. (1) one month or less bef
ore making his will,
 T
waspublicly
knowntobeinsane
Lopez
vs.Lopez
(2012) (2) executed af
ter being placed under
guardianship or ordered committed because of

F: The will stated that it contained 7 pages but the insanity
andbef
oresaidorderwaslif
ted
acknowledgement stated that there were 8. AC did not
statethenumberof
pages. CommonRequirements(AttestedandH
olographic)
1.inwriting
H
: Art 809 does not apply
. The discrepancy
 cannot be 2.languageanddialectknowntothetestator
explained by
 mere examination of
 the will itself
 but •There is no presumption that language is
throughthepresentationof
evidencealiunde. knowntotheT
•BUT the will need not state that it is a
language known to the T. It may
 be proven
by
extrinsicevidence

SpecialRequirements;
AttestedWills
1.Thatthetestatorsign
Art.810.Apersonmay
executeaholographicwillwhich ‐inthepresenceof
thewitnesses
mustbeentirely
written,
dated,
andsignedby
thehandof
 •Rememberthetestof
presence!
the testator himself
. It is subject to no other f
orm,
 and ‐attheend
may
bemadeinoroutof
thePhilippines,
andneednotbe on each and every
 page,
 except the last,
 on the lef
t
witnessed.(6
78,
6
88a) handmargin
‐if
signingthroughanagent
•IntheT’spresence
(1)Entirely
writtenby
thehandof
theT •Underhisexpressdirection
(2)Datedby
theT •Write in his own hand the T’s name in the
properplaces
Roxasvs.DeJesus(1985) •There is no need to sign the agent’s name
(Barut)
F:TheholographicwillwasdatedFEB./6
1

H
: VALID. GR: Date in a holographic will should include

theday
,
monthandy
earof
itsexecutionasthisisrelevant
toprovidef
orcontingenciesof
ascertainingsoundnessof

mind,
orwhentherearetwocompetingwills.

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 8 of
 73
 • Itisdisputedwhethertheagentmay
beone
of
the3witnesses
2. Attested and subscribed by
 3 or more credible
witnesses
‐ on each and every
 page,
 except the last,
 on the lef
t
handmargin
intheT’spresenceandinthepresenceof
eachother
3.Allpagesmustbenumberedcorrelatively
inletters
ontheupperpartof
eachpage
4.Attestationclause
‐ stating the number of
 pages upon which the will is
written
thef
actthattheTsignedthewillandeachandevery
 o thewillitself
mustbepresented(Gan
pagethereof
(orcausedanagenttowritehisname,
in
his presence and under his express direction)in the
presenceof
thewitnesses
thatthewitnesseswitnessedandsignedthewilland
thepagesthereof
inthepresenceof
Tandof
eachother
5.Acknowledgedbef
oreanotary
public
Special Requirements;
 Attested Wills;
 H
andicapped
Testators
1. Deaf
/deaf
‐mute
•If
abletoread–
mustreadpersonally
 ‐awitnessf
amiliarwithsuchhandwritingand
•If
unabletoread–
designate2personsto:
(1) Readit
(2) Communicatetohimthecontents
‐ in some practicable manner (sign
language,
lipreading,
pictures,
etc)
2. Blind,
Illiterate,
Unabletoread
•Thewillshallbereadtohimtwice
(1) Oneof
thesubscribingwitnesses
(2) Notary
 public bef
ore whom the will is
acknowledged
Theburdenof
proof
isupontheproponentof
thewill
that the special requirement of
 the article was
compliedwith.
There is also no requirement that compliance be
statedintheattestationclause.
SpecialRequirements;
H
olographicwills
1.Entirely
written
Balaneasks:Whatif
thewillwaspartly
written?
 811doesnotrequirepresentationof
threewitnessesto
A: If
 with knowledge/consent of
 T,
 VOID AS A
WH
OLE;
 beenpresentatexecution.
If
 without,
 the part written by
 another is void
(the validity
 of
 a will cannot be placed in the
handsof
another;
itmay
besabotaged)
2.Dated
•Test is if
 designated date can be
independently
checkedandascertained
•Examples: Christmas Day
 2012,
 71st
anniversary
 of
 Pearl H
arbor,
 At the
beginningof
Ramadan2013
3.Signed
ART.811.Intheprobateof
aholographicwill,
itshall
benecessary
thatatleastonewitnesswhoknowsthe
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
handwritingandsignatureof
thetestatorexplicitly

declarethatthewillandthesignatureareinthe
handwritingof
thetestator.If
thewilliscontested,
at
leastthreeof
suchwitnessesshallberequired.
Intheabsenceof
any
competentwitnessref
erredtoin
theprecedingparagraph,
andif
thecourtdeemit
necessary
,
experttestimony
may
beresortedto.
Notes:
‐thisarticleprescribesthestatutory
requisitesf
or
theprobateof
aholographicwill;
testimonial
evidence(ruleof
evidence)
‐jurisprudentialrequirement(inadditiontothe
statutory
requirements):
v.Yap[1958],
inf
ra)
thewillitself
istheonly

materialproof
(Scaevola)
Art.811appliesonly
topostmortem(notante
mortem)probates
H
owtoprovegenuinenessof
ahandwriting(Sec.22,

Rule132,
Rulesof
Court)
‐awitnesswhoactually
sawthepersonwriting
theinstrument
whocangivehisopinionthereon,
suchopinion
beinganexceptiontotheopinionrule
‐acomparisonby
thecourtof
thequestioned
handwritingandadmittedgenuinespecimen
thereof
;
and
‐expertevidence
Thethreewitnessprovisionincaseof
contested
holographicwillsisdirectory
,
notmandatory

Az
aolav.Singson(196
0)
Facts:Inprobateof
testatrix’sholographicwill,
only
one
witnesswaspresentedby
proponent.Opposition:thatthe
willwasprocuredby
undueandimproperinfluence;
that
testatrixdidnotintendtheinstrumenttobeherlastwill.
H
eld:Thatsincetheauthenticity
of
theholographicwill
wasnotcontested,
productionof
morethanonewitness
notrequired.Thatevenif
thewillwascontested,
ART.
identif
y
handwritingof
testatorsincenowitnessmay
have
BalaneNotes:
‐to“contest”meanstoattacktheauthenticity
of

thewill(i.e.thatthewillisf
orged)
‐theLatinmaximtestisunus,
testisnullus(one
witnessisnotwitness)istooarchaicarule
(quotingJ.B.L.Rey
es)
o quality
of
testimony
overnumberof

witnesses
Codoy
v.Calugay
(1999)
Facts:H
olographicwillof
thetestatrixpresentedf
or
probate.Proponentspresentedsixwitnesses.Opposition:
Page 9 of
 73
thatthewillwasf
orgedandthatthesameisillegible.
Probateallowed,
lowercourtcitingAz
aolav.Singson.
H
eld:Thattheprovisionsof
Article811aremandatory

becauseof
theword“shall.”Thatnotallof
thewitnesses
presentedby
theproponentsweref
amiliarwiththe
testatrix’shandwriting.Thatavisualexaminationof
the
willrevealsthatthestrokesaredifferentcomparedwith
otherdocumentswrittenby
thetestatrix.Thatcasemust
beremandedtoallowcontestantstoadduceevidencein
supportof
theiropposition.
BalaneAsks:DidCodoy
reverseAz
aola?
 validatesthedispositionsprecedingit,
whateverbethe
BalaneThinks:No,
f
orthef
ollowingreasons:
‐Codoy
rulingnotbasedontherebeinglessthan
threewitnesses(therewereinf
actsix)
‐Codoy
rulingdidnotstatethatsincetherewere
lessthanthreewitnesses,
evenif
their
testimonieswereconvincing,
probatemustbe
denied(testimonieswereindecisive)
‐Codoy
rulingsaidthatvisualexaminationof
the
willrevealsthatstrokesaredifferentcompared
withstandarddocuments
‐basisof
Codoy
ruling:evidencef
orauthenticity
,

inadequate,
notf
ailureonthepartof
proponents
topresentthreewitnesses
BalaneNotes:
‐Codoy
isconsistentwithAz
aola(quality
of
 signedanddated
testimony
overquantity
of
witnesses)
‐Codoy
,
ratherthanreversingAz
aola,
may
have
affirmedit
‐thestatementof
theCourtinCodoy
totheeffect
thattheuseof
theword“shall”inArticle811
denotesthatitismandatory
,
istooshallow
Intheprobateof
aholographicwill,
thedocument
itself
mustbeproduced;
alostholographicwillcannot
beprobated
Ganv.Yap(1958)
Facts:Petitionf
orprobateof
testatrix’swill.Opposition:
thattestatrixlef
tnowill.Proponentdidnotpresentwill
andinsteadtriedtoestablishcontentsanddueexecution
thrutestimonies.
H
eld:Thatholographicwillmustbepresentedtocourtf
or
probate,
thedocumentitself
beingmaterialproof
of

authenticity
.Thatif
holographicwillnotpresented,
 Effectof
noncompliancewitharticle
opportunity
toopposeandassessthehandwritingof
the
testator,
f
oreclosed.Thatlostordestroy
edholographic
willmay
beprovedby
aphotographicorphotostaticcopy
 ‐willisnotinvalidatedasawhole,
butatmost,
orby
othersimilarmeans.
ExceptiontotheGanruling:
Rodelasv.Aranz
a(1982)
Facts:Aphotostaticcopy
of
testator’sholographicwill
waspresentedf
orprobate.Opposition:thattheoriginal
mustbepresented.
H
eld:Thataphotostaticcopy
orphotocopy
of
the
holographicwill,
allowedbecausecomparisoncanbe
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
madewiththestandardwritingsof
thetestator.Thatthis
exceptiontothegeneralrulewasstatedinaf
ootnotein
Ganv,
Yap(1958).
ART.812.Inholographicwills,
thedispositionsof
the
testatorwrittenbelowhissignaturemustbedatedand
signedby
himinordertomakethemvalidas
testamentary
dispositions.
ART.813.Whenanumberof
dispositionsappearingin
aholographicwillaresignedwithoutbeingdated,
and
thelastdispositionhasasignatureanddate,
suchdate
timeof
priordispositions.
Formalrequirementf
oradditionaldispositionsina
holographicwill
‐signature,
and
‐date
Whenthereareseveraladditionaldispositions
‐signatureanddate,
or
‐eachadditionaldispositionsignedandundated,

butthelastdispositionsignedanddated
If
(incaseof
severaladditionaldispositions)the
additionalonesbef
orethelastaredatedbutnot
signed—
‐only
thelastwillbevalid,
providedthelastis
If
thereareseveraladditionaldispositionsandthe
additionalonesbef
orethelastareneithersignednor
dated,
butthelastisbothsignedanddated—
‐intermediatedispositions:
o VALIDif
alldispositionsmadeonone
occasion(signatureanddateunderlast
additionaldispositionvalidateall)
o INVALIDorVOIDif
dispositionsmade
ondifferentoccasions
ART.814.Incaseof
any
insertion,
cancellation,
erasure
oralterationinaholographicwill,
thetestatormust
authenticatethesameby
hisf
ullsignature.
“Fullsignature,
”meaning
‐notnecessarily
f
ullnameof
testator
‐itmeanshisusualandcustomary
(habitual)
signature
‐change(insertion,
cancellation,
etc.)issimply

consideredasnotmade


only
asregardstheparticularwordserased,

corrected,
orinserted(Kalawv.Relova[1984])
o unlesstheportioninvolvedisan
essentialpartof
thewill,
suchasthe
date
Illustration—
Kalawv.Relova(1984)
Facts:ProponentGregoriofiledapetitionf
orprobateof

testatrix’swill.Oppositionby
Rosa:thatshewasnamedas
Page 10 of
 73
soleheirandsoleexecutrix.Thereweretwoalterations:
first,
Rosa’snamecrossedoutassoleheirandGregorio’s Illustration
namewrittenaboveit(noinitial);
second,
Rosa’sname ‐Anengineer(Germancitiz
en),
withpermanent
crossedoutassoleexecutrixandGregorio’snamewritten residenceinParis(whereheandhiswif
ereside),

aboveit(withinitial). wascontractedby
theBraz
iliangovernmentto
constructadaminBrasilia.H
eresidedinBraz
il
H
eld:Thatordinarily
,
erasureswithoutpropersignature f
orfivey
ears.Onesummeronaholiday
,
hegoes
donotinvalidatethewillasawhole,
butatmostonly
as toToky
of
oratour.H
ealsohasinvestmentsin
respectstheparticularwordserased.Thatthatgeneral thePhilippines.TheGermanengineer,
whilein
ruledoesnotapply
inthiscasebecausetheholographic Toky
o,
madeawill.
willhadonly
onesubstantialprovisionwhichwasaltered o thef
ollowinglawsmay
governthef
orm
withoutproperauthentication.Thattheentirewillisvoid of
theengineer’swill:
becausenothingremainsinthewillthatcouldremain lawof
Germany
–
German
valid.Thatnoteventheoriginalunalteredtextcanbe citiz
en
giveneffectbecauseof
theseemingchangeof
mindof
 lawof
France–
domiciledin
testatrix. France
lawof
Braz
il–
residentof

BalaneComments: Braz
il
‐itisbey
ondcavilthattheinsertionof
Gregorio’s lawof
Japan–
placeof

namecannotbegiveneffectbecauseof
lackof
 execution
properauthentication lawof
thePhilippines
‐butwhy
wasthecancellationgiveneffectwhenit
wasnotproperly
done?
 ART.818.Twoormorepersonscannotmakeawill
‐tosay
thatgivingeffecttothewillasfirstwritten jointly
,
orinthesameinstrument,
eitherf
ortheir
woulddisregardtheseemingchangeof
mindof
 reciprocalbenefitorf
orthebenefitof
athirdperson.
thetestatrixisnoargumentatall
o itisnotenoughthatthetestator Jointwill,
meaning
manif
esthisintent—hemustmanif
est ‐onedocumentwhichconstitutesthewillsof
two
itinamannerrequiredby
law ormoreindividuals

ART.815.WhenaFilipinoisinaf
oreigncountry
,
heis Thef
ollowingisajointwill—
authoriz
edtomakeawillinany
of
thef
orms ‐“We,
thetestators,
of
legalageandof
soundand
establishedby
thelawof
thecountry
inwhichhemay
 disposingmind...”
be.Suchwillmay
beprobatedinthePhilippines.
Thef
ollowingisNOTajointwill—
ART.816
.Thewillof
analienwhoisabroadproduces ‐if
thereareseparatedocuments,
eachservingas
effectinthePhilippinesif
madewiththef
ormalities oneindependentwill(evenif
writtenonthe
prescribedby
thelawof
theplaceinwhichheresides,
 samesheet)
oraccordingtothef
ormalitiesobservedinhiscountry
,
 o e.g.willof
testatorAonf
rontpartof

orinconf
ormity
withthosewhichthisCodeprescribes. sheet;
willof
testatorBonthebackof

thesamesheet
ART.817.AwillmadeinthePhilippinesby
acitiz
enor o e.g.willof
testatorAonupperpartof

subjectof
anothercountry
,
whichisexecutedin sheet;
willof
testatorBonlowerpartof

accordancewiththelawof
thecountry
of
whichheisa thesamesheet
citiz
enorsubject,
andwhichmightbeprovedand
allowedby
thelawof
hisowncountry
,
shallhavethe JointwillsareVOID,
butreciprocalwillsareVALID
sameeffectasif
executedaccordingtothelawsof
the ‐reciprocalwills:twowillsinstitutingeachof
the
Philippines. respectivetestatorsasheirs
o e.g.willof
testatorAdesignatedBas
ART.815to817governrulesof
f
ormalvalidity
inthe heir;
willof
testatorBdesignatedAas
f
ollowinginstances(notcovered:aFilipinoexecuting heir
awillinthePhilippines)
‐aFilipinoabroad(ART.815) Reasonsf
ortheprohibitionagainstjointwills
‐analienabroad(ART.816
) ‐limitationonmodesof
revocation
‐analieninthePhilippines(ART.817) ‐diminutionof
testamentary
secrecy

‐increaseddangerof
undueinfluence
Therule(combiningthesethreearticles,
ART.15and ‐increaseddangerof
onetestatorkillingtheother
17):
‐every
testator,
whetherFilipinooralien,
 ART.819.Wills,
prohibitedby
theprecedingarticle,

whereverhemay
be,
hasfivechoicesastowhat executedby
Filipinosinaf
oreigncountry
shallnotbe
lawtof
ollowf
orthef
ormof
hiswill,
viz
.: validinthePhilippines,
eventhoughauthoriz
edby
the
o lawof
citiz
enship lawsof
thecountry
wherethey
may
havebeen
o lawof
placeof
execution executed.
o lawof
domicile
o lawof
residence Outlineonjointwills
o lawof
thePhilippines ‐executedby
FilipinosinthePhilippines

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 11 of
 73
 o VOID
‐ executedby
Filipinosabroad Facts:Testatrix’swillsubmittedf
orprobate.Opposition:
o VOID,
evenif
authoriz
edby
lawof
place thatthewillwasnotattestedtoby
threecredible
of
execution witnesses.Witnessesweredriverof
thetestatrix,
driver’s
‐ executedby
aliensabroad wif
e,
andpianoteacherof
testatrix’sgrandchild.
o seeART.816
 Contestantarguedthatwitnessesmustinitially
testif
y
as
executedby
aliensinthePhilippines totheirgoodstandinginthecommunity
,
theirreputation
‐ o oneview:VOID(publicpolicy
) f
ortrustworthinessandreliability
,
theirhonesty
and
o anotherview:ART.817applies uprightness,
inorderthattheirtestimony
may
bebelieved
executedby
aFilipinoandanalien andaccepted.
‐ o VOIDastoFilipino
o ART.816
or817appliesastoalien H
eld:Thatthecredibility
of
awitnessispresumedunless
thecontrary
isproved.Thattheruleisthatthe
instrumentalwitnessesinordertobecompetentmustbe
Subsection 4 –
 Witnesses to Wills showntohavethequalificationsunderART.820and
noneof
thedisqualificationsunderART.821.Thatthe
ART.820.Any
personof
soundmindandof
theageof
 contestant’sargumentsmustf
ail.
eighteeny
earsormore,
andnotblind,
deaf
ordumb,

andabletoreadandwrite,
may
beawitnesstothe ART.822.If
thewitnessesattestingtheexecutionof
a
executionof
awillmentionedinarticle805of
thisCode. willarecompetentatthetimeof
attesting,
their
 becomingsubsequently
incompetentshallnotprevent
theallowanceof
thewill.
ART.821.Thef
ollowingaredisqualifiedf
rombeing
witnessestoawill: Note:
‐timeof
executionof
thewillistheonly
relevant
(1)Any
personnotdomiciledinthePhilippines;
 temporalcriterion

(2)Thosewhohavebeenconvictedof
f
alsificationof
a
document,
perjury
,
orf
alsetestimony
.
Sixqualificationsof
witnesses
‐of
soundmind
o attestationisanactof
thesenses
‐atleast18y
earsof
age
‐notblind,
deaf
,
ordumb
o again,
witnessingisanactof
thesenses
o dumbmeansmute,
notsomeonewhois
simply
stupid
‐abletoreadandwrite
o orliterate,
becausesuchliterate
witnesswouldhaveabetter
understandingof
thesolemnity
of
the
executionof
awillandhisactof
beinga
witnessthereto
‐domiciledinthePhilippines
o citiz
enshipof
witness,
immaterial(even
if
heisnotaFilipinooraf
oreigner)
o theonly
requirementisthatthe
witnessisdomiciledinthePhilippines
thereisahighprobability
that
witnesswouldbeinthe
country
if
willisprobatedand
saidwitnessiscalledtotestif
y
 Disqualificationof
awitnesstosucceedtoadeviseor
incourt
‐mustnothavebeenconvictedof
f
alsificationof
a
document,
perjury
,
orf
alsetestimony
 ‐willisvalidbutwitness(orrelativesspecifiedin
o convictionmustbeby
finaljudgment
o thesecrimesrelatetothewitness’s
trustworthinessorcredibility
 Articlealsoappliestoheirs(notonly
legateesand
if
awitnesshadbeen
convictedof
murderorrape,
 ‐intentof
thelawistocoveralltestamentary
heisqualifiedbecausehecan
stillbehonest
Competenceandcredibility
,
distinguished
Gonz
alesv.CA(1979)
ART.823.If
apersonatteststotheexecutionof
awill,

towhomortowhosespouse,
orparent,
orchild,
a
deviseorlegacy
isgivenby
suchwill,
suchdeviseor
legacy
shall,
sof
aronly
asconcernssuchperson,
or
spouse,
orparent,
orchildof
suchperson,
orany
one
claimingundersuchpersonorspouse,
orparent,
or
child,
bevoid,
unlesstherearethreeothercompetent
witnessestosuchwill.H
owever,
suchpersonso
attestingshallbeadmittedasawitnessasif
suchdevise
orlegacy
hadnotbeenmadeorgiven.
Notes:
‐articleismisplaced,
sinceitisnotconcerned
withcapacity
tobeawitness,
butwithcapacity

tosucceed
‐inessence,
awitnesscannotsucceedtoawillhe
iswitnessing
o becausesuchwitnesswillbevery

partial;
hewillhavesomeinterestto
protect(i.e.evenif
thewillhadsome
def
ect,
witnesswillof
coursenottestif
y

astosaiddef
ect)
‐itmustbenotedthatthelawdoesnotdisqualif
y

thewitness
legacy
whenthereareonly
threewitnesses
‐competenceof
witnesses,
notaffected
thisarticle)cannotinherit
devisees)


institutions
Disqualificationtosucceedappliesonly
to
testamentary
dispositionmadeinf
avorof
thewitness
orthespecifiedrelatives

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 12 of
 73
 ‐ if
theparty
isalsoentitledtoalegitimeoran booksof
accountorinventories.
intestateshare,
thatportionisnotaffectedby
the
party
’switnessingthewill Documents
o testamentary
dispositioninf
avorof
a ‐inventories,
booksof
accounts,
documentsof

witness,
VOID title,
papersof
similarnature
o butif
thesamewitnessisacompulsory
 ‐mustnotmaketestamentary
dispositions(lest
heir,
hislegitimeisunaffected f
ormalrequirementsf
orwillsbecircumvented)

EXCEPTION
‐if
therearethreeotherwitnesses(orf
our
witnesses)—
o thetestamentary
dispositioninf
avorof
 incorporateddocument(exceptvoluminous
oneof
themisvalid
ART.824.Amerechargeontheestateof
thetestator
f
orthepay
mentof
debtsdueatthetimeof
thetestator’s
deathdoesnotpreventhiscreditorsf
rombeing
competentwitnessestohiswill.
H
olographicwillscannotincorporatedocumentsby

ref
erence
‐par.4of
thearticlerequiresthesignaturesof
the
testatorandthewitnessesonevery
pageof
the
annexes)
Subsection 6
 –
 Revocation of
 Wills and
Testamentary
 Dispositions

Notes: ART.828.Awillmay
berevokedby
thetestatoratany

‐thecreditordoesnotneedthetestator’swillin timebef
orehisdeath.Any
waiverorrestrictionof
this
orderthathemay
bepaid rightisvoid.
o hisclaimwillbeprovedinthe
settlementof
thedecedent’sestate Awillisessentially
revocableorambulatory

o thecreditorisnotanheir ‐thischaracteristiccannotbewaivedevenby
the
testator
Subsection 5 –
 Codicils and Incorporation by
 ‐awillisrevocableadnutum,
i.e.atthetestator’s
Ref
erence pleasure,
duringhislif
etime
‐nosuchthingasanirrevocablewill
‐cf
.ART.777(successionalrightsvestonly
upon
death)
ART.825.Acodicilisasupplementoradditiontoawill,

madeaf
tertheexecutionof
awillandannexedtobe ART.829.ArevocationdoneoutsidethePhilippines,
by

takenasapartthereof
,
by
whichany
dispositionmade apersonwhodoesnothavehisdomicileinthiscountry
,

intheoriginalwillisexplained,
addedto,
oraltered. isvalidwhenitisdoneaccordingtothelawof
theplace
wherethewillwasmade,
oraccordingtothelawof
the
ART.826
.Inorderthatacodicilmay
beeffective,
it placeinwhichthetestatorhadhisdomicileatthetime;

shallbeexecutedasinthecaseof
awill. andif
therevocationtakesplaceinthiscountry
,
whenit
isinaccordancewiththeprovisionsof
thisCode.
Codicil
‐explains,
addsto,
oraltersadispositioninaprior Rulesf
orrevocation
will ‐if
madeinthePhilippines
o f
ollowPhilippinelaw
Subsequentwill ‐if
madeoutsidethePhilippines
‐makesindependentanddistinctdispositions o if
testatordomiciledinthePhilippines
f
ollowlawof
placeof

Codicilneednotconf
ormtothef
ormof
thewillto execution,
or
whichitref
ers f
ollowlawof
placewhere
‐anattestedwillmay
haveaholographiccodicil testatorwasdomiciledatthe
‐aholographicwillmay
haveanattestedcodicil timeof
revocation
o if
testatordomiciledinthePhilippines
ART.827.If
awill,
executedasrequiredby
thisCode,
 (notgovernedby
ART.829)
incorporatesintoitself
by
ref
erenceany
documentor f
ollowPhilippinelaw
paper,
suchdocumentorpapershallnotbeconsidered f
ollowlawof
placeof

apartof
thewillunlessthef
ollowingrequisitesare revocation
present: f
ollowlawof
placeof

execution
(1)Thedocumentorpaperref
erredtointhewillmust
beinexistenceatthetimeof
theexecutionof
thewill;
 ART.830.Nowillshallberevokedexceptinthe
f
ollowingcases:
(2)Thewillmustclearly
describeandidentif
y
thesame,

statingamongotherthingsthenumberof
pagesthereof
;
 (a)By
implicationof
law;
or

(3)Itmustbeidentifiedby
clearandsatisf
actory
proof
 (b)By
somewill,
codicil,
orotherwritingexecutedas
asthedocumentorpaperref
erredtotherein;
and providedincaseof
wills;
or

(4)Itmustbesignedby
thetestatorandthewitnesses (c)By
burning,
tearing,
cancelling,
orobliteratingthe
oneachandevery
page,
exceptincaseof
voluminous

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 13 of
 73
willwithintentionof
revokingit,
by
thetestator
himself
,
orby
someotherpersoninhispresence,
andby
 capacity
hisexpressdirection.If
burned,
torn,
cancelled,
or
obliteratedby
someotherperson,
withouttheexpress
directionof
thetestator,
thewillmay
stillbe
established,
andtheestatedistributedinaccordance
therewith,
if
itscontents,
anddueexecution,
andthe
f
actof
itsunauthoriz
eddestruction,
cancellation,
or
obliterationareestablishedaccordingtotheRulesof

Court.
Firstmodeof
revocation:By
operationof
law—
‐revocationmay
betotalorpartial
‐examples
o preterition(ART.854)
o legalseparation(ART.6
3,
par.4,

Family
Code)
o unworthinesstosucceed(ART.1032)
o transf
ormation,
alienation,
orlossof
 concur.Thatwhileanimusrevocandimay
beconceded
theobjectdevisedorbequeathed(ART.
957)
o judicialdemandof
acreditgivenasa
legacy
(ART.936
)
Secondmodeof
revocation:By
asubsequentwillor
codicil—
‐revocationmay
betotalorpartial
‐requisites
o subsequentinstrumentmustcomply
 beenrevokedby
phy
sicaldestruction
withthef
ormalrequirementsof
awill
o testatormustpossesstestamentary
 Gagov.Mamuy
ac(1927)
capacity

o subsequentinstrumentmusteither
containanexpressrevocatory
clause
(express)orbeincompatiblewiththe
priorwill(implied)
‐revocatory
willmustbeprobated
Thirdmodeof
revocation:By
phy
sicaldestruction—
‐f
ourway
sof
destroy
ing:
o burning
o tearing
o cancelling
o obliterating
Phy
sicaldestructionmay
bedone—
‐by
testatorpersonally
,
or
‐by
anotherpersonactinginthetestator’s
presenceandby
thetestator’sexpressdirection
Effectof
unauthoriz
eddestruction
‐willmay
beprovedaslostordestroy
ed
o butonly
if
willisattested
o if
holographic,
willcannotbeprobated
if
lostordestroy
edwithoutauthority
 ART.832.Arevocationmadeinasubsequentwillshall
(Ganv,
Yap),
unlessacopy
survives
(Rodelasv.Aranz
a)
Elementsof
avalidrevocationby
phy
sical
destruction*
‐corpus
o thephy
sicaldestructionitself
 thetestamentary
dispositionsof
therevokingwill
o theremustbeevidenceof
phy
sical
destruction
‐animus
o capacity
andintenttorevoke
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
 sameasintestamentary



o thetestatormusthavecompleted
every
thingheintendedtodo
*mustconcur,
otherwise,
norevocation
TestateEstateof
AdrianaMalotov.CA(1988)
Facts:H
eirsof
lateMalotoinstitutedintestateproceeding
f
orsettlementof
decedent’sestate.Later,
adocument
purportingtobethewillof
decedentwasdiscovered.
Someheirsfiledapetitionf
orprobateof
allegedwill.
Opposition:thatthetestatrix’swillhadbeenrevoked,
her
maidhavingburnedthesame.
H
eld:Thattherewasnovalidrevocationby
phy
sical
destructionbecauseanimusrevocandiandcorpusdidnot
becausethatisastateof
mind,
corpuswasnot
established.Thatitwasnotshownthatthepaperburned
by
themaidwasthewillof
thetestatrix;
thattheburning
wasnotproventohavebeendoneunderthetestatrix’s
expressdirection;
thattheburningwasnotdoneinthe
presenceof
thetestatrix.
Thelossorunavailability
of
awillmay
,
undercertain
circumstances,
giverisetothepresumptionthatithad
Facts:Proponentsoughttohavewillof
decedent
probated,
presentingacarboncopy
of
same.Opposition:
thatoriginal(will)hadbeenrevokedby
testator,
as
testifiedtoby
witnesses.Originalcopy
of
willcouldnotbe
f
ound.
H
eld:Thatthereisapresumptionthatthewillhadbeen
revoked(cancelledordestroy
ed)if
itcannotbef
oundand
isshowntobeinthepossessionof
thetestatorwhenlast
seen.Thatthepresumptionisthatthewillwasrevokedby

thetestatorhimself
.Thatthewillof
thetestatorinthis
caseispresumedtohavebeenproperly
revoked.
ART.831.Subsequentwillswhichdonotrevokethe
previousonesinanexpressmanner,
annulonly
such
dispositionsinthepriorwillsasareinconsistentwith
orcontrary
tothosecontainedinthelaterwills.
Note:
‐theexecutionof
asubsequentwilldoesnotipso
f
actorevokeapriorone
takeeffect,
evenif
thenewwillshouldbecome
inoperativeby
reasonof
theincapacity
of
theheirs,

deviseesorlegateesdesignatedtherein,
orby
their
renunciation.
Efficacy
of
therevocatory
clausedoesnotdependon
‐unlessthetestatorsoprovides
Page 14 of
 73
GENERALRULE:Revocationisanabsoluteprovision
independentof
theacceptanceorcapacity
of
thenew
heirs
EXCEPTION(“dependentrelativerevocation”):If
 Firstwillpresentedtocourtf
orprobate.
testatorprovidesinthesubsequentwillthatthe
revocationof
theprioroneis—
‐dependentonthecapacity
of
theheirs,
devisees,
 revocation.Thatexistenceof
animusrevocandi,
sufficient
orlegateesinstitutedinthesubsequentwill,
or
‐dependentontheacceptanceof
theheirs,
 beendestroy
edwithanimusrevocandi,
isconsidered
devisees,
orlegateesinstitutedinthesubsequent
will
Dependentrelativerevocation,
explanation(Molov.
Molo[1951])
‐if
actof
revocationof
aprevious(original)willis
madeby
executingasubsequent(new)will,
the
revocationisconditionalanddependentupon
theefficacy
of
thesubsequentwill
‐if
,
f
orany
reason,
thenewwillintendedtobe
madeasasubstituteisinoperative,
the
revocationf
ailsandtheoriginalwillremainsin
f
ullf
orce
‐f
ailureof
thenewwilluponwhosevalidity
the
revocationdependsisequivalenttothenon‐
f
ulfillmentof
asuspensivecondition,
andhence
preventstherevocationof
theoriginalwill
DependentrelativerevocationappliesONLYif
it
appearsthatthetestatorintendedhisactof
 thatdoesnotreflectsuchtrueintent
revocationtobeconditionedon—
‐themakingof
anewwill,
or
‐thevalidity
of
anewwill,
or
‐theefficacy
of
anewwill
Ruleof
dependentrelativerevocationappliesif
the
revocationisby
phy
sicaldestruction
Molov.Molo(1951)
Facts:Testatorlef
ttwowills:originalandnewwhich
containedarevocatory
clause.Newwillwasprobated.
Later,
probationwassetasideasoppositorsprovedthat
newwillnotmadeinaccordancewithlaw.Proponents
soughttohaveoriginalwillprobated.Opposition:that
originalwillhadbeenrevokedby
newwill,

notwithstandingdisallowanceof
newwill.Evidencewas
presentedby
contestantsthatoriginalwillhadbeen
destroy
edby
testator.
H
eld:Thatoriginalwillstandsbecausesubsequent(new)
willcontainingarevocatory
clausehasbeendisallowed.
Thatasubsequentwillcontainingarevocatory
clause
whichwasdeniedprobatecannotproducetheeffectof
 recognitionremainseffective)
annullingtheoriginalorpreviouswillbecausethe
revocatory
clauseisvoid.Thatdestructionof
originalwill
cannothavetheeffectof
def
eatingsaidwill(priorwill)
becauseof
thef
actthatitisf
oundedonmistakenbelief

thatsubsequentwillhasbeenvalidly
executedandwould
begiveneffect.
BalaneThinks:
‐“Canitnotbearguedthattheactof
thetestator
indestroy
ingthewillinf
actconfirmedhisintent
torevokeit?
(ref
erringtothecaseof
Molov.
Molo)”
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
Diaz
v.DeLeon(1922)
Facts:Testatorexecutedasecondwillrevokingthefirst.
H
eld:Thatthesecondwilldidnotconstitutesufficient
f
orrevocation.Thatfirstwill,
havingbeenshowntohave
revoked.Thatfirstwillwasreturnedtotestatorwho
orderedhisservanttotearthesame,
whichwasdonein
thepresenceof
testator,
clearly
manif
estinghisintentto
revokesaidfirstwill.Thatfirstwillcannotbeprobatedf
or
havingbeendestroy
edwithanimusrevocandi.
Ruleif
revocationisimplied(incompatibility
of

provisions)
‐ruleinART.832applies
‐intentof
testatortosetasidepriorwillisclear
ART.833.Arevocationof
awillbasedonaf
alsecause
orillegalcauseisnullandvoid.
Wills,
revocableadnutum
‐testatordoesnothavetohaveareasonorcause
f
orrevokinghiswill
‐thelawprotectsthetestator’strueintent(i.e.to
revoke),
sothisarticlesetsasidearevocation
Requisitesf
ortheapplicationof
ART.833regarding
revocationf
oraf
alsecause
‐causemustbeconcrete,
f
actual,
andnotpurely

subjective
‐causemustbef
alse
‐testatormustnotknowof
thef
alsity
of
thecause
‐itmustappearf
romthewillthatthetestatoris
revokingbecauseof
thef
alsecause
Extensionof
ART.833toillegalcauses(reason:public
policy
),
ineffect,
restrictsthetestator’sf
reedomto
revoke
‐illegalcausemustbestatedinthewillasthe
causeof
revocation
ART.834.Therecognitionof
anillegitimatechilddoes
notloseitslegaleffect,
eventhoughthewillwhereinit
wasmadeshouldberevoked.
Notes:
‐recognitionof
anillegitimatechildinawillis
irrevocable(i.e.evenif
thewillisrevoked,
the
‐undertheFamily
Code(cf
.ART.175,
Family

Code),
admissionof
illegitimatefiliationinawill
wouldconstituteproof
of
illegitimatefiliation
Subsection 7 –
 Republication and Revival of
 Wills
ART.835.Thetestatorcannotrepublish,
without
reproducinginasubsequentwill,
thedispositions
containedinapreviousonewhichisvoidastoitsf
orm.
ART.836
.Theexecutionof
acodicilref
erringtoa
previouswillhastheeffectof
republishingthewillas
Page 15 of
 73
modifiedby
thecodicil.
Notes:
‐republicationorrevivaltogivebackefficacy
toa
willwhichhasbecomeinefficacious
Will,
voidastof
ormif
itdoesnotcomply
withthe
requirementsof
ART.804to808;
810to814;
818and
819
H
owtorepublishawillthatisvoidastoitsf
orm—
‐toexecuteasubsequentwillandreproduce(i.e.
copy
out)thedispositionsof
theoriginalwill
o mereref
erence,
notenough
H
owtorepublishawillthatisnotvoidastoitsf
orm
but(a)voidf
orareasonotherthanaf
ormaldef
ect
[e.g.awillthatinstitutesoneof
thethreeattesting
witnesses],
or(b)previously
revoked—
‐toexecuteasubsequentwillorcodicilref
erring
tothepreviouswill
o noneedtoreproducetheprovisionsof

thepriorwillinthesubsequent
instrument
ART.837.If
af
termakingawill,
thetestatormakesa
secondwillexpressly
revokingthefirst,
therevocation
of
thesecondwilldoesnotrevivethefirstwill,
which
canberevivedonly
by
anotherwillorcodicil.
Explanation—
‐therevocationof
asecondwill(revokingafirst
will)by
athirdwilldoesnotrevivethefirstwill
o therevocatory
clauseof
arevokedwill
(secondwill)remainseffective
(becausethirdwillrevokingsecond
willdoesnotrevivefirstwill)
BalaneNotes:
‐thisarticleisbasedonthetheory
of
instant
revocation,
whichisinconsistentwiththe
principlethatwillstakeeffectmortiscausa
‐arevocatory
will,
asinevery
will,
inorderto
haveeffectmustbeprobated;
butasecondwill
revokingthefirst,
whichsecondwillhasalready
 provisions)of
willispassedupon
beenrevoked,
mustbesubmittedtocourtf
or
probate?
 Onceadecreeof
probatebecomesfinal,
itisres
ART.837doesnotapply
incaseof
impliedrevocation
(i.e.thearticleonly
appliesif
revocationof
thefirst
willby
thesecondwillisexpress)—
‐therevocationof
asecondwill(revokingafirst
will)by
athirdwillwouldrevivethefirstwill,
 testatordied,
willadmittedtoprobate.Probatedecree
UNLESSthethirdwillisitself
inconsistentwith
thefirst
EXCEPTION
‐if
thesecondwillisholographicandisrevoked
by
phy
sicaldestruction
o becauseitcannotbeprobated,
unlessa
copy
survives
Subsection 8 –
 Allowance and Disallowance of
 Wills
ART.838.Nowillshallpasseitherrealorpersonal
property
unlessitisprovedandallowedinaccordance
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
withtheRulesof
Court.
Thetestatorhimself
may
,
duringhislif
etime,
petition
thecourthavingjurisdictionf
ortheallowanceof
his
will.Insuchcase,
thepertinentprovisionsof
theRules
of
Courtf
ortheallowanceof
willsaf
terthetestator’s
deathshallgovern.
TheSupremeCourtshallf
ormulatesuchadditional
Rulesof
Courtasmay
benecessary
f
ortheallowanceof

willsonpetitionof
thetestator.
Subjecttotherightof
appeal,
theallowanceof
thewill,

eitherduringthelif
etimeof
thetestatororaf
terhis
death,
shallbeconclusiveastoitsdueexecution.
Probate,
defined
‐ajudicialprocesstodeterminethedueexecution
(f
ormalorextrinsicvalidity
)of
awill
Probateof
awill,
mandatory

Guevarav.Guevara(1943)
Facts:Testatorexecutedawillwhichwasnever
presentedtocourtf
orprobate.Respondentsoughtto
recoveraparcelof
landsoldtopetitioner,
claimingthat
saidlandwaspartof
herlegitime.Tosupportherclaim,

respondentpresentedthewillbef
orethecourttoprove
thatshewasacknowledgedby
testatorashisnatural
child,
andonly
f
orthatpurpose(i.e.notf
orprobate).
Respondentclaimedtobeanintestateandcompulsory

heirof
decedent.
H
eld:Thattheprocedureadoptedby
respondentcannot
besanctionedbecausepresentationof
willtocourtf
or
probateismandatory
,
anditsallowanceessentialand
indispensablef
oritsefficacy
.
Twostagesof
settlementof
estate
‐probateof
will
o f
ormalvalidity
isdetermined
‐settlementproper
o substantivevalidity
(i.e.efficacy
of

judicata
DelaCernav.Potot(196
4)
Facts:Jointwillexecutedby
testatorandtestatrix.When
becamefinal.Later,
samewillsubmittedtocourtf
or
probatewhentestatrixdied.Probatecourtdeniedprobate
(thesecondtime)becausejointwillsarevoid.
H
eld:Thattheadmissionof
ajointwilltoprobateisan
errorof
lawwhichshouldhavebeencorrectedby
appeal,

butwhichdidnotaffectthejurisdictionof
theprobate
court,
northeconclusiveeffectof
itsfinaldecision.That
sincetheprobatecourt(duringthefirstprobate)has
spokenwithfinality
whenitadmittedthejointwillto
probate,
thefinaldecreeof
probatehasconclusiveeffect
astotestator’swill.
Page 16
 of
 73
Scopeof
finaldecreeof
probate:
GENERALRULE:Conclusiveastodueexecution(i.e.
extrinsicorf
ormalvalidity
only
)
Gallanosav.Arcangel(1978)
Facts:Legalheirsof
testatorfiledanactionf
orannulment
of
testator’sduly
probatedwill.Ground:f
raudinthe
executionandsimulation.Testamentary
heirsopposed.
Lowercourtannulledprobatedwill.
H
eld:Thatprocedurallawsdonotsanctionanactionf
or
the“annulment”of
awill.Thatdecreeof
probateof
willis
conclusiveastoitsdueexecutionorf
ormalvalidity
.That
admissionof
willtoprobatemeansthatthetestatorwas
of
soundanddisposingmind;
thathisconsentwasnot
vitiated;
thatthewillwassignedby
himinthe
presenceof
therequirednumberof
witnesses;
and
thatthewillisgenuine.Thatthesef
actscannotagainbe
questionedinasubsequentproceeding,
notevenina
criminalactionf
orf
orgery
of
will.Thattrialjudgegravely
 (ART.805to806
).Thatthereisf
aithf
ulcompliancewith
abusedhisdiscretioninannullingduly
probatedwill.
Whatf
ormalvalidity
encompasses(Dorotheov.CA
[1999])
‐whetherthewillsubmittedisindeedthe
decedent’slastwillandtestament
‐compliancewiththeprescribedf
ormalitiesf
or
theexecutionof
wills
‐testamentary
capacity
 compliedwith;
‐dueexecutionof
thewill
Dueexecutionmeans:
‐thetestator’ssoundanddisposingmind
‐f
reedomf
romvitiatingf
actors(duress,
menace,
 (3)If
itwasexecutedthroughf
orceorunderduress,
or
undueinfluence)
‐willgenuine,
notf
orgery

‐propertestamentary
age
‐thetestatorisnotexpressly
prohibitedby
law
f
rommakingawill
Anotherway
of
definingthescopeof
afinaldecreeof
 (5)If
thesignatureof
thetestatorwasprocuredby
probateistoref
ertoART.839,
inf
ra—
‐objectiontoawillonany
of
thegrounds
enumeratedinthatarticleisf
oreclosedby
afinal
decreeof
probate
EXCEPTION:Adecreeof
probatedoesnotconcern
itself
withthequestionof
intrinsicvalidity
,
andthe
probatecourtshouldnotpassuponthatissue,
except
if
onitsf
acethewillappearstobeintrinsically
void
Nepomucenov.CA(1985)
Facts:Testatordevisedentiref
reeportiontokabit.
Testatornotedinhiswillthathecouldnotmarry
kabit
becausehewaslegally
marriedtosomeoneelse.Kabit
presentedwilltocourtf
orprobate.Legalwif
eopposed.
Probatedenied:thewillwasinvalidonitsf
acebecauseof
 ART.839arepresent
prohibiteddisposition.Appellatecourtreversed:willvalid
exceptthatdeviseinf
avorof
kabitisnullandvoid,
per
ART.739inrelationwithART.1028of
theCivilCode.
H
eld:Thatwhilethegeneralruleisthatinprobate
proceedingsthecourt’sareaof
inquiry
islimitedtoan
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
examinationandresolutionof
theextrinsicvalidity
of
the
will,
thegeneralruleisnotinflexibleandabsolute,
f
or
probatecourtnotpowerlesstopassuponcertain
provisionsof
will.Thatprobateof
awillmightbecomean
idleceremony
if
onitsf
aceitappearstobeintrinsically

void.Thatadonationcannotbegivenbetweenpersons
livinginadultery
orconcubinage,
inwhichcasedonation
isvoid.Thatthisrulealsoappliestotestamentary

dispositions.Thattheref
orethetestamentary
disposition
inf
avorof
kabitisvoid.
Baltaz
arv.Laxa(2012)
Facts:Willof
thetestatrixpresentedtocourtf
orprobate.
Opposition:thoseenumeratedinART.839,
inf
ra).
H
eld:Thatcourtsareonly
taskedtopassuponthe
extrinsicvalidity
of
willinprobateproceedings.Thatdue
executionof
willoritsextrinsicvalidity
pertainsto
whethertestator,
beingof
soundmind,
f
reely
executed
willinaccordancewithf
ormalitiesprescribedby
law
f
ormalitieslaiddownby
lawapparentf
romf
aceof
will.
Thatcontestantsf
ailedtosubstantiatetheirallegations,

henceprobateof
willmustbeallowed.
ART.839.Thewillshallbedisallowedinany
of
the
f
ollowingcases:
(1)If
thef
ormalitiesrequiredby
lawhavenotbeen


(2)If
thetestatorwasinsane,
orotherwisementally

incapableof
makingawill,
atthetimeof
itsexecution;

theinfluenceof
f
ear,
orthreats;

(4)If
itwasprocuredby
undueandimproperpressure
andinfluence,
onthepartof
thebeneficiary
orof
some
otherperson;



f
raud;

(6
)If
thetestatoractedby
mistakeordidnotintend
thattheinstrumenthesignedshouldbehiswillatthe
timeof
affixinghissignaturethereto.
Groundsf
ordisallowanceof
awilllistedinART.839,

exclusive
‐afinalprobatedecreef
oreclosesany
subsequent
challengeonany
of
themattersenumeratedin
thisarticle
‐if
any
of
thesegroundsf
ordisallowanceis
proved,
thewillshallbesetasideasvoid
o awilliseithervalidorvoid(nosuch
thingasavoidablewill)
VALID–
if
noneof
def
ectsin
VOID–
if
any
oneof
the
def
ectsispresent
ReART.839(1)—
‐SeeART.804to814,
818to819,
and820to
821
Page 17 of
 73

ReART.839(2)—
‐cf
.ART.796
to803
ReART.839(3)—
‐f
orce(violence),
asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.
1335)
‐duress(intimidation),
asdefinedincontractlaw
(ART.1335)
ReART.839(4)—
‐undueorimproperpressureorinfluence(undue
influence),
asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.
1337)
ReART.839(5)—
‐f
raud,
asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.1338)
ReART.839(6
)—
‐mistake,
asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.1331)
Section 2 –
 Institution of
 H
eir
ART.840.Institutionof
heirisanactby
virtueof
which
atestatordesignatesinhiswillthepersonorpersons
whoaretosucceedhiminhisproperty
and
transmissiblerightsandobligations.
Notes:
‐rulesoninstitutionof
heirapply
alsoto
institutionof
deviseesandlegatees
‐willsaref
orinstitutionof
heirs
ART.841.Awillshallbevalideventhoughitshouldnot
containaninstitutionof
anheir,
orsuchinstitution
shouldnotcomprisetheentireestate,
andeventhough
thepersonsoinstitutedshouldnotacceptthe
inheritanceorshouldbeincapacitatedtosucceed.
Insuchcasesthetestamentary
dispositionsmadein
accordancewithlawshallbecompliedwithandthe
remainderof
theestateshallpasstothelegalheirs.
Notes:
‐cf
.Seangiov.Rey
es(2006
)
o involvingawillwithouttestamentary

dispositions(disinheritance)
‐if
heir,
legatee,
ordeviseedoesnotacceptoris
incapacitated
o intestacy
astothatpartresults
ART.842.Onewhohasnocompulsory
heirsmay
 prof
essor”
disposeby
willof
allhisestateorany
partof
itinf
avor
of
any
personhavingcapacity
tosucceed.
Onewhohascompulsory
heirsmay
disposeof
hisestate
providedhedoesnotcontravenetheprovisionsof
this
Codewithregardtothelegitimeof
saidheirs.
Evenif
willdoesnotcontainany
testamentary
 If
ambiguity
cannotberesolved—
disposition—
‐itwillbef
ormally
validprovideditcomplieswith
allthef
ormalrequisites
H
owmuchcanbedisposedof
by
will—
‐if
testatorhasnocompulsory
heirs:
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
o theentirehereditary
estate
‐ if
testatorhascompulsory
heirs:
o thedisposableportion(i.e.thenet
hereditary
estateminusthelegitimes)
If
testatordisposesby
willof
lessthanheisallowed
whetherornotheleavescompulsory
heirs—
‐mixedsuccessionresults
o testamentary
successionastothatpart
disposedof
by
will,
and
o intestatesuccessionastothatpartnot
disposedof
by
will
o (legitimespassby
strictoperationof

law)
ART.843.Thetestatorshalldesignatetheheirby
his
nameandsurname,
andwhentherearetwopersons
havingthesamenames,
heshallindicatesome
circumstanceby
whichtheinstitutedheirmay
be
known.
Eventhoughthetestatormay
haveomittedthenameof

theheir,
shouldhedesignatehiminsuchmannerthat
therecanbenodoubtastowhohasbeeninstituted,
the
institutionshallbevalid.
ART.844.Anerrorinthename,
surname,
or
circumstancesof
theheirshallnotvitiatetheinstitution
whenitispossible,
inany
othermanner,
toknowwith
certainty
thepersoninstituted.
If
,
amongpersonshavingthesamenamesand
surnames,
thereisasimilarity
of
circumstancesinsuch
away
that,
evenwiththeuseof
otherproof
,
theperson
institutedcannotbeidentified,
noneof
themshallbean
heir.
Requirementf
ordesignationof
heir
‐thattheheir,
legatee,
ordeviseemustbe
identifiedinthewillwithsufficientclarity
to
leavenodoubtastothetestator’sintention
Designationof
nameandsurnameisdirectory

‐whatismandatory
isthattheidentity
of
the
heirs,
legatees,
ordeviseesmustbesufficiently

established(usually
,
by
givingthenameand
surname,
butthereareotherway
s)
Otherway
sof
establishingidentity
of
heir,
devisee,
or
legacy

‐“Idesignateasheirtoone‐eighthof
my
estate
my
eldestfirstcousin”
‐“Idevisemy
lechonparlortomy
CivilProcedure
If
thereisany
ambiguity
inthedesignation,
the
ambiguity
mustberesolvedinaccordancewithART.
789
‐i.e.by
evidencealiunde,
excludingoral
declarationsof
thetestator
‐testator’sintentbecomesunascertainable
o intestacy
theref
oreastothatportion
results
Page 18 of
 73
ART.845.Every
dispositioninf
avorof
anunknown
personshallbevoid,
unlessby
someeventor
circumstancehisidentity
becomescertain.H
owever,
a
dispositioninf
avorof
adefiniteclassorgroupof
 thosecollectively
designatedshallbeconsideredas
personsshallbevalid.
Unknownperson
‐ref
erstoasuccessorwhoseidentity
cannotbe
determinedbecausethedesignationinthewillis
sounclearorsoambiguousastobeincapableof
 presumptionthattheheirscollectively
ref
erred
resolution
‐thisdoesnotref
ertoonewithwhomthetestator
isnotpersonally
acquainted
‐testatormay
institutesomebody
whoisaperf
ect
strangertohim,
providedtheidentity
isclear
Illustrationsof
asuccessorwhoseidentity
cannotbe
determined
‐“Idesignateasheirtoone‐f
ourthof
my
estatea
fictionwriter”
‐“Igiveone‐thirdof
my
estatetosomeonewho
cares”
Illustrationof
adesignationof
anunknownperson
whoseidentity
,
“by
someeventorcircumstance”
becomescertain
‐“Idesignateasheirtoone‐f
ourthof
my
estate,

whoevertopsthebarthey
earaf
termy
death”
Illustrationof
adispositioninf
avorof
adefiniteclass
orgroupof
persons
‐“Iinstituteasheirtotheentiref
reeportionof

my
estate,
thepoor”
ART.846
.H
eirsinstitutedwithoutdesignationof

sharesshallinheritinequalparts.
Generalpresumptionincasesof
collective
designation—
‐EQUALITY
‐if
testatorintendsanunequalapportionment,
he
shouldsospecif
y
 o proportionof
2:1betweenf
ull‐and
ART.846
appliesonly
totestamentary
heirsassuch
(ordeviseesorlegatees),
andNOTtoanheirwhois
bothacompulsory
andatestamentary
heir(because
theheirwillgethislegitimeandhistestamentary
 ART.848seemstoapply
eventoillegitimatebrothers
share)
Toillustrate—
‐atestatorinstituteshisson,
hisf
riend,
andhis
cousinastestamentary
heirs
o sonwillgethislegitimeplushis
testamentary
share
o f
riendandcousineachgetanequal
share
o son’stestamentary
shareisequalto
eachof
f
riend’sandcousin’s
testamentary
share
songetsmore(legitimeplus
testamentary
share)
Notexplicitly
coveredby
ART.846
isasituationwhere
thesharesof
someof
theheirsaredesignatedand
thoseof
othersarenot
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
ART.847.Whenthetestatorinstitutessomeheirs
individually
andotherscollectively
aswhenhesay
s,
“I
designateasmy
heirsAandB,
andthechildrenof
C,
”
individually
instituted,
unlessitclearly
appearsthatthe
intentionof
thetestatorwasotherwise.
Equality
andindividuality
of
designation
‐inaddition,
thisarticleestablishesthe
toaredesignatedpercapitaalongwiththose
separately
designated
‐if
testatorintendsablockdesignation,
hemust
sospecif
y

Illustration
‐“IdesignateasheirsMrs.ShoalH
alimawis,
her
daughterMs.CeraH
alimawis,
andBlockA2015
of
thePUPCollegeof
Law”(BlockA2015
composedof
20people;
testatordiedsingleand
withoutlegitimateissue)
o Mrs.Shoal,
Ms.Cera,
andthe20people
of
BlockA2015wouldbeconsideredas
individually
instituted
eachwouldreceive1/22of

theestate
ART.848.If
thetestatorshouldinstitutehisbrothers
andsisters,
andhehassomeof
f
ullbloodandothersof

half
blood,
theinheritanceshallbedistributedequally

unlessadifferentintentionappears.
Again,
EQUALITYof
shares
‐if
testatorintendsotherwise,
hemustsospecif
y

Thisarticleappliestotestamentary
successiononly

‐intestamentary
succession
o equality
of
sharesof
f
ull‐andhalf
‐blood
brothersandsisters,
unlessthetestator
providesotherwise
‐inintestatesuccession
half
‐bloodbrothersandsisters(ART.
1006
)andonly
if
thedisqualificationin
ART.992doesnotapply

andsisters,
incaseswherethetestatorisof
legitimate
status,
andviceversa
‐thearticlemakesnodistinction
‐ubilexnondistinguit,
necnosdistinguere
debemus
ART.849.Whenthetestatorcallstothesuccessiona
personandhischildren,
they
arealldeemedtohave
beeninstitutedsimultaneously
andnotsuccessively
.
Note:
‐equality
andindividuality
ruleagain
ART.850.Thestatementof
af
alsecausef
orthe
institutionof
anheirshallbeconsideredasnotwritten,

unlessitappearsf
romthewillthatthetestatorwould
nothavemadesuchinstitutionif
hehadknownthe
f
alsity
of
suchcause.
Page 19 of
 73
Note: institutedheirsshouldbecomesoleheirstothewhole
‐ truthorf
alsity
of
causeisimmaterialbecausethe estate,
orthewholef
reeportion,
asthecasemay
be,

basisof
institution,
likedonation,
isliberality
 andeachof
themhasbeeninstitutedtoanaliquotpart
of
theinheritanceandtheiraliquotpartstogetherdo
GeneralRule:Falsity
of
statedcausef
ortestamentary
 notcoverthewholeinheritance,
orthewholef
ree
dispositiondoesnotaffectvalidity
orefficacy
of
 portion,
eachpartshallbeincreasedproportionally
.
institution
‐reason:testamentary
dispositionsareultimately
 ART.853.If
eachof
theinstitutedheirshasbeengiven
basedonliberality
 analiquotpartof
theinheritance,
andthepartstogether
exceedthewholeinheritance,
orthewholef
reeportion,

Exception:Falsity
of
statedcausef
orinstitutionwill asthecasemay
be,
eachpartshallbereduced
setasideorannultheinstitutionif
certainf
actorsare proportionally
.
present
‐thef
actors/requisites(Austriav.Rey
es[1970]) ElementscommontobothART.852and853
o thecausef
ortheinstitutionmustbe ‐therearemorethanoneinstitutedheir
statedinthewill ‐thetestatorintendedthemtogetthewhole
o thecausemustbeshowntobef
alse estateorthewholedisposableportion
o itmustappearf
romthef
aceof
thewill ‐thetestatorhasdesignatedadefiniteportionf
or
thatthetestatorwouldnothavemade eachheir
suchinstitutionif
hehadknownthe
f
alsity
of
thecause InART.852—
‐totalof
allportionsislessthanthewholeestate
Austriav.Rey
es(1970) (orf
reeportion)
o theref
ore,
aproportionateincreaseis
Facts:Testatrixinstitutedasheirsherlegally
adopted necessary

children.Antemortemprobateof
willallowed.Opposition o differencecannotpassby
intestacy

topartitionof
estate:entireestateshoulddescendto becausetheintentionof
thetestatoris
contestantsby
intestacy
becauseof
intrinsicnullity
of
 clear—togivetheinstitutedheirsthe
institutionof
heirs(theory
of
f
alseadoption);
that entireamount
testatrixwasledintobelievingthatinstitutedheirs
entitledtolegitimesascompulsory
heirs,
asevidencedby
 InART.853—
heruseof
thephrase“sapilitangmana.” ‐thetotalexceedsthewholeestate(orf
ree
portion)
H
eld:Thatrequisitesf
orannulment(seef
actors o theref
ore,
aproportionatereduction
enumeratedintheExceptionabove)of
institutionof
heirs mustbemade
basedonf
alsecausenotpresent.Thattherewasnoteven
acausef
orinstitutionstatedinwill.Thattestatrix’suseof
 Illustrationsof
ART.852:
phrase“sapilitangmana”probably
meansthatshe ‐Xdieswithoutany
compulsory
heirsbutleavesa
approvedof
sy
stemof
legitimes. will:“IinstituteA,
B,
andCtomy
entireestatein
thef
ollowingproportions:A–
1/2,
B–
1/3.C–

CorrelateART.850(annullingf
actor:f
alsity
)with 1/8.”TheestateisvaluedatP6
00,
000atthetime
ART.1028inrelationtoART.739(annullingf
actor: of
X’sdeath.
illegality
) o thetotalof
thespecifiedportionsis
only
23/24
ART.851.If
thetestatorhasinstitutedonly
oneheir,
 o totalof
proportions:575,
000
andtheinstitutionislimitedtoanaliquotpartof
the A=
300,
000(1/2or12/24of

inheritance,
legalsuccessiontakesplacewithrespectto 6
00,
000)
theremainderof
theestate. B=
200,
000(1/3or8/24)
C=
75,
000(1/8or3/24)
Thesameruleapplies,
if
thetestatorhasinstituted o tofindA’sincreasedshare(x):
severalheirseachbeinglimitedtoanaliquotpart,
and
allthepartsdonotcoverthewholeinheritance. SOLUTION1:
x=
300,
000_
Wordingof
ART.851,
erroneous 6
00,
000575,
000
‐legalsuccessiondoesnottakeplacewithrespect
totheremainderof
theestate,
buttothe 575x=
180,
000,
000_
remainderof
thedisposableportion 575575
o theremay
becompulsory
heirswhose
legitimeswillcoverpartof
theestate x=
313,
043.48
o thelegitimesdonotpassby
legalor
intestatesuccession SOLUTION2:
Aisentitledto12/24
ART.851statesexactly
thesamerulelaiddownin Bisentitledto8/24
ART.841 Cisentitledto3/24
Total:23/24
ART.852.If
itwastheintentionof
thetestatorthatthe

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 20 of
 73
 Ratioof
12:8:3=
23 SOLUTION2:
Aisentitledto6
/24
So: Bisentitledto3/24
Cisentitledto2/24
12=
x_____ Total:11/24
236
00,
000
Ratioof
6
:3:2=
11
23x=
7,
200,
000__
2323 So:

x=
313,
043.48 6
=
x_____
11300,
000
o findB’sincreasedshareusingany
of

thesolutionspresentedabove(y
ou 11x=
1,
800,
000__
may
alsousey
ourowndevisedsolution 1111
andshareitwiththeclass);
y
our
answermustbe208,
6
95.6
5 x=
16
3,
6
36
.36


o findB’sincreasedshare;
y
ouranswer
mustbe81,
818.19

o findC’sincreasedshare;
y
ouranswer
mustbe78,
26
0.87

o findC’sincreasedshare;
y
ouranswer
mustbe54,
545.45

o nowaddA’s,
B’s,
andC’sincreased
shares;
totalmustbe6
00,
000

‐ XdieswithY(alegitimatechild)ashisonly

compulsory
heir.Xleavesawill:“IgiveA,
B,
and o nowaddA’s,
B’s,
andC’sincreased
Ctheentiref
reeportionof
my
estate,
suchthatA shares;
thetotalmustbe300,
000(Yis
gets1/4,
Bgets1/8,
andCgets1/2of
saidf
ree entitledto300,
000,
hislegitime)
portion.”X’snetestateisworthP6
00,
000.
o thetotalof
thespecifiedportionsis Illustrationsof
ART.853:
only
11/24 ‐Xdieswithoutany
compulsory
heirsbutleavesa
o totalof
proportions:275,
000 will:“IinstituteA,
B,
andCtomy
entireestate.A
A=
150,
000(1/4or6
/24of
 istoget1/2,
Bistoget1/3,
andCistoget1/4
6
00,
000) thereof
.”X’snetestateisvaluedatP6
00,
000at
B=
75,
000(1/8or3/24) thetimeof
hisdeath.
C=
50,
000(1/12or2/24) o thetotalof
thespecifiedportionsis
o NOTE:thef
reeportionisonly
1/2of
 13/12
theestate,
i.e.half
of
6
00,
000oronly
 o totalproportions:6
50,
000
300,
000 A=
300,
000(1/2or6
/12of

asthetotallegaciesgiventoA,
 6
00,
000)
B,
andCisonly
275,
000 B=
200,
000(1/3or4/12)
(25,
000shortof
300,
000) C=
150,
000(1/4or3/12)
theirsharesneedtobe o tofindA’sreducedshare(x):
proportionately
increased
SOLUTION1:
x=
300,
000__
6
00,
0006
50,
000
SOLUTION1:
x=
150,
000__ 6
50x=
180,
000,
000_
300,
000275,
000 6
506
50

275x=
45,
000,
000_ x=
276
,
923.08
275275
SOLUTION2:
x=
16
3,
6
36
.36


SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 21 of
 73
 Aisentitledto6
/12
Bisentitledto4/12 325x=
45,
000,
000_
Cisentitledto3/12 325325
Total:13/12
x=
138,
46
1.54
Ratioof
6
:4:3=
13
SOLUTION2:
Aisentitledto6
/24
So: Bisentitledto4/24
Cisentitledto3/24
6
=
_x_____ Total:13/24
136
00,
000
Ratioof
6
:4:3=
13
13x=
3,
6
00,
000__
1313
So:
x=
276
,
923.08
6
=
x_____
o findB’sreducedshare;
y
ouranswer 13300,
000
mustbe184,
6
15.38
13x=
1,
800,
000__
13 13

x=
138,
46
1.54

o findB’sreducedshare;
y
ouranswer
mustbe92,
307.6
9

o findC’sreducedshare;
y
ouranswer
mustbe138,
46
1.54

o findC’sreducedshare;
y
ouranswer
mustbe6
9,
230.77
o nowaddA’s,
B’s,
andC’sreduced
shares;
thetotalmustnowbe6
00,
000

‐ XdieswithY(alegitimatechild)ashisonly

compulsory
heir.Xleavesawill:“IgiveA,
B,
and
Ctheentiredisposableportionof
my
estate,
such
thatAistoget1/4of
theestate,
Bistoget1/6
of

my
estate,
andCistoget1/8of
my
estate.”X’s nowaddA’s,
B’s,
andC’sreduced
o
netestateisworthP6
00,
000. shares;
thetotalmustnowbe300,
000
o thetotalof
thespecifiedportionsis (Yisentitledto300,
000,
hislegitime)
13/24(morethan1/2or12/24
availableasdisposable) ART.854.Thepreteritionoromissionof
one,
some,
or
o totalof
proportions:325,
000 allof
thecompulsory
heirsinthedirectline,
whether
A=
150,
000(1/4or6
/24of
 livingatthetimeof
theexecutionof
thewillorborn
6
00,
000) af
terthedeathof
thetestator,
shallannultheinstitution
B=
100,
000(1/6
or4/24) of
heir;
butthedevisesandlegaciesshallbevalid
C=
75,
000(1/8or3/24) insof
arasthey
arenotinofficious.
o NOTE:thef
reeportionisonly
1/2of

theestate,
i.e.half
of
6
00,
000oronly
 If
theomittedcompulsory
heirsshoulddiebef
orethe
300,
000 testator,
theinstitutionshallbeeffectual,
without
asthetotallegaciesgiventoA,
 prejudicetotherightof
representation.
B,
andCis325,
000(25,
000in
excessof
the300,
000 Preterition(omission)insum:
disposableportion)their ‐omissionf
romwhat?

sharesneedtobe o f
rominheritance,
NOTf
romthewill
proportionately
decreased (“totalomissionintheinheritance”)
‐whocanbepreterited?

o compulsory
heirsinthedirectline
‐whatistheeffectof
preterition?

SOLUTION1:
x=
150,
000__
300,
000325,
000

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 22 of
 73
 o annulstheinstitutionof
heirbut
respectslegaciesanddevisesinsof
aras
thesedonotimpairthelegitimes
Thef
ollowingcasesdoNOTconstitutepreterition:*
‐if
theheirinquestionisinstitutedinthewillbut
theportiongiventohimby
thewillislessthan
hislegitime(Rey
esv.BarrettoDatu[196
7])
‐if
theheirisgivenalegacy
ordevise(Az
narv.
Duncan[196
6
])
‐if
theheirhadreceivedadonationintervivos
f
romthetestator
o donationintervivosisconsideredasan
advanceonthelegitime(cf
.ART.906
,
 thiscase,
therecanbenopreterition.
909,
910,
and106
2)
‐if
theheirisnotmentionedinthewillnorwasa
recipientof
adonationintervivosf
romthe
testator,
butnotallof
theestateisdisposedof
by
 ‐testamentary
succession
will
o theomittedheirwouldreceive
somethingby
intestacy
f
romthevacant
portion(notdisposedof
by
will)
*inallthesecases,
theremedy
of
thecompulsory
heir,
if
 (inthesenseof
notbeingmention)inthewillbut
thevalueof
whathereceivedislessthanhislegitime,
isto
demandcompletionof
thesame(ART.906
and907)
Rey
esv.BarrettoDatu(196
7)
Facts:Testatorinstitutedasheirshistwodaughters,
 disinheritedoneof
hiscompulsory
heirs(Alf
redo,
SaludandMilagros.Later,
itturnedoutthatSaludwasnot
thetestator’sdaughterby
hiswif
e.Milagrosclaimedthat
Saludnotentitledtoany
shareinherf
ather’sestate.
H
eld:ThatwhiletheshareassignedtoSaludimpingedon
thelegitimeof
Milagros,
Saluddidnotf
orthatreason
ceasetobeatestamentary
heir.Thattherewasno
preteritionortotalomissionof
af
orcedheir(Milagros)
despitethef
actthatMilagroswasallottedinherf
ather’s
willasharesmallerthanherlegitime.Thatsuchallotment
didnotinvalidatetheinstitutionof
heir(Salud).
BalaneComments:
‐inRey
es:(a)therewasacompulsory
heir
[Milagros];
(b)suchheirwasinstitutedinthe
will;
(c)thetestamentary
dispositiongivento
suchheirwaslessthanherlegitime
o therewasNOPRETERITION
o reason:therewasNOTOTAL
OMISSIONinasmuchastheheir
receivedsomethingf
romthe
inheritance
o remedy
of
compulsory
heirwho
receivedlessthanhislegitime:
completionorsatisf
actionof
 IAC[1987])
legitime(ART.906
and907)
Az
narv.Duncan(196
6
)
Facts:Testatorinstitutedasheirhisacknowledged
naturaldaughter,
Lucy
Duncan.H
elenGarcia,
another
naturaldaughterof
testatorwhohoweverwasnot
acknowledged,
complainedthatshehadbeenpreterited.
H
elenGarciawasgivenonly
alegacy
of
3,
6
00pesos.
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
H
eld:ThattherewasnopreteritionbecauseH
elenGarcia,

acompulsory
heir,
wasnotentirely
omittedf
romthe
inheritanceasinf
actshereceivedalegacy
.ThatH
elen
Garcia’sremedy
istohaveherlegitimesatisfied.
H
eirsof
Uretav.H
eirsof
Ureta(2011)
Facts:H
eirsof
Policronioarguedthatthey
hadbeen
preteritedbecausethey
weredeprivedof
ashareinthe
estateof
theirlatef
ather.
H
eld:Thatpreteritionisaconceptof
testamentary

successionandthatwheredecedentleavesnowill,
asin
Thereispreteritonif
acompulsory
heirreceived
nothingf
romthetestatorby
way
of
:
‐legacy
ordevise
‐donationintervivos
‐intestacy

Whatconstitutespreteritionisnotomission
beingcompletely
lef
toutof
theinheritance
Seangiov.Rey
es(2006
)
Facts:Testatorexecutedaholographicwillwhereinhe


testator’sson).Virginia’snamementionedinthe
holographicwill.
H
eld:Thattherewasnopreteritionbecauseitwas
testator’sintentiontobequeathhisestatetoallhis
compulsory
heirsexceptAlf
redo.Thattestatordidnot
instituteanheirtotheexclusionof
othercompulsory

heirs.Thatmerementionof
Virginia’snamedidnot
instituteherasuniversalheirbutamerewitnessto
Alf
redo’smaltreatmentof
testator.
Whoareincludedwithinthetermsof
ART.854
‐acompulsory
heirinthedirectline,
“whether
livingatthetimeof
theexecutionof
thewillor
bornaf
terthedeathof
thetestator”
o butquasi‐posthumouschildrenalso
included
thosebornaf
tertheexecution
of
thewillbutbef
orethe
testator’sdeath
Compulsory
heirsinthedirectline—
‐childrenordescendants*
o includingadoptedchildren(Acainv.
‐parentsorascendants(indef
aultof
childrenor
descendants)*
*legitimateorillegitimate;
thelawdoesnotdistinguish
(Manresa)
SurvivingspouseisNOTacompulsory
heirinthe
directline
‐whileacompulsory
heir,
heisNOTinthedirect
line(Balanay
v.Martinez
,
Acainv.IAC)
‐meaningof
directline(ART.96
4,
par.2)
Page 23 of
 73
 o “adirectlineisthatconstitutedby
the
seriesof
degreesamongascendants
anddescendants”
Predeceaseof
preteritedcompulsory
heir(par.2,

ART.854)
‐thedeterminationof
whetherornotthereare
preteritedheirscanbemadeonly
uponthe
testator’sdeath
‐if
thepreteritedheirpredeceases(oris
unworthy
tosucceed)thetestator,
preterition
becomesmoot
o BUTif
thereisadescendantof
thatheir
whoishimself
preterited,
thenthe
effectsof
preteritionwillarise
o toillustrate—
if
atestator(X)makesawill
whichresultsinthe
preteritionof
oneof
histwo
sons(A);
Apredeceaseshis
f
atherXbutAleavesason(A‐
1);
ART.854applies(i.e.A‐1
ispreteritedbecausehe
succeedsXby
representation
of
hisf
atherA,
thesonof
X)
Adoptedchildren—
Acainv.IAC(1987)
Facts:Widowandlegally
adoptedchildof
testator
opposedprobateof
testator’swill:they
hadbeen
preterited.Willhadnolegaciesordevises.
H
eld:Thatwidownotpreteritedbecausesheisnota
compulsory
heirinthedirectline;
butlegally
adopted
child,
preterited.Thatadoptiongivestoadoptedperson
samerightsanddutiesasif
hewerelegitimatechildof
 completionof
legitime(dealtwithindetailinART.
adopterandmakesadoptedpersonalegalheirof
adopter.
Thatwillistotally
abrogated.
Effectof
preterition
‐annulmentof
theinstitutionof
heir,
but
‐validity
of
legaciesanddevisestotheextentthat
thesedonotimpairlegitimes(totheextentof
 testamentary
heirs,
includingdeviseesand
thef
reeportion;
legaciesanddevisesmerely
to
bereducedif
legitimesareimpaired)
o preteritionistheonly
instancewhere
distinctionbetweenheirsandlegatees
/deviseesisrelevant
if
willcontainsonly
 Acompulsory
heirwhodiesbef
orethetestator,
a
institutionsof
heirsandthere
ispreterition—totalintestacy
 renouncestheinheritance,
shalltransmitnorighttohis
results
Meaningof
annulmentof
institutionof
heir:
Nuguidv.Nuguid(196
6
)
Facts:Testatrixdiedwithoutdescendants.Testatrix
institutedinherwillhersisterassoleheir.Testatrix’s
parentsopposedprobate:thatthey
hadbeenpreterited.
H
eld:Thattestatrix’sparents(f
orcedheirsinthedirect
ascendingline)hadbeenpreterited,
aswillcompletely
 ‐anheir(whethercompulsory
,
voluntary
or
omitsbothof
them.Thattheword“annul”meansto
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
abrogate,
tomakevoid,
toreducetonothing,
toannihilate,

toobliterate,
toblotout,
tomakevoidorof
noeffect,
to
nullif
y
,
toabolish.Thatinstitutionof
testatrix’ssisteras
soleherisannulled.
Preteritioncontraineffectivedisinheritance
‐preteritionisthetotalomissionf
romthe
inheritance,
withouttheheirbeingexpressly

disinherited
o impliedbasis:inadvertentomissionby

thetestator
soif
testatorexplicitly

disinheritstheheir,
ART.854
willnotapply

‐if
thedisinheritanceisineffectivef
orabsenceof

oneorotherof
therequisitesf
oravalid
disinheritance—
o theheirissimply
entitledtodemand
hisrightf
ulshare
ART.855.Theshareof
achildordescendantomittedin
awillmustfirstbetakenf
romthepartof
theestatenot
disposedof
by
will,
if
any
;
if
thatisnotsufficient,
so
muchasmay
benecessary
mustbetakenproportionally

f
romthesharesof
theothercompulsory
heirs.
Properapplicationof
ART.855—
‐whereacompulsory
heirisnotpreteritedbut
lef
tsomething(becausenotalltheestateis
disposedof
by
will)lessthanhislegitime
H
owtofillupacompulsory
heir’simpairedlegitime:
‐f
romthevacantportion
‐f
romthesharesof
thetestamentary
heirs,

legatees,
anddevises,
proportionally

ART.855issuperfluousbecauseisspeaksof

907,
etseq.)
ART.855isinaccurate
‐coverageshouldbeallcompulsory
heirs,
notjust
childrenordescendants
‐proportionatereductionmustbeborneby

legatees,
andNOTby
thecompulsory
heirs
ART.856
.Avoluntary
heirwhodiesbef
orethetestator
transmitsnothingtohisheirs.
personincapacitatedtosucceed,
andonewho
ownheirsexceptincasesexpressly
providedf
orinthis
Code.
Righttosucceedcannotbetransmitted—itisapurely

personalright
Representation
‐representativeisraisedtothelevelof
theperson
represented
Completestatementof
therule:
testamentary
,
orlegal)transmitsnothingtohis
Page 24 of
 73
 heirsincaseof
predecease,
incapacity
,
 ‐ incapacity
of
thefirstheir
renunciation,
ordisinheritance
o however,
incaseof
predeceaseor H
owtestatormay
providef
orsimplesubstitutionwith
incapacity
of
compulsory
orlegalheirs,
 allthreecauses—
aswellasdisinheritanceof
compulsory
 ‐by
specif
y
ingallthethreecauses
heirs— ‐by
merely
providingf
orasimplesubstitution
therulesonrepresentation
shallapply
 Restrictedsimplesubstitution
‐testatormay
limittheoperationof
simple
substitutionby
specif
y
ingonly
oneortwoof
the
Section 3 –
 Substitution of
 H
eirs threecauses
o vacancy
resultsif
thecausespecified
ART.857.Substitutionistheappointmentof
another doesnothappen(i.e.if
anothercause
heirsothathemay
enterintotheinheritanceindef
ault notspecifiedinthewilloccurs)
of
theheiroriginally
instituted.
ART.86
0.Twoormorepersonsmay
besubstitutedf
or
Simplesubstitutionisreally
af
ormof
conditional one;
andonepersonf
ortwoormoreheirs.
institution
Brief
orcompendioussubstitution
Basisof
substitutions ‐apossiblevariationof
eitheravulgarora
‐testamentary
f
reedom fideicomisaria
‐insimplesubstitutions,
thetestatorsimply
 ‐brief

makesasecondchoice,
incasethefirstchoice o twoormoresubstitutesf
orone
doesnotinherit originalheir
‐infideicommissary
substitutions,
thetestator ‐compendious
imposesarestrictionorburdenonthefirstheir o onesubstitutef
ortwoormoreoriginal
coupledwithaselectionof
asubsequent heirs
recipientof
theproperty

Substitutionwilltakeplaceonly
if
alltheoriginal
ART.858.Substitutionof
heirsmay
be: heirsaredisqualified—
‐if
oneissubstitutedf
ortwoormoreoriginal
(1)Simpleorcommon;
 heirs,
andonebutnotallisnotqualifiedto
inherit
(2)Brief
of
compendious;
 o NOSUBSTITUTION—sharelef
tvacant
willaccruetosurvivingco‐heir/s
(3)Reciprocal;
or if
AandBwereinstitutedas
heirsto1/3of
theestate,
with
(4)Fideicommissary
. Cassubstitute,
substitution
willtakeplaceonly
if
bothA
Fourkindsof
substitution: andBaredisqualifiedto
‐simpleorcommon(vulgar)[ART.859] inherit;
if
only
Ais
‐brief
orcompendious(brevilocuaocompendiosa) disqualified,
Bwouldinherit
[ART.86
0] A’sshare,
exclusively

‐reciprocal(recíproca)[ART.86
1] o EXCEPTION—
‐fideicommissary
(fideicomisaria)[ART.86
3] if
testatorprovidesotherwise
(thatsubstitutionwilltake
Inreality
,
thereareonly
twokindsof
substitutions: placeincaseany
oneof
the
vulgarandfideicomisaria(mutually
exclusive,
i.e. originalheirsdies,
renounces,

substitutionmustbeoneortheother,
cannotbeboth orisincapacitated
atthesametime)
‐theothertwoaremodalidadesof
thevulgaror ART.86
1.If
heirsinstitutedinunequalsharesshould
thefideicomisaria bereciprocally
substituted,
thesubstituteshallacquire
theshareof
theheirwhodies,
renounces,
oris
ART.859.Thetestatormay
designateoneormore incapacitated,
unlessitclearly
appearsthatthe
personstosubstitutetheheirorheirsinstitutedincase intentionof
thetestatorwasotherwise.If
thereare
suchheirorheirsshoulddiebef
orehim,
orshouldnot morethanonesubstitute,
they
shallhavethesame
wish,
orshouldbeincapacitatedtoacceptthe shareinthesubstitutionasintheinstitution.
inheritance.
Reciprocalsubstitution
Asimplesubstitutionwithoutastatementof
thecases ‐justavariationof
simpleorfideicommissary

towhichitref
ers,
shallcomprisethethreementionedin substitution
theprecedingparagraphunlessthetestatorhas
otherwiseprovided. Illustrationof
secondsentence,
ART.86
1—
‐A,
B,
andCareinstituted,
respectively
,
to1/2,

Causesof
simplesubstitution 1/3,
and1/6
of
theestate
‐predeceaseof
thefirstheir
‐renunciationof
thefirstheir

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 25 of
 73
 o if
Apredeceasesthetestator,
BandC childvis‐à‐vishisadopter(cf
.
willacquireA’s1/2portioninthe Acainv.IAC)
proportionof
2:1(theirtestamentary
 ‐ thedualobligationimposeduponthefiduciary

sharesbeing1/3and1/6
) topreservetheproperty
andtotransmititaf
ter
shouldBpredecease,
AandCwillget thelapseof
theperiodtothefideicommissary

o
B’s1/3portioninproportionof
3:1 heir
(1/2and1/6
) o thisistheessenceof
thefideicomisaria
if
Cpredeceases,
AandBwillshareC’s (Crisologov.Singson[196
2])
o 1/6
portionintheproportionof
3:2 o fiduciary
orfirstheirisbasically
a
usuf
ructuary
,
withtherighttouseand
enjoy
theproperty
butwithoutthe
ART.86
2.Thesubstituteshallbesubjecttothesame righttodisposeof
thesame(jus
chargesandconditionsimposedupontheinstituted disponendi)
heir,
unlessthetestatorhasexpressly
providedthe o effectif
thereisnoobligationto
contrary
,
orthechargesorconditionsarepersonally
 preserveandtransmit—thereisno
applicableonly
totheheirinstituted. fideicommissary
substitution,
but
somethingelse(PCIBv.Escolin
Rationale [1974])
‐substitutemerely
takestheplaceof
theoriginal bothheirsmustbelivingandqualifiedto
heir succeedatthetimeof
thetestator’sdeath
‐ o living
ART.86
3.Afideicommissary
substitutionby
virtueof
 o qualified(cf
.ART.1024to1034)
whichthefiduciary
orfirstheirinstitutedisentrusted thesetworequisitesaremet
withtheobligationtopreserveandtotransmittoa only
uponthetestator’sdeath,

secondheirthewholeorpartof
theinheritance,
shall andappliestoboththefirst
bevalidandshalltakeeffect,
providedsuchsubstitution andsecondheirs
doesnotgobey
ondonedegreef
romtheheiroriginally
 thus,
thesecondheirneednot
instituted,
andprovided,
f
urther,
thatthefiduciary
or survivethefirstheir
firstheirandthesecondheirarelivingatthetimeof
the if
thesecondheirdiesbef
ore
deathof
thetestator. thefirstheir,
thesecondheir’s
ownheirsmerely
takehis
Elementsof
thefideicomisaria place
‐afirstheir(fiduciary
/fiduciario)whotakesthe
property
uponthetestator’sdeath
o thefiduciary
entersuponthe
inheritanceupontheopeningof
the
succession(i.e.whenthetestatordies)
Palaciosv.Ramirez
(1982)
‐asecondheir(fideicommissary
heir/
fideicomisario)whotakestheproperty

subsequently
f
romthefiduciary
 Facts:Testator’swillinstitutedhiscompanionover2/3of

o fideicommissary
heirdoesnotreceive estate(usuf
ruct),
andatthesametimeinstitutedas
property
untilthefiduciary
’sright substitutesof
companiontwoothersnotrelatedatallto
expires companion.
o bothheirsenterintotheinheritance
successively
(i.e.oneaf
tertheother,
 H
eld:Thatthefideicommissary
substitutionisvoid
eachinhisownturn) becauselawmandatesthat“suchsubstitutiondoesnotgo
o notethatwhilethefideicommissary
 bey
ondonedegreef
romtheheiroriginally
instituted.”
heirdoesnotreceiveproperty
uponthe That“degree”meansgeneration,
andsecondheirmustbe
testator’sdeath,
hisrighttheretovests relatedtoandbeonegenerationf
romfirstheir.That
atthattimeandmerely
becomes fideicommissary
heircanonly
beeitherachildoraparent
subjecttoaperiod,
andthatright of
firstheir.
passestohisownheirsshouldhedie
bef
orethefiduciary
’srightexpires BalaneCriticiz
esthePalaciosRuling:
‐thesecondheirmustbeonedegreef
romthe ‐perJusticeJosé
Vitug,
thePalacios
fiduciary
orfirstheir interpretationof
“degree”asdegreeof

o only
onetransmissionisallowedinthe relationship“woulddisenf
ranchiseajuridical
fideicomisaria(f
romfiduciary
tothe personf
rombeingeitherafiduciary
or
fideicommissary
heir) fideicommissary
heir”
o “onedegree”meansthatthe
fideicommissary
heirmustbeinthe PCIBv.Escolin(1974)
firstdegreeof
relationshipwiththe
fiduciary
orfirstheir(i.e.secondheir Facts:Testatrixinstitutedtothewholeestateher
musteitherbeachildoraparentof
the husband,
withrighttodispose,
andatthesametimeher
firstheir)perPalaciosv.Ramirez
 siblingsortherespectiveheirsof
hersiblings,
asheirsto
(1982),
inf
ra residueandremainderof
estate,
af
terdeathof
husband.
theruleappliesandistruea
f
ortioriincaseof
anadopted H
eld:Thatthereisnofideicommissary
substitution
becausethereisnoobligationonthepartof
testatrix’s
husbandasfirstheir,
topreservepropertiesf
orsubstitute
heirs.Thatsiblingsof
testatrixinstitutedsimultaneously


SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 26
 of
 73
withtestatrix’shusband,
subjecttocertainconditions.
Thatbrothersandsistersof
testatrixweretoinheritwhat
husbandwouldnotdisposeof
duringhislif
etime.That
thisisavalidsimultaneousinstitutionof
heir.
BalaneComments:
‐theinstitutioninPCIBisasimultaneous
institution(notafideicomisariabecausethereis
noobligationimposeduponthehusbandto
preservetheestateorany
partthereof
f
or
any
oneelse)
o ontheonehand,
of
thehusbandsubject
toaresolutory
condition(i.e.right
terminatesatthetimeof
death)
o ontheother,
of
thehusband’sbrothers‐
andsisters‐in‐lawsubjecttoa
suspensivecondition(i.e.condition
may
ormay
nothappen—remainderof
 thesecondheirisconcerned,
theinstitutionof
estate)
Tenureof
thefiduciary
orfirstheir
‐primary
rule
o periodindicatedby
thetestator
‐secondary
rule
o thefiduciary
’slif
etime(if
thetestator
didnotindicateaperiod)
ART.86
4.Afideicommissary
substitutioncannever
burdenthelegitime.
Note:
‐thelegitimepassesby
strictoperationof
law,
 (2)Provisionswhichcontainaperpetualprohibitionto
theref
orethetestatorhasnopoweroverit
ART.86
5.Every
fideicommissary
substitutionmustbe
expressly
madeinorderthatitmay
bevalid.
Thefiduciary
shallbeobligedtodelivertheinheritance
tothesecondheir,
withoutotherdeductionsthanthose
whicharisef
romlegitimateexpenses,
creditsand
improvements,
saveinthecasewherethetestatorhas
providedotherwise.
Repar.1:
‐mannerof
imposingafideicomisaria:express
o twoway
s
by
theuseof
theterm
fideicommissary
,
or
by
imposinguponthefirst
heirtheabsoluteobligationto
preserveandtotransmitto
thesecondheir
Repar.2:
‐allowabledeductions
o generalrule:thefiduciary
should
delivertheproperty
intactand
undiminishedtothefideicommissary

heiruponthearrivalof
theperiod
o exception:theonly
deductionsallowed,
 ‐therecanonly
betwobeneficiariesof
the
intheabsenceof
acontrary
provision
inthewill—
legitimateexpenses(i.e.
necessary
andusef
ul,
not
ornamentalexpenses)
credits
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
 improvements
Damageto,
ordeteriorationof
,
property

‐if
causedby
af
ortuitouseventorordinary
wear
andtear
o fiduciary
notliable
‐if
causedby
fiduciary
’sf
aultornegligence
o fiduciary
liable
ART.86
6
.Thesecondheirshallacquirearighttothe
successionf
romthetimeof
thetestator’sdeath,
even
thoughheshoulddiebef
orethefiduciary
.Therightof

thesecondheirshallpasstohisheirs.
Notes:
‐secondheir’srightvestsuponthetestator’s
death(cf
.ART.777andART.878sinceasf
aras


himisonesubjecttoasuspensiveterm)
‐thesecondheirneednotsurvivethefirstheirin
orderf
orsubstitutiontobeeffective
o thesecondheir’sownheirssimply
take
hisplace
ART.86
7.Thef
ollowingshallnottakeeffect:
(1)Fideicommissary
substitutionswhicharenotmade
inanexpressmanner,
eitherby
givingthemthisname,

orimposinguponthefiduciary
theabsoluteobligation
todelivertheproperty
toasecondheir;

alienate,
andevenatemporary
one,
bey
ondthelimit
fixedinArticle86
3;

(3)Thosewhichimposeupontheheirthechargeof

pay
ingtovariouspersonssuccessively
,
bey
ondthelimit
prescribedinArticle86
3,
acertainincomeorpension;

(4)Thosewhichleavetoapersonthewholeorpartof

thehereditary
property
inorderthathemay
apply
or
investthesameaccordingtosecretinstructions
communicatedtohimby
thetestator.
Repar.1:
‐seenotesunderART.86
5
‐notethatlackof
thiselementdoesnot,
by
that
f
actalone,
nullif
y
theinstitution
o itonly
meansthattheinstitutionisnot
afideicomisaria;
itcouldhoweverbe
somethingelse,
asinPCIB
Repar.2:
‐if
thereisafideicomisaria,
thelimitisthefirst
heir’slif
etime
‐if
thereisnofideicomisaria,
thelimitis20y
ears
(ART.870)
Repar.3:
pension,
oneaf
tertheother,
andthesecond
mustbeonedegreef
romthefirst(asinART.
86
3)
‐thereisnoprohibitionhoweveronsimultaneous
beneficiaries
Page 27 of
 73
Repar.4:
‐theostensibleheirisinreality
only
adummy
,
 ‐
becauseinreality
,
thepersonintendedtobe
benefitedistheonetowhomthesecret
instructionsref
er
o purposeof
surreptitiousdispositionis
tocircumventsomeprohibitionor
disqualification—T.C.B.C.I.T.J.(this
cannotbecountenancedinthis
jurisdiction)
o effect:entiredispositionorprovisionis
VOID
ART.86
8.Thenullity
of
thefideicommissary
 o condition(seeART.1179,
par.1)
substitutiondoesnotprejudicethevalidity
of
the
institutionof
theheirsfirstdesignated;
the
fideicommissary
clauseshallsimply
beconsideredas
notwritten.
Effectif
fideicommissary
substitutionisvoidor
ineffective—
‐institutionof
firstheirsimply
becomespureand
unqualified
Effectif
theinstitutionof
thefirstheirisvoidor
ineffective—
‐notprovidedinART.86
8
‐“whenthefiduciary
predeceasesorisunableto
succeed,
thefideicommissary
heirtakesthe
inheritanceuponthedeathof
thedecedent”(Mr.
JusticeVitug)
o thenullity
orinefficacy
of
the
institutionof
thefiduciary
shouldnot
nullif
y
theinstitutionof
the
fideicommissary
heir
o therightof
thefideicommissary
heir
shouldthenbeabsoluteandeffective
uponthetestator’sdeath,
asif
no
fiduciary
orfirstheirhadbeen
instituted
sinceultimately
,
theintention
of
thetestatoristoultimately
 Effectif
impossibleorillegalconditionisimposedby
passtheproperty
tothe
secondheir(Manresa)
ART.86
9.Aprovisionwhereby
thetestatorleavestoa
personthewholeorpartof
theinheritance,
andto
anothertheusuf
ruct,
shallbevalid.If
hegivesthe
usuf
ructtovariouspersons,
notsimultaneously
,
but
successively
,
theprovisionsof
Article86
3shallapply
.
Note:
‐if
testatorinstitutessuccessiveusuf
ructuaries,
 donations,
bothgratuity
(liberality
);
on
therecanonly
betwo,
oneaf
tertheother,
andas
tothetwoof
them,
alltherequisitesof
ART.86
3
mustbepresent
ART.870.Thedispositionsof
thetestatordeclaringall
orpartof
theestateinalienablef
ormorethantwenty

y
earsarevoid.
Effectif
testatorimposesalongerperiodthan20
y
ears
‐prohibitiontopartitionisvalidonly
f
or20y
ears
If
thereisafideicommissary
substitution—
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
‐ timelimitationwillnotapply

ART.86
3willapply
,
whichallows,
asaperiod,

thelif
etimeof
thefirstheir
Rationale(asinART.86
7,
par.2,
supra)
‐commerce
Section 4 –
 Conditional Testamentary
 Dispositions
and Testamentary
 Dispositions With a Term
Threekindsof
testamentary
dispositions
‐conditionaldispositions
‐dispositionswithaterm
o term(seeART.1193,
par.1and3)
‐dispositionswithamode(modaldispositions)
o mode(seeART.882)
General Provisions:
ART.871.Theinstitutionof
anheirmay
bemade
conditionally
,
orf
oracertainpurposeorcause.
ART.872.Thetestatorcannotimposeany
charge,

conditionorsubstitutionwhatsoeveruponthelegitime
prescribedinthisCode.Shouldhedoso,
thesameshall
beconsideredasnotimposed.
Conditions:
ART.873.Impossibleconditionsandthosecontrary
to
laworgoodcustomsshallbeconsideredasnotimposed
andshallinnomannerprejudicetheheir,
evenif
the
testatorshouldotherwiseprovide.
Impossibleconditions
‐may
bef
actually
orlegally
impossible


testator
‐conditionissimply
consideredasnotwritten
o testamentary
dispositionisnot
annulled
o dispositionbecomespure(no
condition)
‐ruleindonationsissame(ART.727)whilerule
inobligationsisdifferent(ART.1183)
o reasonf
orthedifference:basisof

testamentary
dispositionsand
theotherhand,
obligationsareonerous
(conditionimposediscausa,
andif

eliminatedf
orbeingimpossibleor
illegal,
therewouldbeaf
ailureof

consideration)
ART.874.Anabsoluteconditionnottocontractafirst
orsubsequentmarriageshallbeconsideredasnot
writtenunlesssuchconditionhasbeenimposedonthe
widoworwidowerby
thedeceasedspouse,
orby
the
latter’sascendantsordescendants.
Nevertheless,
therightof
usuf
ruct,
oranallowanceor
somepersonalprestationmay
bedevisedor
bequeathedtoany
personf
orthetimeduringwhichhe
orsheshouldremainunmarriedorinwidowhood.
Page 28 of
 73
Conditionsprohibitingmarriage
‐if
afirstmarriageisprohibited
o conditionalway
sconsiderednot
imposed
‐if
asubsequentmarriageisprohibited
o if
imposedby
thedeceasedspouseor
by
his/herascendantsor
descendants—VALID
o if
imposedby
any
oneelse—considered
notwritten
Repar.2:
‐thisparagraphmay
providethetestatorof
a
meansof
terminatingthetestamentary
 consideredf
ulfilledonly
whenitisof
suchanaturethat
benef
actionshouldtheheircontractmarriage
(evenafirstone)
‐wordingof
dispositionmustnotbesoasto
constituteaprohibitionf
orbiddeninpar.1
o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto1/5of
my
f
ree
portionMr.Quevedoughprovidedhe
doesnotmarry
alawy
eroranon‐
lawy
er”
NOTALLOWED(absolute
prohibition)
o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirtomy
entiref
ree
portionMs.Buttadf
oraslongasshe
remainssingleorawidow”
ALLOWED
ART.874doesnotprohibittheimpositionof
a
conditiontomarry
(eitherwithref
erencetoa
particularpersonornot)
‐cf
.conditiontomarry
 ‐potestative:onethatdependssolely
onthewillof
NeitherdoesART.874declarevoidarelative
prohibition
‐e.g.“Iinstituteto2/5of
my
f
reeportionMr.
SeraphimSalvavidadorprovidedhedoesnot
marry
ahotelreceptionist”
ART.875.Any
dispositionmadeuponthecondition
thattheheirshallmakesomeprovisioninhiswillin
f
avorof
thetestatororof
any
otherpersonshallbevoid.
Thisarticleisthescripturacaptatoria(“Legacy
 portionMs.ChitH
a‐eprovidedthat
huntingdispositions,
whethertoheirsorlegatees,
are
void”)
‐itisnotallowed
‐quidproquo,
f
orbidden
Reasonsf
ortheprohibition
‐captatoriaconvertstestamentary
grantsinto
contractualtransactions
‐itdeprivestheheirof
testamentary
f
reedom
‐itgivesthetestatorthepowertodisposemortis
causanotonly
of
hisproperty
,
butalsoof
his
heir’s
Whatisdeclaredvoid—
‐testamentary
dispositionitself
,
notmerely
the
condition
ART.876
.Any
purely
potestativeconditionimposed
uponanheirmustbef
ulfilledby
himassoonashe
learnsof
thetestator’sdeath.
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
Thisruleshallnotapply
whenthecondition,
already

compliedwith,
cannotbef
ulfilledagain.
ART.877.If
theconditioniscasualormixed,
itshallbe
sufficientif
ithappenorbef
ulfilledatany
timebef
ore
oraf
terthedeathof
thetestator,
unlesshehasprovided
otherwise.
Shouldithaveexistedorshouldithavebeenf
ulfilledat
thetimethewillwasexecutedandthetestatorwas
unawarethereof
,
itshallbedeemedascompliedwith.
If
hehadknowledgethereof
,
theconditionshallbe
itcannolongerexistorbecompliedwithagain.
ART.883.xxx
If
thepersoninterestedintheconditionshouldprevent
itsf
ulfillment,
withoutthef
aultof
theheir,
thecondition
shallbedeemedtohavebeencompliedwith.
ART.879.If
thepotestativeconditionimposedupon
theheirisnegative,
orconsistsinnotdoingornot
givingsomething,
heshallcomply
by
givingasecurity

thathewillnotdoorgivethatwhichhasbeen
prohibitedby
thetestator,
andthatincaseof

contraventionhewillreturnwhateverhemay
have
received,
togetherwithitsf
ruitsandinterests.
Thesearticlesgovernpotestative,
casual,
andmixed
conditions


theheir/legatee/devisee
o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto4/5of
my
f
ree
portionMs.ChitH
a‐eprovidedthatshe
establishapermanentresidencein
Burunggan”
‐casual:onethatdependsonthewillof
athird
personoronchance
o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto4/5of
my
f
ree
portionMs.ChitH
a‐eprovidedthatMt.
Pinatuboerupts”(chance)
o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto4/5of
my
f
ree
KnorrMiswarisurrenderstothe
President”(willof
athirdperson)
‐mixed:onethatdependspartly
onthewillof
the
heir/legatee/deviseeandpartly
eitheronthe
willof
athirdpersonorchance
o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto4/5of
my
f
ree
portionMs.ChitH
a‐eprovidedshe
marriesduringmy
lif
etimeMr.Rubber
Belly
har”(dependentpartly
onthewill
of
Ms.ChitH
ae,
theheiress,
andthewill
of
Mr.Belly
har,
athirdperson)
Ruleonpotestativeconditions(ART.876
)
‐positive
o generalrule:mustbef
ulfilledassoon
astheheirlearnsof
thetestator’sdeath
o exception:
if
theconditionwasalready

compliedwithatthetimethe
Page 29 of
 73
 heirlearnsof
thetestator’s
death,
and
theconditionisof
sucha
naturethatitcannotbe
f
ulfilledagain
o constructivecompliance(ART.883,
 ‐otherwise,
therewillbeanirreconcilableconflict
par.2):conditiondeemedf
ulfilled
negative(ART.879)
‐ o heirmustgivesecurity
(caución
muciana)toguaranteethereturnof
the
valueof
theproperty
,
f
ruits,
and
interests,
incaseof
contravention
if
conditionisviolated,
 administrator’scustody
untiltheheirf
urnishes
intestateorlegalheirsmust
goaf
tersecurity
(caución
muciana)
Ruleoncasualormixedconditions(ART.877)
‐generalrule:may
bef
ulfilledatany
time(bef
ore
oraf
terthetestator’sdeath),
unlessthetestator
providesotherwise
o qualification:if
already
f
ulfilledatthe
timeof
theexecutionof
thewill—
if
testatorunawareof
f
actof

f
ulfillment—deemedf
ulfilled
if
testatorawarethereof
—(a)
if
cannotbef
ulfilledagain:
deemedf
ulfilled;
(b)if
canbe
f
ulfilledagain:mustbe
f
ulfilledagain
‐constructivecompliance(ART.883,
par.2)
o if
casual—notapplicable
o if
mixed—
if
dependentpartly
on
chance—notapplicable
if
dependentpartly
onthewill
of
athirdparty
—(a)if
third
party
isaninterestedparty
:
applicable;
(b)if
thirdparty
is
notaninterestedparty
:not
applicable
ART.880.If
theheirbeinstitutedunderasuspensive
conditionorterm,
theestateshallbeplacedunder
administrationuntiltheconditionisf
ulfilled,
oruntilit
becomescertainthatitcannotbef
ulfilled,
oruntilthe
arrivalof
theterm.
Thesameshallbedoneif
theheirdoesnotgivethe
security
requiredintheprecedingarticle.
ART.881.Theappointmentof
theadministratorof
the
estatementionedintheprecedingarticle,
aswellasthe
mannerof
theadministrationandtherightsand
obligationsof
theadministratorshallbegovernedby
 orlegacy
shouldbeconditional,
thetimeof
the
theRulesof
Court.
Betweentimeof
testator’sdeathandtimeof
 o import:inconditionalinstitutions,
the
f
ulfillmentof
suspensiveconditionorof
certainty
of
 heirshouldbelivingandqualifiedto
itsnonoccurrence—
‐property
tobeplacedunderadministration
o if
conditionhappens:property
tobe
turnedovertoinstitutedheir
o if
itbecomescertainthatconditionwill
nothappen:property
tobeturnedover
toasecondary
heir(if
thereisone)or
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
totheintestateheirs,
asthecasemay

be
ART.880mustnotbeappliedtoinstitutionswitha
termdespitewording
withART.885,
par.2,
whichmandatesthat
bef
orethearrivalof
theterm,
theproperty

shouldbegiventothelegalheirs
Repar.2,
ART.880—
‐property
shallbeintheexecutor’sor
thecauciónmuciana
Proceduralrulesgoverningappointmentof

administrator—
‐Rules77to90,
Rulesof
Court
ART.884.Conditionsimposedby
thetestatoruponthe
heirsshallbegovernedby
therulesestablishedf
or
conditionalobligationsinallmattersnotprovidedf
or
by
thisSection.
Note:
‐suppletorily
governingconditionalinstitutions
areART.1179to1192,
onconditional
obligations
Terms:
ART.878.Adispositionwithasuspensivetermdoes
notpreventtheinstitutedheirf
romacquiringhisrights
andtransmittingthemtohisheirsevenbef
orethe
arrivalof
theterm.
Term:certaintoarrive
‐may
eitherbesuspensiveorresolutory

Condition:uncertaintohappen
Whenheir’srightvests(indispositionswithaterm)
‐uponthetestator’sdeath
o shouldheirdiebef
orethearrivalof
the
suspensiveterm,
hemerely
transmits
hisrighttohisownheirswhocan
demandwhenthetermarrives(cf
.
ART.86
6
)
Ruleinconditionalinstitutions(if
institutedheirdies
bef
orethehappeningof
thecondition)
‐cf
.ART.1034,
par.3(“if
theinstitution,
devise,

compliancewiththeconditionshallalsobe
considered”)
succeedbothatthetimeof
the
testator’sdeathandatthetimeof
the
happeningof
thecondition
i.e.,
theheirordeviseeor
legateewhodiesbef
orethe
happeningof
thecondition,

evenif
hesurvivesthe
testator,
transmitsnorightto
hisheirs(SpanishCivilCode)
Page 30 of
 73

ART.885.Thedesignationof
theday
ortimewhenthe
effectsof
theinstitutionof
anheirshallcommenceor
ceaseshallbevalid.
Inbothcases,
thelegalheirshallbeconsideredascalled
tothesuccessionuntilthearrivalof
theperiodor
(f
rom)itsexpiration.Butinthefirstcaseheshallnot
enterintopossessionof
theproperty
untilaf
terhaving
givensufficientsecurity
,
withtheinterventionof
the
institutedheir.
If
termsuspensive(exdie,
“outintheday
”;
“[f
rom]its
[period’s]expiration”)—
‐bef
orethearrivalof
theterm,
theproperty
 suspend.Thattosomeextent,
modeissimilartoa
shouldbedeliveredtothelegalorintestateheirs
‐acauciónmucianahastobepostedby
them
If
termisresolutory
(indiem,
“intotheday
”;
“untilthe
arrivalof
theperiod”)—
‐bef
orethearrivalof
theterm,
theproperty
 institutionref
erredtointheprecedingarticlecannot
shouldbedeliveredtotheinstitutedheir
‐nocauciónmucianarequired
Modes:
ART.882.Thestatementof
theobjectof
theinstitution
ortheapplicationof
theproperty
lef
tby
thetestator,
or
thechargeimposedby
him,
shallnotbeconsideredasa
conditionunlessitappearsthatsuchwashisintention.
Thatwhichhasbeenlef
tinthismannermay
beclaimed
atonceprovidedthattheinstitutedheirorhisheirs
givesecurity
f
orcompliancewiththewishesof
the
testatorandf
orthereturnof
any
thingheorthey
may
 if
Milagrosariceisnolonger
receive,
togetherwithitsf
ruitsandinterests,
if
heor
they
shoulddisregardthisobligation.
ART.882,
par.1—
‐definesamodeobliquely
 Ms.CeraH
alimawis,
inthe
‐inbrief
,
amodeisanobligationimposedupon
theheir,
withoutsuspending(asacondition
does)theeffectivity
of
theinstitution
o amodeobligatesbutdoesnotsuspend
o aconditionsuspendsbutdoesnot
obligate
Modemustbeclearly
imposedasanobligation
‐merepref
erencesorwishesexpressedby

testator,
notmodes
o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto2/5of
my
f
ree
portionMs.SteffanieSummeraandI
wouldbevery
delightedandmy
soul
wouldsurely
restinpeaceif
shegives
my
daughterMs.CeraH
alimawis
money
allowanceof
P50,
000permonth
tobetakenf
romsaid2/5of
my
f
ree
portion”—NOTMODE
Amodef
unctionssimilarly
toaresolutory
condition
Rabadillav.CA(2000)
Facts:TestatrixinstitutedasheirinherwillMr.Rabadilla,
 ‐testatorisrequiredtosetasideorreservethem
predecessorof
petitioners.WillstatedthatMr.Rabadilla
shallhaveobligationuntilhedies,
every
y
ear,
togiveto
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
Ms.Coscolluela100piculsof
sugar,
andthatshouldMr.
Rabadilladie,
hisheirsshallsimilarly
havesame
obligation,
andintheeventthatproperty
devisedissold,

etc.,
seller,
etc.shallhavesameobligation.
H
eld:Thattheinstitutionof
Mr.Rabadillaisamodal
institution(becauseitimposesachargeorobligation
upontheinstitutedheirwithoutaffectingtheefficacy
of

suchinstitution),
andART.882applies.Thatinmodal
institutions,
thetestatorstates(a)theobjectof
the
institution,
(b)thepurposeorapplicationof
theproperty

lef
tby
thetestator,
or(c)thechargeimposedby
the
testatorupontheheir.Thataconditionsuspendsbutdoes
notobligate;
andthemodeobligatesbutdoesnot
resolutory
condition.
Cauciónmucianatobepostedby
theinstitutedheir
ART.883.Whenwithoutthef
aultof
theheir,
an
takeeffectintheexactmannerstatedby
thetestator,
it
shallbecompliedwithinamannermostanalogousto
andinconf
ormity
withhiswishes.
xxx
Note:
‐intentionof
thetestatorshouldalway
sbethe
guidingnormindeterminingthesufficiency
of

theanalogousperf
ormance
o e.g.“Iinstituteasheirto1/5of
my
f
ree
portionMr.St.Peterandheshall,
every

month,
givetomy
daughterMs.Cera
H
alimawisonesackof
Milagrosarice
theexpensef
orwhichistobetaken
f
romsaid1/5share”
availableinthemarket,
thena
variety
of
similarquality

shouldbegivenby
Mr.St.
Peter,
theinstitutedheir,
to
samequantity

Section 5 –
 Legitime
Preliminary
Notes:
‐legitime
o theportionof
thedecedent’sestate
reservedby
lawinf
avorof
certainheirs
‐f
reeordisposableportion
o theportionlef
tavailablef
or
testamentary
dispositionaf
terthe
legitimeshavebeencovered
‐compulsory
heirs
o theheirsf
orwhomthelawreservesa
portionof
thedecedent’sestate
Natureof
legitimes
‐legitimesaresetasideby
mandateof
law
o thetestatorisprohibitedf
rom
disposingby
gratuitoustitle(inter
vivosormortiscausa)of
these
legitimes
Page 31 of
 73
 o butdispositionsby
oneroustitleare o calledassuchbecausethey
succeedas
NOTprohibitedbecause,
intheory
,
 compulsory
heirstogetherwith
nothingislostf
romtheestateinan primary
orsecondary
heirs(except
onerousdisposition,
(thereismerely
an only
thatillegitimatechildren/
exchangeof
values) descendantsexcludeillegitimate
becausethetestatoriscompelledtosetasidethe parents,
i.e.only
illegitimatechildren/
‐
legitimes,
theheirsinwhosef
avorthelegitimes descendantswillgettheirlegitimes,
the
aresetasidearecalledcompulsory
heirs illegitimateparentstogetnothingin
o note:testatoristheonecompelled,
not thef
ormof
legitimes)
hisheirswhoaref
reetoacceptor
rejecttheinheritance
TheCOMPULSORYH
EIRS
‐legitimatechildren(lawdoesnotspecif
y
how
ART.886
.Legitimeisthatpartof
thetestator’s they
shouldshare,
butuniversalagreementis
property
whichhecannotdisposeof
becausethelaw thatthey
willshareequally
regardlessof
age,

hasreserveditf
orcertainheirswhoare,
theref
ore,
 sex,
ormarriageof
origin;
includelegitimate
calledcompulsory
heirs. descendantsotherthanchildren,
intheproper
cases)
ART.887.Thef
ollowingarecompulsory
heirs: o ART.16
4,
Family
Code
childrenconceivedorborn
(1)Legitimatechildrenanddescendants,
withrespect duringthemarriageof

totheirlegitimateparentsandascendants;
 parents
childrenconceivedof
artificial
(2)Indef
aultof
thef
oregoing,
legitimateparentsand insemination
ascendants,
withrespecttotheirlegitimatechildren o ART.54,
Family
Code
anddescendants;
 childrenconceivedorborn
bef
orejudgmentof
annulment
(3)Thewidoworwidower;
 orabsolutenullity
of
marriage
underART.36
hasbecome
(4)Acknowledgednaturalchildren,
andnatural final/executory

childrenby
legalfiction;
 childrenconceivedorbornof

subsequentmarriageunder
(5)Otherillegitimatechildrenref
erredtoinArticle287. ART.53(i.e.af
terannulment
/declarationof
nullity
of

Compulsory
heirsmentionedinNos.3,
4,
and5arenot marriage,
andseparated
excludedby
thoseinNos.1and2;
neitherdothey
 spousessubsequently

excludeoneanother. remarry
)
o ART.179,
Family
Code
Inallcasesof
illegitimatechildren,
theirfiliationmust legitimatedchildren(i.e.
beduly
proved. subsequentvalidmarriage
betweenparentsof

Thef
atherormotherof
illegitimatechildrenof
the illegitimatechildren)
threeclassesmentioned,
shallinheritf
romtheminthe o Sec.17and18,
RA8552(Domestic
mannerandtotheextentestablishedby
thisCode. AdoptionActof
1998)
adoptedchildren(isan
ART.887enumeratesthecompulsory
heirs;
 adoptedchildentitledto
enumerationisexclusive inheritby
compulsory
and
intestatesuccessionf
romhis
Classificationof
compulsory
heirs biologicalparentsand
‐primary
–
legitimatechildrenand/or relatives?
—noanswer)
descendants ‐legitimatedescendants
o calledassuchbecausethey
are o generalrule:thenearerexcludethe
pref
erredover,
andexclude,
the moreremote
secondary
 children,
if
allqualified,
will
‐secondary
–
legitimateparentsand/or excludegrandchildren,
andso
ascendants;
illegitimateparents on
o calledassuchbecausethey
receive o qualification:rightof
representation
legitimesonly
indef
aultof
theprimary
 (successionperstirpes),
whenproper
legitimateparents/ ‐legitimateparents(includelegitimateascendants
ascendants–
only
indef
aultof
 otherthanparents,
inthepropercases—see
legitimatechildren/ Barituav.CA[1990],
inf
ra)
descendants o includingadopter(perSec.18,
RA
illegitimateparents–
only
in 8552)
def
aultof
any
kindof
children ‐legitimateascendants
/descendants o only
indef
aultof
parents
‐concurring–
survivingspouse;
illegitimate
childrenand/ordescendants

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 32 of
 73
 o therule(absoluteintheascending ascendantsof
whatever
line):thenearerexcludethemore degree)
remote o excludedby
legitimatechildrenand
‐ survivingspouse illegitimatechildren
o of
thedecedent,
notthespouseof
a unlikelegitimateparents
childwhohaspredeceasedthe (excludedonly
by
legitimate
decedent(Rosalesv.Rosales[1987],
 children/descendants)
inf
ra)
o marriagemustbevalidorvoidable
(withnofinaldecreeof
annulmentat Variationsinlegitimary
portions
thetimeof
thedecedent’sdeath) ‐generalrule:1/2of
estateisgiventooneheiror
o mereestrangementnotagroundf
or onegroupof
heirs
disqualificationof
survivingspouseas ‐exceptions:
heir o survivingspouseandillegitimate
o effectof
decreeof
legalseparation children(ART.894)
offendingspouse: o survivingspouseinamarriagein
DISQUALIFIEDtoinherit articulomortis,
withtheconditions
innocentspouse:QUALIFIED specified(ART.900,
par.2)
toinherit o survivingspouseandillegitimate
o deathof
eitherspouseduringpendency
 parents(ART.903)
of
petitionf
orlegalseparation—
dismissalof
case Thedifferentcombinations
survivingspouse,
QUALIFIED ‐legitimatechildrenalone(ART.888)
toinherit(whetherinnocent o 1/2of
estatedividedequally

ornot)(Lapuz
v.Euf
emio ‐legitimatechildrenandsurvivingspouse(ART.
[1972],
inf
ra) 892,
par.2)
illegitimatechildren o legitimatechildren–
1/2of
estate
o ingeneral:childrenconceivedandborn o survivingspouse–
ashareequaltothat
outsideavalidmarriage(ART.16
5,
 of
onechild
‐ Family
Code) ‐onelegitimatechildandsurvivingspouse(ART.
o inparticular:childrenbornof
—(taken 892,
par.1)
f
romSempioDiy
) o legitimatechild–
1/2of
estate
coupleswhoarenotlegally
 o survivingspouse–
1/4of
estate
married,
orof
common‐law ‐legitimatechildrenandillegitimatechildren
marriages (ART.176
,
Family
Code)
incestuousmarriages o legitimatechildren–
1/2of
estate
bigamousmarriages o illegitimatechildren–
eachwillget1/2
adulterousrelationsbetween of
shareof
onelegitimatechild
theparents ‐legitimatechildren,
illegitimatechildren,
and
marriagesvoidf
orreasonsof
 survivingspouse
publicpolicy
underART.38,
 o legitimatechildren–
1/2of
estate
Family
Code o illegitimatechildren–
eachwillget1/2
couplesbelow18y
earsold,
 of
shareof
onelegitimatechild
whethermarried(void)ornot o survivingspouse–
ashareequaltothat
othervoidmarriagesunder of
onelegitimatechild
ART.35,
Family
Code hisorhershareispref
erred
o note:ruleif
decedentdiedbef
orethe overthoseof
theillegitimate
effectivity
of
theFamily
Code(August childrenwhichshallbe
3,
1988)isART.895of
theCivilCode reducedif
necessary
(ART.
o cf
.rightof
representation(an 895)
illegitimatechildcanberepresentedby
 ‐onelegitimatechild,
illegitimatechildren,
and
bothlegitimateandillegitimate survivingspouse
descendants,
whilealegitimatechild o legitimatechildren–
1/2of
estate
canonly
berepresentedby
legitimate o illegitimatechildren–
eachwillget1/2
descendants,
perART.902andART. of
shareof
onelegitimatechild
992) ineffect,
justdividethe1/4
illegitimatedescendants remainderof
estatetothe
o sameruleasinlegitimatedescendants illegitimatechildren,
equally

nearerexcludethemore o survivingspouse–
1/4of
estate
remote hisorhershareispref
erred
rightof
representation overthoseof
theillegitimate
illegitimateparents childrenwhichshallbe
‐ o only
parentsintheillegitimate reducedif
necessary
(ART.
ascendingline) 895)
unlikeinthelegitimate ‐legitimateparentsalone(ART.889)
ascendingline(includes o 1/2of
estate

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 33 of
 73
 ‐ legitimateparentsandillegitimatechildren
(ART.896
)
o legitimateparents–
1/2of
estate
o illegitimatechildren–
1/4of
estate
‐ legitimateparentsandsurvivingspouse(ART.
893)
o legitimateparents–
1/2of
estate
o survivingspouse–
1/4of
estate
legitimateparents,
illegitimatechildren,
and
‐ survivingspouse(ART.899)
o legitimateparents–
1/2of
estate
o illegitimatechildren–
1/4of
estate
o survivingspouse–
1/8of
estate
survivingspousealone
‐ o 1/2of
estate(ART.900,
par.1),
or
o 1/3of
estate(if
marriage,
beingin
articulomortis,
f
allsunderART.900,
 H
eld:Thatson‐in‐law(widowerof
decedent’s
par.2)
survivingspouseandillegitimatechildren(ART.
894)
‐ o survivingspouse–
1/3of
estate
o illegitimatechildren–
1/3of
estate
survivingspouseandillegitimateparents(ART.
903)
‐ o survivingspouse–
1/4of
estate
o illegitimateparents–
1/4of
estate
illegitimatechildrenalone(ART.901)
o 1/2of
estate
Illegitimateparentsalone(ART.903)
‐ o 1/2of
estate
‐ Equalsharingamonglegitimatechildren(including
Rosalesv.Rosales(1987)
Facts:Decedentdiedintestate,
leavingasheirsher
husband,
herchild,
andhergrandchildby
anotherchild
whopredeceasedher.Widowof
thechildwho
predeceaseddecedentclaimedthatshe,
assurviving
spouseof
predeceasedchild,
wasacompulsory
heirof
 o therulegoesondowntheline(nolimit
mother‐in‐law(decedent).
H
eld:Thatspouseof
predeceasedchildof
decedentnota
compulsory
heirof
decedentmother‐in‐law.ThatART.
887ref
erstoestateof
deceasedspouseinwhichcase
survivingspouseisacompulsory
heir,
anddoesnotapply
 ART.889.Thelegitimeof
legitimateparentsor
toestateof
parent‐in‐law.
Lapuz
v.Euf
emio(1972)
Facts:Wif
efiledapetitionf
orlegalseparationagainst
husband:sexualinfidelity
.Wif
ediedpendentelite.Trial
courtdismissedaction.
H
eld:Thatdeathof
eitherspouseduringpendency
of
 parentsshallbedividedbetweenthemequally
;
if
oneof
actionf
orlegalseparation(bef
orefinaldecree)abates
action.Thatthisabatementalsoappliesif
actioninvolves
property
rights.Thateffectisultimately
,
survivingspouse,

whetherguilty
ornot(note:nofinaldecreeof
legal
separationbecauseof
deathof
oneof
thespouses),
isnot
disqualifiedtoinheritf
romdecedent(spousewhodied).
Barituav.CA(1990)
Facts:Decedentdiedinanaccident,
andparties
responsiblef
ordeathsettledwithsurvivingspouse.
Decedent’sparentslaterfiledacomplaintf
ordamages
againstpartiesliablef
ordeathof
theirson.
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
H
eld:Thatdecedent’sparentsnotentitledtopay
ment
becausepay
mentwasalready
receivedby
decedent’s
survivingspouseandchild,
thedeceased’scompulsory

heirs.Thatparentsof
deceasedsucceedonly
whenlatter
dieswithoutlegitimatedescendant.Thatsurvivingspouse
concurswithallclassesof
heirs.
Tumbokonv.Legaspi(2010)
Facts:Grandmother(decedent)diedintestate.Shelef
tas
compulsory
andintestateheirsherdaughterandher
grandson(sonof
predeceaseddaughter).Widowerorson‐
in‐law(husbandof
predeceaseddaughter)claimedtobe
decedent’scompulsory
heir.
predeceaseddaughter)notacompulsory
heirof
decedent.
Articles governing the particular combinations:
ART.888.Thelegitimeof
legitimatechildrenand
descendantsconsistsof
one‐half
of
thehereditary
estate
of
thef
atherandof
themother.
Thelattermay
f
reely
disposeof
theremaininghalf
,

subjecttotherightsof
illegitimatechildrenandof
the
survivingspouseashereinaf
terprovided.
adoptedchildren)regardlessof
age,
sex,
ormarriage
of
origin,
of
1/2of
theestateof
theirdeceasedparent
Descendantsotherthanchildren
‐generalrule:thenearerexcludethemoreremote
o grandchildrencannotinheritsince
childrenwillbarthem,
unlessallthe
childrenrenounce
tothenumberof
degreesinthe
descendinglinethatmay
becalledto
succeed)
‐qualification:rightof
representation
ascendantsconsistsof
one‐half
of
thehereditary
estates
of
theirchildrenanddescendants.
Thechildrenordescendantsmay
f
reely
disposeof
the
otherhalf
,
subjecttotherightsof
illegitimatechildren
andof
thesurvivingspouseashereinaf
terprovided.
ART.890.Thelegitimereservedf
orthelegitimate


theparentsshouldhavedied,
thewholeshallpassto
thesurvivor.
If
thetestatorleavesneitherf
athernormother,
butis
survivedby
ascendantsof
equaldegreeof
thepaternal
andmaternallines,
thelegitimeshallbedividedequally

betweenbothlines.If
theascendantsshouldbeof

differentdegrees,
itshallpertainentirely
totheones
nearestindegreeof
eitherline.
Legitimateparents/ascendantsassecondary

compulsory
heirs
Page 34 of
 73
 ‐ they
succeedonly
indef
aultof
thelegitimate
descendingline
Threebasicrulesgoverningsuccessioninthe
ascendingline—
‐thenearerexcludethemoreremote
o ruleisABSOLUTE(i.e.noqualification;
 Balanecomments:why
shouldconsortsof
a
norightof
representation)
‐divisionby
line
o appliesif
therearemorethanone
ascendantinthenearestdegree
o legitimetobedividedinequalparts
betweenthepaternalandmaternal
lines
‐equaldivisionwithintheline
o af
terportioncorrespondingtotheline
hasbeenassigned,
therewillbeequal
apportionmentbetweenoramongthe
recipientsbetweentheline,
should
therebemorethanone
ART.892.If
only
onelegitimatechildordescendantof
 disinheritedorunworthy
tosucceed):allthe
thedeceasedsurvives,
thewidoworwidowershallbe
entitledtoone‐f
ourthof
thehereditary
estate.Incaseof
 indifferentamounts
alegalseparation,
thesurvivingspousemay
inheritif
it
wasthedeceasedwhohadgivencausef
orthesame.
If
therearetwoormorelegitimatechildrenor
descendants,
thesurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoa
portionequaltothelegitimeof
eachof
thelegitimate
childrenordescendants.
Inbothcases,
thelegitimeof
thesurvivingspouseshall
betakenf
romtheportionthatcanbef
reely
disposedof

by
thetestator.
TEST:Onelegitimatechild,
survivingspouse—whatis
thesharing?
 ART.893.If
thetestatorleavesnolegitimate
If
therehasbeenlegalseparation—
‐if
thereisafinaldecreeof
legalseparationand
thedeceasedistheoffendingspouse
o survivingspousegetshislegitime
(ART.6
3,
par.4,
Family
Code)
‐if
thereisafinaldecreeof
legalseparationand
thedeceasedistheinnocentspouse
o surviving(offending)spouseis
disqualifiedf
rominheriting(idem.)
‐if
af
terthefinaldecreeof
legalseparationthere
wasareconciliationbetweenthespouses
o reciprocalrighttosucceedisrestored
(reconciliationsetsasidethefinal
decree)(ART.6
6
,
par.2,
Family
Code)
‐ marriagesjudicially
annulledordeclaredvoidab
initio
o sameruleasinreappearanceapplies;

problemarisesif
eitherorboth
partnersinthedef
ectivemarriage
remarry
later
‐ terminatedmarriage,
oranannulledone,
orone
declaredvoidabinitio,
continuetobeheirsof

eachotherwhenthevery
basisof
therightof

succession(i.e.marriage)nolongerexists?

TEST:Legitimatechildren,
survivingspouse—whatis
thesharing?

Determinationof
survivingspouse’sshare:
‐aslongasatleastoneof
severalchildreninherits
inhisownright
o equivalenttoshareof
onechild
‐supposeallthechildrenpredecease(orare
grandchildreninheritperstirpes,
andtheref
ore
o spousestillgetsashareequivalentto
thatof
whatonechildwouldhave
gottenif
qualified
‐supposeallthechildrenrenounce:allthe
grandchildreninheritpercapita,
andtheref
ore
equally

o spousestillgetsashareequivalentto
thatof
whatonechildwouldhave
gottenhadhesucceeded
Inwhatinstancethenwillthesurvivingspousegeta
shareequivalenttotheshareof
adescendant?

descendants,
butleaveslegitimateascendants,
the
survivingspouseshallhavearighttoone‐f
ourthof
the
hereditary
estate.
Thisf
ourthshallbetakenf
romthef
reeportionof
the
estate.
TEST:Legitimateascendants,
survivingspouse—what
isthesharing?

ART.894.If
thetestatorleavesillegitimatechildren,
the
survivingspouseshallbeentitledtoone‐thirdof
the
hereditary
estateof
thedeceasedandtheillegitimate
childrentoanotherthird.Theremainingthirdshallbe
atthef
reedisposalof
thetestator.

Deathpendentelite—seeLapuz
v.Euf
emio,
supra TEST:Illegitimatechildren,
survivingspouse—whatis
thesharing?

Problem:Terminationof
marriageby
reappearanceof

priorspouse/decreeof
annulmentorabsolutenullity
 [ART.895.Thelegitimeof
eachof
theacknowledged
of
marriage naturalchildrenandeachof
thenaturalchildrenby

‐reappearanceof
priorspouse legalfictionshallconsistof
one‐half
of
thelegitimeof

o supposeaperson(husband),
believing eachof
thelegitimatechildrenordescendants.
ingoodf
aiththathiswif
ehadalready

died,
remarries,
andthensubsequently
 Thelegitimeof
anillegitimatechildwhoisneitheran
hiswif
ereappears,
arebothhisfirst acknowledgednatural,
noranaturalchildby
legal
wif
eandsecondwif
eentitledto fiction,
shallbeequalinevery
casetof
our‐fif
thsof
the
legitimef
romthehusbandif
hedies?
 legitimeof
anacknowledgednaturalchild.]

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 35 of
 73
Thelegitimeof
theillegitimatechildrenshallbetaken testatorwassolemniz
edinarticulomortis,
andthe
f
romtheportionof
theestateatthef
reedisposalof
the testatordiedwithinthreemonthsf
romthetimeof
the
testator,
providedthatinnocaseshallthetotallegitime marriage,
thelegitimeof
thesurvivingspouseasthe
of
suchillegitimatechildrenexceedthatf
reeportion,
 soleheirshallbeone‐thirdof
thehereditary
estate,

andthatthelegitimeof
thesurvivingspousemustfirst exceptwhenthey
havebeenlivingashusbandandwif
e
bef
ully
satisfied. f
ormorethanfivey
ears.Inthelattercase,
thelegitime
of
thesurvivingspouseshallbethatspecifiedinthe
TEST:Onelegitimatechild,
illegitimatechildren,
 precedingparagraph.
survivingspouse—whatisthesharing?

Survivingspouseassolecompulsory
heir
TEST:Legitimatechildren,
illegitimatechildren,
 ‐generalrule:1/2of
estate
survivingspouse—whatisthesharing?
 ‐exception:1/3of
estate,
if
thef
ollowing
circumstancesconcur
Reductionof
shares(if
totallegitimesexceedthe o themarriagewasinarticulomortis
entireestate);
rules o thetestatordiedwithinthreemonths
‐legitimesof
legitimatechildrenneverreduced f
romthetimeof
themarriage
(they
areprimary
andpref
erredcompulsory
 o thepartiesdidnotcohabitf
ormore
heirs) thanfivey
ears,
and
‐legitimeof
survivingspouseneverreduced o thespousewhodiedwastheparty
in
‐legitimesof
illegitimatechildrenwillbereduced articulomortisatthetimeof
the
prorataandwithoutpref
erenceamongthem marriage

ART.896
.Illegitimatechildrenwhomay
survivewith
legitimateparentsorascendantsof
thedeceasedshall
beentitledtoone‐f
ourthof
thehereditary
estatetobe
takenf
romtheportionatthef
reedisposalof
the
testator.
TEST:Illegitimatechildren,
legitimateparents—what
isthesharing?

ART.897.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswith
legitimatechildrenordescendants,
andacknowledged
naturalchildren,
ornaturalchildrenby
legalfiction,
 ART.902.Therightsof
illegitimatechildrensetf
orthin
suchsurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoaportion
equaltothelegitimeof
eachof
thelegitimatechildren
whichmustbetakenf
romthatpartof
theestatewhich
thetestatorcanf
reely
disposeof
.
ART.898.If
thewidoworwidowersurviveswith
legitimatechildrenordescendants,
andwith
illegitimatechildrenotherthanacknowledgednatural,
 theirlegitimatedescendants)
ornaturalchildrenby
legalfiction,
theshareof
the
survivingspouseshallbethesameasthatprovidedin
theprecedingarticle.
ART.901.Whenthetestatordiesleavingillegitimate
childrenandnoothercompulsory
heirs,
such
illegitimatechildrenshallhavearighttoone‐half
of
the
hereditary
estateof
thedeceased.
Theotherhalf
shallbeatthef
reedisposalof
the
testator.
TEST:Illegitimatechildrenalone—howmuchdothey

get?

theprecedingarticlesaretransmittedupontheirdeath
totheirdescendants,
whetherlegitimateorillegitimate.
Rightof
representationtothelegitimateand
illegitimatedescendantsof
anillegitimatechild
‐comparewithART.992(incaseof
legitimate
children,
rightof
representationisgivenonly
to
‐effect:rightof
representationof
illegitimate
childrenisbroaderthanrightof
representation
of
legitimatechildren

ART.899.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswith ART.903.Thelegitimeof
theparentswhohavean
legitimateparentsorascendantsandwithillegitimate illegitimatechild,
whensuchchildleavesneither
children,
suchsurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoone‐ legitimatedescendants,
norasurvivingspouse,
nor
eighthof
thehereditary
estateof
thedeceasedwhich illegitimatechildren,
isone‐half
of
thehereditary
estate
mustbetakenf
romthef
reeportion,
andtheillegitimate of
suchillegitimatechild.If
only
legitimateor
childrenshallbeentitledtoone‐f
ourthof
theestate illegitimatechildrenarelef
t,
theparentsarenotentitled
whichshallbetakenalsof
romthedisposableportion. toany
legitimewhatsoever.If
only
thewidowor
Thetestatormay
f
reely
disposeof
theremainingone‐ widowersurviveswithparentsof
theillegitimatechild,

eighthof
theestate. thelegitimeof
theparentsisone‐f
ourthof
the
hereditary
estateof
thechild,
andthatof
thesurviving
TEST:Legitimateparents,
illegitimatechildren,
 spousealsoone‐f
ourthof
theestate.
survivingspouse—whatisthesharing?

TEST:Illegitimateparentsalone—howmuchdothey

ART.900.If
theonly
survivoristhewidoworwidower,
 get?

sheorheshallbeentitledtoone‐half
of
thehereditary

estateof
thedeceasedspouse,
andthetestatormay
 TEST:Illegitimateparents,
survivingspouse—whatis
f
reely
disposeof
theotherhalf
. thesharing?


If
themarriagebetweenthesurvivingspouseandthe

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 36
 of
 73
Thisistheonly
instancewhenillegitimatechildren
excludesecondary
compulsory
heirs(illegitimate 7) 1legitimatechild=

parents) survivingspouse=


Intentof
thelawingivingspousearbitrary
shares— 8) 1legitimateparent=

‐sothatsomethingmay
belef
tf
orf
reedisposition 2illegitimatechildren=

LEGITIMESQUIZZERSET1:Writehowmucheach 9) 3legitimatechildren=

compulsory
heirwouldget.Donotshowy
our 2adoptedchildren=

solution.Timelimit—5minutes. survivingspouse=

1) 1legitimatechild=
 10) 2legitimatechildren=

1adoptedchild=
 survivingspouse=

2) 2adoptedchildren=

legitimateparents=
 The Reserva Troncal
3) 1adoptedchild=
 ART.891.Theascendantwhoinheritsf
romhis
4illegitimatechildren=
 descendantany
property
whichthelattermay
have
acquiredby
gratuitoustitlef
romanotherascendant,
or
4) survivingspouse=
 abrotherorsister,
isobligedtoreservesuchproperty

6
legitimatechildren=
 ashemay
acquiredby
operationof
lawf
orthebenefit
of
relativeswhoarewithinthethirddegreeandwho
5) 5legitimatechildren=
 belongtothelinef
romwhichthesaidproperty
came.
1illegitimatechild=

Illustrationanddiagram
6
) 5illegitimatechildren=

legitimateparents=

OorM.S.R’ista
7) 4illegitimatechildren=

legitimateparents=

survivingspouse=
 g.t.o.of
l.
8) legitimateparents=

survivingspouse=
 P
R’ios
9) 1legitimatechild=

legitimateparents=

1illegitimatechild=

survivingspouse=

Explanationof
illustrationanddiagram—
‐P(prepositus)inheritsapieceof
landf
romhis
10) survivingspouse=

f
ather,
OorM.S.(originormediatesource).
1illegitimateparent=

Subsequently
,
Pdies,
intestate,
single,
and
withoutlegitimateissue,
andthelandisinturn
LEGITIMESQUIZZERSET2:Writehowmucheach
inheritedby
hismotherR’ista(reservista)
compulsory
heirwouldget.Donotshowy
our
‐R’istaisnowrequiredtoreservetheproperty
in
solution.Timelimit—5minutes.
f
avorof
P’spaternalrelativeswithinthethird
degree(R’iosorreservatarios)
1) 3legitimatechildren=

survivingspouse=

Othertermsf
orreservatroncal
‐lineal,
f
amiliar,
extraordinaria,
semi‐troncal,

2) 2legitimatechildren=

pseudo‐troncal
4illegitimatechildren=

survivingspouse=

Purpose
‐“thereservatroncalisaspecialruledesigned
3) 3legitimatechildren=

primarily
toassurethereturnof
thereservable
2adoptedchildren=

property
tothethirddegreerelativesbelonging
tothelinef
romwhichtheproperty
originally

4) illegitimateparents=

came,
andtoavoiditsbeingdissipated...by
the
2illegitimatechildren=

relativesof
theinheritingascendant(Padurav.
Baldovino[1958])
5) 2legitimatechildren=

‐“toavoidthedangerthatproperty
existingf
or
1illegitimatechild=

many
y
earsinaf
amily
’spatrimony
mightpass
gratuitously
tooutsidersthroughtheaccidentof

6
) 3adoptedchildren=

marriageanduntimely
death(Gonz
alesv.CFI
1legitimateparent=

[1981])
‐“topreventoutsidersf
romacquiring,
throughan
accidentof
lif
e,
property
which,
butf
orsuch

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 37 of
 73
 accident,
wouldhaveremainedinthef
amily
”
(idem.)
Requisites(asgiveninChuav.CFI[1977])
‐thattheproperty
wasacquiredby
adescendant
f
romanascendantorf
romabrotherorsisterby
 origin
gratuitoustitle
o termdescendantshouldreadperson(if

grantorisbrotherorsister,
acquireris
notadescendant)
o acquisitionisby
gratuitoustitle(título
lucrative)whentherecipientdoesnot
giveany
thinginreturn
encompassestransmissions
by
donationorby
succession
of
whateverkind
‐thatsaiddescendantdiedwithoutanissue
o shouldread:“thatsaidpersondied
withoutlegitimateissue”(becauseonly
 legitimate
legitimatedescendantswillpreventthe
property
f
rombeinginheritedby
the
legitimateascendinglineby
operation
of
law)
if
descendantdieswith
illegitimateissue,
therewill
bereservatroncal
‐thattheproperty
isinheritedby
another
ascendantby
operationof
law
o by
operationof
lawislimitedto
successiontothelegitimeorby
 notchangelinesinpassingto
intestacy
,
NOTtestamentary
succession
nodonation
‐thattherearerelativeswithinthethirddegree
belongingtothelinef
romwhichsaidproperty
 relationshipisof
thef
ull‐
came
o reservatarios,
tobediscussedinf
ra
Process
‐firsttransf
er
o by
gratuitoustitle,
f
romapersontohis
descendant,
brother,
orsister
‐secondtransf
er
o by
operationof
law,
f
romthetransf
eree
inthefirsttransf
ertoanother
ascendant
itisthissecondtransf
erthat
createsthereserva
‐thirdtransf
er
o f
romthetransf
ereeinthesecond
transf
ertotherelatives(reservatarios)
Soliviov.CA(1990)
Facts:Motherdiedintestate,
leavingallpropertiestosole
heir,
herchild.Child(decedent)diedintestate,
single,
and
withoutlegitimateissue.Decedentwassurvivedby
 substitutingoralienatingthe
maternalauntandpaternalaunt.Maternalaunt:
propertieslef
tby
decedentbelongtoherbecausesheisa
thirddegreerelativeof
decedent’smother,
f
romwhose
lineproperty
came.
H
eld:Thatthereisnoreservatroncalbecausedescendant
(decedent)inheritedf
romascendant(mother),
the
reverseof
situationcoveredby
ART.891.
Parties
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
‐ originormediatesource
o thetransf
erorinthefirsttransf
er
‐ prepositus
o thefirsttransf
eree,
whoisa
descendantorbrother/sisterof
the
reservistaorreservor
‐ o theascendantobligedtoreserve
reservatariosorreservees
‐ o therelativesbenefited
Twobasicrules—
‐noinquiry
istobemadebey
ondtheorigin
o itdoesnotmatterwhotheownerof
the
property
wasbef
oreitwasacquiredby

theorigin
‐alltherelationshipsamongthepartiesmustbe
TheOrigin/MediateSource
‐eitheranascendantorabrotherorsisterof
the
prepositus
o ascendant:may
beof
any
degreeof

ascent
o brotherorsister:conflictingviews
oneview–
mustbeof
the
half
‐blood(because
otherwise,
property
would
acommonascendantof
the
prepositusandthebrother;

noreserveif
f
raternal
bloodbecauseitwouldbe
impossibletoidentif
y
theline
of
origin—whetherpaternal
ormaternal)(J.B.L.Rey
es)
anotherview–
doesnot
matterwhetherof
thef
ull‐or
half
‐blood(Sánchez
Román)
ThePrepositus
‐eitheradescendantorabrotherorsisterof
the
originwhoreceivesproperty
f
romtheoriginby

gratuitoustitle
o heisthefirsttransf
eree
‐whileproperty
isstillwithhim,
thereisasy
etno
reserva
o reservearisesonly
uponthesecond
transf
er
o whileprepositusownstheproperty
,
he
hasallrightsof
ownershipoveritand
may
exercisesuchrightsinorderto
preventareservef
romarising,
by
:
property

bequeathingordevisingit
eithertothepotential
reservistaortothirdpersons
(subjecttotheconstraintsof

thelegitime),
or
partitioninginsuchaway
as
toassigntheproperty
to
partiesotherthanthe
potentialreservista(subject
Page 38 of
 73
 totheconstraintsof
the
legitime)
‐ theprepositustheref
oreisthearbiterof
the
reservatroncal(Sánchez
Román)
TheReservista
‐heisanascendantof
theprepositus,
of
whatever
degree
o mustbeanascendantotherthanthe
origin(if
theoriginisalsoan
ascendant)
if
twopartiesarethesame
person,
noreservatroncal
‐shouldtheoriginandthereservistabelongto
differentlines(i.e.grandchildreceivesproperty
 howreservableproperty
istobe
by
donationf
rompaternalgrandf
ather;
 distributedtoreservatarios(Padurav.
grandchilddies;
property
receivedby
donation
passesby
successiontothelegitimeand
intestacy
tothef
ather,
thepaternalgrandf
ather’s
son)?
 f
avorof
f
ull‐bloodinrelation
o oneview–
nobecauseanother
ascendantisonebelongingtoaline
otherthanthatof
thereservista
(purposeof
reserveisonly
curative)
(J.B.L.Rey
es)
o anotherview–
y
esbecause(a)thelaw
doesnotdistinguish,
and(b)purposeof
 reservatarios:
reservaisnotonly
curative,
butalso
preventive,
i.e.topreventtheproperty
 by
brothersorsistersand
f
romleavingtheline(Sánchez
Román)
TheReservatarios
‐thereservaisinf
avorof
aclass,
collectively

ref
erredtoasthereservatarios(reservees)
‐requirementstobeareservatario:
o hemustbewithinthethirddegreeof

consanguinity
f
romtheprepositus
(Cabardov.Villanueva[1922])
o hemustbelongtothelinef
romwhich
theproperty
came(determinedby
the
origin)
if
originisanascendant—
eitherof
thepaternalor
maternalline
if
originisabrotherorsister
of
thef
ullblood—itwouldbe
impossibletodistinguishthe
lines
o mustthereservatarioalsoberelatedto
theorigin?
 relatives).Thatreservableproperty
shouldpassnottoall
oneview:no,
becausethe
articlespeaksonly
of
two
lines(paternalandmaternal)
of
thedescendant,
without
regardtosubdivisions
(Manresa)
anotherview:y
es,
otherwise
resultswouldarise
completely
contrary
tothe
purposeof
thereserva,
which
istopreventproperty
f
rom
passingtopersonsnotof
the
lineof
origin(Sánchez

Román)
‐reservainf
avorof
reservatariosasaclass
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
o itisnotrequiredthatthereservatario
mustalready
belivingwhenthe
prepositusdies,
becausethereserveis
establishedinf
avorof
agrouporclass,

notinf
avorof
specificindividuals
(Manresa)
aslongasthereservatariois
aliveatthetimeof
the
reservista’sdeath,
hequalifies
assuch,
evenif
hewas
conceivedandbornaf
terthe
prepositus’sdeath
pref
erenceamongthereservatarios
‐ o rulesonintestatesuccessiongovern
Baldovino[1958])
i.e.thenearerexcludethe
moreremote,
shareof
2:1in
tohalf
‐bloodrelativesof
the
prepositus
representationamongthereservatarios(see
Florentinov.Florentino[1919])
‐ o thereisonly
oneinstanceof

representationamongthe
if
thepreposituswassurvived
childrenof
apredeceasedor
incapacitatedbrotheror
sister
Padurav.Baldovino(1958)
Facts:Origin(f
ather)died,
leavingpropertiesby
willto
survivingwif
e(motherorreservista)andthreechildren
(onef
romfirstmarriage,
twof
romsecondmarriage).One
of
twochildren(prepositus,
single,
withoutlegitimate
issue)inthesecondmarriagepredeceasedthemother
(reservista).Reservatariosweref
ull‐bloodsisterof

prepositusandhishalf
‐brother(childof
originf
romfirst
marriage).
H
eld:Thatreservatariosof
thef
ull‐bloodareentitledtoa
sharetwiceaslargeasthatof
others(half
‐blood
reservatariosasaclassbutonly
tothosenearestindegree
totheprepositus,
excludingthosereservatariosof
more
remotedegree.Thatreservatroncalmerely
determines
groupof
relatives(reservatarios)towhomproperty

shouldbereturned;
butwithinthatgroupindividualright
toproperty
shouldbedecidedby
rulesof
intestate
succession.Thatbasicprinciplesof
intestacy
tobeapplied
are(a)proximity
indegree,
(b)rightof
representation,

and(c)ruleof
doublesharef
orrelativesorcollateralsof

wholeblood.
Florentinov.Florentino(1919)
Facts:Originlef
tby
willallhispropertiesto11children.
Onechild(prepositus)diedintestate,
single,
andwithout
legitimateissue,
andwassucceededby
hismother
(reservista).Reservistainstitutedherdaughterassole
heir,
givingtodaughterthepropertiessheinheritedf
rom
prepositus,
herson.Survivingsiblingsandnephewsand
Page 39 of
 73
nieces,
asrepresentativesof
predeceasedsiblingsof

preposituscomplained. Gonz
alesv.CFI(1981)

H
eld:Thatpropertiesgivenby
reservistatoherdaughter Facts:Father(origin)diedintestate.Property
of
f
ather
arereservable.Thatreservatarioswithinthethirddegree,
 passedtochildren.Onechild(prepositus)diedintestate,

asincaseof
nephewsandniecesof
prepositusf
romwhom single,
andwithoutlegitimateissue.Property
inheritedby

reservableproperty
came,
haverightof
representation(to childpassedby
operationof
lawtomother(reservista).
representtheirascendants,
orf
athersandmothers,
who Mothergaveby
holographicwillproperty
sheinherited
arebrothersandsistersof
prepositus). f
romprepositustohergrandchildren(childrenof
her
survivingsons).
Juridicalnature
‐natureof
reservista’sright(Edrosov.Sablan H
eld:Thatreservistacannotconvey
reservableproperties
[1913],
inf
ra) by
will(mortiscausa)toreservatarioswithinthethird
o reservista’srightoverthereserved degree,
totheexclusionof
reservatariosinthesecond
property
isoneof
ownership degree(hersurvivingdaughtersandsons).Thatthe
o ownershipissubjecttoaresolutory
 principleisthatthenearerexcludedthemoreremote.
condition(i.e.theexistenceof
 Thatreservistacannotby
willselectreservatariosto
reservatariosatthetimeof
the whomreservableproperty
shouldbegivenanddeprive
reservista’sdeath) theotherreservatariosof
theirsharetherein.
o rightof
ownershipisalienable,
but
subjecttothesameresolutory
 BalaneComments:
condition ‐theruletheref
oreisthatuponthereservista’s
o reservista’srightof
ownershipis death,
thereservedproperty
passesby
strict
registrable(if
property
canbe operationof
law(accordingtotherulesof

registered) intestatesuccession)totheproperreservatarios
‐natureof
reservatarios’right(Sienesv.Esparcia ‐thustheselectionof
whichreservatarioswillget
[196
1],
inf
ra) theproperty
ismadeby
lawandnotby
the
o reservatarios’rightoverthereserved reservista
property
isoneof
expectancy

o expectancy
issubjecttoasuspensive Property
reserved
condition(i.e.existenceof
reservistaat ‐kindof
property
reservable
thetimeof
thereservatarios’death;
 o any
kind(realorpersonal,
corporealor
expectancy
ripensintoownershipif
the incorporeal,
f
ungibleornon‐f
ungible,

reservatariossurvivethereservista) etc)
o rightof
expectancy
isalienable,
but inRodriguez
v.Rodriguez

subjecttothesamesuspensive (1957),
asugarquota
condition allotment(incorporeal)was
o reservatarios’rightof
expectancy
is heldtobereservable
registrable(if
property
canbe ‐effectof
substitution
registered) o theruleisthatthevery
sameproperty

mustgothrutheprocessof

Edrosov.Sablan(1913) transmissions
o whatmustcomef
romtheorigintothe
Facts:Father(origin)diedwithawill.Property
of
f
ather prepositus(by
gratuitoustitle)andto
passedtoonly
son(prepositus)whodiedintestate,
single,
 thereservista(by
operationof
law)
andwithoutlegitimateissue.Property
of
soninherited mustbethesameproperty

f
romhisf
atherpassedby
operationof
lawtomother if
prepositussubstitutesthe
(reservista).Mothersoughttohaveproperty
inherited property
by
selling,
bartering,

f
romsonregistered.Unclesof
sonorprepositus(brothers orexchangingit.the
of
f
atherororigin),
reservatarios,
opposed. substitutecannotbereserved
e.g.therewouldbenoreserva
H
eld:Seenatureof
reservista’sright,
supra. if
theprepositussoldthe
property
hereceivedf
romthe
Sienesv.Esparcia(196
1) originunderapactoderetro
andthenredeemedit
Facts:Father(origin)diedwithawill.Property
of
f
ather (becauseproperty
wouldnot
passedtofivechildren.Onechild(prepositus)died bethesameasprepositus
intestate,
single,
andwithoutlegitimateissue.Property
of
 boughtitbackf
romthe
childinheritedf
romhisf
atherpassedby
operationof
law vendeearetro)
tomother(reservista).Mothersoldproperty
.Surviving
half
‐sistersof
prepositusalsosoldsameproperty
. Reservedproperty
,
notpartof
reservista’sestate
uponhisdeath:
H
eld:Seenatureof
reservatarios’right,
supra.
Canov.Director(1959)
Reservistahasnopowertoappoint,
by
will,
which
reservatariosweretogetthereservedproperty
:

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 40 of
 73
Facts:Reservistadied.Survivingreservatariosoughtto  3Masreservista’slegitime
haveland(reservedproperty
)registeredinhername.Son (composedof
1Mf
romthe2M
of
reservistaopposed. reservableproperty
,
and2M
f
romthe4Mownproperty
of

H
eld:Thatreservatarioisnotreservista’ssuccessor theprepositus;
1Mof
the2M
mortiscausanorisreservableproperty
partof
 reservableproperty
passesto
reservista’sestate.Thatupondeathof
reservista,
 reservistaby
will,
and2Mof

reservatarionearesttoprepositusbecomesautomatically
 the4Mownproperty
of
the
andby
operationof
lawownerof
reservableproperty
. preposituspassesto
Thatreservableproperty
cannotbetransmittedby
a reservistaby
will)
reservistatohisownsuccessorsmortiscausasolongasa
reservatariowithinthethirddegreef
romprepositusand
belongingtolinewhereproperty
cameexistswhen Rightsof
reservatariosandobligationsof
the
reservistadies. reservista
‐toinventory
thereservedproperties
BalaneStates: ‐toannotatethereservablecharacter(if

‐sincethereservedproperty
isnotcomputedas registeredimmovables)intheRegistry
of

partof
thereservista’sestate,
itisnottakeninto Property
within90day
sf
romacceptanceby
the
accountindeterminingthelegitimesof
the reservista
reservista’scompulsory
heirs o thereisonly
onetitletotheimmovable
property
,
theregisteredownerbeing
Aproblemwillariseif
twocircumstancesconcur:(a) thereservista,
andthereservable
theprepositusmakesawillinstitutingtheascendant characterof
theproperty
hastobe
reservistatothewholeorapartof
thef
reeportion;
 annotatedatthebackof
thetitleasa
and(b)thereislef
tintheprepositus’sestate,
uponhis lienorencumbranceinf
avorof
the
death,
inadditiontothereservedproperty
,
property
 reservatarios
notreservable[or,
if
(a)prepositusdieswithtwoor ‐toappraisethemovables
moreproperties,
onereservable,
onehisown;
and(b) ‐tosecureby
meansof
mortgage:(a)the
prepositusmakesawillgivingallorpartof
thef
ree indemnity
f
orany
deteriorationof
ordamageto
porstiontoreservista] theproperty
occasionedby
thereservista’sf
ault
‐twotheoriesadvanced: ornegligence,
and(b)thepay
mentof
thevalue
o reservamáxima–
asmuchof
the of
suchreservedmovablesasmay
havebeen
potentially
reservableproperty
as alienatedby
thereservistaonerously
or
possiblemustbedeemedincludedin gratuitously

thepartthatpassesby
operationof
law
(maximiz
ingthescopeof
thereserva) Extinguishment;
howreservatroncalextinguished
o reservamínima–
every
single ‐by
deathof
reservista
property
intheprepositus’sestate o reservatariostogetproperty
;
nomore
mustbedeemedtopass,
partly
by
will reserva
andpartly
by
operationof
law,
inthe reservatroncalbeginswhen
sameproportionthatthepartgivenby
 theprepositusdies
willbearstothepartnotsogiven reservatroncalendswhenthe
‐toillustrate:supposeprepositusreceives2M reservistadies(reservatarios
f
romorigin,
andearns4Mashisown;
prepositus mustbealive)
makesawillinstitutinghismother(reservista) ‐by
deathof
allthereservatarios
tohisf
reeportion(1/2of
estate);
prepositus o note:if
onesubscribestotheviewthat
diessingleandwithoutlegitimateissue;
 thereservistacanbelongtothelineof

reservistainheritsentireestateof
prepositus origin,
deathof
allreservatarioswill
(half
by
legitime,
half
by
testamentary
 notipsof
actoextinguishthereserva
succession);
howmuchof
the2Mwillbe becausethereservistacouldhavea
reserved?
 childsubsequently
,
whowouldbea
o reservamáxima–
allof
the2M reservatario
(reservableproperty
)willpassto ‐by
renunciationby
allthereservatarios,

reservistaasherlegitime(rule:fitas providedthatnootherreservatarioisborn
muchof
reservableproperty
inthat subsequently

partwhichpassesby
operationof
law) ‐by
totalf
ortuitouslossof
thereservedproperty

3Masreservista’slegitime ‐by
conf
usionormergerof
rights
(includedinthis3Misthe2M o aswhenthereservatariosacquirethe
reservableproperty
) reservista’srightby
acontractinter
o reservamínima–
only
1Mof
the2M vivos
reservableproperty
willpassto e.g.saleof
reservato
reservistaaspartof
herlegitime(rule: reservatarios
every
itemtopasstoreservistain ‐prescriptionoradversepossession
proportionorratioastohowmuchof

thef
reeportiontheprepositusgaveto ART.904.Thetestatorcannotdeprivehiscompulsory

thereservista) heirsof
theirlegitime,
exceptincasesexpressly

providedby
law.

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 41 of
 73
 ‐ articleonly
appliestotransactionsof

Neithercanheimposeuponthesameany
burden,
 compromiseorrenunciationbetweenthe
encumbrance,
condition,
orsubstitutionof
any
kind predecessorandtheprospectivecompulsory

whatsoever. heir
o BUTatransactionof
similarcharacter
Thelegitimeisnotwithinthetestator’scontrol betweenaprospectivecompulsory
heir
‐legitimepassestocompulsory
heirsby
strict andanotherprospectivecompulsory

operationof
law heir,
orbetweenaprospective
compulsory
heirandastranger,
also
Testatordevoidof
powertodeprivecompulsory
heirs notallowed(ART.1347,
par.2)
of
legitime e.g.Aasked50Mf
romhis
‐itisthelaw,
notthetestator,
whichdetermines wealthy
brother,
Binorderto
thetransmissionof
thelegitimes startabusiness,
inexchange
‐EXCEPT:indisinheritance f
orwhichArenouncesthe
o theonly
instanceinwhichthelaw legitimehewillgetf
romtheir
allowsthetestatortodeprivethe f
atherXinf
avorof
B;
Xdies;

compulsory
heirsof
theirlegitimes duringthesettlementof
X’s
estateitturnsoutthatAis
Testatordevoidof
powertoimposeburdenson entitledto80Maslegitime;
B
legitime claimsthatAcannolonger
‐qualifications:inatleasttwoinstances,
thelaw getthe30MbalanceasA
grantsthetestatorsomepoweroverthelegitime already
renouncedhisshare
o pay
mentof
legitimeincash(ART. inf
avorof
B;
Biswrong,
f
orA
1080,
par.2)aswhenaparentwho canstillgethis30Mshare
wishestokeepanagricultural
enterpriseintact,
andsuchagricultural
enterprisewasassignedtoachildwho
doesnotknowhowtooperatethe ART.906
.Any
compulsory
heirtowhomthetestator
same haslef
tby
any
titlelessthanthelegitimebelongingto
o prohibitiononpartition(ART.1083,
 himmay
demandthatthesamebef
ully
satisfied.
par.1)
‐restrictionsonthelegitimeimposedby
law ART.906
appliesonly
totransmissionsby
gratuitous
o thef
amily
homecannotbepartitioned title
(ART.159,
Family
Code) ‐e.g.donation,
etc.
o thereservatroncal
Thisisthewellknownrightof
completionof
legitime
ART.905.Every
renunciationorcompromiseas ‐cf
.ART.855,
909and910
regardsaf
uturelegitimebetweenthepersonowingit
andhiscompulsory
heirsisvoid,
andthelattermay
 Principle:any
thingthatacompulsory
heirreceivesby

claimthesameuponthedeathof
thef
ormer;
butthey
 gratuitoustitlef
romthepredecessorisconsideredas
mustbringtocollationwhateverthey
may
have anadvanceonthelegitimeandisdeductedtheref
rom
receivedby
virtueof
therenunciationorcompromise. ‐exceptions:
o if
thepredecessorgavethecompulsory

Reasonf
ortherule— heiradonationintervivosand
‐bef
orepredecessor’sdeath,
heir’srightissimply
 providedthatitwasnottobecharged
inchoate againstthelegitime(ART.106
2)
o testamentary
dispositionsmadeby
the
Duty
tocollate predecessortothecompulsory
heir,

‐any
property
whichthecompulsory
heirmay
 unlessthetestatorprovidesthatit
havegratuitously
receivedf
romhispredecessor shouldbeconsideredpartof
the
by
virtueof
therenunciationorcompromisewill legitime(ART.106
3)
beconsideredasanadvanceonhislegitimeand
mustbeduly
credited ART.907.Testamentary
dispositionsthatimpairor
o e.g.if
sonaskedf
or30Mf
romhisf
ather diminishthelegitimeof
thecompulsory
heirsshallbe
inordertostartabusiness,
andthe reducedonpetitionof
thesame,
insof
arasthey
may
be
f
atheragrees,
the30Mwouldbe inofficiousorexcessive.
consideredasanadvanceontheson’s
legitime Notes:
duringthesettlementof
his ‐sameprincipleasinART.904
f
ather’sestate,
if
itturnsout ‐if
testamentary
dispositionsexceedthe
thatthesonisentitledto50M disposableportion,
compulsory
heirsmay

aslegitime,
hewouldbegiven demandtheirreductiontotheextentthatthe
20Mmore(the30Malready
 legitimeshavebeenimpaired
creditedtohislegitime) ‐cf
.ART.911
Scopeandprohibition ART.908.Todeterminethelegitime,
thevalueof
the
property
lef
tatthedeathof
thetestatorshallbe
considered,
deductingalldebtsandcharges,
whichshall

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 42 of
 73
notincludethoseimposedinthewill.
Tothenetvalueof
thehereditary
estate,
shallbeadded
thevalueof
alldonationsby
thetestatorthataresubject
tocollation,
atthetimehemadethem.
Thenethereditary
estate
‐ART.908makespossiblethecomputationof
the
absoluteamountsof
thelegitimesby
lay
ing
downthemannerof
computingthenetvalueof

theestate(thenethereditary
estate),
onwhich
theproportionsarebased
H
owtocomputethehereditary
estate:
‐inventory
of
allexistingassets
o appraisalorvaluationof
existingassets
atthetimeof
thedecedent’sdeath
o assetsincludeonly
thosethatsurvive
thedecedent(i.e.notextinguishedby
 (sale).Thatobligationtocollateislodgedwithdecedent’s
hisdeath)
o valuedeterminedby
inventory
will
constitutethegrossassets
‐deductunpaiddebtsandcharges
o allunpaidobligationsof
thedecedent
mustbedeductedf
romgrossassets
o only
obligationswithmonetary
value,
 Donationsmadetostrangersshallbechargedtothat
notextinguishedby
death,
are
considered(i.e.notintuitupersonae
obligations)
o differencebetweengrossassetsand
unpaidobligationswillbetheavailable
assets
‐addthevalueof
donationsintervivos
o addtothevalueof
availableassetsall
theintervivosdonationsmadeby
the
decedent
o donationsintervivosmustbevaluedas
of
thetimethey
weremade(increase
ordecreaseinvalue,
f
orthedonee’s
account)
o sumof
availableassetsandall
donationsintervivosisthenet
hereditary
estate
Toillustrate—
‐inventoriedassets:17M(grossassets)
‐deductdebts:6
M(11Masavailableassets)
‐adddonationsintervivos:4M(15Masnet
hereditary
estate)
o if
testatorlef
t3legitimatechildrenand
asurvivingspouse,
they
willgetthe
f
ollowing:
2.5Meachto3legitimate
children(rule:1/2of
estate)
2.5Mtosurvivingspouse
(rule:shareequivalenttothat
of
onechild)
totallegitimes:10M
f
reeportion:1M(note:
availableassets,
only
11M;
 compulsory
heir
valueof
nethereditary
estate
[15M]only
relevantf
or
purposesof
computingthe
legitimes)
Viz
condev.CA(1998)
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
Facts:Decedentsoldparcelof
landtodaughter.Daughter
hadhusbandandtwochildren.Daughterandchildren
diedinmassacre,
inwhichdaughterdiedahead.Children
becameheirsof
mother.Whenchildrendied,
theirf
ather
(husband)becamesoleheir.H
usband(widower)
extrajudicially
settledestateof
wif
ewithparents‐in‐law
(decedentandhiswif
e).Decedentdiedandacollationwas
askedwherewidowerincluded.
H
eld:Thatinclusionof
widower(son‐in‐lawinrelationto
decedent)insettlementof
intestateestateof
hisf
ather‐in‐
law(f
atherof
hislatewif
e)iserroneousbecauseson‐in‐
lawnotacompulsory
heirof
hisf
ather‐in‐law.That
assumingcollationwereproper,
stillproperty
soldby

decedenttohisdeaddaughter(wif
eof
decedent’sson‐in‐
laworthewidower)notcollationablef
orthereasonthat
transf
erwasnotby
gratuitoustitlebutby
oneroustitle
compulsory
heir,
hisdeaddaughter,
andnottosaid
deceaseddaughter’shusband.
ART.909.Donationsgiventochildrenshallbecharged
totheirlegitime.
partof
theestateof
whichthetestatorcouldhave
disposedby
hislastwill.
Insof
arasthey
may
beinofficiousormay
exceedthe
disposableportion,
they
shallbereducedaccordingto
therulesestablishedby
thisCode.
ART.910.Donationswhichanillegitimatechildmay

havereceivedduringthelif
etimeof
hisf
atheror
mother,
shallbechargedtohislegitime.
Shouldthey
exceedtheportionthatcanbef
reely

disposedof
,
they
shallbereducedinthemanner
prescribedby
thisCode.
Donationsintervivostocompulsory
heirs,
considered
asanadvanceontheirlegitimes
‐coverageof
rule
o appliestoallcompulsory
heirs
includingascendants
excludingasurvivingspouse
(exceptincasesof
donations
propternuptiasandmoderate
gif
ts)
‐exception
o ruleof
imputationof
legitimewillnot
apply
if
donorprovidedotherwise
(videART.106
2)
inwhichcasedonationtobe
imputedtothef
reeportion
Donationsintervivostostrangers
‐astrangerisany
onewhodoesnotsucceedasa
o e.g.f
ather,
if
decedenthaschildren
‐donationsintervivostostrangersareimputedto
thedisposableportion
ART.911.Af
terthelegitimehasbeendeterminedin
accordancewiththethreeprecedingarticles,
the
Page 43 of
 73
reductionshallbemadeasf
ollows:
(1)Donationsshallberespectedaslongasthelegitime
canbecovered,
reducingorannulling,
if
necessary
,
the
devisesorlegaciesmadeinthewill;
 The devisee who is entitled to a legitime may
 retain the
(2)Thereductionof
thedevisesorlegaciesshallbepro
rata,
withoutany
distinctionwhatever;
 aslegitime.(821)
If
thetestatorhasdirectedthatacertaindeviseor
legacy
bepaidinpref
erencetoothers,
itshallnotsuffer
any
reductionuntilthelatterhavebeenappliedinf
ull
tothepay
mentof
thelegitime.
(3)If
thedeviseorlegacy
consistsof
ausuf
ructorlif
e
annuity
,
whosevaluemay
beconsideredgreaterthan
thatof
thedisposableportion,
thecompulsory
heirs
may
choosebetweencomply
ingwiththetestamentary
 phy
sicalportionof
thething
provisionanddeliveringtothedeviseeorlegateethe
partof
theinheritanceof
whichthetestatorcouldf
reely
 Rules:
dispose.
Legitimesareinviolable
‐if
impaired,
gratuitousdispositionsof
the
testator(intervivosormortiscausa)havetobe
setasideorreducedasmay
berequiredtocover
thelegitimes
Methodof
reduction*
‐first,
reduceproratathenon‐pref
erredlegacies
anddevises(ART.911[2]),
andthe
testamentary
dispositions(toheirs)(ART.907)
o nopref
erenceamongtheselegacies,
 exercise it;
 should the latter not make use of
 it,
 the
devises,
andtestamentary
dispositions
‐second,
reduceproratathepref
erredlegacies
anddevises(ART.911,
lastpar.)
‐third,
reducethedonationsintervivosaccording
totheinverseorderof
theirdates(i.e.theoldest
isthemostpref
erred)
*reductionsshallbetotheextentrequiredtocompletethe
legitimes,
evenif
intheprocess,
thedispositionisreduced
tonothing
Devises/legaciesof
usuf
ruct/lif
eannuities/
pensions(ART.911[3])
‐if
uponbeingcapitaliz
edaccordingtoactuarial
standards,
thevalueof
thegrantexceedsthef
ree
portion(i.e.itimpairsthelegitime),
ithastobe
reduced,
becausethelegitimecannotbe
impaired
‐thetestatorcanimposenousuf
ructorany
other
encumbranceonthepartthatpassesaslegitime
‐subjecttothetworulesabovementioned,
the
compulsory
heirsmay
electbetweencedingto
thedevisee/legateethef
reeportion(orthe
proportionalpartthereof
correspondingtothe
saidlegacy
/devise,
incasethereareother
dispositions),
andcomply
ingwiththetermsof
 6
. Disinheritance
theusuf
ructorlif
eannuity
orpension
Art.912.If
thedevisesubjecttoreductionshouldconsist
of
realproperty
,
whichcannotbeconveniently
divided,
it
shall go to the devisee if
 the reduction does not absorb
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
one‐half
 of
 its value;
 and in a contrary
 case,
 to the
compulsory
 heirs;
 but the f
ormer and the latter shall
reimburse each other in cash f
or what respectively

belongstothem.
entireproperty
,
provideditsvaluedoesnotexceedthatof

thedisposableportionandof
thesharepertainingtohim
Balane:
Provisioncoverstheff.cases:
1. Thedeviseehastobereduced
2. Thethinggivenasadeviseisindivisible
•Ineithercase,
thereshouldbepecuniary

reimbursmenttotheparty
whodidnotgethis
1. If
theextentof
reductionislessthan½
of
the
valueof
thething–
itshouldbegiventothe
devisee.
2. If
theextenetof
reductionis½
ormoreof
the
valueof
thething–
itshouldbegiventothe
compulsory
heir.
Art. 913. If
 the heirs or devisees do not choose to avail
themselves of
 the right granted by
 the preceding article,

any
 heir or devisee who did not have such right may

property
shallbesoldatpublicauctionattheinstanceof

any
oneof
theinterestedparties.(822)
Balane:
•Thisarticleappliesif
neitherparty
(the
compulsory
heirandthedevisee)electsto
exercisehisrightunderArt.912.
Rules:
1. Any
otherheirordevisee,
whoelectstodoso,

may
acquirethethingandpay
theparties(the
compulsory
heirandthedeviseeinquestion)
theirrespectiveshareinmoney
.
2. If
noheirordeviseeelectstoacquireit,
itshall
besoldatpublicauctionandthenetproceeds
accordingly
dividedbetweentheparties
concerned.
Art.914Thetestatormay
deviseandbequeaththef
ree
portionashemay
deemfit.(n)
Art.915.Acompulsory
heirmay
,
inconsequenceof

disinheritance,
bedeprivedof
hislegitime,
f
orcauses
expressly
statedby
law.(848a).
Balane:
Requisitesof
avaliddisinheritance:(SLaWPUTT)
1. Itmustbemadeinawill.
•Itmustbeadmittedintoprobate.
2. Itmustbef
oracausespecifiedby
law.
3. Thewillmustspecif
y
thecause.
4. Itmustbeunconditional.
Page 44 of
 73
 5. Itmustbetotal. (7)Whenachildordescendantleadsadishonorableor
6
. Thecausemustbetrue. disgracef
ullif
e;

7. If
thetruthof
thecauseisdenied,
itmustbe (8)Convictionof
acrimewhichcarrieswithitthepenalty

provedby
theproponent. of
civilinterdiction.(756
,
853,
6
74a)

Effectof
disinheritance: Balane:
Thedisinheritedheirf
orf
eits: Groundsf
ordisinheritance:(DAMAFASI)
1. hislegitime 1. Attemptagainstthelif
e
2. hisintestateportion,
if
any
,
and •Allstagesof
commissionareincluded–

3. any
testamentary
dispositionmadeinaprior attempted,
f
rustrtaedorconsumated.
willof
thedisinheritingtestator •Intenttokillmustbepresent.
•Finalconvictionisnecessary
.
ClassNotes: 2. Accusation
•ThisshouldbecorrelatedwithArt.904. •Thisincludesthefilingof
thecomplaint
bef
oretheprosecutor,
orpresenting
Art.916
.Disinheritancecanbeeffectedonly
throughawill incriminatingevidenceagainstthetestator,

whereinthelegalcausetheref
orshallbespecified.(849) orevensupressingexculpatory
evidence.
•Thereshouldbeimprisonmentof
morethan
Art.917.Theburdenof
provingthetruthof
thecausef
or sixy
ears.
disinheritanceshallrestupontheotherheirsof
the •Theaccusationmustbef
oundtobe
testator,
if
thedisinheritedheirshoulddeny
it.(850) groundless.
3. Adultery
andconcubinage
Art.918.Disinheritancewithoutaspecificationof
the •Finalconvictionisrequired.
cause,
orf
oracausethetruthof
which,
if
contradicted,
is 4. Fraud,
violence,
intimidationandundue
notproved,
orwhichisnotoneof
thosesetf
orthinthis influenceinthemakingof
thewill
Code,
shallannultheinstitutionof
heirsinsof
arasitmay
 5. Ref
usaltosupportwithoutjustifiablecause
prejudicethepersondisinherited;
butthedevisesand •Thedemandmustbeunjustifiably
ref
used.
legaciesandothertestamentary
dispositionsshallbevalid •Ref
usalmay
bejustified:
tosuchextentaswillnotimpairthelegitime.(851a) o E.g.If
theobligordoesnothave
enoughresourcesf
orallwhomhe
Balane: isobligedtosupport.The
•If
thedisinheritancelacksoneorotherof
the ascendantsareonly
thirdinthe
requisitesinthisarticle,
theheirinquestiongets hierarchy
of
pref
erenceamong
hislegitime. claimantsof
support.
•Astowhetherhewillgetalsoany
partof
the 6
. Maltreatment
intestateportionornot,
itdependsinwhether •Itisrequiredthattheactof
verbalor
thetestatorgaveaway
thef
reeportionthrough phy
sicalassaultbeof
seriousnature.
testamentary
dispositions: •Noconvictionisrequired.Itisnoteven
o If
throughtestamentary
provision,
 requiredthatany
criminalcasebefiled.
thesedispositionsarevalidandthe •Thismay
beprovedby
preponderanceof

compulsory
heirimproperly
 evidence.
disinheritedgetsonly
hislegitime. 7. Leadsadishonorableordisgracef
ullif
e
o H
ewillgethiscorrespondingshareof
 •Theremustbehabituality
totheconduct.
thef
reeportionisif
isnotthrough •Theconductneednotbesexualinnature.
testamentary
provision. 8. Crimewithcivilinterdiction
o Finalconvictionisrequired.
Art.919.Thef
ollowingshallbesufficientcausesf
orthe
disinheritanceof
childrenanddescendants,
legitimateas ClassNotes:
wellasillegitimate: •Accusation
(1)Whenachildordescendanthasbeenf
oundguilty
of
 o Theexonerationoracquittalmustbe
anattemptagainstthelif
eof
thetestator,
hisorher becausethechargeisgroundless.
spouse,
descendants,
orascendants;
 If
theacquittalisonly
bey
ond
(2)Whenachildordescendanthasaccusedthetestatorof
 reasonabledoubt,
thenthere
acrimef
orwhichthelawprescribesimprisonmentf
orsix issomeground.
y
earsormore,
if
theaccusationhasbeenf
ound •Fraud,
violence,
intimidationandundue
groundless;
 influenceinthemakingof
thewill
(3)Whenachildordescendanthasbeenconvictedof
 o Noconvictionisrequiredhere
adultery
orconcubinagewiththespouseof
thetestator;
 •Maltreatment
(4)Whenachildordescendantby
f
raud,
violence,
 o Usually
thisishardtoprovebecause
intimidation,
orundueinfluencecausesthetestatorto thereisnowitnessandthetestatoris
makeawillortochangeonealready
made;
 dead.
(5)Aref
usalwithoutjustifiablecausetosupportthe •Leadsadishonorableordisgracef
ullif
e
parentorascendantwhodisinheritssuchchildor o Itcannotbeonly
once.
descendant;
 o Itneednotbesexualinnature.For
(6
)Maltreatmentof
thetestatorby
wordordeed,
by
the example,
partakingintheporkbarrel
childordescendant;
 scamwithJanetNapoles.

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 45 of
 73
 Compellingthechildto

Art.920.Thef
ollowingshallbesufficientcausesf
orthe beor
disinheritanceof
parentsorascendants,
whether Subjectingthechildor
legitimateorillegitimate: allowinghimtobe
(1)Whentheparentshaveabandonedtheirchildrenor subjectedtoactsof

inducedtheirdaughterstoliveacorruptorimmorallif
e,
 lasciviousness
orattemptedagainsttheirvirtue;
 Attemptagainstthelif
eof
aparentby
another
(2)Whentheparentorascendanthasbeenconvictedof
 4. •Includesallstagesof
consummation.No
anattemptagainstthelif
eof
thetestator,
hisorher convictionisrequired.
spouse,
descendants,
orascendants;

(3)Whentheparentorascendanthasaccusedthetestator
of
acrimef
orwhichthelawprescribesimprisonmentf
or ClassNotes:
sixy
earsormore,
if
theaccusationhasbeenf
oundtobe •Accusation
f
alse;

(4)Whentheparentorascendanthasbeenconvictedof
 Art.921.Thef
ollowingshallbesufficientcausesf
or
adultery
orconcubinagewiththespouseof
thetestator;
 disinheritingaspouse:
(5)Whentheparentorascendantby
f
raud,
violence,
 (1)Whenthespousehasbeenconvictedof
anattempt
intimidation,
orundueinfluencecausesthetestatorto againstthelif
eof
thetestator,
hisorherdescendants,
or
makeawillortochangeonealready
made;
 ascendants;

(6
)Thelossof
parentalauthority
f
orcausesspecifiedin (2)Whenthespousehasaccusedthetestatorof
acrime
thisCode;
 f
orwhichthelawprescribesimprisonmentof
sixy
earsor
(7)Theref
usaltosupportthechildrenordescendants more,
andtheaccusationhasbeenf
oundtobef
alse;

withoutjustifiablecause;
 (3)Whenthespouseby
f
raud,
violence,
intimidation,
or
(8)Anattemptby
oneof
theparentsagainstthelif
eof
the undueinfluencecausethetestatortomakeawillorto
other,
unlesstherehasbeenareconciliationbetween changeonealready
made;

them.(756
,
854,
6
74a) (4)Whenthespousehasgivencausef
orlegalseparation;

(5)Whenthespousehasgivengroundsf
orthelossof

Balane: parentalauthority
;

•Number2,
3,
4,
5and7arethesameground (6
)Unjustifiableref
usaltosupportthechildrenorthe
underArticle919. otherspouse.(756
,
855,
6
74a)

Othergroundsf
ordisinheritanceof
parentsor Balane:
ascendants:(CIA) •Theonly
newgroundisnumberf
our.Adecreeof

1. Abandonmentby
parentof
hischildren legalseparationisnotrequired.Thereareten
•Thisisnotrestrictedtothoseinstancesof
 causesof
legalseparationgiveninArticle55of

abandonmentpenaliz
edby
law. theFamily
Code.
2. Inducementtoliveacorruptorimmorallif
e. •Art.55.Apetitionf
orlegalseparationmay
be
•Appliesonly
todaughters filedonany
of
thef
ollowinggrounds:
•Itincludesgrandparentstogranddaughters o (1)Repeatedphy
sicalviolenceor
astheprovisioncontemplatesascendants grossly
abusiveconductdirected
vis‐à‐visdescendants. againstthepetitioner,
acommonchild,

•Mereattemptagainsttheirvirtueisenough orachildof
thepetitioner;

aslongasitcanbeproven. o (2)Phy
sicalviolenceormoralpressure
•Noconvictionisrequiredinallthreecases tocompelthepetitionertochange
providedintheprovision. religiousorpoliticalaffiliation;

3. Lossof
parentalauthority
 o (3)Attemptof
respondenttocorruptor
•Notallcausesf
orlossof
parentalauthority
 inducethepetitioner,
acommonchild,

aregroundsf
ordisinheritance;
f
orinstance,
 orachildof
thepetitioner,
toengagein
attainmentof
majority
. prostitution,
orconnivanceinsuch
•Only
thosecauseswhichinvolveculpability
 corruptionorinducement;

onthepartof
theparentswillprovide o (4)Finaljudgmentsentencingthe
groundsf
ordisinheritance: respondenttoimprisonmentof
more
o Judicialdeprivationof
parental thansixy
ears,
evenif
pardoned;

authority
onthegroundof
sexual o (5)Drugaddictionorhabitual
abuse alcoholismof
therespondent;

o Lossof
parentalauthority
asa o (6
)Lesbianismorhomosexuality
of
the
resultof
judicialdeclarationof
 respondent;

abandonmentof
thechild o (7)Contractingby
therespondentof
a
o Judicialdeprivationof
parental subsequentbigamousmarriage,

authority
onthegroundsof
 whetherinthePhilippinesorabroad;

Excessively
harshor o (8)Sexualinfidelity
orperversion;

crueltreatmentof
the o (9)Attemptby
therespondentagainst
child thelif
eof
thepetitioner;
or
Givingthechild o (10)Abandonmentof
petitionerby

corruptingorders,
 respondentwithoutjustifiablecause
counselorexample f
ormorethanoney
ear.

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 46
 of
 73
 o Forpurposesof
thisArticle,
theterm Art.924.Allthingsandrightswhicharewithinthe
"child"shallincludeachildby
natureor commerceof
manbebequeathedordevised.(86
5a)
by
adoption.(9a)
UnlikeinArt.920whereactuallossof
parental Balane:
•
authority
isrequired,
heregivinggrounds •Whatcanbedevisedorbequethed:any
thing
theref
orissufficient. withinthecommerceof
man.Itisnotrequired
thatthethingdevisedorbequethedbelongto
thetestator.
Art.922.Asubsequentreconciliationbetweenthe •Limitationsonlegacy
ordevise–
itshouldnot
offenderandtheoffendedpersondeprivesthelatterof
the impairthelegitime.
righttodisinherit,
andrendersineffectualany

disinheritancethatmay
havebeenmade.(856
) Art.925.Atestatormay
chargewithlegaciesanddevises
notonly
hiscompulsory
heirsbutalsothelegateesand
Balane: devisees.
Reconciliationiseither: Thelattershallbeliablef
orthechargeonly
totheextent
1. Anexpresspardon–
whichmustbeexpressly
 of
thevalueof
thelegacy
orthedevisereceivedby
them.
andconcretely
extendedtotheoffenderwho Thecompulsory
heirsshallnotbeliablef
orthecharge
acceptsit.Ageneralpardonextendedby
the bey
ondtheamountof
thef
reeportiongiventhem.(858a)
testatoronhisdeatbedtoallwhohaveoffended
himwillnotsuffice. Balane:
2. Anunequivocalconduct–
whereintheintentto •Thewordingof
thisprovisioniserroneous.A
f
orgivemustbeclear.Thisisultimately
a compulsory
heirassuchcannotbeburdened
questionof
f
actswhichmustberesolvedby
the withalegacy
ordevisebecausethatwould
courts. impairhislegitime.Only
atestamentary
heircan
besoburdened.
Effectsof
reconciliation:
1. If
itoccursbef
oredisinheritanceismade–
right Art.926
.Whenthetestatorchargesoneof
theheirswith
todisinheritisdistinguished. alegacy
ordevise,
healoneshallbebound.
2. If
itoccursaf
terthedisinheritanceismade,
 Shouldhenotchargeany
oneinparticular,
allshallbe
disinheritanceissetaside. liableinthesameproportioninwhichthey
may
inherit.
(859)
Effectsof
settingasidedisinheritance:
1. Disinheritedheirisrestoredtohislegitime. Balane:
2. If
thedisinheritingwilldidnotdisposeof
the •Generalruleisthattheestateischargedwiththe
disposableprotion,
thedisinheritedheiris legacy
.
entitledtohisproportionateshare,
if
any
,
of
the •Exceptionisthatthetestatormay
imposethe
disposableportion. burdenonatestamentary
heiroralegateeor
3. If
thedisposablewillorany
of
thesubsequent devisee.If
hedoesso,
thentheheir,
legatee,
or
willdisposedof
thedisposableportion(orany
 deviseechargedwill,
if
heacceptsthedisposition
partthereof
)inf
avorof
testamentary
heirs,
 inhisf
avor,
beboundtodeliverthelegacy
or
legatees,
ordevisees,
suchdispositionsremain devisetothepersonspecified.
valid.
Art.927.If
twoormoreheirstakepossessionof
the
Art.923.Thechildrenanddescendantsof
theperson estate,
they
shallbesolidarily
liablef
orthelossor
disinheritedshalltakehisorherplaceandshallpreserve destructionof
athingdevisedorbequeathed,
eventhough
therightsof
compulsory
heirswithrespecttothelegitime;
 only
oneof
themshouldhavebeennegligent.(n)
butthedisinheritedparentshallnothavetheusuf
ructor
administrationof
theproperty
whichconstitutesthe Balane:
legitime.(857) •Theliability
imposedgereisbasedonmalice,

f
aultornegligence.Theliability
willalsoattach
Balane: totheexecutororadministratorintheproper
•Therightof
representationisgrantedonly
to cases.
descendantsof
disinheriteddescendants.
H
oweverif
theheirdisinheritedisa Art.928.Theheirwhoisboundtodeliverthelegacy
or
parent/ascendantorspouse,
thechildrenor deviseshallbeliableincaseof
eviction,
if
thethingis
descendantsof
thedisinheritedheirdonothave indeterminateandisindicatedonly
by
itskind.(86
0)
any
rightof
representation.
•Therepresentativetakestheplaceof
the Balane:
disinheritedheirnotonly
withrespecttothe •Generalrule,
theestateisliableincaseof

legitime,
butalsotoany
intestateportionthe eviction.
disinheritedheirwouldhaveinherited. •Exceptionisinthecaseof
asubsidiary
legacy
or
Representationtheref
ore,
occursincompulsory
 devise,
theheir,
legateeordeviseechargedshall
andintestatesuccessionbutnotintestamentary
 beliable.
succession.
Art.929.If
thetestator,
heir,
orlegateeownsonly
apart

8. Legacies and Devises

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 47 of
 73
of
,
oraninterestinthethingbequeathed,
thelegacy
or atthetimeof
hisdeath.
deviseshallbeunderstoodlimitedtosuchpartorinterest,
 Thelegacy
tothedebtorof
thethingpledgedby
himis
unlessthetestatorexpressly
declaresthathegivesthe understoodtodischargeonly
therightof
pledge.(871)
thinginitsentirety
.(86
4a)
Art.937.Agenericlegacy
of
releaseorremissionof
debts
Art.930.Thelegacy
ordeviseof
athingbelongingto comprisesthoseexistingatthetimeof
theexecutionof

anotherpersonisvoid,
if
thetestatorerroneously
 thewill,
butnotsubsequentones.(872)
believedthatthethingpertainedtohim.Butif
thething
bequeathed,
thoughnotbelongingtothetestatorwhenhe Balane:
madethewill,
af
terwardsbecomeshis,
by
whatevertitle,
 •Legacy
/Deviseof
athingownedinpartby
the
thedispositionshalltakeeffect.(86
2a) testator:
o GeneralRule:convey
sonly
theinterest
Art.931.If
thetestatorordersthatathingbelongingto orpartownedby
thetestator.
anotherbeacquiredinorderthatitbegiventoalegatee o Exception:if
thetestatorprovides
ordevisee,
theheiruponwhomtheobligationisimposed otherwise.
ortheestatemustacquireitandgivethesametothe H
emay
convey
morethanhe
legateeordevisee;
butif
theownerof
thethingref
usesto owns.Theestateshouldtry
to
alienatethesame,
ordemandsanexcessivepricetheref
or,
 acquirethepartof
interest
theheirortheestateshallonly
beobligedtogivethejust ownedby
otherparties.If
the
valueof
thething.(86
1a) otherpartiesareunwillingto
alienate,
theestateshould
Art.932.Thelegacy
ordeviseof
athingwhichatthetime givethelegatee/deviseethe
of
theexecutionof
thewillalready
belongedtothelegatee monetary
equivalent.
ordeviseeshallbeineffective,
eventhoughanother H
emay
convey
lessthanhe
personmay
havesomeinteresttherein. owns.
If
thetestatorexpressly
ordersthatthethingbef
reed •Legacy
/Deviseof
athingbelongingtoanother:
f
romsuchinterestorencumbrance,
thelegacy
ordevise o If
thetestatororderedtheacquisition
shallbevalidtothatextent.(86
6
a) of
thething–
theordershouldbe
compliedwith.If
theownerisunwilling
Art.933.If
thethingbequeathedbelongedtothelegatee topartwiththething,
the
ordeviseeatthetimeof
theexecutionof
thewill,
the legatee/deviseeshouldbegiventhe
legacy
ordeviseshallbewithouteffect,
eventhoughit monetary
equivalent.
may
havesubsequently
alienatedby
him. o If
thetestatorerroneously
believedthat
If
thelegateeordeviseeacquiresitgratuitously
af
tersuch thethingbelongedtohim–

time,
hecanclaimnothingby
virtueof
thelegacy
or legacy
/devisevoid.
devise;
butif
ithasbeenacquiredby
oneroustitlehecan Exception:if
subsequentto
demandreimbursementf
romtheheirortheestate. themakingof
thedisposition,

(878a) thethingisacquiredby
the
testatoronerously
or
Art.934.If
thetestatorshouldbequeathordevise gratuitously
,
thedispositionis
somethingpledgedormortgagedtosecurearecoverable validated.
debtbef
oretheexecutionof
thewill,
theestateisobliged o If
thetestatorknewthatthethingdid
topay
thedebt,
unlessthecontrary
intentionappears. notbelongtohimbutdidnotorderits
Thesameruleapplieswhenthethingispledgedor acquisition,
theCodeissilentonthis.
mortgagedaf
tertheexecutionof
thewill. •Legacy
/Deviseof
thingbelongingtothe
Any
othercharge,
perpetualortemporary
,
withwhichthe legatee/deviseeorsubsequently
acquiredby

thingbequeathedisburdened,
passeswithittothelegatee him:
ordevisee.(86
7a) o If
thethingalready
belongedtothe
legate/deviseeatthetimeof
the
Art.935.Thelegacy
of
acreditagainstathirdpersonorof
 executionof
thewill–
legacy
/devise
theremissionorreleaseof
adebtof
thelegateeshallbe void.Itisnotvalidatedby
analienation
effectiveonly
asregardsthatpartof
thecreditordebt by
thelegatee/deviseesubsequentto
existingatthetimeof
thedeathof
thetestator. themakingof
thewill,
unlessthe
Inthefirstcase,
theestateshallcomply
withthelegacy
by
 acquireristhetestatorhimself
.
assigningtothelegateeallrightsof
actionitmay
have o If
thethingwasownedby
another
againstthedebtor.Inthesecondcase,
by
givingthe personatthetimeof
themakingof
the
legateeanacquittance,
shouldherequestone. willandacquiredthereaf
terby
the
Inbothcases,
thelegacy
shallcompriseallinterestsonthe legatee/devisee:
creditordebtwhichmay
beduethetestatoratthetimeof
 If
thetestatorerroneously

hisdeath.(870a) believedthatitbelongedto
him–
legacy
/devisevoid.
Art.936
.Thelegacy
ref
erredtointheprecedingarticle If
thetestatorwasnotin
shalllapseif
thetestator,
af
terhavingmadeit,
should error.
bringanactionagainstthedebtorf
orthepay
mentof
his •If
thethingwas
debt,
evenif
suchpay
mentshouldnothavebeeneffected acquiredonerously

by
legatee/devisee–


SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 48 of
 73
 thelegatee/devisee
isentitledto
reimbursement
•If
thethingwas
acquired
gratuitously
by
 Inthealternativelegaciesordevises,
exceptasherein
legatee/devisee,
 provided,
theprovisionsof
thisCoderegulating
nothingmoreisdue.
o If
thethingwasownedby
thetestator
atthetimeof
makingthewilland
acquiredthereaf
terf
romhimby
the
legatee/devisee–
Art932and933are
silentonthisbutArt.957par.2canbe
appliedandthelegacy
/deviseshould
bedeemedrevoked.
Legacy
/Devisetoremoveanencumbranceover
athingbelongingtothelegatee/devisee:
• o Validif
theencumbrancecanbe
removedf
oraconsideration.
Legacy
/Deviseof
athingpledged:
o Theencumbrancemustberemovedby
 •Exception:
• pay
ingthedebt,
unlessthetestator
intendedotherwise.
o Achargeotherthanapledgeor
mortgage(asausuf
ructoreasement)
passestothelegateeordevisee
togetherwiththething
Legacy
of
creditorremission:
o Appliesonly
toamountstillunpaidat
thetimeof
thetestator’sdeath
• o Revokedif
testatorsubsequently
sues
thedebtorf
orcollection
o If
generic,
appliesonly
tothoseexisting
atthetimeof
executionof
thewill,

unlessotherwiseprovided
Art.938.Alegacy
ordevisemadetoacreditorshallnot
beappliedtohiscredit,
unlessthetestatorsoexpressly
 delivery
of
athingwhichisneitherof
inf
eriornorof
declares.
Inthelattercase,
thecreditorshallhavetherightto
collecttheexcess,
if
any
,
of
thecreditorof
thelegacy
or
devise.(837a)
Art.939.If
thetestatorordersthepay
mentof
whathe
believesheowesbutdoesnotinf
actowe,
thedisposition
shallbeconsideredasnotwritten.If
asregardsaspecified
debtmorethantheamountthereof
isorderedpaid,
the
excessisnotdue,
unlessacontrary
intentionappears.
Thef
oregoingprovisionsarewithoutprejudicetothe
f
ulfilmentof
naturalobligations.(n)
Balane:
•Legacy
/Devisetoacreditor
o Generalrule:Itwillbetreatedlikeany
 existinthetestator’sestateuponhisdeath.The
otherlegacy
/deviseandtheref
orewill
notbeimputedtothedebt.
o Exception:Itwillbeimputedtothe
debtif
thetestatorsoprovides,
andif
 immovableinthetestator’sestateatthetimeof
thedebtexceedsthelegacy
/devise,
the
excessmay
bedemandedasan
obligationof
theestate.
Art.940.Inalternativelegaciesordevises,
thechoiceis
presumedtobelef
ttotheheiruponwhomtheobligation
togivethelegacy
ordevisemay
beimposed,
orthe
executororadministratorof
theestateif
noparticular
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
heirissoobliged.
If
theheir,
legateeordevisee,
whomay
havebeengiven
thechoice,
diesbef
oremakingit,
thisrightshallpassto
therespectiveheirs.
Oncemade,
thechoiceisirrevocable.
obligationsof
thesamekindshallbeobserved,
savesuch
modificationsasmay
appearf
romtheintentionexpressed
by
thetestator.(874a)
Balane:
Towhomtherightof
choice(onemadeisirrevoacble)
istobegiven:
•Generalrule
o Theestatethroughtheexecutoror
administrator–
inadirect
legacy
/devise
o Theheir,
legatee,
ordeviseecharged–

inasubsidiary
legacy
/devise
o Thelegatee/devisee(orindeedany

otherperson),
if
thetestatorso
provides
If
thepersonwhoistochoosediesbef
orethechoiceis
made:
•If
thechoicebelongedtoexecutoror
administrator–
therightistransmittedtohis
successorinoffice.
•If
thechoicebelongstoanheir,
legateeor
devisee–
therightistransmittedtohisown
heirs.
Art.941.Alegacy
of
genericpersonalproperty
shallbe
validevenif
therebenothingsof
thesamekindinthe
estate.
Adeviseof
indeterminaterealproperty
shallbevalidonly

if
therebeimmovableproperty
of
itskindintheestate.
Therightof
choiceshallbelongtotheexecutoror
administratorwhoshallcomply
withthelegacy
by
the


superiorquality
.(875a
Art.942.Wheneverthetestatorexpressly
leavestheright
of
choicetotheheir,
ortothelegateeordevisee,
the
f
ormermay
giveorthelattermay
choosewhicheverhe
may
pref
er.(876
a)
Art.943.If
theheir,
legateeordeviseecannotmakethe
choice,
incaseithasbeengrantedhim,
hisrightshallpass
tohisheirs;
butachoiceoncemadeshallbeirrevocable.
(877a)
Balane:
Rulesonvalidity
:
•Genericlegacy
–
validevenIf
nosuchmovable
estatewillsimply
havetoacquirewhatisgiven
by
legacy
.
•Genericdevise–
validonly
if
thereexistssuchan


hisdeath
Rulesonrightof
choice:
Page 49 of
 73
 • Generalrule:theexecutororadministrator,
 (ii)thevalueof
thedisposableportion
actingf
ortheestatehastherightof
choice. of
theestate.
Exception:if
thetestatorgivestherightof
choice Legacy
of
aperiodicalpensioncanbedemanded
• •
tothelegatee/devisee,
ortotheheirsonwhom upontestator’sdeath,
andthesucceedingonesat
theobligationtogivethebenefitisimposed(ina thebeginningof
theperiodwithoutduty
to
subsidiary
legacy
ordevise) reimburseshouldthelegateediebef
orethe
lapseof
theperiod.
Transmissibility
of
choices:
•If
thechoicebelongstothe Art.945.If
aperiodicalpension,
oracertainannual,

executor/administratorandhediesbef
ore monthly
,
orweekly
amountisbequeathed,
thelegatee
makingthechoice–
rightistransmittedtohis may
petitionthecourtf
orthefirstinstallmentuponthe
successorintheposition. deathof
thetestator,
andf
orthef
ollowingoneswhich
•If
thechoicebelongstothelegatee/deviseeand shallbedueatthebeginningof
eachperiod;
suchpay
ment
hediesbef
oremakingthechoice–
theright shallnotbereturned,
eventhoughthelegateeshoulddie
passedtohisheirs. bef
oretheexpirationof
theperiodwhichhascommenced.
(880a)
Regardingchoices:
•Thechoicemustbelimitedtosomethingwhich Art.946
.If
thethingbequeathedshouldbesubjecttoa
isneithersuperiornorinf
eriorinquality
.This usuf
ruct,
thelegateeordeviseeshallrespectsuchright
ruleapplieswhetherthechoicebelongstothe untilitislegally
extinguished.(86
8a)
executor/administratororthelegatee/devisee.
Art.947.Thelegateeordeviseeacquiresarighttothe
Art.944.Alegacy
f
oreducationlastsuntilthelegateeisof
 pureandsimplelegaciesordevisesf
romthedeathof
the
age,
orbey
ondtheageof
majority
inorderthatthelegatee testator,
andtransmitsittohisheirs.(881a)
may
finishsomeprof
essional,
vocationalorgeneral
course,
providedhepursueshiscoursediligently
. Art.948.If
thelegacy
ordeviceisof
aspecificand
Alegacy
f
orsupportlastsduringthelif
etimeof
the determinatethingpertainingtothetestator,
thelegateeor
legatee,
if
thetestatorhasnototherwiseprovided. deviseeacquirestheownershipthereof
uponthedeathof

If
thetestatorhasnotfixedtheamountof
suchlegacies,
it thetestator,
aswellasany
growingf
ruits,
orunborn
shallbefixedinaccordancewiththesocialstandingand offspringof
animals,
oruncollectedincome;
butnotthe
thecircumstancesof
thelegateeandthevalueof
the incomewhichwasdueandunpaidbef
orethelatter's
estate. death.
If
thetestatororduringhislif
etimeusedtogivethe Fromthemomentof
thetestator'sdeath,
thething
legateeacertainsumof
money
orotherthingsby
way
of
 bequeathedshallbeattheriskof
thelegateeordevisee,

support,
thesameamountshallbedeemedbequeathed,
 whoshall,
theref
ore,
bearitslossordeterioration,
and
unlessitbemarkedly
disproportionatetothevalueof
the shallbebenefitedby
itsincreaseorimprovement,
without
estate.(879a) prejudicetotheresponsibility
of
theexecutoror
administrator.(882a)
Balane:
•Onlegacy
f
oreducation: Art.949.If
thebequestshouldnotbeof
aspecificand
o Thedurationistheageof
majority
or determinatething,
butisgenericorof
quantity
,
itsf
ruits
thecompletionof
aprof
essional,
 andinterestsf
romthetimeof
thedeathof
thetestator
vocational,
orgeneralcourse,
 shallpertaintothelegateeordeviseeif
thetestatorhas
whichevercomeslater[inthelatter expressly
soordered.(884a)
instanceonly
if
thelegateepursueshis
studiesdiligently
.] Balane:
o Ontheamount,
itisprimarily
fixedby
 Rulesondemandability
,
ownershipandf
ruitsof

thetestator.Secodarily
isthatwhichis legacies/devises:
properasdeterminedby
twovariables: •Demandability
:
(i)thesocialstandingand o pure–
upontestator’sdeath
circumstancesof
thelegatee,
and(ii) o witha(suspensive)term–
upon
thevalueof
thedisposableportionof
 arrivalof
theterm
theestate. o conditional–
uponthehappeningof
the
•Onlegacy
f
orsupport: condition
o Thedurationmustbethelegatee’s •Whenownershipvests:
lif
etimeunlessthetestatorprovides o pureanddeterminate–
upontestator’s
otherwise. death
o Theamountisprimarily
fixedby
the o pureandgeneric–

testator.Secondarily
isthatwhichthe if
f
romtestator’sestate‐
testatorduringhislif
etimeusedtogive upontestator’sdeath
thelegateeby
way
of
support,
unless if
acquiredf
romathird
markedly
disproportionatetothevalue person–
uponacquisition
of
thedisposableportion.Tertiarily
is o witha(suspensive)term–
uponarrival
thatwhichreasonable,
onthebasisof
 of
theterm,
buttherighttoitvests
twovariables:(i)thesocialstanding uponthetestator’sdeath
andcircumstancesof
thelegatee,
and

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 50 of
 73
 o conditional(suspensive)–
uponthe
testator’sdeath,
if
theconditionis Balane:
f
ulfilled Rulesonacceptanceandrepudiationof

Fruits: legacies/devises:
•
o pureanddeterminate–
upontestator’s 1. Aceptancemay
betotalorpartial(asimplied
death f
romArt.954,
par.1)
o pureandgeneric‐upondetermination,
 •Exception:If
thelegacy
/deviseispartly

unlessthetestatorprovidesotherwise onerousandpartly
gratuitous,
therecipient
o withaterm–
uponarrivalof
theterm cannotacceptthegratuitouspartandthe
o withacondition–
uponthehappening renouncetheonerouspart.Any
other
of
suchcondition,
unlessthetestator combinationhoweverispermitted.
providesotherwise •If
thelegateeordeviseediesbef
ore
acceptingorrenouncing,
hisheirsshall
exercisesuchrightastotheirpro‐indiviso
Art.950.If
theestateshouldnotbesufficienttocoverall share,
andinthesamemannerasoutlined
thelegaciesordevises,
theirpay
mentshallbemadeinthe above.
f
ollowingorder: 2. Whenthereistwolegacies/devisestothesame
(1)Remuneratory
legaciesordevises;
 recipient:
(2)Legaciesordevisesdeclaredby
thetestatortobe •If
bothgratuitous–
therecipientmay
accept
pref
erential;
 orrenounceeitherorboth
(3)Legaciesf
orsupport;
 •If
bothonerous–
sameruleasabove
(4)Legaciesf
oreducation;
 •If
oneisgratuitousandtheotherisonerous
(5)Legaciesordevisesof
aspecific,
determinatething –
therecipientcannotacceptthegratuitous
whichf
ormsapartof
theestate;
 partandtherenouncetheonerouspart.Any

(6
)Allothersprorata.(887a) othercombinationhoweverispermitted.
3. Whenlegacy
ordeviseisalsogiventoonewhois
Art.951.Thethingbequeathedshallbedeliveredwithall acompulsory
heir
itsaccessoriesandaccessoriesandintheconditionin •Therecipientmay
accepteitherorboth
whichitmay
beuponthedeathof
thetestator.(883a) 4. Effectif
willprovideotherwise–
alltherules
aboveoutlinedapply
intheabsenceof
a
Art.952.Theheir,
chargedwithalegacy
ordevise,
orthe stipulationinthewillprovidingotherwise.
executororadministratorof
theestate,
mustdeliverthe
very
thingbequeathedif
heisabletodosoandcannot Art.956
.If
thelegateeordeviseecannotorisunwillingto
dischargethisobligationby
pay
ingitsvalue. acceptthelegacy
ordevise,
orif
thelegacy
ordevisef
or
Legaciesof
money
mustbepaidincash,
eventhoughthe any
reasonshouldbecomeineffective,
itshallbemerged
heirortheestatemay
nothaveany
. intothemassof
theestate,
exceptincasesof
substitution
Theexpensesnecessary
f
orthedelivery
of
thething andof
therightof
accretion.(888a)
bequeathedshallbef
ortheaccountof
theheirorthe
estate,
butwithoutprejudicetothelegitime.(886
a) Balane:
Rulesincaseof
repudiationby
orincapacity
of

Art.953.Thelegateeordeviseecannottakepossessionof
 legatee/devisee:
thethingbequeatheduponhisownauthority
,
butshall 1. Primarily
–
substitution
requestitsdelivery
andpossessionof
theheircharged 2. Secondarily
–
accretion
withthelegacy
ordevise,
orof
theexecutoror 3. Tertiarily
–
intestacy

administratorof
theestateshouldhebeauthoriz
edby
the
courttodeliverit.(885a) Art.957.Thelegacy
ordeviseshallbewithouteffect:
(1)If
thetestatortransf
ormsthethingbequeathedinsuch
Art.954.Thelegateeordeviseecannotacceptapartof
 amannerthatitdoesnotretaineitherthef
ormorthe
thelegacy
ordeviseandrepudiatetheother,
if
thelatter denominationithad;

beonerous. (2)If
thetestatorby
any
titleorf
orany
causealienatesthe
Shouldhediebef
orehavingacceptedthelegacy
ordevise,
 thingbequeathedorany
partthereof
,
itbeingunderstood
leavingseveralheirs,
someof
thelattermay
acceptand thatinthelattercasethelegacy
ordeviseshallbewithout
theothersmay
repudiatethesharerespectively
belonging effectonly
withrespecttothepartthusalienated.If
af
ter
totheminthelegacy
ordevise.(889a) thealienationthethingshouldagainbelongtothe
testator,
evenif
itbeby
reasonof
nullity
of
thecontract,

Art.955.Thelegateeordeviseeof
twolegaciesordevises,
 thelegacy
ordeviseshallnotthereaf
terbevalid,
unless
oneof
whichisonerous,
cannotrenouncetheonerousone thereacquisitionshallhavebeeneffectedby
virtueof
the
andaccepttheother.If
bothareonerousorgratuitous,
he exerciseof
therightof
repurchase;

shallbef
reetoacceptorrenounceboth,
ortorenounce (3)If
thethingbequeathedistotally
lostduringthe
either.Butif
thetestatorintendedthatthetwolegaciesor lif
etimeof
thetestator,
oraf
terhisdeathwithoutthe
devisesshouldbeinseparablef
romeachother,
thelegatee heir'sf
ault.Nevertheless,
thepersonobligedtopay
the
ordeviseemusteitheracceptorrenounceboth. legacy
ordeviseshallbeliablef
orevictionif
thething
Any
compulsory
heirwhoisatthesametimealegateeor bequeathedshouldnothavebeendeterminateastoits
deviseemay
waivetheinheritanceandacceptthelegacy
 kind,
inaccordancewiththeprovisionsof
Article928.
ordevise,
orrenouncethelatterandacceptthef
ormer,
or (86
9a)
waiveoracceptboth.(890a)

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 51 of
 73
Balane: 2. Partial–
Awillthatdisposesof
partof
thef
ree
Instanceswhenlegacy
/deviseisrevokedby
operationof
 portion;
insof
arasitdoesnotimpair
law:
1. transf
ormation–
thetestatorconvertsa Instanceswhenlegalorintestatesuccessionoperates:
plantationintoafishpond (WISEPIR)
2. alienation–
thealienationby
thetestatormay
be 1. If
apersondieswithoutawill,
orwithavoidwill,

onerousorgratuitous. oronewhichhassubsequently
lostitsvalidity
;

•Thealienationrevokesthelegacy
/devise •Sir:Thewilldoesnotloseits
evenif
f
orany
reasonthethingrevertsto validity
.
thetestator. 2. Whenthewilldoesnotinstituteanheirto,
or
•Exceptions: disposeof
alltheproperty
belongingtothe
o If
thereversioniscausedby
the testator.Insuchcase,
legalsuccessionshalltake
annulmentof
thealienationand placeonly
withrespecttotheproperty
of
which
thecausef
orannulmentwas thetestatorhasnotdisposed;

vitiationof
consentonthe 3. If
thesuspensiveconditionattachedtothe
grantor’spart,
eitherby
reasonof
 institutionof
heirdoesnothappenorisnot
incapacity
orof
duress. f
ulfilled,
orif
theheirdoesnothappenorisnot
o If
thereversionisby
virtueof
 f
ulfilled,
orif
theheirdiesbef
orethetestatoror
redemptioninasalewithpactode repudiatestheinheritance,
therebeingno
retro. substitution,
andnorightof
accretiontakes
3. totalloss–
thiswillbeacausef
orrevocation place.
only
if
ittakesplacebef
orethetestator’sdeath. 4. Whentheheirinstitutedisincapableof

Fortuitouslossaf
terthetestator’sdeathwillnot succeeding,
exceptincasesprovidedinthis
constituterevocation. Code.
5. happeningof
resolutory
condition
Art.958.Amistakeastothenameof
thething 6
. expirationof
resolutory
term
bequeathedordevised,
isof
noconsequence,
if
itis 7. preterition
possibletoidentif
y
thethingwhichthetestatorintended
tobequeathordevise.(n) Art.96
1.Indef
aultof
testamentary
heirs,
thelawvests
theinheritance,
inaccordancewiththeruleshereinaf
ter
Art.959.Adispositionmadeingeneraltermsinf
avorof
 setf
orth,
inthelegitimateandillegitimaterelativesof
the
thetestator'srelativesshallbeunderstoodtobeinf
avor deceased,
inthesurvivingspouse,
andintheState.(913a)
of
thosenearestindegree.(751)
Art.96
2.Inevery
inheritance,
therelativenearestin
III.Legal or Intestate Succession degreeexcludesthemoredistantones,
savingtherightof

1. General Provisions representationwhenitproperly
takesplace.
Relativesinthesamedegreeshallinheritinequalshares,

Art.96
0.Legalorintestatesuccessiontakesplace: subjecttotheprovisionsof
article1006
withrespectto
(1)If
apersondieswithoutawill,
orwithavoidwill,
or relativesof
thef
ullandhalf
blood,
andof
Article987,

onewhichhassubsequently
lostitsvalidity
;
 paragraph2,
concerningdivisionbetweenthepaternal
(2)Whenthewilldoesnotinstituteanheirto,
ordispose andmaternallines.(912a)
of
alltheproperty
belongingtothetestator.Insuchcase,

legalsuccessionshalltakeplaceonly
withrespecttothe Balane:
property
of
whichthetestatorhasnotdisposed;
 Basisof
InstateSuccession:
(3)If
thesuspensiveconditionattachedtotheinstitution •Thepresumedwillof
thedecedent,
whichwould
of
heirdoesnothappenorisnotf
ulfilled,
orif
theheir distributetheestateinaccordancewiththelove
diesbef
orethetestator,
orrepudiatestheinheritance,
 andaffectionhehasf
orhisf
amily
andclose
therebeingnosubstitution,
andnorightof
accretiontakes relatives,
andindef
aultof
thesepersons,
the
place;
 presumeddesireof
thedecedenttopromote
(4)Whentheheirinstitutedisincapableof
succeeding,
 charitableandhumanitarian.
exceptincasesprovidedinthisCode.(912a)
BasicRulesof
Intestacy
:
Balane: •Theruleof
pref
erenceof
lines
Intestacy
: o Thethreelinesof
relationshipare:
•Thatwhichtakesplaceby
operationof
lawin thedescending
def
aultof
compulsory
andtestamentary
 theascending
succession.Itistheleastpref
erredamongthe thecollateral
threemodesof
succession,
butisthemost o Thelawlay
sdownanorderof

common. pref
erenceamongtheselines,
suchthat
•Itappliestheprincipleof
exclusionand thedescendingexcludestheascending
concurrence(thesameprincipleasin andthecollateral,
andtheascending
compulsory
succession). excludesthecollateral.
•Theruleof
proximity
of
degree
Kinds: o Thenearerexcludethemoreremote
1. Total–
notestamentary
disposition;
only
if
there withoutprejudicetorepresentation.
isnowilldisposingof
theproperty
.

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 52 of
 73
 • Theruleof
equality
amongrelativesof
thesame Balane:
degree Line:
o If
thenearerexlucdethemoreremote,
 •Direct
logically
thoseof
equaldegreeshould o Descending
inheritinequalshares o Ascending
o Exceptionstoruleof
equality
inthe •Collateral
samedegree: o DirectandCollateral–
Importanceof

theruleof
pref
erenceof
lines,
 distinction:thedirectispref
erredover
supra thecollateral.
thedistinctionbetweenthe o Descendingdirectandascendingdirect
legitimateandillegitmate –
Importanceof
distinction:Thedesce
filiation
theruleof
divisionby
linein Computationof
degrees:
theascendingline •Directline–
thereisnolegallimittothenumber
thedistinctionbetweenf
ull‐ of
degreesf
orentitlementtointestate
bloodandhalf
‐blood succession.Thepracticallimit,
of
course,
is
relationshipsamongbrothers humanmortality
.
andsisters,
aswellas o Modeof
countingdegreesinthedirect
nephewsandnieces line:
representation onegeneration=
onedegree
parent‐child=
onedegree
grandparent‐grandchild=
two
degrees
ClassNotes: great‐grandparents‐great‐
Additionalruleof
intestacy
(notf
oundinthebook): grandchild=
thirddegrees;

•Theruleof
relationship(therearef
ourkinds): andsof
orth
(FaBSS) •Collateralline–
Computationof
degreesis
a. Family
–
Jusf
amilial,
ascendantsand particularly
importantinthecollateralline
descendantsinthedirectline becauseintestatesuccessionextendsonly
tothe
b. Blood–
Jussanguinis,
collateralsupto 5thof
collateralrelationship.
thefif
thdegree o Modesof
countingdegreesinthe
c. Spouse–
Jusconjugis collateralline:
d. State–
Jusimperii,
therightof
 Fromoneref
erencepoint,

sovereignty
 ascendtonearestcommon
ancestor[If
therearemore
1.1. Relationship thanonenearestcommon
ancestor,
chooseany
one]
Art.96
3.Proximity
of
relationshipisdeterminedby
the Thendescendtotheother
numberof
generations.Eachgenerationf
ormsadegree. ref
erencepoint
(915) Numberof
generations
constitutingtheascentand
Art.96
4.Aseriesof
degreesf
ormsaline,
whichmay
be thedescentisthedegreeof

eitherdirectorcollateral. collateralrelationship
Adirectlineisthatconstitutedby
theseriesof
degrees o Collateralby
Degrees
amongascendantsanddescendants. Firstdegree–
none
Acollaterallineisthatconstitutedby
theseriesof
degrees Seconddegree–

amongpersonswhoarenotascendantsanddescendants,
 brothers/sisters
butwhocomef
romacommonancestor.(916
a) Thirddegree
•Uncles/Aunts
Art.96
5.Thedirectlineiseitherdescendingorascending. •Nephews/Nieces
Thef
ormerunitestheheadof
thef
amily
withthosewho Fourthdegree
descendf
romhim. •Firstcousins
Thelatterbindsapersonwiththosef
romwhomhe •Brothers/Sistersof
a
descends.(917) grandparent
(granduncles/grand
Art.96
6
.Intheline,
asmany
degreesarecountedasthere aunts)
aregenerationsorpersons,
excludingtheprogenitor. •Grandchildrenof
a
Inthedirectline,
ascentismadetothecommonancestor. brother/sister
Thus,
thechildisonedegreeremovedf
romtheparent,
 (grand‐
twof
romthegrandf
ather,
andthreef
romthegreat‐ nephews/grand‐
grandparent. nieces)
Inthecollateralline,
ascentismadetothecommon Fif
thdegree
ancestorandthendescentismadetothepersonwith •Childrenof
afirst
whomthecomputationistobemade.Thus,
apersonis cousin
twodegreesremovedf
romhisbrother,
threef
romhis •Firstcousinsof
a
uncle,
whoisthebrotherof
hisf
ather,
f
ourf
romhisfirst parent
cousin,
andsof
orth.(918a)

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 53 of
 73
 • Brothers/sistersof
a
great‐grandparent
Greatgrandchildren
•
of
abrother/sister
Art.96
7.Fullbloodrelationshipisthatexistingbetween
personswhohavethesamef
atherandthesamemother.
H
alf
bloodrelationshipisthatexistingbetweenpersons
whohavethesamef
ather,
butnotthesamemother,
orthe
samemother,
butnotthesamef
ather.(920a)
Balane:
Importanceof
rulesonrelationships:
•Thenearerexcludesthemoreremote
•Directlineispref
erredoverthecollateral
•Descendinglineispref
erredovertheascending
Twobasicconceptsinrelationship:
•Conceptof
degree–
Thismethodof
computing
theproximity
of
relationship.Every
degreeis
onegeneration.
•Conceptof
lines–
Thesearerelativepositionsin
thef
amily
between2persons.
o Inintestacy
:
Thereisnolimitinthedirect
lineeitherascendingor
descending.
Thereisalimitof
fivedegrees
inthecollateralline(2
personshavingacommon
ancestor)
Art.96
8.If
thereareseveralrelativesof
thesamedegree,
 directdescendingline,
butneverintheascending.
andoneorsomeof
themareunwillingorincapacitatedto
succeed,
hisportionshallaccruetotheothersof
thesame
degree,
savetherightof
representationwhenitshould
takeplace.(922)
Balane:
•Thereisaccretioninintestacy
amongheirsof
the
samedegree,
incaseof
predecease,
incapacity
or
renunciationof
any
of
them.
•Incaseof
predeceaseorincapacity
,
 thedivisionof
theestateshallbemadeperstirpes,
insuch
representation,
if
proper,
willpreventaccretion
f
romoccurring.
•Relativesmustbeinthesamekindof
 wouldinherit,
if
hewerelivingorcouldinherit.(926
a)
relationship.Foraccretiontotakeplacetheheirs
involvedmustbeinthesamekindof
 Art.975.Whenchildrenof
oneormorebrothersor
relationshiptothedecedent.Thus,
therecanbe
noaccretionamongagrandchild,
agrandparent
andabrotherof
thedecedentbecausethey
are
notinheritingtogetherinthefirstplace.
Art.96
9.If
theinheritanceshouldberepudiatedby
the
nearestrelative,
shouldtherebeoneonly
,
orby
allthe
nearestrelativescalledby
lawtosucceed,
shouldtherebe
several,
thoseof
thef
ollowingdegreeshallinheritintheir
ownrightandcannotrepresentthepersonorpersons
repudiatingtheinheritance.(923)
Balane:
Effectof
Renunciationby
AllintheSameDegree:
•Thedescendinglinefirst–
if
allthedescendants
of
acertaindegreerenounce,
successionpasses
tothedescendantsof
thenextdegree,
andsoon,

adindefinitum.
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
• Theascendinglinenext–
Shouldnoonebelef
tin
thedescendingline,
theheirsintheascending
acquiretherightof
succession,
againinorderof

degreesof
proximity
;

Thecollaterallinelast–
Only
if
allthe
• descendantsandascendantsrenouncewillthe
collateralrelativesacquiretherighttosucceed.
PredeceaseorIncapacity
by
AllintheSameDegree:
•Thiseventuality
isnotprovidedf
orby
this
article.Therulesaboveareequally
applicableto
suchasituationexceptincaseswhere
representationisproper,
i.e.,
inthedescending
line.
•Representationdoesnotapply
incasesof

universalrenunciationoutlinedabove.
1.2. Right of
 Representation
Art.970.Representationisarightcreatedby
fictionof

law,
by
virtueof
whichtherepresentativeisraisedtothe
placeandthedegreeof
thepersonrepresented,
and
acquirestherightswhichthelatterwouldhaveif
hewere
livingorif
hecouldhaveinherited.(942a)
Art.971.Therepresentativeiscalledtothesuccessionby

thelawandnotby
thepersonrepresented.The
representativedoesnotsucceedthepersonrepresented
buttheonewhomthepersonrepresentedwouldhave
succeeded.(n)
Art.972.Therightof
representationtakesplaceinthe
Inthecollateralline,
ittakesplaceonly
inf
avorof
the
childrenof
brothersorsisters,
whetherthey
beof
thef
ull
orhalf
blood.(925)
Art.973.Inorderthatrepresentationmay
takeplace,
itis
necessary
thattherepresentativehimself
becapableof

succeedingthedecedent.(n)
Art.974.Wheneverthereissuccessionby
representation,

mannerthattherepresentativeorrepresentativesshall
notinheritmorethanwhatthepersonthey
represent
sistersof
thedeceasedsurvive,
they
shallinheritf
romthe
latterby
representation,
if
they
survivewiththeiruncles
oraunts.Butif
they
alonesurvive,
they
shallinheritin
equalportions.(927)
Art.976
.Apersonmay
representhimwhoseinheritance
hehasrenounced.(928a)
Art.977.H
eirswhorepudiatetheirsharemay
notbe
represented.(929a)
Balane:
Instanceswhenrepresentationoperates:(DIP)
•Predecease
•Incapacity
orUnworthiness
•Disinheritance
Page 54 of
 73
Inwhatkindof
successionrepresentationoperates:
•Thelegitime–
thereisnoexpressprovisionon
representationinlegitime,
exceptinArticle923,

incaseof
disinheritance.
•Intestacy
–
thereisnorepresentationin
testamentary
succession.
Inwhatlinesdoesrepresentationobtain:
•Withrespecttothelegitime–
inthedirect
descendinglineonly
 •Note:If
only
some,
notallchildrenor
•Withrespecttointestacy
 brothers/sistersaredisqualif
edtheruleisthe
o Inthedirectdescendingline
o Inoneinstanceinthecollateral;
i.e.
nephewsandniecesrepresenting
brothersandsistersof
thedeceased.
Representationby
illegitimatechildren:
•If
thechildtoberepresentedislegitimate–
only

legitimatechildren/descendantscanrepresent
him
•If
thechildtoberepresentedisillegitimate‐
bothlegitimateandillegitimate
children/descendantscanrepresenthim
Representationof
andby
anadoptedchild:
•Anadoptedcanneitherrepresentorbe
represented.
Teoticovs.DelVal(196
5)
F:Oppositorclaimstobeanadopteddaughterof
 •Itiscorrecttosay
thatacompulsory
heirisan
FranciscaMortera,
adeceasedsisterof
thetestatrix.SC
ruledthattheoppositorhasnorighttointerveneeitheras
testamentary
oraslegalheirintheprobateproceedingof

thedeceasedsisterof
heradoptedmother.
H
:Relationshipof
adoptionislimitedsolely
totheadopter
andtheadoptedanddoesnotextendtotherelativesof
 Rulesof
ExclusionandConcurrence:
theadoptingparentsorof
theadoptedchildexceptonly
as
expressly
providedf
orby
law.Asaconsequence,
the
adoptedisanheirof
theadopterbutnotof
therelativesof
 1. legitimatechildren
theadopter.
Represenationby
arenouncer:
•Althougharenouncercannotberepresented,
he
canrepresentthepersonwhoseinheritancehe
hasrenounced.
H
owrepresentationoperates:
•Perstirpes–
therepresentativeor
representativesreceiveonly
whattheperson
representedwouldhavereceived.If
thereare
morethanonerepresentativeinthesame
degree,
thendividetheportionequally
,
without
prejudicetothedistinctionbetweenlegitimate
andillegitimatechildren,
whenapplicable.
RulesonQualification:
•Therepresentativemustbequalifiedtosucceed
thedecedent.
•Therepresentativeneednotbequalifiedto
succeedthepersonrepresented.
•Thepersonrepresentedneednotbequalifiedto
succeedthedecedent–
inf
act,
thereasonwhy
 a. excludescollateralsotherthan
representationistakingplaceisthattheperson
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
representedisnotqualified,
becauseof

predecease,
orincapacity
ordisinheritance.
Representationby
grandchildrenandRepresentation
by
nephews/nieces:DifferenceRule
•If
allthechildrenaredisqualified–
the
grandchildrenstillinheritby
representation.
•If
allthebrothers/sistersaredisqualified–
the
nephews/niecesinheritpercapita.
same.
2. Order of
 Intestate Succession
Intestate H
eirs
I. LegitimateChildren/Descendants
II. IllegitimateChildren/Descendants
III. LegitimateParents/Ascendants
IV. IllegitimateParents
V. SurvivingSpouse
VI. Brothers,
Sisters,
Nephews,
Nieces
VII. OtherCollaterals–
tothe5thdegree
VIII. State
ClassNotes:
intestateheir.Butitisnotcorrecttosay
thatan
intestateheirisnotacompulsory
heir.
Intestacy

Balane:
(Note:Childreninclude,
inpropercases,
other
descendants;
andparents,
otherascendants.)
a. excludeparents,
collaterals&
State
b. concurwithsurvivingspouse&

illegitimatechildren
c. areexcludedby
noone
2. illegitimatechildren
a. excludeillegitimateparents,
collaterals
&
State
b. concurwithsurvivingspouse,

legitimatechildren,
andlegitimate
parents
c. areexcludedby
noone
3. legitimateparents
a. excludecollaterals&
state
b. concurwithillegitimatechildren&

survivingspouse
c. areexcludedby
legitimatechildren
4. illegitimateparents[only
,
notascendants]
a. excludecollaterals&
State
b. concurwithsurvivingspouse
c. areexcludedby
legitimatechildrenand
illegitimatechildren
5. survivingspouse
brothers,
sisters,
nephews&
nieces,
&

State
b. concurwithlegitimatechildren,

illegitimatechildren,
legitimate
Page 55 of
 73
 parents,
illegitimateparents,
brothers
sisters,
nephews&
nieces
c. isexcludedby
noone
6
. brothers&
sisters,
nephews&
nieces
a. excludeallothercollaterals&
theState
b. concurwithsurvivingspouse
c. areexcludedby
legitimatechildren,
 analogy
withArt.997)*
illegitimatechildren,
legitimate
parents,
andillegitimateparents
Othercollaterals
7. a. excludecollateralsinremoterdegrees
&
theState
b. concurwithcollateralsinthesame
degree
c. areexcludedby
legitimatechildren,
 niecesinheritingby
representation,
in
illegitimatechildren,
legitimate
parents,
illegitimateparents,
surviving
spouse,
brothers&
sisters,
and
nephews&
nieces
State
a. excludesnoone
8. b. concurswithnoone
c. isexcludedby
every
one
ClassNotes:
•Number5survivingspousedoesnotexcludethe
groupinnumber6
.
Balane:
CombinationsinIntestateSuccession(f
oundpassimin
Art.978):
1. legitimatechildrenalone
•thewholeestatedividedequally
 18.
2. legitimatechildren&
illegitimatechildren
•thewholeestate,
eachillegitimatechild
getting½
theshareof
onelegitimate
child
3. legitimatechildren&
survivingspouse
•thewholeestate,
dividedequally
(the
survivingspousecountedasone
legitimatechild)
4. legitimatechildren,
survivingspouse&
 •by
inf
erenceunclesandaunts–
illegitimatechildren
•thewholeestate,
thesurvivingspouse
beingcountedasonelegitimatechild
•eachillegitimatechildgetting½
the
shareof
onelegitimate
5. legitimateparentsalone
•thewholeestatedividedequally
 •thewholeestate,
observingthe2:1
6
. legitimateascendants(otherthanparents)alone
•thewholeestate,
observing,
inproper
cases,
theruleof
divisionby
line
7. legitimateparents&
illegitimatechildren*
•legitimateparents–
½
of
theestate
•illegitimatechildren–
½
of
theestate
8. legitimateparents&
surivingspouse*
•legitimateparents–
½
of
theestate
•survivingspouse–
½
of
theestate
9. legitimateparents,
survivingspouse,
illegitimate
children*
•legitimateparents–
½
of
theestate
•survivingspouse–
¼
of
theestate
•illegitimatechildren–
¼
of
theestate
10. illegitimatechildrenalone
•thewholeestatedividedequally

11. illegitimatechildren&
survivingspouse*
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
•illegitimatechildren–
½
of
theestate
•survivingspouse–
½
of
theestate
12. survivingspousealone
•thewholeestate
13. survivingspouse&
illegitimateparents(no
articlegoverning,
combinationappliedby

•survivingspouse–
½
of
theestate
•illegitimateparents–
½
of
theestate
survivingspouse&
legitimatebrothers&
sisters,

14. nephews&
nieces*
•survivingspouse–
½
of
theestate
•legitimatebrothers,
sisters,
nephews,

nieces–
½
of
theestate(thenephews&

thepropercases)
survivingspouse&
illegitimatebrothers&

sisters,
nephews&
nieces*
15. •survivingspouse–
½
of
theestate
•illegitimatebrothers,
sisters,
nephews,

nieces–
½
of
theestate(thenephews&

niecesinheritingby
representation,
in
thepropercases)
•theillegitimatebrothers&
sistersare
thosementionedinArt.994.
illegitimateparentsalone
•thewholeestate
illegitimateparents&
childrenof
any
kind
16
. •illegitimateparents–
excluded
•childreninheritinaccordancewith
17. Nos.1,
2&
10.
legitimatebrothers&
sistersalone
•thewholeestate,
withabrother/sister
of
thehalf
‐bloodinheriting½
of
the
estatetheshareof
abrother/sisterof

thef
ullblood
legitimatebrothers&
sisters,
nephews&
nieces
•thewholeestate,
observingthe2:1
proportionof
thef
ull‐andhalf
‐blood
f
raternity
(No.18supra)andthe
19. nephewsandniecesinheritingby

representationinthepropercases
nephew&
nieceswithuncles&
aunts


excluded(accdg.toBacay
ov.
Borromeo)nephewsandnieces
20. inheritinginaccordancewithNo.23
inf
ra
illegitimatebrothersandsistersalone–
no
articlegoverning
proportionof
f
ull‐andhalf
‐blood
f
raternity
–
by
analogy
withNo.18
21. supra
illegitimatebrothers,
sisters,
nephewsand
nieces‐noarticlegoverning
•thewholeestate,
asinNo.19supra,
by

analogy

nephews&
niecesalone
•thewholeestate,
percapita,
but
22. observingthe2:1proportionf
orthe
f
ull‐andthehalf
‐blood
othercollaterals
•thewholeestate,
percapita,
thenearer
23. indegreeexcludingthemoreremote
State
24.
25.
Page 56
 of
 73
 • thewholeestate ThetotalisP2,
025,
000.Theestateisonly
P1,
800,
000.
• Assignment&
dispositionof
decedent’s Thereisadeficitof
P225,
000.Thesolutionistoreducethe
assets sharesof
illegitimatechildrenpro‐rata.
o If
thedecedentwasaresident
of
thePhilippinesatany
time: Reductionof
shareof
eachillegitimatechild:
Personalproperty
–
 225,
000(deficit)/5(illegitimatechildren)=
P45,
000.
tomunicipality
of

lastresidence Theshareof
eachillegitimatechildshouldbereducedby

Realproperty
–
 P45,
000.Thusf
romP225,
000,
eachillegitimatechildwill
wheresituated nowgetP180,
000each.
o If
thedecedentnevera
residentof
thePhilippines: ClassNotes:
Personalandreal •Number1illustratedtotalintestacy
.
property
–
where •Number15willonly
happeninonecase.
respectively
situated o InacasewhereXhasthreechildren,
A
H
owproperty
istobeused (legitimate),
B(illegitimate)andC
o Forthebenefitof
public (illegitimate),
whenBdies,
Acannot
• educationalandcharitable inheritf
romhim(andBcannotinherit
institutionsintherespective f
romhim)butCcan.
municipalities/cities o Thisisnotprohibitedby
Article992.
o Alternatively
,
attheinstance o InManuelv.Ferrer:“Whenthelaw
of
aninterestedparty
,
or speaksof
‘brothersandsisters,

motupropio,
courtmay
order nephewsandnieces’aslegalheirsof
an
creationof
apermanenttrust illegitimatechild,
itref
ersto
f
orthebenefitof
the illegitimatebrothersandsistersaswell
institutionsconcerned astothechildren,
whetherlegitimateof

illegitimateof
suchbrothersand
sisters.”
•Innumber20,
if
therearenephewsandnieces,

they
excludeunclesandaunts.
ClassNotes:
•Followtherulesexceptf
ornumber2and SampleProblems:
number4.Bothhavedifferentstepsf
romthe 1. Patrick,
illegitimatechildof
thelateDonRuben
step.Becaref
ulbecausey
oumightendup by
hislatemistressEvely
ndiesinavehicular
impairingthelegitime. accidentwhileridinghisH
arley
becausehehates
•Justf
ollowtherulesonintestacy
,
thelegitimes wearingahelmet.H
edidnotleaveawillandhis
willneverbeimpaired.They
areautomatically
 estateisworthP25,
000,
000.H
isspouseAmirah
coveredby
therules. andhisf
ullsisterCieloweredevastatedby
his
•ButArt.983(whichcoversnumber2also)might abruptdeath.MeanwhileRobert,
DonRuben’s
impairthelegitime. childby
hiswif
eAraceli,
isalsomaddenedwith
grief
ashewasnotabletomakepeacewithhis
IllustrationonhowArt.983canimpairthelegitime: estrangedbrother.H
owshouldMr.Patrick’s
estatebedistributed?

X’sestateisworthP1,
800,
000 2. Serafin,
anotoriouswomaniz
erandself
‐
proclaimedCassanova,
waskilledinflagrante
X(decedent) delictowithhiscurrentmistressDanica.H
ewas
|

|

::::: shotby
JohnMark,
Danica’sex‐boy
f
riendwhen
ABCDEFG hecaughtthemtogether.Thisscandaliz
edhis
4M4M2M2M2M2M2M wif
eLorietonoend.Tocompoundthewif
e’s
grief
,
Danica’schildrenwithSerafin:Auring,

H
erethelegitimeof
AandBisimpairedbecausetheir Koring,
Kristina,
Paula,
OgieandJoselitare
legitimeisP900,
000andtheirsharetogetherisP800,
000. fightingwithLorie’stwinchildrenJessand
Thereisadeficitof
P100,
000intheirlegitime. Rosleneovertheirlatef
ather’sestatewhichis
worthonly
P500,
000.H
owshouldtheestatebe
SinceArt.983impairsthelegitimeasshowninthe apportioned?

illustration,
twostepsmustbef
ollowedtoavoidsuch:
1. Givethelegitimefirst–
legitimatebef
ore 2.1. Descending Direct Line
illegitimate.
2. If
thereisanexcessdividedittoaratioof
2:1. Art.978.Successionpertains,
inthefirstplace,
tothe
3. If
lacking,
reducetheshareof
illegitimate descendingdirectline.(930)
childrenpro‐rata.
Art.979.Legitimatechildrenandtheirdescendants
Illustration: succeedtheparentsandotherascendants,
without
distinctionastosexorage,
andevenif
they
shouldcome
X(decedent) f
romdifferentmarriages.
|

|

::::: Anadoptedchildsucceedstotheproperty
of
theadopting
ABCDEFG
4.54.52.252.252.252.252.25

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 57 of
 73
parentsinthesamemannerasalegitimatechild.(931a)
Balane:
•Therightof
anadoptedchildinrelationtohis
adopterisnowgovernedby
Secs.17and18of
 Shouldtherebemorethanoneof
equaldegreebelonging
R.A.8552,
whichlay
sdownthesameruleasthe
secondparagraphof
thisarticle.
Say
sonvs.Courtof
Appeals(1992)
F:Privaterespondentswhoareadoptedchildrenof

TeodoroandIsabel,
filedaclaimintheestateof
the
parentsof
theiradopters.
H
:SCheldthattheprivaterespondentsexclusiveheirsof
 ascendants,
theillegitimatechildrenshallsucceedtothe
theirparentsanddeemedtoastotalstrangerstotheir
grandparents.Theadoptedchildshallbedeemedtobea
legitimatechildandhavethesamerightasthelatter,
but
theserightsdonotincludetherightof
representation.
Art.980.Thechildrenof
thedeceasedshallalway
sinherit
f
romhimintheirownright,
dividingtheinheritancein
equalshares.(932)
Art.981.Shouldchildrenof
thedeceasedand
descendantsof
otherchildrenwhoaredead,
survive,
the
f
ormershallinheritintheirownright,
andthelatterby
 deceasedgrandparent.(941a)
rightof
representation.(934a)
Art.982.Thegrandchildrenandotherdescendantsshall
inheritby
rightof
representation,
andif
any
oneof
them
shouldhavedied,
leavingseveralheirs,
theportion
pertainingtohimshallbedividedamongthelatterin
equalportions.(933)
Art.983.If
illegitimatechildrensurvivewithlegitimate
children,
thesharesof
thef
ormershallbeinthe
proportionsprescribedby
Article895.(n)
Balane:
•Segregatethelegitimesof
thechildren–
both
legitimateandillegitimate.
•If
any
residueislef
t,
apportionitinproportionof
 relativeswerehalf
‐siblings.Tomas,
theson,
of
Juanita,
2:1
•If
theestatemay
notbesufficienttosatisf
y
the
legitimes,
thelegitimesof
theillegitimateswill
havetobereducedprorata.
Art.984.Incaseof
thedeathof
anadoptedchild,
leaving
nochildrenordescendants,
hisparentsandrelativesby
 relatives.Theruleisbasedonthetheory
thatthe
consanguinity
andnotby
adoption,
shallbehislegalheirs.
(n)
Balane:
•Repealedby
Secs.17and18of
R.A.8552.
2.2. Ascending Direct Line
Art.985.Indef
aultof
legitimatechildrenanddescendants
of
thedeceased,
hisparentsandascendantsshallinherit
f
romhim,
totheexclusionof
collateralrelatives.(935a)
Art.986
.Thef
atherandmother,
if
living,
shallinheritin
equalshares.
Shouldoneonly
of
themsurvive,
heorsheshallsucceedto
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
theentireestateof
thechild.(936
)
Art.987.Indef
aultof
thef
atherandmother,
the
ascendantsnearestindegreeshallinherit.
tothesamelinethey
shalldividetheinheritanceper
capita;
shouldthey
beof
differentlinesbutof
equal
degree,
one‐half
shallgotothepaternalandtheotherhalf

tothematernalascendants.Ineachlinethedivisionshall
bemadepercapita.(937)
2.3. Illegitimate Children
Art.988.Intheabsenceof
legitimatedescendantsor
entireestateof
thedeceased.(939a)
Art.989.If
,
togetherwithillegitimatechildren,
there
shouldsurvivedescendantsof
anotherillegitimatechild
whoisdead,
thef
ormershallsucceedintheirownright
andthelatterby
rightof
representation.(940a)
Art.990.Thehereditary
rightsgrantedby
thetwo
precedingarticlestoillegitimatechildrenshallbe
transmittedupontheirdeathtotheirdescendants,
who
shallinheritby
rightof
representationf
romtheir
Art.991.If
legitimateascendantsarelef
t,
theillegitimate
childrenshalldividetheinheritancewiththem,
taking
one‐half
of
theestate,
whateverbethenumberof
the
ascendantsorof
theillegitimatechildren.(942‐841a)
Art.992.Anillegitimatechildhasnorighttoinheritab
intestatof
romthelegitimatechildrenandrelativesof
his
f
atherormother;
norshallsuchchildrenorrelatives
inheritinthesamemannerf
romtheillegitimatechild.
(943a)
Corpuz
vsAdministrator(1978)
F:DeceasedTeodorohasnof
orcedheirs.H
isclosest


whoisinturnthedaughterof
Teodoro’shalf
‐brotherJose,

filedanactiontorecoverhermother’ssupposedsharein
theintestateestateof
thedecedent.
H
:Juanitaisnotalegalheirof
Teodorosincethereisno
reciprocalsuccessionbetweenlegitimateandillegitimate
illegitimatechildisdisgracef
ully
lookeduponby
the
legitimatef
amily
,
whilethelatteris,
inturn,
hatedby
the
illegitimatechild.
LeonardovsCourtof
Appeals(1983)
F:PetitionerCresenciano,
claimingtobethesonof
thelate
Sotero,
soughttobedeclaredoneof
thelawf
ulheirsof

decedentwhoisthegrandf
atherof
Sotero.
H
:Atmost,
petitionerwouldbeanillegitimatechildwho
hasnorighttoinheritinabintestatof
romthelegitimate
childrenandrelativesof
hisf
ather,
likethedeceased.
Diaz
vs.IAC(1987)
Page 58 of
 73

F:Thecaseinvolvesadisputebetweenthepetitioners,
the
illegitimatechildrenof
decedent’ssonPabloSantero,
and
thedecedent’snieceFelisaPamutiJardin,
astowhocould
legally
inheritf
romthedecedent.Petitionersallegethat
they
couldinheritby
rightof
representationof
their
f
ather,
whoisalegitimatechildof
thedecedent.
H
:SCheldthelegalheirtobetheniece.TheNewCivil
Codestilldoesnotconf
ertoillegitimatechildrentheright
torepresenttheirparentsintheinheritanceof
their
legitimategrandparents,
evenif
theNewCivilCodehave
madeillegitimatechildrenascompulsory
primary
heirs
underArt.887.
Diaz
vs.IAC(1990)
F:AsecondMRf
romtheearlier1987case.Issuehereis
doestheterm“relatives”inArt.992includethelegitimate
parentsof
thef
atherormotherof
theillegitimate
children?
May
theseillegitimatechildrenof
Pablo(f
ather)
inheritf
romSimona(grandmother),
by
rightof
 legitimateparentsorascendantstotheotherhalf
.(836
a)
representationof
theirf
atherPablowhowasalegitimate
son?
 Art.998.If
awidoworwidowersurviveswithillegitimate
H
:Art.992prohibitsabsolutely
asuccessionabintestato
betweenanillegitimatechildandthelegitimatechildren
and“relatives”of
thef
atherormotherof
saidlegitimate
child.
Art.993.If
anillegitimatechildshoulddiewithoutissue,
 legitimatechildrenortheirdescendantsandillegitimate
eitherlegitimateorillegitimate,
hisf
atherormothershall
succeedtohisentireestate;
andif
thechild'sfiliationis
duly
provedastobothparents,
whoarebothliving,
they
 thesameshareasthatof
alegitimatechild.(n)
shallinheritf
romhimshareandsharealike.(944)
Art.994.Indef
aultof
thef
atherormother,
anillegitimate
childshallbesucceededby
hisorhersurvivingspouse
whoshallbeentitledtotheentireestate.
If
thewidoworwidowershouldsurvivewithbrothersand
sisters,
nephewsandnieces,
sheorheshallinherittone‐
half
of
theestate,
andthelattertheotherhalf
.(945a)
Balane:
•Accordingtojurisprudence,
whenthelawspeaks
of
brothersandsisters,
nephewsandniecesas
legalheirsof
anillegitimatechild,
itref
ersto
illegitimatebrothersandsistersaswellasthe
children,
whetherlegitimateorillegitimate,
of
 Art.1002.Incaseof
alegalseparation,
if
thesurviving
suchbrothersandsisters.
2.4. Surviving Spouse
Art.995.Intheabsenceof
legitimatedescendantsand
ascendants,
andillegitimatechildrenandtheir
descendants,
whetherlegitimateorillegitimate,
the
survivingspouseshallinherittheentireestate,
without
prejudicetotherightsof
brothersandsisters,
nephews
andnieces,
shouldtherebeany
,
underarticle1001.
(946
a)
Art.996
.If
awidoworwidowerandlegitimatechildren
ordescendantsarelef
t,
thesurvivingspousehasinthe
successionthesameshareasthatof
eachof
thechildren.
(834a)
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
Balane:
•Thisruleholdsevenif
thereisonly
one
legitimatechild,
inwhichcasethechildandthe
survivingspousewilldividetheestateequally
.
Santillonvs.Miranda(196
5)
F:H
owshalltheestateof
apersonwhodiesintestatebe
dividedwhentheonly
survivorsarethespouseandone
legitimatechild?
ThesonisclaimingthatArt.892should
beappliedwhilethewif
estatesthatthedivisionis½

betweenthem.
H
:SCruledf
orthewif
e.Art.996
whichappliesin
intestacy
shouldberead:“If
thewidoworwidoweranda
legitimatechildarelef
t,
thesurvivingspousehasthesame
shareasthatof
thechild.”
Art.997.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswith
legitimateparentsorascendants,
thesurvivingspouse
shallbeentitledtoone‐half
of
theestate,
andthe
children,
suchwidoworwidowershallbeentitledtoone‐
half
of
theinheritance,
andtheillegitimatechildrenor
theirdescendants,
whetherlegitimateorillegitimate,
to
theotherhalf
.(n)
Art.999.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswith
childrenortheirdescendants,
whetherlegitimateor
illegitimate,
suchwidoworwidowershallbeentitledto
Art.1000.If
legitimateascendants,
thesurvivingspouse,

andillegitimatechildrenarelef
t,
theascendantsshallbe
entitledtoone‐half
of
theinheritance,
andtheotherhalf

shallbedividedbetweenthesurvivingspouseandthe
illegitimatechildrensothatsuchwidoworwidowershall
haveone‐f
ourthof
theestate,
andtheillegitimatechildren
theotherf
ourth.(841a)
Art.1001.Shouldbrothersandsistersortheirchildren
survivewiththewidoworwidower,
thelattershallbe
entitledtoone‐half
of
theinheritanceandthebrothers
andsistersortheirchildrentotheotherhalf
.(953,
837a)
spousegavecausef
ortheseparation,
heorsheshallnot
haveany
of
therightsgrantedintheprecedingarticles.(n)
2.5. Collateral Relatives
Art.1003.If
therearenodescendants,
ascendants,

illegitimatechildren,
orasurvivingspouse,
thecollateral
relativesshallsucceedtotheentireestateof
thedeceased
inaccordancewiththef
ollowingarticles.(946
a)
Art.1004.Shouldtheonly
survivorsbebrothersand
sistersof
thef
ullblood,
they
shallinheritinequalshares.
(947)
Art.1005.Shouldbrothersandsisterssurvivetogether
withnephewsandnieces,
whoarethechildrenof
the
Page 59 of
 73
descendant'sbrothersandsistersof
thef
ullblood,
the two or more persons are called to the same inheritance,

f
ormershallinheritpercapita,
andthelatterperstirpes. devise or legacy
,
 the part assigned to the one who
(948) renouncesorcannotreceivehisshare,
orwhodiedbef
ore
the testator,
 is added or incorporated to that of
 his co‐
Art.1006
.Shouldbrotherandsistersof
thef
ullblood heirs,
co‐devisees,
orco‐legatees.(n)
survivetogetherwithbrothersandsistersof
thehalf

blood,
thef
ormershallbeentitledtoasharedoublethat Art. 1016
. In order that the right of
 accretion may
 take
of
thelatter.(949) placeinatestamentary
succession,
itshallbenecessary
:
Art.1007.Incasebrothersandsistersof
thehalf
blood,
 (1) That two or more persons be called to the same
someonthef
ather'sandsomeonthemother'sside,
are inheritance,
 or to the same portion thereof
,
 pro indiviso;

theonly
survivors,
allshallinheritinequalshareswithout and
distinctionastotheoriginof
theproperty
.(950)
(2) That one of
 the persons thus called die bef
ore the
Art.1008.Childrenof
brothersandsistersof
thehalf
 testator,
orrenouncetheinheritance,
orbeincapacitated
bloodshallsucceedpercapitaorperstirpes,
in toreceiveit.(928a)
accordancewiththeruleslaiddownf
orthebrothersand
sistersof
thef
ullblood.(915)

Art.1009.Shouldtherebeneitherbrothersnorsisters
Accretion
norchildrenof
brothersorsisters,
theothercollateral
a. Definition(Art.1015)
relativesshallsucceedtotheestate.
Thelattershallsucceedwithoutdistinctionof
linesor
Occasionsf
ortheoperationof
accretion:
pref
erenceamongthemby
reasonof
relationshipby
the
•Renunciation
wholeblood.(954a)
•Predecease
•Incapacity

Art.1010.Therighttoinheritabintestatoshallnot
extendbey
ondthefif
thdegreeof
relationshipinthe
b. Elements(Art.1016
)
collateralline.(955a)
Proindiviso–
“asundivided”or“incommon”;
doesnot
2.6
. The State
importequality

Art.1011.Indef
aultof
personsentitledtosucceedin
Ex:Igivemy
portiontoA,
BandC
accordancewiththeprovisionsof
theprecedingSections,

Igive1/8of
my
estatetoA,
BandC
theStateshallinheritthewholeestate.(956
a)
Cantherebeaccretionif
thesharesarenotequal?

Art.1012.InorderthattheStatemay
takepossessionof

Ex:Atoget½
,
Btoget1/3,
andCtoget1/6

theproperty
mentionedintheprecedingarticle,
the
•Tolentino:NO.Mustbeequal.
pertinentprovisionsof
theRulesof
Courtmustbe
•Sir:Yes,
itispossible.SeeArt.1019,
which
observed.(958a)
contemplatesunequalshares.
Art.1013.Af
terthepay
mentof
debtsandcharges,
the
personalproperty
shallbeassignedtothemunicipality
or
city
wherethedeceasedlastresidedinthePhilippines,

andtherealestatetothemunicipalitiesorcities,
 Art. 1017. The words "one‐half
 f
or each" or "in equal
respectively
,
inwhichthesameissituated. shares" or any
 others which,
 though designating an
If
thedeceasedneverresidedinthePhilippines,
thewhole aliquotpart,
donotidentif
y
itby
suchdescriptionasshall
estateshallbeassignedtotherespectivemunicipalitiesor make each heir the exclusive owner of
 determinate
citieswherethesameislocated. property
,
shallnotexcludetherightof
accretion.
Suchestateshallbef
orthebenefitof
publicschools,
and
publiccharitableinstitutionsandcenters,
insuch In case of
 money
 or f
ungible goods,
 if
 the share of
 each
municipalitiesorcities.Thecourtshalldistributethe heir is not earmarked,
 there shall be a right of
 accretion.
estateastherespectiveneedsof
eachbeneficiary
may
 (983a)
warrant.
Thecourt,
attheinstanceof
aninterestedparty
,
oronits
ownmotion,
may
ordertheestablishmentof
apermanent
trust,
sothatonly
theincomef
romtheproperty
shallbe Art. 1018. In legal succession the share of
 the person
used.(956
a) whorepudiatestheinheritanceshallalway
saccruetohis
co‐heirs.(981)
IV.Provisions Common to Testate and
Intestate Succession
Inintestacy
,
accretionoccurs:(RIP)
a. Inrepudiationorrenunciation
b. Inpredecease,
only
if
representationdoesnot
takeplace
c. Inincapacity
orunworthiness,
only
if

representationdoesnottakeplace

Theco‐heirsinwhosef
avoraccretionoccursmustbeco‐
1. Right of
 Accretion heirsinthesamecategory
astheexcludedheir.

Art. 1015. Accretion is a right by
 virtue of
 which,
 when

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 6
0 of
 73
Art. 1019. The heirs to whom the portion goes by
 the
rightof
accretiontakeitinthesameproportionthatthey
 isproper.
inherit.(n)
Art. 1020. The heirs to whom the inheritance accrues
shall succeed to all the rights and obligations which the
heir who renounced or could not receive it would have
had.(984)
Exceptions:
a. Intestamentary
succession,
if
thetestator
providesotherwise
b. If
theobligationispurely
personal,
andhence,
 •Whensuccessionopens:Decedent’sdeath
intransmissible
Art. 1021. Among the compulsory
 heirs the right of
 happens.
accretionshalltakeplaceonly
whenthef
reeportionislef
t
to two or more of
 them,
 or to any
 one of
 them and to a
stranger.
Shouldthepartrepudiatedbethelegitime,
theotherco‐
heirsshallsucceedtoitintheirownright,
andnotby
the
rightof
accretion.(985)
Inwhatkindsof
successiondoesaccretiontakeplace?

1) Testamentary
succession
2) Intestatesuccession
Notcompulsory
(ref
ertopar.2,
Art.1021)
Art. 1022. In testamentary
 succession,
 when the right of
 H
: The bequest ref
ers to the testator’s nearest male
accretion does not take place,
 the vacant portion of
 the
institutedheirs,
if
nosubstitutehasbeendesignated,
shall
passtothelegalheirsof
thetestator,
whoshallreceiveit
withthesamechargesandobligations.(986
)
Intestamentary
succession,
accretionissubordinateto
substitution,
if
thetestatorhassoprovided.
•Substitution–
expressintent
•Accretion–
impliedintent
Nosubstitution,
Noaccretion:Vacantpartwilllapseinto
intestacy
andbedisposedof
accordingly

2. Capacity
 to Succeed by
 Will or by
 Intestacy
 charterorthelawsof
theircreation,
andalway
ssubjectto
Art.1024.Personsnotincapacitatedby
lawmay
succeed
by
willorabintestato.
The provisions relating to incapacity
 by
 will are equally

applicabletointestatesuccession.(744,
914)
Gen.Rule:Inf
avorof
capacity
tosucceed,
aslongas
successorhasjuridicalpersonality
 by
law
Toproveincapacity
:Legalground;
Mustbeshown
Par.2iswrong.
Art. 1025. In order to be capacitated to inherit,
 the heir,

devisee or legatee must be living at the moment the
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
successionopens,
exceptincaseof
representation,
whenit
A child already
 conceived at the time of
 the death of
 the
decedent is capable of
 succeeding provided it be born
laterundertheconditionsprescribedinarticle41.(n)
Par.1iswrong;
thereisnoexception.
NaturalPersons:Requirementf
orcapacity
tosucceed:
Mustbelivingwhensuccessionopens
SeeArts.40and41of
theCivilCode
•Living:already
conceivedwhendecedentdies,

provideditbebornlater
If
institutionissubjecttoasuspensivecondition:Must
belivingbothwhendecedentdiesandwhenthecondition
If
institutionissubjecttoasuspensiveterm:Mustbe
livingwhendecedentdies
Exception:None
ParishPriestof
RomanCatholicChurchof
Victoria,

Tarlacvs.Rigor(1979)
F:Testatorintendedtodevisehisricelandtohis“nearest
malerelativewhowouldbecomeapriestaf
terhisdeath”.
There was an ambiguity
 as to whether he contemplated
only
 his nearest male relative at the time of
 his death or
any
 of
 his nearest male relatives at any
 time af
ter the
same.
relative living at the time of
 his death and not to any

indefinitetimethereaf
ter.
Art. 1026
. A testamentary
 disposition may
 be made to
the State,
 provinces,
 municipal corporations,
 private
corporations,
 organiz
ations,
 or associations f
or religious,

scientific,
cultural,
educational,
orcharitablepurposes.
All other corporations or entities may
 succeed under a
will,
 unless there is a provision to the contrary
 in their
thesame.(746
a)
JuridicalPersons:Requirementf
orcapacity
tosucceed:
Mustexistasajuridicalpersonwhenthedecedentdies.
(1)TheStateanditspoliticalsubdivisions
•State:musthaveacquiredthe4elements–

territory
,
people,
government,
sovereignty

•Localgovernmentunit:musthavebeencreated
(2)Othercorporations,
institutionsandentitiesf
orpublic
interestorpurpose,
createdby
law
•theirpersonality
beginsassoonasthey
have
beenconstitutedaccordingtolaw;

Page 6
1 of
 73
(3)Corporations,
partnershipsandassociationsf
or
privateinterestorpurpose
•Corporation:musthavebeencreatedin
accordancewiththeCorporationCode
•Partnership:partnersmusthaveagreed(except
whenrealproperty
iscontributed,
wherey
ou’ll
needapublicinstrument
Exceptf
ortheState,
Juridicalpersonscannotsucceedby

legitimeorintestacy
.
Art.1027.Thef
ollowingareincapableof
succeeding:
(1) The priest who heard the conf
ession of
 the testator
during his last illness,
 or the minister of
 the gospel who
extendedspiritualaidtohimduringthesameperiod;

(2) The relatives of
 such priest or minister of
 the gospel
within the f
ourth degree,
 the church,
 order,
 chapter,

community
,
 organiz
ation,
 or institution to which such
priestorministermay
belong;

(3) A guardian with respect to testamentary
 dispositions
given by
 a ward in his f
avor bef
ore the final accounts of

theguardianshiphavebeenapproved,
evenif
thetestator
should die af
ter the approval thereof
;
 nevertheless,
 any

provisionmadeby
thewardinf
avorof
theguardianwhen
the latter is his ascendant,
 descendant,
 brother,
 sister,
 or
spouse,
shallbevalid;

(4) Any
 attesting witness to the execution of
 a will,
 the
spouse,
 parents,
 or children,
 or any
 one claiming under
suchwitness,
spouse,
parents,
orchildren;

(5) Any
 phy
sician,
 surgeon,
 nurse,
 health officer or
druggist who took care of
 the testator during his last
illness;

(6
) Individuals,
 associations and corporations not
permittedby
lawtoinherit.(745,
752,
753,
754a)
Par.15:
•Apply
only
tonaturalpersons
•Applicable in testamentary
 succession,
 not to
legitimeorintestacy

•Rationale: The law seeks to prevent possible
abuseof
moralorspiritualascendancy
 article
•Duress or influence is conclusively
 presumed;

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

ministersetc.belongingtoreligions,
sectsor
cults,
whoseofficeorf
unctionitistoextend
the peculiar spiritual ministrations of
 their
creed
•Requisites:
a. Will must have been executed during
thetestator’slastillness
b. Spiritual ministration must have
extendedduringthelastillness
c. Willmusthavebeenexecutedduringor
af
terthespiritualministration
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
Amakesawillinf
avorof
hispastor.Later,
hebecomes
seriously
 ill,
 and calls the pastor f
or spiritual
ministration.Adies.Isthepastordisqualified?
No.
Proper sequence: A is dy
ing  Summons pastor 
Spiritual ministration  During or Af
ter spiritual
ministration,
hemakesawill,
withadispositioninf
avorof

thepastorAdies
Does the prohibition apply
 to ministers of
 religions
otherthantheChristiandenomination?

Yes,
if
suchreligionhasacounterpart(someonewhogives
spiritualministration)
Par.2 Purpose:Topreventindirect
violationsorcircumventionsof
Par.1
SupposeBsummonsapriest,
whoisalsohisson,
andhe
makesadispositioninhiswill,
inhisson’sf
avor.B’sson
is disqualified f
rom receiving the terstamentary

disposition,
butnottohislegitime.
Par.3
•Requisite:Willmusthavebeenexecutedby

the ward during the effectivity
 of
 the
guardianship
•Towhomapplicable:Guardiansof
persons
andproperty

Exception: Guardian who is also an
ascendant,
 descendant,
 brother,
 sister or
spouseof
ward‐testator
Note: the provision does not exclude the relatives of
 the
guardian,
unliketherulef
orpriests
Par.4
•There is an exception. See Art. 823,
 where
the witness may
 be qualified if
 there are 3
otherwitnesses
Par.5
•Scope of
 prohibition: Person must have
takencareof
thetestatorduringthelatter’s
finalillness
“Taking care” means medical attendance
withsomeregularity
orcontinuity

Par.6
: Total disqualification;
 Should be a separate
Art. 1028. The prohibitions mentioned in article 739,

concerning donations inter vivos shall apply
 to
testamentary
provisions.(n)
Art. 1029. Should the testator dispose of
 the whole or
part of
 his property
 f
or pray
ers and pious works f
or the
benefitof
hissoul,
ingeneraltermsandwithoutspecif
y
ing
its application,
 the executor,
 with the court's approval
shalldeliverone‐half
thereof
oritsproceedstothechurch
or denomination to which the testator may
 belong,
 to be
usedf
orsuchpray
ersandpiousworks,
andtheotherhalf

to the State,
 f
or the purposes mentioned in Article 1013.
(747a)
Page 6
2 of
 73

Requisites:
a. Disposition f
or pray
ers and pious works f
or the
benefitof
thetestator’ssoul
b. Nospecificationof
applicationof
disposition
Apportionmentof
dispositionoritsproceeds:
•½
 to the church or denomination to which the
testatorbelonged
•½
totheState(seeArt.1013)
Art.1030.Testamentary
provisionsinf
avorof
thepoorin
general,
 without designation of
 particular persons or of
 tomakeanaccusation;
any
community
,
shallbedeemedlimitedtothepoorliving
in the domicile of
 the testator at the time of
 his death,
 (5)Any
personconvictedof
adultery
orconcubinagewith
unless it should clearly
 appear that his intention was
otherwise.
Thedesignationof
thepersonswhoaretobeconsidered
aspoorandthedistributionof
theproperty
shallbemade
by
 the person appointed by
 the testator f
or the purpose;

in def
ault of
 such person,
 by
 the executor,
 and should
there be no executor,
 by
 the justice of
 the peace,
 the
may
or,
andthemunicipaltreasurer,
whoshalldecideby
a
majority
of
votesallquestionsthatmay
arise.Inallthese
cases,
 the approval of
 the Court of
 First Instance shall be
necessary
.
The preceding paragraph shall apply
 when the testator
has disposed of
 his property
 in f
avor of
 the poor of
 a
definitelocality
.(749a)
Beneficiaries:Thepoor
Par.1ref
erstothepoorof
thetestator’sdomicile,
unless
excludedby
thetestatorinhiswill.
Who determines the individual beneficiaries within the
classdesignatedby
thetestator?
AEA
a. Person authoriz
ed by
 the testator,
 or in his
def
ault
b. Executor,
orinhisdef
ault
c. Administator
Art. 1031. A testamentary
 provision in f
avor of
 a
disqualifiedperson,
eventhoughmadeundertheguiseof
 Art. 1033. The cause of
 unworthiness shall be without
an onerous contract,
 or made through an intermediary
,
 effectif
thetestatorhadknowledgethereof
atthetimehe
shallbevoid.(755)
Effect of
 simulation or circumvention: Disposition is
void,
 hence ineffective as to the intended beneficiary
 and
theintermediary
.
Intestateheirs,
towhomtheproperty
wouldgo,
havethe
righttoclaimthenullity
.
Art. 1032. The f
ollowing are incapable of
 succeeding by

reasonof
unworthiness:
(1) Parents who have abandoned their children or
inducedtheirdaughterstoleadacorruptorimmorallif
e,
 subsequent to the occurrence of
 the common
orattemptedagainsttheirvirtue;
 cause:Art.1033applies
(2) Any
 person who has been convicted of
 an attempt
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
against the lif
e of
 the testator,
 his or her spouse,

descendants,
orascendants;

(3)Any
personwhohasaccusedthetestatorof
acrimef
or
which the law prescribes imprisonment f
or six y
ears or
more,
if
theaccusationhasbeenf
oundgroundless;

(4) Any
 heir of
 f
ull age who,
 having knowledge of
 the
violentdeathof
thetestator,
shouldf
ailtoreportittoan
officer of
 the law within a month,
 unless the authorities
havealready
takenaction;
thisprohibitionshallnotapply

to cases wherein,
 according to law,
 there is no obligation


thespouseof
thetestator;

(6
) Any
 person who by
 f
raud,
 violence,
 intimidation,
 or
undue influence should cause the testator to make a will
ortochangeonealready
made;

(7)Any
personwhoby
thesamemeanspreventsanother
f
rommakingawill,
orf
romrevokingonealready
made,
or
whosupplants,
conceals,
oraltersthelatter'swill;

(8) Any
 person who f
alsifies or f
orges a supposed will of

thedecedent.(756
,
6
73,
6
74a)
Application:allkindsof
succession
Groundsf
orunworthiness:
Pars. 1,
 2,
 3,
 5,
 6
: see discussion under Art. 919 (as
groundsf
ordisinheritance)
Par.4:
a. H
eir has knowledge of
 violent death of
 the
decedent
b. H
eirisof
legalage
c. H
eir f
ails to report it to all officer of
 the law
withinamonthaf
terlearningof
it
d. Authoritieshavenoty
ettakenaction
e. Legal obligation f
or the heir to make an
accusation
Effect of
 Unworthiness: Total disqualification by
 any

f
ormof
succession
made the will,
 or if
,
 having known of
 them subsequently
,

heshouldcondonetheminwriting.(757a)
2way
storestorecapacity
:
a. Writtencondonation
b. Execution by
 the offended party
 of
 a will with
knowledgeof
thecauseof
unworthiness(thewill
mustalsoinstitutetheunworthy
heirorrestore
himtocapacity
)
H
ow to reconcile common grounds f
or Unworthiness
andDisinheritance(Arts.1033and922):
a. If
 offended party
 does not make a will
Page 6
3 of
 73
 b. If
offendedparty
makesawillsubsequenttothe This article grants a right of
 reimbursement of
 necessary

occurrenceof
thecommoncause: expensestotheexcludedheir.

If
heknewof
thecause Art. 1038. Any
 person incapable of
 succession,
 who,


1) If
hedisinherits–
apply
Art.922 disregarding the prohibition stated in the preceding
2) If
 he institutes or pardons the offender –
 articles,
 entered into the possession of
 the hereditary

restoredtocapacity
 property
,
 shall be obliged to return it together it its
3) If
willissilent–
unworthinessstay
s accessions.

H
eshallbeliablef
orallthef
ruitsandrentshemay
have
If
 he did not know of
 the cause –
 unworthiness received,
 or could have received through the exercise of

stay
s duediligence.(76
0a)
Disqualifiedheirhereisapossessorinbadf
aith.
Art. 1034. In order to judge the capacity
 of
 the heir,
 a. Obligationtoreturn,
withaccessions
devisee or legatee,
 his qualification at the time of
 the b. Liability
f
orf
ruitswhichwerereceivedandcould
deathof
thedecedentshallbethecriterion. havebeenreceived

Incasesf
allingunderNos.2,
3,
or5of
Article1032,
itshall Art. 1039. Capacity
 to succeed is governed by
 the law of

benecessary
towaituntilfinaljudgmentisrendered,
and thenationof
thedecedent.(n)
inthecasef
allingunderNo.4,
theexpirationof
themonth
allowedf
orthereport. Art. 1040. The action f
or a declaration of
 incapacity
 and
f
or the recovery
 of
 the inheritance,
 devise or legacy
 shall
If
 the institution,
 devise or legacy
 should be conditional,
 bebroughtwithinfivey
earsf
romthetimethedisqualified
thetimeof
thecompliancewiththeconditionshallalsobe persontookpossessionthereof
.Itmay
bebroughtby
any

considered.(758a) onewhomay
haveaninterestinthesuccession.(76
2a)

Whencapacity
istobedetermined: The right of
 heir to recover the inheritance must be

Gen.Rule:Timeof
decedent’sdeath exercisedwithin5y
ears.

If
institutionissubjecttoasuspensivecondition:
a. Timeof
decedent’sdeath,
and
b. Timeof
happeningof
condition
If
 final judgment is a requisite of
 unworthiness: Time
of
finaljudgment
Art.1035.If
thepersonexcludedf
romtheinheritanceby
 Inheritance
reasonof
incapacity
shouldbeachildordescendantof
the
decedent and should have children or descendants,
 the
lattershallacquirehisrighttothelegitime.
The person so excluded shall not enjoy
 the usuf
ruct and
administration of
 the property
 thus inherited by
 his
children.(76
1a)
Extentof
Representation:Legitimeandintestacy

Representation in the collateral line: If
 the unworthy
 a. Of
 acceptance –
 successor will be deemed to
heir is a brother or sister,
 his children (nephews and
niecesof
thedecedent)willrepresent
5‐y
earprescriptiveperiodappliesto:
a. thedeclarationof
incapacity
of
theheir
b. the recovery
 of
 the inheritance or portion
thereof
wrongf
ully
possessedby
thedisqualified
heir.
3. Acceptance and Repudiation of
 the
Art. 1041. The acceptance or repudiation of
 the
inheritance is an act which is purely
 voluntary
 and f
ree.
(988)
Art. 1042. The effects of
 the acceptance or repudiation
shall alway
s retroact to the moment of
 the death of
 the
decedent.(989)
Retroactivity
:
have owned and possessed the property
 f
rom
themomentof
decedent’sdeath

Art.1036
.Alienationsof
hereditary
property
,
andactsof
 b. Of
renunciation–
substitute,
co‐heirorintestate
administrationperf
ormedby
theexcludedheir,
bef
orethe heir who gets the property
 in def
ault of
 the
judicialorderof
exclusion,
arevalidastothethirdpersons renouncer,
 is deemed to have owned and
whoactedingoodf
aith;
buttheco‐heirsshallhavearight possessed it f
rom the moment of
 decedent’s
torecoverdamagesf
romthedisqualifiedheir.(n) death

ThisappliestheDoctrineof
InnocentPurchaserf
orValue c. Conditionalinstitutions
without prejudice to the right to damages of
 the 1) Condition happens –
 Property
 passes with
prejudicedheirsagainsttheincapacitatedheir. retroactiveeffect
2) Condition does not happen –
 Property
 goes
Art. 1037. The unworthy
 heir who is excluded f
rom the totheappropriatesuccessor,
withthesame
succession has a right to demand indemnity
 or any
 retroactiveeffect
expenses incurred in the preservation of
 the hereditary

property
,
 and to enf
orce such credits as he may
 have Art. 1043. No person may
 accept or repudiate an
againsttheestate.(n)

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 6
4 of
 73
inheritanceunlessheiscertainof
thedeathof
theperson
f
rom whom he is to inherit,
 and of
 his right to the
inheritance.(991)
Articlerequires:
a. Certainty
of
death
b. Establishedrighttoinherit
Art. 1044. Any
 person having the f
ree disposal of
 his
property
may
acceptorrepudiateaninheritance.
Any
 inheritance lef
t to minors or incapacitated persons
may
beacceptedby
theirparentsorguardians.Parentsor
guardians may
 repudiate the inheritance lef
t to their
wardsonly
by
judicialauthoriz
ation.
The right to accept an inheritance lef
t to the poor shall
belong to the persons designated by
 the testator to
determinethebeneficiariesanddistributetheproperty
,
or
intheirdef
ault,
tothosementionedinArticle1030.(992a)
Art. 1045. The lawf
ul representatives of
 corporations,
 (3)If
herenouncesitf
orapriceinf
avorof
allhisco‐heirs
associations,
 institutions and entities qualified to acquire
property
may
acceptany
inheritancelef
ttothelatter,
but
inordertorepudiateit,
theapprovalof
thecourtshallbe
necessary
.(993a)
Art. 1046
. Public official establishments can neither
acceptnorrepudiateaninheritancewithouttheapproval
of
thegovernment.(994)
Art. 1047. A married woman of
 age may
 repudiate an
inheritancewithouttheconsentof
herhusband.(995a)
Art.1048.Deaf
‐muteswhocanreadandwritemay
accept
or repudiate the inheritance personally
 or through an
agent. Should they
 not be able to read and write,
 the
inheritance shall be accepted by
 their guardians. These
guardiansmay
repudiatethesamewithjudicialapproval.
(996
a)
AcceptRepudiate
ParentsorguardiansYesYes*
Authoriz
edpersonYesNo
Lawf
ulYesYes*
representatives
PublicofficialYes,
butonly
withapprovalof
 extentsufficienttocovertheamountof
theircredits.The
establishmentsgovernment
Marriedperson(w/oYesYes
spouse’sconsent)
Deaf
‐muteswhocanYes,
personally
orthroughan
readandwriteagent
Deaf
‐muteswhoYes,
throughYes,
through
cannotreadandtheirguardianstheir
writeguardians*
*Requiresjudicialauthoriz
ation
Art.1049.Acceptancemay
beexpressortacit.
Anexpressacceptancemustbemadeinapublicorprivate
document.
Atacitacceptanceisoneresultingf
romactsby
whichthe
intention to accept is necessarily
 implied,
 or which one
wouldhavenorighttodoexceptinthecapacity
of
anheir.
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
Acts of
 mere preservation or provisional administration
do not imply
 an acceptance of
 the inheritance if
,
 through
such acts,
 the title or capacity
 of
 an heir has not been
assumed.(999a)
Kindsof
acceptance:
a. Express
1) Publicdocument
2) Privatewriting
b. Tacit
c. Implied
Art.1050.Aninheritanceisdeemedaccepted:
(1) If
 the heirs sells,
 donates,
 or assigns his right to a
stranger,
ortohisco‐heirs,
ortoany
of
them;

(2) If
 the heir renounces the same,
 even though
gratuitously
,
f
orthebenefitof
oneormoreof
hisco‐heirs;

indiscriminately
;
 but if
 this renunciation should be
gratuitous,
andtheco‐heirsinwhosef
avoritismadeare
those upon whom the portion renounced should devolve
by
virtueof
accretion,
theinheritanceshallnotbedeemed
asaccepted.(1000)
Tacit acceptance is inf
erred f
rom acts of
 ownership
perf
ormedby
theheirovertheproperty
.
Art. 1051. The repudiation of
 an inheritance shall be
made in a public or authentic instrument,
 or by
 petition
presented to the court having jurisdiction over the
testamentary
orintestateproceedings.(1008)
Formof
renunciation:
a. Publicorauthentic(genuine)instrument
b. Petitionfiledinthesettlementproceedings
Art. 1052. If
 the heir repudiates the inheritance to the
prejudiceof
hisowncreditors,
thelattermay
petitionthe
court to authoriz
e them to accept it in the name of
 the
heir.
The acceptance shall benefit the creditors only
 to an
excess,
shouldtherebeany
,
shallinnocasepertaintothe
renouncer,
 but shall be adjudicated to the persons to
whom,
 in accordance with the rules established in this
Code,
itmay
belong.(1001)
This is an instance of
 accion pauliana,
 which is the right
given to creditors to impugn or set aside contracts,

transactions or dispositions of
 their debtors which will
prejudiceordef
raudthem.
Extentof
rightof
creditortoaccepttheinheritancein
the name of
 the debtor: Only
 to the amount or value
necessary
tosatisf
y
thecredit
Art.1053.If
theheirshoulddiewithouthavingaccepted
or repudiated the inheritance his right shall be
transmittedtohisheirs.(1006
)
Art. 1054. Should there be several heirs called to the
Page 6
5 of
 73
inheritance,
someof
themmay
acceptandtheothersmay
 Art. 106
0. A corporation or association authoriz
ed to
repudiateit.(1007a)
Their right to accept or repudiate corresponds to the
aliquotsharetowhichthey
areentitled.
Art. 1055. If
 a person,
 who is called to the same
inheritanceasanheirby
willandabintestato,
repudiates
theinheritanceinhiscapacity
asatestamentary
heir,
heis
understoodtohaverepudiateditinbothcapacities.
Should he repudiate it as an intestate heir,
 without
knowledge of
 his being a testamentary
 heir,
 he may
 still
acceptitinthelattercapacity
.(1009)
Rationale: The testamentary
 disposition is the express
will of
 the testator,
 whereas intestacy
 is only
 his implied
will. One who renounces the express will is deemed to
have renounced the implied also,
 but not the other way
 chargeable/imputable to the legitime or f
ree
around.
Ruledoesnotapply
tolegitime.
Art. 1056
. The acceptance or repudiation of
 an
inheritance,
 once made,
 is irrevocable,
 and cannot be
impugned,
 except when it was made through any
 of
 the
causes that vitiate consent,
 or when an unknown will
appears.(997)
Gen. Rule: Acceptance or repudiation of
 inheritance is
irrevocable
Exceptions:
a. Factors vitiating consent are present –
FIVUM
(f
raud,
 intimidation,
 undue influence,
 mistake,
 eachheir,
andintheaccountof
thepartition.(1035a)
f
raud)
b. Appearance of
 an unknown will (which is valid
andadmittedtoprobate)
Art.1057.Withinthirty
day
saf
terthecourthasissuedan
orderf
orthedistributionof
theestateinaccordancewith
the Rules of
 Court,
 the heirs,
 devisees and legatees shall
signif
y
 to the court having jurisdiction whether they
 provided,
orif
thedoneeshouldrepudiatetheinheritance,
acceptorrepudiatetheinheritance.
If
they
donotdosowithinthattime,
they
aredeemedto
haveacceptedtheinheritance.(n)
Implied acceptance –
 f
ailure to signif
y
 acceptance or
renunciationwithinthe30‐day
period
4. Executors and Administrators
Art. 1058. All matters relating to the appointment,

powers and duties of
 executors and administrators and
concerning the administration of
 estates of
 deceased
personsshallbegovernedby
theRulesof
Court.(n)
Art.1059.If
theassetsof
theestateof
adecedentwhich
can be applied to the pay
ment of
 debts are not sufficient
f
or that purpose,
 the provisions of
 Articles 2239 to 2251
onPref
erenceof
Creditsshallbeobserved,
providedthat
the expenses ref
erred to in Article 2244,
 No. 8,
 shall be
those involved in the administration of
 the decedent's
estate.(n)
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
conductthebusinessof
atrustcompany
inthePhilippines
may
beappointedasanexecutor,
administrator,
guardian
of
anestate,
ortrustee,
inlikemannerasanindividual;
but
itshallnotbeappointedguardianof
thepersonof
award.
(n)
SeeRules78‐90of
theRulesof
Court
5. Collation
3meaningsof
collation:
1. Ascomputation–
addallavailableassets,
deduct
debts,
 and add the donations to get the net
hereditary
estate
Arts.106
1,
106
7,
1071,
1072
2. As imputation –
 determine if
 the donation is
portion
Arts.106
2–
106
6
,
106
8,
106
9,
1071–
1073
3. Asreturn–
If
donationtoastrangerexceedsthe
f
ree portion,
 he would have to give back to the
estate as much as is needed to complete the
legitimes
Arts.1075,
1076

Art. 106
1. Every
 compulsory
 heir,
 who succeeds with
other compulsory
 heirs,
 must bring into the mass of
 the
estate any
 property
 or right which he may
 have received
f
romthedecedent,
duringthelif
etimeof
thelatter,
by
way

of
 donation,
 or any
 other gratuitous title,
 in order that it
may
 be computed in the determination of
 the legitime of

Donations inter vivos –
 made to compulsory
 heirs AND
strangers
Valueof
donation:Atthetimedonationwasmade
Art. 106
2. Collation shall not take place among
compulsory
 heirs if
 the donor should have so expressly



unless the donation should be reduced as inofficious.
(1036
)
Gen. Rule: Donations inter vivos to compulsory
 heirs
should be imputed to the heir’s legitime (considered an
advancetothelegitime)
Exceptions:
a. Donorprovidesotherwise
b. Doneerenouncestheinheritance
Instances when donations inter vivos are to be
imputedtothef
reeportion:
a. Whenmadetostrangers
b. When made to compulsory
 heirs and the donor
soprovides
c. When made to compulsory
 heirs who renounce
theinheritance
d. Wheninexcessof
thecompulsory
heir’slegitime,

astotheexcess
Art. 106
3. Property
 lef
t by
 will is not deemed subject to
collation,
 if
 the testator has not otherwise provided,
 but
Page 6
6
 of
 73
thelegitimeshallinany
caseremainunimpaired.(1037)
Gen.Rule:Testamentary
dispostionstocompulsory
heirs
should not be imputed to the legitime,
 but to the f
ree
portion
Exception:If
thetestatorprovidesotherwise
Art. 106
4. When the grandchildren,
 who survive with
their uncles,
 aunts,
 or cousins,
 inherit f
rom their
grandparentsinrepresentationof
theirf
atherormother,
 Art.106
9.Any
sumspaidby
aparentinsatisf
actionof
the
they
shallbringtocollationallthattheirparents,
if
alive,
 debtsof
hischildren,
electionexpenses,
fines,
andsimilar
would have been obliged to bring,
 even though such
grandchildrenhavenotinheritedtheproperty
.
They
 shall also bring to collation all that they
 may
 have
receivedf
romthedecedentduringhislif
etime,
unlessthe
testatorhasprovidedotherwise,
inwhichcasehiswishes
must be respected,
 if
 the legitime of
 the co‐heirs is not
prejudiced.(1038)
Grandchildrenhavetoimputetotheirlegitime:
a. Whatever the parent whom they
 are
representingwouldhavebeenobligedtocollate;
 inofficious.
and
b. Whatever they
 themselves have received f
rom
the grandparent by
 gratuitous title (subject to
therulesandexceptionsunderArt.106
2)
Art.106
5.Parentsarenotobligedtobringtocollationin
the inheritance of
 their ascendants any
 property
 which
may
 have been donated by
 the latter to their children.
(1039)
Donationtothegrandchildshouldbeimputedtothef
ree
portion,
sinceitisadonationtoastranger.
Art. 106
6
. Neither shall donations to the spouse of
 the
child be brought to collation;
 but if
 they
 have been given
by
 the parent to the spouses jointly
,
 the child shall be
obligedtobringtocollationone‐half
of
thethingdonated.
(1040)
Donationgiventothechild’sspousewillnotbeimputedto
thechild’slegitime,
asitisadonationmadetoastranger.
Treatmentof
donationsmadetothespousesjointly
:
•½
belongstothedonor’schild(Art.106
2)
•½
 belongs to the child’s spouse (donation to
stranger)
Art. 106
7. Expenses f
or support,
 education,
 medical
attendance,
 even in extraordinary
 illness,
 apprenticeship,
 Art. 1073. The donee's share of
 the estate shall be
ordinary
equipment,
orcustomary
gif
tsarenotsubjectto
collation.(1041)
Support –
 defined in Art. 194,
 Family
 Code;
 does not
include expenses f
or the recipient’s prof
essional,

vocationalorothercareer
Art. 106
8. Expenses incurred by
 the parents in giving
their children a prof
essional,
 vocational or other career
shall not be brought to collation unless the parents so
provide,
orunlessthey
impairthelegitime;
butwhentheir
collationisrequired,
thesumwhichthechildwouldhave
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
spent if
 he had lived in the house and company
 of
 his
parentsshallbedeductedtheref
rom.(1042a)
Gen. Rule: Expenses f
or the child’s prof
essional,

vocational,
orothercareer,
arenotinofficious;
shouldnot
bechargedagainsttherecipient’slegitime,
butagainstthe
f
reeportion
Exception:If
theparentsprovideotherwise
expensesshallbebroughttocollation.(1043a)
Donationsby
theparenttothechildshouldbetreatedlike
otherdonationstocompulsory
heirsunderArt.106
2.
Art. 1070. Wedding gif
ts by
 parents and ascendants
consisting of
 jewelry
,
 clothing,
 and outfit,
 shall not be
reduced as inofficious except insof
ar as they
 may
 exceed
one‐tenthof
thesumwhichisdisposableby
will.(1044)
Wedding gif
ts in excess of
 1/10 of
 the f
ree portion are
Art.1071.Thesamethingsdonatedarenottobebrought
tocollationandpartition,
butonly
theirvalueatthetime
of
thedonation,
eventhoughtheirjustvaluemay
notthen
havebeenassessed.
Theirsubsequentincreaseordeteriorationandeventheir
totallossordestruction,
beitaccidentalorculpable,
shall
be f
or the benefit or account and risk of
 the donee.
(1045a)
Value to be computed and imputed: the value of
 thing
donatedatthetimedonationwasmade
Reason: Any
 appreciation or depreciation of
 the thing
af
ter that time should be f
or the donee’s account,
 since
donationtransf
ersownershiptohim
Art. 1072. In the collation of
 a donation made by
 both
parents,
one‐half
shallbebroughttotheinheritanceof
the
f
ather,
andtheotherhalf
,
tothatof
themother.Thatgiven
by
 one alone shall be brought to collation in his or her
inheritance.(1046
a)
Joint donation: Pertaining to equal shares to the estates
of
thef
atherandmother
Donationby
oneparent:Treatedseparately

reduced by
 an amount equal to that already
 received by

him;
andhisco‐heirsshallreceiveanequivalent,
asmuch
as possible,
 in property
 of
 the same nature,
 class and
quality
.(1047)
Art. 1074. Should the provisions of
 the preceding article
beimpracticable,
if
theproperty
donatedwasimmovable,

the co‐heirs shall be entitled to receive its equivalent in
cash or securities,
 at the rate of
 quotation;
 and should
there be neither cash or marketable securities in the
estate,
somuchof
theotherproperty
asmay
benecessary

shallbesoldatpublicauction.
Page 6
7 of
 73
 adequatesecurity
isgiven.(1050)
If
 the property
 donated was movable,
 the co‐heirs shall
only
havearighttoselectanequivalentof
otherpersonal 6
. Partition and Distribution of
 Estate
property
of
theinheritanceatitsjustprice.(1048)
6
.1. Partition
Appliesif
Art.1073isnotpossible.
a. Immovables –
 co‐heirs entitled to cash or Partition is a judicial proceeding that comprises the
securities entire settlement of
 the decedent’s estate,
 covered by

b. Movables –
 co‐heirs entitled to similarly
‐valued Rules73to90of
theRulesof
Court.
movable
1
Art.1075.Thef
ruitsandinterestof
theproperty
subject Decedentdies
tocollationshallnotpertaintotheestateexceptf
romthe
day
onwhichthesuccessionisopened. 2
Coownershipof
heirs
For the purpose of
 ascertaining their amount,
 the f
ruits overnethereditary
estate
andinterestof
theproperty
of
theestateof
thesamekind orpartibleestate
and quality
 as that subject to collation shall be made the
standardof
assessment.(1049) 3
Subsequentpartitionby
:
Rationale: The obligation to return inofficious donations ‐extrajudicialagreement
to the estate arises at the time succession vests (Rule74,
Sec.1,
Rulesof
Court),

(decedent’sdeath).Fromthattime,
thecompulsory
heiris OR
entitledtothef
ruits. ‐throughjudicialorder
inappropriatesettlement
Extentof
compulsory
heir’srighttof
ruits: proceedings
a. Entirety
 of
 f
ruits –
 if
 donation was totally
 (Rule90,
Rulesof
Court)
inofficious
b. Prorated between heir and donee –
 if
 partially
 Art.1078.Wheretherearetwoormoreheirs,
thewhole
inofficious estate of
 the decedent is,
 bef
ore its partition,
 owned in
commonby
suchheirs,
subjecttothepay
mentof
debtsof

Art. 1076
. The co‐heirs are bound to reimburse to the thedeceased.(n)
donee the necessary
 expenses which he has incurred f
or
the preservation of
 the property
 donated to him,
 though Art.1079.Partition,
ingeneral,
istheseparation,
division
they
may
nothaveaugmenteditsvalue. andassignmentof
athingheldincommonamongthoseto
whomitmay
belong.Thethingitself
may
bedivided,
orits
The donee who collates in kind an immovable which has value.(n)
beengiventohimmustbereimbursedby
hisco‐heirsf
or
the improvements which have increased the value of
 the Kindsof
partition:
property
,
 and which exist at the time the partition if
 a. Actual–
phy
sicaldivisionof
thethingamongthe
effected. co‐heirs
b. Constructive –
 any
 act,
 other than phy
sical
As to works made on the estate f
or the mere pleasure of
 division,
whichterminatestheco‐ownership(ex:
thedonee,
noreimbursementisduehimf
orthem;
hehas,
 saletoa3rdperson)
however,
therighttoremovethem,
if
hecandosowithout
injuringtheestate.(n) Casilangvs.Diz
on(2013)

Totally
Partially
 F: The decedent’s grandchildren petitioned to have Jose

inofficiousinofficious
Necessary
Reimburseinf
ullPartial
reimbursementinUsef
ulReimbursein
f
ull,
 H
: Jose is the lawf
ul owner of
 the lot. H
e and his siblings
proportiontotheif
improvement
valuetobestillexists
returned
Ornamental Noreimbursement Noreimbursement
Only
removal,
if
no Only
removal*if
no
injury
totheestate injury
totheestate
* If
 the property
 is phy
sically
 divided,
 and the ornament
happens to be located in the donee’s portion,
 donee will
haveallrightsof
ownership.
Art. 1077. Should any
 question arise among the co‐heirs
upontheobligationtobringtocollationorastothethings
which are subject to collation,
 the distribution of
 the
estate shall not be interrupted f
or this reason,
 provided
evictedandexecutedadeedof
extrajudicialpartitionover
thelot.
wereabletopresentsufficientevidencethatthey
entered
intoaverbalpartition,
whileRosariowasunabletoshow
any
proof
thatherf
atherinheritedthelotf
romLiborio.
Art.1080.Shouldapersonmakepartitionof
hisestateby

an act inter vivos,
 or by
 will,
 such partition shall be
respected,
 insof
ar as it does not prejudice the legitime of

thecompulsory
heirs.
Aparentwho,
intheinterestof
hisorherf
amily
,
desires
to keep any
 agricultural,
 industrial,
 or manuf
acturing
enterprise intact,
 may
 avail himself
 of
 the right granted
him in this article,
 by
 ordering that the legitime of
 the
other children to whom the property
 is not assigned,
 be

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 6
8 of
 73
paidincash.(1056
a)
Partitionby
theCausante(decedent):
Characteristics:
a. Takeseffectonly
upondeath
b. Revocableaslongasthecausanteisalive(hence,
 terminateswhenany
of
thecausesf
orwhichpartnership
canbechanged,
modifiedorrescinded)
H
owmade:
a. By
will,
or
b. By
actintervivos
•Inwriting
•Inapublicinstrument
Legastovs.Verz
osa(1930)
F: During the testatrix's lif
etime,
 she made a partition of
 of
apartnershipoccurs
the parcels of
 land to her heirs by
 virtue of
 deeds of
 •When the court finds compelling
assignment.H
oweverprobateof
thewillwasdenied.
H
: Will is not valid as it was not admitted f
or probate.
Partition of
 the testator's estate inter vivos,
 as
contemplatedintheCivilCode,
canonly
bevalidly
madein
the presence of
 a valid will,
 which is why
 the (old)
provisionspeaksof
a"testator."
Limitation on partition by
 causante: Legitimes of
 demanditby
givingsufficientsecurity
f
ortherightswhich
compulsory
heirscannotbeimpaired
Art. 1081. A person may
,
 by
 an act inter vivos or mortis
causa,
intrustthemerepowertomakethepartitionaf
ter
hisdeathtoany
personwhoisnotoneof
theco‐heirs.
Theprovisionsof
thisandof
theprecedingarticleshallbe
observed even should there be among the co‐heirs a
minor or a person subject to guardianship;
 but the
mandatary
,
 in such case,
 shall make an inventory
 of
 the
property
 of
 the estate,
 af
ter notif
y
ing the co‐heirs,
 the
creditors,
andthelegateesordevisees.(1057a)
Mandatary
 cannot be a co‐heir,
 to ensure f
airness and
impartiality
.
Art. 1082. Every
 act which is intended to put an end to
indivision among co‐heirs and legatees or devisees is
deemedtobeapartition,
althoughitshouldpurporttobe
a sale,
 and exchange,
 a compromise,
 or any
 other
transaction.(n)
Tuasonvs.Tuason(1951)
F:Theshareof
oneof
theTuasonsiblingsinahugeparcel
of
landwassoldtoAraneta.They
executeda MoAwhere
they
agreedthatnoco‐ownershallsellhisinterestinthe
land w/o first giving pref
erence to the other co‐owners.
Angela argued that the contract is null and void f
or
violatingCC400.
H
: CC400 is not applicable. The contract’s provision
preservingtheco‐ownershipuntilalllotshavebeensold,
 cash.
isamereincidenttothemainobjectof
dissolvingtheco‐
ownership.
Art. 1083. Every
 co‐heir has a right to demand the
division of
 the estate unless the testator should have
expressly
f
orbiddenitspartition,
inwhichcasetheperiod
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
of
indivisionshallnotexceedtwenty
y
earsasprovidedin
article494.Thispowerof
thetestatortoprohibitdivision
appliestothelegitime.
Even though f
orbidden by
 the testator,
 the co‐ownership
is dissolved takes place,
 or when the court finds f
or
compellingreasonsthatdivisionshouldbeordered,
upon
petitionof
oneof
theco‐heirs.(1051a)
Gen.Rule:Any
co‐heirmay
demandpartitionatany
time
Exceptions:
a. Whenf
orbiddenby
thetestatorf
oraperiodnot
exceeding20y
ears
Exceptionstotheexception:
•Whenany
of
thecausesf
ordissolution
reasonsf
orpartition
b. When the co‐heirs agree on indivision f
or a
periodnotexceeding10y
ears(renewable)
c. Whenthelawprohibitspartition
Art. 1084. Voluntary
 heirs upon whom some condition
has been imposed cannot demand a partition until the
condition has been f
ulfilled;
 but the other co‐heirs may

the f
ormer may
 have in case the condition should be
compliedwith,
anduntilitisknownthattheconditionhas
not been f
ulfilled or can never be complied with,
 the
partitionshallbeunderstoodtobeprovisional.(1054a)
Rationale: Right as heir vests only
 when the suspensive
conditionhappens.
Otherheirscandemandparitionaf
terf
urnishingadequate
security
.
Art.1085.Inthepartitionof
theestate,
equality
shallbe
observedasf
araspossible,
dividingtheproperty
intolots,

or assigning to each of
 the co‐heirs things of
 the same
nature,
quality
andkind.(106
1)
Equality
amongcoheirs:
a. Quantitative –
 Shares of
 co‐heirs are
determinedby
lawandby
will
b. Qualitative –
 The law mandates equality
 in
nature,
kindandquality

Exceptions:
•Causantehasmadethepartitionhimself

•Co‐heirsagreeotherwise
•Qualitative equality
 is impossible or
impracticable
Art.1086
.Shouldathingbeindivisible,
orwouldbemuch
impairedby
itsbeingdivided,
itmay
beadjudicatedtoone
of
theheirs,
providedheshallpay
theotherstheexcessin
Nevertheless,
 if
 any
 of
 the heirs should demand that the
thing be sold at public auction and that strangers be
allowedtobid,
thismustbedone.(106
2)
Towhomthingmay
besold:
Page 6
9 of
 73
 a. Toa3rdperson,
or Obviouseffect:Terminationof
co‐ownership
b. Toany
of
theco‐heirs(if
noneof
themobject)
Art.1092.Af
terthepartitionhasbeenmade,
theco‐heirs
Art. 1087. In the partition the co‐heirs shall reimburse shallbereciprocally
boundtowarrantthetitleto,
andthe
one another f
or the income and f
ruits which each one of
 quality
of
,
eachproperty
adjudicated.(106
9a)
themmay
havereceivedf
romany
property
of
theestate,

f
or any
 usef
ul and necessary
 expenses made upon such Obligationof
mutualwarranty
:Liablef
ordef
ectsof
title
property
,
 and f
or any
 damage thereto through malice or andquality
(Art.501)
neglect.(106
3)
Warrantiesarethesameasinsales:
Upon partition,
 the co‐heirs shall render a mutual a. Eviction(title)
accountingof
benefitsreceivedandnecessary
andusef
ul b. H
iddendef
ects(quality
)
expensesincurredby
eachof
them.
Art.1093.Thereciprocalobligationof
warranty
ref
erred
Art. 1088. Should any
 of
 the heirs sell his hereditary
 to in the preceding article shall be proportionate to the
rights to a stranger bef
ore the partition,
 any
 or all of
 the respectivehereditary
sharesof
theco‐heirs,
butif
any
one
co‐heirsmay
besubrogatedtotherightsof
thepurchaser of
 them should be insolvent,
 the other co‐heirs shall be
by
reimbursinghimf
orthepriceof
thesale,
providedthey
 liable f
or his part in the same proportion,
 deducting the
dosowithintheperiodof
onemonthf
romthetimethey
 partcorrespondingtotheonewhoshouldbeindemnified.
werenotifiedinwritingof
thesaleby
thevendor.(106
7a)
Thosewhopay
f
ortheinsolventheirshallhavearightof

Rightof
redemptiongiventoacoheir actionagainsthimf
orreimbursement,
shouldhisfinancial
•Co‐heir sold his undivided share or portion in conditionimprove.(1071)
theestate
•Sharewassoldtoastranger Proportionalliability
of
coheirsonwarranty
:Burdens
•Writtennoticeby
co‐heirstothevendor shouldbeproportionaltobenefits

Garciavs.Calaliman(1989)
F: There was an extrajudicial partition and deed of
 sale.
Two groups of
 heirs sold their shares to Calaliman and
Trabadillo. The heirs of
 the vendors filed a case against
CalalimanandTrabadillof
orlegalredemption.H
eirswere
not notified of
 the sale so they
 claim the 30 day
 period
stipulatedinArt1088hasy
ettobegin.
Art.1094.Anactiontoenf
orcethewarranty
amongheirs
mustbebroughtwithinteny
earsf
romthedatetheright
of
actionaccrues.(n)
Actiontoenf
orcewarranty
:10y
ears
To be counted f
rom the time the portion was lost or the
hiddendef
ectwasdiscovered.

H
: Written notice is required bef
ore the period of
 one
monthf
ortheotherco‐heirstoredeembeginstorun.The
redemptioner is entitled to written notice to remove all
uncertainty
astothesale,
itstermsanditsvalidity
,
andto
quietany
doubtthatthealienationisnotdefinitive.
If
only
1coheirredeems:hewillpay
thepurchaseprice
Art.1095.If
acreditshouldbeassignedascollectible,
the
co‐heirs shall not be liable f
or the subsequent insolvency

of
 the debtor of
 the estate,
 but only
 f
or his insolvency
 at
thetimethepartitionismade.
The warranty
 of
 the solvency
 of
 the debtor can only
 be
enf
orcedduringthefivey
earsf
ollowingthepartition.

If
morethan1willredeem:they
willpay
proportionally
 Co‐heirs do not warrant bad debts,
 if
 so known to,
 and
totheirshareintheproperty
 accepted by
,
 the distributee. But if
 such debts are not
assignedtoaco‐heir,
andshouldbecollected,
inwholeor
Art. 1089. The titles of
 acquisition or ownership of
 each in part,
 the amount collected shall be distributed
property
 shall be delivered to the co‐heir to whom said proportionately
amongtheheirs.(1072a)
property
hasbeenadjudicated.(106
5a)
Creditassignedtoacoheirinpartition:
Art.1090.Whenthetitlecomprisestwoormorepiecesof
 Warranty
coversonly
insolvency
of
thedecedent’sdebtor
landwhichhavebeenassignedtotwoormoreco‐heirs,
or at the time of
 partition,
 not subsequent insolvency
,
 f
or
when it covers one piece of
 land which has been divided whichtheco‐heirtakestherisk.
betweentwoormoreco‐heirs,
thetitleshallbedelivered
totheonehavingthelargestinterest,
andauthenticcopies Prescriptiveperiod:5y
ears
of
 the title shall be f
urnished to the other co‐heirs at the
expenseof
theestate.If
theinterestof
eachco‐heirshould Art. 1096
. The obligation of
 warranty
 among co‐heirs
bethesame,
theoldestshallhavethetitle.(106
6
a) shallceaseinthef
ollowingcases:

(1) When the testator himself
 has made the partition,


unlessitappears,
oritmay
bereasonably
presumed,
that
hisintentionwasotherwise,
butthelegitimeshallalway
s
remainunimpaired;


(2) When it has been so expressly
 stipulated in the

6
.2. Effects of
 Partition

Art.1091.Apartitionlegally
madeconf
ersuponeachheir
the exclusive ownership of
 the property
 adjudicated to
him.(106
8)

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 70 of
 73
agreementof
partition,
unlesstherehasbeenbadf
aith;
 have not been prejudiced nor those have not received
(3)Whentheevictionisduetoacausesubsequenttothe
partition,
orhasbeencausedby
thef
aultof
thedistributee
of
theproperty
.(1070a)
Instanceswhenthereisnomutualwarranty
:
1. Partitionby
thetestatorhimself
(savewherethe
legitimehasbeenimpaired)
2. Agreement among the co‐heirs to suppress the
warranty
 cannotmaintainanactionf
orrescissiononthegroundof
3. Supervening events causing the loss or the
diminutioninvalue
4. Faultof
theco‐heir
5. Waiver
6
.3. Rescission and Nullity
 of
 of
 the partition on the ground of
 lesion,
 but the partition
Partition
Art. 1097. A partition may
 be rescinded or annulled f
or
thesamecausesascontracts.(1073a)
Causesf
orannulment:Art.1390
Causesf
orrescission:Art.1381‐1382
Art. 1098. A partition,
 judicial or extra‐judicial,
 may
 also
berescindedonaccountof
lesion,
whenany
oneof
theco‐
heirsreceivedthingswhosevalueisless,
by
atleastone‐
f
ourth,
thanthesharetowhichheisentitled,
considering
thevalueof
thethingsatthetimethey
wereadjudicated.
(1074a)
Lesion is economic injury
,
 where thep arty
 receives less
thanheisentitledtoreceive.
Amountof
lesion:Minimumis¼

Art. 1099. The partition made by
 the testator cannot be
impugned on the ground of
 lesion,
 except when the
legitimeof
thecompulsory
heirsisthereby
prejudiced,
or
whenitappearsormay
reasonably
bepresumed,
thatthe
intentionof
thetestatorwasotherwise.(1075)
Gen. Rule: H
eirs cannot demand partition on the ground
of
lesion,
if
partitionwasdoneby
thetestator.
ExceptionstoArt.1098:
a. Impairmentof
thelegitime
b. Mistakeby
thetestatororvitiationof
hisintent
Art. 1100. The action f
or rescission on account of
 lesion
shallprescribeaf
terf
oury
earsf
romthetimethepartition
wasmade.(1076
)
Prescriptiveperiod(lesion):4y
ears
Art. 1101. The heir who is sued shall have the option of
 Intestacy
?
indemnif
y
ing the plaintiff f
or the loss,
 or consenting to a
newpartition.
Indemnity
 may
 be made by
 pay
ment in cash or by
 the
delivery
 of
 a thing of
 the same kind and quality
 as that
awardedtotheplaintiff.
If
anewpartitionismade,
itshallaffectneitherthosewho
SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE
REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
morethantheirjustshare.(1077a)
Coheirwhoissuedf
orrescissionhastwooptions:
a. Re‐partition,
or
b. Indemnif
y
 the co‐heir the amount of
 lesion
suffered
Art. 1102. An heir who has alienated the whole or a
considerablepartof
therealproperty
adjudicatedtohim


lesion,
butheshallhavearighttobeindemnifiedincash.
(1078a)
Art. 1103. The omission of
 one or more objects or
securitiesof
theinheritanceshallnotcausetherescission
shall be completed by
 the distribution of
 the objects or
securitieswhichhavebeenomitted.(1079a)
Incompletenessof
partitionisnotagroundf
orrescission.
Remedy
:Supplementalpartition
Art.1104.Apartitionmadewithpreteritionof
any
of
the
compulsory
 heirs shall not be rescinded,
 unless it be
provedthattherewasbadf
aithorf
raudonthepartof
the
other persons interested;
 but the latter shall be
proportionately
 obliged to pay
 to the person omitted the
sharewhichbelongstohim.(1080)
H
eirismistakenly
excluded
•In good f
aith ‐ the omitted heir gets his rightf
ul
share
•Inbadf
aith–
partitionshallbeannulled
Art.1105.Apartitionwhichincludesapersonbelievedto
beanheir,
butwhoisnot,
shallbevoidonly
withrespect
tosuchperson.(1081a)
H
eir is mistakenly
 included. In this case the property

willbetakenaway
f
romhimandredistributedamongthe
properrecipients.
Congratulations!Youarenowready
to
nailtheexam!
Af
ewthingstoremember:
•Spotconceptsthatmightapply
(if
there’sawill,

there’saway
...f
orpreteritiontooperate,
orif

therearetwotransf
ers—reservatroncal)
•Whatrulesshouldapply
?
Legitimes?
Partial


•Usedarkink.
Youmay
nowproceedtotesty
ourskills.Try
thef
ollowing
sampleexamquestions.
Page 71 of
 73
 will/codicilorby
phy
sicaldestruction.Both
requiretestamentary
capacity
. 28. First,
Jay
pee’sestate:6
MSurigaoproperty

Thesistershadchildren:
5. F. a.Claire:SkullandSpike
By
intestacy
,

6
. T.SeeArt.800par2.
QUESTIONS: b.Lindsey
:Mahinhin,
Makahiy
a,
MakisigandMaliksi
Jamie=
½
=
3M
7. T.H
olographicwills. c.Lorely
:SerafinandSalvi
Amirah=
½
=
3M
8. T.Thewillitself
(oracopy
)mustbepresented.
9. T.Thetestatormusthavetestamentary
capacity
 In2004,
Shelanmadeawillgiving¼
of
histotal
Next,
Jamie’sestate:Ay
alaproperty
(3M)plus
1. Afinaldecreeof
probatef
oreclosesobjectionstothe
torevokeawill.SeealsoArt.801. estatetoher3sisters,
withsimplesubstitutionof
any

3Mf
romJay
pee=
6
M
willonthegroundof
preterition.TorF?

T.Art.835. of
theminf
avorof
theirrespectivechildren.
By
intestacy
,

2. 10.
Fullandhalf
‐bloodsiblingsinstitutedinawillinherit
T.Thelawdoesnotrequireaspecificlocationf
or ThewholeestategoestoAmirah
11.
equally
unlessotherwiseprovided.TorF?

thedateof
theholographicwill.(LabradorvCA)
3. Itisnotnecessary
toinstituteanheirby
name.Tor
T.Phy
sicaldestruction. AllthreesisterspredeceasedShelan.
Finally
,
Amirah’sestate:½
of
Surigaoproperty

F?
 T.Art.820.
12. f
romJay
pee+
Ay
alaproperty
(3M)f
romJamie+

Apersonwithouttestamentary
capacity
may
not
13. F.Only
institutionof
heirisannulled;
legacies WhenShelandiedin2007,
survivedby
herhusband,

second‐half
of
Surigaoproperty
f
romJamie
4. revokeawill.TorF?

anddevisesremainvalidsolongasthey
arenot
14. nephewsandnieces,
shehadanestatevaluedat24M.
whichthelattergotf
romJay
pee=
9M
Anilliteratepersondoesnothavetestamentary

inofficious.SeeArt.854. H
owshoulditbeapportioned?

5. capacity
.TorF?

T.Art.826
. 28. Jay
peeandAmirah,
bothnativesof
Surigao,
have
BUTthesecond‐half
of
Surigaoproperty
is
Insomecase,
thetestatorispresumedinsane.TorF?

T.If
thereisnotestamentary
disposition,
the beenmarriedf
or30y
ears.They
haveonedaughter,

subjecttoreservatroncalhence,
willgoto
6
. 15.
Awillneednotalway
sbewitnessed.TorF?

compulsory
heirwouldalway
sreceive Jamie,
27y
easrold,
single,
nochildrenandajunior
Rosaly
nandKarren(1/4each).
7. 16
.
Aholographicwillcannotbeprobatedonthebasis
somethingthroughintestacy
.(Butwhatif
theT executiveatH
opeCigarettesCorp.
8. solely
of
testimonialevidence.TorF?

disposedallpropertiesby
donationintervivos?
 Remaining6
MwillpassontoAmirah’sintestate
SuperveningIncapacity
doesnotinvalidateawillbut
My
standisthatthereisstillnopreterition Oneday
inMay
,
Warlainvitesherparentstospend
heirs:KorinaandEnrique(3Meach).Jantz
enand
deprivesthetestatorthepowertorevokeit.TorF?

becausethedonationsimpingingonthelegitime theweekendwithherandherfiance,
Nickina
Jessareexcluded.
9.
Republicationof
awillthatisf
ormally
voidcannotbe
willbeinofficiousperArt752.I’mnotsure. cottageonthebeachof
SanFabian,
Pangasinan.The4
doneby
mereref
erence.TorF?

Really
notsure.) of
themleaveManilaatdawnonSaturday
inNick’s
Theref
ore,

10. Thedateof
aholographicwillneednotbewrittenat
F.TheACisnotthebusinessof
thetestator. newcar.InTarlac,
they
metaterribleaccident:a
Surigaoproperty
:Korina,
Enrique,
Rosaly
nand
thebottom.TorF?

F.Ablindmanmay
makeawill! south‐boundten‐wheelertruckdrivenby
Carihits
Karren=
¼
undividedinteresteach
11. Thetestatormay
delegatetherevocationof
hiswill.T
T.1)Notestamentary
capacity
;
2)Notqualified themheadon.
Ay
alaproperty
:KorinaandEnrique=
½

17.
orF?
 tobeawitness. undividedinteresteach.
18.
Adeaf
‐mutepersonmay
executeawillbutcannot
T.SeeArt.821.
12. Nickdiesonthespot.Thethreeotherssurvivedand
19.
witnessone.TorF?

T. wererushedtothehospitalwhere,
thatevening,

13. If
thereispreterition,
alltestamentary
dispositions
T.Thedispositionsarevoidunlessthereare3 Jay
peeexpired.AmirahandJamiearetransf
erredto
areconsiderednotwritten.TorF?

20. otherwitnesses. Manilaf
orbettertreatment.
Awillandacodicilhaveidenticalf
ormal
21. T.If
thewillisintrinsically
invalid.
14.
requirements.TorF?

22. T.Attestedwillsneedotbedated. Jamielingersonf
oraweekbutthetraumaprovestoo
Preteritioncanneveroccurif
testatordiedwithouta
Diane:1.714M muchandshediesonMonday
.Amirahraliiesand
15. will.TorF?

23. BigBird:1.714M actually
regainsconsciousness,
butunexpectedblood
Theattestationclausemustbeinalanguageknown
24. Elmo:0.857M clotf
ormsinthebrainthreeweeksaf
terher
16
. tothetestator.TorF?

25. Oscar:0.857M daughter’sdeathandshetoodiesonFriday
.
Ablindmancanneithermakenorwitnessawill.Tor
Ernie:0.857M
17. F?
 a.Yes.They
arepreterited.(1/3of
estatethat Theill‐starredf
amily
aresurvivedby
Korinaand
Aminorcanneithermakenorwitnessawill.TorF?

willgotoMarjorie=
300,
000pluslegacy
of
 Enrique(Amirah’sparents),
Rosaly
nandKarren
18. Aconvictedthief
hascompetencetowitnessawill.T
6
00,
000toUPASequals900,
000.Theparents,
 (Jay
pee’ssisters),
andJantz
enandJess(Amirah’s
orF?
 whoareOy
ie’scompulsory
ehirsarelef
twith siblings).
Af
oreignermay
witnessawill.TorF?

26
. nothing.)
19.
Atestamentary
dispositioninf
avourof
awitness
b.Marjoriewillgetnothingbecausein Jay
peeownedapieceof
land(Surigaoproperty
)
20.
doesnotaffecthiscompetenceasawitness.TorF?

preterition,
theinstitutionof
heirisannulled. worth6
Mpesos–
thatwashisonly
property

Aprobatedwillmay
beineffective.TorF?

Legacy
toUPASremainsvalidbutshouldbe inheritedby
himf
romhisparents.Amirahowned
21. Anundatedwillisnotipsof
actovoid.TorF?

reducedto450,
000becauseitexceedsthef
ree nothing.JamieownedalotinAlabang(Alabang
22. Robertdiedintestate,
withanestateworth6
M.H
eis
portion. property
)worth3M–
hehadboughtf
romhis
survivedby
hiswif
eDiane,
theironly
child,
BigBird,

PARTIALINTESTACY bonusesf
romH
ope.
23. andRobert’s3illegitimatechildren:Elmo,
Oscarand
Will:¼
=
6
M
24. Ernie.H
owshouldRobert’sestatebedivided?

Thiswillpasstonephewsandniecesby
 Towhomshallthetwopiecesof
property
go?

25. Onhisway
tothelibrary
,
Ranulf
o,
single,
childless,

substitution.(2Mpersetof
substitutes)
diedwhenameteoritef
ellonhim.H
elef
tawillwhich
Legitime:
gave1/3of
hisestatetohisgirlf
riend,
Marjorie,
anda
27. John:1/2of
theestateashislegitime ANSWERS:(Thesamplexdidnothaveanswers.The
legacy
of
P6
00,
000totheUPAstronomicalSociety

Remaining¼
goestonephewsandniecesgoes f
ollowingaswersarenotnecessarily
correct.–
Rea)
(UPAS).H
ewassurvivedby
hisparentsCornelioand
by
intestacy
andby
virtueof
theirrightto 1. F.Adecreeof
probateonly
concernsthe
26
. Maiskawhonowcontendsthatthewillisineffective
representation(withdistinctionbetweenf
ull extrinsicvalidity
of
awill.
becausethey
arelef
twithnothing.Ranulf
o’sestateis
andhalf
‐blood—2:1:1=
3M:1.5M:1.5M) 2. T.Distinctionbetweenf
ull‐andhalf
‐bloodhasno
worth900,
000
H
ence,
 applicationintestamentary
succession.Unless
a. Istheircontentioncorrect?

John=
12M thecontrary
clearly
appears,
thereisa
b. SkullandSpike=
2.5each
H
owmuchwillMarjorieandUPASget?
 presumptionof
equality
.
JohnwasmarriedtoShelanbutaf
ter6
0y
earsof

Mahinhin,
Makahiy
a,
MakisigandMaliksi=
875k 3. T.Whatisessentialisthattheheirbe
marriagethecouplewerechildless.Shelanhad3
each identifiable.
sisters:Claire(f
ull‐blood),
Lindsey
(half
‐blood)and
SerafinandSalvi=
1.75Meach 4. T.Awillisrevokedwiththeparticipationof
the
Lorely
(half
‐blood). testatoronly
intwoway
s:by
another

27.

SUCCESSION –
 RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI Page 73
72 of
 73