SUCCESSI ON–SETTLEME MENTOF ESTATE In Dy Yieng Seangio, et al. v. Hon. Amor Reyes, et al., G.R. No. 140371-72, November 27, 2006, there was a petition for the probate of an allee! holoraphi" will whi"h was !enominate! as #$as%latan sa pa-aalis n mana.& 'he private respon!ents move! for the !ismissal of the probate pro"ee!ins primaril( on the ro%n! that the !o"%ment p%rportin to be the holoraphi" will of )e%n!o !i! not "ontain an( !isposition of the estate of the !e"ease! an! th%s !i! not meet the !efinition of a will %n!er *rti"le 7+3 of the ivil o!e. *""or!in *""or!in to private respon!ents, the will onl ( showe! an allee! a"t of !isinheritan"e b( the !e"e!ent of his el!est son, *lfre!o, an! nothin else that all other "omp%lsor( heirs were not name! nor instit%te! as heir, !evisee or leatee, hen"e hen" e ther there e was pret preteriti erition on whi" whi"h h wo%l! res%lt to intes intesta"( ta"(.. )%"h bein the "ase "ase,, priv private ate resp respon!en on!ents ts main maintaine taine! ! that while pro"e!%rall( the "o%rt is "alle! %pon to r%le onl( on the etrinsi" vali!it( of the will, it is not barre! from !elvin into the intrinsi" vali!it( of the same, an! or!erin the !ismissal of the petition for probate when on the fa"e of the will it is "lear that it "ontains no testamentar( !isposition of the propert( of the !e"e!ent. /etitioners file! their opposition to the motion to !ismiss "onten!in that 1 enerall(, the a%thorit( of the probate "o%rt is limite! onl( to a !etermination of the etrinsi" vali!it( of the will 2 private respon!ents %estion the intrinsi" an! not the etrinsi" vali!it( of the will 3 !isinheritan"e "onstit%tes a !isposition of the estate of a !e"e!ent an! 4 the r%le on preterition !i! not appl( be"a%se )e%n!os will !i! not "onstit%te a %niversal heir or heirs to the e"l%sion of one or more "omp%lsor( heirs. 'he R' iss%e! an or!er !ismissin the petition for probate pro"ee!ins, hen"e, a petition for "ertiorari was file! where petitioners ar%e! as follows 5irst,, respon 5irst respon!ent !ent %!e !i! not "omp "ompl( l( with with )e"t )e"tions ions 3 an! an! 4 of the the R%le R%le 76 76 of the R%les of o%rt o%rt whi" whi"h h respe"t respe"tivel( ivel( man!ate the "o%rt to a fi the time an! pla"e for provin the will when all "on"erne! ma( appear to "ontest the allowan"e thereof, an! "a%se noti"e of s%"h time an! pla"e to be p%blishe! three wees s%""essivel( previo%s to the appointe! time in a newspaper of eneral "ir"%lation an! b "a%se the mailin of sai! noti"e to the heirs, leatee an! !evisees of the testator )e%n!o )e"on!, the holoraphi" will !oes not "ontain an( instit%tion of an heir, b%t rather, as its title "learl( states, Kasulatan ng Pag-alis ng Mana, Mana , simpl( "ontains a !isinheritan"e of a "omp%lsor( heir. 'h%s, there is no preterition in the !e"e!ents will an! the holoraphi" will on its fa"e is not intrinsi"all( voi! 'hir!, the testator inten!e! all his "omp%lsor( heirs, petitioners an! private respon!ents alie, with the sole e"eption of *lfre!o, to inherit his estate. None of the "omp%lsor( "omp%lsor( heirs in the !ire"t line of )e%n!o were preterite! in the holoraphi" will sin"e there was no instit%tion of an heir 5o%rth, as it "learl( appears from the fa"e of the holoraphi" will that it is both intrinsi"all( an! etrinsi"all( vali!, respon!ent %!e was man!ate! man!ate! to pro"ee! with with the hearin of the testate "ase "ase an!, 8astl(, the "ontin%ation of the pro"ee!ins in the intestate "ase will wor in%sti"e to petitioners, an! will ren!er n%ator( the !isinheritan"e of *lfre!o. Now, the "riti"al iss%e to be !etermine! is whether the !o"%ment ee"%te! b( )e%n!o "an be "onsi!ere! as a holoraphi" will. Held: *
holoraphi" will, as provi!e! provi!e! %n!er *rti"le *rti"le +10 of the ivil o!e, m%st be entirel( written, !ate!, !ate!, an! sine! b( the han! of
the testator himself. It is s%be"t to no other form, an! ma( be ma!e in or o%t of the /hilippines, an! nee! not be witnesse!. 'he !o"%ment, altho%h it ma( initiall( "ome a"ross as a mere !isinheritan"e instr%ment, "onforms to the formalities of a holoraphi" will pres"ribe! b( law. It is written, !ate! an! sine! b( the han! of the testator himself. *n intent to !ispose mortis causa*rti"le causa *rti"le 7+3 "an be "learl( !e!%"e! from the terms of the instr%ment, an! while it !oes not mae an affirmati affirmative ve !isposition of the latters propert(, the !isinheritan"e of the son nonetheless, is an a"t of !isposition in itself. In other wor!s, the !isinheritan"e res%lts in the !isposition of the propert( of the testator in favor of those who wo%l! s%""ee! in the absen"e of the el!est son. 9oreover, it is a f%n!amental prin"iple that the intent or the will of the testator, epresse! in the form an! within the limits pres"ribe! b( law, m%st be re"oni:e! as the s%preme law in s%""ession. *ll r%les of "onstr%"tion are !esine! to as"ertain an! ive effe"t to that intention. It is onl( when the intention of the testator is "ontrar( to law, morals, or p%bli" poli"( that it "annot be iven effe"t.
;oloraphi" wills, therefore, bein %s%all( prepare! b( one who is not learne! in the law sho%l! be "onstr%e! more liberall( than the ones !rawn b( an epert, tain into a""o%nt the "ir"%mstan"es s%rro%n!in the ee"%tion of the instr%ment an! the intention of the testator. In this rear!, the !o"%ment, even if "aptione! as Kasulatan ng Pag-alis ng Mana, Mana , was inten inten!e! !e! b( the testator to be his last testamentar( a"t an! was ee"%te! b( him in a""or!an"e with law in the form of a holoraphi" will.
Pr et er i t i oni nSuc c es s i on =ith rear! to the iss%e on preterition, the "omp%lsor( heirs in the !ire"t line were not preterite! in the will. It was the testators last epression to be%eath his estate to all his "omp%lsor( heirs, with the sole e"eption of his el!est son. *lso, he !i! not instit%te an heir to the e"l%sion of his other "omp%lsor( heirs. 'he mere mention of the name of one of the petitioners in the !o"%ment !i! not operate to instit%te her as the %niversal heir. ;er name was in"l%!e! plainl( as a witness to the alter"ation between testator an! his son. onsi!erin that the %estione! !o"%ment is testators holoraphi" will, an! that the law favors testa"( over intesta"(, the probate of the will "annot be !ispense! with. *rti"le *rti"le +3+ of the ivil o!e provi!es that no will shall pass either real or personal propert( %nless it is prove! an! allowe! in a""or!an"e with the R%les of o%rt. 'h%s, %nless the will is probate!, the riht of a person to !ispose of his propert( ma( be ren!ere! n%ator(. 9aninan v. *, 114 )R* 47+. In view of the foreoin, the trial "o%rt, therefore, sho%l! have allowe! the holoraphi" will to be probate!. It is settle! that testate pro"ee!ins for the settlement of the estate of the !e"e!ent tae pre"e!en"e over intestate pro"ee!ins for the same p%rpose. %en"o v. *, >3 )R* 360.
Par t i t i onc a nno tbedemandedwhen: 1 .Ex pr e ss l yPr o hi b i t e db yt e st a t o rf o rap er i o dno tmo r et h an2 0y e ar s 2 .Co h ei r sAg r e e dt h ate st at en otb ed i v i d edf o rp er i o dn otmo r et h an10y ea r s ,r e ne wa bl ef o ra no t h er1 0y r s 3.Pr ohi bi t edbyl a w 4.T op ar t i t i ones t at ewou l dr e nde ri tUn ser v i c eab l ef orus ef o rwh i c hi twasi nt ende d
Wh enpa r t i t i o nc a n no tb ed ema nd ed Pa r t i t i o nc a nn o tb ede ma ma nd e dwh e n: 1 .Ex pr e ss l yPr o hi b i t e db yt e st a t o rf o rap er i o dno tmo r et h an2 0y e ar s 2 .Co h ei r sAg r e e dt h ate st at en otb ed i v i d edf o rp er i o dn otmo r et h an10y ea r s ,r e ne wa bl ef o ra no t h er1 0y r s 3.Pr ohi bi t edbyl a w 4.T op ar t i t i ones t at ewou l dr e nde ri tUn ser v i c eab l ef orus ef o rwh i c hi twasi nt ende d
Whati sc ol l at i on? I ti st hep r o ces so fa dd i ngt hev al ueo ft h i ngd on at edt ot hene tv a l ueofh er ed i t ar yes t at e.T oc ol l at ei st ob r i n gb ac korr e t ur nt ot he he r e di t ar yma ma ss ,i nf a cto rfi c t i on ,pr o per t ywhi c hc amef r o mt h ees t at eo ft hedec eden t , d ur i nghi sl i f e t i me ,butwh i c ht h el a w c on si d er sasanad va nc ef r o mt h ei nh er i t a nc e.Co l l a t i o ni sap pl i c ab l et obo t hd on at i o nst oc omp ul s or yhe i r san dd on at i o nst o s t r a n g e r s .
General Rul e: Co mp mp ul s or yh ei r sar eo bl i g edt oc ol l a t e . Except i on: 1 .Wh ent e s t a t o rs h o ul dh av es oe x pr e s s l ypr o v i d ed ; 2 .Wh enco mpu mp l s or yhe i rr e pu di a t e sh i si n he r i t a nc e
Whatar et hepr oper t i est hatar et obec ol l at ed? 1.Anypr oper t y / r i ghtr ec ei v edbygr a t ui t oust i t l edur i ngt es t a t or ’ sl i f et i me 2 .Al l t h atma yh av eb ee nr e c ei v e df r o md ec ed en td u r i n gh i sl i f e t i me 3.Al l t hatt hei rp ar ent shav ebr o ughtt oc ol l at i oni fal i v e
Whatar et hepr oper t i esnots ubj ec tt oc ol l at i on? 1 .Ab so l u t e l ynoc ol l a t i o n–e x pe ns esf o rs u pp or t ,e du ca t i o n( e l e me me nt a r ya nds ec ond ar yon l y ) ,me di c al a t t en da nc e,e v eni ne x t r a o r d i n ar yi l l n es s ,a ppr e nt i c es hi p,or di n ar yequ i p men me to rc us t omar ygi f t s . 2.Ge ner a l l yno ti mp ut edt ol e gi t i me : a .Ex pen se si n cu r r edbypa r e nt si ngi v i n gt h ei rc hi l d r e npr of es s i o nal ,v oc at i on al ,o ro t herc ar ee ru nl e sst hepa r e nt ss opr o vi de,o r un l e sst he yi mpa i rt hel eg i t i me. b .We dd i n ggi f t sb yp ar e nt sa nda sc en da nt sc o ns i s t i n gofj e we l r y , c l o t h i n ga ndo ut fi te x c ep twh ent h eye x c ee d1/ 1 0oft h es um d i s po sa bl eb ywi l l .
No t e :Onl yt hev a l ueoft het hi ngdon at edsha l l bebr ough tt oco l l a t i on .Thi sv al uemu stbet h ev al ueo ft het hi ngatt het i meoft he d ona t i o n.
REPUDI ATI ON
Whatar et heway sbywhi c ht her epudi at i onoft he i nher i t anc e,l egac yordev i s ema ybemade? 1 .Byme me an sofapu bl i ci n s t r u me me nt
2 .Byme me an sofa na ut h en t i ci n s t r u me me nt 3.Byme mean sofape t i t i onpr es ent edt ot hec our t ha vi ngj u r i s di c t i onov ert het es t ament ar yori nt es t at ep r o cee di ngs .
Whati st heeffec tofr epudi at i oni fanhei ri sbot ha t es t at eandl egal hei r ? I fanhei ri sbot hat es t at eandl egalhei r ,t her e pudi at i onoft hei nher i t anc easat es t at ehei r ,hei sunder s t oodt oha ver epudi at edi n bo t hcap ac i t i e s.Ho we we v er ,s ho ul dher e pudi at easal eg al h ei r ,wi t ho utk no wl wl e dg eofbe i n gat es t at ehe i r ,h ema ys t i l l ac c ep tt h e i nher i t anc easat es t at ehei r .
Whati st hei r onc ur t ai nr ul e? Ar t .992oft heCi v i l Codepr o vi dest hati l l egi t i mat ec hi l dr enc annoti nher i tabi nt es t at of r om t hel egi t i mat ec hi l dr enandr el at i v esofhi s mot hero rf at he r .Leg i t i ma t ec hi l d r e na ndr e l at i v esc an no ti nhe r i ti nt hes amewa yf r o mt hei l l egi t i mat ec hi l d. No t e:Th ei r onc ur t ai nr u l eo nl yap pl i e si ni nt es t a t es uc c es s i o n.Ther ei saba r r i e rr e cogn i z edb yl a wb et we ent hel e gi t i mat er e l at i v es an dt h ei l l eg i t i mat ec hi l ds ot hato nec ann oti nh er i tf r o mt heo t he randv i c ev er s a.
Rat i o nal e :Thel a w pr e sume st heex i s t en ceofant ago ni s m be t we ent hei l l e gi t i mat echi l dan dt h el egi t i ma t er e l a t i v esofhi spa r e nt s .
Whati sr i ghtofr epr es ent at i on? Ri g htc r e at e db yfi c t i o no fl a w wh er et h er e pr e se nt a t i v ei sr a i s edt ot h ep l a cea ndd eg r e eo ft h ep er s onr e pr e se nt e d,a nda cq ui r e s t h er i g ht swh i c ht h el a t t e rwo ul dha v ei fhewe r el i v i n go rc ou l dh av ei nhe r i t e d.
Whati st heeffec tofr epr es ent at i on? Wh en ev ert h er ei ss uc c es s i o nb yr e pr e se nt a t i o n,t h ed i v i s i o no ft hee st a t es ha l l b ema dep ers t i r p es ,i ns uc hma nn ert h att h e r epr e sen t a t i v eorr e pr e sent a t i v essh al l no ti nhe r i tmor et hanwh att hep er s ont h eyr e pr es entwoul di nh er i t ,i fhewer el i v i ngorc oul d i nher i t .( Ar t .974) No t e : Pers t i r pesme mea nsi nhe r i t a nc eb ygr o up,a l l t hos ewi t h i nt heg r o upi nhe r i t i ngi nequ al s har e s.Re pr e sen t a t i oni ss upe r i o rt o
ac cr et i on.
Whendoesr i ghtofr epr es ent at i onar i s e? Re pr e se nt a t i o nma ya r i s eei t h erb ec au seof :
1 .de at h , 2.i nc apac i t y ,or 3.di s i nher i t anc e.
Wheni sr i ghtorr epr es ent at i onnotav ai l abl e? 1 .Ast oc o mp mp ul s or yhe i r s :I nc as eo fr e pu di a t i o n,t h eo newh or e pu di a t eshi si n he r i t a nc ec an no tb er e pr e se nt e d.Th ei ro wnh ei r s i nher i ti nt hei ro wnr i ght . 2.Ast ov ol un t a r yh ei r s : Vo l u nt a r yh ei r s ,l e ga t e esa ndde v i s ee swh o: a .Pr e de ce as et h et e st a t o r ; o r b .Re no un cet h ei n he r i t a nc ec an no tb er e pr e se nt e db yt h ei ro wnh ei r s ,wi t hr e sp ec tt ot h ei rs up po se di n he r i t a nc e.
Doesr i ghtofr epr es ent at i onappl yi nt hec ol l at er all i ne? Ri ghtofr epr es ent at i ont a k espl ac eonl yi nf a v orofc hi l dr enofbr ot her sors i s t er s ,whet herf ul l orhal fbl oodandonl yi ft he yc onc ur wi t hatl eas ton eu nc l eora unt . No t e : Th i sr u l eap pl i e son l ywh ent h ed ec e de ntd oe sno th av ede s c en da nt s .
Doest her i ghtofr epr es ent at i onappl yt oadopt ed c hi l dr en? No .Th er i g hto fr e pr e se nt a t i o nc an no tb ei n v ok e db ya do pt e dc hi l d r e nb ec au set h eyc an no tr e pr e se ntt h ei ra dop t i n gp ar e nt st ot h e i nher i t anc eoft hel at t er ’ spar e nt s . Re as on :Th el a wd oe sn otc r ea t ea nyr e l a t i o ns h i pbe t we ent h ea dop t e dc hi l dan dt h er e l a t i v e so ft h ea do pt i n gp ar e nt s ,n ote v ent o t hebi ol ogi c al orl egi t i mat ec hi l dr enoft headopt i ngpar ent s . No t e : Un de rR. A.8 55 2o rt h eDo me me s t i cAd op t i o nL aw,t h ea do pt e dc h i l da ndt h ea do pt i n gp ar e nt sha v er e c i p r o c al s u c ce s s i o na l
r i ght s .
Whati st her ul eonequal di v i s i onofl i nes ? Gene r a lRu l e :I nt es t at ehei r seq ual i nde gr eei nh er i ti neq ual s ha r e s. Ex c e pt i o n: 1.I nt hea sc end i ngl i ne,t h er ul eofd i v i s i o nb yl i nei s½ t ot hemat er na ll i nea nd½ t ot hep at er na ll i ne,a ndwi t h i ne ac hl i ne,t he di v i s i oni sperc api t a. 2.I nt hec ol l at er a l l i ne,t hef ul l ‐bl oodbr ot her s / s i s t er swi l l getdoubl et hatoft hehal f bl ood. 3.Thedi v i s i oni nr e pr es ent at i o n,wher edi v i s i oni spers t i r pe s–t her e pr e se nt at i v edi v i d eonl yt hes ha r epe r t a i ni n gt ot h eper s on r e pr e se nt e d. No t e : Thes har eofani l l egi t i mat ec hi l di s½ oft hes har eofal egi t i mat eone.Ful l bl oodbr ot herors i s t eri sent i t l edt odoubl et he
s har eofhal fbr ot herors i s t er( Ar t .1006) .Compul s or yh ei r sshal l ,i nnoc as e,i nher i tabi nt es t ol es st hant hei rl egi t i measpr o vi dedi n t e s t a me me nt a r ys u c ce s s i o n.
Whati sl egal ori nt es t at es uc ces si on? Le ga lori nt es t a t es uc ce ss i oni st h atwh i c hi seff ec t edb yo pe r a t i o nofl a wi ndef au l tofawi l l .I ti sl eg al bec aus ei tt ak esp l ac eb y oper at i onofl a w;i ti si nt es t at ebec aus ei tt ak espl ac ei nt h eabs enc eori ndef aul tofal as twi l l oft hedec edent .( J ur ado,p.377)
Whati st hef or mul af orappl i c at i onofi nher i t anc e? Thef o l l o wi ngar eapp l i edsuc c es s i v el y : 1.I ns t i t ut i onofanhei r( Beques t ,i ncas eofl egac i esordev i s es ) 2.Subs t i t ut i on,i fpr oper 3.Repr es ent at i on,i fappl i c abl e 4.Ac cr e t i on,i fappl i c abl e 5.I nt es t ac y ,i fal l ofTheabo vear eno ta ppl i c abl e
Cant her ebeav al i dwi l l whi c hdoesnoti ns t i t ut ean hei r ? Yes ,awi l l i sval i dev eni fi tc ont ai nsonl yapr o vi s i onf ord i s i nher i t anc eori fonl yl egac i esandde vi s esar ec ont ai nedi nt hewi l l .
Whoar ei nt es t at ehei r s ? 1 .L eg i t i ma t ec h i l d r e no rd es c en da nt s 2.I l l egi t i mat ec hi l dr enordes cendant s 3 .Le gi t i ma t ep ar e nt sora sc end an t s 4.I l l egi t i mat epar ent s 5 .Su r v i v i n gs po us e 6 .Br o t h er san ds i s t e r s , n ep he wsan dn i e c es 7.Ot herc ol l at er al r el at i v esupt ot he5t hdegr ee 8 .Th eSt a t e .
Wh ati sp r o ba t e ? I ti sas pec i al pr oc eedi ngmandat or i l yr e qui r edf ort hepur pos eofes t abl i s hi ngt h ev al i di t yofawi l l . Nowi l l s hal l pa ssei t he rr e al o rp er s ona lpr o per t yun l e ssi ti spr o v edandal l o wedi na cc or dan cewi wi t ht heRul e so fCo ur t .( Ar t .838 )
No t e:Pr obat edoesnotdeal wi t ht hei nt r i ns i cv al i di t yoft het es t ament ar yp r o v i s i ons .Ev eni fonl yonehei rhasbeeni ns t i t ut ed,t her e mus ts t i l l beaj udi c i al or derofadj udi c at i on.Ev eni fawi l l hasal r eadybeenpr obat ed,i fl at eronas ubs equentwi l l i sdi s cov er ed,t he l a t t erma ys t i l l bepr e sent edf o rp r o bat e,a sl o nga st wowi l l scanber e con ci l ed.
Doespr es c r i pt i onappl yt opr obat eofwi l l s ? Thes t a t u t eofl i mi t at i onsi snotappl i c abl et opr obat eofwi l l s( I mpr es cr i pt i bi l i t yofPr o bat e) Ra t i ona l e :Pr oba t epr oc ee di ngsar enote st a bl i s he di nt hei nt e r e stoft hesur v i v i nghe i r s ,butpr i ma r i l yf o rt hepr ot e ct i onof t hee xpr e ss e dwi s he so ft het e st a t or .
Whatar et hec har ac t er i s t i c sofapr obat e pr oc eedi ng? 1 .Sp ec i a lp r o c ee di n g; 2 .Pr o c ee di n gi nr e m; m; 3.Notc ont ent i ousl i t i gat i on; 4 .Ma n da t o r y ; 5.I mpr es cr i pt i bl e;
Whent hedi s pos i t i oni ssubj ec tt oat er m,whats houl dbedonebyt hei ns t i t ut edhei r sorl egal hei r ss ot hatt he yc anenj oypos s es s i onoft hepr oper t y ? I ft hedi s pos i t i oni ssubj ec tt oa: 1 .Su sp en s i v et e r m –Th el e ga lh ei r sc ane nj o yp os s es s i o no ft hep r o pe r t yun t i lt h ee x pi r a t i o no ft h ep er i o db utt h eymu mu stp utu pa bond( c auc i onmuc i ana)i nor dert opr ot ec tt her i ghtoft hei ns t i t ut edhei r . 2 .Re so l u t o r yt e r m –Thel eg al h ei r sc anen j o ypo s se ss i o no ft h ep r o p er t ybu twh ent h et e r ma r r i v e s,h emu s tg i v ei tt ot h el e ga l he i r s .Thei ns t i t u t edh ei rdoe sno tha vet ofi l eabond .
Whati sfidei c ommi s s ar ys ubs t i t u t i on? Al s ok nownasi ndi r ec ts u bs t i t ut i on,i ti sas ubs t i t ut i onb yv i r t ueofwhi c ht hefi duc i ar yorfi r s th ei ri ns t i t ut edi sent r us t edwi t ht he ob l i g at i ont opr e se r v ean dt r an smi tt oas ec ondhe i rt hewh who l eorp ar t oft h ei nh er i t an ce.
No t e :F ori t sv al i d i t yande ffe ct i v i t y , s uc hs ubs t i t ut i ond oesno tg obe y on don ede gr eef r o mt heh ei ro r i g i n al l ysub st i t ut eda nd pr ov i dedf ur t her ,t hatt hefi duc i ar yorfi r s thei randt hes econdhei rar el i v i ngatt het i meofdeat hoft het es t at or .
Whatar et hec ondi t i onsf orav al i dfi dei c ommi s s ar y s ubs t i t ut i on? 1.Tha tt hei ns t i t u t i ond oe sno tg obe y ondonedeg r e ef r o mt hehe i ro r i gi n al l yi ns t i t ut ed ; 2 .Tha tt h es ub st i t u t i o nb ee x pr e ss l yma ma de ;
3.Tha tb ot ht h efi duc i ar yandbe nefi c i ar ybel i v i ngatt h et i meo ft het es t at or ’ sdeat h ; 4 .Tha ti ts ho ul db ei mp os edont h ef r e ep or t i o na ndn oto nt h el e gi t i me .
Whatar et heel ement s / r equi s i t esoffi dei c ommi s sar y s ubs t i t ut i on? 1 .The r emu mu s tb eafir s the i ro rfi d uc i a r y ; 2 .Ana bs ol u t eo bl i g at i o ni si mp os edu po nt h efi du c i a r yt op r e s er v ea ndt ot r a ns mi mi tt oas ec on dh ei rt h ep r o p er t yatag i v e nt i me ; 3 .Th er ei sas ec o ndhe i rwh omu s tb eo nede gr e ef r o mt h efi r s th ei r ; 4 .T hefi r s ta nds ec on dh ei rmu stb ot hbel i v i n ga ndq ua l i fi eda tt h et i meo ft h ed ea t ho ft h et e st a t o r .
Whati st heeffec ti ft hefi dei c ommi s s ar y pr edec eas est hefi duc i ar y ? I ft hefide i c ommi s s ar ypr ede cea sest h efi du ci ar y ,buts ur v i v est h et e st at o r ,h i sr i ght spa sst ohi sownh ei r s .
Whati st heeffec toft henul l i t yoft he fi dei c ommi s sar ys ubs t i t ut i on? Thenul l i t yoft hefi dei c ommi s sar ysubs t i t ut i ondoesnotpr ej udi c et hev al i di t yoft hei ns t i t ut i onoft hehei r sfir s tdes i gnat ed;t he fi de i c ommi s s ar yc l a us es ha l l s i mp l ybec on si d er e da sno twr i t t e n.
Whati sr es er v at r onc al ? –Th ea s c en da ntwh oi n he r i t sf r o mh i sde s c en da nta nypr o pe r t ywh i c ht h el a t t e rma yha v ea c qu i r e db yg r a t u i t o us Reser vat r oncal t i t l ef r om a no t heras c end ant ,orabr ot hero rs i s t e r ,i sob l i g edt or e s er v es uc hp r o pe r t yashema ma yha veac qui r e db yo per at i onofl a w f o rt h eb en efi to fr e l a t i v eswh oa r ewi t h i nt h et h i r dd eg r e ea ndwh ob el o ngt ot h el i n ef r o m wh i c hs ai dp r o p er t yc ame .( Ar t .8 91 ) Purpose:
T op r e v e ntp er s on swh wh oa r eo ut s i d er st ot h ef a mi mi l yf r o ma cq ui r i n g,b ych an ceora c ci d en t ,p r o pe r t ywh i c hot h er wi s ewo ul dha v e r e ma ma i nedwi t ht hes ai df a mi mi l y .I ns ho r t ,t op utba ckt hep r o pe r t yt ot hel i nef r om wh i c hi to r i gi n al l ycame.
No t e :Ot he rt e r msus edt or e f e rt or e s er v at r onc al : 1 .L i n ea l 2.Fami l i ar 3.Ex t r aor di nar i a 4.Semi mi ‐t r o n c a l 5.Pseudo‐t r o n c a l
Whatar et her equi s i t est hatmus tex i s ti nor dert hata pr oper t yma ma ybei mpr es s edwi t har es er v abl e c har ac t er ? 1 .Tha tt h ep r o pe r t ywa sa cq ui r e db yad es c en da nt( c al l e d“ p r a ep os i t u s”o rp r o po si t u s)f r o m ana sc en da nto rf r o m ab r o t h ero rs i s t e r b yg r a t u i t o ust i t l ewh ent her e ci p i e ntdo esno tg i v ean yt h i n gi nr e t ur n ; 2 .Tha ts ai dd es c en da nt( p r a e po si t u s)d i e dwi t h ou ta ni s s ue ; 3.Tha tt hes amep r o pe r t y( c al l ed“ r es er v a ” )i si nhe r i t e db yano t h era s cend an t( c al l ed“ r es er v i s t a” )b yop er a t i ono fl a w( ei t her t h r o ug hi n t e st a t eo rc o mp mp ul s or ys uc c es s i o n)f r o mt h ep r a e po si t u s;a nd 4 .T ha tt h er ea r el i v i n gr e l a t i v e swi t h i nt het h i r dd eg r e ec ou nt e df r o mt h ep r a e po si t u sa ndb el o ng i n gt ot h es amel i n ef r o m wh er et h e p r o pe r t yor i g i n al l yc ame( c a l l e d“ r e se r v a t a r i o s” ) .( Ar t .8 91 ;Ch uav . CFIo fNe gr o sOc c i d en t a l ,Br an c hV,7 8SCRA4 12 ;Ra bu y a,Ci v i l L a w Re v i e we r ,p p .6 34 ‐635)
Doest her es er v i s t aownt her es er v abl epr oper t y ? Ther es er v i s t ai sanabs ol ut eorf ul l owner ,s ubj ec tt oar es ol ut or yc ondi t i on.I ft her es ol ut or yc ondi t i oni sf ul fi l l ed,t her es er v i s t a ’ s o wn wn er s hi poft hepr o per t yi st er mi nat e d.
Res ol ut or yc ondi t i on:I fatt het i meoft her es er v i s t a’ sdeat h,t her es houl dst i l l e xi s tr el at i v eswi t hi nt het hi r ddegr ee( r eser v at ar i os )o f t h ep r o p os i t u sa ndbe l o ng i n gt ot h el i n ef r o m wh i c ht h ep r o p er t yc ame . No t e :Th er es er v ab l epr o pe r t yi sno tp ar to ft h ees t a t eo ft her e se r v i s t a.
Whendoest her es er v at ar i oac qui r et her i ghtov er t her es er v abl epr oper t y ? Up ont h ede at ho ft h er e se r v i s t a ,t h er e se r v a t a r i on ea r e s tt h ed ec ed en tp r o po si t u sb ec ome s,a ut o ma ma t i c al l yan db yo pe r a t i o no fl a w, t h ea bs ol u t eo wn ero ft h er e se r v a bl ep r o p er t y .( Ca nov .Di r e ct o ro fL an ds )
I st her er i ghtofr epr es ent at i oni nr es er v at r onc al ? Ye s.The r ei sr e pr e sen t at i o ni nr es er v at r on ca l ,bu tt her ep r e s ent at i v emus ta l s obewi t h i nt h et h i r dd egr eef r o mt h epr op os i t us . ( Fl or e nt i nov .Fl or ent i no)
Whoar et hec ompul s or yhei r si nt hedi r ec tl i ne? a.Le gi t i mat ech i l d r e nan dd es c end ant swi t hr e s pec tt ot he i rl eg i t i mat epa r e nt sora sc enda nt s ; b.Le gi t i mat epa r e nt sotas c en dant s ,wi t hr e s pe ctt ot he i rl eg i t i mat ec hi l d r e nanddes c en dan t s ; c .I l l egi t i mat ec hi l dr en( Rec ogni z ed) d.Thef at hero rmot hero fi l l egi t i mat ec hi l dr en
No t e :Th es ur v i v i n gs po us ei sno ti n cl u de d.
I sanadopt edc hi l dac ompul s or yhei r ? “ L eg i t i ma t ec hi l d r e n ”i n cl u de sa do pt e dc hi l d r e nan dl e gi t i ma t e dc hi l d r e n .Un de rR. A.8 55 2o rt h eDo me me s t i cAd op t i o nL awa do pt e d c hi l dr enha v et h es amer i gh t sgr a nt edt ot h el eg i t i mat ec hi l d r e n.Ado pt e dc hi l d r e n,f ora l l i nt ent sandpur po se sar econ si de r e da s l egi t i mat ec hi l dr en .He nc e,t head op t edc hi l d r e nc anal r ea dye x cl ud el e gi t i mat epa r e nt s / a sc enda nt s .
Whati spr et er i t i on? Pr e t e r i t i oni st heomi s si oni nt es t at or ’ swi l l ofone,s omeoral l oft hec ompul s or yhei r si nt hedi r ec tl i ne,whet herl i v i ngatt het i meof e xec ut i onoft hewi l l orb or naf t ert hedeat hoft het es t at or .( Ar t .854)
Whatdoes“ bor naf t ert hedeat hoft het es t at or ” mean? I ts i mp l yme me an st h att h eo mi mi t t e dh ei rmu s ta l r e ad yb ec on ce i v e da tt h et i meo fd ea t ho ft het e s t a t o rb utwa sb or non l yaf t e rt h ed ea t h oft het es t a t o r .
Whatar et her equi s i t esofpr et er i t i on? 1.The r ei sat o t a l o mi mi s s i oni nt hei nhe r i t an ce ; 2.Theper s ono mi mi t t edi sac ompu l s or yhei ri nt hedi r ec tl i ne; 3.Theomi t t edco mpu mp l s or yhei rmus ts ur v i v et het es t at o r ,o ri ncas et h ec omp ul s or yhei rp r e dec eas edt het es t a t o r ,t h er ei sar i g hto f r epr e sen t a t i on ; 4.No t h i ngmu mus tha vebeenr e c ei v edbyt hehe i rb yg r a t u i t oust i t l e.
Whatar et heeffec t sofpr et er i t i on? 1.Pr e t er i t i onannul st hei ns t i t ut i onofhei r s ; 2 .De v i c esan dl e ga ci e sa r ev al i di n so f a ra st h eyar en oti n offic i o us ; 3.I ft heomi t t edc ompul s or yhei rd i esbef or et es t at or ,i ns t i t ut i ons hal l beeffec t ual ,wi t houtpr ej udi c et or i ghtofr epr es ent at i on
Whati st heeffec tofpr et er i t i onont hewi l l i t s el f ? Gener al Rul e:Theeffec tofannul l i ngt h ei ns t i t ut i onofhei r swi l l be,nec es sar i l y ,t heopeni ngofat o t al i nt es t ac ye xc eptt hatpr oper l e ga ci e sa ndd ev i s esmu mu s tb er e sp ec t e d.He r e ,t h ewi l l i sno tab r o g at e d. Ex cept i on:I ft hewi l l c ont ai nsauni v er s al i ns t i t ut i onofhei r st ot heent i r ei nher i t anc eoft het es t a t or ,t hewi l l i st o t al l yabr ogat ed. Rea son :Th enu l l i fi c at i onofs uc hi n st i t ut i o no ft heuni v er s al hei r swi t ho utan yot hert es t ame nt ar ydi s pos i t i o ni nt hewi l l a moun mo t st oa dec l ar at i ont hatnot hi ngatal lwaswr i t t en.
Whatar et her i ght soft hepr et er i t edhei r s ? The yar eent i t l e dno tonl yt ot hei rs ha r e soft hel e gi t i mebuta l s ot ot hos eo ft hef r eepor t i onwh wh i c hwa sno te xp r e s sl ydi s po sedofb y t h et e st a t o rb ywa yo fde v i s esan dl e ga ci e s.
HOL OGRAPHI CWI WI LLS
Whatar et hef or mal i t i esr equi r edi nt heex ec ut i onof hol ogr aphi cwi l l ? 1.Si gn edbyt es t at orhi ms el f 2 .Ex e cu t e di nal a ng ua geord i a l e ctk no wnt ohi m( Ar t .8 04 ) 3.Ent i r e l ywr i t t en 4 .Da t e d;
No t e:I ncas eofan yi ns er t i on,c anc el l at i on,er as ur eoral t er at i oni nahol ogr aphi cwi l l ,t het es t at ormus taut hent i c at et hesamebyhi s f ul l s i gnat ur e.( Ar t .8 14)
Whatar et heeffec t sofi ns er t i onsori nt er pol at i ons madebya3r dper s on? General Rul es: Wh enanu mb mb ero fe r a s ur e s,c or r e ct i o ns ,c an ce l l a t i o n,o ri n se r t i o nsar ema deb yt h et e st a t o ri nt h ewi l l bu tt h es ameh av en otb ee n not edoraut hent i c at edwi t hhi sf u l l s i gnat ur e,onl yt hepar t i c ul arwor d ser as ed,c or r ec t ed,al t er edwi l l bei n val i dat ed,nott heent i r et y oft hewi l l . Except i on: 1 .Wh er et h ec ha ng ea ffe ct st h ee ss en ceo ft h ewi l l o ft h et e st a t o r ; No t e:Wh ent h eh ol o gr a ph i cwi l l h ado nl yon es ub s t a nt i a l pr o vi s i on,whi c hwasal t er edbysubs t i t ut i ngt h eor i gi nal hei rwi t hano t h er ,andt h es amedi dnotc ar r yt her e qui s i t ef ul l s i gnat ur eof t het es t a t or ,t heent i r e t yoft hewi l l i svoi dedorr e v ok ed. Re as on :Wh Wh atwa sc a nc el l e dh er ewa st h ev e r ye ss en ceo ft h ewi l l ;i ta mo mo un t e dt ot h er e v oc at i o no ft h ewi l l .Th er e f o r e ,n ei t h ert h e a l t e r e dt e xtnort h eo r i gi na lun al t er e dt e xtc anbegi v eneff ec t .( Ka l a wv . Rel o v a,G. R.No.L 4020 7,Sep t . 28 ,198 4) 2.Wher et h eal t er at i onaff ec t st hedat eoft hewi wi l l ort hesi gnat ur eoft het es t at or .
3 .I ft h ewo r d swr i t t e nb ya3 r dpe r s o nwe r ec on t e mp mp or a ne ou swi t ht h ee x ec ut i o no ft h ewi l l ,e v ent h ou gha ut h en t i c at e db yt h e t es t a t or ,t heent i r ewi l l i svoi df orv i ol at i onoft her equi s i t et hatt hehol ogr aphi cwi l l mus tb eent i r el yi nt het es t a t or ’ shandwr i t i ng.
NOT ARI ALWI LL S
Whatar et hef or mal i t i esi nt heex ec ut i onofanot ar i al wi l l ? 1.I nWr i t i ng; 2 .Ex e cu t e di nal a ng ua geo rd i a l e ctk no wnt ot h et e st a t o r ; 3 .Su bs c r i b edbyt h et e st a t o rh i ms e l fo rb yt h et e st a t o r ’ sna mewr me i t t e nb yso meo me t h erp er s oni nhi spr e se nc ea ndun de rh i se xp r e s s d i r e ct i o natt heendt her e of ,att h epr e sen ceofwi t n es s es ; 4 .At t e st e dt oa nds ub sc r i b edb ya tl e as t3c r e di b l ewi t n es s esi nt h ep r e s en ceo ft h et e s t a t o ra ndo fo n ea no t h er ; 5 .Ea c ha ndev e r yP ag emu s tb es i g ne db yt h et e s t a t o ro rb yt h ep er s o nr e qu es t e db yhi mt owr i t ehi sn ame ,a ndbyi n s t r u me me nt a l wi t n es s esi nt h ep r e s en ceo fe a cho t h er ,o nt h el ef tma r g i n ; 6 .Ea chan de v er ypa geoft hewi l l mu stbeNu mb mb er e dc or r e l a t i v e l yi nl e t t e r sp l a ce do nt h eu pp erp ar to fe ac hp ag e; 7.Mus tc o nt a i na nAt t e st at i onc l au se ,s t a t i n gt hef o l l o wi ng: a .Th en umb ero fp ag eso ft h ewi l l , b .Fa c tt h att h et e st a t o rs i g nedt h ewi l l a ndev er yp ag ei nt h ep r e s en ceofwi t n es s es ,o rc a us eds omeot h erp er s ont owr i t ehi s n ameu nd erh i sex pr e ssdi r e ct i o n,c .Al l wi t n es s essi g ne dt h ewi l l a nde v er ypa get h er e ofi nt h ep r e s en ceo ft h et e st a t o ra ndo fo n e a no t h er ; 8 .Mu s tb eac k n owl e dg edbe f o r eaNo t a r yp ub l i c .
Whatar et hes pec i al r equi r ement si ft het es t at ori s deaformut e? a.I ft het es t at ori sabl et or ead,hemus tper s onal l yr e adt hewi l l ;or b .I ft h et e st a t o ri suna bl et or e ad ,h emu s td es i g na t et wop er s on st or e adi ta ndco mmu mm ni c at et ohi m,i nso mep me r a c t i c ab l ema ma nn er , t h ec on t e nt st h er e of .( Ar t .8 07 ;s e eRa bu y a,Ci v i l L awRe v i e we r ,p .5 5 9)
No t e :Th el a wd oe sn otr e qu i r et h att h ep er s on sr e ad i n ga ndc ommu ni c at i n gt h ec on t e nt soft h ewi l l b et h ei n s t r u me me nt a lwi t n es s es . ( i d. ,p.560)
Whatar et hes pec i al r equi r ement si ft het es t at ori s bl i nd? Th ewi l l s ha l l b er e adt ohi mt wi c e,o nc eb yon eo ft h es ub sc r i b i n gwi t n es s es ,an da no t h ert i mebyt h en ot a r yp ub l i cbe f o r ewh om t h e wi l l i sac kno wl wl edged.( Ar t .808;i d. )
No t e :Ar t .80 8app l i e sno to nl yt ob l i ndt e st at or sbuta l s ot ot ho sewho ,f oroner e as ono ra no t he r ,a r ei n ca pab l eofr e adi n gt h ei rwi l l s , ei t herbec aus eofpoorordef ec t i v ee yes i ghtorb ec aus eofi l l i t er ac y .( i d. )
WI TNESSESI NWI LL S
Whatar et hequal i fi cat i onsofwi t nes ses ? Wi t n es s e st oawi l l mu s tb e: 1.OfSoundmi nd. 2 .Atl e as t1 8y e ar sofa ge . 3 .Ab l et or e ada ndwr i t e 4 .No tBl i n d,d ea fo rd u mb mb 5 .No th av eb ee nCo nv i c t e db yfi n al j u dg me me nto ff a l s i fi c at i onofad oc ume nt ,p er j u r yo rf a l s et e st i mo ny . 6.Do mi mi c i l edi nt h ePhi l i pp i nes
Wi l l t hebenefi c i al i nt er es tofawi t nes si nawi l l di s qual i f yhi m assuc h? Benefi ci al i nt er es ti nanot ar i al wi l l doesnotdi s qual i f yoneasas ubs cr i bi ngwi t nes s,buti tma y ,orma yno tn ul l i f yt hede vi s eor l e ga cygi v e nt ot h es ai dwi t n es s .Awi t n es swh oa t t e st st h ee x ec ut i o no fawi l l ,a ndt owh om,o rt owh os es po us e,p ar e nto rc h i l d ,o r an yo nec l ai mi ngt h er i ghtofs ai dwi wi t ne ss ,s pous e,pa r e ntorc hi l d ,ade vi s eorl eg ac ygi v en,s hal l bev oi d,un l e sst he r ear e3o t he r c o mp mp et e ntwi t n es s e st os u c hwi l l .( Ar t .8 23NCC)
No t e :I ft hewi t ne ssi si ns t i t ut eda shei r ,no ta sde vi s eeo rl eg at ee,t her ul ewou l ds t i l l a ppl y , be cau seu nduei n fluen ceorpr es s ur eon t hepar t oft heat t es t i ngwi t nes swoul ds t i l l bepr es ent .
Cr edi t or soft het es t at orar enotdi s qual i fi edt obeawi t nes st ot hewi l l .
FORMALVALI DI TYRULES
Whatl awgov er nst hef or msands ol emni t i esofwi l l s ? I ti st hel a wo ft h ec ou nt r ywhe r et h ewi l l wa se x ec ut edt h atgo ve r n st h ef o r ma nds ol e mn mn i t i e sofwi l l s .( Ar t .17,1 stpar ag r a ph ;Ar t . 815)
Whatar et heeffec t sofawi l l ex ec ut edbyanal i en a b r o a d ? Thewi l l ofa na l i enwh wh oi sab r o adpr odu ce se ffe cti nt hePhi l i ppi ne si fmadewi t ht hef or ma l i t i espr e sc r i bedbyt h el a wo ft hepl a cei n wh i c hher e s i des ,ora cc or d i ngt ot hef or ma l i t i esob ser v edi nhi sc ount r y ,ori nco nf o r mi mi t ywi t ht ho sewh wh i c ht heCi v i l Co depr es c r i b es . ( Ar t .816)
Whatar et heeffec t sofawi l l ex ec ut edbyanal i eni n t hePhi l i ppi nes ? I ts ha l l p r o du cet hes ameeff ec ta si fi twa se x ec ut edi nt h ePhi l i pp i nesi fi ti sex ec ut e di nac c or dan cewi t ht hel a wo ft hec ou nt r y wh er ehei sac i t i z enors ub j e ct ,a ndwh i c hmi g htb ep r o v e da ndal l o we db yt h el a wo fh i so wnco wn un t r y . ( Ar t .8 17 )
I saj oi ntwi l l ex ec ut edbyaFi l i pi noi naf or ei gn c ount r yv al i d? No .Thesameho l dst r ueev eni fi ti saut h or i z edbyt hel a wo ft h ec ount r ywh er et hej oi ntwi l l wase xe cut ed .( Ar t .81 9)
TEST AME MENT ARYCAPACI TYANDI NTENT
Whoc anmakeawi l l ? Al l pe r s o nswh oa r en ote x pr e ss l ypr o hi b i t e db yl a w ma yma ma k eawi l l .( Ar t .7 96 )T hel a wp r e s ume sc ap ac i t yt oma ma k eawi l l ;h en ce ,i n o r d ert h atape r s o nma ma ybedi s q ua l i fi e dt oma ma k eo ne ,h emu s tb ee x pr e s s l ypr o hi b i t e db yl a w.
No t e :Th eabi l i t yaswel l a st hepo we rt oma mak eawi l l mu stbepr e sentatt het i meoft heex e cu t i onoft hewi l l .Sup er v eni ngi n ca pac i t y do esno ti n v al i dat eaneff ec t i v ewi l l ,nori st hewi l l b yani n ca pab l epe r s onv al i da t edb yt hes upe r v e ni n gofc apa ci t y . ( Ar t .80 1)
Whatar et her equi s i t esoft es t ament ar ycapac i t y ? 1 .Atl e as t1 8y e ar sofa ge ;a n d 2.Ofsoundmi nd Not e:I ti sno tnec es sar yt hatt het e s t a t orbei nf ul l pos ses si onofal l hi sr e as oni ngf a c ul t i es ,ort hathi smi mi ndbewh whol l yunbr ok en, un i mpa i r e d,o ru ns ha t t er edbydi s ea se ,i n j ur yoro t h erc au se.I ts hal l besu ffic ffic i en ti ft het es t at orwa sab l eatt h et i meo fmak i n gt he wi l l t ok no wt he : a .n at ur eo ft hee st at et ob edi s po sedo f ; b .p r o pe ro bj e ct sofhi sbou nt y ;a nd c .c ha r a ct e ro ft het e st a ment me ar yac t .
Whoar et hos eper s onsex pr es s l ypr ohi bi t edbyl aw t omak eawi l l ? 1 .Pe r s o nsofe i t h ers e xu nd er1 8y e ar sofa ge( Ar t .7 97 ) 2 .Pe r s o nswh oa r eno to fs o un dmi n d( Ar t .7 98 )
I saper s ons uffer i ngf r om c i v i l i nt er di c t i onqual i fi ed t omak eawi l l ? Ye s.Hei sdepr i v edon l yoft hepo wert odi s po seo fhi spr o per t i e st h r o ughac t si nt e rv i v osbutno tt h r o ug hac t smo mor t i sc au sa.( Ar t .34 , Re v i s e dPe na lCo de ;Ra bu y a,Ci v i l L awRe v i e we r ,p .5 27 )
AnUnpr obat edWi l l DoesNotPassAny Ri ght In Heirs of Rosendo Lasam, etc. v. mengan, mengan , G.R. No. 16+1>6, ?e"ember 6, 2006, alleo, @, there was a "omplaint for %nlawf%l !etainer allein that the plaintiffs were the owners of the propert(. 'he !efen!ants were allee!l( possessin the propert( b( mere toleran"e. In their !efense, the( allee! that the( have a better riht be"a%se the( inherite! it from their father, showin a 8ast =ill an! 'estament whi"h has not (et been probate!. 'he lower "o%rts 9' an! R' r%le! that with the will the( have a better riht, b%t the * reverse! on the ro%n! that the will has not (et been probate!, hen"e, it has no passe! an( riht. In this "ase, both parties were "laimin to have better riht of possession !%e to ownership. Ane part( "laimin that there was "onve(an"e the other, havin inherite! it, hen"e, "laimin a better riht of possession followin the law on s%""ession. In %phol!in the * *s s r%lin the ) Held: 'he
8ast =ill an! 'estament "annot be relie! %pon to establish the riht of possession witho%t havin been probate!, the
sai! last will an! testament "o%l! not be the so%r"e of an( riht. *rti"le +3+ of the ivil o!e is instr%"tive *rt.. +3+. *rt +3+. No No will will shal shalll pass pass eith either er real real or pers persona onall prope propert( rt( %nl %nless ess it is is prove prove! ! an! an! allow allowe! e! in in a""or!an"e with the R%les of o%rt. 'he testator himself ma(, !%rin his lifetime, petition the "o%rt havin %ris!i"tion for the allowan"e of his will. In s%"h "ase, the pertinent provisions of the R%les of o%rt for the allowan"e of wills after the testators !eath shall overn. 'he )%pr )%preme eme o%r o%rtt shall form form%lat %late e s%"h s%"h a!!it a!!itional ional R%les of o%rt as ma( be ne"e ne"essar( ssar( for the allowan"e of wills on petitioner of the testator. )%be"t to the riht of appeal, the allowan"e of the will, either !%rin the lifetime of the testator or after his !eath, shall be "on"l%sive as to its !%e ee"%tion. In !a"i#a v. !ourt of A$$eals, A$$eals , 33> /hil. 1107 1BB7 it was r%le! that #a will is essentiall( amb%lator( at an( time prior to the testators !eath, it ma( be "hane! or revoe! an! % ntil a!mitte! to probate, it has no effe"t whatever an! no riht "an be "laime! there%n!er, the law bein %ite epli"it CNo will shall pass either real or personal propert( %nless it is prove! an! allowe! in a""or!an"e with the R%les of o%rt.& Defore Defo re an( an( will will "an "an have have for"e for"e or vali!i vali!it( t( itit m%st m%st be be probate probate!. !. 'o proba probate te a will mean means s to prov prove e before before some off offi"er i"er or trib%nal, veste! b( law with a%thorit( for that p%rpose, that the instr%ment offere! to be prove! is the last will an! testament of the !e"ease! person whose testamentar( a"t it is allee! to be, an! that it has been ee"%te!, atteste! an! p%blishe! as re%ire! b( law, an! that the testator was of so%n! an! !isposin min!. It is a pro"ee!ins to establish the vali!it( of the will. 9oreover, the presentation of the will for probate is man!ator( an! is a matter of p%bli" poli"(. G%evara v. G%evara, 74 /hil. 47B Dal%(ot v. /aEo, 163 /hil. +1 1B76 Roberts v. 8eonilas, 214 /hil. 30 1B+4. )in"e the will has not (et been probate!, it has has no effe"t whatsoever an! it "annot be the the basis basis of an( "laim of an( riht of possession. 'he !efen!ants have a better riht of possession base! on the !ee! of "onve(an"es ee"%te! b( the owner in favor of the "hil!ren, the !efen!ants herein. ;eirs of Rolan!o 8asam v. 6, ?e"ember 6, 2006.
J . L. T .Agr o,I nc .v .Ant oni o Bal ans ag and Hi l ar i aCada y da y ,G. R.No.141882,Mar c h 11,2005 Preterition. In %.L.&. Agro, 'nc. v. Antonio (alansag and Hilaria !adayday , !adayday , G.R. No. 141++2, 9ar"h 11, 200> 'ina, @, there was a "onfli"t of propert( "laims between two sets of heirs. It appears that !%rin his lifetime, ?on @%lian 8. 'eves ?on @%lian "ontra"te! "ontra"te! marriae twi"e. 5irst, with *ntonia Daena an! se"on!, with 9ilaros ?onio 'eves. In the first marriae, he ha! two "hil!ren, @osefa an! Fmilio. In the se"on! marriae, he ha! fo%r "hil!ren, 9aria, @ose, 9ilaros an! /e!ro, all s%rname 'eves. 'eves. 'here was a propert( 8ot No. 63 whi"h was oriinall( reistere! %n!er the names of @%lian an! *ntonia '' >203 formin part of their "on%al partnership. *fter *ntonia !ie!, 8ot No. 63 was amon the properties involve! in an a"tion for partition. 'he parties entere! into a ompromise *reement *reement whi"h embo!ie! the partition of all the properties of ?on @%lian. 'he *reement showe! that a tra"t of lan! nown as ;a"ien!a 9e!alla 9ilarosa was to be owne! in "ommon b( ?on @%lian an! his two 2 "hil!ren of the first marriae whi"h wo%l! remain %n!ivi!e! !%rin his lifetime. 'he two "hil!ren were iven other properties. 8ot No. 63 was retaine! b( ?on @%lian. /araraph 13 of the ompromise *reement, at the heart of the present !isp%te, la(s !own the effe"t of the event%al !eath of ?on @%lian vis-)-vis vis-)-vis his his heirs 13. 'hat in the event of !eath of @%lian 8. 'e 'eves, ves, the properties hereinafter a!%!i"ate! to @osefa 'e 'eves ves Fs"aEo an! Fmilio D. 'e 'eves, ves, e"l%!in the properties "omprise! as ;a"ien!a 9e!alla 9ilarosa toether with all its a""essories an! a""essions shall be %n!erstoo! as in"l%!in not onl( their one-half share whi"h the( inherite! from their mother b%t also the leitimes an! other s%""essional rihts whi"h wo%l! "orrespon! to them of the other half belonin to their father, @%lian 8. 'eves. In other wor!s, the properties now selected and adjudicated adjudi cated to Juli Julian an L. Tev Teves es (not including including his share in the Haci Hacienda enda Medalla Milgrosa) Milgrosa) shall exclusively be adjudicated to to the wife in se"on! marriae of @%lian 8. 'eves an! his fo%r minor "hil!ren, namel(, 9ilaros ?onio 'eves, 'eves, his two a"nowle!e! nat%ral "hil!ren 9ilaros Re(es 'eves an! /e!ro Re(es 'eves an! his two leitimate "hil!ren 9aria Fvel(n ?onio 'eves an! @ose atalino ?onio 'eves. Fmphasis s%pplie! An 16 16 Novemb November er 1B72, 1B72, ?on @%li @%lian, an, Fmili Fmilio o an! an! @osef @osefa a ee"%t ee"%te! e! a ?ee! of *ss *ssinm inment ent of *ss *ssets ets with *ss *ss%mpt %mption ion of 8iabilities in favor of @.8.'. *ro, *ro, In". petitioner. 8ess than a (ear later, ?on @%lian, @osefa an! Fmilio also ee"%te! an instr%ment entitle! )%pplemental to the ?ee! of *ssinment of *ssets with the *ss%mption of 8iabilities )%pplemental ?ee! !ate! 31 @%l( 1B73. 'his instr%ment whi"h "onstit%te! a s%pplement to the earlier !ee! of assinment transferre! ownership over 8ot No. 63, amon other properties, in favor of @8' *ro. An 14 *pril 1B74, ?on @%lian !ie! intestate. An the strenth of the )%pplemental ?ee! in its favor, @8' *ro, In". so%ht the reistration of the s%be"t lot in its name. * "o%rt, so it appeare!, iss%e! an or!er "an"elin A' No. >203 in the name of spo%ses ?on @%lian an! *ntonia on 12 November 1B7B, an! on the same !ate '' No. '-37> was iss%e! in the name of @8' *ro. )in"e then, @8' *ro has been pa(in taes assesse! on the s%be"t lot. 9eanwhile, 9eanw hile, 9ila 9ilaros ros ?onio an! her "hil! "hil!ren ren ha! imme imme!iate !iatel( l( tae taen n posse possessio ssion n over the s%be" s%be"tt lot aft after er the ee"%tion of the ompromise *reement. In 1B74, the( entere! into a (earl( lease areement with spo%ses *ntonio Dalansa an! ;ilaria a!a(!a(. 8ot No. 63 was sol! to *ntonio Dalansa an! ;ilaria a!a(!a(. *fter the !eath of ?on @%lian, 9ilaros ?onio an! her "hil!ren ee"%te! a ?ee! of Ftra%!i"ial /artition of Real Fstate where 8ot No. 63 was allotte! to 9ilaros an! her two "hil!ren, 9aria an! @ose.
favor of ?on @%lian an! his two "hil!ren b( the first marriae, @osefa an! Fmilio. /araraph 13 serve! onl( as an amplifi"ation of the terms of the a!%!i"ation in favor of ?on @%lian an! his two "hil!ren b( the first marriae. *""or!in to the trial "o%rt, the properties a!%!i"ate! in favor of @osefa an! Fmilio "omprise! their shares in the estate of their !e"ease! mother *ntonia, as well as their potential share in the estate of ?on @%lian %pon the latters !eath. 'h%s, %pon ?on @%lians !eath, @osefa an! Fmilio "o%l! not "laim an( share in his estate, e"ept their proper share in the ;a"ien!a 9e!alla 9ilarosa whi"h was a!%!i"ate! in favor of ?on @%lian in the ompromise *reement. *reement. *s s%"h, the properties a!%!i"ate! in favor of ?on @%lian, e"ept ;a"ien!a 9e!alla 9ilarosa, were free from the for"e! leitimar( rihts of @osefa an! Fmilio, an! ?on @%lian was %n!er no impe!iment to allo"ate the s%be"t lot, amon his other properties, to 9ilaros ?onio an! her fo%r 4 "hil!ren. 'he trial "o%rt f%rther stresse! that with the %se of the wor!s #shall be, the a!%!i"ation in favor of 9ilaros ?onio an! her fo%r 4 "hil!ren was not final an! operative, as the lot was still s%be"t to f%t%re !isposition b( ?on @%lian !%rin hi! lifetime. It "ite! pararaph 14 of the ompromise *reement in s%pport of his "on"l%sion. =ith 8ot No. 63 bein the "on%al propert( of ?on @%lian an! *ntonia, the trial "o%rt also !e"lare! that 9ilaros ?onio an! her "hil!ren ha! no here!itar( rihts thereto e"ept as to the "on%al share of ?on @%lian, whi"h the( "o%l! "laim onl( %pon the !eath of the latter. 'he trial "o%rt r%le! that at the time of ?on @%lians !eath on 14 *pril 1B74, 8ot No. 63 was no loner part of his estate sin"e he ha! earlier assine! i t to petitioner on 31 @%l( 1B73. onse%entl(, the the lot "o%l! not be a proper s%be"t of etra%!i"ial partition b( 9ilaros ?onio an! her "hil!ren, an! not bein the owners the( "o%l! not have sol! it. ;a! respon!ents eer"ise! pr%!en"e before b%(in the s%be"t lot b( investiatin the reistration of the same with the Reistr( of ?ee!s, the( wo%l! have !is"overe! that five > (ears earlier, A' No. >203 ha! alrea!( b een "an"elle! an! repla"e! b( '' No. '-37> in the name of petitioner, the trial "o%rt a!!e!. 'he o%rt of *ppeals, however, reverse! the trial "o%rts !e"ision. /er the appell appellate ate "o%r "o%rt, t, the omp ompromis romise e *r *reemen eementt in"orp in"orporate orate! ! in 5I !e"is !e"ision ion !ate !ate! ! 31 @an% @an%ar( ar( 1B64, part parti"%la i"%larl( rl( pararaph 13 thereof, !etermine!, a!%!i"ate! an! reserve! to ?on @%lians two sets of heirs their f%t%re leitimes in his estate e"ept as rear!s his ?on @%lians share in ;a"ien!a 9e!alla 9ilarosa. 'he two sets of heirs a"%ire! f%ll ownership an! possession of the properties respe"tivel( a!%!i"ate! to them in the 5I !e"ision an! ?on @%lian himself "o%l! no loner !ispose of the same, in"l%!in 8ot No. 63. 'he !isposition in the 5I !e"ision "onstit%tes res %!i"ata. ?on @%lian "o%l! have !ispose! of onl( his "on%al share in the ;a"ien!a 9e!alla 9ilarosa. 'he * liewise emphasi:e! that nobo!( in his riht %!ment wo%l! preterit his leal heirs b( simpl( ee"%tin a !o"%ment lie the )%pplemental ?ee! whi"h pra"ti"all( "overs all properties whi"h ?on @%lian ha! reserve! in favor of his heirs from the se"on! marriae. *rieve! b( the * *s s !e"ision, @8' *ro appeale! to the ) via a petition for review on "ertiorari, raisin p%re %estions of law, s%"h as a that f%t%re leitime "an be !etermine!, a!%!i"ate! an! reserve! prior to the !eath of ?on @%lian b that ?on @%lian ha! no riht to !ispose of or assin 8ot No. 63 to petitioner be"a%se he reserve! the same for his heirs from the se"on! marriae p%rs%ant to the ompromise *reement " that the )%pplemental ?ee! was tantamo%nt to a preterition of his heirs from the se"on! marriae an! ! that '' No. '-37> in the name of petitioner is sp%rio%s for not "ontainin entries on the Doo No. an! /ae No. An the basis o f the ompromise *reement, *reement, the o%rt of *ppeals r%le! that the a!%!i"ation in favor of the heirs of ?on @%lian from the se"on! marriae be"ame a%tomati"all( operative %pon the approval of the ompromise *reement, *reement, thereb( vestin on them the riht to vali!l( !ispose of 8ot No. 63 in favor of respon!ents. @8' *ro ar%e! that the appellate "o%rt erre! in hol!in that f%t%re leitime "an be !etermine!, a!%!i"ate! an! reserve! prior to the !eath of ?on @%lian. )tate! )tat e! otherw otherwise, ise, ma( f%t% f%t%re re leiti leitime me be !eter !etermine! mine!,, a!%!i" a!%!i"ate! ate! an! rese reserve! rve! prior to the !eath of the the owner owner of a propert( =h( Held: No.
In (las v. Santos, 111 Santos, 111 /hil. /hil. >03 1B61, f%t%re leitime was !efine! as an( propert( or riht not in eisten"e or "apable of
!etermination at the time of the "ontra"t, that a person ma( in the f%t%re a"%ire b( s%""ession, *rti"le *rti"le 1347, N provi!es *R'.. 1347. *ll thins where are not o%tsi!e the "ommer"e of men, in"l%!in f%t%re thins, ma( be the *R' obe"t of a "ontra"t. *ll rihts whi"h are not intransmissible ma( also be the obe"t of "ontra"ts.
NO CONTRACTSMA MAYBEENTEREDI NTOUPON ONFUTUREI NHERI T ANCEEXCEPTI NCASES EXPRESSLYAUTHORI ZEDBYLAW *ll servi"es whi"h whi"h are not "ontrar( "ontrar( to law, law, morals, oo! "%stoms, p%bli" or!er or p%bli" p%bli" poli"( ma( liewise liewise be the obe"t obe"t of a "ontra"t.
=ell-entren"he! is the r%le that all thins, even f%t%re ones, whi"h are not o%tsi!e the "ommer"e of man ma( be the obe"t of a "ontra"t. 'he e"eption is that no "ontra"t ma( be entere! into with respe"t to f%t%re inheritan"e, an! the e"eption is the partitioninter partition inter vivos referre! vivos referre! to in *rti"le 10+0. /erillo v. /erillo, *, 4+ A. G. 4444.
5or the inheritan"e to be "onsi!ere! #f%t%re&, the s%""ession m%st not have been opene! at the time of the "ontra"t. * "ontra"t ma( be "las "lassifie sifie! ! as a "ontr "ontra"t a"t %pon f%t% f%t%re re inheritan"e, inheritan"e, prohibite! prohibite! %n!er the se"on! para pararaph raph of *rti"le 1347, where the follo followin win re%isites "on"%r
1 'hat the s%""ession has (et been opene!
2 'hat the obe"t of the "ontra"t forms part of the inheritan"e an!
3 'hat the promissor( has, with respe"t to the obe"t, an epe"tan"( of a riht whi"h is p%rel( here!itar( in nat%re.
'he first pararaph of *rti"le 10+0, whi"h provi!es the e"eption to the e"eption an! therefore alins with the eneral r%le on f%t%re thins, rea!s
*R'. 10+0. )ho%l! a person mae a partition of his estate estate b( an a"t inter vivos, vivos, or b( will, s%"h partition shall be respe"te!, insofar as it !oes not pre%!i"e the leitime of the "omp%lsor( heirs.
If the partition is ma!e b( an a"t inter vivos, vivos, no formalities are pres"ribe! b( the *rti"le. 'he partition will of "o%rse be effe"tive onl( after !eath. It !oes not ne"essaril( re%ire the formalities of a will for after all it is not the partition that is the mo!e of a"%irin ownership. Neither will the formalities of a !onation be re%ire! sin"e !onation will not be the mo!e of a"%irin the ownership here after !eath sin"e no will has been ma!e it follows that the mo!e will be s%""ession intestate s%""ession. Desi!es, the partition here is merel( the ph(si"al !etermination of the part to be iven to ea"h heir.
'he histori"al ante"e!ent of *rti"le *rti"le 10+0 of the New ivil o!e is *rti"le 10>6 of the ol! ivil o!e. 'he onl( "hane in the provision is that *rti"le *rti"le 10+0 now permits permits an( pers person on not a testator, testator, as %n!er the ol! to part partition ition his estate b( a"t inter vivos. vivos. 'his was inten!e! to abroate the then prevailin !o"trine that for a testator to partition his estate b( an a"t inter vivos, vivos, he m%st first mae a will with all the formalities provi!e! b( law. ?i:on-Rivera v. ?i:on, 144 /hil. >>+ 1B70 )ee also Harao:a v. o%rt of *ppeals, G.R. No. 106401, )eptember 2B, 2000, 341 )R* 30B, 31>-316.
*rti"le 10>6 of the ol! ivil o!e now *rti"le 10+0 a%thori:es a testator to partition inter vivos his vivos his propert(, an! !istrib%te them amon his heirs, an! this partition is neither a !onation nor a testament, b%t an instr%ment of a spe"ial "hara"ter, sui generis, generis, whi"h is revo"able at an( time b( the causante causante !%rin !%rin his lifetime, an! !oes not operate as a "onve(an"e of title %ntil his !eath. It !erives its bin!in for"e on the heirs from the respe"t !%e to the will of the owner of the propert(, limite! onl( b( his "re!itors an! the intanibilit( of the leitime of the for"e! heirs. *lbela *eb%(a v. *lbela *lbela *llones, * G.R. No. >>+3-R, @%ne 20, 1B>1.
'he partition inter vivos of vivos of the properties of ?on @%lian is %n!o%bte!l( vali! p%rs%ant to *rti"le 1347. ;owever, "onsi!erin that it wo%l! be"ome leall( operative onl( %pon the !eath of ?on @%lian, the riht of his heirs from the se"on! marriae to the properties a!%!i"ate! to him %n!er the "ompromise areement was b%t a mere epe"tan"(. It was bar hope of s%""ession to the propert( of their father. Dein the prospe"t of a f%t%re a"%isition, the interest b( its nat%re was in"hoate. It ha! no attrib%te of propert(, an! the interest to whi"h it relate! was at the time noneistent an! miht never eist. @ohnson v. Dree!in, 136 'enn. 'enn. >2+ 1B0 )= >4>.
Fvi!entl(, at the time of the ee"%tion of the !ee! of assinment "overin 8ot No. 63 in favor of @8' *ro, ?on @%lian remaine! the owner of the propert( sin"e ownership over the s%be"t lot wo%l! onl( pass to his heirs from the se"on! marriae at the time of his !eath. 'h%s, as the owner of the s%be"t lot, ?on @%lian retaine! the absol%te riht to !ispose of it !%rin his lifetime. ;is riht "annot be "hallene! b( 9ilaros ?onio an! her "hil!ren on the ro%n! that it ha! alrea!( been a!%!i"ate! to them b( virt%e of the "ompromise areement.
Second issue:
'hat ?on @%lian ha! no riht to !ispose of or assin 8ot No. 63 to @8' *ro be"a%se he reserve! it to his heirs from the se"on! marriae p%rs%ant to the ompromise *reement. It was "onten!e! that he vali!l( transferre! ownership of the sai! lot !%rin his lifetime to whi"h the lower "o%rt aree! when he ee"%te! the )%pplemental ?ee!. 'he * reverse!, r%lin that it was a "ase of prohibite! preterition of ?on @%lians heirs from the se"on! marriae. @8' *ro *ro "onten!e! otherwise. ?e"i!e.
Held: 'he
"ontention of @8' *ro is "orre"t. 'here was no preterition. *rti"le +>4 provi!es that the preterition or omission of one, some, or all of the "omp%lsor( heirs in the !ire"t line, whether livin at the time of the ee"%tion of the will or born after the !eath of the testator, shall ann%l the instit%tion of heir b%t the !evises an! lea"ies shall be vali! insofar as the( are not inoffi"io%s. 9anresa !efines preterition as the omission of the heir in the will, either b( not namin him at all or, while mentionin him as father, son, et"., b( not instit%tin him as heir witho%t !isinheritin him epressl(, nor assinin to him some part of the properties. *:nar v. ?%n"an, ?%n"an, 123 /hil. 14>0 1B66. It is the total omission of a "omp%lsor( heir in the !ire"t line from inheritan"e. It "onsists in the silen"e of the testator with rear! to a "omp%lsor( heir, omittin him in the testament, either b( not mentionin him at all, or b( not ivin him an(thin in the here!itar( propert( b%t witho%t epressl( !isinheritin him, even if he is mentione! in the will in the latter "ase. D%t there is no preterition where the testator allotte! to a !es"en!ant a share less than the leitime, sin"e there was no total omission of a for"e! heir. Re(es-Darreto v. Darreto-?at%, Darreto-?at%, 12> /hil. >01 1B67.
In the "ase at bar bar,, ?on @%lian !i! not ee"%te a will sin" sin"e e what he reso resorte! rte! to was a parti partition tion inter vivos of vivos of his prope properties rties,, as evi!en"e b( the "o%rt approve! ompromise *reement. 'h%s, it is premat%re if not irrelevant to spea of preterition prior to the !eath of ?on @%lian in the absen"e of a will !eprivin a leal heir of his leitime. Desi!es, there are other properties whi"h the heirs from the se"on! marriae "o%l! inherit from ?on @%lian %pon his !eath.