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Notes and Cases On SUCCESSION

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82 views151 pages

Notes and Cases On SUCCESSION

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Maricar Corina Canaya

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Notes And Cases On SUCCESSION

Based on Lectures given by:

Prof. Ruben Balane and Prof. Araceli Baviera
Compiled and Edited by Rodell A. Molina
UP Law Batch 1996
This work is a compilation of Prof. Ruben Balane's
lectures in succession, by his students both in the UP College of
Law and in the Ateneo Law School. Lectures of Prof. Baviera in
Civil Law Review (Succession) have also been included in this
work.
Special thanks to Louella Ira for lending me her magic
notes on Succession as compiled by students of the Ateneo Law
School, to Lianne Tan for lending me her diskette in Succession
containing the lectures of Prof. Baviera and to the late Eduardo
Balangue for lending me his magic notes on Succession as
compiled by students of the UP College of Law.
This work is dedicated to Class A, UP Law Batch 1996,
to which I belong.
-- RAM
_______________

INTRODUCTION
Concept.-- Succession is the last mode of acquiring ownership. It is an independent mode of
acquiring ownership.
Requisites of Succession:
(1) Death of the predecessor;
(2) Existence and capacity of the successor;
(3) Provision of the law or provision of a will granting the right of succession;
(4) Acceptance by the successor.
Q: Is tradition (delivery) required for ownership to transfer?
A: No. Ownership is transferred by succession, not by any other mode.
Etymology.-- Succession is derived from 2 Latin words: sub, meaning under (e.g., an underling,
a subordinate, if a plane travels at a subsonic speed or fly below opposite-- subsonic) and cedere,
meaning to give, to pass.
Succession, therefore, is a passing under. It gives the idea of the nature of succession as
originated from Roman Law. Why do the Romans call it a passing under? Bec. of the fiction in
Roman Law that a personality occupies a space, that is, a legal personality is permanent. A
permanent fixture but the occupant will go away. And it is the successor who will occupy the
space you left vacant. There is always what you call personalitas. "Sound through" like a play,

Notes and Cases on SUCCESSION

Compiled and Edited by RAM

where you wear a mask, and the one behind the curtain is sounding through. that is, somebody is
really talking behind you. This, by analogy is, succession.
Persona means "you," the character. Personalita or personality w/c is always there, and
there is or there will always be an occupant, who comes and goes; it may change the character,
the person passes under. What is behind all this? Personality never dies. We are but dust and
shadows based on the reality of death.
Why do we have to devise this fiction? Why the law on succession? The Law on
succession has various underpinnings in Roman Law, that is, first, the vague idea of after life, like
the ideas of Horace -- state of good in the Elipian fields; second, that the law develops based on
conditions of society. One of the most basic desire of man is the desire for immortality.
How, When, To Whom, In What proportion are they transmitted -- Succession.
BASIS OF THE LAW ON SUCCESSION:
1. Succession provides the vehicle for satisfying your yearning and longing for immortality. It
satisfies or consoles yourself that something in you lives forever and this is your personality.
Others usually leave something like paintings, book of poems, statue so that they will be
remembered forever, e.g., Horace by Shakespeare.
2. Concept of pater familias. Diligence of pater familias. Pater familias means head of the
family. The basic unit of Roman society. It is he who managed and exercised authority over his
children, absolute control over his wife. In Roman law, a man's wife is his child. It is he who is
the guardian of the family gods. It is a position that must be occupied every time. It is
unthinkable to be otherwise. Once he dies, it is absolutely necessary not only in religion that he
is to be replaced immediately. This is indispensable.
These underpinnings are gone now. Today, succession is nothing but a mode of acquiring
ownership. Why? Because you do not have the fiction to have succession, bec. of the spread of
Christianity w/c took the place of those yearnings that it is believing in God and life after death.
No more yearnings for immortality, unless you do not believe in the teachings of Christianity.
Also, the concept of pater familias is no longer applicable bec. of parental authority w/c
restricted the authority of the head of the family. We no longer have slaves, absolute control
over children, etc.
But old beliefs do not die easily. Some provisions of the law on succession are
influenced by these underpinnings. Like, "heirs are the continuation of the personality of the
decedent." Another is: when a condition is imposed upon the substitute, does the substitute have
to fulfill the condition? All of these are residual elements of Roman Law.
Definition of Succession.-- Succession in a juridical sense is the substitution of one person for
another in a determinable relationship or a subrogation of one person by another in a juridical
situation. (Manresa.)
Succession is the substitution of a person to the determinable legal relationship of
another. (Castan.)
Castan's definition is better. (Balane.)
PHILIPPINE LAW ON SUCCESSION (Based on the lecture given by JBL Reyes.)
Every person during his lifetime is at the center of a number of juridical relation flowing
from personality. Some of these legal relations are permanent, some are transitory. Some of

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Compiled and Edited by RAM

these relations are: paternity and filiation, marriage and maternity, membership of the bar,
student of UP, etc., w/c other persons do not have. There are transitory relations, and examples of
these are one when bought a bottle of Coke; lease of an apartment unit; a mortgage; a contract of
partnership; when one rides a bus, etc.
When a person dies, personality is extinguished. Some of these juridical relations will
die w/ you-- intuitu personae-- SSS, GSIS-- if they die w/ you, no problem. but some of them
survive, e.g., land, say a thousand hectares. If it is only a ball pen left by the decedent, it is not a
big problem. But what if the decedent left a big tract of land, or there is a contract of sale w/c
transfers ownership bet. the decedent and third parties. You have to set a devise. You can not
leave them hanging in the air. You have to devise a set of rules to determine the how, when, to
whom, to what extent these rights will be transmitted. The law w/c governs them is succession.
And that is all on succession, everything is footnotes.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF SUCCESSION
A. By the moment of transmission:
1. mortis causa-- takes place by virtue of death
2. inter vivos-- takes place independently of death during the lifetime of the parties (now
called Donation inter vivos.)
B. Extent of rights involved:
1. Universal-- this is very catchy- it involves the entire estate or fractional or aliquot or
undivided part of the estate, e.g., I give you 1/2 of my estate.
2. Particular/ partial.-- succession to specific items
a. legacy-- specific personal prop., e.g., I give you my car
b. devise-- specific real prop., e.g., I give to G my fishpond in Laguna.
C. As to cause:
1. Compulsory.-- that effected by operation of law to forced heirs even if not in a will;
succession to the reserved portion/ legitime
2. Testamentary.-- by will
3. Intestate or legal.-- succession in default of a will; subordinate to testamentary
succession
4. Mixed.-- combination of the above.
5. Contractual.-- E.g., donation propter nuptias by one to another of future prop. w/c
takes effect after death. Why contractual? Bec. of the transfer of prop. is not by virtue of a will
but by contract. So it is governed by the law on contracts. Hence, it must be governed by the
Statute of Frauds. It must be in writing to be enforceable.
D. As to parties to succession:
1. Decedent, transferor, causante, acutor, de cuius
2. Successor, transferee, causa habiente
E. As to terms:
1. Testator.-- decedent left a will
2. Intestate.-- decedent did not leave a will
3. Heir.-- one who succeeds by universal title or to a share of the estate
4. Devisee.-- one who succeeds by particular title to real prop.
5. Legatee.-- one who succeeds to a specific personal prop.

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Elements of Succession (Manresa.):

1. Change of subject (cambio de suheto.)-- ownership is transferred from deceased to heir
(subjective change.)
2. Identity of Object (identidad de objecto)-- same prop. is involved, only the owner is changed.
The right is the same (objective identity.)
Important Principles of Succession (which permeates the entirety of Succession):
1. Mortis Causa.--Succession can not take place while the owner is alive. The heir/
successor has a mere expectancy right to the prop. of the decedent, during the lifetime of the
latter.
2. Interest of the family may override the will of the decedent bec. of compulsory heirs.
There is a legitime reserved for the family. A will cannot impair the legitime.
3. The estate passes or devolves to the family unless the decedent expressly orders
otherwise in a will. Family covers spouse, ascendants, descendants, and collateral relatives.
4. The family can not be entirely deprived of the estate bec. of the system of legitime.
5. Within the family, heirs of equal degree/ proximity inherit in equal shares.
Presumption of equality. This is only the general rule. There are exceptions.
6. The State has a share in the inheritance through taxes.
7. The heirs are not liable for the debts of the estate beyond their share in the inheritance.
Estate is liable for the debts left by the decedent. Debts are to be deducted before the heirs can
get their shares. Procedure: Collect all assets, deduct debts, then partition the shares. Up to what
extent? Up to all its assets. If the estate is zero balance, the heirs get nothing.
Under the modern civil law, if the decedent left more debts than assets, it will not change or affect
your status anyway, but not w/ the decedent's creditors-- they have to beware-- caveat creditor.
Basis of the Law on Succession.-- Some say it is the law on property w/c seems to be the basic
attitude of the Code. Others say succession is a law on persons bec. of the compulsory heirs.
How can you explain that? Is there some link bet. the law on succession and property? There is.
Castan said that law on succession is both law on persons and property. However, in a pure
testamentary succession, the law on persons do not come to play. Say, a will giving UP a
property. This is more on the law of property. This is the ecclectic theory of Castan.
Major Changes in the New Civil Code on Succession:
1. Allowance of holographic wills (Art. 810.) It gives greater freedom to the decedent to
choose in what form he can dispose by will his estate. Holographic will is not a novelty but a
revival. This was allowed in the Spanish times but was abrogated during the American regime. It
was only restored under the NCC.
2. Improvement in the successional position of the surviving spouse. Under the OCC,
the surviving spouse had a right of usufruct only. Under the NCC, the surviving spouse is given
full ownership and is a compulsory heir. The share is variable that it is so bewildering.
3. Abolition of the right of mejora or betterment (the right of the parent to give a child
more than the other.) This is basically a portion of the legitime, 1/3. Freedom is given to the
testator as to who among his children he will give the 1/3. This system was never utilized bec. it
was never understood by the people.

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Art. 787. The testator may not make a testamentary disposition in such manner
that another person has to determine whether or not it is to be operative.
Balane: This provision clarifies what is meant that "a will is personal." This is in effect
delegating the discretion to the disposition of the will.
Articles 788- 792. Interpretation of Wills/ Rules of Construction.
Art. 788. If a testamentary disposition admits of different interpretations, in case of
doubt, that interpretation by which the disposition is to be operative shall be preferred.
Balane: Art. 789 is the rule on interpretation in order that the will may be valid and not perish.
Rationale: The State prefers testate to intestate. Why? Bec. testamentary disposition is
the express will of the decedent. Intestamentary is the presumed will of the decedent. This is
mere speculation on what the decedent wanted.
Ut res mages valet quam pereat.-- that the thing be valid than perish.
E.g., The word "chick" can have 2 interpretations: (1) a girl in w/c case inoperative bec. not w/in
the commerce of man and (2) sisiw.-- operative. Interpret according to the second.
Art. 789. When there is an imperfect description, or when no person or property
exactly answers the description, mistakes and omissions must be corrected, if the error
appears from the context of the will or from extrinsic evidence, excluding the oral
declarations of the testator as to his intention; and when an uncertainty arises upon the face
of the will, as to the application of any of its provisions, the testator's intention is to be
ascertained from the words of the will, taking into consideration the circumstances under
which it was made, excluding such oral declarations.
Balane:
1. Kinds of Ambiguity:
a. Patent, apparent.-- that w/c appears in the face of the will, e.g., "I give 1/2 of my
estate to one of my brothers." Who among the brothers? This is patently ambiguous.
b. Latent, hidden.-- perfectly unclear on its face. The ambiguity does not appear until
you apply the provisions of the will, e.g., "I give to M the prop. intersecting Buendia and P. de
Roxas. The ambiguity is determined only when the will is probated. That is, when it appears that
I am the owner of all the 4 corners of the lot. Now, w/c of those lots?
2. Rule: Clarify ambiguity and be guided by these: Testacy should be preferred or upheld as far
as practicable. Any doubt shall be resolved in favor of testacy.
Q: How will you resolve the ambiguity? What evidence do you admit?
A: You can admit any kind of evidence as long as relevant and admissible according to the Rules
of Court. This includes written declarations.
Except: Oral declarations of the testator. Why? Bec. they cannot be questioned by the
deceased. Also, bec. they are easy to fabricate.
If inspite of evidence you still cannot cure ambiguity, then annul the will.

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If the ambiguity is patent, disregard the will. If latent, look into the evidences allowed by
law.

Art. 790. The words of a will are to be taken in their ordinary and grammatical
sense, unless a clear intention to use them in another sense can be gathered, and that other
can be ascertained.
Technical words in a will are to be taken in their technical sense, unless the context
clearly indicates a contrary intention, or unless it satisfactorily appears that the will was
drawn solely by the testator, and that he was unacquainted with such technical sense.
Art. 792. The invalidity of one of several dispositions contained in a will does not
result in the invalidity of the other dispositions, unless it is to be presumed that the testator
would not have made such other dispositions if the first invalid disposition had not been
made.
Balane: General rule: Severability. A flaw does not affect the other provisions. Exception: If it
was meant that they were to be operative together as seen in the will.
Art. 793. Property acquired after the making of a will shall only pass thereby, as if
the testator had possessed it at the time of making the will, should it expressly appear by the
will that such was his intention.
Balane: This is a new provision. It is better if this was not placed here. Why? Bec. prop.
acquired after the making of the will will not pass unless there is a clear intention or express
provisions that the prop. will be passed by the testator. E.g., I give as legacy to M my cars. I
only had 2 cars when I executed the will. After w/c I acquired 15 more cars. When I die, how
many cars will she get? Following Art. 793, she will get only 2 cars. The additional cars are not
included.
General rule: After acquired property shall not pass.
Exception: If the will provides otherwise. If he said "all my cars when I die, " then M
gets all 17 cars.
COMMENT: This is crazy. Art. 793 is inconsistent w/ Art. 777. At the time of the death, the
succession will open. As such, all cars should be given.
But the law should be applied as it is. No matter how inconsistent it is as pointed out by
Tolentino. For as lawyers, you should advise your clients to be clear or clarify everything to
avoid this ambiguity. Tell your clients to specify "as of the time of my death."
The solution to this inconsistency bet. the 2 articles is to repeal Art. 793.
Art. 794. Every devise or legacy shall convey all the interest which the testator
could devise or bequeath in the property disposed of, unless it clearly appears from the will
that he intended to convey a less interest.
Balane: General rule: Legacy or devise will pass exactly the interest of the testator over the
property.
Exception: Unless it appears from the will that he is giving less.

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Compiled and Edited by RAM

Compiled and Edited by RAM

d. B goes out and stands behind the wall. He cannot see A. B is also
talking to F. Is a signing in B's presence? NO.
(ii) Nera v. Rimando.-- Actual seeing is not required. What is required is that
the person required to be present must have been able to see the signing, if he wanted to do so, by
casting his eyes in the proper direction. His line of vision must not be impeded by a wall or
curtain. This is a question of fact for the lower court to determine. Blind witnesses are therefore
disqualified.
2. Attested and subscribed by at least three credible witnesses in the testator's presence and
of one another.
a. Q: Can the testator sign first not in the witness' presence, then let the witnesses sign?
No. Art. 805 requires that the testator should sign at their presence (Vda. de Ramos case.) There
is some inconsistency here but we have to follow Art. 805.
Q: Can the validity be affected if the witness signed ahead of the testator?
A: No. Provided it is made in one occasion or transaction. However, in strict theory, it can not
be done bec. before the testator signed there is no will at all w/c the witnesses can sign and attest
to. If there is more than one transaction, then the testator must always sign ahead of the
witnesses.
b.

Attestation
--visual act
--witness

Subscribing
-- manual act
-- sign

Compiled and Edited by RAM

the documentary stamp invalidate the will? No. The absence of the documentary stamp does not
affect the validity of the will. Its only effect is to prevent it from being presented as evidence.
The solution is to buy a documentary stamp and attach it to the will.
3. Javellana v. Ledesma.-- The case deals w/ the question of whether or not the
acknowledgement of the will should be done on the same occasion as the execution of the will.
The SC said no. The law does not require that execution and acknowledgement be done on the
same occasion. Acknowledgement may be validly done after execution. In fact, the testator and
the witnesses do not have to acknowledge together. You can acknowledge one by one. The law
does not require it to be made simultaneously. As long as the testator maintains his testamentary
capacity and the witnesses maintain their witnessing capacity until the last person acknowledges,
then the will is valid. However, if the testator dies before the last person acknowledges, then the
will is not valid. The will is considered as being unacknowledged.
4. Questions.
Q1: Can a witness be an agent who will sign for the testator?
A1:
(a) Yes. There is no prohibition.
(b) No. The testator must sign before 3 witnesses. He cannot sign before
himself.
To be safe, do not let this happen. As the lawyer, be sure you have at least 3 witnesses.
Q2: Is there any particular order of signing?
A2:
(a) No. As long as the signing is done on one occasion or one continuing
transaction.
(b) Yes. If the signing is not done on one occasion or transaction. In such a
case, there is nothing that the witness is attesting to.

Articles 807 and 808 are special additional requirements which are mandatory.
Art. 807. If the testator be deaf, or a deaf-mute, he must personally read the will, if
able to do so; otherwise, he shall designate two persons to read it and communicate to him,
in some practicable manner, the contents thereof.
Balane: This provision lists down a special requirement if a notarial will is executed by a deafmute testator.
1. There are two cases contemplated: (1) If the testator can read, then he must read the will
personally; (2) If illiterate, then 2 persons must read the will and communicate to him the
meaning of the will in some practicable manner.
2. The law is not clear if the 2 persons reading it to him would do it separately or in consonance.
3. These additional requirements are mandatory by perfect analogy to the case of Garcia v.
Vasquez..

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Art. 808. If the testator is blind, the will shall be read to him twice; once, by one of
the subscribing witnesses, and again, by the notary public before whom the will is
acknowledged.
Balane:
1. If the testator is blind, the will must be read to him twice: (1) by one of the subscribing
witnesses; and (2) by the notary public, not necessarily in that order.
2.
a. Is the provision mandatory? Yes. If this is not followed, the will is void. (Garcia v.
Vasquez.)
In the case, the will was read to the testator only once. The SC denied probate of the will
for failing to comply w/ the requirements of Art. 808. Such failure is a formal defect.
b. Can this be presumed? No.
c. Can this be proven to have been complied w/ by competent evidence? Yes. In the
absence of w/c the will is void. Such fact or reading must be proven by evidence during the
probate proceedings.
3. Purpose: The reading is mandatory for the purpose of making known to the testator the
provision of the will so that he may object if it is not in accordance w/ his wishes.
Art. 809. In the absence of bad faith, forgery, or fraud, or undue and improper
pressure and influence, defects and imperfections in the form of attestation or in the
language used therein shall not render the will invalid if it is proved that the will was in fact
executed and attested in substantial compliance with all the requirements of article 805.
Balane: This is a liberalization rule, an attempt to liberalize Articles 804 to 808. Substantial
compliance w/ Articles 805 and 806 will validate the will despite some defects in the attestation
clause.
Looking at Art. 809, you get the impression of utmost liberalization. We can not
determine how liberal we can be or can we go. This article does not give a clear rule. JBL Reyes
and Tolentino suggest that you make a distinction.
Guide: If the defect is something that can be remedied by the visual examination of the
will itself, liberalize. If not, then you have to be strict.
Illustration: If in an attestation clause, the number of pages used was not stated, then you can
liberalize bec. by examining the will itself, you can detect the defect. This is bec. the pagination
of statement in the attestation clause is merely a double check.
If the attestation clause failed to state that "the testator signed in the presence of
witnesses," and this can not be remedied by visual examination of the will, then you need to be
strict.
Suggested amendment of the law: "If such defect and imperfections can be supplied by
examination of the will itself and it is proved."
Articles 810 to 814.-- Provisions on Holographic Wills.
Art. 810. A person may execute a holographic will which must be entirely written,
dated, and signed by the hand of the testator himself. It is subject to no other form, and may
be made in or out of the Philippines, and need not be witnessed.

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Balane:
A.
Advantages:
1. Cheaper, simple, easier to revise, no notary public needed
2. Absolute secrecy is guaranteed- only you, the father and the members of the family
will know its contents.
Disadvantages:
1. Precisely bec. it guarantees secrecy and is simpler, it is also easier to falsify-- less
people you need to collude w/-- only yourself, but in attested will, you need at least four (4) other
people.
2. It may not express testator's wishes due to faulty expression
3. No protection against causes vitiating consent bec. there are no witnesses-- danger is
higher.
4. Does not reveal testamentary capacity of testator due to lack of witnesses
5. Easier to conceal than an attested will.-- you can allege that no will was made
6. Generally, danger of ambiguity is greater than in attested wills.-- bec. testator is not a
lawyer, he may not understand technical and legal words. In attested will, the testator is assisted
by a lawyer.
JBL Reyes opines that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. He suggested a
middle ground, a mystic will (testamento cerrado.) It is not as strict as a notarial will, but not as
fraught w/ risks as a holographic will. This kind of will is sealed in an envelope and brought to
the notary who puts his seal and signs to authenticate, and it will be opened only upon the death
of the testator. This kind of will minimizes the risk of fraud and protects the privacy of the
testator.
B. Real Requirements.-- MANDATORY.-- must be by the hand of the testator himself.
1. Written entirely by the testator
E.g.,

(a) If partly by the testator and partly by another person, VOID

(b) If another person wrote an additional part w/o knowledge of the testator, the
will is VALID but the addition is VOID.
(c) If another person wrote an additional part w/ the knowledge of the testator,
VOID.
2. Dated
a.
(1) Roxas v. de Jesus.-- On the will, the date was written as "Feb./ 61." Is it
valid? Yes.
General rule: Day, month and year must be indicated.
Exception: When there is no appearance of fraud, bad faith, undue influence, and
pressure and the authenticity of the will is established, and the only issue is whether or not
"Feb./61" is valid, then it should be allowed under the principle of substantial compliance.
COMMENT: I am not happy w/ the decision bec. the period covers one whole month. One of
the purposes is to know when it was executed, specially in the cases where there are other wills.
Example, another will dated Feb. 17/ 61. As such, it is dangerous to say that "Feb./61" is
sufficient.

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(2) Labrador v. Ca.-- In this case , the date was indicated in the body of the will
as part of the narration. Is this valid? Yes. It is not necessary that the will be separate from the
body. In fact, it can be anywhere in the will as long as the date appears in the will.
b. If the date is proven wrong, then its validity depends on whether the error is deliberate
or not. If deliberate, the will is considered not dated and the will is void. If not deliberate, the
date will be considered as the true date.
c. Date is usually written by putting the day, month, and year. However, other ways may
be adopted such as "Christmas day of 1995."
3. Signature.-- Commentators have said that the signature must consist of the testator's
writing his name down. The reason for this is since he is able to write his will, then he is literate
enough to write his name.
C.
1. Are holographic wills in letters allowed? Yes, provided there is an intent on the part of
the testator to dispose of the property in the letters and the 3 requisites are present.
E.g., "I give you 1/2 of my estate as provided for in the document I kept in the safe."
This is a holographic will bec. the letter does not in itself dispose of the property.
2. Can a blind testator make a holographic will? Yes. There is no form required. What
is important is the presence of the 3 requisites.
Art. 811. In the probate of a holographic will, it shall be necessary that at least one
witness who knows the handwriting and signature of the testator explicitly declare that the
will and the signature are in the handwriting of the testator. If the will is contested, at least
three of such witnesses shall be required.
In the absence of any competent witness referred to in the preceding paragraph, and
if the court deem it necessary, expert testimony may be resorted to.
Balane:
Requirements in the Probate of Holographic Wills:
1. Documentary Requirement
a. General rule: The will itself must be presented
Gan v. Yap.-- In the case, the proponent of the supposed will sought to establish its
contents through extrinsic evidence. The SC denied such attempt to probate a holographic will
that was not presented before the court. The SC said that the actual will should be presented to
the court. The reason is that the will itself is the only material proof of authenticity. How can
they oppose the will if the will is not there?
E.g., You are presented in the probate court the bloody test papers of A in Civil Law, just
to show the handwriting of A, but you do not have the will. How will you compare when you do
not have any will to be compared. But if the will is there, I would be the first one to prove your
handwriting by showing your bloody test papers. (Balane.)
Exception: If there is an existing copy or duplicate photostatic xerox.
Rodelas v. Aranza.-- In the case, the proponent of the will sought to present a copy of the
holographic will to the court. The court allowed the production of the copy. The basis of this

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Compiled and Edited by RAM

acceptance is the footnote no. 8 in the case of Gan v. Yan where the court said that "perhaps if a
photostatic copy is presented..."
The merit of the Rodelas case is doubtful.. Authenticity of the will is based on the
handwriting and the signature. Handwriting experts use as a bases the penlifts of the writer. In
photocopies, penlifts are not discernible and so the experts are deprived of their basis in
determining the authenticity of the will.
b. Lost holographic wills can not be probated even by the testimonies of the witnesses.
The reason is that the will itself is the only proof of its authenticity.
2. Testimonial Requirement
a. Uncontested will.-- only one witness to identify the signature and handwriting of the
testator.
b. Contested will.-- three witnesses to identify the signature and handwriting of the
testator.
Azaola v. Singson.-- In the case, the oppositors of the will contested the will on the
ground that it was executed through fraud. They, however, admitted its due execution. During
the case, the proponent presented only one witness to identify the signature and handwriting of
the testator. Is one witness sufficient considering there is an oppositor to the will?
Yes. The SC held that one witness is sufficient. What the law envisions is that the
genuineness of the handwriting and signature be contested. Contested holographic will refers to
the challenge by the oppossitors that the will is not in the handwriting of the deceased. The
oppossitors in this case did not challenge the handwriting of the deceased. Their ground for
opposing probate is that the will was executed through fraud and improper and undue influence.
Hence, the probate required only one witness.
The authenticity of the will is not contested. Therefore, the will itself, not being
contested was that of the testator. The oppossitors here precisely admit that authenticity of the
will but oppose on the ground that there is fraud or undue influence initiated upon her in the
execution of the will. Hence, it is uncontested.
Obiter dictum: The three witness provision for contested holographic will is merely
directory. The court upon satisfying itself of the authenticity of the will can require one or ten
witnesses. The judge knows best. The second paragraph of Art. 811 gives the court discretion,
hence the directory effect of the Art.-- (a) it is a matter of quality and not quantity; (b) to require
3 witnesses, makes it worse than treason, w/c requires only 2 witnesses.
Which is better? One who testify but w/ unquestioned credibility or 20 AVSECOM
witnesses? So do not rely on the quantity. The case of Azaola is merely a guide and interprets
Art. 811 for us. It is not mandatory. It always depends on the judge.
Art. 812. In holographic wills, the dispositions of the testator written below his
signature must be dated and signed by him in order to make them valid as testamentary
dispositions.
Balane: To authenticate additional dispositions, the same must be signed and dated by the
testator.
Art. 813. When a number of dispositions appearing in a holographic will are signed
without being dated, and the last disposition has a signature and date, such date validates
the dispositions preceding it, whatever be the time of prior dispositions.

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Balane: If a will has several additions, the testator has two options:
(1) Sign each disposition and sign and date the last; or
(2) Sign and date each one of the additions.
Art. 814. In case of any insertion, cancellation, erasure or alteration in a
holographic will, the testator must authenticate the same by his full signature.
Balane: Insertion, Cancellation, Erasure, or Alteration.-- Authenticate by "full signature,"
that is, in the manner the testator usually signs his name.
Kalaw v. Relova.-- In the case, there were 2 alterations. In the first alteration, the name
of Rosa as sole heir was crossed out and Gregorio's name was inserted. In the second alteration,
the name of Rosa as executor was crossed out and Gregorio's name was inserted. The second
alteration was initialed. Are the alterations valid? No.
Alteration 1: Not signed, thus, not valid.
Alteration 2: Initialed, thus, not valid; it must be full signature.
Gregorio cannot inherit as a sole heir bec. it was not authenticated. Rosa cannot inherit
as sole heir bec. her name was crossed out. This indicated a change of mind on the part of the
testator. The SC held that a change done by cancellation and putting in a new name, w/o the full
signature, is not valid. As such, the probate is denied and they both inherit by intestacy.
Balane: Rosa should inherit as sole heir. The cancellation was not done properly since it
was not signed. The effect is as if the cancellation was not done. If the testator wants to change
his mind, he should reflect it in the proper way.
Q: How do we make a change in a notarial will?
A: There is no provision of law dealing on this. The ordinary rules of evidence will apply. To
prove change, the testator should affix either his signature or initials. The best way, however, is
to have the testator and notary public sign.
Articles 815 to 817.-- Laws which govern formal execution
according to the place of execution.
Art. 815. When a Filipino is in a foreign country, he is authorized to make a will in
any of the forms established by the law of the country in which he may be. Such will may
be probated in the Philippines.
Art. 816. The will of an alien who is abroad produces effect in the Philippines if
made with the formalities prescribed by the law of the place in which he resides, or
according to the formalities observed in his country, or in conformity with those which this
Code prescribes.
Art. 817. A will made in the Philippines by a citizen or subject of another country,
which is executed in accordance with the law of the country of which he is a citizen or
subject, and which might be proved and allowed by the law of his own country, shall have
the same effect as if executed according to the laws of the Philippines.

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Balane:
1. Four combinations as to situation:
a. Filipino makes a will here
b. Filipino makes a will abroad.
c. Foreigner makes a will here.
d. Foreigner makes a will abroad.
2. What law governs the validity of will?
a. Intrinsic.-- the national law of the testator
b. Time.-- At the time of death.
c. Place.-- the same for Filipinos and aliens. The same rule wherever you make your
will. You have five (5) choices-- the law of
1. The testator's citizenship
2. Testator's domicile
3. Place of execution
4. Testator's residence
5. Philippines.
Example, an Argentine citizen, domiciled in France, residing in Belgium visiting the Phils. In
Japan, he executed a will. He may choose among the five (5) places as to what law shall govern
the formal requirements of his will.
If Ruben executed a will in Makati, he will have to follow Philippine law bec. all the
choices points to that only.

Art. 818. Two or more persons cannot make a will jointly, or in the same instrument,
either for their reciprocal benefit or for the benefit of a third person.
Balane: 1. Definitions.-- (a) A joint will is one document w/c serves as the will of 2 persons;
this is prohibited; (b) A reciprocal will involves 2 instruments reciprocally making each other
heir; this is not prohibited.
2. Elements of a Joint Will: (a) one single instrument; (b) it is the will of 2 or more persons.
3.

Q: Why are Joint Wills Prohibited?

A:
(a) It encourages undue influence, murder, or attempt to kill the other bec.
generally, joint wills benefit each other.
(b) It runs counter to the idea that wills are revocable. It makes revocation more
difficult. E.g., tearing it up-- destroys the will of another.
(c) It undermines the personal element of a will.-- It becomes a multiple will.
4. Examples:
a. One sheet of paper. On each side is a will of one person. Is it valid? Yes, bec. there
are 2 documents.
b. One sheet of paper. On the front page, on the upper half is a will of A. On the bottom
half is the will of B. Is it valid? Yes. This is not a joint will bec. there are still 2 documents.
4. In Germany, joint wills are allowed only if executed by the spouses.

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5. The presumption is that wills are valid. The fault probably is in the wording of the law. Joint
will-- one instrument. What the law prohibits is not 2 wills on the same sheet of paper but joint
wills.
Art. 819. Wills, prohibited by the preceding article, executed by Filipinos in a
foreign country shall not be valid in the Philippines, even though authorized by the laws of
the country where they may have been executed.
Balane:
1. This provision is an exception to the rule enunciated in Articles 815 to 817 that for Filipinos,
as long as the will is valid in the place of execution, then it is valid in the Phils.
2. Filipinos, whether here or abroad, cannot execute joint wills. It is against public policy.
3. Can aliens execute joint wills?
a. If executed in the country where it is allowed, YES, it may be probated here.
b. If made here and their country allows them to do this? There are 2 views on this:
(i) Yes, follow the personal law.
(ii) No bec. it is against public policy.
Subsection 4.-- Witnesses to Wills.
Art. 820. Any person of sound mind and of the age of eighteen years or more, and
not blind, deaf or dumb, and able to read and write, may be a witness to the execution of a
will mentioned in article 805 of this Code.
Art. 821. The following are disqualified from being witnesses to a will:
(1) Any person not domiciled in the Philippines;
(2) Those who have been convicted of falsification of a document, perjury or false
testimony.
Balane: Articles 820 and 821 may be taken together. These provisions are applicable only to
attested wills and not to holographic wills.
Six Qualifications of Witnesses to Wills or Requisites for Competence to be a Witness:
a. Sound Mind.-- Ability to comprehend what he is doing, same as soundness of mind
for contracts.
b. At least 18 yrs or over.-- Computed according to the calendar year.
c. Not Blind, deaf and mute/ dumb.-- This is important bec. these are the three senses
you use for witnessing.
d. Able to read and write.-- Literate. Some commentators say thumb mark is not
sufficient for witnesses; he has to affix his signature.
e. He must be domiciled in the Philippines.

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Q: If a will is executed abroad in a place where there is no one domiciled in the Phils.
although there are Filipino citizens not domiciled in the Phils., does domicile requirement still
apply?
A: There are two answers for all theory
1. Yes bec. the law does not distinguish
2. No, there is an implied qualification.-- The rule applies in wills executed in
the Phils.
To be practical, there are two solutions:
1. You have 5 choices as to w/c law governs. Choose any.
2. Just execute a holographic will.
f. He must not have been convicted of falsification of document, perjury or false
testimony.
Q: Why not rape?
A: Bec. chastity has nothing to do w/ truthfulness. Truthfulness is the gauge.
Gonzales v. CA.-- In the case, the oppossitor of the probate alleged that the will cannot
be probated bec. the proponent was not able to prove that the 3 witnesses were credible. She
claims that Art. 805 requires that witnesses must be credible as shown in the evidence of record.
Is the oppossitor correct? No. Under the law, there is no mandatory requirement that the
proponent of the will prove the credibility of the witnesses to the will. Such credibility is
presumed. However, the oppossitor may prove otherwise by presenting evidence. The SC also
said that credibility is determined by the manner the witness testifies in court. In other words,
credibility depends on how much the court appreciates and believes his testimony. Social
standing or financial position has nothing to do w/ a witness' credibility. Lastly, the SC said that
competency and credibility are different. A witness to a will is competent if he has all the
qualifications and none of the disqualifications to be a witness while credibility depends on the
appreciation of the court of the testimony of the witness.
Art. 822. If the witnesses attesting the execution of a will are competent at the time
of attesting, their becoming subsequently incompetent shall not prevent the allowance of the
will.
Balane: Competency or capacity to be a witness: (1) is determined at the time of witnessing;
(2) must have the six qualifications. In effect, this is the same rule in testamentary capacity.

Art. 823. If a person attests the execution of a will, to whom or to whose spouse, or
parent, or child, a devise or legacy is given by such will, such devise or legacy shall, so far
only as concerns such person, or spouse, or parent, or child of such person, or any one
claiming under such person or spouse, or parent, or child, be void, unless there are three
other competent witnesses to such will. However, such person so attesting shall be admitted
as a witness as if such devise or legacy had not been made or given.
Balane: This is a misplaced provision. It should not be put here but on the section on the
disqualification to inherit. It does not tell us that it incapacitates a witness. It tells us of the
incapacity of a witness to succeed.

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a. Art. 1032.-- Unworthiness to succeed, e.g., I instituted P as heiress, after which she
killed my parents. The will instituting her as heiress is revoked by implication of law.
b. Art. 957.-- Deals w/ the devise or legacy.-- transformation of the property by the
testator, e.g., If I converted to a subdivision the fishpond w/c I gave to T as devise.
c. Art. 106.-- Legal separation. The guilty spouse, who gave the ground for legal
separation, will not inherit and anything given to her is impliedly taken away by law.
d. Art. 854.-- Preterition annuls the institution of heirs.
2. By Subsequent Instrument, Will or Codicil:
a. Requisites:
1. Capacity to revoke.-- Insane persons can not revoke
2. Revoking instrument, will or codicil must be valid
3. Revoking instrument, will or codicil must contain either a revoking clause
(express) or be incompatible (implied)
4. Revoking will must be probated bec. w/o probating, it can not have the effect
of revocation.
b. Such revocation may either be:
1. Express.-- Contains an express revocatory clause
2. Implied.-- Provisions of subsequent will are incompatible with the provisions
of the prior will. It may either be: (i) total when all the provisions are incompatible; (ii) partial
when only some provisions are incompatible.
3. By physical Destruction.-- This is the most unlimited way of revocation bec. it covers any
act of physical destruction. It is not an exclusive list but more or less covers everything
Elements:
a. Corpus.-- Act of destruction-- completion of intent-- all acts needed to revoke have
been done
Q: Must it be total destruction?
A: No. As long as evidence on the face of the will shows act to revoke.
b. Animus.-- Intent and capacity to revoke.
Both elements must concur.
Examples:
a. A blind testator asked his nurse to give him his will. The nurse gave him his old
letters. The testator thinking it is his will, threw it into the fire. In this case, there is animus but
no corpus. Revocation is ineffective.
b. I threw my civil law exams. But it turned out it was my will. Revocation is not valid.
There is no animus or intent to revoke.
Notes:

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2. will 3 reproduces provisions of Will 1.

Why crazy? Bec. this is contrary to established principles in succession.

Succession Principle
1. Will takes effect upon death.

Art. 837
1. Gives the will 2 effects ante mortem,
even if the testator is still alive. It
makes the will operative even if the
testator is alive.

2. Revocability of wills.

2. Makes it irrevocable.

B. Applies only when revocation of will 1 by will 2 is express.

By contrary implication, if revocation of will 1 by will 2 is implied, then revocation of
will 2 by will 3 will revive will 1 except if will 3 is incompatible w/ will 1. In such cases, Art.
837 does not apply.
Subsection 8.-- Allowance and Disallowance of Wills.
Art. 838. No will shall pass either real or personal property unless it is proved and
allowed in accordance with the Rules of Court.
The testator himself ma, during his lifetime, petition the court having jurisdiction
for the allowance of his will. In such case, the pertinent provisions of the Rules of Court for
the allowance of wills after the testator's death shall govern.
The Supreme Court shall formulate such additional Rules of Court as may be
necessary for the allowance of wills on petition of the testator.
Subject to the right of appeal, the allowance of the will, either during the lifetime of
the testator or after his death, shall be conclusive as to its due execution.
Balane: Probate is mandatory.
There are 2 kinds of probate: (a) ante-mortem at the instance of the testator; (b) postmortem at the instance of any interested party.
Effect: It is subject to appeal but once final, it becomes conclusive or res judicata as to
its due execution and testamentary capacity of the testator (extrinsic validity.)
Advantages of Ante-mortem Probate:
1. It eases the mind of the testator
2. There is opportunity to change

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3. You can prove the capacity of the testator

Disadvantage of Ante-mortem Probate.-- otios-- superfluous, futile. Why? Bec. the testator
can easily make a subsequent will revoking it. So unless the testator is very sure, it might be
useless to have an ante-mortem probate.
The issue in probate is the extrinsic or formal validity of the will.
General rule: Intrinsic or substantive validity is not in issue.
Exception: There is an intrinsic defect on the face of the will.
Nepomoceno v. CA.-- In the case, the testator left his entire estate to his legal wife and
children but devised the free portion to his common-law wife. When the common-law wife
sought the probate of the will, the CA declared the will valid, but held the devise to the commonlaw wife null and void for being contrary to Art. 739 of the NCC. In effect, the court ruled on
the intrinsic validity of the will in the probate proceedings. Was the holding of the CA correct?
The SC held that it was correct. Although the general rule is that only extrinsic validity could be
at issue during the probate, this rule is not absolute. Given exceptional circumstances, the
probate court may do what the situation constrains it to do by passing upon certain provisions of
the will. Clearly, the devise for the common-law wife was void. The CA had the authority to rule
on such nullity. It would be practical for the court to rule on such an obvious matter. Otherwise,
the probate might become an idle ceremony if on its face it appears to be intrinsically void.
Gallanosa v. Arcangel- Probate are proceedings in rem and are mandatory. If the probate
is allowed, it becomes conclusive as to its extrinsic validity which provides that:
1. The testator was of sound mind when he executed the will.
2. The testator was not acting under duress or fraud-- his consent was not vitiated
3. The will was executed in accordance w/ the formalities required by law
4. The will is genuine and not a forgery
Q: What if after the probate court becomes final a person was charged w/ forgery of the will, can
he can he be convicted?
A: No, the probate is conclusive as to the will's genuineness even against the state.
De la Cerna v. Rebeca-Potot.-- This case involves a joint will executed by a husband and
a wife. The husband died before the wife and the will was probated. Now, the wife died and the
testamentary heirs sought the probate of the will. Will the will be probated? No. The SC held
that the first probate was valid only as to the share of the husband. However, such earlier probate
cannot be applied for the share of the wife bec. she was still living at the time the first probate
was made. As such, there is no res judicata as to the share of the wife. As to the wife, since it is
against a joint will, then it is void and her property will pass by intestacy.
Art. 839. The will shall be disallowed in any of the following cases:
(1) If the formalities required by law have not been complied with;
(2) If the testator was insane, or otherwise mentally incapable of making a will, at
the time of its execution;
(3) If it was executed through force or under duress, or the influence of fear, or
threats;

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(4) If it was procured by undue and improper pressure and influence, on the part of
the beneficiary or of some other person;
(5) If the signature of the testator was procured by fraud;
(6) If the testator acted by mistake or did not intend that the instrument he signed
should be his will at the time of affixing his signature thereto.
Balane: This enumeration is exclusive. They either make the will void or valid. There is no such
thing as a voidable will.
1. Formalities.-- Art. 805 et seq.
2. Insanity.-- Art. 799
3. Force.-- violence-- Art. 1335 par. 1
Duress-- intimidation-- Art. 1335 par. 2
4. Undue and Improper pressure and influence.-- Art. 1337
5. Fraud.-- Art. 1338
6. Mistake.-- Art. 1331.
Section 2.-- Institution of Heir.
Art. 840. Institution of heir is an act by virtue of which a testator designates in his
will the person or persons who are to succeed him in his property and transmissible rights
and obligations.
Balane: The rules on institution of heir also apply to devisees and legatees.

Art. 841. A will shall be valid even though it should contain an institution of an heir,
or such institution should not comprise the entire estate, and even though the person so
instituted should not accept the inheritance or should be inacapacitated to succeed.
In such cases the testamentary dispositions made in accordance with law shall be
complied with and the remainder of the estate shall pass to the legal heirs.
Balane: 1. Even if there is no institution of an heir, the will is valid, but it is useless unless it
acknowledges an illegitimate child or disinherits a compulsory heir.
2. If the institution does not cover the entire estate, the excess shall either go to the compulsory
heirs or by intestacy. (Mixed succession.)
3. How much can the testator dispose of from his estate? He can dispose all, except when there
are compulsory heirs. In such a case, he can only dispose of the free portion.
4. General rule: If the will does not institute an heir, it need not be probated.
Exception: Even if it does not institute an heir, if any of the following are present:
a. When the will recognizes an illegitimate child;
b. When it disinherits a compulsory heir;
c. When it instituted an executor.

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5. If the instituted heir should repudiate or be incapacitated to inherit, then legal succession takes
place.
Art. 842. One who has no compulsory heirs may dispose by will of all his estate or
any part of it in favor of any person having capacity to succeed.
One who has compulsory heirs may dispose of his estate provided he does not
contravene the provisions of this Code with regard to the legitime of said heirs.
Balane:
X -------- spouse
/ | \
A B C
X has a spouse and 3 children.
Children get 1/2 of the estate\
------- Legitimes
Spouse gets 1/6 of the estate/

Art. 843. The testator shall designate the heir by his name and surname, and when
there are two persons having the same names, he shall indicate some circumstance by which
the instituted heir may be known.
Even though the testator may have omitted the name of the heir, should he designate
him in such manner that there can be no doubt as to who has been instituted, the institution
shall be valid.
Balane: General rule: An heir must be designated by name and surname. This also applies to
devisees and legatees.
If there are 2 or more people having the same name and surname, the testator must
indicate some identifying mark or circumstance to which he may be known, otherwise there may
be a latent ambiguity.
E.g., I institute my cousin A. But I have 3 cousins by the name of A. Unless I give an
identifying mark or circumstance as to w/c cousin A I refer to, there will be a latent ambiguity.
Exception: Even w/o giving the name, the identity of the heir can be ascertained w/
sufficient certainty or clarity, e.g. the present Dean of the UP College of Law, my oldest brother.
What is important is that the identity of the heir be known and not necessarily his name.
Art. 844. An error in the name, surname, or circumstances o f the heir shall not
vitiate the institution when it is possible, in any other manner, to know with certainty the
person instituted.
If among persons having the same names and surnames, there is a similarity of
circumstances in such a way that, even with the use of other proof, the person instituted
cannot be identified, none of them shall be an heir.

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What do you do w/ the excess of P2,500?

1. Get the LCD, 12
A = 6/12, B = 4/12, C = 3/12
2. Get the ratio of the shares with each other
A (6) : B (4) : C (3) - 6 + 4 + 3 = 13
3. Multiply the excess by the share of each heir in the ratio in number 2.
For A, 6/13 x 2,500 = 1,153.84
For B, 4/13 x 2,500 = 769.23
For C, 3/13 x 2,500 = 576.93
4. Subtract the results in number 3 from what each heir was to receive initially.
For A, 15,000 - 1,153.84 = 13,846.16
For B, 10,000 - 769.23 = 9,230.77
For C, 7,500 - 576.93 = 6,923.07
5. Add the figures in number 4 to make sure it equals to the value of the whole estate.
13,846.16 + 9,230.77 + 6,923.07 = 30,000
Note: 6. If you want to get the inheritance of each right away, multiply the ration in number 3
by the value of the estate.
For A, 6/13 x 30,000 = 13,846.16
For B, 4/13 x 30,000 = 9,230.77
For C, 3/13 x 30,000 = 6,923.07
Q: If the testator makes 3 wills.
Will 1-- "I give 40% of my estate to A."
Will 2-- "I give 40% of my estate to B."
Will 3-- "I give 40% of my estate to C."
How will the estate by divided? There are two answers.
1. 1/3 will go to each. Apply Art. 853.
2. C gets 40%, B gets 30%, and A gets 30%. Assume the third will is incompatible to the
first 2.
Art. 854. The preterition or omission of one, some, or all of the compulsory heirs in
the direct line, whether living at the time of the execution of the will or born after the death
of the testator, shall annul the institution of heir; but the devisees and legacies shall be valid
insofar as they are not inofficious.
If the omitted compulsory heirs should die before the testator, the institution shall
be effectual, without prejudice to the right to representation.
Balane:
A. Clarification:

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1. "Whether living at the time of the execution of the will or born after the death of the
testator." This does not cover all the possibilities. What about those born after the execution of
the will but before the death of the testator? Art. 854 also covers them, just an oversight.
2. Extends protection only to "compulsory heirs in the direct line." Is this redundant?
Aren't compulsory heirs in the direct line? No. Spouses are compulsory heirs not in the direct
line.
So what is the remedy of the wife who has been omitted? Demand her legitime.
Compulsory heirs in the direct line cover only ascendants and descendants.
B. Preterition.-- "praeter" means "to go beyond" -- not enough to know the meaning.
1. Who is a person preterited?
Manresa.-- "Complete omission from the will" -- Wrong! Why? It presupposes
that if mentioned in the will, then the heir is not preterited. However, whether you are mentioned
in the will or not has no effect on the preterition.
Illustrations:
(1) I have a son, A. The will states "I give 1/2 to B." A is not preterited
bec. he gets the other half.
(2) I have a son, A. The will states "I give 1/3 to B and 1/3 to C." A is
not preterited bec. he gets the other 1/3. His legitime, however, is impaired.
(3) I have a son, A. The will states "I give 1/2 to B, 1/2 to B, and to A,
all my love." A, even if mentioned in the will, was preterited.
Preterition occurs if the heir receives nothing from the inheritance by way of
testamentary disposition, devise, legacy, intestacy, or donation inter vivos.
2. Situations
a. Heir is mentioned but nothing is left to him-- Heir is preterited if he receives
nothing by intestacy.
b. Heir is instituted in the will but the part she is instituted in is less than her
legitime.-- There is no preterition.
Reyes v. Barreto-Datu.-- In the case, Lucia received a part of the estate through a
judicially approved project of partition w/c was based on the will of her father. However, it was
found out later on that he Salud was not really the child of her parents. As such, Lucia sought to
annul the institution of Salud as heir claiming that she was preterited. The SC held that she was
not preterited be. she had received a part of the estate. There is no preterition if the heir is given
testamentary disposition, even if it be less than her legitime. The remedy of the heir is for the
completion of her legitime pursuant to Art. 906.
3. Definition of preterition.-- Preterition happens when the compulsory heirs in the
direct line are totally omitted from the inheritance, that is the heir got nothing by way of
testamentarry disposition, donation, legacy, devise or intestacy.
C. Who can be preterited?
1. Legitimate children-- Yes.
2. Illegitimate children-- Yes. The law makes no distinction.
3. Parents, whether legitimate or illegitimate.-- Yes.

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Nuguid v. Nuguid.-- In the case, Rosa died having 6 brothers and sisters and her parents.
However, she instituted one of her sisters as her universal heir. The parents opposed the probate
claiming they were preterited. The SC held that the parents were preterited. As such, the
institution of the sister as universal heir is void. The estate will be distributed by intestacy. The
SC further stated that just bec. you are an heir, but not a compulsory heir, it does not mean that
you will receive anything. If compulsory heirs in the direct line are preterited, and the free
portion had already been devised to other people, the annulment of the institution of heir will in
effect anull your institution. Also, when the law says devise or legacy, this is used in its ordinary
sense. The claim of the sister that her institution as a universal heir is equivalent to a devise is
untenable. If such were accepted, it would render Art. 854 useless.
4. Grandparents.-- Yes.
5. Spouse.-- No.
6. Adopted child.-- Yes.
Acain v. Acain.-- In the case, Acain left his estate to his brothers, completely omitting his
wife and legally adopted daughter. As such, the two opposed the probate of the will claiming
they were preterited. The SC held that the adopted child was preterited but not the wife. A wife
is not a compulsory heir in the direct line so she cannot be preterited. With respect to the adopted
child, it is different. Under Art. 39 of PD 603, adoption gives to the adopted person the same
rights and duties as if he were a legitimate child of the adopter and makes the adopted person a
legal heir of the adopter. The SC further stated that since there were no devises or legacies, and a
compulsory heir was preterited, the effect is, as if nothing was written in the will. The whole
estate will be distributed by intestacy.
D. Effect of preterition.-- "Annul the institution of heir but devises and legacies shall be valid
insofar as they are not inofficious." -- Abrogate, set aside, eliminate, cancel.
1. Effect of preterition (of parents) when there are no devises or legacies (Nuguid case)-whole will is considered inexistent.
2. If there are devises or legacies.-- Set aside only the institution of heirs but not the
institution of devisees and legatees. If the devise and legacy exceed the free portion, decrease the
devise and legacy.
Solano v. CA.-- This case made a wrong decision. It made the effect of preterition the
reduction of the share of the instituted heir rather than annulling the whole institution of heir.
Acain v. IAC.-- This case restored the correct interpretation laid down in Nuguid that
preterition annuls the institution of heirs.
E.g., Testator has son, A. His will states "I give 1/2 of my estate to A and P300,000 to
N." The estate is worth P600,000. How much will each get? N gets 300,000. A gets the other
300,000. M gets nothing.
E. Criticism
1. Why not extend the application to the wife?
2. Why distinguish between heir and devisee and legatee?
NOTE: This is the only case where it is important to know the distinction between heir, on the
one hand, and devisee and legatee on the other.

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Art. 855. The share of a child or descendant omitted in a will must first be taken
from the part of the estate not disposed of by the will, if any; if that is not sufficient, so
much as may be necessary must be taken proportionally from the shares of the other
compulsory heirs.
Balane: This is not a case of preterition. This is a case of completion of legitime.
1. Is this right limited or restricted to a child or descendant? No. It also applies to heirs similarly
situated.
a. spouse
b. parents
c. ascendants.
2. Does this apply to preterition?
a. Yes.-- According to the Code Commission. Their intent was to make Art. 855 apply
to preterition.
b. No.-- If you analyze the provision, it does not refer to preterition. It applies when
something is left to an heir but is less than his legitime.
(i) Incomplete legitime.-- "taken from part not disposed of by will" -- heir will
receive something by intestacy -- no preterition.
(ii) Preterition.-- If the whole estate is disposed of.-- Go to Art. 854.
3. Two errors
a. Why is it limited only to child or descendant? This (article) should be applicable to
any compulsory heir whose legitime is impaired or who receives less than his legitime. (The
latter) may institute an action to complete his legitime.
b. Where do you get the share to complete?
1. Vacant portion (undisposed)
2. If vacant portion is not enough-- "compulsory heirs." -- WRONG. You do
not reduce the shares of compulsory heirs but the shares of testamentary heirs. If the compulsory
heir gets more than his legitime, the excess can be reduced. Why? As to the excess, he is
considered a testamentary heir.
Illustration: A has 3 children, X, Y and Z. His will states "I give X, 1/3 of my estate, A,
1/12 of my estate, and B, 1/2. The estate is worth 600,000.
X = 1/3 = 200,000 - excess 100,000
Z = 1/12 = 50,000 - lacks 50,000
B = 1/2 = 300,000
Y = 0 = 0 - lacks 100,000
Legitime - 300,000/ 3 = 100,000 each.
Lacks 150,000 (Z + Y)
1. Is Y preterited? No. There is 50,000 that he will get by intestacy. Y can demand
completion of his legitime under Art. 855. He can get 50,000 from the undisposed portion. He
just lacks 50,000. Where do you get the deficiency?

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a. If we follow Art. 855, get from the compulsory heirs. In other words, get from
X and Z proportionately. The result is that Z will complain bec. now his legitime would be
incomplete.
b. Get the deficiency proportionally from testamentary heirs. Why? They are not
entitled to any share if it impairs the legitime of the compulsory heirs.
Total lack of legitimes -- 150,000.
1. Get the 50,000 undisposed of -- Lacking only 100,000.
2. Get proportionally from the shares of testamentary heirs.
Testamentary heirs:
X = 100,000 - 25,000
B = 300,000 - 75,000
100,000

Art. 856. A voluntary heir who dies before the testator transmits nothing to his heirs.
A compulsory heir who dies before the testator, a person incapacitated to succeed,
and one who renounces the inheritance, shall transmit no right to his own heirs except in
cases expressly provided for in this Code.
Balane:
Kind of Heir

Predecease

Incapacity

Renunciation

Compulsory

TN
Rep.

TN
No Rep.

Voluntary

TN
Rep.

TN
No Rep.

Intestate

TN
Rep.

Legend:

TN
No

Rep.

TN-- Transmits Nothing

Rep.-- There is Representation
No rep.-- There is no representation.

Observations:
1. There is no transmission of any right from an heir to his own heirs for any of the three cases
(P, I and R.) There is no exception.
2. For voluntary, there is no representation, no matter what the reason for disqualification is
3. For renunciation, there is no representation, no matter what kind of heir.

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Section 3.-- Substitution of Heirs.

Art. 857. Substitution is the appointment of another heir so that he may enter into
the inheritance in default of the heir originally instituted.
Balane:
1. "In default." -- failure to inherit because of: (a) predecease, (b) renunciation or (c)
incapacity.
a. Is it a complete definition? No. It is incomplete bec. default covers or defines only
simple substitution and not fideicommissary substitution.
b. Complete definition.-- Substitution is the appointment of another heir so that he may
enter into the inheritance either in default of the heir originally instituted or after.
Simple.-- Second heir enters after the default of the first
Fideicommissary.-- Second heir enters after the first.
2. Basis for substitution.-- It covers the free portion only.
Bec. it is possible that the testator may have a second preference. In relation to the first
heir instituted, the first is preferred over the substitute. But in default or after the first, the testator
would rather that the inheritance go to the substitute than by intestacy.
Allowing substitution is giving respect to the first and second preference of the testator.
The power to make substitution is based on the power to make testamentary dispositions.
This is really a condition imposed on the institution of heirs.
E.g., A has sons whom he does not want to get the free portion. He wants to give it to B. But B
may die before A. After B, A prefers C to get it. As bet. C and his children, A would rather that C
get it. As such, C is appointed by the testator as B's substitute.
Art. 858. Substitution of heirs may be:
(1) Simple or common;
(2) Brief or compendious;
(3) Reciprocal; or
(4) Fideicommissary.
Balane:
A. Kinds of Substitution:
1. Simple or common (Art. 859.)
2. Fideicommissary. (Art. 863.)
B. Why did we earlier define substitution w/ only 2 kinds? Bec. there are only 2 kinds. Brief
and reciprocal are just variations and not kinds of substitutions. You cannot have a purely
reciprocal substitution. All substitutions are either simple or fideicommissary.
C. In the OCC, there were two others:

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1. Ejemplar.-- A substitution a father was allowed to make bec. his son was insane. This
was a kind of fideicommissary.
2. Popular.-- A substitution a father made in behalf of a child who died before he
reaches 18.
Art. 859. The testator may designate one or more persons to substitute the heir or
heirs instituted in case such heir or heirs should die before him, or should not wish, or
should be incapacitated to accept the inheritance.
A simple substitution, without a statement of the cases to which it refers, shall
comprise the three mentioned in the preceding paragraph, unless the testator has otherwise
provided.
Balane: Simple Substitution.
1. Causes/ grounds for the second heir to inherit in place of the first.
a. Predecease of the first heir
b. Renunciation of the first heir
c. Incapacity of the first heir
2. Two ways of making a simple substitution:
a. Enumerate all the cases.
E.g., "I institute A, in case A predeceases me, or renounces, or is incapacitated to succeed,
then B will substitute him."
b. By just calling it.
E.g., "I institute A, and by way of simple substitution, I institute B as substitute." In such
a case, all the three causes of substitution will apply unless the testator provides otherwise.
Note: The testator may limit the operation of the 3 causes. He can just mention what he wants to
apply, e.g., "I institute A, and if he predeceases me, then B will substitute him." In such a case, B
will only substitute A if A dies before the testator.
However, if the cause is not covered by the causes given in this article, then the estate
will pass by intestacy.
Art. 860. Two or more persons may be substituted for one; and one person for two
or more heirs.
Balane:
1. Brief or Compendious.-- One substitutes for two or more heirs or two or more substitutes for
one heir, e.g., "I institute A to 1/8 of my estate and as his substitute by way of simple substitution,
I designate X and Y."
2. This is just a variation of either simple or fideicommissary.
E.g., simple-- look at the example above.
Fideicommissary-- "I institute A to 1/2 of my estate and impose upon him the
obligation to preserve and transmit the property upon his death to X and Y."
3. Strictly or technically speaking, brief and compendious are not the same. Brief-- 2 or more
for one heir; compendious -- one for two or more heirs.

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Art. 871. The institution of an heir may be made conditionally, or for a certain
purpose or cause.
Balane: This gives the testator the right to make these dispositions. The article did not include an
institution with a term. This is an oversight.
Art. 872. The testator cannot impose any charge, condition or substitution
whatsoever upon the legitimes prescribed in this Code. Should he do so, the same shall be
considered as not imposed.
Balane: General limitation: The testator cannot impair the legitime. Why? Bec. the
testamentary disposition is based on the power to dispose mortis causa. Legitimes, on the other
hand, are passed by operation of law.
This is repeated in Art. 904.
2. Conditions.
Balane: A suspensive condition gives rise to the right if it happens. A resolutory
condition extinguishes the right if it happens.
Kinds of Conditions:
1. Impossible Conditions.
Art. 873. Impossible conditions and those contrary to law or good customs shall be
considered as not imposed and shall in no manner prejudice the heir, even if the testator
should otherwise provide.
Balane: Impossible conditions include those w/c are illegal, against public order and public
policy.
Effect: It nullifies the condition. The condition is deemed as not imposed. The
testamentary disposition becomes pure, absolute and unconditional.
Compare with donations (Art. 727.) and onerous obligations (Art. 1183.)
Art. 727. Illegal or impossible conditions in simple and remuneratory
donations shall be considered as not imposed.
Art. 1183. Impossible conditions, those contrary to good customs or public
policy and those prohibited by law shall annul the obligation which depends upon
them. If the obligation is divisible, that part thereof which is not affected by the
impossible or unlawful condition shall be valid.

Nullifies the Condition

a. Testamentary dispositions
b. Donations.

Nullifies the Obligation

a. Onerous obligations

Why the difference? Testamentary dispositions and donations are acts of liberality. The moving
factor is liberality. If you take away the impossible condition, the moving factor still exists, the
liberality. While in onerous donations, the condition is an element of cause. If the condition is

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impossible, there is a failure of cause. This results in a void obligation. E.g., "I sell you my car if
you impregnate the great blue bear of Antartica and if you pay me P10,000." Since there is an
impossible condition, there is a failure of cause. Since there is no cause, then the obligation is
void.
2. Condition Prohibiting Marriage.
Art. 874. An absolute condition not to contract a first or subsequent marriage shall
be considered as not written unless such condition has been imposed on the widow or
widower by the deceased spouse, or by the latter's ascendants or descendants.
Nevertheless, the rights of usufruct, or an allowance or some personal prestation
may be devised or bequeathed to any person for the time during which he or she should
remain unmarried or in widowhood.
Balane: Distinguish.-1. If the condition is on the first marriage.-- The condition is considered as not imposed.
E.g., "I give 1/3 of my estate to A if she does not get married." The condition is
considered as not imposed.
2. If the condition is imposed on the second marriage.-- General rule: The condition is
deemed as not imposed.
Exception: Valid if imposed by: (a) spouse; (b) ascendants of spouse; (c) descendants
of spouse.
Example:
General rule: "I give 1/3 of my estate to Mr. A on the condition that if he
should be widowed, he will not get married." The condition is deemed as not imposed here.
Exception: "I give the entire free portion of my estate to my husband A on the condition
that if I predecease him, he will not get married." The condition is valid in this case.
Other Situations:
1. What about a condition to contract marriage? Valid bec. it is not prohibited and by contrary
implication.
2. What about a condition to enter into religious life? Valid.
3. What about a condition to renounce a religion? Not valid.
The second paragraph relaxes the rule to go around the prohibition of the first par. E.g.,
"I give A a pension of P10,000 during the entire time she is single." This is a valid condition.
Art. 875. Any disposition made upon the condition that the heir shall make some
provision in his will in favor of the testator or of any other person shall be void.
Balane: E.g., "I give 1/3 of my estate to A provided he makes a will instituting me (or B) as heir."
The disposition is void. Why?
a. It is against public policy bec. it impairs the voluntariness of wills;
b. It is against revocability: If you can alter your will after receiving, then it is a breach
of good faith. But if the testator is not allowed to alter the will, the condition is against
revocability. Either option is unacceptable.
Consider (the article) restrictively.-- Limit it to cases where the beneficiary is to make a
will instituting the testator or a third person.

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4. Suspensive Conditions.
Art. 876. Any purely potestative condition imposed upon an heir must be fulfilled
by him as soon as he learns of the testator's death.
This rule shall not apply when the condition, already complied with, cannot be
fulfilled again.
Art. 877. If the condition is casual or mixed it shall be sufficient if it happen or be
fulfilled at any time before or after the death of the testator, unless he has provided
otherwise.
Should it have existed or should it have been fulfilled at the time the will was
executed and the testator was unaware thereof, it shall be deemed as complied with.
If he had knowledge thereof, the condition shall be considered fulfilled only when it
is of such a nature that it can no longer exist or be complied with again.
.
Art. 879. If the potestative condition imposed upon the heir is negative, or consists
in not doing or not giving something, he shall comply by giving a security that he will not do
or give that which has been prohibited by the testator, and that in case of contravention he
will return whatever he may have received, together with its fruits and interests.

Art. 883. xxx

If the person interested in the condition should prevent its fulfillment, without the
fault of the heir, the condition shall be deemed to have been complied with.
Balane: There are Three Kinds of Suspensive Conditions:
1. Purely Potestative.-- The fulfillment of the condition depends solely upon the will of the heir,
devisee or legatee.
E.g., "I give my entire free portion to Erap should he shave his moustache."
General rule: The condition must be fulfilled as soon as the heir learns of the testator's
death.
Exception: If the condition has already been fulfilled and it cannot be fulfilled again, the
condition is deemed fulfilled.
Constructive compliance is applicable.
2. Casual.-- The fulfillment of the condition depends solely on chance or on the will of a third
person.
E.g., "I give X, 1/3 of my estate should Mayon erupt one year from now."
3. Mixed.-- The fulfillment of the condition depends partly on chance and partly on the will of
the heir, devisee, or legatee.
E.g., "I give one million to A provided he sets up a foundation for the victims of the next
eruption of Mayon."

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Rules for casual and mixed conditions:

General rule: The condition may be fulfilled any time, either before or after the testator's
death unless the testator provides otherwise.
Why? It is not w/in the heir, devisee or legatee's control.
Qualification: If condition is already fulfilled at the time of the execution.
a. Testator is unaware-- The condition is deemed complied w/ or fulfilled.
b. Testator is aware.-- (1) If the condition can no longer be fulfilled again, it is deemed
fulfilled; (2) If the condition can still be fulfilled, fulfill it again.
Rules for Constructive compliance.-- That when the heir, devisee or legatee has done everything
to comply w/ the condition but the condition still does not happen.
1. Purely potestative.-- Applicable.
2. Casual.-- Not applicable.
3. Mixed.-a. By will - (1) Person interested - applicable
(2) Person not interested - not applicable
b. By chance.-- Not applicable.
5. Other Provisions.
Art. 880. If the heir be instituted under a suspensive condition or term, the estate
shall be placed under administration until the condition is fulfilled, or until it becomes
certain that it cannot be fulfilled, or until the arrival of the term.
The same shall be done if the heir does not give the security required in the
preceding article.
Balane: If the suspensive condition is not fulfilled, place the estate under administration until:
1. The condition is fulfilled, in w/c case the estate should be given to the instituted heir;
2. It becomes obvious that it cannot be fulfilled, in w/c case, the estate should be given to
the intestate heirs.
E.g., "I give a car to A when he places first in the bar." Testator dies while A is still
taking law. The car is put under administration until: (1) A tops the bar, in w/c case the car
should be given to him; or (b) A dies while reviewing in w/c case, the car should be given to the
intestate heirs bec. the condition has become obviously impossible of being fulfilled.
Art. 881. The appointment of the administrator of the estate mentioned in the
preceding article, as well as the manner of the administration and the rights and obligations
of the administrator shall be governed by the Rules of Court.
Art. 884. Conditions imposed by the testator upon the heirs shall be governed by
the rules established for conditional obligations in all matters not provided for by this
Section.
Balane: Rules on conditional obligations will apply suppletorily. Articles 1179 to 1192.

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3. Term.
Art. 878. A disposition with a suspensive term does not prevent the instituted heir
from acquiring his rights and transmitting them to his heirs even before the arrival of the
term.
Balane: This is founded on the principle that the right of the heir instituted subject to a term is
vested at the time of the testator's death-- he will just wait for the term to expire.
The heir must survive the testator.
If the heir dies after the testator but before the term expires, he transmits his rights to his
own heirs bec. of the vested right.
E.g., "I give P1M to X, five years after my death."
Compare this w/ conditional.-- Art. 1034, par. 3-- Qualification of heir-- The heir must
be alive and qualified at the time of the testator's death and when the condition happens.
Art. 885. The designation of the day or time when the effects of the institution of an
heir shall commence or cease shall be valid.
In both cases, the legal heir shall be considered as called to the succession until the
arrival of the period or its expiration. But in the first case he shall not enter into possession
of the property until after having given sufficient security, with the intervention of the
instituted heir.
Balane: What happens when the testator dies? Distinguish between:
1. Suspensive (ex die)-- give it to the intestate heirs for them to enjoy but in order to
protect the right of the instituted heir, intestate heirs must put up a bond (caucion muciana.)
2. Resolutory (in diem.)-- Give it to the instituted heirs but when the term arrives, he
must give it to the intestate heirs. The instituted heir does not have to file a bond.
4. Mode.
Art. 882. The statement of the object of the institution, or the application of the
property left by the testator, or the charge imposed by him, shall not be considered as a
condition unless it appears that such was his intention.
That which has been left in this manner may be claimed at once provided that the
instituted heir or his heirs give security for compliance with the wishes of the testator and
for the return of anything he or they may receive, together with its fruits and interests, if he
or they should disregard this obligation.
Balane: A mode is an obligation imposed upon the heir to do or to give something.
E.g., "I give 1/3 of me estate to A but impose upon him the obligation to pay for my son's
education."
A condition suspends but does not obligate while a mode obligates but does not suspend.
Rules:
1. In case of doubt between a mode and a condition, resolve in favor of mode.

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2. In case of doubt whether a mode exists, resolve in favor of it being a request.

Art. 883. When without fault of the heir, an institution referred to in the preceding
article cannot take effect in the exact manner stated by the testator, it shall be complied with
in a manner most analogous to and in conformity with his wishes.
xxx
Balane: A caucion muciana is a security to be put up to protect the right of the heirs (who would
succeed to the property) in case the condition, term or mode is violated.
Instances when it is needed:
1. Suspensive condition.-- Art. 885.
2. Negative potestative condition.-- Art. 879.
3. Mode.-- Art. 882, par. 2.
Section 5.-- Legitime.
Balane: Legitime comes a French word w/c means "legitimate share.." This was derived from
the Spanish Civil Code but was simplified.
There are 3 kinds of Systems:
1. Partial Reservation.-- set aside for compulsory heirs
2. Common law-- no reservation except for support
3. Total reservation-- everything is set aside.
For the Phils., we have partial reservation.
New Civil Code
Spanish Civil Code
____________________________________________________________________
Legitimes/ Free portion
| Short
Mejora
Free Portion
| Legitime
Betterment
| ____________________________________
|
|
Abolished mejora bec.:
| goes to the
goes to the
1. It opened abuses and gave
| children in
children but
parents power to influence/
| equal shares
the testator has
blackmail their children;
|
freedom as to
|
how the chil|
dren will share
|
it.
2. It was a system our people
|
\
/
never applied nor understood.
|
\
/
|
Long Legitime
_____________________________|_________________________________________

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Art. 886. Legitime is that part of the testator's property which he cannot dispose of
because the law has reserved it for certain heirs who are, therefore, called compulsory heirs.
Balane: 1. There is compulsion on the part of the testator to reserve that part of the estate w/c
corresponds to the legitime.
The law sets a fractional portion of the estate aside for the compulsory heirs.
The law does not specify w/c prop. to reserve but only sets aside a fractional portion of
the estate.
There is no obligation on the compulsory heirs to accept.
2. The prohibition imposed on the testator is that he is prohibited from making gratuitous
disposition: (a) testamentary disposition mortis causa; (b) donation inter vivos
Only the legitime is reserved. The free portion may be disposed of by will.
E.g., A is married to B. They had a child C. A owns lot worth P5M.
a. A sells the lot to D for P5M. This is valid. The prohibition does not cover an onerous
disposition bec. this involves an exchange of values.
b. A donates to D. This is not valid if it impairs the legitime of B and C.
Art. 887. The following are compulsory heirs:
(1) Legitimate children and descendants, with respect to their legitimate parents and
ascendants;
(2) In default of the foregoing, legitimate parents and ascendants, with respect to
their legitimate children and descendants;
(3) The widow or widower;
(4) Acknowledged natural children, and natural children by legal fiction;
(5) Other illegitimate children referred to in article 287.
Compulsory heirs mentioned in Nos. 3, 4 and 5 are not excluded by those in Nos. 1
and 2; neither do they exclude one another.
In all cases of illegitimate children, their filiation must be duly proved.
The father or mother of illegitimate children of the three classes mentioned, shall
inherit from them in the manner and to the extent established by this Code.
Balane: There are Five (5) kinds of Compulsory heirs:
1. Legitimate children and descendants
2. Legitimate parents and ascendants
3. Widow or widower
4. Acknowledged natural children, and natural children by legal fiction
5. Other illegitimate children
Under the Family Code, there is no more distinction between acknowledged natural
children and illegitimate children. They are all considered as illegitimate.
Rosales v. Rosales.-- In this case, the deceased was the mother-in-law of the plaintiff.
The plaintiff's husband had predeceased his mother. The plaintiff widow seeks a share in her
mother-in-law's estate claiming she is a compulsory heir being a widow. The SC denied her claim
bec. the widow in the law refers to the widow of the deceased and not of a relative of t he
deceased.

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Three Kinds of Relationship Among Compulsory Heirs:

1. Primary.-- Legitimate children, and in their absence, legitimate descendants.
They are primary bec. they are absolutely preferred, and they exclude the secondary.
2. Secondary.-- Legitimate parents, and in their absence, legitimate ascendants
They inherit only in the absence of default of the primary.
3. Concurring.-- Surviving spouse and illegitimate children. They get their legitime
together w/ the primary or secondary heirs.
Neither exclude primary or secondary heirs nor each other.
Except: Illegitimate children exclude illegitimate parents.
Articles 888 to 903. Different Combinations
I. According to Tolentino (all shares are w/ respect to the whole estate unless otherwise
provided.)
1. Legitimate children 1/2, in equal portions, whether they survive alone or with
concurring compulsory heirs. (Art. 888.)
2.

One legitimate child -- 1/2 (Art. 888.)

Surviving spouse -- 1/4 (Art. 892, par. 1.)

Legitimate children -- 1/2, in equal portions (Art. 888.)

Surviving spouse -- share equal to that of each child (Art. 892, par. 2.)

Legitimate children -- 1/2, in equal portions. (Art. 888.)

Natural children -- 1/2 the share of each legitimate child (Art. 895, par. 1.)

Legitimate children -- 1/2, in equal portions. (Art. 888.)

Illegitimate children -- 2/5 the share of each legitimate child (Art. 895, par. 2.)

Legitimate children -- 1/2, in equal portions.

Natural children -- 1/2 of the share of a legitimate child. (Art. 895, par. 1.)
Illegitimate children -- 4/5 of the share of each natural child. (Art. 895, par. 2.)

One legitimate child -- 1/2 (Art. 888.)

Natural children -- 1/2 of the share of a legitimate child. (Art. 895, par. 1.)
Illegitimate children -- 4/5 of the share of a natural child. (Art. 895, par. 2.)
Surviving spouse -- 1/4 (Art. 892, par. 1.)

NOTE: All concurring heirs get their share from the free portion. The surviving spouse
will be preferred over the natural and illegitimate children, whose share may suffer reduction pro
rata. (Art. 895, last par.)
8.

Legitimate children -- 1/2, in equal portions. (Art. 888.)

Natural children -- 1/2 of the share of a legitimate child. (Art. 895, par. 1.)
Illegitimate children -- 4/5 of the share of a natural child. (Art. 895, par. 2.)

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Surviving spouse -- share equal to that of a legitimate child. (Art. 892, par. 2,
897, 898.)
9.
Legitimate parents
compulsory heirs. (Art. 889.)

1/2, whether they survive alone or w/ concurring

10.

Legitimate parents -- 1/2 (Art. 889.)

Natural children -- 1/4, in equal shares. (Art. 896.)

11.

Legitimate parents -- 1/2 (Art. 889.)

Illegitimate children -- 1/4, in equal shares (Art. 896.)

12.

Legitimate parents -- 1/2 (Art. 889.)

Natural children ------- \
1/4 (Art. 896) but each illegitimate child gets
4/5 of the share of each natural child (Art. 895
Illegitimate children --- /
par. 2.)

13.

Legitimate parents -- 1/2 (Art 889.)

Surviving spouse -- 1/4 (Art. 893.)

14.

Legitimate parents -- 1/2 (Art. 889.)

Natural children ------ \
1/4 (Art. 896) but each illegitimate child gets
4/5 of the share of each natural child.

(Art. 895,
Illegitimate children -- /
par. 2.)
Surviving spouse -- 1/8 (Art. 899.)
15. Natural and/ or illegitimate children -- all together get 1/2 (Art. 901.) If all natural
or all illegitimate, dive the portion equally.
If some are natural and others illegitimate, each of the illegitimate child gets only 4/5 of
the share of each natural child. (Art. 895, par. 2.)
*

16.

Natural and/ or illegitimate children -- 1/3 (Art. 894.), dividing it as in number

15.
Surviving spouse -- 1/3 (Art. 894.)
17.
Surviving spouse alone -- 1/2 or 1/3 if the marriage is in articulo mortis and the
deceased dies w/in 3 months after the marriage. (Art. 900.)
18.

Illegitimate parents (natural or otherwise) alone -- 1/2 (Art. 903.)

19.

Illegitimate parents -- none. (Art. 903.)

Children or any class -- same as in nos. 1, 4, 6 and 15, as the case may be.

20.

Illegitimate parents -- 1/4

Surviving spouse -- 1/4 (Art. 903.)

II. According to Balane (all shares are w/ respect to the whole estate unless otherwise provided.)
1.

2 legitimate children -- 1/2 shared equally = 1/4 each

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Surviving spouse (hereinafter SS) -- 1/4

5 Legitimate children -- 1/2 shared equally = 1/10

SS -- same share as in legitimate child = 1/10
OBSERVE: There is an inverse proportion between number of children and the

share of the SS.

1 leg. child -- 1/2

SS -- 1/4
General rule: SS gets share equal to 1 leg. child.
Exception: If only 1 leg. child, SS gets 1/4

2 leg. parents -- 1/2 shared equally

SS -- 1/4

2 leg. parents -- 1/2 shared equally

SS -- 1/8
1 illeg. child -- 1/4

2 leg. parents -- 1/2 shared equally

3 illeg. children -- 1/4 shared equally

2 illeg. parents -- none

3 illeg. children -- 1/2 shared equally

1 adopted child -- 1/2

2 leg. parents -- none.

SS -- 1/3
4 illeg. children -- 1/3 shared equally

10.

SS -- 1/4
4 illeg. children -- 1/2 of the share of a leg. child = 1/8 each
2 leg. children -- 1/2 shared equally = 1/4 each
If it exceeds the estate, ratably diminish the legitime of the illeg. children = 1/16

11.

2 illeg. parents -- 1/4 shared equally

SS -- 1/4

12.

2 leg. children -- 1/2 shared equally

SS -- share equal to 1 leg. child = 1/4
__ leg. parents -- none

13.

1 adopted child -- \
1 leg. child ------- /
SS -- 1/4

14.

SS -- 1/4
Illeg. parents -- none

1/2 shared
equally

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1 adopted child -- 1/2

15.

SS alone -- 1/2 except if the marriage is in articulo mortis, in w/c case the share

is 1/3
a.
b.
c.
d.

Marriage is in articulo mortis

Dies w/in 3 months
Not lived together for 5 years
Person who dies is the sick spouse

16.

1 adopted child -- 1/2

1 illeg. child -- 1/2 of the share of an adopted child = 1/4

17.

8 leg. children -- 1/2 shared equally = 1/16

1 illeg. child -- 1/2 of the share of a leg. child = 1/32
SS -- same as the share of 1 leg. child = 1/16

18.

8 leg. children -- \
1/2 shared equally
1 adopted child - /
= 1/18 each
1 illeg. child -- 1/2 of the share of a leg. child = 1/36
SS -- same share as 1 leg. child = 1/18

19.

1 leg. parent -- 1/2

SS -- 1/8
1 illeg. child -- 1/4

20.

1 leg. parent -- 1/2

SS -- 1/4

21.

1 leg. parent -- 1/2

1 illeg. child -- 1/4

22.

1 adopted child -- \
1/2 shared equally
1 leg. child ------- /
= 1/4
SS -- same share as a leg. child = 1/4
1 illeg. child -- 1/2 share of leg. child = 1/8
2 leg. or illeg. parents -- none

23.

1 adopted child -- 1/2

SS -- 1/4
1 illeg. child -- 1/4
2 leg. or illeg. parents -- none

Under the Family Code:

1. If the decedent died before the Family Code took effect -- leg. : natural : illeg. =
10 : 5 : 4
2. If the decedent died after the FC took effect -- leg. : illeg. = 2 : 1. Do not
distinguish between natural and spurious.
(conc)urring fraction -- 1/2 -- called basic legitime
In most cases, there will be a group or single heir who will get 1/2 of the estate.

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Exceptions:

(1) Art. 894. -- Illeg. children (1/3) and SS (1/3)

(2) Art. 903. -- Illeg. parents (1/4) and SS (1/4)
(3) Articles 900 -- SS alone in case of marriage in articulo mortis with
the following requisites:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Marriage in articulo mortis

The spouse dies w/in 3 months
They have not lived together for 5 years
Spouse who dies is the sick spouse

Example, A, in the ICU, is rich and dying of AIDS. B, who has not lived w/ A, accepts
A's proposal of marriage. They get married in the hospital. After getting married, A lapses into a
coma. The doctor sends B to buy the medicine. As B is crossing the street, she is run over by a
bus and dies. A is the only compulsory heir of B. Is this the marriage in articulo mortis
contemplated by the 3rd exception? No. The one who should die w/in 3 months should be A for
the exception to apply.
Rationale for the exception in number 3 -- It is the law's way of showing its distaste to
marriages for convenience or for interest or gain.
Exception to exception: If they have lived together for at least 5 years before the
marriage. This shows that it was not only for interest. Now that one is dying, to reward the other
spouse.
Exception to number 3 -- Applies only if the wife is (the) only compulsory heir. Why?
Bec. in other cases, she will always get less than 1/2. Does not also apply to intestacy if the wife
is the only intestate heir. She will get the whole estate. In such a case, the testator was not given
a change to make a will. If given a chance, he could have named other people.

Art. 888. The legitime of legitimate children and descendants consists of one-half of
the hereditary estate of the father and of the mother.
The latter may freely dispose of the remaining half, subject to the rights of
illegitimate children and of the surviving spouse as hereinafter provided.
Balane: 1. If there are legitimate children, they will get collective legitime of 1/2 of the estate. It
does not say how they will divide the legitime. Commentators agree that they will divide the 1/2
equally regardless of age, sex, marriage of origin (whether 1st, 2nd, etc.)
2. Why descendants? Rule: Nearer excludes more remote.
If there are children, they will exclude the more remote descendants, e.g., grandchildren
When descendants?
a. Right of representation exists
b. All children renounce. Since all renounce, the next in line will inherit equally not by
virtue of representation but bec. they are the nearest relatives in the descending line.

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X
/ | \
A B C
/| /\ | \
e f gh i j
a. If A, B and C renounce, grandchildren will inherit
b. If only B renounces, legitime will be divided into 2 only, B's children cannot represent
him.
3. Other half of the estate -- free portion. Subject to the free disposal of the testator. If not
disposed of by the testator, then it will go by intestacy.

Art. 889. The legitime of legitimate parents or ascendants consists of one-half of the
hereditary estates of their children and descendants.
The children or descendants may freely dispose of the other half, subject to the
rights of illegitimate children and of the surviving spouse as hereinafter provided.
Art. 890. The legitime reserved for the legitimate parents shall be divided between
them equally; if one of the parents should have died, the whole shall pass to the survivor.
If the testator leaves neither father nor mother, but is survived by ascendants of
equal degree of the paternal and maternal lines, the legitime shall be divided equally
between both lines. If the ascendants should be of different degrees, it shall pertain entirely
to the ones nearest in degree of either line.
Balane: Articles 889 and 890 -- Legitimate parents or ascendants alone -- 1/2 of the estate.

A. Three rules:
1. Nearer excludes the more remote. No representation in the ascending line.
Illustration:
A1

A2
\ /
A
\
\
\

B1
B2
\ /
B
/
/
/

a. If X dies, the legitime will be shared by the parents

A and B bec. the nearer excludes the more remote.
b. If A predeceases X, B gets all. A1 and A2 will get
nothing bec. there is no right of representation in the
ascending line.

X
2. Division by (between the) lines -- 1/2 of legitime each to maternal and paternal
(assuming that the nearest relatives in both sides are of the same degree.)

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Illustration (see illustration above.)

a. If both parents predecease X, the nearest ascendants would be the grandparents.
Division by line will apply. The estate will be divided equally bet. the maternal and paternal lines
(1/4 of estate each.) Legitimes: A1 = 1/8, A2 = 1/8, B1 = 1/8, B2 = 1/8
b. If A1 predeceases X, there will still be equal division by lines. Both lines get 1/4 of
the estate each. Legitimes: A2 = 1/4, B1 = 1/8, B2 = 1/8.
NOTE: If one of the parents, either A or B, is alive, division by line will not apply. Rule
1 would apply where the nearer would exclude the more remote. The parent would exclude the
grandparent.
3. Equal division w/in the line.
B. How far up do you go? As far as possible as long as all lower ascendants are dead. The law
does not limit but nature does.
Art. 892. If only one legitimate child or descendant of the deceased survives, the
widow or widower shall be entitled to one- fourth of the hereditary estate. In case of a legal
separation, the surviving spouse may inherit if it was the deceased who had given cause for
the same.
If there are two or more legitimate children or descendants, the surviving spouse
shall be entitled to a portion equal to the legitime of each of the legitimate children or
descendants.
In both cases, the legitime of the surviving spouse shall be taken from the portion
that can be freely disposed of by the testator.
Balane: A. Legitime of Surviving spouse:
1. If valid or voidable marriage -- Qualified. Spouse may inherit.
2. If legally separated, it depends:
a. If innocent spouse -- not disqualified to inherit from the guilty spouse
b. If guilty spouse -- disqualified to inherit from the innocent spouse.
B. Rules as to legitime of the surviving spouse if concurring w/ legitimate children.
1.
1 leg. child -- 1/2 of estate
SS -- 1/4 of estate
2.

2 or more leg. children -- 1/2 of estate shared equally

SS -- share equal to that of a leg. child.

C. "Or descendant" (all portions are in relation to the whole estate unless otherwise provided.)

Illustration:
X ----------- Y (spouse)

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/ | \
A B C
/| /|\ |\
1234567
1. If B predeceases X

A = 1/6
B's children = 1/18 per child
C = 1/6
Y = 1/6

2. If B renounces

A = 1/4
C = 1/4
Y = 1/4

3. If A, B and C predecease
--- representation

1 and 2 = 1/12 each

3, 4 and 5 = 1/18 each
6 and 7 = 1/12 each
Y = 1/6

According to commentaries: Y's share is based on what the children would have received
if they were alive.
4. If A, B and C renounce
--- no representation

legitime of 1/2 is divided equally

between the 9 grandchildren
Y = ?

According to Tolentino, Y gets 1/6. Y's share is based on the number of children. To
allow Y's share to be equal to a grandchild would give the children the opportunity to reduce the
legitime of Y, especially if Y is only a stepmother. The problem in this case is when "or
descendants" will apply. This issue is undecided.
Art. 893. If the testator leaves no legitimate descendants, but leaves legitimate
ascendants, the surviving spouse shall have a right to one-fourth of the hereditary estate.
This fourth shall be taken from the free portion of the estate.
Balane: Combination: Legitimate parents or ascendants -- 1/2 (divide according to Art. 889 and
890.)
Spouse -- 1/4
Free portion -- 1/4
Art. 894. If the testator leaves illegitimate children, the surviving spouse shall be
entitled to one-third of the hereditary estate of the deceased and the illegitimate children to
another third. The remaining third shall be at the free disposal of the testator.
Balane: This is one of the exceptions to the basic rule of 1/2.
Illeg. children -- 1/3 collectively = divided depending if the decedent died before (5 :
4) or after (equal) the Family Code.

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Surviving spouse -- 1/3

Free portion -- 1/3
Art. 895. The legitime of each of the acknowledged natural children and each of the
natural children by legal fiction shall consist of one-half of the legitime of each of the
legitimate children or descendants.
The legitime of an illegitimate child who is neither an acknowledged natural child ,
nor a natural child by legal fiction, shall be equal in every case to four-fifths of the legitime
of an acknowledged natural child.
The legitime of the illegitimate children shall be taken from the portion of the estate
at the free disposal of the testator, provided that in no case shall the total legitime of such
illegitimate children exceed that free portion, and that the legitime of the surviving spouse
must first be fully satisfied.
Art. 176. Illegitimate children shall use the surname and shall be under the
parental authority of their mother, and shall be entitled to support in conformity
with this code. The legitime of each illegitimate child shall consist of one-half of the
legitime of a legitimate child. (Family Code.)

Balane: 1. Legitime of illeg. children affected by the Family Code.

a. If before -- 10 : 5 : 4
b. If after -- 2 : 1
2. Combination:
Leg. children -- 1/2 collectively
Illeg. children -- 1/2 of the share of a leg. child each
SS -- share is equal to that of 1 leg. child.
3. Illustration:
X---------Y
/ |
A B C D
After the Family Code.
a.

A
B
Y
C
D

=
=
=
=
=

1/4
1/4
1/4
1/8
1/8

b.
A
B
Y
C
D
E

If there is a third illeg. child, E

= 1/4
= 1/4
Legitime exceeds estate
= 1/4
= 1/8 \
= 1/8 Reduce proportionally
= 1/8 /

C = 1/12
D = 1/12

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E = 1/12
Art. 896. Illegitimate children who may survive with legitimate parents or
ascendants of the deceased shall be entitled to one-fourth of the hereditary estate to be
taken from the portion at the free disposal of the testator.
Balane:
Leg. parents -- 1/2 divided according to Art. 889 and 890
Illeg. children -- 1/4 collectively divided according to whether decedent died before or
after the Family Code.
Art. 897. When the widow or widower survives with legitimate children or
descendants, and acknowledged natural children, or natural children by legal fiction, such
surviving spouse shall be entitled a portion equal to the legitime of each of the legiti mate
children which must be taken from that part of the estate which the testator can freely
dispose of.
Balane: This is a repetition of Art. 895.
Art. 898. If the widow or widower survives with legitimate children or descendants,
and with illegitimate children other than acknowledged natural, or natural children by legal
fiction, the share of the surviving spouse shall be the same as that provided in the preceding
article.
Balane: This is the same as Art. 895. The FC has simplified this.
Art. 899. When the widow or widower survives with legitimate parents or
ascendants and with illegitimate children, such surviving spouse shall be entitled to oneeighth of the hereditary estate of the deceased which must be taken from the free portion,
and the illegitimate children shall be entitled to one-fourth of the estate which shall be taken
also from the disposable portion. The testator may freely dispose of the remaining oneeighth of the estate.
Balane: This shows how arbitrary legitime scheme is with regard to the surviving spouse.
Leg. parents -- 1/2 divided according to Articles 889 and 890
Illeg. children -- 1/4 divided depending on when the decedent died
SS -- 1/8
Free portion -- 1/8

Art. 900. If the only survivor is the widow or widower, she or he shall be entitled to
one-half of the hereditary estate of the deceased spouse, and the testator may freely dispose
of the other half.
If the marriage between the surviving spouse and the testator was solemnized in
articulo mortis, and the testator died within three months from the time of the marriage, the
legitime of the surviving spouse as the sole heir shall be one-third of the hereditary estate,
except when they have been living as husband and wife for more than five years. In the

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latter case, the legitime of the surviving spouse shall be that specified in the preceding
paragraph.
Balane: Legitime of surviving spouse when he/ she survives alone:
General rule -- 1/2;
Free portion -- 1/2
Exception -- Marriage in articulo mortis -- 1/3;
Free portion -- 2/3

Art. 901. When the testator dies leaving illegitimate children and no other
compulsory heirs, such illegitimate children shall have a right to one-half of the hereditary
estate of the deceased.
The other half shall be at the free disposal of the testator.
Balane: Illeg. children -- 1/2 divided either equally (decedent died after the FC) or 5 : 4
(decedent died before the FC.)
Art. 902. The rights of illegitimate children set forth in the preceding articles are
transmitted upon their death to their descendants, whether legitimate or illegitimate.
Balane:
Illustration:
X
/
B

A
/\ /
a1 a2 b1 b2
1. A is legitimate while B is illeg. Both A and B predeceased X. A left a1, a leg. child
and a2, an illeg. child. B left b1, a leg. child and b2, an illeg. child. Who will inherit and not
inherit when X dies?
A1 can inherit from X by representation.
A2 cannot inherit from X in either intestate or compulsory succession because of Art. 992
w/c provides that an illegitimate cannot inherit ab intestado from the legitimate relatives of the
father or mother and vice-versa
This results in inconsistency and unfairness. (Art. 902) read with Art. 992 puts a
premium on bastardness. Preference is given to bastard children of bastard children as compared
to bastard children of legitimate children.
2. If both A and B are dead. Who can X inherit from?
a1 dies -- X can inherit.
a2 dies -- X cannot inherit because of Art. 992
b2 dies -- X cannot inherit. In illegitimacy, you cannot go beyond the parent in
representation.
b1 dies -- Unknown. The law is silent on this.

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Art. 903. The legitime of the parents who have an illegitimate child, when such child
leaves neither legitimate descendants, nor a surviving spouse, nor illegitimate children, is
one- half of the hereditary estate of such illegitimate child. If only legitimate or illegitimate
children are left, the parents are not entitled to any legitime whatsoever. If only the widow
or widower survives with parents of the illegitimate child, the legitime of the parents is onefourth of the hereditary estate of the child, and that of the surviving spouse also one-fourth
of the estate.
Balane: There are 2 combinations:
1.

Illeg. parents --

1/2
does not go beyond illeg. parents unlike Articles 899

and 890.
2.

Illeg. parents -- none

Leg. or illeg. children -- depending on who is left
Rules: a. Only leg. children exclude leg. parents
b. Any kind of children exclude illeg. children.
Reserva Troncal.

Art. 891. The ascendant who inherits from his descendant any property which the
latter may have acquired by gratuitous title from another ascendant, or a brother or sister,
is obliged to reserve such property as he may have acquired by operation of law for the
benefit of relatives who are within the third degree and who belong to the line from which
said property came.
Balane: History of Reserva Troncal:
In the old law, there were 2 reservations:
1. Viudal -- "ordinaria", Art. 968, OCC
2. Troncal -- "lineal," "familial," "extraordinaria," Art. 811 of the OCC
In addition: Reversiones
1. Legal -- Art. 812
2. Adoption -- Rules of Court
Reservations.-- Property set aside for a group of people who are limited to persons
related from whom it came
Reversiones.-- Property goes back to the person from whom it came.
The Code Commission abolished all 4. In the floor of Congress, there was a last minute
amendment to include reserva troncal. In 1963, PD 613 revived reversion adoptiva. But this was
eliminated by the Family Code. Now, only reserva troncal remains.
1MS
\
\

3R
/ \
/ \

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\ /
2P

\
4R

1MS (Mediate Source) ---- gratuitous title ---- 2P (Prepositus) --- by operation of law --- 3R
(Reservista/ reserver) --- 4R (Reservatorios/ reservees)
I. Purpose of Reserva Troncal
Gonzales v. CFI.-- The purpose of reserva troncal is to return the property to where it
originated and from where it strayed due to the accident of marriage. "Accident" here means
unforeseen development.
1. Feudal
a. Underlying concept.-- Property should stay w/ the family because it has
stayed w/ them for so long and marriage should not be allowed to cause that property to leave that
family.
b. To prevent the property from leaving the family through the accident of
marriage.
E.g.,

X ---------- Y
|
A

Property from X's family. X dies, property goes to A. A dies, property goes to Y.
The property may end up w/ Y's family.
2. This is not good
a. It impairs the free circulation of property
b. Underlying philosophy is bad-- outdated, aristocratic.
II. Requisites
Chua v. CFI.-- 1. The property was acquired by a person from an ascendant of from a
brother or sister by gratuitous title.
2. Said person died without legitimate issue.
3. The property is inherited by another ascendant by operation of law.
4. There are relatives w/in the third degree belonging to the line from w/c said
property came.
Comments:
1. "descendant" -- applies only if one got it from an ascendant; but what if one got it
from a brother; it should have been "by a person or individual"
2. Individual died without legitimate issue.
"Issue" here means children or descendants.
If w/ legitimate issue, this will not apply but will go to legitimate descendants.
If w/ legitimate issue but they all renounce, the individual dies as if there was no
legitimate issue

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3. "Operation of law" means legal or compulsory succession.

III. PROCESS.
1MS
\
A \

/
B /

3R
\
\ C
\
/

2P 4R
1. A = 1MS -- 2P
a. MS -- either only an:

(1)
(2)

ascendant

\
-of 2P
brother or sister /

b. MS to P -- by gratuitous title -- either:

(1) donation
(2) succession

Chua v.s CFI.-- As long as the transmission to the heir is free from any condition
imposed by the deceased himself and the property is given out of pure generosity, it is gratuitous.
Even if the Court ordered the heirs to pay Standard Oil, it is still gratuitous. If the expense or
charge is just incidental, it is still considered gratuitous.
E.g., "I give you my house provided you pay the mortgage." This is still gratuitous but
you subtract the value of what you paid.
2. B = 2P -- 3R
Operation of law:

(a) compulsory succession

(b) intestate succession

Cannot be by: (a) testate succession

(b) donation
Reserva troncal commences at this point.
3. C = 3R -- 4R
This is a consequence of reserva troncal
This occurs when the reservista dies
Reserva troncal ends here.
IV. NATURE
1. Of right of the reservista over the reserved property.

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Edroso v. Sablan.-- a. Reservista's right over the property is that of ownership

b. Reservista's right is subject to a resolutory condition which is that the
reservatorios exist at the time of the reservista's death. If there are, the reservista's right
terminates and the property will pass to the reservatorios.
c. Reservista's ownership is alienable but subject to the same resolutory
condition. The buyer's ownership is subject to the same resolutory condition.
d. Reservista's right of ownership is registrable.
["Uncle German: -- "germanus" -- coming from the same seed; later came to mean
"brother."]
Error in the case: The case said "reservatorios cannot dispose of the expectancy."
According to the Sienes case, supra., which is correct, the expectancy can be alienated.
2. Of right of the reservatorios over the reserved property.
Sienes v. Esparcia.-- a. Reservatorious right over the property during the life of the
reservista is a mere expectancy.
b. The expectancy is subject to a suspensive condition which is that the reservatorio is
alive at the time the reservista dies
c. The right of expectancy can be alienated but it will be subject to the same suspensive
condition
d. The right of expectancy is registrable. It must be annotated at the back of the title to
protect the reservatorios from innocent purchasers for value.
Errors in the case:
1. The case said the "right of reservista is subject to a double resolutory condition." -(a) death of the reservista; and (b) survival or reservatorio
However, the death of the reservista is a term. It should be the "right of (the)
reservatorio is subject to a suspensive condition."
2. The case said that "alienation by (the) reservatorios is subject to a resolutory
condition." It should read "suspensive condition."
V. PARTIES.
A. Four Parties.
1. Mediate Source.-- Either an ascendant or a brother or sister of the prepositus.
a. If ascendant, there is no problem. You know from what line the property came
from.
b. If brother or sister and full or half blood.
(i) If half blood, no problem. You know what line the property came
from.
(ii) If full blood, there is a problem. How will you what line it came
from?

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JBL Reyes.-- Reserva troncal applies only to half blood brothers and
sisters. You cannot determine the line if it is of full blood.
Manresa.-- It should apply regardless of whether it is of full or half
blood. The law does not distinguish.
What line do you apply it to? You cannot apply it to either line as long as
it is within the third degree. Why? The purpose of the law is not only to bring
back the property to the line (curative) but also to prevent it from leaving the
family.
E.g. A----------B
/ \
X
Y
Y to X. A is dead. X dies, so the property goes to B. B remarries. The property
is lost.
Manresa's view is the accepted view.
2. Prepositus.-- Either a descendant, or brother or sister of the mediate source.
He is the central figure in the reserva troncal because:
a. At the time he receives the property, he becomes the absolute owner. He can prevent
reserva troncal from happening. How? By preventing it from going to an ascendant by operation
of law. How?
1. By selling it. Dispose of a potentially free portion property (even by pacto de
retro.)
2. Give it to an ascendant by donation, devise, legacy or testamentary
succession.
b. He is the basis or point of reference for the third degree relationship.
Note: There is no reserva troncal yet while the property is in the hands of the prepositus.
3. Reservista-- called "ascendant reservista." He must be another ascendant other than
the mediate source if the mediate source is an ascendant.
Reserva troncal begins once the reservista inherits the property. He is bound by the
obligations.

Q: Must the ascendant-reservista belong to a line similar to the mediate source or should
he be from a different line?

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E.g., X----------Y
|
A----------B
|
C

X donates to C. C dies and it goes to A.

1MS -- X
2P -- C
3R -- A ?

Is there reserva troncal?

1. No. The property never left the line.
2. Yes. There is no requirement in Art 891 that the 1MS and 3R must belong to different
lines. This is the view accepted by the majority of commentators.
4. Reservatorios -- class or group
a. Requirements:
1. Must be w/in the third degree from the prepositus.
2. Must be from the line from w/c the property came
3. Must be related by blood to the mediate source.
(According to commentators.)
E.g., A----------A1
|
B----------B1 (Reservista)
|
C (Prepositus)
B died. Upon A's death, C inherits from A. Upon C's death, the property is transmitted to
B1. Is A1 a reservatorio?
Following the 3 requisites:
1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. No. A1 is not related by blood to the mediate source.
b. Reservation.-- in favor of a class. It is not required that reservatorios be
living at the time of the prepositus' death but required to be alive at the time of the death
of the reservista. Why? Bec. reservation is in favor of a class. As long as you belong to
the class when the reservista dies, then you are a reservatorio.
c. How do they inherit w/in the class?
Padura v. Baldovina.-- Apply the rules in intestate succession:
a. Nearer excludes the more remote.
b. Representation in favor or nieces for predeceased brother
c. Proportion of 2 : 1 between full and half blood nephews and brothers.
However, there is no representation in the case bec. there are no other brothers. However,
the ratio of 2 : 1 is maintained.

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Florentino v. Florentino.-- Representation only in favor of nephews and nieces of

deceased brothers and sisters of the prepositus. The case is wrong, however, when it did not
distinguish between full and half blood nephews and nieces.
B. Three relationships
1. Mediate Source.-- Prepositus-- ascendant or brother or sister
2. Prepositus.-- Reservista -- descendant - ascendant relationship
3. Reservatorio --

Reservista
Mediate Source -- blood relation
Prepositus -- within the 3rd degree

All relationship must be legitimate.

In effect, this requirement punishes legitimate relations bec. if the relation is illegitimate,
there is no obligation to reserve.
IV. PROPERTY.
A. In order for reserva troncal to exist, property from 1MS --- 2P and from P -- R must be
the same.
What kind of property? Any kind, whether real or personal, as long as it is the same property.
What about money, can it be reserved? Yes. In money, the property is the purchasing power and
not the bills. As such, the value of the money can be reserved.
B. Special Problems
MS R
\ /
P
MS dontes a piece of land to P worth P100,000. P then dies w/o legitimate issue. R is
the morther of P.
1. If P had no will and the land is the only property in his estate, what is reserved? The
whole land.
Note: 1/2 to R as legitime
1/2 to R by intestacy.
2. If with a will that said "I give the free portion to my mother," what is reserved? Onehalf (1/2) of the land.
Note: 1/2 to R as legitime
1/2 to R by will
What is reserved is what R received as legitime (transferred by operation of law.)

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3. If P acquired another piece of land worth P100,000 before he died and he did not have
a will, what is reserved? The land from MS is reserved.
4. Same as number 3, but this time P died w/ a will stating "I give the free portion to my
mother." What is reserved?
Note:

1/2 to R as legitime = P100,000

1/2 to R by will = P100,000
Land from MS -- can be reserved
Land subsequently acquired -- cannot be reserved.

Two theories:
a. Reserva maxima (maximum operation of reserva troncal) -- fit as
much of reservable property as you can in the 1/2 by legitime. In the example,
the whole land from MS is reservable.
b. Reserva minima (followed by most commentators) -- Every item will
pass according to ratios of the properties. In the example, 1/2 will pass as
legitime and 1/2 by will for both pieces of land = 1/2 of land from MS is
reservable.
5. If the land from MS is 100,000 and the land subsequently acquired is 60,000, and P
died w/o a will, what is reserved?
Note: 1/2 as legitime = 80,000
1/2 by intestacy = 80,000
a. Reserva Maxima - 8/10 of land from MS is reservable
b. Reserva Minima - 1/2 of the land from MS is reservable
6. Same as number 6 but P had a will stating "I bequeath 1/4 of my estate to my
mother." What is reserved?
Note:

1/2 as legitime = 80,000\

1/4 by intestacy = 40,000
1/4 by will = 40,000

3/4 by ope/
ration of law

a. Reserva maxima -- Whole land from MS is reservable

b. Reserva minima -- 3/4 of land from MS is reservable
Look at how much passes by operation of law.
This arises only if:
1. P dies leaving property he got from MS by gratuitous title and other property from
other sources.
2. P made a will instituting the reservista to part of the estate.
VI. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES.
Rights of Reservatorio

Obligations of Reservista

1. To demand inventory and appraisal

1. To inventory and appraise

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2. To demand annotation of reservable

Art. 910. Donations which an illegitimate child* may have received during the
lifetime of his father or mother, shall be charged to his legitime.
Should they exceed the portion that can be freely disposed of, they shall be reduced
in the manner prescribed by this Code.
Balane: Articles 909 and 910 are taken together.
A.

Donation to child, whether legitimate or illegitimate

Donation to parents or ascendants (Art. 1062.)
General rule: Charged to the legitime
Exception: If the testator provides otherwise. (Art. 1062.)

Donation to spouse
General rule: Not allowed.
Exception: Gifts of moderate value; treat the same as a donation to a compulsory

heir.
3.

Donation to a stranger -- charged to the free portion.

B. Collation (Art. 1061.)

1. Three senses
a. Computation.-- Art. 908, par. 2
b. Imputation.-- Articles 909 and 910.
c. Reduction/ return.-- Articles 911 to 913.
2. Example,
X
---------------| | | :
A B C D
Gross Estate
Less: Debts
Available assets
Add: Donations:
1987 to A
1989 to M
1991 to D
Net Hereditary Estate
Legtimes

70,000
35,000
35,000
15,000
30,000
40,000
120,000

Donation Advance
on Legitime

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Notes and Cases on SUCCESSION

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A
B
C
D

20,000
20,000
20,000
10,000

15,000
0
0
40,000

5,000
20,000
20,000
(30,000)

P45,000 is needed to comply w/ the legitime but (we) only have 35,000 available assets.
So we need 10,000. Reduce the donations.
a. Donation to B is considered as donation to a stranger as far as the 30,000 is concerned
b. Donation to M is a donation to a stranger
c. Donation to A is not subject to reduction

The first to bear the reduction is the donation to D, so deduct 10,000 from him
A
B
C
D
M

=
=
=
=
=

20,000
20,000
20,000
30,000
30,000

Art. 911. After the legitime has been determined in accordance with the three
preceding articles, the reduction shall be made as follows:
(1) Donations shall be respected as long as the legitime can be covered, reducing or
annulling, if necessary, the devise or legacies made in the will;
(2) The reduction of the devises or legacies shall be pro rata, without any distinction
whatever.
If the testator has directed that a certain devise or legacy be paid in preference to
others, it shall not suffer any reduction until the latter have been applied in full to the
payment of the legitime.
(3) If the devise or legacy consists of a usufruct or life annuity, whose value may be
considered greater than that of the disposable portion, the compulsory heirs may choose
between complying with the testamentary provision and delivering to the devisee or legatee
the part of the inheritance of which the testator could freely dispose.
Balane: Order of reduction
1. Legacies and devises. (Art. 907.)
General rule: Pro-rata.
Exception: Preferred ones as stated by the testator will be the last to be reduced among
the devises and legacies if still needed.
2. Reduce donations to strangers.

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Rule: Most recent donation to be reduced first (earlier donations are preferred.) See Art.
773, NCC.
Note: 1 and 2 will be reduced even up to 0 as long as needed.
3. Reduce the share of illegitimate children.
Art. 950. If the estate should not be sufficient to cover all the legacies or
devises, their payment shall be made in the following order:
(1) Remuneratory legacies or devises;
(2) Legacies or devises declared by the testator to be preferential;
(3) Legacies for support;
(4) Legacies for education;
(5) Legacies or devises of a specific, determinate thing which forms part of
the estate;
(6) All others pro rata.

Art. 912. If the devise subject to reduction should consist of real property, which
cannot be conveniently divided, it shall go to the devisee if the reduction does not absorb
one-half of its value; and in a contrary case, to the compulsory heirs; but the former and the
latter shall reimburse each other in cash for what respectively belongs to them.
The devisee who is entitled to a legitime may retain the entire property, provided its
value does not exceed that of the disposable portion and of the share pertaining to him as
legitime.
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
exercise it; should the latter not make use of it, the property shall be sold at public auction
at the instance of any one of the interested parties.
Art. 914. The testator may devise and bequeath the free portion as he may deem fit.
Section 6.-- Disinheritance.
Balane: A compulsory heir cannot deprive his compulsory heir of his legitime unless expressly
provided by law. The law expressly provides only one way, valid disinheritance.
Requisites:
1. Made in a valid will. (Art. 916.)
2. Identity of the heir is clearly established
3. For a legal cause. (Articles 919 to 921.)
4. Expressly made
5. Cause stated in the will.
6. Absolute or unconditional (not "if he doesn't apologize.")
7. Total
8. Cause must be true and if challenged by the heir, it must be proved to be true
(proponent of disinheritance has the burden of proof.)

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The only new ground is number 4:

Legal separation is not a ground. If there is legal separation, you do not need to
disinherit. Disinheritance takes place by operation of law.
As long as there is cause for legal separation, you can disinherit provided you are the
offended spouse.
Art. 922. A subsequent reconciliation between the offender and the offended person
deprives the latter of the right to disinherit, and renders ineffectual any disinheritance that
may have been made.
Balane: 1. Reconciliation.-- Two persons who are at odds decide to set aside their differences
and to resume their relations. They need not go back to their old relation. A handshake is not
reconciliation. It has to be something more. It must be clear and deliberate.
2. What is the effect of reconciliation?
a. If there is no will.-- It deprives the offended person of his right to disinherit
the offending person.
b. If already disinherited.-- It sets aside disinheritance already made.
3. This is inconsistent with Art. 1033. In disinheritance, reconciliation is sufficient. It
need not be in writing. In unworthiness, however, it needs to be in writing. This is inconsistent
bec. when you are dealing w/ the express will to disinherit, reconciliation is enough when you
are dealing w/ the presumed will, it must be in writing.
Art. 923. The children and descendants of the person disinherited shall take his or
her place and shall preserve the rights of compulsory heirs with respect to the legitime; but
the disinherited parent shall not have the usufruct or administration of the property which
constitutes the legitime.
Balane: Representation in case of disinheritance:
1. Effect of disinheritance is not explicitly provided for.
The total exclusion = loss of legitime, right to intestate succession, and of any
disposition in a prior will.
2. "Takes place only in legitime."-- The law assumes that free portion has been given
away. If not, include the intestate portion.
3. Representation.-- (This is applicable only) if (the) person disinherited is a child or
descendant.
Includes both legitime and intestate share of the disinherited heir.

|
A

Notes and Cases on SUCCESSION

Compiled and Edited by RAM

Art. 945. If a periodical pension, or a certain annual, monthly, or weekly amount is

Compiled and Edited by RAM

Art. 960. Legal or intestate succession takes place:

(1) If a person dies without a will, or with a void will, or one which has subsequently
lost its validity;
(2) When the will does not institute an heir to, or dispose of all the property
belonging to the testator. In such case, legal succession shall take place only with respect to
the property of which the testator has not disposed;
(3) If the suspensive condition attached to the institution of heir does not happen or
is not fulfilled, of if the heir dies before the testator, or repudiates the inheritance, there
being no substitution, and no right of accretion takes place;
(4) When the heir instituted is incapable of succeeding, except in cases provided in
this Code.
Balane: This enumeration is not exclusive. There are other causes.
A. Kinds
1. Total - No testamentary disposition at all.
2. Partial - A will that disposes of part of the free portion
B. Causes
1.

a. No will.-- Total intestacy

b. Void will = no will.-- Total intestacy
c. Erroneous.-- will, once valid, always valid but may lose its efficacy, e.g.,

when revoked.
2.
3.
institution.

a. "does not institute an heir."-- Useless will as far as succession is concerned.

b. "Does not dispose all."-- Partial intestacy
"Suspensive condition does not happen."--

Intestacy as to that specific

4. "Incapable of succeeding-- Only specific provision will give rise to intestacy.

5. Others not in Art. 960.
a. The arrival of the resolutory term.
b. Impossibility of ascertaining the will of the testator.
Art. 961. In default of testamentary heirs, the law vests the inheritance, in
accordance with the rules hereinafter set forth, in the legitimate and illegitimate relatives of
the deceased, in the surviving spouse, and in the State.
Art. 962. In every inheritance, the relative nearest in degree excludes the more
distant ones, saving the right of representation when it property takes place.
Relatives in the same degree shall inherit in equal shares, subject to the provisions of
article 1006 with respect to relatives of the full and half blood, and of article 987, paragraph
2, concerning division between the paternal and maternal lines.

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Subsection 1.-- Relationship.

Art. 963. Proximity of relationship is determined by the number of generations.
Each generation forms a degree.
Art. 964. A series of degrees forms a line, which may be either direct or collateral.
A direct line is that constituted by the series of degrees among ascendants and
descendants.
A collateral line is that constituted by the series of degrees among persons who are
ascendants and descendants, but who come from a common ancestor.
Art. 965. The direct line is either descending or ascending.
The former unites the head of the family with those who descend from him.
The latter binds a person with those from whom he descends.
Art. 966. In the line, as many degrees are counted as there are generations or
persons, excluding the progenitor.
In the direct line, ascent is made to the common ancestor. Thus, the child is one
degree removed from the parent, two from the grandfather, and three from the greatgrandparent.
In the collateral line, ascent is made to the common ancestor and then descent is
made to the person with whom the computation is to be made. Thus, a person is two
degrees removed from his brother, three from his uncle, who is the brother of his father,
four from his first cousin, and so forth.
Art. 967. Full blood relationship is that existing between persons who have the same
father and the same mother.
Half blood relationship is that existing between persons who have the same father,
but not the same mother, or the same mother, but not the same father.
Balane: Articles 963 to 967 on relationships.
1. (These rules on relationship are) important because of certain principles which ordain in
intestacy, namely:
a. Nearer excludes the more remote;
b. Direct line is preferred over the collateral;
c. Descending line is preferred over the ascending.
2. Two basic concepts in relationship:
a. Concept of degree.-- This is the method of computing the proximity of relationship.
Every degree is one generation.
b. Concept of lines.-- (These are) relative positions in the family between 2 persons
(genealogical chart.)
In intestacy:
a. There is no limit.-- Direct line-(i) ascending
(ii) descending

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b. Limit of five degrees.-- Collateral line-- 2 persons having a common ascendant

Illustration:
A
|
B
|
C

\
D
|
E

For B, A is in the direct line. D is in the collateral line.

3. Full and half-blood relations in intestacy.
a. Brothers and sisters. (Art. 1006.)-- 2 : 1-- This is applicable only in intestate
succession.
b. Nephews and nieces. (Art. 1008.)-- 2 : 1-- Nephews or nieces of the half blood-child of a brother or sister of the half blood.

Art. 968. If there are several relatives of the same degree, and one or some of them
are unwilling or incapacitated to succeed, his portion shall accrue to the others of the same
degree, save the right of representation when it should take place.
Art. 969. If the inheritance should be repudiated by the nearest relatives, should
there be one only, or by all the nearest relatives called by law to succeed, should there be
several, those of the following degree shall inherit in their own right and cannot represent
the person or persons repudiating the inheritance.

Subsection 2.-- Right of Representation.

Art. 970. Representation is a right created by fiction of law, by virtue of which the
representative is raised to the place and the degree of the person represented, and acquires
the rights which the latter would have if he were living or he could have inherited.
Balane: 1. This article contains the definition of representation. Representation is not a very
accurate term because it does not convey the full meaning of the process.
Illustration:
X
/ | \
A B C
/ \
b1 b2
B predeceases X. When X dies, b1 and b2 are excluded bec. of the rule that the nearer
excludes the more remote. Only A and C should inherit. But because of the right of

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representation, b1 and b2 will inherit in the place of B. They are raised to the level of B. They
will only get what B would have gotten.
The better term is successional subrogation, as JBL Reyes calls it.
It is a process whereby one person takes another's place. The representative is subrogated
(takes the place) of the person represented.
2. Under what situations does it operate?
a. Predecease.-- Articles 982, 975.
b. Disinheritance.-- Art. 923.
c. Incapacity or unworthiness to succeed.-- Art. 1035.
(This) does not apply to renunciation. (See Articles 968, 969, 977.)
3. In what kinds of succession does it operate?
a. Compulsory
b. Intestate
It does not apply to testamentary succession.
E.g., "I institute my son, and if he predeceases me, he will be represented by his son."
This is substitution and not representation.
Art. 971. The representative is called to the succession by the law and not by the
person represented. The representative does not succeed the person represented but the one
whom the person represented would have succeeded.
Art. 972. The right of representation takes place in the direct descending line, but
never in the ascending.
In the collateral line, it takes place only in favor of the children of brothers or
sisters, whether they be of the full or half blood.
Balane: 1. In legitime, in what direction does it operate? Only in the descending, never in the
ascending.
2. In intestacy, in what direction does it operate?
a. In descending line.-- Same as in legitimes.
b. Only one instance in the collateral line.-- Nephews and nieces in
representation of their parents who predeceased their decedent brother or sister.
X
/ | \
A B C
/ \
b1 b2
B predeceases A. When A dies, b1 and b2 can represent B in B's share in the estate of A.
Teotico v. Del Val.-- An adopted child cannot represent his adoptive parent bec. the
fiction is only between the adopter and the adopted.

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Art. 973. In order that representation may take place, it is necessary that the
representative himself be capable of succeeding the decedent.
Balane: Capacity to succeed.-- In representation, there are three parties:
1. The decedent;
2. The person represented;
3. The representative.
Questions:
a. Must 3 have capacity to succeed from 1? Yes, bec. he is really succeeding from 1.
b. Must 3 have capacity to succeed from 2? No, bec. 3 is not succeeding from 2.
c. Must 2 have capacity to succeed from 1? No. This is precisely why 3 succeeds 1.

Art. 974. Whenever there is succession by representation, the division of the estate
shall be made per stirpes, in such manner that the representative or representatives shall not
inherit more than what the person they represent would inherit, if he were living or could
inherit.
Art. 975. When children of one of more brothers or sisters of the deceased survive,
they shall inherit from the latter by representation, if they survive with their uncles or
aunts. But if they alone survive, they shall inherit in equal portions.
Balane: Representation:
1. In collateral line.
a1
/
A-- a2
/
X-- B -- b
\
C-- c1
\
c2
a. If A, B and C predecease X, all nephews inherit in their son right, per capita.
2. In the direct line. (Art. 982.)
/
A
/ |

X
|
B
|

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\
C
| \

Notes and Cases on SUCCESSION

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a1 a2

b c1 c2

a. In A, B and C predecease X, all grandchildren inherit by representation, per

stirpes.
b. If A, B and C renounce, all grandchildren inherit by their own right, per
capita.
Art. 976. A person may represent him whose inheritance he has renounced.
Art. 977. Heirs who repudiate their share may not be represented.
Balane: Articles 976 and 977.
In renunciation:
a. Person who renounces cannot be represented. (Art. 977.)
b. Person who renounces can represent. (Art. 976.)
Illustration:

A
|
B
|
C
|
D

C renounces his inheritance from B. B then dies. Later on, A dies.

Effect:
1. D cannot represent C in B's estate.
2. Can C represent B in A's estate? Yes. When C renounced, he only renounced his right
to inherit from B. He did not renounce his right to inherit from A.

Compiled and Edited by RAM

Art. 995. In the absence of legitimate descendants and ascendants, and illegitimate
children and their descendants, whether legitimate or illegitimate, the surviving spouse shall
inherit the entire estate, without prejudice to the rights of brothers and sister, nephews and
nieces, should there by any under article 1001.
Art. 1001. Should brothers and sisters or their children survive with the
widow or widower, the latter shall be entitled to one-half of the inheritance and the
brothers and sisters or their children to the other half.

Art. 996. If a widow or widower and legitimate children or descendants are left, the
surviving spouse has in the succession the same share as that of each of the children.

Art. 997. When the widow or widower survives with legitimate parents or
ascendants, the surviving spouse shall be entitled to one-half of the estate, and the legitimate
parents or ascendants to the other half.
Art. 998. If a widow or widower survives with illegitimate children, such widow or
widower shall be entitled to one-half of the inheritance, and the illegitimate children or their
descendants, whether legitimate or illegitimate, to the other half.
Art. 999. When the widow or widower survives with legitimate children or their
descendants and illegitimate children or their descendants, whether legitimate or
illegitimate, such widow or widower shall be entitled to the same share as that of a legitimate child.
Art. 1000. If legitimate ascendants, the surviving spouse, and illegitimate children
are left, the ascendants shall be entitled to one-half of the inheritance, and the other half
shall be divided between the surviving spouse and the illegitimate children so that such
widow or widower shall have one-fourth of the estate, and the illegitimate children the other
fourth.
Art. 1001. Should brothers and sisters or their children survive with the widow or
widower, the latter shall be entitled to one-half of the inheritance and the brothers and
sisters or their children to the other half.
Art. 1002. In case of a legal separation, if the surviving spouse gave cause for the
separation, he or she shall not have any of the rights granted in the preceding article.

Subsection 5.-- Collateral Relatives

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Art. 1003. If there are no descendants, ascendants, illegitimate children, or a

surviving spouse, the collateral relatives shall succeed to the entire estate of the deceased in
accordance with the following articles.
Art. 1004. Should the only survivors be brothers and sisters of the full blood, they
shall inherit in equal shares.
Art. 1005. Should brothers and sisters survive together with nephews and nieces,
who are the children of the decedent's brothers and sisters of the full blood, the former shall
inherit per capita, and the latter per stirpes.
Baviera: Per capita means equally
per stirpes means by representation
Art. 1006. Should brothers and sisters of the full blood survive together with
brother and sisters of the half blood, the former shall be entitled to a share double that of
the latter.
Art. 1007. In case brothers and sisters of the half blood, some on the father's and
some on the mother's side, are the only survivors, all shall inherit in equal shares without
distinction as to the origin of the property.
Art. 1008. Children of brothers and sisters of the half blood shall succeed per capita
or per stirpes, in accordance with the rules laid down for brothers and sisters of the full
blood.
Art. 1009. Should there be neither brothers nor sisters nor children of brothers or
sisters, the other collateral relatives shall succeed to the estate.
The latter shall succeed without distinction of lines or preference among them by
reason of relationship by the whole blood.
Art. 1010. The right to inherit ab intestato shall not extend beyond the fifth degree
of relationship in the collateral line.
Subsection 6.-- The State.
Art. 1011. In default of persons entitled to succeed in accordance with the
provisions of the preceding Sections, the State shall inherit the whole estate.
Art. 1012. In order that the State may take possession of the property mentioned in
the preceding article, the pertinent provisions of the Rules of Court must be observed.

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Art. 1013. After the payment of debts and charges, the personal property shall be
assigned to the municipality or city where the deceased last resided in the Philippines, and
the real estate to the municipalities or cities, respectively, in which the same is situated.
If the deceased never resided in the Philippines, the whole estate shall be assigned to
the respective municipalities or cities where the same is located.
Such estate shall be for the benefit of public schools, and public charitable
institutions and centers, in such municipalities or cities. The court shall distribute the estate
as the respective needs of each beneficiary may warrant.
The court, at the instance of an interested party, or in its own motion, may order the
establishment of a permanent trust, so that only the income from the property shall be used.
Art. 1014. If a person legally entitled to the estate of the deceased appears and files
a claim thereto with the court within five years from the date the property was delivered to
the State, such person shall be entitled to the possession of the same, or if sold, the
municipality or city shall be accountable to him for such part of the proceeds as may not
have been lawfully spent.
Balane:
Intestate heirs:
1. Legitimate children/ descendants
a. excludes ascendants, all collaterals, the State
b. concurs with illegitimate children/ descendants, surviving spouse
c. excluded by no one.
2. Illegitimate children/ descendants
a. excludes illegitimate parents, collaterals, the State
b. concurs with surviving spouse, legitimate children, legitimate ascendants
c. excluded by no one.
3. Legitimate parents
a. excludes collaterals, the State
b. concurs with illegitimate children, surviving spouse
c. excluded by legitimate children.
4. Illegitimate ascendants
a. excludes collaterals, the State
b. concurs with the surviving spouse
c. excluded by legitimate descendants, illegitimate descendants.
5. Surviving spouse
a. excludes collaterals, other than brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, the State
b. concurs with legitimate child, illegitimate child, legitimate and illegitimate brothers
and sisters, nephews and nieces.
c. excluded by no one.
6. Brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces
a. excludes all other collaterals, the State
b. concurs with the surviving spouse

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c. excluded by legitimate children, illegitimate children, legitimate parents, illegitimate

parents.
7. Other collaterals
a. exludes collaterals in remote degrees, the State
b. concurs with collaterals in equal degree
c. excludes legitimate/ illegitimate children/ parents, surviving spouse, brothers and
sisters, nephews and nieces.
8. The State
a. excludes no one
b. concurs with no one
c. excluded by everybody else.
Articles 978 to 1014.-- Various Combinations-- Total Intestacy
Note: The rules on exclusion and concurrence in legitimes will also apply to intestacy.
1.
Legitimate children and/ or descendants alone.-- Entire estate divided equally among
them. (Art. 979.)
2.
Legitimate children and illegitimate children.-- Entire estate in proportion of 2 : 1 or 10 :
5 : 4 as the case may be. This is without prejudice to the impairment of legitimes. (Art. 983.)
3.
Legitimate children and surviving spouse.-- Surviving spouse share equal to that of one
legitimate child. If only 1 legitimate child, 1/2 each. (Art. 996.)
Formula: no. of legitimate children + 1 (surviving spouse) = share of each
Estate
4.

Legitimate children
Surviving spouse.-- Same share as a legitimate child
Illegitimate children.-- 1/2 or 4 : 5 : 10 ratio w/ share of a legitimate child. (Art. 999.)

Legitimate parents alone.-- Entire estate shared equally.

6.
Legitimate ascendants alone.-- Apply Articles 889 and 890 which are the rules on
legitime.
7.

Legitimate parents (or ascendants).-- 1 : 2

Illegitimate children.-- 1/2
Free portion = 1/4 to illegitimate children. (Art. 991.)
Partial Intestacy

Legitimate parents (or ascendants).-- 1/2

Surviving spouse.-- 1/2
Free portion.-- 1/4 to the surviving spouse. (Art. 997.)
Partial Intestacy

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Legitimate parents (or ascendants.)-- 1/2

Surviving spouse.-- 1/4
Illegitimate children.-- 1/4
Free portion.-- 1/8 to surviving spouse. (Art. 1000.)

10.

Illegitimate children alone.-- Entire estate divided equally or 5 : 4 as the case may be.
Free portion = 1/2 to illegitimate children. (Art. 988.)

11.

Illegitimate children.-- 1/2 divided as in number 10

Surviving spouse.-- 1/2
Free portion.-- 1/6 to both. (Art. 998.)
Partial intestacy

12.

Surviving spouse alone.-- Entire estate.

Free portion.-- 1/2 to surviving spouse. (Articles 994 and 995.)

13.

Surviving spouse.-- 1/2

Illegitimate children.-- 1/2
Free portion = 1/4 to both (no article.)

14.

Surviving spouse.-- 1/2

Legitimate brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces.-- 1/2
full : half = 2 : 1
Free portion = 1/2 to brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces
If marriage is in articulo mortis, add 1/6 to free portion once the legitime of the wife is
reduced to 1/3 (Art. 1001.)
15.

Surviving spouse.-- 1/2

Illegitimate brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces (if decedent is illegitimate).-- 1/2
Full : Half = 2 : 1
Free portion = 1/2 to illegitimate brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces (Art. 994.)

16.

Illegitimate parents alone.-- entire estate

Free portion.-- 1/2 to illegitimate parents. (Art. 993.)

17.

Illegitimate parents.-- none.

Children of any kind.-- Entire estate divided according to earlier rules. (Art. 993.)

18.
Legitimate brothers and sisters alone.-- Whole estate divided in the ratio of 2 : 1 between
full and half blood. (Articles 1004 and 1006.)
19.
Legitimate brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces.-- Entire estate with the ratio of 2
: 1 between full and half blood
a. Nephews and nieces inherit by representation.-- per stirpes.
b. Nephews and nieces inherit bec. all brothers and sisters predecease.-- per capita.
(Articles 1005 and 1008.)
20.

Nephews and nieces.-- Entire estate.

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Uncles and aunts.-- None.

Bacayo v. Borromeo.-- Nephews and nieces exclude uncles and aunts even if they may
be both only three (3) degrees away from the decedent. (Art. 1009 by inference.)
21.
Illegitimate brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces.-- Entire estate with the ratio of
2 : 1 between full and half blood.
This applies only if the decedent is also illegitimate.
Apply the rules for nephews and nieces stated in number 19 (none.)
22.
Nephews and nieces alone.-- Entire estate with the ratio of 2 : 1 between full and half
blood.
Per capita. (Articles 975 and 1008.)
Right of representation.
23.

Other collaterals.-- Entire estate in equal shares

Rules: a. No distinction between full and half blood
b. No representation
c. Nearer excludes the more remote
d. Up to the fifth degree only. (Articles 1009 and 1010.)
In case of an illegitimate decedent, collaterals are only up to nephews and nieces.

24.

The State.-- the entire estate. (Art. 1011.)

NOTE: Follow the rules except numbers 2 and 4 which requires two (2) steps. Numbers 2 and 4
are tricky because you may end up impairing the legitime.
REMEMBER: Legitimes cannot be impaired.
Good News: Just follow the rules, the legitimes will never be impaired. They are
automatically covered by the rules.
Bad News: Art. 983, which covers the combination of legitimate and illegitimate
children, might impair the legitime.

Illustration: X's estate is worth P180,000.

X
------------------------------| | :
: :
: :
A B C D E F G
1. If you follow Art. 983 literally, 2 : 2 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 assuming the decedent died after
the Family Code took effect.
A = 40,000
B = 40,000
C = 20,000
D = 20,000

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E = 20,000
F = 20,000
F = 20,000
G = 20,000
But the legitime of A and B is impaired.
Legitime of A and B = 90,000
Share of A and B
80,000
Legitime lacks
10,000
2. Since Art. 983 impairs the legitime, follow this two- step process:
a. Give the legitime first. (Give to the legitimate first before the illegitimate.)
b.
(i) If there is an excess, divide it according to the ratio of 2 : 1 or 10 : 5 :
4 depending on the circumstances.
(ii) If lacking, reduce the share of illegitimate children pro-rata.
In the illustration:
A = 45,000
B = 45,000
C = 22,500
D = 22,500
E = 22,500
F = 22,500
G = 22,500
TOTAL 202,500
The estate lacks 22,500
Reduce the shares of illegitimate children pro-rata = 22,500/ 5 = 4,500 each. The share
of each illegitimate child will equal 18,000.
Note:

1. An adopted child is treated as a legitimate child.

2. Spouse receives shares if:
a. The valid is marriage
b. Violable but not annulled
If legally separated, apply the same rules as in legitimes.

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Chapter 4
PROVISIONS COMMON TO TESTATE
AND INTESTATE SUCCESSIONS
Section 1.-- Right of Accretion.
Balane: (The right of accretion) takes place in: (1) testamentary succession
(2) intestate succession
But not with respect to legitimes.-- Art. 1021 par. 2. This provision was copied from the
OCC and is inapplicable now because it was used for the mejora. However, it must still be
applied.

Art. 1015. Accretion is a right by virtue of which, when two or more persons are
called to the same inheritance, devise or legacy, the part assigned to the one who renounces
or cannot receive his share, or who died before the testator, is added or incorporated to that
of his co-heir, co-devisees, or co-legatees.
Art. 1016. In order that the right of accretion may take place in a testamentary
succession, it shall be necessary:
(1) That two or more persons be called to the same inheritance, or to the same
portion thereof, pro indiviso, and

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(2) That one of the persons thus called die before the testator, or renounce the
inheritance, or be incapacitated to receive it.
Balane: Articles 1015 and 1016.
Requisites:
1. Two or more heirs, devisees and legatees are called to the same inheritance, devise or
legacy pro-indiviso. Pro indiviso means without designation of parts or the portions are
undivided.
2. One of the persons called:
a. Die before the testator
b. Renounce the inheritance
c. Be incapacitated to receive it.
Note: These are the same causes for substitution.
Substitution
1. predecease
2. incapacity
3. renunciation

Accretion
1. predecease
2. incapacity
3. renunciation

Representation
1. predecease
2. incapacity
3. disinheritance

Examples:
1. "I give 5000 to A and B." If A dies and does not have any children or descendants,
accretion will take place. B will get 5,000, 2500 by his own right and 2,500 by accretion.
2. "I give 5000 to A and B in equal shares." Accretion will still apply. "Equal shares"
makes explicit what is implied because if nothing is said, it is presumed that it is in equal shares.
3. "I give 1/2 to A, 1/4 B and 1/8 to C." This seems to imply accretion.
a. Is it possible to have unequal pro indiviso shares? Yes. As long as they are
"undivided," "aliquot" or "abstract." It is not required that they be in equal shares. What is
required is that it be pro indiviso.
b. Accretion will not apply according to commentators. Pro indiviso is not a
good phrase, it should be "without any particular designation of shares."
If equal shares.-- Art. 1017, accretion applies.
If unequal shares, can accretion apply?
(i) Yes.-- Art. 1016
(ii) No.-- Commentators. If sharing is not the same, accretion cannot take place.

Compiled and Edited by RAM

(2) The relatives of such priest or minister of the gospel within the fourth degree,
the church, order, chapter, community, organization, or institution to which such priest or
minister may belong;
(3) A guardian with respect to testamentary dispositions given by a ward in his
favor before the final accounts of the guardianship have been approved, even if the testator
should die after the approval thereof; nevertheless, any provision made by the ward in favor
of the guardian when the latter is his ascendants, descendant, brother, sister, or spouse, shall
be valid;
(4) Any attesting witness to the execution of a will, the spouse, parents, or children,
or any one claiming under such witness, spouse, parents, or children;
(5) Any physician, surgeon, nurse, health officer or druggist who took care of the
testator during his last illness;
(6) Individuals, associations and corporations not permitted by law to inherit.
Balane: Numbers 1 to 5 have no application to legitimes.
A.
Example number 1. A, a priest, is a friend of B. B regularly goes to confession to A. B
then becomes seriously ill. He executes a will instituting A to 1/3 to his estate. Is this
testamentary disposition valid or is A capacitated to inherit from B? Yes.
Example number 2. On his deathbed, X makes a will instituting Y, a priest. Thinking he
will die, X calls Y to confess. Is Y capacitated to inherit from X? Yes.
1. When does par. 1 apply, in other words, when is the priest incapacitated to succeed?
a. When the confession is made prior to the making of a will. If simultaneous,
the priest is still disqualified. If the will is made first, the priest can inherit.
b. If the confession was made before the will was made and the priest is the son
of the sick person, can the priest inherit upon the death of the sick person? Yes. He can
get the legitime.
If the priest were a brother? Yes. He can inherit by intestacy.
Disqualification applies only to testamentary dispositions.
2. "Priest or minister of the gospel."-- Despite this apparent restriction to Christian
ministers, this applies to all spiritual ministers, e.g., Buddhist monks.
Why? Because it is conclusively presumed that the spiritual minister used his moral
influence to induce or influence the sick person to make a testamentary disposition in his favor.
3. Requisites:
a. The will was made during the last illness
b. The spiritual ministration must have been extended during the last illness
c. The will was executed during or after the spiritual ministration.
B. Relatives of the priest of minister of the gospel
This widens the disqualification in A.
Omission was made of the spouse of the minister of the gospel. What do you do? Apply
Art. 1031. To disqualify the spouse, you have to show that the testamentary benefaction given to
the wife was meant to benefit the minister. This is harder to prove.
C. Guardian

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General rule: Disqualification applies when the disposition is made:

After the guardianship began (beginning of the guardianship) --- Before termination of
guardianship (approval of final accounts or lifting of guardianship.)
Exception: Disposition is valid when the guardian is an ascendant, descendant, brother,
sister or spouse.
1. This exception is not present in the case of a priest. Why? They were derived
different laws. The omission in the case of the priest was stupid.
2. Seems to refer only to guardian of the property. Commentators agree that this also
covers guardians over the person bec. the latter have more opportunity to influence the ward.
D. Attesting witness.
Correlate this w/ Art. 923.
General rule: Witness, spouse.... are disqualified.
Exception: If there are three (3) other witnesses to the will.
E. Physician, surgeon, nurse, health officer or druggist.
The latter must have taken care of the sick person.
Requisites:
1. The will was made during the last illness
2. The sick person must have been taken cared of during his last illness. Medical
attendance was made.
3. The will was executed during or after he was being taken cared of.
Art. 1028. The prohibitions mentioned in article 739, concerning donations inter
vivos shall apply to testamentary provisions.
Article 739. The following donations shall be void:
(1) Those made between persons who were guilty of adultery or
concubinage at the time of the donation;
(2) Those made between persons found guilty of the same criminal offense,
in consideration thereof;
(3) Those made to a public officer or his wife, descendants and ascendants,
by reason of his office.
In the case referred to in No. 1, the action for declaration of nullity may be
brought by the spouse of the donor or donee; and the guilt of the donor and donee
may be proved by preponderance of evidence in the same action.

Compiled and Edited by RAM

Balane: Possessor in bad faith means he knows that he is incapacitated. He must return the
property, fruits and rents.
Art. 1039. Capacity to succeed is governed by the law of the nation of the decedent.
Art. 1040. The action for a declaration of incapacity and for the recovery of the
inheritance, devise or legacy shall be brought within five years from the time the
disqualified person took possession thereof. It may be brought by any one who may have an
interest in the succession.
Balane: Right of heir to recover the inheritance must be exercised within five years.

Section 3.-- Acceptance and Repudiation of the Inheritance.

Art. 1041. The acceptance or repudiation of the inheritance is an act which is purely
voluntary and free.
Balane: 1. Acceptance.-- (a) voluntary; (b) free
2. Basic Rules
a. Rules for acceptance are more liberal than the rules of renunciation because
the former are beneficial to the heir while the latter is prejudicial to the heir.
b. In case an heir is incompetent/ insane or a minor, acceptance or repudiation
must be made by a representative. In case of renunciation, court approval is necessary bec. of a.
Art. 1042. The effects of the acceptance or repudiation shall always retroact to the
moment of the death of the decedent.
Balane: This is because of Art. 777 which states that "the right to the succession are transmitted
from the moment of the death of the decedent."
Art. 1043. No person may accept or repudiate an inheritance unless he is certain of
the death of the person from whom he is to inherit, and of his right to the inheritance.
Balane: This article requires: (a) certainty of death; (b) right to inherit (is established.)
Art. 1044. Any person having the free disposal of his property may accept or
repudiate an inheritance.
Any inheritance left to minors or incapacitated persons may be accepted by their
parents or guardians. Parents or guardians may repudiate the inheritance left to their
wards only by judicial authorization.

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The right to accept an inheritance left to the poor shall belong to the persons
designated by the testator to determine the beneficiaries and distribute the property, or in
their default to those mentioned in article 1030.
Balane:
Par. 1.-- Must have capacity to dispose of the property.
a. Of age
b. Not restricted in his capacity to act.
Par. 2.-- Minors or incapacitated can inherit through their parents or legal guardians. But
to renounce, judicial approval is necessary.
Art. 1045. The lawful representatives of corporations, associations, institutions and
entities qualified to acquire property may accept any inheritance left to the latter, but in
order to repudiate it, the approval of the court shall be necessary.
Balane: Acceptance needs a lawful representative while renunciation needs court approval.
Art. 1046. Public official establishments can neither accept nor repudiate an
inheritance without the approval of the government.
Art. 1047. A married woman of age may repudiate an inheritance without the
consent of her husband.
Balane: General rule: A married woman may accept without the consent of her husband.
Exception: If she is insane. In this case, however, the marriage is not the reason for the
incapacity.
Art. 1048. Deaf-mutes who can read and write may 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 guardians may repudiate the same
with judicial approval.
Balane: General rule: Being a deaf-mute is not a restriction on the ability to accept or renounce
as long as he can read and write. He may accept or renounce personally or through an agent.
Exception: If he cannot read or write, he can only accept through a guardian. If he
renounces, the renunciation needs court approval.
Art. 1049. Acceptance may be express or tacit.
An express acceptance must be made in a public or private document.
A tacit acceptance is one resulting from the acts by which the intention to accept is
necessarily implied, or which one would have no right to do except in the capacity of an heir.
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.
Balane: Forms of acceptance:

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1. Express.-- In clear and explicit terms. In writing, whether in a private or public

document.
2. Tacit.-- Art. 1050.-- Results from acts from which intent to accept is implied.
3. Implied.-- Art. 1057.-- If does not do anything w/in thirty (30) days, then it is
deemed accepted.
Art. 1050. An inheritance is deemed accepted:
(1) If the heirs sells, donates, or assigns his right to a stranger, or to his co-heirs, or
to any of them;
(2) If the heir renounces the same, even though gratuitously, for the benefit of one
or more of his co-heirs;
(3) If he renounces it for a price in favor of all his co-heirs indiscriminately; but if
this renunciation should be gratuitous, and the co-heirs in whose favor it is made are those
upon whom the portion renounced should devolve by virtue of accretion, the inheritance
shall not be deemed as accepted.
Balane: Par. 1.-- Acts of ownership-- to do these acts, the heir must have accepted the
inheritance.
Par. 2.-- Heir is really giving it-- to do this, the heir must have accepted it first
Par. 3.-- Sells it-- must have acquired something before you can sell. However, if
gratuitous in favor of co-heirs indiscriminately, to whom it would have devolved by accretion,
then true renunciation.

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
or intestate proceedings.
Balane: Forms of renunciation:
1. Public or authentic document
2. Petition presented to the court.
Strict form is required. One cannot renounce tacitly or impliedly.
Art. 1052. If the heir repudiates the inheritance to the prejudice of his own
creditors, the latter may petition the court to authorize them to accept it in the name of the
heir.
The acceptance shall benefit the creditors only to an extent sufficient to cover the
amount of their credits. The excess, should there be any, shall in no case pertain to the
renouncer, but shall be adjudicated to the persons to whom, in accordance with the rules
established in this Code, it may belong.
Balane: Accion Pauliana.-- The right of the creditor to set aside dispositions or renunciations
prejudicial to them.
How much? To the extent to cover the debt only. The excess is given to whom it would
properly belong.
This assumes that you do not have enough money to pay your creditors.

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Art. 1053. If the heir should die without having accepted or repudiated the
inheritance his right shall be transmitted to his heirs.
Balane: Why? Because the right has vested in him at the time the decedent died.
Art. 1054. Should there be several heirs called to the inheritance, some of them may
accept and the others may repudiate it.
Balane: Illustration:
X
---------| | |
A B C
----| | |
abc
X died on Jan. 1, 1996. A died on Jan. 14, 1996 without having accepted or repudiated
the inheritance. a, b and c get the rights of A. Any of them may renounce. If a and b renounce,
then 2/3 of A's share is deemed renounced. No accretion takes place between a, b and c.
Partial acceptance is allowed. E.g., B renounces 2/3 of what he will get.
Art. 1055. If a person, who is called to the same inheritance as an heir by will and
ab intestato, repudiates the inheritance in his capacity as a testamentary heir, he is
understood to have repudiated it in both capacities.
Should he repudiate it as an intestate heir, without knowledge of his being a
testamentary heir, he may still accept it in the latter capacity.
Balane: If the heir is both a testate and intestate heir:
1. If he renounces in a testate capacity.-- He is deemed to have renounced in both
capacities. Why? If the heir rejected an express will, then he is deemed to have rejected the
implied will.
2. If he renounces in an intestate capacity, whether he had knowledge that he was a
testate heir or not, only his capacity to inherit as an intestate heir is renounced. Even if he had
knowledge, he may want to accept the testate share to show respect for the will of the testator.
Philosophy behind this is that testamentary succession is superior to intestate succession.
Note: Legitime is treated separately.-- This may be accepted or renounced separately. The heir
may accept the testate share and reject the legitime and vice versa.
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.
Balane: General rule: Irrevocability of acceptance or repudiation.

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Exceptions:

1. Vitiated consent, e.g., when there is fraud

2. When an unknown will appears.-- You cannot renounce what you do

not know.
Art. 1057. Within thirty days after the court has issued an order for the distribution
of the estate in accordance with the Rules of Court, the heirs, devisees and legatees shall
signify to the court having jurisdiction whether they accept or repudiate the inheritance.
If they do not do so within that time, they are deemed to have accepted the
inheritance.
Balane: Implied acceptance.-- The thirty day period is counted from the receipt of the order.

Section 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 persons shall
be governed by the Rules of Court.
Art. 1059. If the assets of the estate of a decedent which can be applied to the
payment of debts are not sufficient for that purpose, the provisions of articles 2239 to 2251
on Preference of Credits shall be observed, provided that the expenses referred to in article
2244, No. 8, shall be those involved in the administration of the decedent's estate.
Art. 1060. A corporation or association authorized to conduct the business of a trust
company in the Philippines may be appointed as an executor, administrator, guardian of an
estate, or trustee, in like manner as an individual; but it shall not be appointed guardian of
the person of a ward.
Balane: Articles 1058 to 1060.-- For the procedural aspects, see Rules 73 to 91 of the Rules of
Court.
Section 5.-- Collation.
Balane: Definition: Steps taken to settle the estate to be able to give it to the heirs.
Three (3) senses:
1. Computation.-- Get together all assets, subtract the debts and add the donations to get
the net hereditary estate.

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2. Imputation.-- Determine if the donation is chargeable/ imputable to the legitime or the

free portion.
General rule: If compulsory heir, imputable to the legitime.
Exception: If testator has provided otherwise.
3. Restoration/ return.-- If donation to a stranger exceeds the free portion, he would
have to give back to the estate as much as is needed to complete the legitimes. This will not
happen if the legitimes are not impaired.
Art. 1061. 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 from the
decedent, during the lifetime of the latter, by way of donation, or any other gratuitous title,
in order that it may be computed in the determination of the legitime of each heir, and in
the account of the partition.
Balane: First sense, computation.
This is the same as the third step in Art. 908.
Inaccuracy in the provision.-- "collation done by compulsory heirs."-- All donations are
collated provided there is at least one compulsory heir bec. there will be a legitime.
Art. 1062. Collation shall not take place among compulsory heirs if the donor should
have so expressly provided, or if the donee should repudiate the inheritance, unless the
donation should be reduced as inofficious.
Balane: Second sense, imputation. (Articles 909, 910.)
General rule: Donation to a compulsory heir shall be collated (imputed) to his legitime.
Exceptions:
(1) Donor provides otherwise. In such a case, it will be imputed to the
free portion.
(2) Donee repudiates the inheritance.
Art. 1063. Property left by will is not deemed subject to collation, if the testator has
not otherwise provided, but the legitime shall in any case remain unimpaired.
Balane: Second sense, imputation.
Testamentary Disposition. This is imputed against the free portion and not against the
legitime. The heir gets legitime + testamentary disposition. Why? If not, what is the use? He
will get it anyway. Unless, of course, if it impairs the legitime of others.
Art. 1064. When grandchildren, who survive with their uncles, aunts, or cousins,
inherit from their grandparents in representation of their father or mother, they shall bring
to collation all that their parents, if alive, would have been obliged to bring, even though
such grandchildren have not inherited the property.
They shall also bring to collation all that they may have received from the decedent
during his lifetime, unless the testator has provided otherwise, in which case his wishes must
be respected, if the legitime of the co-heirs is not prejudiced.

PAGE 138

Notes and Cases on SUCCESSION

Compiled and Edited by RAM

Balane: Second sense, imputation.

"Grandchildren" refer to all descendants who inherit by representation.
Illustration:
X
/
A

B
/ \
b1 b2

B predeceased X.
1. In 1988, X donated to B P70,000.
2. In 2001, X donated to b1 and b2 P50,000
What will b1 and b2 impute when X dies?
Par. 1.-- 1988 donation.-- Yes bec. B would have imputed it (if he) were he alive.
Par. 2.-- 2001 donation.-- Yes. This is not logical bec. b1 and b2 inherit by
representation. The general rule is that only persons who receive the donation are bound to
impute it.
Art. 1065. Parents are not obliged to bring to collation in the inheritance of the
ascendants any property which may have been donated by the latter to their children.
Balane: Second sense, imputation.
Illustration:
X
/

Notes and Cases on SUCCESSION

Compiled and Edited by RAM

a. Assign the property to the one who will give the other share in cash.
b. If any object, the property is sold at public auction. Why will any object?
Public auction will usually bring a higher selling price.
Q: How do you determine if the property is indivisible or not?
A: By agreement between the co-owners. If none, the courts will decide.
Art. 1083. Every co-heir has a right to demand the division of the estate unless the
testator should have expressly forbidden its partition, in which case the period of indivision
shall not exceed twenty years as provided in article 494. This power of the testator to
prohibit division applies to the legitime.
Even though forbidden by the testator, the co-ownership terminates when one of the
causes for which partnership is dissolved takes place, or when the court finds for compelling
reasons that division should be ordered, upon petition of one of the co-heirs.
Balane: General rule: Any of the co-heirs can demand a partition at any time.
Exception: Partition is forbidden by the testator in his will. This applies even to the
legitime. But it cannot exceed twenty (20) years.
Par. 2.-- Despite the prohibition, if any ground in Articles 1830 or 1831 (grounds for
dissolution of a partnership exists), partition will happen.
Art. 1084. Voluntary heirs upon whom some condition has been imposed cannot
demand a partition until the condition has been fulfilled; but the other co-heirs may
demand it by giving sufficient security for the rights which the former may have in case the
condition should be complied with, and until it is known that the condition has not been
fulfilled or can never be complied with, the partition shall be understood to be provisional.
Balane: Why? Right as heir vests only when the suspensive condition happens.
What about the other heirs? They can ask that the property be partitioned but they must
give security.
Art. 1085. In the partition of the estate, equality shall be observed as far as possible,
dividing the property into lots, or assigning to each of the co-heirs things of the same nature,
quality and kind.
Balane: We already saw this in Articles 1073 and 1074.
It applies to heirs similarly situated.
It is subject to agreement between the parties.
Art. 1086. Should a thing be divisible, or would be much impaired by its being
divided, it may be adjudicated to one of the heirs, provided he shall pay the others the
excess in cash.
Nevertheless, if any of the heirs should demand that the things be sold at public
auction and that strangers be allowed to bid, this must be done.

PAGE 146

Notes and Cases on SUCCESSION

Compiled and Edited by RAM

Balane: If one or more of the heirs demand that the property be sold publicly, then this prevails
over the offer of one to give the others their share in cash because he will buy it.
Art. 1087. In the partition the co-heirs shall reimburse one another for the income
and fruits which each one of them may have received from any property of the estate, for
any useful and necessary expenses made upon such property, and for any damage thereto
through malice or neglect.
Illustration: A, B and C are heirs. A, B and C take possession and manage a fishpond, citrus
plantation and apartment house respectively. Later, they decide to partition the property.
Assuming they have equal shares, they must each account for the fruits actually received and
these fruits will be divided equally among them.
A received 30 as fruits
B received 50 as fruits
C received 20 as fruits
Add this and divide equally among them.
Art. 1088. Should any of the heirs sell his hereditary rights to a stranger before the
partition, any or all of the co-heirs may be subrogated to the rights of the purchaser by
reimbursing him for the price of the sale, provided they do so within the period of one
month from the time they were notified in writing of the sale by the vendor.
Art. 1620. A co-owner of a thing may exercise the right of redemption in
case the shares of all the other co-owners or of any of them, are sold to a third
person. If the price of the alienation is grossly excessive, the redemptioner shall pay
only a reasonable one.
Should two or more co-owners desire to exercise the right of redemption,
they may only do so in proportion to the share they may respectively have in the
thing owned in common.
Art. 1619. Legal redemption is the right to be subrogated, upon the same
terms and conditions stipulated in the contract, in the place of one who acquires a
thing by purchase or dation in payment, or by any other transaction whereby
ownership is transmitted by onerous title.

Balane: A. The right of redemption given to the co-heir provided the co-heir/ vendor sold his
undivided share or a portion thereof in the estate.
Article 1620 on legal redemption and Art. 1088 are the same. The only difference is in
the application.
1. Art. 1620 applies to specific property
2. Art. 1088 applies to hereditary mass
B. How will the right of redemption be exercised?
1. If only one will redeem, he will pay the purchase price.
2. If more than one will redeem, they will pay purchase price proportionally to their
share in the property.

PAGE 147

Notes and Cases on SUCCESSION

Compiled and Edited by RAM

Note: Share must have been sold to a stranger. If sold to a co-heir, the right of
redemption does not exist. Why? The purpose is to keep the proprietary mass w/in the coowners.
Art. 1089. The titles of acquisition or ownership of each property shall be delivered
to the co-heir to whom said property has been adjudicated.
Balane: Once partition is made, respective titles are given to the respective heirs. Why? So that
they can transfer the titles in their names.
Art. 1090. When the title comprises two or more pieces of land which have been
assigned to two or more co-heirs, or when it covers one piece of land which has been divided
between two or more co-heirs, the title shall be delivered to the one having the largest
interest, and authentic copies of the title shall be furnished to the other co-heirs at the
expense of the estate. If the interest of each co-heir should be the same, the oldest shall have
the title.
Balane: (This is) to enable everybody to get their respective properties
Usually you must have the land resurveyed.
Subsection 2.-- Effects of Partition.
Art. 1091. A partition legally made confers upon each heir the exclusive ownership
of the property adjudicated to him.
Balane: Effect of partition.-- Art. 1091 or to terminate co-ownership.
Art. 1092. After the partition has been made, the co-heirs shall be reciprocally
bound to warrant the title to, and the quality of, each property adjudicated.
Balane: Warranties are the same as in sales:
1. Eviction (title.)
2. Hidden defects (quality.)
E.g., Three co-heirs A, B and C divided the land they inherited equally. But part of the
land given to A did not really belong to the predecessor so A losses part of his share. What
happens?
B and C will be liable for the warranty for the part lost. They will either: (a) give cash;
or (b) give land.
Art. 1093. The reciprocal obligation of warranty referred to in the preceding article
shall be proportionate to the respective hereditary shares of the co-heirs; but if any of one of
them should be insolvent, the other co-heirs shall be liable for his part in the same
proportion, deducting the part corresponding to the one who should be indemnified.
Those who pay for the insolvent heir shall have a right of action against him for
reimbursement, should his financial condition improve.

PAGE 148

Notes and Cases on SUCCESSION

Compiled and Edited by RAM

Balane: Illustration: A, B, C and D. A lost part (as in Art. 1092) worth 90.
1. B, C and D will share equally in the 90, 30 each
2. If D is insolvent, A, B and C will shoulder his 30 share, 10 each
3. General rule: A, B and C have a right of reimbursement against D should his financial
situation improve.
Exception: If D gets a judicial declaration of insolvency. This wipes out all his debts.
Art. 1094. An action to enforce the warranty among co-heirs must be brought
within ten years from the date the right of action accrues.
Balane: The ten (10) years is counted from the time the portion was lost or the hidden defect was
discovered.
Art. 1095. If a credit should be assigned as collectible, the co-heirs shall not be
liable for the subsequent insolvency of the debtor of the estate, but only for his insolvency at
the time the partition is made.
The warranty of the solvency of the debtor can only be enforced during the five
years following the partition.
Co-heirs do not warrant bad debts, if so known to, and accepted by the distributee.
But if such debts are not assigned to a co-heir, and should be collected, in whole or in part,
the amount collected shall be distributed proportionately among the heirs.
Balane: 1. Can you assign a credit? Yes. A credit is a property.
2. Time of insolvency of the debtor is important.
a. If the debtor was originally solvent (solvent before the assignment), then later
on becomes insolvent, the co-heirs are not liable.
b. If the debtor was insolvent before the partition.
General rule: Warranty holds and co-heirs are liable.
Exception: If co-heir/ distributee knew of the insolvency and still accepted the
bad debt, then the co-heirs are not liable.
Art. 1096. The obligation of warranty among co-heirs shall cease in the following
cases:
(1) When the testator himself has made the partition, unless it appears, or it may be
reasonably presumed, that his intention was otherwise, but the legitime shall always remain
unimpaired;
(2) When it haws been so expressly stipulated in the agreement of partition, unless
there has been bad faith;
(3) When the eviction is due to a cause subsequent to the partition, or has been
caused by the fault of the distributee of the property.
Balane: The warranty does not exist in the situations given.
For par. 1.-- General rule: Warranty does not apply.
Exception: If legitimes are impaired.
Subsection 3.-- Rescission and Nullity of Partition.

PAGE 149

Notes and Cases on SUCCESSION

Compiled and Edited by RAM

Art. 1097.
contracts.

A partition may be rescinded or annulled for the same causes as

Balane:
A. Rescission.-- Articles 1381 to 1382.
B. Annulment.-- Art. 1390.
1. Party incapable of giving consent
2. Vitiated consent
a. Mistake
b. Violence
c. Intimidation
d. Undue Influence
e. Fraud.
Art. 1098. A partition, judicial or extra-judicial, may also be rescinded on account
of lesion, when any one of the co-heirs received things whose value is less, by at least onefourth, than the share to which he is entitled, considering the value of the things at the time
they were adjudicated.
Balane: Lesion is the same as that in Art. 1381, paragraphs 1 and 2. This applies whether the
partition was judicial or extrajudicial.
E.g., A is a co-heir of B and C. A is entitled to receive 100. In partition, he receives:
1. Property worth 80. No rescission of partition bec. the lesion is less then 1/4. But A
has rights under the warranties. So he can ask for completion.
2. Property is worth 75. There is lesion so A can demand for the rescission of the
partition.
In actuality, (this is) hard to do-- how do you prove values, they are very subjective.
This is not looked upon w/ favor by Civil Law commentators.
Art. 1099. The partition made by the testator cannot be impugned on the ground of
lesion, except when the legitime of the compulsory heirs is thereby prejudiced, or when it
appears or may reasonably be presumed, that the intention of the testator was otherwise.
Balane: If partition was done by the testator.-- General rule: The heirs cannot demand rescission
on the ground of lesion.
Exceptions:
(1) when the legitime of any compulsory heir was impaired.
(2) when the testator's intent was not carried out.
Art. 1100. The action for rescission on account of lesion shall prescribe after four
years from the time the partition was made.
Balane: Prescriptive period.-- Four (4) years from the time the partition was made.
Art. 1101. The heir who is sued shall have the option of indemnifying the plaintiff
for the loss, or consenting to a new partition.
Indemnity may be made by payment in cash or by the delivery of a thing of the
same kind and quality as that awarded to the plaintiff.

PAGE 150

Notes and Cases on SUCCESSION

Compiled and Edited by RAM

If a new partition is made, it shall affect neither those who have not been prejudiced
nor those who have not received more than their just share.
Balane: If there is lesion, there are two (2) options:
1. Make a new partition
2. Give the prejudiced heir the monetary equivalent of the damage.
Who can choose? The heir sued.
E.g. A, B and C. A is supposed to receive 100,000. He receives only 70,000. A sues B
and C. B and C has the choice of which option to follow.
Art. 1102. An heir who has alienated the whole or a considerable part of the real
property adjudicated to him cannot maintain an action for rescission on the ground of
lesion, but he shall have a right to be indemnified in cash.
Balane: This provision does not mean much.
Art. 1103. The omission of one or more objects or securities of the inheritance shall
not cause the rescission of the partition on the ground of lesion, but the partition shall be
completed by the distribution of the objects or securities which have been omitted.
Balane: This contemplates a case where there is an incomplete partition. Why? E.g., It was not
known that they existed. The solution is to partition the newly discovered objects.
Art. 1104. A partition made with preterition of any of the compulsory heirs shall not
be rescinded, unless it be proved that there was bad faith or fraud on the part of the other
persons interested; but the latter shall be proportionately obliged to pay to the person
omitted the share which belongs to him.
Balane: This refers to omission of heir in partition and not to preterition. The heir omitted has
the right to demand his share.
Art. 1105. A partition which includes a person believed to be an heir, but who is not,
shall be void only with respect to such person.
Balane: This is the opposite of Art. 1104. It does not nullify the partition. It makes the recipient
return what was mistakenly given to him.
RAM
12/30/95

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