Ruben Balane Succession Reviewer

Rea Bautista
Patrick Manalo
Loraine Saguinsin
Naomi Quimpo
Succession Reviewer
Inside: Illustrative Problems by Mr. Patrick, Sample
Exam Questions, Answer Key and more!!!1
Solvitur Ambulando
I.
General Provisions
Art.774.Successionisamodeofacquisitionbyvirtueof
whichtheproperty,rightsandobligationstotheextentof
the value of the inheritance, of a person are transmitted
throughhisdeathtoanotherorotherseitherbyhiswillor
byoperationoflaw.(n)2
ClassNotes:
KindsofSuccession
accordingtomomentoftransmission:
1) mortiscausa
2) intervivos(noneinPHlaw,onlydonations)
Disclaimer:AllphotosliftedfromGoogleimages.Nocopyright
infringementintended.
2
provisionsrecited
1)
2)
1)
2)
3)
accdgtoextentofrightsandobligations
transmitted:
universalentirepatrimonyoranaliquotpart
particulardevise,legacy
accdgtoimportance:
compulsory
testamentary
intestate
Parties:
Decedent
o Testator
o Decedent(intestate)
Successor
o Heir
o DeviseeorLegatee
Balane:
Onlytransmissiblerightsandobligationspassby
succession
o Criterion:iftherightsorobligationis
strictlypersonal(intuitupersonae),itis
intransmissible;otherwise,itis
transmissible.
Pecuniaryobligationsmustbepaidfirstbefore
distributingtheresidueoftheestatetotheheirs.
UnionBankvs.Santibaez(2005)
F:Decedentcontractedloansduringhislifetime.After
decedentdied,creditorfiledanactionforcollection
againsttheheirs.
H:Thebankshouldhavefileditsclaimintheprobate
courtpursuanttoSec.5,Rule86oftheRulesofCourt.The
filingofamoneyclaimagainstthedecedentsestateinthe
probatecourtismandatory.
EstateofK.H.Hemadyvs.LuzonSurety(1956)
F:LowercourtruledthatclaimsfiledbyLuzonSurety
againstdecedentsestatebasedoncontractsofsuretyship
enteredintobythedecedentwerenotchargeablebecause
deathextinguishedliabilityassurety/guarantor.
H:Obligationsofaguarantoraretransmissible.Contracts
takeeffectonlybetweenparties,theirassignsandheirs,
unlesstheyareintransmissiblebytheirnature,by
stipulationorbyoperationoflaw.
Alvarezvs.IntermediateAppellateCourt(1990)
F:Ajudgmentorderingdecedenttoreturnthelotswas
enteredduringhislifetimebutwasnotexecutedbecause
hesoldthelotstoa3rdperson.Asuitforrecoveryofthe
lotswasfiledagainsttheheirsofseller.
H:Liabilitythatarosefromthesaleofdecedentinbad
faithwasnotextinguishedbyhisdeathandwaspassedon
tohisheirs.However,theheirsareonlyliabletothe
extentofthevalueoftheirinheritance.
Art. 775. In this Title, "decedent" is the general term

applied to the person whose property is transmitted
throughsuccession,whetherornotheleftawill.Ifheleft
awill,heisalsocalledthetestator.(n)
Art.776.Theinheritanceincludesalltheproperty,rights
andobligationsofapersonwhicharenotextinguishedby
hisdeath.(659)
Art.777.Therightstothesuccessionaretransmitted
fromthemomentofthedeathofthedecedent.(657a)
Notes:
Infelicitouswording.Therightstothesuccession
arevested;inheritancetransmitted
CONSEQUENCES:
1. Thelawatthetimeofthedecedentsdeath
willdeterminewhotheheirsshouldbe.
Usonvs.DelRosario(1953)
F:Nebredadiedin1945andwassurvivedbyhiswifeand
4 illegitimate children. Wife brought action against
illegitimatechildrenfortherecoveryofthepossessionof
landleftbyhusbandonthetheorythatsheisthesoleheir.
Defense:whileundertheOldCCspuriouschildrendonot
have successional rights, under the New CC they are
granted the same status as natural children thus entitled
tosucceedfromtheirfathersestate.
H:TherightgrantedundertheNewCCcannotbegiven
retroactiveeffect.Newrightshaveretroactiveeffectonly
whentheydonotprejudiceorimpairvestedoracquired
rightsofthesameorigin.TherightofownershipofWife
overthelandbecamevestedin1945upondecedents
deathbecauseofArticle657oftheOldCivilCode(now
777)whichwasineffectatthetimehedied.
2. Ownershippassestotheheiratthevery
momentofdeathwhotherefore,fromthat
moment,acquirestherighttodisposeofhis
share.
DeBorjavs.Vda.DeBorja(1972)
F:Decedentdiedwithawill.Beforeprobateofhiswilland
to end suits between them, Ds son by his first marriage
and 2nd wife entered into a compromise agreement that
2nd wife will receive P800,000 as full and complete
paymentofherhereditaryshare.
H:Agreementisvalid.Thereisnolegalbarfortheheirto
dispose of her share immediately upon death of the
decedent even if actual extent is not yet determined. The
agreement is a sale of the shares and not a settlement of
theestate.
Alfonsovs.Sps.Andres(2010)
F:Joseinheritedsubjectpropertyfromhisfather.This
wasassignedtohiminaDeedofExtrajudicialSettlement.
JosesolditSpsAndres.
H:Thetransferisvalidbecausetitleofpropertyofperson
whodiedintestatepassesatoncetohisheirs,subjectto
theclaimsofadministrationandpaymentsofdebtsand
expenses.
SUCCESSION RUBEN F. BALANE

REA.PATRICK.LOR.NAOMI
Note:
Heir can sell his aliquot share but not specific

property/physical portion of property.
Otherwise,itisonlyprotantovalid(totheextent
ofsellersshare)[LeevsRTC(2007)]
3.
Theheirshavetherighttobesubstitutedfor
deceasedaspartyinanactionthatsurvives
Bonillavs.Barcena(1976)
F: Decedent, during her lifetime, filed an action to quiet

title.Duringthependencyofthecase,Ddiedandcounsel
askedthatherheirsbesubstituted.
H: The heirs may be substituted to the deceased party

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

must first establish the right to succeed in a
separate action [Heirs of Yaptinchay vs Del
Rosario,304SCRA18]
Republicvs.Marcos(2012)
F:Casesforreversion,reconveyanceandrestitutionofill
gottenwealthwerefiledagainstpersonsincludingheirsof
Marcosweresoughttobedismissedagainstthelatter
mentioneddefendants.
H:Despitethefindingthattheirinvolvementinthe
allegedillegalactivitieswasnotestablished,theyshould
bemaintainedasdefendantsbecausethecaseisanaction
thatsurvivesthusitisimperativethattheestatebe
represented.AstoImeldaandBongbong,theyarethe
executorsofFMsestate,andastoImeeandIrene,they
possiblypossess/edillgottenproperties.
Art.778.Successionmaybe:
(1)Testamentary;
(2)Legalorintestate;or
(3)Mixed.(n)
Art. 779. Testamentary succession is that which results

fromthedesignationofanheir,madeinawillexecutedin
theformprescribedbylaw.(n)
Art.780.Mixedsuccessionisthateffectedpartlybywill
andpartlybyoperationoflaw.(n)
Balane:
Someinaccuracies:
o Didnotmentioncompulsory
o Mixedisnotreallyatypeofsuccession
o NodefinitionofLegal/intestate
PerAgbayani,ourExpertinSuccession,the3
KindsofSuccessionaccordingtoimportanceare:
1. Compulsory
2. Testamentary
3. Intestate
Page 2 of 73
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Art.781.Theinheritanceofapersonincludesnotonly
thepropertyandthetransmissiblerightsandobligations
existingatthetimeofhisdeath,butalsothosewhichhave
accruedtheretosincetheopeningofthesuccession.(n)
Balane:
Bestdeleted!Inheritancedoesnotinclude
accruals!
Balusvs.Balus(2010)
F: Mortgage on decedents land was foreclosed by the

Bank and there being to redemption, title was
consolidated to the Bank. D died and 2 of his 3 children
bought land from the Bank. 3rd child demanded share in
thepropertyashisinheritance.
H: Property, the ownership over which has been lost

duringthelifetimeofadecedent,nolongerformspartof
the estate which his compulsory heirs may lay a claim
over.
Art. 782. An heir is a person called to the succession

eitherbytheprovisionofawillorbyoperationoflaw.
Deviseesandlegateesarepersonstowhomgiftsofreal
andpersonalpropertyarerespectivelygivenbyvirtueof
awill.(n)
Balane:
Heir=onewhosucceedstothewholeoran
aliquotpartoftheinheritance
Devisee=Succeedstodefinite,specific,
individualREALproperties
Legatee=Succeedstodefinite,specific,
individualPERSONALproperties
Distinctionisimportantinpreterition!
II.
Testamentary Succession
a. Wills
1.1. Wills in General
Art. 783. A will is an act whereby a person is permitted,

with the formalities prescribed by law, to control to a
certaindegreethedispositionofthisestate,totakeeffect
afterhisdeath.(667a)
Balane:
Operativewords:
1. Act too broad, it is suggested that it be
delimited with a more specific term such as
instrument
2. Permittedpurelystatutory
3. Formalities prescribed by law depends on
whetherattestedorholographic
4. Control to a certain degree power to dispose
gratuitouslyislimitedbyrulesonlegitime
5. Afterhisdeathtakesplacemortiscausa
a. Sir says this should be at the moment
of/upondeath
11CharacteristicsofWills:<PRIMEFEUDSS>
1. Purelypersonal

Freeandintelligent
Solemnandformal
Revocableandambulatory
Mortiscausa
Individual
Executedwithanimustestandi
Executedwithtestamentarycapacity
Unilateral
Dispositiveofproperty
Statutory
Vitugvs.CourtofAppeals(1990)
F: Husband and Decedent Wife executed a Survivorship

AgreementwiththeBankthatafterthedeathofeitherof
them, the money in their joint savings account would
belongtothesurvivor.
H:Theagreementisnotamortiscausaconveyancewhich
needstobeinawillbutamereobligationwithaterm,the
termbeingdeath.
Take note of the definition of a will in this case: a

personal, solemn, revocable and free act by which a
capacitatedpersondisposesofhispropertyandrightsand
declares or complies with duties to take effect after his
death(Thedepositwasnotpropertyofthedecedentbut
wasconjugalproperty.)
Seangiovs.Reyes(2006)
F:Holographicwillcontainsonlyaclausedisinheritingan
heirwithoutexpressdispositionofproperty.
H:Whileitdoesnotmakeanaffirmativedispositionofthe
testatorsproperty,thedisinheritanceofthesonisanact
of disposition of the property of the testator in favor of
those who would succeed in the absence of the person
disinherited.
Art.784.Themakingofawillisastrictlypersonalact;it
cannot be left in whole or in part of the discretion of a
thirdperson,oraccomplishedthroughtheinstrumentality
ofanagentorattorney.(670a)
Notes:
Purelypersonalcharacterofwills
What is nondelegable is the exercise of the

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

another person because who is the second
person?JerichoRosales?!
Art. 785. The duration or efficacy of the designation of

heirs, devisees or legatees, or the determination of the
portions which they are to take, when referred to by
name, cannot be left to the discretion of a third person.
(670a)
Notes:
Theffarenondelegable:<DDD>
1. designationofheirs,devisees,legatees
2. duration or efficacy of such designation
(includingconditions,terms,substitutions)
Page 3 of 73
3.
determination of portions they are to

receive
Art. 786. The testator may entrust to a third person the

distributionofspecificpropertyorsumsofmoneythathe
may leave in general to specified classes or causes, and
also the designation of the persons, institutions or
establishmentstowhichsuchpropertyorsumsaretobe
givenorapplied.(671a)
Notes:
TwothingstheTmustdetermine:
1. Propertyoramountofmoneytobegiven
2. Classorcausetobebenefitted
Twothingshemaydelegate:
1. Designation of persons, institutions or
establishmentswithintheclassorcause
2. Mannerofdistribution
Art. 787. The testator may not make a testamentary

disposition in such manner that another person has to
determinewhetherornotitistobeoperative.(n)
Notes:
This does not prejudice right of heirs, devisee,

legateetoacceptorrenounce.
RULESOFCONSTRUCTIONANDINTERPRETATION
Incaseofdoubtastodifferentinterpretations
Art.788.Ifatestamentarydispositionadmitsofdifferent
interpretations, in case of doubt, that interpretation by
whichthedispositionistobeoperativeshallbepreferred.
(n)
The thing may rather be effective than be

withouteffect
Ambiguity;LatentorPatent
Art.789.Whenthereisanimperfectdescription,orwhen
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,excludingtheoraldeclarationsofthetestatoras
tohisintention;andwhenanuncertaintyarisesuponthe
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
oraldeclarations.(n)
Latent=notobviousonthefaceofthewill
Patent=Obviousonthefaceofthewill
How to deal with ambiguities whether latent or
patent:Clearup/resolveinordertogiveeffectto
the disposition by any evidence admissible and
relevant excluding in either case, oral
declarationsofthetestator(DeadMansStatute)
Words;TechnicalWords
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

othercanbeascertained.
Technicalwordsinawillaretobetakenintheirtechnical
sense, unless the context clearly indicates a contrary
intention, or unless it satisfactorily appears that he was
unacquaintedwithsuchtechnicalsense.(675a)
Preferencetotestacy
Art. 791. The words of a will are to receive an
interpretation which will give to every expression some
effect, rather than one which will render any of the
expressionsinoperative;andoftwomodesofinterpreting
awill,thatistobepreferredwhichwillpreventintestacy.
(n)
Invalidityofoneofseveraldispositions
Art. 792. The invalidity of one of several dispositions
containedinawilldoesnotresultintheinvalidityofthe
other dispositions, unless it is to be presumed that the
testator would not have made such other dispositions if
thefirstinvaliddispositionhadnotbeenmade.(n)
severability
Propertyacquiredafterwillwasmade
Art. 793. Property acquired after the making of a will
shallonlypassthereby,asifthetestatorhadpossessedit
atthetimeofmakingthewill,shoulditexpresslyappear
bythewillthatsuchwashisintention.(n)
Devise/Legacy
Art.794.Everydeviseorlegacyshallcoveralltheinterest
which the testator could device or bequeath in the
property disposed of, unless it clearly appears from the
willthatheintendedtoconveyalessinterest.(n)
Art.795.Thevalidityofawillastoitsformdependsupon
theobservanceofthelawinforceatthetimeitismade.
Notes:
AspectsofValidity:
o ExtrinsicFormal
o IntrinsicSubstantive
1.2. Testamentary
Capacity
Intent
and
Art.796.Allpersonswhoarenotexpresslyprohibitedby
lawmaymakeawill.(662)
Art. 797. Persons of either sex under eighteen years of

agecannotmakeawill.(n)
Art. 798. In order to make a will it is essential that the

testatorbeofsoundmindatthetimeofitsexecution.(n)
Art.799.Tobeofsoundmind,itisnotnecessarythatthe
testatorbeinfullpossessionofallhisreasoningfaculties,
or that his mind be wholly unbroken, unimpaired, or
Page 4 of 73
unshatteredbydisease,injuryorothercause.
Itshallbesufficientifthetestatorwasableatthetimeof
making the will to know the nature of the estate to be
disposed of, the proper objects of his bounty, and the
characterofthetestamentaryact.(n)
Art.800.Thelawpresumesthateverypersonisofsound
mind,intheabsenceofprooftothecontrary.
The burden of proof that the testator was not of sound

mind at the time of making his dispositions is on the
person who opposes the probate of the will; but if the
testator, one month, or less, before making his will was
publicly known to be insane, the person who maintains
thevalidityofthewillmustprovethatthetestatormadeit
duringalucidinterval.(n)
Art. 801. Supervening incapacity does not invalidate an

effective will, nor is the will of an incapable validated by
thesuperveningofcapacity.(n)
Ortegavs.Valmonte(2005)
F:81yearoldtestatorswillwasopposedontheground
thathewasnotofsoundmind.
H:Mereoldagedoesnotmeanthatapersonisnotof
soundmind.Tobeofsoundmind,atthetimeofmaking
thewill,thetestatorneedonlyknow(1)thenatureofthe
estatetobedisposedof,(2)theproperobjectsofhis
bounty,and(3)thecharacterofthetestamentaryact.
Baltazarvs.Laxa(2012)
F: 78yearold spinsters will was being assailed because

she was allegedly not of sound mind when it was made
(becauseshewasforgetful)
H: Soundness of mind is presumed. Forgetfulness is not

equivalenttounsoundnessofmind.
Art.802.Amarriedwomanmaymakeawillwithoutthe
consentofherhusband,andwithouttheauthorityofthe
court.(n)
Art.803.Amarriedwomanmaydisposebywillofallher
separate property as well as her share of the conjugal
partnershiporabsolutecommunityproperty.(n)
1.3. Forms of Wills
Art.804.Everywillmustbeinwritingandexecutedina
languageordialectknowntothetestator.(n)
Surozavs.Honrado(1981)
F: Will of illiterate testatrix was written in English, a

languageshedidnotunderstand.
H:WillisvoidbecauseofthemandatoryprovisionofArt
804 that every will must be executed in a language or
dialectknowntothetestator.

Abanganvs.Abangan(1919)
F:Recordsdonotshowthatthewill,executedinCebuand
writteninthedialectofthatlocalitywherethetestatrixis
neighbor,wasinalanguageknowntothetestatrix.
H: Compliance with the language requirement is

presumed if (but Sir says proved by): (1) the will is in
the language/dialect generally spoken in the place of
execution and (2) the testator is a native or resident of
saidlocality.
Art. 805. Every will, other than a holographic will, must

besubscribedattheendthereofbythetestatorhimselfor
by the testator's name written by some other person in
his presence, and by his express direction, and attested
andsubscribedbythreeormorecrediblewitnessesinthe
presenceofthetestatorandofoneanother.
Thetestatororthepersonrequestedbyhimtowritehis
nameandtheinstrumentalwitnessesofthewill,shallalso
sign,asaforesaid,eachandeverypagethereof,exceptthe
last, on the left margin, and all the pages shall be
numberedcorrelativelyinlettersplacedontheupperpart
ofeachpage.
Theattestationshallstatethenumberofpagesusedupon
which the will is written, and the fact that the testator
signed the will and every page thereof, or caused some
other person to write his name, under his express
direction, in the presence of the instrumental witnesses,
and that the latter witnessed and signed the will and all
the pages thereof in the presence of the testator and of
oneanother.
Iftheattestationclauseisinalanguagenotknowntothe
witnesses,itshallbeinterpretedtothem.(n)
Art. 806. Every will must be acknowledged before a

notary public by the testator and the witnesses. The
notarypublicshallnotberequiredtoretainacopyofthe
will, or file another with the Office of the Clerk of Court.
(n)
(1)subscribedbytheTorhisagentinhispresence
andbyhisexpressdirectionattheendthereof,inthe
presenceofthewitnesses
signature
Payadvs.Tolentino(1936)
F: Testatrix thumb marked end and each and every page

ofthewillthenherlawyerwrotehernametoindicatethe
placeswhereherthumbmarkswere.
H:Willisvalid.Astatuterequiringawilltobesignedis
satisfiedifthesignatureismadebythetestatorsmark.
Matiasvs.Salud(1958)
F:Thetestatrixplacedherthumbmarkinlieuofherusual
signature on the will. Beside the thumb mark was the
nameofthetestatrixaspurportedlywrittenbyoneofthe
witnesses. The attestation clause, however, does not
Page 5 of 73
indicate that the person who wrote the name of the

testatrixthereonwasdirectedbythelattertodoso.
H:Athumbmarkisconsideredasignature.Itistherefore
unnecessary to indicate in the attestation clause that
anotherpersonhasbeendirectedbythetestatortowrite
his (testators) name thereon, because in effect, the
testatorsignedthewillhimself.
Garciavs.Lacuesta(1951)
F: Lawyer wrote the name of the testator followed by a

ruego del testador then the lawyers name on the
testators will. Beside his name, the testator wrote an X.
Attestation clause did not state that the lawyer was
expresslydirectedtowritetestatorsname.
H:Voidforattestationclausesfailuretostatethatlawyer
wroteTsnameunderhisexpressdirection.Thecross
cannotbetakenasasignaturebecauseitisnottheusual
waybywhichthedeceasedsignedhisname,norisitone
oftheusualwaysbywhichhesigned.Acrossdoesnot
havethetrustworthinessofathumbmark.
SigningbyanagentofT
o MustsigninTspresence
o Byhisexpressdirection
BarutvsCabacungan(1912)
F:Theagent(whowasalsoawitness)signedthenameof
the testator in the latter's presence and by his express
direction. Probate was opposed on the ground that the
handwriting of the person who signed the name of the
testatorwasofanotherwitness.
H:Valid.Itisnotessentialthatthepersonsigningforthe
testatoralsosignhisname.Thelawonlyrequires:
1.namewaswrittenatTsexpressdirection;
2.inTspresence;and
3.inthepresenceofallwitnesses.
Signingattheend
Iftherearenondispositiveportions,thereare2
ends:
o Physicalend:wherethewritingstops
o Logicalend:wherethetestamentary
dispositionends
Tmaysignateitherendasthenondispositive
portionsarenotessentialpartsofthewill.
IfTsignsbeforetheend,theENTIREwillis
invalid!
Signinginthepresenceofwitnesses
Neravs.Rimando(1911)
Doctrine: Test of presence not whether they actually

saw each other sign but whether they might have seen
eachothersignhadtheychosentodoso,consideringtheir
mental and physical condition and position with relation
to each other at the moment of inscription of each
signature.
Suchthatthepositionofthepartieswithrelation
toeachotheratthemomentofthesubscription

ofeachsignaturemustbesuchthattheymaysee
eachothersigniftheychoosetodoso.
Bymerelycastingtheeyesintheproperdirectionthey
couldhaveseeneachothersign
(2)attestedandsubscribedbyatleast3witnessesin
thepresenceoftheTandofoneanother
Attesting:actofwitnessing
Subscribing:actofsigning
Q:MustWsignattheendofthewill?
A:Literallyandideally,theWsshouldsign
attheendofthewill,thoughfailureinthis
regardmaybeoverlooked(Taboadavs
Rosal[1982])
(3)theTorhisagentmustsigneverypage,exceptthe
last,ontheleftmargininthepresenceofthe
witnesses
Mandatorysigningoneverypageinthe
witnessespresence
Directoryplaceofthesignature
Icasianovs.Icasiano(1964)
F: Original of the will did not contain signature of one of

thewitnessesbutduplicatecopydoes.
H:Inadvertentfailureofonewitnesstoaffixhissignature
toonepage,duetosimultaneousliftingofpages,isnotper
se sufficient denial of probate. Impossibility of
substitution of page is assured by the signature of the
testatrix and the two other witnesses, and the imprint of
thesealofthenotarypublic.
(4)thewitnessesmustsigneverypage,exceptthe
last,ontheleftmargininthepresenceoftheTandof
oneanother
Leevs.Tambago(2008)
F:Willwasattestedbyonly2witnesses.
H:Void!
(5)allnumbersmustbenumberedcorrelativelyin
lettersontheupperpartofeachpage
Mandatorypaginationbymeansofa
conventionalsystem
Directorypaginationinlettersontheupper
partofeachpage
(6)attestationclause
Statingthenumberofpagesofthewill;
ThefactthattheT/hisagentsignedthewilland
everypagethereofinthepresenceoftheWs
ThefactthattheWwitnessedandsignedthewill
andeverypagethereofinthepresenceoftheT
andofoneanother
Theattestationclauseistheaffairofthe
witnesses,therefore,itneednotbesignedbythe
T
Cagrovs.Cagro(1953)
Page 6 of 73
F:Thesignaturesoftheinstrumentalwitnesseswerenot
atthebottomoftheattestationclausebutonthelefthand
marginofthepagecontainingtheAC.
H:Fatallydefective.Signaturesatthelefthandsidewere
incompliancewiththemandatethatthewillbesignedon
thelefthandmarginofallitspages
Azuelavs.CA(2006)
F:Witnessesdidnotsignatthebottomoftheattestation
clause but they signed the lefthand margin of the page
wheretheACisfound.
H:Willvoid.Signaturesonthelefthandmargincomply
withtherequirementthatwitnessessigneachpageofthe
will.Thesignaturestotheattestationclauseestablishthat
thewitnessesarereferringtothestatementscontainedin
theattestationclauseitself.Theattestationclauseis
separateandapartfromthedispositionofthewill.An
unsignedattestationclauseresultsinanunattestedwill.
(7)acknowledgementbeforeanotarypublic
Javellanavs.Ledesma(1955)
F: The notary public signed the certificate of

acknowledgementinhisofficeandnotinthepresenceofT
andwitnesses.
H:VALID.TheCivilCode,whilerequiringthatawillmust
besignedbytheTandthewitnessesinthepresenceof
eachother,doesnotrequirethattheacknowledgementby
thenotaryhappeninthepresenceoftheparties.
Obiter:ItisnotrequiredthattheTandtheWs
acknowledgeonthesamedayitwasexecuted.
Logicalinference:NeitherdoesArt806requirethatTand
Wsacknowledgeineachotherspresence.
Cruzvs.Villasor(1973)
F:Therewereonlythreewitnessestothewillanditwas
acknowledgedbeforeanotarypublicwhowasoneofthe
witnesses.
H:VOIDforfailingtomeetthe3witnessrequirement.The
notary public cannot acknowledge before himself his
havingsignedthewill.
Balane asks: If one of the witnesses is a duly

commissionednotarypublicandhenotarizesthe
will,thewillisvoid.TRUEORFALSE?
A:FALSE(Iftherearemorethan3witnesses,the
willmeetsthe3witnessrequirementhencestill
valid)
Guerrerovs.Bihis(2007)
F: Notary public who acknowledged the will was acting

outsidetheplaceofhiscommission.
H:VOID.Nonotaryshallpossessauthoritytodoany
notarialactbeyondthelimitsofhisjurisdiction.Since
Atty.inthiscasewasnotcommissionedintheplacewhere

henotarizedthedocument,helackedtheauthoritytotake
theacknowledgmentofthetestatrixandthewitnesses.
Ortegavs.Valmonte(2005)
F: Valmontes will is being contested because the date of

executionandthedateofacknowledgmentaredifferent.
H:Willisvalid.Conflictbetweenthedatesdoesnot
invalidatethewillbecausethelawdoesevenrequirethat
anotarialwillbeexecutedandacknowledgedonthesame
occassion.
Q:Mustanattestedwillbedated?
A: No. Consequently, variance between the
indicateddatesdoesnotinitselfinvalidatea
will(Ortegavs.Valmonte[2005])
Art. 807. If the testator be deaf, or a deafmute, he must

personally read the will, if able to do so; otherwise, he
shalldesignatetwopersonstoreaditandcommunicateto
him,insomepracticablemanner,thecontentsthereof.(n)
Art. 808. If the testator is blind, the will shall be read to

himtwice;once,byoneofthesubscribingwitnesses,and
again, by the notary public before whom the will is
acknowledged.(n)
Arts807and808aremandatory
Garciavs.Vasquez(1970)
F:ThewillandtheACwerecrammedtogetheronasingle
page and had typographical errors. It was alleged by
proponentsthatTreadthewillsilentlybeforeshesigned
itBUTtherewasevidencethatTsvisionwasforcounting
fingersat5ftandfordistantobjectsonly.
H:VOID.Tcouldnothavereadthewillsilentlyasshewas
not unlike a blind testator and execution of the will
requiresobservanceofArt.808.
Alvaradovs.Gaviola,Jr(1993)
F: Testator had glaucoma. When the will was executed,

eachwitnessandthenotaryweregiventheirowncopies
ofthewill.Itwasreadaloudbythelawyertothetestator.
Thecourtheldtherewassubstantialcompliance.
H: T was blind for purposes of Art 808 but there was

substantialcomplianceinthiscase.Thepurposeofthelaw
wassatisfied(tomakeknowntotheTthecontentsofthe
willandconfirmhisdesires)
Art.809.Intheabsenceofbadfaith,forgery,orfraud,or
undue and improper pressure and influence, defects and
imperfectionsintheformofattestationorinthelanguage
usedthereinshallnotrenderthewillinvalidifitisproved
that the will was in fact executed and attested in
substantial compliance with all the requirements of
Article805.(n)
Note:
Page 7 of 73
This is criticized as liberalization running riot.

JBLssuggestedrewording:
In the absence of bad faith, forgery, or fraud, or undue
and improper pressure and influence, defects and
imperfections in the form of the attestation or in the
language used therein shall not render the will invalid if
such defects and imperfections can be supplied by an
examinationofthewillitselfanditisprovedthatthewill
was in fact executed and attested in substantial
compliancewithalltherequirementsofArticle805.
Canedavs.CourtofAppeals(1993)
F:Theattestationclausefailedtospecificallystatethefact
that the attesting witnesses and the testator signed the
will and all its pages in their presence and that they, the
witnesses,likewisesignedthewillandeverypagethereof
inthepresenceofthetestatorandofeachother.
H: AC not valid. Art 809 does not apply. It cannot be

conclusively inferred from the signatures that they were
made in the presence of each other. Furthermore, the
defectswerenotintheform...orlanguage.
Rule:Omissionswhichcanbesuppliedbyanexamination
ofthewillitself,withouttheneedofresortingtoextrinsic
evidence, will not be fatal...However, those omissions
which cannot be supplied except by evidence aliunde
would result in the invalidation of the attestation clause
andultimately,ofthewillitself.
Azuelavs.CourtofAppeals(2006)
F:Attestationclausefailedtostatethenumberofpages.
H: VOID. Art 809 was not applied because there was no

indicationinanypartofthewillthatitwascomposedof
suchanumberofpages.
Lopezvs.Lopez(2012)
F: The will stated that it contained 7 pages but the

acknowledgement stated that there were 8. AC did not
statethenumberofpages.
H: Art 809 does not apply. The discrepancy cannot be

explained by mere examination of the will itself but
throughthepresentationofevidencealiunde.
Art.810.Apersonmayexecuteaholographicwillwhich
mustbeentirelywritten,dated,andsignedbythehandof
the testator himself. It is subject to no other form, and
maybemadeinoroutofthePhilippines,andneednotbe
witnessed.(678,688a)
(1)EntirelywrittenbythehandoftheT
(2)DatedbytheT
Roxasvs.DeJesus(1985)
F:TheholographicwillwasdatedFEB./61
H: VALID. GR: Date in a holographic will should include

theday,monthandyearofitsexecutionasthisisrelevant
toprovideforcontingenciesofascertainingsoundnessof
mind,orwhentherearetwocompetingwills.

XPN:Substantialcomplianceisconsideredvalidifthereis
noappearanceoffraud,BF,undueinfluenceandpressure
andtheauthenticityofthewillisestablished.
Labradorvs.CourtofAppeals(1990)
F: Date was stated in the first paragraph of the second

pageofthewill.
H: VALID. The law does not specify a particular location

wherethedateshouldbeplacedinawill.
(3)SignedbytheT
SUMMARY:FORMALREQUIREMENTSOFWILLS
TestamentaryCapacity
1. Thereisageneralgrantoftestamentarycapacity
tonaturalpersons
2. Exceptions:
a. Under18
b. Unsoundmind
Alegalquestion,notmedical
Soundnessofmindwasdefined
Negatively
Notnecessarythattestatorbeinfullpossession
ofreasoningfaculties
Not necessary that testators mind be wholly

unbroken, unimpaired, or unshattered by
disease,injuryorothercause
Positively
Abilitytoknow:
Natureofestatetobedisposedof
Properobjectsofonesbounty
Characteroftestamentaryact
3. There is a presumption of soundness of mind,
butapresumptionofinsanityexistswhen:
(1) one month or less before making his will, T
waspubliclyknowntobeinsane
(2) executed after being placed under
guardianship or ordered committed because of
insanityandbeforesaidorderwaslifted
CommonRequirements(AttestedandHolographic)
1.inwriting
2.languageanddialectknowntothetestator
There is no presumption that language is

knowntotheT
BUT the will need not state that it is a

language known to the T. It may be proven
byextrinsicevidence
SpecialRequirements;AttestedWills
1.Thatthetestatorsign
inthepresenceofthewitnesses
Rememberthetestofpresence!
attheend
on each and every page, except the last, on the left
handmargin
ifsigningthroughanagent
IntheTspresence
Underhisexpressdirection
Write in his own hand the Ts name in the

properplaces
There is no need to sign the agents name

(Barut)
Page 8 of 73
Itisdisputedwhethertheagentmaybeone
ofthe3witnesses
2. Attested and subscribed by 3 or more credible

witnesses
on each and every page, except the last, on the left
handmargin
intheTspresenceandinthepresenceofeachother
3.Allpagesmustbenumberedcorrelativelyinletters
ontheupperpartofeachpage
4.Attestationclause
stating the number of pages upon which the will is
written
thefactthattheTsignedthewillandeachandevery
pagethereof(orcausedanagenttowritehisname,in
his presence and under his express direction)in the
presenceofthewitnesses
thatthewitnesseswitnessedandsignedthewilland
thepagesthereofinthepresenceofTandofeachother
5.Acknowledgedbeforeanotarypublic
Special Requirements; Attested Wills; Handicapped

Testators
1. Deaf/deafmute
Ifabletoreadmustreadpersonally
Ifunabletoreaddesignate2personsto:
(1) Readit
(2) Communicatetohimthecontents
in some practicable manner (sign
language,lipreading,pictures,etc)
2. Blind,Illiterate,Unabletoread
Thewillshallbereadtohimtwice
(1) Oneofthesubscribingwitnesses
(2) Notary public before whom the will is
acknowledged
Theburdenofproofisupontheproponentofthewill
that the special requirement of the article was
compliedwith.
There is also no requirement that compliance be
statedintheattestationclause.
SpecialRequirements;Holographicwills
1.Entirelywritten
Balaneasks:Whatifthewillwaspartlywritten?
A: If with knowledge/consent of T, VOID AS A
WHOLE;
If without, the part written by another is void
(the validity of a will cannot be placed in the
handsofanother;itmaybesabotaged)
2.Dated
Test is if designated date can be

independentlycheckedandascertained
Examples: Christmas Day 2012, 71st

anniversary of Pearl Harbor, At the
beginningofRamadan2013
3.Signed
ART.811.Intheprobateofaholographicwill,itshall
benecessarythatatleastonewitnesswhoknowsthe

handwritingandsignatureofthetestatorexplicitly
declarethatthewillandthesignatureareinthe
handwritingofthetestator.Ifthewilliscontested,at
leastthreeofsuchwitnessesshallberequired.
Intheabsenceofanycompetentwitnessreferredtoin
theprecedingparagraph,andifthecourtdeemit
necessary,experttestimonymayberesortedto.
Notes:
thisarticleprescribesthestatutoryrequisitesfor
theprobateofaholographicwill;testimonial
evidence(ruleofevidence)
jurisprudentialrequirement(inadditiontothe
statutoryrequirements):
o thewillitselfmustbepresented(Gan
v.Yap[1958],infra)
thewillitselfistheonly
materialproof(Scaevola)
Art.811appliesonlytopostmortem(notante
mortem)probates
Howtoprovegenuinenessofahandwriting(Sec.22,
Rule132,RulesofCourt)
awitnesswhoactuallysawthepersonwriting
theinstrument
awitnessfamiliarwithsuchhandwritingand
whocangivehisopinionthereon,suchopinion
beinganexceptiontotheopinionrule
acomparisonbythecourtofthequestioned
handwritingandadmittedgenuinespecimen
thereof;and
expertevidence
Thethreewitnessprovisionincaseofcontested
holographicwillsisdirectory,notmandatory
Azaolav.Singson(1960)
Facts:Inprobateoftestatrixsholographicwill,onlyone
witnesswaspresentedbyproponent.Opposition:thatthe
willwasprocuredbyundueandimproperinfluence;that
testatrixdidnotintendtheinstrumenttobeherlastwill.
Held:Thatsincetheauthenticityoftheholographicwill
wasnotcontested,productionofmorethanonewitness
notrequired.Thatevenifthewillwascontested,ART.
811doesnotrequirepresentationofthreewitnessesto
identifyhandwritingoftestatorsincenowitnessmayhave
beenpresentatexecution.
BalaneNotes:
tocontestmeanstoattacktheauthenticityof
thewill(i.e.thatthewillisforged)
theLatinmaximtestisunus,testisnullus(one
witnessisnotwitness)istooarchaicarule
(quotingJ.B.L.Reyes)
o qualityoftestimonyovernumberof
witnesses
Codoyv.Calugay(1999)
Facts:Holographicwillofthetestatrixpresentedfor
probate.Proponentspresentedsixwitnesses.Opposition:
Page 9 of 73
thatthewillwasforgedandthatthesameisillegible.
Probateallowed,lowercourtcitingAzaolav.Singson.
Held:ThattheprovisionsofArticle811aremandatory
becauseofthewordshall.Thatnotallofthewitnesses
presentedbytheproponentswerefamiliarwiththe
testatrixshandwriting.Thatavisualexaminationofthe
willrevealsthatthestrokesaredifferentcomparedwith
otherdocumentswrittenbythetestatrix.Thatcasemust
beremandedtoallowcontestantstoadduceevidencein
supportoftheiropposition.
BalaneAsks:DidCodoyreverseAzaola?
BalaneThinks:No,forthefollowingreasons:
Codoyrulingnotbasedontherebeinglessthan
threewitnesses(therewereinfactsix)
Codoyrulingdidnotstatethatsincetherewere
lessthanthreewitnesses,eveniftheir
testimonieswereconvincing,probatemustbe
denied(testimonieswereindecisive)
Codoyrulingsaidthatvisualexaminationofthe
willrevealsthatstrokesaredifferentcompared
withstandarddocuments
basisofCodoyruling:evidenceforauthenticity,
inadequate,notfailureonthepartofproponents
topresentthreewitnesses
BalaneNotes:
CodoyisconsistentwithAzaola(qualityof
testimonyoverquantityofwitnesses)
Codoy,ratherthanreversingAzaola,mayhave
affirmedit
thestatementoftheCourtinCodoytotheeffect
thattheuseofthewordshallinArticle811
denotesthatitismandatory,istooshallow
Intheprobateofaholographicwill,thedocument
itselfmustbeproduced;alostholographicwillcannot
beprobated
Ganv.Yap(1958)
Facts:Petitionforprobateoftestatrixswill.Opposition:
thattestatrixleftnowill.Proponentdidnotpresentwill
andinsteadtriedtoestablishcontentsanddueexecution
thrutestimonies.
Held:Thatholographicwillmustbepresentedtocourtfor
probate,thedocumentitselfbeingmaterialproofof
authenticity.Thatifholographicwillnotpresented,
opportunitytoopposeandassessthehandwritingofthe
testator,foreclosed.Thatlostordestroyedholographic
willmaybeprovedbyaphotographicorphotostaticcopy
orbyothersimilarmeans.
ExceptiontotheGanruling:
Rodelasv.Aranza(1982)
Facts:Aphotostaticcopyoftestatorsholographicwill
waspresentedforprobate.Opposition:thattheoriginal
mustbepresented.
Held:Thataphotostaticcopyorphotocopyofthe
holographicwill,allowedbecausecomparisoncanbe

madewiththestandardwritingsofthetestator.Thatthis
exceptiontothegeneralrulewasstatedinafootnotein
Ganv,Yap(1958).
ART.812.Inholographicwills,thedispositionsofthe
testatorwrittenbelowhissignaturemustbedatedand
signedbyhiminordertomakethemvalidas
testamentarydispositions.
ART.813.Whenanumberofdispositionsappearingin
aholographicwillaresignedwithoutbeingdated,and
thelastdispositionhasasignatureanddate,suchdate
validatesthedispositionsprecedingit,whateverbethe
timeofpriordispositions.
Formalrequirementforadditionaldispositionsina
holographicwill
signature,and
date
Whenthereareseveraladditionaldispositions
signatureanddate,or
eachadditionaldispositionsignedandundated,
butthelastdispositionsignedanddated
If(incaseofseveraladditionaldispositions)the
additionalonesbeforethelastaredatedbutnot
signed
onlythelastwillbevalid,providedthelastis
signedanddated
Ifthereareseveraladditionaldispositionsandthe
additionalonesbeforethelastareneithersignednor
dated,butthelastisbothsignedanddated
intermediatedispositions:
o VALIDifalldispositionsmadeonone
occasion(signatureanddateunderlast
additionaldispositionvalidateall)
o INVALIDorVOIDifdispositionsmade
ondifferentoccasions
ART.814.Incaseofanyinsertion,cancellation,erasure
oralterationinaholographicwill,thetestatormust
authenticatethesamebyhisfullsignature.
Fullsignature,meaning
notnecessarilyfullnameoftestator
itmeanshisusualandcustomary(habitual)
signature
Effectofnoncompliancewitharticle
change(insertion,cancellation,etc.)issimply
consideredasnotmade
willisnotinvalidatedasawhole,butatmost,
onlyasregardstheparticularwordserased,
corrected,orinserted(Kalawv.Relova[1984])
o unlesstheportioninvolvedisan
essentialpartofthewill,suchasthe
date
Illustration
Kalawv.Relova(1984)
Facts:ProponentGregoriofiledapetitionforprobateof
testatrixswill.OppositionbyRosa:thatshewasnamedas
Page 10 of 73
soleheirandsoleexecutrix.Thereweretwoalterations:
first,RosasnamecrossedoutassoleheirandGregorios
namewrittenaboveit(noinitial);second,Rosasname
crossedoutassoleexecutrixandGregoriosnamewritten
aboveit(withinitial).
Held:Thatordinarily,erasureswithoutpropersignature
donotinvalidatethewillasawhole,butatmostonlyas
respectstheparticularwordserased.Thatthatgeneral
ruledoesnotapplyinthiscasebecausetheholographic
willhadonlyonesubstantialprovisionwhichwasaltered
withoutproperauthentication.Thattheentirewillisvoid
becausenothingremainsinthewillthatcouldremain
valid.Thatnoteventheoriginalunalteredtextcanbe
giveneffectbecauseoftheseemingchangeofmindof
testatrix.
BalaneComments:
itisbeyondcavilthattheinsertionofGregorios
namecannotbegiveneffectbecauseoflackof
properauthentication
butwhywasthecancellationgiveneffectwhenit
wasnotproperlydone?
tosaythatgivingeffecttothewillasfirstwritten
woulddisregardtheseemingchangeofmindof
thetestatrixisnoargumentatall
o itisnotenoughthatthetestator
manifesthisintenthemustmanifest
itinamannerrequiredbylaw
ART.815.WhenaFilipinoisinaforeigncountry,heis
authorizedtomakeawillinanyoftheforms
establishedbythelawofthecountryinwhichhemay
be.SuchwillmaybeprobatedinthePhilippines.
ART.816.Thewillofanalienwhoisabroadproduces
effectinthePhilippinesifmadewiththeformalities
prescribedbythelawoftheplaceinwhichheresides,
oraccordingtotheformalitiesobservedinhiscountry,
orinconformitywiththosewhichthisCodeprescribes.
ART.817.AwillmadeinthePhilippinesbyacitizenor
subjectofanothercountry,whichisexecutedin
accordancewiththelawofthecountryofwhichheisa
citizenorsubject,andwhichmightbeprovedand
allowedbythelawofhisowncountry,shallhavethe
sameeffectasifexecutedaccordingtothelawsofthe
Philippines.
ART.815to817governrulesofformalvalidityinthe
followinginstances(notcovered:aFilipinoexecuting
awillinthePhilippines)
aFilipinoabroad(ART.815)
analienabroad(ART.816)
analieninthePhilippines(ART.817)
Therule(combiningthesethreearticles,ART.15and
17):
everytestator,whetherFilipinooralien,
whereverhemaybe,hasfivechoicesastowhat
lawtofollowfortheformofhiswill,viz.:
o lawofcitizenship
o lawofplaceofexecution
o lawofdomicile
o lawofresidence
o lawofthePhilippines

Illustration
Anengineer(Germancitizen),withpermanent
residenceinParis(whereheandhiswifereside),
wascontractedbytheBraziliangovernmentto
constructadaminBrasilia.HeresidedinBrazil
forfiveyears.Onesummeronaholiday,hegoes
toTokyoforatour.Healsohasinvestmentsin
thePhilippines.TheGermanengineer,whilein
Tokyo,madeawill.
o thefollowinglawsmaygoverntheform
oftheengineerswill:
lawofGermanyGerman
citizen
lawofFrancedomiciledin
France
lawofBrazilresidentof
Brazil
lawofJapanplaceof
execution
lawofthePhilippines
ART.818.Twoormorepersonscannotmakeawill
jointly,orinthesameinstrument,eitherfortheir
reciprocalbenefitorforthebenefitofathirdperson.
Jointwill,meaning
onedocumentwhichconstitutesthewillsoftwo
ormoreindividuals
Thefollowingisajointwill
We,thetestators,oflegalageandofsoundand
disposingmind...
ThefollowingisNOTajointwill
ifthereareseparatedocuments,eachservingas
oneindependentwill(evenifwrittenonthe
samesheet)
o e.g.willoftestatorAonfrontpartof
sheet;willoftestatorBonthebackof
thesamesheet
o e.g.willoftestatorAonupperpartof
sheet;willoftestatorBonlowerpartof
thesamesheet
JointwillsareVOID,butreciprocalwillsareVALID
reciprocalwills:twowillsinstitutingeachofthe
respectivetestatorsasheirs
o e.g.willoftestatorAdesignatedBas
heir;willoftestatorBdesignatedAas
heir
Reasonsfortheprohibitionagainstjointwills
limitationonmodesofrevocation
diminutionoftestamentarysecrecy
increaseddangerofundueinfluence
increaseddangerofonetestatorkillingtheother
ART.819.Wills,prohibitedbytheprecedingarticle,
executedbyFilipinosinaforeigncountryshallnotbe
validinthePhilippines,eventhoughauthorizedbythe
lawsofthecountrywheretheymayhavebeen
executed.
Outlineonjointwills
executedbyFilipinosinthePhilippines
Page 11 of 73
o VOID
executedbyFilipinosabroad
o VOID,evenifauthorizedbylawofplace
ofexecution
executedbyaliensabroad
o seeART.816
executedbyaliensinthePhilippines
o oneview:VOID(publicpolicy)
o anotherview:ART.817applies
executedbyaFilipinoandanalien
o VOIDastoFilipino
o ART.816or817appliesastoalien
Subsection 4 Witnesses to Wills
ART.820.Anypersonofsoundmindandoftheageof
eighteenyearsormore,andnotblind,deafordumb,
andabletoreadandwrite,maybeawitnesstothe
executionofawillmentionedinarticle805ofthisCode.
ART.821.Thefollowingaredisqualifiedfrombeing
witnessestoawill:
(1)AnypersonnotdomiciledinthePhilippines;
(2)Thosewhohavebeenconvictedoffalsificationofa
document,perjury,orfalsetestimony.
Sixqualificationsofwitnesses
ofsoundmind
o attestationisanactofthesenses
atleast18yearsofage
notblind,deaf,ordumb
o again,witnessingisanactofthesenses
o dumbmeansmute,notsomeonewhois
simplystupid
abletoreadandwrite
o orliterate,becausesuchliterate
witnesswouldhaveabetter
understandingofthesolemnityofthe
executionofawillandhisactofbeinga
witnessthereto
domiciledinthePhilippines
o citizenshipofwitness,immaterial(even
ifheisnotaFilipinooraforeigner)
o theonlyrequirementisthatthe
witnessisdomiciledinthePhilippines
thereisahighprobabilitythat
witnesswouldbeinthe
countryifwillisprobatedand
saidwitnessiscalledtotestify
incourt
mustnothavebeenconvictedoffalsificationofa
document,perjury,orfalsetestimony
o convictionmustbebyfinaljudgment
o thesecrimesrelatetothewitnesss
trustworthinessorcredibility
ifawitnesshadbeen
convictedofmurderorrape,
heisqualifiedbecausehecan
stillbehonest
Competenceandcredibility,distinguished
Gonzalesv.CA(1979)

Facts:Testatrixswillsubmittedforprobate.Opposition:
thatthewillwasnotattestedtobythreecredible
witnesses.Witnessesweredriverofthetestatrix,drivers
wife,andpianoteacheroftestatrixsgrandchild.
Contestantarguedthatwitnessesmustinitiallytestifyas
totheirgoodstandinginthecommunity,theirreputation
fortrustworthinessandreliability,theirhonestyand
uprightness,inorderthattheirtestimonymaybebelieved
andaccepted.
Held:Thatthecredibilityofawitnessispresumedunless
thecontraryisproved.Thattheruleisthatthe
instrumentalwitnessesinordertobecompetentmustbe
showntohavethequalificationsunderART.820and
noneofthedisqualificationsunderART.821.Thatthe
contestantsargumentsmustfail.
ART.822.Ifthewitnessesattestingtheexecutionofa
willarecompetentatthetimeofattesting,their
becomingsubsequentlyincompetentshallnotprevent
theallowanceofthewill.
Note:
timeofexecutionofthewillistheonlyrelevant
temporalcriterion
ART.823.Ifapersonatteststotheexecutionofawill,
towhomortowhosespouse,orparent,orchild,a
deviseorlegacyisgivenbysuchwill,suchdeviseor
legacyshall,sofaronlyasconcernssuchperson,or
spouse,orparent,orchildofsuchperson,oranyone
claimingundersuchpersonorspouse,orparent,or
child,bevoid,unlesstherearethreeothercompetent
witnessestosuchwill.However,suchpersonso
attestingshallbeadmittedasawitnessasifsuchdevise
orlegacyhadnotbeenmadeorgiven.
Notes:
articleismisplaced,sinceitisnotconcerned
withcapacitytobeawitness,butwithcapacity
tosucceed
inessence,awitnesscannotsucceedtoawillhe
iswitnessing
o becausesuchwitnesswillbevery
partial;hewillhavesomeinterestto
protect(i.e.evenifthewillhadsome
defect,witnesswillofcoursenottestify
astosaiddefect)
itmustbenotedthatthelawdoesnotdisqualify
thewitness
Disqualificationofawitnesstosucceedtoadeviseor
legacywhenthereareonlythreewitnesses
competenceofwitnesses,notaffected
willisvalidbutwitness(orrelativesspecifiedin
thisarticle)cannotinherit
Articlealsoappliestoheirs(notonlylegateesand
devisees)
intentofthelawistocoveralltestamentary
institutions
Disqualificationtosucceedappliesonlyto
testamentarydispositionmadeinfavorofthewitness
orthespecifiedrelatives
Page 12 of 73
ifthepartyisalsoentitledtoalegitimeoran
intestateshare,thatportionisnotaffectedbythe
partyswitnessingthewill
o testamentarydispositioninfavorofa
witness,VOID
o butifthesamewitnessisacompulsory
heir,hislegitimeisunaffected
EXCEPTION
iftherearethreeotherwitnesses(orfour
witnesses)
o thetestamentarydispositioninfavorof
oneofthemisvalid
ART.824.Amerechargeontheestateofthetestator
forthepaymentofdebtsdueatthetimeofthetestators
deathdoesnotpreventhiscreditorsfrombeing
competentwitnessestohiswill.
Notes:
thecreditordoesnotneedthetestatorswillin
orderthathemaybepaid
o hisclaimwillbeprovedinthe
settlementofthedecedentsestate
o thecreditorisnotanheir
Subsection 5 Codicils and Incorporation by

Reference
ART.825.Acodicilisasupplementoradditiontoawill,
madeaftertheexecutionofawillandannexedtobe
takenasapartthereof,bywhichanydispositionmade
intheoriginalwillisexplained,addedto,oraltered.
ART.826.Inorderthatacodicilmaybeeffective,it
shallbeexecutedasinthecaseofawill.
Codicil
explains,addsto,oraltersadispositioninaprior
will
Subsequentwill
makesindependentanddistinctdispositions
Codicilneednotconformtotheformofthewillto
whichitrefers
anattestedwillmayhaveaholographiccodicil
aholographicwillmayhaveanattestedcodicil
ART.827.Ifawill,executedasrequiredbythisCode,
incorporatesintoitselfbyreferenceanydocumentor
paper,suchdocumentorpapershallnotbeconsidered
apartofthewillunlessthefollowingrequisitesare
present:
(1)Thedocumentorpaperreferredtointhewillmust
beinexistenceatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewill;
(2)Thewillmustclearlydescribeandidentifythesame,
statingamongotherthingsthenumberofpagesthereof;
(3)Itmustbeidentifiedbyclearandsatisfactoryproof
asthedocumentorpaperreferredtotherein;and
(4)Itmustbesignedbythetestatorandthewitnesses
oneachandeverypage,exceptincaseofvoluminous

booksofaccountorinventories.
Documents
inventories,booksofaccounts,documentsof
title,papersofsimilarnature
mustnotmaketestamentarydispositions(lest
formalrequirementsforwillsbecircumvented)
Holographicwillscannotincorporatedocumentsby
reference
par.4ofthearticlerequiresthesignaturesofthe
testatorandthewitnessesoneverypageofthe
incorporateddocument(exceptvoluminous
annexes)
Subsection 6 Revocation of Wills and

Testamentary Dispositions
ART.828.Awillmayberevokedbythetestatoratany
timebeforehisdeath.Anywaiverorrestrictionofthis
rightisvoid.
Awillisessentiallyrevocableorambulatory
thischaracteristiccannotbewaivedevenbythe
testator
awillisrevocableadnutum,i.e.atthetestators
pleasure,duringhislifetime
nosuchthingasanirrevocablewill
cf.ART.777(successionalrightsvestonlyupon
death)
ART.829.ArevocationdoneoutsidethePhilippines,by
apersonwhodoesnothavehisdomicileinthiscountry,
isvalidwhenitisdoneaccordingtothelawoftheplace
wherethewillwasmade,oraccordingtothelawofthe
placeinwhichthetestatorhadhisdomicileatthetime;
andiftherevocationtakesplaceinthiscountry,whenit
isinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisCode.
Rulesforrevocation
ifmadeinthePhilippines
o followPhilippinelaw
ifmadeoutsidethePhilippines
o iftestatordomiciledinthePhilippines
followlawofplaceof
execution,or
followlawofplacewhere
testatorwasdomiciledatthe
timeofrevocation
o iftestatordomiciledinthePhilippines
(notgovernedbyART.829)
followPhilippinelaw
followlawofplaceof
revocation
followlawofplaceof
execution
ART.830.Nowillshallberevokedexceptinthe
followingcases:
(a)Byimplicationoflaw;or
(b)Bysomewill,codicil,orotherwritingexecutedas
providedincaseofwills;or
(c)Byburning,tearing,cancelling,orobliteratingthe
Page 13 of 73
willwithintentionofrevokingit,bythetestator
himself,orbysomeotherpersoninhispresence,andby
hisexpressdirection.Ifburned,torn,cancelled,or
obliteratedbysomeotherperson,withouttheexpress
directionofthetestator,thewillmaystillbe
established,andtheestatedistributedinaccordance
therewith,ifitscontents,anddueexecution,andthe
factofitsunauthorizeddestruction,cancellation,or
obliterationareestablishedaccordingtotheRulesof
Court.
Firstmodeofrevocation:Byoperationoflaw
revocationmaybetotalorpartial
examples
o preterition(ART.854)
o legalseparation(ART.63,par.4,
FamilyCode)
o unworthinesstosucceed(ART.1032)
o transformation,alienation,orlossof
theobjectdevisedorbequeathed(ART.
957)
o judicialdemandofacreditgivenasa
legacy(ART.936)
Secondmodeofrevocation:Byasubsequentwillor
codicil
revocationmaybetotalorpartial
requisites
o subsequentinstrumentmustcomply
withtheformalrequirementsofawill
o testatormustpossesstestamentary
capacity
o subsequentinstrumentmusteither
containanexpressrevocatoryclause
(express)orbeincompatiblewiththe
priorwill(implied)
revocatorywillmustbeprobated
Thirdmodeofrevocation:Byphysicaldestruction
fourwaysofdestroying:
o burning
o tearing
o cancelling
o obliterating
Physicaldestructionmaybedone
bytestatorpersonally,or
byanotherpersonactinginthetestators
presenceandbythetestatorsexpressdirection
Effectofunauthorizeddestruction
willmaybeprovedaslostordestroyed
o butonlyifwillisattested
o ifholographic,willcannotbeprobated
iflostordestroyedwithoutauthority
(Ganv,Yap),unlessacopysurvives
(Rodelasv.Aranza)
Elementsofavalidrevocationbyphysical
destruction*
corpus
o thephysicaldestructionitself
o theremustbeevidenceofphysical
destruction
animus
o capacityandintenttorevoke

sameasintestamentary
capacity
thetestatormusthavecompleted
everythingheintendedtodo
*mustconcur,otherwise,norevocation
TestateEstateofAdrianaMalotov.CA(1988)
Facts:HeirsoflateMalotoinstitutedintestateproceeding
forsettlementofdecedentsestate.Later,adocument
purportingtobethewillofdecedentwasdiscovered.
Someheirsfiledapetitionforprobateofallegedwill.
Opposition:thatthetestatrixswillhadbeenrevoked,her
maidhavingburnedthesame.
Held:Thattherewasnovalidrevocationbyphysical
destructionbecauseanimusrevocandiandcorpusdidnot
concur.Thatwhileanimusrevocandimaybeconceded
becausethatisastateofmind,corpuswasnot
established.Thatitwasnotshownthatthepaperburned
bythemaidwasthewillofthetestatrix;thattheburning
wasnotproventohavebeendoneunderthetestatrixs
expressdirection;thattheburningwasnotdoneinthe
presenceofthetestatrix.
Thelossorunavailabilityofawillmay,undercertain
circumstances,giverisetothepresumptionthatithad
beenrevokedbyphysicaldestruction
Gagov.Mamuyac(1927)
Facts:Proponentsoughttohavewillofdecedent
probated,presentingacarboncopyofsame.Opposition:
thatoriginal(will)hadbeenrevokedbytestator,as
testifiedtobywitnesses.Originalcopyofwillcouldnotbe
found.
Held:Thatthereisapresumptionthatthewillhadbeen
revoked(cancelledordestroyed)ifitcannotbefoundand
isshowntobeinthepossessionofthetestatorwhenlast
seen.Thatthepresumptionisthatthewillwasrevokedby
thetestatorhimself.Thatthewillofthetestatorinthis
caseispresumedtohavebeenproperlyrevoked.
ART.831.Subsequentwillswhichdonotrevokethe
previousonesinanexpressmanner,annulonlysuch
dispositionsinthepriorwillsasareinconsistentwith
orcontrarytothosecontainedinthelaterwills.
Note:
theexecutionofasubsequentwilldoesnotipso
factorevokeapriorone
ART.832.Arevocationmadeinasubsequentwillshall
takeeffect,evenifthenewwillshouldbecome
inoperativebyreasonoftheincapacityoftheheirs,
deviseesorlegateesdesignatedtherein,orbytheir
renunciation.
Efficacyoftherevocatoryclausedoesnotdependon
thetestamentarydispositionsoftherevokingwill
unlessthetestatorsoprovides
Page 14 of 73
GENERALRULE:Revocationisanabsoluteprovision
independentoftheacceptanceorcapacityofthenew
heirs
EXCEPTION(dependentrelativerevocation):If
testatorprovidesinthesubsequentwillthatthe
revocationoftheprioroneis
dependentonthecapacityoftheheirs,devisees,
orlegateesinstitutedinthesubsequentwill,or
dependentontheacceptanceoftheheirs,
devisees,orlegateesinstitutedinthesubsequent
will
Dependentrelativerevocation,explanation(Molov.
Molo[1951])
ifactofrevocationofaprevious(original)willis
madebyexecutingasubsequent(new)will,the
revocationisconditionalanddependentupon
theefficacyofthesubsequentwill
if,foranyreason,thenewwillintendedtobe
madeasasubstituteisinoperative,the
revocationfailsandtheoriginalwillremainsin
fullforce
failureofthenewwilluponwhosevaliditythe
revocationdependsisequivalenttothenon
fulfillmentofasuspensivecondition,andhence
preventstherevocationoftheoriginalwill
DependentrelativerevocationappliesONLYifit
appearsthatthetestatorintendedhisactof
revocationtobeconditionedon
themakingofanewwill,or
thevalidityofanewwill,or
theefficacyofanewwill
Ruleofdependentrelativerevocationappliesifthe
revocationisbyphysicaldestruction
Molov.Molo(1951)
Facts:Testatorlefttwowills:originalandnewwhich
containedarevocatoryclause.Newwillwasprobated.
Later,probationwassetasideasoppositorsprovedthat
newwillnotmadeinaccordancewithlaw.Proponents
soughttohaveoriginalwillprobated.Opposition:that
originalwillhadbeenrevokedbynewwill,
notwithstandingdisallowanceofnewwill.Evidencewas
presentedbycontestantsthatoriginalwillhadbeen
destroyedbytestator.
Held:Thatoriginalwillstandsbecausesubsequent(new)
willcontainingarevocatoryclausehasbeendisallowed.
Thatasubsequentwillcontainingarevocatoryclause
whichwasdeniedprobatecannotproducetheeffectof
annullingtheoriginalorpreviouswillbecausethe
revocatoryclauseisvoid.Thatdestructionoforiginalwill
cannothavetheeffectofdefeatingsaidwill(priorwill)
becauseofthefactthatitisfoundedonmistakenbelief
thatsubsequentwillhasbeenvalidlyexecutedandwould
begiveneffect.
BalaneThinks:
Canitnotbearguedthattheactofthetestator
indestroyingthewillinfactconfirmedhisintent
torevokeit?(referringtothecaseofMolov.
Molo)

Diazv.DeLeon(1922)
Facts:Testatorexecutedasecondwillrevokingthefirst.
Firstwillpresentedtocourtforprobate.
Held:Thatthesecondwilldidnotconstitutesufficient
revocation.Thatexistenceofanimusrevocandi,sufficient
forrevocation.Thatfirstwill,havingbeenshowntohave
beendestroyedwithanimusrevocandi,isconsidered
revoked.Thatfirstwillwasreturnedtotestatorwho
orderedhisservanttotearthesame,whichwasdonein
thepresenceoftestator,clearlymanifestinghisintentto
revokesaidfirstwill.Thatfirstwillcannotbeprobatedfor
havingbeendestroyedwithanimusrevocandi.
Ruleifrevocationisimplied(incompatibilityof
provisions)
ruleinART.832applies
intentoftestatortosetasidepriorwillisclear
ART.833.Arevocationofawillbasedonafalsecause
orillegalcauseisnullandvoid.
Wills,revocableadnutum
testatordoesnothavetohaveareasonorcause
forrevokinghiswill
thelawprotectsthetestatorstrueintent(i.e.to
revoke),sothisarticlesetsasidearevocation
thatdoesnotreflectsuchtrueintent
RequisitesfortheapplicationofART.833regarding
revocationforafalsecause
causemustbeconcrete,factual,andnotpurely
subjective
causemustbefalse
testatormustnotknowofthefalsityofthecause
itmustappearfromthewillthatthetestatoris
revokingbecauseofthefalsecause
ExtensionofART.833toillegalcauses(reason:public
policy),ineffect,restrictsthetestatorsfreedomto
revoke
illegalcausemustbestatedinthewillasthe
causeofrevocation
ART.834.Therecognitionofanillegitimatechilddoes
notloseitslegaleffect,eventhoughthewillwhereinit
wasmadeshouldberevoked.
Notes:
recognitionofanillegitimatechildinawillis
irrevocable(i.e.evenifthewillisrevoked,the
recognitionremainseffective)
undertheFamilyCode(cf.ART.175,Family
Code),admissionofillegitimatefiliationinawill
wouldconstituteproofofillegitimatefiliation
Subsection 7 Republication and Revival of Wills

ART.835.Thetestatorcannotrepublish,without
reproducinginasubsequentwill,thedispositions
containedinapreviousonewhichisvoidastoitsform.
ART.836.Theexecutionofacodicilreferringtoa
previouswillhastheeffectofrepublishingthewillas
Page 15 of 73
modifiedbythecodicil.
Notes:
republicationorrevivaltogivebackefficacytoa
willwhichhasbecomeinefficacious
Will,voidastoformifitdoesnotcomplywiththe
requirementsofART.804to808;810to814;818and
819
Howtorepublishawillthatisvoidastoitsform
toexecuteasubsequentwillandreproduce(i.e.
copyout)thedispositionsoftheoriginalwill
o merereference,notenough
Howtorepublishawillthatisnotvoidastoitsform
but(a)voidforareasonotherthanaformaldefect
[e.g.awillthatinstitutesoneofthethreeattesting
witnesses],or(b)previouslyrevoked
toexecuteasubsequentwillorcodicilreferring
tothepreviouswill
o noneedtoreproducetheprovisionsof
thepriorwillinthesubsequent
instrument
ART.837.Ifaftermakingawill,thetestatormakesa
secondwillexpresslyrevokingthefirst,therevocation
ofthesecondwilldoesnotrevivethefirstwill,which
canberevivedonlybyanotherwillorcodicil.
Explanation
therevocationofasecondwill(revokingafirst
will)byathirdwilldoesnotrevivethefirstwill
o therevocatoryclauseofarevokedwill
(secondwill)remainseffective
(becausethirdwillrevokingsecond
willdoesnotrevivefirstwill)
BalaneNotes:
thisarticleisbasedonthetheoryofinstant
revocation,whichisinconsistentwiththe
principlethatwillstakeeffectmortiscausa
arevocatorywill,asineverywill,inorderto
haveeffectmustbeprobated;butasecondwill
revokingthefirst,whichsecondwillhasalready
beenrevoked,mustbesubmittedtocourtfor
probate?
ART.837doesnotapplyincaseofimpliedrevocation
(i.e.thearticleonlyappliesifrevocationofthefirst
willbythesecondwillisexpress)
therevocationofasecondwill(revokingafirst
will)byathirdwillwouldrevivethefirstwill,
UNLESSthethirdwillisitselfinconsistentwith
thefirst
EXCEPTION
ifthesecondwillisholographicandisrevoked
byphysicaldestruction
o becauseitcannotbeprobated,unlessa
copysurvives
Subsection 8 Allowance and Disallowance of Wills

ART.838.Nowillshallpasseitherrealorpersonal
propertyunlessitisprovedandallowedinaccordance

withtheRulesofCourt.
Thetestatorhimselfmay,duringhislifetime,petition
thecourthavingjurisdictionfortheallowanceofhis
will.Insuchcase,thepertinentprovisionsoftheRules
ofCourtfortheallowanceofwillsafterthetestators
deathshallgovern.
TheSupremeCourtshallformulatesuchadditional
RulesofCourtasmaybenecessaryfortheallowanceof
willsonpetitionofthetestator.
Subjecttotherightofappeal,theallowanceofthewill,
eitherduringthelifetimeofthetestatororafterhis
death,shallbeconclusiveastoitsdueexecution.
Probate,defined
ajudicialprocesstodeterminethedueexecution
(formalorextrinsicvalidity)ofawill
Probateofawill,mandatory
Guevarav.Guevara(1943)
Facts:Testatorexecutedawillwhichwasnever
presentedtocourtforprobate.Respondentsoughtto
recoveraparceloflandsoldtopetitioner,claimingthat
saidlandwaspartofherlegitime.Tosupportherclaim,
respondentpresentedthewillbeforethecourttoprove
thatshewasacknowledgedbytestatorashisnatural
child,andonlyforthatpurpose(i.e.notforprobate).
Respondentclaimedtobeanintestateandcompulsory
heirofdecedent.
Held:Thattheprocedureadoptedbyrespondentcannot
besanctionedbecausepresentationofwilltocourtfor
probateismandatory,anditsallowanceessentialand
indispensableforitsefficacy.
Twostagesofsettlementofestate
probateofwill
o formalvalidityisdetermined
settlementproper
o substantivevalidity(i.e.efficacyof
provisions)ofwillispassedupon
Onceadecreeofprobatebecomesfinal,itisres
judicata
DelaCernav.Potot(1964)
Facts:Jointwillexecutedbytestatorandtestatrix.When
testatordied,willadmittedtoprobate.Probatedecree
becamefinal.Later,samewillsubmittedtocourtfor
probatewhentestatrixdied.Probatecourtdeniedprobate
(thesecondtime)becausejointwillsarevoid.
Held:Thattheadmissionofajointwilltoprobateisan
erroroflawwhichshouldhavebeencorrectedbyappeal,
butwhichdidnotaffectthejurisdictionoftheprobate
court,northeconclusiveeffectofitsfinaldecision.That
sincetheprobatecourt(duringthefirstprobate)has
spokenwithfinalitywhenitadmittedthejointwillto
probate,thefinaldecreeofprobatehasconclusiveeffect
astotestatorswill.
Page 16 of 73
Scopeoffinaldecreeofprobate:
GENERALRULE:Conclusiveastodueexecution(i.e.
extrinsicorformalvalidityonly)
Gallanosav.Arcangel(1978)
Facts:Legalheirsoftestatorfiledanactionforannulment
oftestatorsdulyprobatedwill.Ground:fraudinthe
executionandsimulation.Testamentaryheirsopposed.
Lowercourtannulledprobatedwill.
Held:Thatprocedurallawsdonotsanctionanactionfor
theannulmentofawill.Thatdecreeofprobateofwillis
conclusiveastoitsdueexecutionorformalvalidity.That
admissionofwilltoprobatemeansthatthetestatorwas
ofsoundanddisposingmind;thathisconsentwasnot
vitiated;thatthewillwassignedbyhiminthe
presenceoftherequirednumberofwitnesses;and
thatthewillisgenuine.Thatthesefactscannotagainbe
questionedinasubsequentproceeding,notevenina
criminalactionforforgeryofwill.Thattrialjudgegravely
abusedhisdiscretioninannullingdulyprobatedwill.
Whatformalvalidityencompasses(Dorotheov.CA
[1999])
whetherthewillsubmittedisindeedthe
decedentslastwillandtestament
compliancewiththeprescribedformalitiesfor
theexecutionofwills
testamentarycapacity
dueexecutionofthewill
Dueexecutionmeans:
thetestatorssoundanddisposingmind
freedomfromvitiatingfactors(duress,menace,
undueinfluence)
willgenuine,notforgery
propertestamentaryage
thetestatorisnotexpresslyprohibitedbylaw
frommakingawill
Anotherwayofdefiningthescopeofafinaldecreeof
probateistorefertoART.839,infra
objectiontoawillonanyofthegrounds
enumeratedinthatarticleisforeclosedbyafinal
decreeofprobate
EXCEPTION:Adecreeofprobatedoesnotconcern
itselfwiththequestionofintrinsicvalidity,andthe
probatecourtshouldnotpassuponthatissue,except
ifonitsfacethewillappearstobeintrinsicallyvoid
Nepomucenov.CA(1985)
Facts:Testatordevisedentirefreeportiontokabit.
Testatornotedinhiswillthathecouldnotmarrykabit
becausehewaslegallymarriedtosomeoneelse.Kabit
presentedwilltocourtforprobate.Legalwifeopposed.
Probatedenied:thewillwasinvalidonitsfacebecauseof
prohibiteddisposition.Appellatecourtreversed:willvalid
exceptthatdeviseinfavorofkabitisnullandvoid,per
ART.739inrelationwithART.1028oftheCivilCode.
Held:Thatwhilethegeneralruleisthatinprobate
proceedingsthecourtsareaofinquiryislimitedtoan

examinationandresolutionoftheextrinsicvalidityofthe
will,thegeneralruleisnotinflexibleandabsolute,for
probatecourtnotpowerlesstopassuponcertain
provisionsofwill.Thatprobateofawillmightbecomean
idleceremonyifonitsfaceitappearstobeintrinsically
void.Thatadonationcannotbegivenbetweenpersons
livinginadulteryorconcubinage,inwhichcasedonation
isvoid.Thatthisrulealsoappliestotestamentary
dispositions.Thatthereforethetestamentarydisposition
infavorofkabitisvoid.
Baltazarv.Laxa(2012)
Facts:Willofthetestatrixpresentedtocourtforprobate.
Opposition:thoseenumeratedinART.839,infra).
Held:Thatcourtsareonlytaskedtopassuponthe
extrinsicvalidityofwillinprobateproceedings.Thatdue
executionofwilloritsextrinsicvaliditypertainsto
whethertestator,beingofsoundmind,freelyexecuted
willinaccordancewithformalitiesprescribedbylaw
(ART.805to806).Thatthereisfaithfulcompliancewith
formalitieslaiddownbylawapparentfromfaceofwill.
Thatcontestantsfailedtosubstantiatetheirallegations,
henceprobateofwillmustbeallowed.
ART.839.Thewillshallbedisallowedinanyofthe
followingcases:
(1)Iftheformalitiesrequiredbylawhavenotbeen
compliedwith;
(2)Ifthetestatorwasinsane,orotherwisementally
incapableofmakingawill,atthetimeofitsexecution;
(3)Ifitwasexecutedthroughforceorunderduress,or
theinfluenceoffear,orthreats;
(4)Ifitwasprocuredbyundueandimproperpressure
andinfluence,onthepartofthebeneficiaryorofsome
otherperson;
(5)Ifthesignatureofthetestatorwasprocuredby
fraud;
(6)Ifthetestatoractedbymistakeordidnotintend
thattheinstrumenthesignedshouldbehiswillatthe
timeofaffixinghissignaturethereto.
GroundsfordisallowanceofawilllistedinART.839,
exclusive
afinalprobatedecreeforeclosesanysubsequent
challengeonanyofthemattersenumeratedin
thisarticle
ifanyofthesegroundsfordisallowanceis
proved,thewillshallbesetasideasvoid
o awilliseithervalidorvoid(nosuch
thingasavoidablewill)
VALIDifnoneofdefectsin
ART.839arepresent
VOIDifanyoneofthe
defectsispresent
ReART.839(1)
SeeART.804to814,818to819,and820to
821
Page 17 of 73

ReART.839(2)
cf.ART.796to803
ReART.839(3)
force(violence),asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.
1335)
duress(intimidation),asdefinedincontractlaw
(ART.1335)
ReART.839(4)
undueorimproperpressureorinfluence(undue
influence),asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.
1337)
ReART.839(5)
fraud,asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.1338)
ReART.839(6)
mistake,asdefinedincontractlaw(ART.1331)
Section 2 Institution of Heir

ART.840.Institutionofheirisanactbyvirtueofwhich
atestatordesignatesinhiswillthepersonorpersons
whoaretosucceedhiminhispropertyand
transmissiblerightsandobligations.
Notes:
rulesoninstitutionofheirapplyalsoto
institutionofdeviseesandlegatees
willsareforinstitutionofheirs
ART.841.Awillshallbevalideventhoughitshouldnot
containaninstitutionofanheir,orsuchinstitution
shouldnotcomprisetheentireestate,andeventhough
thepersonsoinstitutedshouldnotacceptthe
inheritanceorshouldbeincapacitatedtosucceed.
Insuchcasesthetestamentarydispositionsmadein
accordancewithlawshallbecompliedwithandthe
remainderoftheestateshallpasstothelegalheirs.
Notes:
cf.Seangiov.Reyes(2006)
o involvingawillwithouttestamentary
dispositions(disinheritance)
ifheir,legatee,ordeviseedoesnotacceptoris
incapacitated
o intestacyastothatpartresults
ART.842.Onewhohasnocompulsoryheirsmay
disposebywillofallhisestateoranypartofitinfavor
ofanypersonhavingcapacitytosucceed.
Onewhohascompulsoryheirsmaydisposeofhisestate
providedhedoesnotcontravenetheprovisionsofthis
Codewithregardtothelegitimeofsaidheirs.
Evenifwilldoesnotcontainanytestamentary
disposition
itwillbeformallyvalidprovideditcomplieswith
alltheformalrequisites
Howmuchcanbedisposedofbywill
iftestatorhasnocompulsoryheirs:

o theentirehereditaryestate
iftestatorhascompulsoryheirs:
o thedisposableportion(i.e.thenet
hereditaryestateminusthelegitimes)
Iftestatordisposesbywilloflessthanheisallowed
whetherornotheleavescompulsoryheirs
mixedsuccessionresults
o testamentarysuccessionastothatpart
disposedofbywill,and
o intestatesuccessionastothatpartnot
disposedofbywill
o (legitimespassbystrictoperationof
law)
ART.843.Thetestatorshalldesignatetheheirbyhis
nameandsurname,andwhentherearetwopersons
havingthesamenames,heshallindicatesome
circumstancebywhichtheinstitutedheirmaybe
known.
Eventhoughthetestatormayhaveomittedthenameof
theheir,shouldhedesignatehiminsuchmannerthat
therecanbenodoubtastowhohasbeeninstituted,the
institutionshallbevalid.
ART.844.Anerrorinthename,surname,or
circumstancesoftheheirshallnotvitiatetheinstitution
whenitispossible,inanyothermanner,toknowwith
certaintythepersoninstituted.
If,amongpersonshavingthesamenamesand
surnames,thereisasimilarityofcircumstancesinsuch
awaythat,evenwiththeuseofotherproof,theperson
institutedcannotbeidentified,noneofthemshallbean
heir.
Requirementfordesignationofheir
thattheheir,legatee,ordeviseemustbe
identifiedinthewillwithsufficientclarityto
leavenodoubtastothetestatorsintention
Designationofnameandsurnameisdirectory
whatismandatoryisthattheidentityofthe
heirs,legatees,ordeviseesmustbesufficiently
established(usually,bygivingthenameand
surname,butthereareotherways)
Otherwaysofestablishingidentityofheir,devisee,or
legacy
Idesignateasheirtooneeighthofmyestate
myeldestfirstcousin
IdevisemylechonparlortomyCivilProcedure
professor
Ifthereisanyambiguityinthedesignation,the
ambiguitymustberesolvedinaccordancewithART.
789
i.e.byevidencealiunde,excludingoral
declarationsofthetestator
Ifambiguitycannotberesolved
testatorsintentbecomesunascertainable
o intestacythereforeastothatportion
results
Page 18 of 73
ART.845.Everydispositioninfavorofanunknown
personshallbevoid,unlessbysomeeventor
circumstancehisidentitybecomescertain.However,a
dispositioninfavorofadefiniteclassorgroupof
personsshallbevalid.
Unknownperson
referstoasuccessorwhoseidentitycannotbe
determinedbecausethedesignationinthewillis
sounclearorsoambiguousastobeincapableof
resolution
thisdoesnotrefertoonewithwhomthetestator
isnotpersonallyacquainted
testatormayinstitutesomebodywhoisaperfect
strangertohim,providedtheidentityisclear
Illustrationsofasuccessorwhoseidentitycannotbe
determined
Idesignateasheirtoonefourthofmyestatea
fictionwriter
Igiveonethirdofmyestatetosomeonewho
cares
Illustrationofadesignationofanunknownperson
whoseidentity,bysomeeventorcircumstance
becomescertain
Idesignateasheirtoonefourthofmyestate,
whoevertopsthebartheyearaftermydeath
Illustrationofadispositioninfavorofadefiniteclass
orgroupofpersons
Iinstituteasheirtotheentirefreeportionof
myestate,thepoor
ART.846.Heirsinstitutedwithoutdesignationof
sharesshallinheritinequalparts.
Generalpresumptionincasesofcollective
designation
EQUALITY
iftestatorintendsanunequalapportionment,he
shouldsospecify
ART.846appliesonlytotestamentaryheirsassuch
(ordeviseesorlegatees),andNOTtoanheirwhois
bothacompulsoryandatestamentaryheir(because
theheirwillgethislegitimeandhistestamentary
share)
Toillustrate
atestatorinstituteshisson,hisfriend,andhis
cousinastestamentaryheirs
o sonwillgethislegitimeplushis
testamentaryshare
o friendandcousineachgetanequal
share
o sonstestamentaryshareisequalto
eachoffriendsandcousins
testamentaryshare
songetsmore(legitimeplus
testamentaryshare)
NotexplicitlycoveredbyART.846isasituationwhere
thesharesofsomeoftheheirsaredesignatedand
thoseofothersarenot

ART.847.Whenthetestatorinstitutessomeheirs
individuallyandotherscollectivelyaswhenhesays,I
designateasmyheirsAandB,andthechildrenofC,
thosecollectivelydesignatedshallbeconsideredas
individuallyinstituted,unlessitclearlyappearsthatthe
intentionofthetestatorwasotherwise.
Equalityandindividualityofdesignation
inaddition,thisarticleestablishesthe
presumptionthattheheirscollectivelyreferred
toaredesignatedpercapitaalongwiththose
separatelydesignated
iftestatorintendsablockdesignation,hemust
sospecify
Illustration
IdesignateasheirsMrs.ShoalHalimawis,her
daughterMs.CeraHalimawis,andBlockA2015
ofthePUPCollegeofLaw(BlockA2015
composedof20people;testatordiedsingleand
withoutlegitimateissue)
o Mrs.Shoal,Ms.Cera,andthe20people
ofBlockA2015wouldbeconsideredas
individuallyinstituted
eachwouldreceive1/22of
theestate
ART.848.Ifthetestatorshouldinstitutehisbrothers
andsisters,andhehassomeoffullbloodandothersof
halfblood,theinheritanceshallbedistributedequally
unlessadifferentintentionappears.
Again,EQUALITYofshares
iftestatorintendsotherwise,hemustsospecify
Thisarticleappliestotestamentarysuccessiononly
intestamentarysuccession
o equalityofsharesoffullandhalfblood
brothersandsisters,unlessthetestator
providesotherwise
inintestatesuccession
o proportionof2:1betweenfulland
halfbloodbrothersandsisters(ART.
1006)andonlyifthedisqualificationin
ART.992doesnotapply
ART.848seemstoapplyeventoillegitimatebrothers
andsisters,incaseswherethetestatorisoflegitimate
status,andviceversa
thearticlemakesnodistinction
ubilexnondistinguit,necnosdistinguere
debemus
ART.849.Whenthetestatorcallstothesuccessiona
personandhischildren,theyarealldeemedtohave
beeninstitutedsimultaneouslyandnotsuccessively.
Note:
equalityandindividualityruleagain
ART.850.Thestatementofafalsecauseforthe
institutionofanheirshallbeconsideredasnotwritten,
unlessitappearsfromthewillthatthetestatorwould
nothavemadesuchinstitutionifhehadknownthe
falsityofsuchcause.
Page 19 of 73
Note:
truthorfalsityofcauseisimmaterialbecausethe
basisofinstitution,likedonation,isliberality
GeneralRule:Falsityofstatedcausefortestamentary
dispositiondoesnotaffectvalidityorefficacyof
institution
reason:testamentarydispositionsareultimately
basedonliberality
Exception:Falsityofstatedcauseforinstitutionwill
setasideorannultheinstitutionifcertainfactorsare
present
thefactors/requisites(Austriav.Reyes[1970])
o thecausefortheinstitutionmustbe
statedinthewill
o thecausemustbeshowntobefalse
o itmustappearfromthefaceofthewill
thatthetestatorwouldnothavemade
suchinstitutionifhehadknownthe
falsityofthecause
Austriav.Reyes(1970)
Facts:Testatrixinstitutedasheirsherlegallyadopted
children.Antemortemprobateofwillallowed.Opposition
topartitionofestate:entireestateshoulddescendto
contestantsbyintestacybecauseofintrinsicnullityof
institutionofheirs(theoryoffalseadoption);that
testatrixwasledintobelievingthatinstitutedheirs
entitledtolegitimesascompulsoryheirs,asevidencedby
heruseofthephrasesapilitangmana.
Held:Thatrequisitesforannulment(seefactors
enumeratedintheExceptionabove)ofinstitutionofheirs
basedonfalsecausenotpresent.Thattherewasnoteven
acauseforinstitutionstatedinwill.Thattestatrixsuseof
phrasesapilitangmanaprobablymeansthatshe
approvedofsystemoflegitimes.
CorrelateART.850(annullingfactor:falsity)with
ART.1028inrelationtoART.739(annullingfactor:
illegality)
ART.851.Ifthetestatorhasinstitutedonlyoneheir,
andtheinstitutionislimitedtoanaliquotpartofthe
inheritance,legalsuccessiontakesplacewithrespectto
theremainderoftheestate.
Thesameruleapplies,ifthetestatorhasinstituted
severalheirseachbeinglimitedtoanaliquotpart,and
allthepartsdonotcoverthewholeinheritance.
WordingofART.851,erroneous
legalsuccessiondoesnottakeplacewithrespect
totheremainderoftheestate,buttothe
remainderofthedisposableportion
o theremaybecompulsoryheirswhose
legitimeswillcoverpartoftheestate
o thelegitimesdonotpassbylegalor
intestatesuccession
ART.851statesexactlythesamerulelaiddownin
ART.841
ART.852.Ifitwastheintentionofthetestatorthatthe

institutedheirsshouldbecomesoleheirstothewhole
estate,orthewholefreeportion,asthecasemaybe,
andeachofthemhasbeeninstitutedtoanaliquotpart
oftheinheritanceandtheiraliquotpartstogetherdo
notcoverthewholeinheritance,orthewholefree
portion,eachpartshallbeincreasedproportionally.
ART.853.Ifeachoftheinstitutedheirshasbeengiven
analiquotpartoftheinheritance,andthepartstogether
exceedthewholeinheritance,orthewholefreeportion,
asthecasemaybe,eachpartshallbereduced
proportionally.
ElementscommontobothART.852and853
therearemorethanoneinstitutedheir
thetestatorintendedthemtogetthewhole
estateorthewholedisposableportion
thetestatorhasdesignatedadefiniteportionfor
eachheir
InART.852
totalofallportionsislessthanthewholeestate
(orfreeportion)
o therefore,aproportionateincreaseis
necessary
o differencecannotpassbyintestacy
becausetheintentionofthetestatoris
cleartogivetheinstitutedheirsthe
entireamount
InART.853
thetotalexceedsthewholeestate(orfree
portion)
o therefore,aproportionatereduction
mustbemade
IllustrationsofART.852:
Xdieswithoutanycompulsoryheirsbutleavesa
will:IinstituteA,B,andCtomyentireestatein
thefollowingproportions:A1/2,B1/3.C
1/8.TheestateisvaluedatP600,000atthetime
ofXsdeath.
o thetotalofthespecifiedportionsis
only23/24
o totalofproportions:575,000
A=300,000(1/2or12/24of
600,000)
B=200,000(1/3or8/24)
C=75,000(1/8or3/24)
o tofindAsincreasedshare(x):
SOLUTION1:
x=300,000_
600,000575,000
575x=180,000,000_
575
575
x=313,043.48
SOLUTION2:
Aisentitledto12/24
Bisentitledto8/24
Cisentitledto3/24
Total:23/24
Page 20 of 73
Ratioof12:8:3=23
So:
12=x_____
23
600,000
23x=7,200,000__
23
23
x=313,043.48
o
findBsincreasedshareusinganyof
thesolutionspresentedabove(you
mayalsouseyourowndevisedsolution
andshareitwiththeclass);your
answermustbe208,695.65
findCsincreasedshare;youranswer
mustbe78,260.87
nowaddAs,Bs,andCsincreased
shares;totalmustbe600,000
XdieswithY(alegitimatechild)ashisonly
compulsoryheir.Xleavesawill:IgiveA,B,and
Ctheentirefreeportionofmyestate,suchthatA
gets1/4,Bgets1/8,andCgets1/2ofsaidfree
portion.XsnetestateisworthP600,000.
only11/24
A=150,000(1/4or6/24of
600,000)
B=75,000(1/8or3/24)
C=50,000(1/12or2/24)
o NOTE:thefreeportionisonly1/2of
theestate,i.e.halfof600,000oronly
300,000
asthetotallegaciesgiventoA,
B,andCisonly275,000
(25,000shortof300,000)
theirsharesneedtobe
proportionatelyincreased
SOLUTION1:
x=150,000__
300,000275,000
275x=45,000,000_
275
275
x=163,636.36

SOLUTION2:
Aisentitledto6/24
Bisentitledto3/24
Cisentitledto2/24
Total:11/24
So:
6=x_____
11
300,000
11x=1,800,000__
1111
Ratioof6:3:2=11
x=163,636.36
findBsincreasedshare;youranswer
mustbe81,818.19
findCsincreasedshare;youranswer
mustbe54,545.45
nowaddAs,Bs,andCsincreased
shares;thetotalmustbe300,000(Yis
entitledto300,000,hislegitime)
IllustrationsofART.853:
Xdieswithoutanycompulsoryheirsbutleavesa
will:IinstituteA,B,andCtomyentireestate.A
istoget1/2,Bistoget1/3,andCistoget1/4
thereof.XsnetestateisvaluedatP600,000at
thetimeofhisdeath.
13/12
o totalproportions:650,000
A=300,000(1/2or6/12of
600,000)
B=200,000(1/3or4/12)
C=150,000(1/4or3/12)
o tofindAsreducedshare(x):
SOLUTION1:
x=300,000__
600,000650,000
650x=180,000,000_
650
650
x=276,923.08
SOLUTION2:
Page 21 of 73
Aisentitledto6/12
Bisentitledto4/12
Cisentitledto3/12
Total:13/12
So:
6=_x_____
13600,000
13x=3,600,000__
1313
Ratioof6:4:3=13
x=276,923.08
findBsreducedshare;youranswer
mustbe184,615.38
findCsreducedshare;youranswer
mustbe138,461.54
325x=45,000,000_
325
325
x=138,461.54
SOLUTION2:
Aisentitledto6/24
Bisentitledto4/24
Cisentitledto3/24
Total:13/24
Ratioof6:4:3=13
nowaddAs,Bs,andCsreduced
shares;thetotalmustnowbe600,000
XdieswithY(alegitimatechild)ashisonly
compulsoryheir.Xleavesawill:IgiveA,B,and
Ctheentiredisposableportionofmyestate,such
thatAistoget1/4oftheestate,Bistoget1/6of
myestate,andCistoget1/8ofmyestate.Xs
netestateisworthP600,000.
13/24(morethan1/2or12/24
availableasdisposable)
A=150,000(1/4or6/24of
600,000)
B=100,000(1/6or4/24)
C=75,000(1/8or3/24)
o NOTE:thefreeportionisonly1/2of
theestate,i.e.halfof600,000oronly
300,000
asthetotallegaciesgiventoA,
B,andCis325,000(25,000in
excessofthe300,000
disposableportion)their
sharesneedtobe
proportionatelydecreased
SOLUTION1:
x=150,000__
300,000325,000

So:
6=x_____
13
300,000
13x=1,800,000__
13
13
x=138,461.54
o
findBsreducedshare;youranswer
mustbe92,307.69
findCsreducedshare;youranswer
mustbe69,230.77
nowaddAs,Bs,andCsreduced
shares;thetotalmustnowbe300,000
(Yisentitledto300,000,hislegitime)
ART.854.Thepreteritionoromissionofone,some,or
allofthecompulsoryheirsinthedirectline,whether
livingatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewillorborn
afterthedeathofthetestator,shallannultheinstitution
ofheir;butthedevisesandlegaciesshallbevalid
insofarastheyarenotinofficious.
Iftheomittedcompulsoryheirsshoulddiebeforethe
testator,theinstitutionshallbeeffectual,without
prejudicetotherightofrepresentation.
Preterition(omission)insum:
omissionfromwhat?
o frominheritance,NOTfromthewill
(totalomissionintheinheritance)
whocanbepreterited?
o compulsoryheirsinthedirectline
whatistheeffectofpreterition?
o
Page 22 of 73
annulstheinstitutionofheirbut
respectslegaciesanddevisesinsofaras
thesedonotimpairthelegitimes
ThefollowingcasesdoNOTconstitutepreterition:*
iftheheirinquestionisinstitutedinthewillbut
theportiongiventohimbythewillislessthan
hislegitime(Reyesv.BarrettoDatu[1967])
iftheheirisgivenalegacyordevise(Aznarv.
Duncan[1966])
iftheheirhadreceivedadonationintervivos
fromthetestator
o donationintervivosisconsideredasan
advanceonthelegitime(cf.ART.906,
909,910,and1062)
iftheheirisnotmentionedinthewillnorwasa
recipientofadonationintervivosfromthe
testator,butnotalloftheestateisdisposedofby
will
o theomittedheirwouldreceive
somethingbyintestacyfromthevacant
portion(notdisposedofbywill)
*inallthesecases,theremedyofthecompulsoryheir,if
thevalueofwhathereceivedislessthanhislegitime,isto
demandcompletionofthesame(ART.906and907)
Reyesv.BarrettoDatu(1967)
Facts:Testatorinstitutedasheirshistwodaughters,
SaludandMilagros.Later,itturnedoutthatSaludwasnot
thetestatorsdaughterbyhiswife.Milagrosclaimedthat
Saludnotentitledtoanyshareinherfathersestate.
Held:ThatwhiletheshareassignedtoSaludimpingedon
thelegitimeofMilagros,Saluddidnotforthatreason
ceasetobeatestamentaryheir.Thattherewasno
preteritionortotalomissionofaforcedheir(Milagros)
despitethefactthatMilagroswasallottedinherfathers
willasharesmallerthanherlegitime.Thatsuchallotment
didnotinvalidatetheinstitutionofheir(Salud).
BalaneComments:
inReyes:(a)therewasacompulsoryheir
[Milagros];(b)suchheirwasinstitutedinthe
will;(c)thetestamentarydispositiongivento
suchheirwaslessthanherlegitime
o therewasNOPRETERITION
o reason:therewasNOTOTAL
OMISSIONinasmuchastheheir
receivedsomethingfromthe
inheritance
o remedyofcompulsoryheirwho
receivedlessthanhislegitime:
completionorsatisfactionof
legitime(ART.906and907)
Aznarv.Duncan(1966)
Facts:Testatorinstitutedasheirhisacknowledged
naturaldaughter,LucyDuncan.HelenGarcia,another
naturaldaughteroftestatorwhohoweverwasnot
acknowledged,complainedthatshehadbeenpreterited.
HelenGarciawasgivenonlyalegacyof3,600pesos.

Held:ThattherewasnopreteritionbecauseHelenGarcia,
acompulsoryheir,wasnotentirelyomittedfromthe
inheritanceasinfactshereceivedalegacy.ThatHelen
Garciasremedyistohaveherlegitimesatisfied.
HeirsofUretav.HeirsofUreta(2011)
Facts:HeirsofPolicronioarguedthattheyhadbeen
preteritedbecausetheyweredeprivedofashareinthe
estateoftheirlatefather.
Held:Thatpreteritionisaconceptoftestamentary
successionandthatwheredecedentleavesnowill,asin
thiscase,therecanbenopreterition.
Thereispreteritonifacompulsoryheirreceived
nothingfromthetestatorbywayof:
testamentarysuccession
legacyordevise
donationintervivos
intestacy
Whatconstitutespreteritionisnotomission
(inthesenseofnotbeingmention)inthewillbut
beingcompletelyleftoutoftheinheritance
Seangiov.Reyes(2006)
Facts:Testatorexecutedaholographicwillwhereinhe
disinheritedoneofhiscompulsoryheirs(Alfredo,
testatorsson).Virginiasnamementionedinthe
holographicwill.
Held:Thattherewasnopreteritionbecauseitwas
testatorsintentiontobequeathhisestatetoallhis
compulsoryheirsexceptAlfredo.Thattestatordidnot
instituteanheirtotheexclusionofothercompulsory
heirs.ThatmerementionofVirginiasnamedidnot
instituteherasuniversalheirbutamerewitnessto
Alfredosmaltreatmentoftestator.
WhoareincludedwithinthetermsofART.854
acompulsoryheirinthedirectline,whether
livingatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewillor
bornafterthedeathofthetestator
o butquasiposthumouschildrenalso
included
thosebornaftertheexecution
ofthewillbutbeforethe
testatorsdeath
Compulsoryheirsinthedirectline
childrenordescendants*
o includingadoptedchildren(Acainv.
IAC[1987])
parentsorascendants(indefaultofchildrenor
descendants)*
*legitimateorillegitimate;thelawdoesnotdistinguish
(Manresa)
SurvivingspouseisNOTacompulsoryheirinthe
directline
whileacompulsoryheir,heisNOTinthedirect
line(Balanayv.Martinez,Acainv.IAC)
meaningofdirectline(ART.964,par.2)
Page 23 of 73
adirectlineisthatconstitutedbythe
seriesofdegreesamongascendants
anddescendants
Predeceaseofpreteritedcompulsoryheir(par.2,
ART.854)
thedeterminationofwhetherornotthereare
preteritedheirscanbemadeonlyuponthe
testatorsdeath
ifthepreteritedheirpredeceases(oris
unworthytosucceed)thetestator,preterition
becomesmoot
o BUTifthereisadescendantofthatheir
whoishimselfpreterited,thenthe
effectsofpreteritionwillarise
o toillustrate
ifatestator(X)makesawill
whichresultsinthe
preteritionofoneofhistwo
sons(A);Apredeceaseshis
fatherXbutAleavesason(A
1);ART.854applies(i.e.A1
ispreteritedbecausehe
succeedsXbyrepresentation
ofhisfatherA,thesonofX)
Adoptedchildren
Acainv.IAC(1987)
Facts:Widowandlegallyadoptedchildoftestator
opposedprobateoftestatorswill:theyhadbeen
preterited.Willhadnolegaciesordevises.
Held:Thatwidownotpreteritedbecausesheisnota
compulsoryheirinthedirectline;butlegallyadopted
child,preterited.Thatadoptiongivestoadoptedperson
samerightsanddutiesasifhewerelegitimatechildof
adopterandmakesadoptedpersonalegalheirofadopter.
Thatwillistotallyabrogated.
Effectofpreterition
annulmentoftheinstitutionofheir,but
validityoflegaciesanddevisestotheextentthat
thesedonotimpairlegitimes(totheextentof
thefreeportion;legaciesanddevisesmerelyto
bereducediflegitimesareimpaired)
o preteritionistheonlyinstancewhere
distinctionbetweenheirsandlegatees
/deviseesisrelevant
ifwillcontainsonly
institutionsofheirsandthere
ispreteritiontotalintestacy
results
Meaningofannulmentofinstitutionofheir:
Nuguidv.Nuguid(1966)
Facts:Testatrixdiedwithoutdescendants.Testatrix
institutedinherwillhersisterassoleheir.Testatrixs
parentsopposedprobate:thattheyhadbeenpreterited.
Held:Thattestatrixsparents(forcedheirsinthedirect
ascendingline)hadbeenpreterited,aswillcompletely
omitsbothofthem.Thatthewordannulmeansto

abrogate,tomakevoid,toreducetonothing,toannihilate,
toobliterate,toblotout,tomakevoidorofnoeffect,to
nullify,toabolish.Thatinstitutionoftestatrixssisteras
soleherisannulled.
Preteritioncontraineffectivedisinheritance
preteritionisthetotalomissionfromthe
inheritance,withouttheheirbeingexpressly
disinherited
o impliedbasis:inadvertentomissionby
thetestator
soiftestatorexplicitly
disinheritstheheir,ART.854
willnotapply
ifthedisinheritanceisineffectiveforabsenceof
oneorotheroftherequisitesforavalid
disinheritance
o theheirissimplyentitledtodemand
hisrightfulshare
ART.855.Theshareofachildordescendantomittedin
awillmustfirstbetakenfromthepartoftheestatenot
disposedofbywill,ifany;ifthatisnotsufficient,so
muchasmaybenecessarymustbetakenproportionally
fromthesharesoftheothercompulsoryheirs.
ProperapplicationofART.855
whereacompulsoryheirisnotpreteritedbut
leftsomething(becausenotalltheestateis
disposedofbywill)lessthanhislegitime
Howtofillupacompulsoryheirsimpairedlegitime:
fromthevacantportion
fromthesharesofthetestamentaryheirs,
legatees,anddevises,proportionally
ART.855issuperfluousbecauseisspeaksof
completionoflegitime(dealtwithindetailinART.
907,etseq.)
ART.855isinaccurate
coverageshouldbeallcompulsoryheirs,notjust
childrenordescendants
proportionatereductionmustbeborneby
testamentaryheirs,includingdeviseesand
legatees,andNOTbythecompulsoryheirs
ART.856.Avoluntaryheirwhodiesbeforethetestator
transmitsnothingtohisheirs.
Acompulsoryheirwhodiesbeforethetestator,a
personincapacitatedtosucceed,andonewho
renouncestheinheritance,shalltransmitnorighttohis
ownheirsexceptincasesexpresslyprovidedforinthis
Code.
Righttosucceedcannotbetransmitteditisapurely
personalright
Representation
representativeisraisedtotheleveloftheperson
represented
Completestatementoftherule:
anheir(whethercompulsory,voluntaryor
testamentary,orlegal)transmitsnothingtohis
Page 24 of 73
heirsincaseofpredecease,incapacity,
renunciation,ordisinheritance
o however,incaseofpredeceaseor
incapacityofcompulsoryorlegalheirs,
aswellasdisinheritanceofcompulsory
heirs
therulesonrepresentation
shallapply
Section 3 Substitution of Heirs

ART.857.Substitutionistheappointmentofanother
heirsothathemayenterintotheinheritanceindefault
oftheheiroriginallyinstituted.
Simplesubstitutionisreallyaformofconditional
institution
Basisofsubstitutions
testamentaryfreedom
insimplesubstitutions,thetestatorsimply
makesasecondchoice,incasethefirstchoice
doesnotinherit
infideicommissarysubstitutions,thetestator
imposesarestrictionorburdenonthefirstheir
coupledwithaselectionofasubsequent
recipientoftheproperty
ART.858.Substitutionofheirsmaybe:
(1)Simpleorcommon;
(2)Briefofcompendious;
(3)Reciprocal;or
(4)Fideicommissary.
Fourkindsofsubstitution:
simpleorcommon(vulgar)[ART.859]
brieforcompendious(brevilocuaocompendiosa)
[ART.860]
reciprocal(recproca)[ART.861]
fideicommissary(fideicomisaria)[ART.863]
Inreality,thereareonlytwokindsofsubstitutions:
vulgarandfideicomisaria(mutuallyexclusive,i.e.
substitutionmustbeoneortheother,cannotbeboth
atthesametime)
theothertwoaremodalidadesofthevulgaror
thefideicomisaria
ART.859.Thetestatormaydesignateoneormore
personstosubstitutetheheirorheirsinstitutedincase
suchheirorheirsshoulddiebeforehim,orshouldnot
wish,orshouldbeincapacitatedtoacceptthe
inheritance.
Asimplesubstitutionwithoutastatementofthecases
towhichitrefers,shallcomprisethethreementionedin
theprecedingparagraphunlessthetestatorhas
otherwiseprovided.
Causesofsimplesubstitution
predeceaseofthefirstheir
renunciationofthefirstheir

incapacityofthefirstheir
Howtestatormayprovideforsimplesubstitutionwith
allthreecauses
byspecifyingallthethreecauses
bymerelyprovidingforasimplesubstitution
Restrictedsimplesubstitution
testatormaylimittheoperationofsimple
substitutionbyspecifyingonlyoneortwoofthe
threecauses
o vacancyresultsifthecausespecified
doesnothappen(i.e.ifanothercause
notspecifiedinthewilloccurs)
ART.860.Twoormorepersonsmaybesubstitutedfor
one;andonepersonfortwoormoreheirs.
Brieforcompendioussubstitution
apossiblevariationofeitheravulgarora
fideicomisaria
brief
o twoormoresubstitutesforone
originalheir
compendious
o onesubstitutefortwoormoreoriginal
heirs
Substitutionwilltakeplaceonlyifalltheoriginal
heirsaredisqualified
ifoneissubstitutedfortwoormoreoriginal
heirs,andonebutnotallisnotqualifiedto
inherit
o NOSUBSTITUTIONshareleftvacant
willaccruetosurvivingcoheir/s
ifAandBwereinstitutedas
heirsto1/3oftheestate,with
Cassubstitute,substitution
willtakeplaceonlyifbothA
andBaredisqualifiedto
inherit;ifonlyAis
disqualified,Bwouldinherit
Asshare,exclusively
o EXCEPTION
iftestatorprovidesotherwise
(thatsubstitutionwilltake
placeincaseanyoneofthe
originalheirsdies,renounces,
orisincapacitated
ART.861.Ifheirsinstitutedinunequalsharesshould
bereciprocallysubstituted,thesubstituteshallacquire
theshareoftheheirwhodies,renounces,oris
incapacitated,unlessitclearlyappearsthatthe
intentionofthetestatorwasotherwise.Ifthereare
morethanonesubstitute,theyshallhavethesame
shareinthesubstitutionasintheinstitution.
Reciprocalsubstitution
justavariationofsimpleorfideicommissary
substitution
Illustrationofsecondsentence,ART.861
A,B,andCareinstituted,respectively,to1/2,
1/3,and1/6oftheestate
Page 25 of 73
o
o
ifApredeceasesthetestator,BandC
willacquireAs1/2portioninthe
proportionof2:1(theirtestamentary
sharesbeing1/3and1/6)
shouldBpredecease,AandCwillget
Bs1/3portioninproportionof3:1
(1/2and1/6)
ifCpredeceases,AandBwillshareCs
1/6portionintheproportionof3:2
ART.862.Thesubstituteshallbesubjecttothesame
chargesandconditionsimposedupontheinstituted
heir,unlessthetestatorhasexpresslyprovidedthe
contrary,orthechargesorconditionsarepersonally
applicableonlytotheheirinstituted.
Rationale
substitutemerelytakestheplaceoftheoriginal
heir
ART.863.Afideicommissarysubstitutionbyvirtueof
whichthefiduciaryorfirstheirinstitutedisentrusted
withtheobligationtopreserveandtotransmittoa
secondheirthewholeorpartoftheinheritance,shall
bevalidandshalltakeeffect,providedsuchsubstitution
doesnotgobeyondonedegreefromtheheiroriginally
instituted,andprovided,further,thatthefiduciaryor
firstheirandthesecondheirarelivingatthetimeofthe
deathofthetestator.
Elementsofthefideicomisaria
afirstheir(fiduciary/fiduciario)whotakesthe
propertyuponthetestatorsdeath
o thefiduciaryentersuponthe
inheritanceupontheopeningofthe
succession(i.e.whenthetestatordies)
asecondheir(fideicommissaryheir/
fideicomisario)whotakestheproperty
subsequentlyfromthefiduciary
o fideicommissaryheirdoesnotreceive
propertyuntilthefiduciarysright
expires
o bothheirsenterintotheinheritance
successively(i.e.oneaftertheother,
eachinhisownturn)
o notethatwhilethefideicommissary
heirdoesnotreceivepropertyuponthe
testatorsdeath,hisrighttheretovests
atthattimeandmerelybecomes
subjecttoaperiod,andthatright
passestohisownheirsshouldhedie
beforethefiduciarysrightexpires
thesecondheirmustbeonedegreefromthe
fiduciaryorfirstheir
o onlyonetransmissionisallowedinthe
fideicomisaria(fromfiduciarytothe
fideicommissaryheir)
o onedegreemeansthatthe
fideicommissaryheirmustbeinthe
firstdegreeofrelationshipwiththe
fiduciaryorfirstheir(i.e.secondheir
musteitherbeachildoraparentofthe
firstheir)perPalaciosv.Ramirez
(1982),infra
theruleappliesandistruea
fortioriincaseofanadopted

childvisvishisadopter(cf.
Acainv.IAC)
thedualobligationimposeduponthefiduciary
topreservethepropertyandtotransmititafter
thelapseoftheperiodtothefideicommissary
heir
o thisistheessenceofthefideicomisaria
(Crisologov.Singson[1962])
o fiduciaryorfirstheirisbasicallya
usufructuary,withtherighttouseand
enjoythepropertybutwithoutthe
righttodisposeofthesame(jus
disponendi)
o effectifthereisnoobligationto
preserveandtransmitthereisno
fideicommissarysubstitution,but
somethingelse(PCIBv.Escolin
[1974])
bothheirsmustbelivingandqualifiedto
succeedatthetimeofthetestatorsdeath
o living
o qualified(cf.ART.1024to1034)
thesetworequisitesaremet
onlyuponthetestatorsdeath,
andappliestoboththefirst
andsecondheirs
thus,thesecondheirneednot
survivethefirstheir
ifthesecondheirdiesbefore
thefirstheir,thesecondheirs
ownheirsmerelytakehis
place
Palaciosv.Ramirez(1982)
Facts:Testatorswillinstitutedhiscompanionover2/3of
estate(usufruct),andatthesametimeinstitutedas
substitutesofcompaniontwoothersnotrelatedatallto
companion.
Held:Thatthefideicommissarysubstitutionisvoid
becauselawmandatesthatsuchsubstitutiondoesnotgo
beyondonedegreefromtheheiroriginallyinstituted.
Thatdegreemeansgeneration,andsecondheirmustbe
relatedtoandbeonegenerationfromfirstheir.That
fideicommissaryheircanonlybeeitherachildoraparent
offirstheir.
BalaneCriticizesthePalaciosRuling:
perJusticeJosVitug,thePalacios
interpretationofdegreeasdegreeof
relationshipwoulddisenfranchiseajuridical
personfrombeingeitherafiduciaryor
fideicommissaryheir
PCIBv.Escolin(1974)
Facts:Testatrixinstitutedtothewholeestateher
husband,withrighttodispose,andatthesametimeher
siblingsortherespectiveheirsofhersiblings,asheirsto
residueandremainderofestate,afterdeathofhusband.
Held:Thatthereisnofideicommissarysubstitution
becausethereisnoobligationonthepartoftestatrixs
husbandasfirstheir,topreservepropertiesforsubstitute
heirs.Thatsiblingsoftestatrixinstitutedsimultaneously
Page 26 of 73
withtestatrixshusband,subjecttocertainconditions.
Thatbrothersandsistersoftestatrixweretoinheritwhat
husbandwouldnotdisposeofduringhislifetime.That
thisisavalidsimultaneousinstitutionofheir.
BalaneComments:
theinstitutioninPCIBisasimultaneous
institution(notafideicomisariabecausethereis
noobligationimposeduponthehusbandto
preservetheestateoranypartthereoffor
anyoneelse)
o ontheonehand,ofthehusbandsubject
toaresolutorycondition(i.e.right
terminatesatthetimeofdeath)
o ontheother,ofthehusbandsbrothers
andsistersinlawsubjecttoa
suspensivecondition(i.e.condition
mayormaynothappenremainderof
estate)
Tenureofthefiduciaryorfirstheir
primaryrule
o periodindicatedbythetestator
secondaryrule
o thefiduciaryslifetime(ifthetestator
didnotindicateaperiod)
ART.864.Afideicommissarysubstitutioncannever
burdenthelegitime.
Note:
thelegitimepassesbystrictoperationoflaw,
thereforethetestatorhasnopoweroverit
ART.865.Everyfideicommissarysubstitutionmustbe
expresslymadeinorderthatitmaybevalid.
Thefiduciaryshallbeobligedtodelivertheinheritance
tothesecondheir,withoutotherdeductionsthanthose
whicharisefromlegitimateexpenses,creditsand
improvements,saveinthecasewherethetestatorhas
providedotherwise.
Repar.1:
mannerofimposingafideicomisaria:express
o twoways
bytheuseoftheterm
fideicommissary,or
byimposinguponthefirst
heirtheabsoluteobligationto
preserveandtotransmitto
thesecondheir
Repar.2:
allowabledeductions
o generalrule:thefiduciaryshould
deliverthepropertyintactand
undiminishedtothefideicommissary
heiruponthearrivaloftheperiod
o exception:theonlydeductionsallowed,
intheabsenceofacontraryprovision
inthewill
legitimateexpenses(i.e.
necessaryanduseful,not
ornamentalexpenses)
credits

improvements
Damageto,ordeteriorationof,property
ifcausedbyafortuitouseventorordinarywear
andtear
o fiduciarynotliable
ifcausedbyfiduciarysfaultornegligence
o fiduciaryliable
ART.866.Thesecondheirshallacquirearighttothe
successionfromthetimeofthetestatorsdeath,even
thoughheshoulddiebeforethefiduciary.Therightof
thesecondheirshallpasstohisheirs.
Notes:
secondheirsrightvestsuponthetestators
death(cf.ART.777andART.878sinceasfaras
thesecondheirisconcerned,theinstitutionof
himisonesubjecttoasuspensiveterm)
thesecondheirneednotsurvivethefirstheirin
orderforsubstitutiontobeeffective
o thesecondheirsownheirssimplytake
hisplace
ART.867.Thefollowingshallnottakeeffect:
(1)Fideicommissarysubstitutionswhicharenotmade
inanexpressmanner,eitherbygivingthemthisname,
orimposinguponthefiduciarytheabsoluteobligation
todeliverthepropertytoasecondheir;
(2)Provisionswhichcontainaperpetualprohibitionto
alienate,andevenatemporaryone,beyondthelimit
fixedinArticle863;
(3)Thosewhichimposeupontheheirthechargeof
payingtovariouspersonssuccessively,beyondthelimit
prescribedinArticle863,acertainincomeorpension;
(4)Thosewhichleavetoapersonthewholeorpartof
thehereditarypropertyinorderthathemayapplyor
investthesameaccordingtosecretinstructions
communicatedtohimbythetestator.
Repar.1:
seenotesunderART.865
notethatlackofthiselementdoesnot,bythat
factalone,nullifytheinstitution
o itonlymeansthattheinstitutionisnot
afideicomisaria;itcouldhoweverbe
somethingelse,asinPCIB
Repar.2:
ifthereisafideicomisaria,thelimitisthefirst
heirslifetime
ifthereisnofideicomisaria,thelimitis20years
(ART.870)
Repar.3:
therecanonlybetwobeneficiariesofthe
pension,oneaftertheother,andthesecond
mustbeonedegreefromthefirst(asinART.
863)
thereisnoprohibitionhoweveronsimultaneous
beneficiaries
Page 27 of 73
Repar.4:
theostensibleheirisinrealityonlyadummy,
becauseinreality,thepersonintendedtobe
benefitedistheonetowhomthesecret
instructionsrefer
o purposeofsurreptitiousdispositionis
tocircumventsomeprohibitionor
disqualificationT.C.B.C.I.T.J.(this
cannotbecountenancedinthis
jurisdiction)
o effect:entiredispositionorprovisionis
VOID
ART.868.Thenullityofthefideicommissary
substitutiondoesnotprejudicethevalidityofthe
institutionoftheheirsfirstdesignated;the
fideicommissaryclauseshallsimplybeconsideredas
notwritten.
Effectiffideicommissarysubstitutionisvoidor
ineffective
institutionoffirstheirsimplybecomespureand
unqualified
Effectiftheinstitutionofthefirstheirisvoidor
ineffective
notprovidedinART.868
whenthefiduciarypredeceasesorisunableto
succeed,thefideicommissaryheirtakesthe
inheritanceuponthedeathofthedecedent(Mr.
JusticeVitug)
o thenullityorinefficacyofthe
institutionofthefiduciaryshouldnot
nullifytheinstitutionofthe
fideicommissaryheir
o therightofthefideicommissaryheir
shouldthenbeabsoluteandeffective
uponthetestatorsdeath,asifno
fiduciaryorfirstheirhadbeen
instituted
sinceultimately,theintention
ofthetestatoristoultimately
passthepropertytothe
secondheir(Manresa)
ART.869.Aprovisionwherebythetestatorleavestoa
personthewholeorpartoftheinheritance,andto
anothertheusufruct,shallbevalid.Ifhegivesthe
usufructtovariouspersons,notsimultaneously,but
successively,theprovisionsofArticle863shallapply.
Note:
iftestatorinstitutessuccessiveusufructuaries,
therecanonlybetwo,oneaftertheother,andas
tothetwoofthem,alltherequisitesofART.863
mustbepresent
ART.870.Thedispositionsofthetestatordeclaringall
orpartoftheestateinalienableformorethantwenty
yearsarevoid.
Effectiftestatorimposesalongerperiodthan20
years
prohibitiontopartitionisvalidonlyfor20years
Ifthereisafideicommissarysubstitution

timelimitationwillnotapply
ART.863willapply,whichallows,asaperiod,
thelifetimeofthefirstheir
Rationale(asinART.867,par.2,supra)
commerce
Section 4 Conditional Testamentary Dispositions

and Testamentary Dispositions With a Term
Threekindsoftestamentarydispositions
conditionaldispositions
o condition(seeART.1179,par.1)
dispositionswithaterm
o term(seeART.1193,par.1and3)
dispositionswithamode(modaldispositions)
o mode(seeART.882)
General Provisions:
ART.871.Theinstitutionofanheirmaybemade
conditionally,orforacertainpurposeorcause.
ART.872.Thetestatorcannotimposeanycharge,
conditionorsubstitutionwhatsoeveruponthelegitime
prescribedinthisCode.Shouldhedoso,thesameshall
beconsideredasnotimposed.
Conditions:
ART.873.Impossibleconditionsandthosecontraryto
laworgoodcustomsshallbeconsideredasnotimposed
andshallinnomannerprejudicetheheir,evenifthe
testatorshouldotherwiseprovide.
Impossibleconditions
maybefactuallyorlegallyimpossible
Effectifimpossibleorillegalconditionisimposedby
testator
conditionissimplyconsideredasnotwritten
o testamentarydispositionisnot
annulled
o dispositionbecomespure(no
condition)
ruleindonationsissame(ART.727)whilerule
inobligationsisdifferent(ART.1183)
o reasonforthedifference:basisof
testamentarydispositionsand
donations,bothgratuity(liberality);on
theotherhand,obligationsareonerous
(conditionimposediscausa,andif
eliminatedforbeingimpossibleor
illegal,therewouldbeafailureof
consideration)
ART.874.Anabsoluteconditionnottocontractafirst
orsubsequentmarriageshallbeconsideredasnot
writtenunlesssuchconditionhasbeenimposedonthe
widoworwidowerbythedeceasedspouse,orbythe
lattersascendantsordescendants.
Nevertheless,therightofusufruct,oranallowanceor
somepersonalprestationmaybedevisedor
bequeathedtoanypersonforthetimeduringwhichhe
orsheshouldremainunmarriedorinwidowhood.
Page 28 of 73

Conditionsprohibitingmarriage
ifafirstmarriageisprohibited
o conditionalwaysconsiderednot
imposed
ifasubsequentmarriageisprohibited
o ifimposedbythedeceasedspouseor
byhis/herascendantsor
descendantsVALID
o ifimposedbyanyoneelseconsidered
notwritten
Repar.2:
thisparagraphmayprovidethetestatorofa
meansofterminatingthetestamentary
benefactionshouldtheheircontractmarriage
(evenafirstone)
wordingofdispositionmustnotbesoasto
constituteaprohibitionforbiddeninpar.1
o e.g.Iinstituteasheirto1/5ofmyfree
portionMr.Quevedoughprovidedhe
doesnotmarryalawyeroranon
lawyer
NOTALLOWED(absolute
prohibition)
o e.g.Iinstituteasheirtomyentirefree
portionMs.Buttadforaslongasshe
remainssingleorawidow
ALLOWED
ART.874doesnotprohibittheimpositionofa
conditiontomarry(eitherwithreferencetoa
particularpersonornot)
cf.conditiontomarry
NeitherdoesART.874declarevoidarelative
prohibition
e.g.Iinstituteto2/5ofmyfreeportionMr.
SeraphimSalvavidadorprovidedhedoesnot
marryahotelreceptionist
ART.875.Anydispositionmadeuponthecondition
thattheheirshallmakesomeprovisioninhiswillin
favorofthetestatororofanyotherpersonshallbevoid.
Thisarticleisthescripturacaptatoria(Legacy
huntingdispositions,whethertoheirsorlegatees,are
void)
itisnotallowed
quidproquo,forbidden
Reasonsfortheprohibition
captatoriaconvertstestamentarygrantsinto
contractualtransactions
itdeprivestheheiroftestamentaryfreedom
itgivesthetestatorthepowertodisposemortis
causanotonlyofhisproperty,butalsoofhis
heirs
Whatisdeclaredvoid
testamentarydispositionitself,notmerelythe
condition
ART.876.Anypurelypotestativeconditionimposed
uponanheirmustbefulfilledbyhimassoonashe
learnsofthetestatorsdeath.

Thisruleshallnotapplywhenthecondition,already
compliedwith,cannotbefulfilledagain.
ART.877.Iftheconditioniscasualormixed,itshallbe
sufficientifithappenorbefulfilledatanytimebefore
orafterthedeathofthetestator,unlesshehasprovided
otherwise.
Shouldithaveexistedorshouldithavebeenfulfilledat
thetimethewillwasexecutedandthetestatorwas
unawarethereof,itshallbedeemedascompliedwith.
Ifhehadknowledgethereof,theconditionshallbe
consideredfulfilledonlywhenitisofsuchanaturethat
itcannolongerexistorbecompliedwithagain.
ART.883.xxx
Ifthepersoninterestedintheconditionshouldprevent
itsfulfillment,withoutthefaultoftheheir,thecondition
shallbedeemedtohavebeencompliedwith.
ART.879.Ifthepotestativeconditionimposedupon
theheirisnegative,orconsistsinnotdoingornot
givingsomething,heshallcomplybygivingasecurity
thathewillnotdoorgivethatwhichhasbeen
prohibitedbythetestator,andthatincaseof
contraventionhewillreturnwhateverhemayhave
received,togetherwithitsfruitsandinterests.
Thesearticlesgovernpotestative,casual,andmixed
conditions
potestative:onethatdependssolelyonthewillof
theheir/legatee/devisee
portionMs.ChitHaeprovidedthatshe
establishapermanentresidencein
Burunggan
casual:onethatdependsonthewillofathird
personoronchance
portionMs.ChitHaeprovidedthatMt.
Pinatuboerupts(chance)
portionMs.ChitHaeprovidedthat
KnorrMiswarisurrenderstothe
President(willofathirdperson)
mixed:onethatdependspartlyonthewillofthe
heir/legatee/deviseeandpartlyeitheronthe
willofathirdpersonorchance
portionMs.ChitHaeprovidedshe
marriesduringmylifetimeMr.Rubber
Bellyhar(dependentpartlyonthewill
ofMs.ChitHae,theheiress,andthewill
ofMr.Bellyhar,athirdperson)
Ruleonpotestativeconditions(ART.876)
positive
o generalrule:mustbefulfilledassoon
astheheirlearnsofthetestatorsdeath
o exception:
iftheconditionwasalready
compliedwithatthetimethe
Page 29 of 73
heirlearnsofthetestators
death,and
theconditionisofsucha
naturethatitcannotbe
fulfilledagain
o constructivecompliance(ART.883,
par.2):conditiondeemedfulfilled
negative(ART.879)
o heirmustgivesecurity(caucin
muciana)toguaranteethereturnofthe
valueoftheproperty,fruits,and
interests,incaseofcontravention
ifconditionisviolated,
intestateorlegalheirsmust
goaftersecurity(caucin
muciana)
Ruleoncasualormixedconditions(ART.877)
generalrule:maybefulfilledatanytime(before
orafterthetestatorsdeath),unlessthetestator
providesotherwise
o qualification:ifalreadyfulfilledatthe
timeoftheexecutionofthewill
iftestatorunawareoffactof
fulfillmentdeemedfulfilled
iftestatorawarethereof(a)
ifcannotbefulfilledagain:
deemedfulfilled;(b)ifcanbe
fulfilledagain:mustbe
fulfilledagain
constructivecompliance(ART.883,par.2)
o ifcasualnotapplicable
o ifmixed
ifdependentpartlyon
chancenotapplicable
ifdependentpartlyonthewill
ofathirdparty(a)ifthird
partyisaninterestedparty:
applicable;(b)ifthirdpartyis
notaninterestedparty:not
applicable
ART.880.Iftheheirbeinstitutedunderasuspensive
conditionorterm,theestateshallbeplacedunder
administrationuntiltheconditionisfulfilled,oruntilit
becomescertainthatitcannotbefulfilled,oruntilthe
arrivaloftheterm.
Thesameshallbedoneiftheheirdoesnotgivethe
securityrequiredintheprecedingarticle.
ART.881.Theappointmentoftheadministratorofthe
estatementionedintheprecedingarticle,aswellasthe
manneroftheadministrationandtherightsand
obligationsoftheadministratorshallbegovernedby
theRulesofCourt.
Betweentimeoftestatorsdeathandtimeof
fulfillmentofsuspensiveconditionorofcertaintyof
itsnonoccurrence
propertytobeplacedunderadministration
o ifconditionhappens:propertytobe
turnedovertoinstitutedheir
o ifitbecomescertainthatconditionwill
nothappen:propertytobeturnedover
toasecondaryheir(ifthereisone)or

totheintestateheirs,asthecasemay
be
ART.880mustnotbeappliedtoinstitutionswitha
termdespitewording
otherwise,therewillbeanirreconcilableconflict
withART.885,par.2,whichmandatesthat
beforethearrivaloftheterm,theproperty
shouldbegiventothelegalheirs
Repar.2,ART.880
propertyshallbeintheexecutorsor
administratorscustodyuntiltheheirfurnishes
thecaucinmuciana
Proceduralrulesgoverningappointmentof
administrator
Rules77to90,RulesofCourt
ART.884.Conditionsimposedbythetestatoruponthe
heirsshallbegovernedbytherulesestablishedfor
conditionalobligationsinallmattersnotprovidedfor
bythisSection.
Note:
suppletorilygoverningconditionalinstitutions
areART.1179to1192,onconditional
obligations
Terms:
ART.878.Adispositionwithasuspensivetermdoes
notpreventtheinstitutedheirfromacquiringhisrights
andtransmittingthemtohisheirsevenbeforethe
arrivaloftheterm.
Term:certaintoarrive
mayeitherbesuspensiveorresolutory
Condition:uncertaintohappen
Whenheirsrightvests(indispositionswithaterm)
uponthetestatorsdeath
o shouldheirdiebeforethearrivalofthe
suspensiveterm,hemerelytransmits
hisrighttohisownheirswhocan
demandwhenthetermarrives(cf.
ART.866)
Ruleinconditionalinstitutions(ifinstitutedheirdies
beforethehappeningofthecondition)
cf.ART.1034,par.3(iftheinstitution,devise,
orlegacyshouldbeconditional,thetimeofthe
compliancewiththeconditionshallalsobe
considered)
o import:inconditionalinstitutions,the
heirshouldbelivingandqualifiedto
succeedbothatthetimeofthe
testatorsdeathandatthetimeofthe
happeningofthecondition
i.e.,theheirordeviseeor
legateewhodiesbeforethe
happeningofthecondition,
evenifhesurvivesthe
testator,transmitsnorightto
hisheirs(SpanishCivilCode)
Page 30 of 73

ART.885.Thedesignationofthedayortimewhenthe
effectsoftheinstitutionofanheirshallcommenceor
ceaseshallbevalid.
Inbothcases,thelegalheirshallbeconsideredascalled
tothesuccessionuntilthearrivaloftheperiodor
(from)itsexpiration.Butinthefirstcaseheshallnot
enterintopossessionofthepropertyuntilafterhaving
givensufficientsecurity,withtheinterventionofthe
institutedheir.
Iftermsuspensive(exdie,outintheday;[from]its
[periods]expiration)
shouldbedeliveredtothelegalorintestateheirs
acaucinmucianahastobepostedbythem
Iftermisresolutory(indiem,intotheday;untilthe
arrivaloftheperiod)
shouldbedeliveredtotheinstitutedheir
nocaucinmucianarequired
Modes:
ART.882.Thestatementoftheobjectoftheinstitution
ortheapplicationofthepropertyleftbythetestator,or
thechargeimposedbyhim,shallnotbeconsideredasa
conditionunlessitappearsthatsuchwashisintention.
Thatwhichhasbeenleftinthismannermaybeclaimed
atonceprovidedthattheinstitutedheirorhisheirs
givesecurityforcompliancewiththewishesofthe
testatorandforthereturnofanythingheortheymay
receive,togetherwithitsfruitsandinterests,ifheor
theyshoulddisregardthisobligation.
ART.882,par.1
definesamodeobliquely
inbrief,amodeisanobligationimposedupon
theheir,withoutsuspending(asacondition
does)theeffectivityoftheinstitution
o amodeobligatesbutdoesnotsuspend
o aconditionsuspendsbutdoesnot
obligate
Modemustbeclearlyimposedasanobligation
merepreferencesorwishesexpressedby
testator,notmodes
portionMs.SteffanieSummeraandI
wouldbeverydelightedandmysoul
wouldsurelyrestinpeaceifshegives
mydaughterMs.CeraHalimawis
moneyallowanceofP50,000permonth
tobetakenfromsaid2/5ofmyfree
portionNOTMODE
Amodefunctionssimilarlytoaresolutorycondition
Rabadillav.CA(2000)
Facts:TestatrixinstitutedasheirinherwillMr.Rabadilla,
predecessorofpetitioners.WillstatedthatMr.Rabadilla
shallhaveobligationuntilhedies,everyyear,togiveto

Ms.Coscolluela100piculsofsugar,andthatshouldMr.
Rabadilladie,hisheirsshallsimilarlyhavesame
obligation,andintheeventthatpropertydevisedissold,
etc.,seller,etc.shallhavesameobligation.
Held:ThattheinstitutionofMr.Rabadillaisamodal
institution(becauseitimposesachargeorobligation
upontheinstitutedheirwithoutaffectingtheefficacyof
suchinstitution),andART.882applies.Thatinmodal
institutions,thetestatorstates(a)theobjectofthe
institution,(b)thepurposeorapplicationoftheproperty
leftbythetestator,or(c)thechargeimposedbythe
testatorupontheheir.Thataconditionsuspendsbutdoes
notobligate;andthemodeobligatesbutdoesnot
suspend.Thattosomeextent,modeissimilartoa
resolutorycondition.
Caucinmucianatobepostedbytheinstitutedheir
ART.883.Whenwithoutthefaultoftheheir,an
institutionreferredtointheprecedingarticlecannot
takeeffectintheexactmannerstatedbythetestator,it
shallbecompliedwithinamannermostanalogousto
andinconformitywithhiswishes.
xxx
Note:
intentionofthetestatorshouldalwaysbethe
guidingnormindeterminingthesufficiencyof
theanalogousperformance
portionMr.St.Peterandheshall,every
month,givetomydaughterMs.Cera
HalimawisonesackofMilagrosarice
theexpenseforwhichistobetaken
fromsaid1/5share
ifMilagrosariceisnolonger
availableinthemarket,thena
varietyofsimilarquality
shouldbegivenbyMr.St.
Peter,theinstitutedheir,to
Ms.CeraHalimawis,inthe
samequantity
Section 5 Legitime
PreliminaryNotes:
legitime
o theportionofthedecedentsestate
reservedbylawinfavorofcertainheirs
freeordisposableportion
o theportionleftavailablefor
testamentarydispositionafterthe
legitimeshavebeencovered
compulsoryheirs
o theheirsforwhomthelawreservesa
portionofthedecedentsestate
Natureoflegitimes
legitimesaresetasidebymandateoflaw
testatorisrequiredtosetasideorreservethem
o thetestatorisprohibitedfrom
disposingbygratuitoustitle(inter
vivosormortiscausa)ofthese
legitimes
Page 31 of 73
butdispositionsbyoneroustitleare
NOTprohibitedbecause,intheory,
nothingislostfromtheestateinan
onerousdisposition,(thereismerelyan
exchangeofvalues)
becausethetestatoriscompelledtosetasidethe
legitimes,theheirsinwhosefavorthelegitimes
aresetasidearecalledcompulsoryheirs
o note:testatoristheonecompelled,not
hisheirswhoarefreetoacceptor
rejecttheinheritance
o
ART.886.Legitimeisthatpartofthetestators
propertywhichhecannotdisposeofbecausethelaw
hasreserveditforcertainheirswhoare,therefore,
calledcompulsoryheirs.
ART.887.Thefollowingarecompulsoryheirs:
(1)Legitimatechildrenanddescendants,withrespect
totheirlegitimateparentsandascendants;
(2)Indefaultoftheforegoing,legitimateparentsand
ascendants,withrespecttotheirlegitimatechildren
anddescendants;
(3)Thewidoworwidower;
(4)Acknowledgednaturalchildren,andnatural
childrenbylegalfiction;
(5)OtherillegitimatechildrenreferredtoinArticle287.
CompulsoryheirsmentionedinNos.3,4,and5arenot
excludedbythoseinNos.1and2;neitherdothey
excludeoneanother.
Inallcasesofillegitimatechildren,theirfiliationmust
bedulyproved.
Thefatherormotherofillegitimatechildrenofthe
threeclassesmentioned,shallinheritfromtheminthe
mannerandtotheextentestablishedbythisCode.
ART.887enumeratesthecompulsoryheirs;
enumerationisexclusive
Classificationofcompulsoryheirs
primarylegitimatechildrenand/or
descendants
o calledassuchbecausetheyare
preferredover,andexclude,the
secondary
secondarylegitimateparentsand/or
ascendants;illegitimateparents
o calledassuchbecausetheyreceive
legitimesonlyindefaultoftheprimary
legitimateparents/
ascendantsonlyindefaultof
legitimatechildren/
descendants
illegitimateparentsonlyin
defaultofanykindofchildren
/descendants
concurringsurvivingspouse;illegitimate
childrenand/ordescendants

calledassuchbecausetheysucceedas
compulsoryheirstogetherwith
primaryorsecondaryheirs(except
onlythatillegitimatechildren/
descendantsexcludeillegitimate
parents,i.e.onlyillegitimatechildren/
descendantswillgettheirlegitimes,the
illegitimateparentstogetnothingin
theformoflegitimes)
TheCOMPULSORYHEIRS
legitimatechildren(lawdoesnotspecifyhow
theyshouldshare,butuniversalagreementis
thattheywillshareequallyregardlessofage,
sex,ormarriageoforigin;includelegitimate
descendantsotherthanchildren,intheproper
cases)
o ART.164,FamilyCode
childrenconceivedorborn
duringthemarriageof
parents
childrenconceivedofartificial
insemination
o ART.54,FamilyCode
childrenconceivedorborn
beforejudgmentofannulment
orabsolutenullityofmarriage
underART.36hasbecome
final/executory
childrenconceivedorbornof
subsequentmarriageunder
ART.53(i.e.afterannulment
/declarationofnullityof
marriage,andseparated
spousessubsequently
remarry)
o ART.179,FamilyCode
legitimatedchildren(i.e.
subsequentvalidmarriage
betweenparentsof
illegitimatechildren)
o Sec.17and18,RA8552(Domestic
AdoptionActof1998)
adoptedchildren(isan
adoptedchildentitledto
inheritbycompulsoryand
intestatesuccessionfromhis
biologicalparentsand
relatives?noanswer)
legitimatedescendants
o generalrule:thenearerexcludethe
moreremote
children,ifallqualified,will
excludegrandchildren,andso
on
o qualification:rightofrepresentation
(successionperstirpes),whenproper
legitimateparents(includelegitimateascendants
otherthanparents,inthepropercasessee
Barituav.CA[1990],infra)
o includingadopter(perSec.18,RA
8552)
legitimateascendants
o onlyindefaultofparents
Page 32 of 73
therule(absoluteintheascending
line):thenearerexcludethemore
remote
survivingspouse
o ofthedecedent,notthespouseofa
childwhohaspredeceasedthe
decedent(Rosalesv.Rosales[1987],
infra)
o marriagemustbevalidorvoidable
(withnofinaldecreeofannulmentat
thetimeofthedecedentsdeath)
o mereestrangementnotagroundfor
disqualificationofsurvivingspouseas
heir
o effectofdecreeoflegalseparation
offendingspouse:
DISQUALIFIEDtoinherit
innocentspouse:QUALIFIED
toinherit
o deathofeitherspouseduringpendency
ofpetitionforlegalseparation
dismissalofcase
survivingspouse,QUALIFIED
toinherit(whetherinnocent
ornot)(Lapuzv.Eufemio
[1972],infra)
illegitimatechildren
o ingeneral:childrenconceivedandborn
outsideavalidmarriage(ART.165,
FamilyCode)
o inparticular:childrenbornof(taken
fromSempioDiy)
coupleswhoarenotlegally
married,orofcommonlaw
marriages
incestuousmarriages
bigamousmarriages
adulterousrelationsbetween
theparents
marriagesvoidforreasonsof
publicpolicyunderART.38,
FamilyCode
couplesbelow18yearsold,
whethermarried(void)ornot
othervoidmarriagesunder
ART.35,FamilyCode
o note:ruleifdecedentdiedbeforethe
effectivityoftheFamilyCode(August
3,1988)isART.895oftheCivilCode
o cf.rightofrepresentation(an
illegitimatechildcanberepresentedby
bothlegitimateandillegitimate
descendants,whilealegitimatechild
canonlyberepresentedbylegitimate
descendants,perART.902andART.
992)
illegitimatedescendants
o sameruleasinlegitimatedescendants
nearerexcludethemore
remote
rightofrepresentation
illegitimateparents
o onlyparentsintheillegitimate
ascendingline)
unlikeinthelegitimate
ascendingline(includes
o

ascendantsofwhatever
degree)
excludedbylegitimatechildrenand
unlikelegitimateparents
(excludedonlybylegitimate
children/descendants)
Variationsinlegitimaryportions
generalrule:1/2ofestateisgiventooneheiror
onegroupofheirs
exceptions:
o survivingspouseandillegitimate
children(ART.894)
o survivingspouseinamarriagein
articulomortis,withtheconditions
specified(ART.900,par.2)
o survivingspouseandillegitimate
parents(ART.903)
Thedifferentcombinations
legitimatechildrenalone(ART.888)
o 1/2ofestatedividedequally
legitimatechildrenandsurvivingspouse(ART.
892,par.2)
o legitimatechildren1/2ofestate
o survivingspouseashareequaltothat
ofonechild
onelegitimatechildandsurvivingspouse(ART.
892,par.1)
o legitimatechild1/2ofestate
o survivingspouse1/4ofestate
legitimatechildrenandillegitimatechildren
(ART.176,FamilyCode)
o illegitimatechildreneachwillget1/2
ofshareofonelegitimatechild
legitimatechildren,illegitimatechildren,and
survivingspouse
o survivingspouseashareequaltothat
ofonelegitimatechild
hisorhershareispreferred
overthoseoftheillegitimate
childrenwhichshallbe
reducedifnecessary(ART.
895)
onelegitimatechild,illegitimatechildren,and
survivingspouse
ineffect,justdividethe1/4
remainderofestatetothe
illegitimatechildren,equally
hisorhershareispreferred
overthoseoftheillegitimate
childrenwhichshallbe
reducedifnecessary(ART.
895)
legitimateparentsalone(ART.889)
o 1/2ofestate
Page 33 of 73
legitimateparentsandillegitimatechildren
(ART.896)
o legitimateparents1/2ofestate
o illegitimatechildren1/4ofestate
legitimateparentsandsurvivingspouse(ART.
893)
legitimateparents,illegitimatechildren,and
survivingspouse(ART.899)
survivingspousealone
o 1/2ofestate(ART.900,par.1),or
o 1/3ofestate(ifmarriage,beingin
articulomortis,fallsunderART.900,
par.2)
survivingspouseandillegitimatechildren(ART.
894)
survivingspouseandillegitimateparents(ART.
903)
o illegitimateparents1/4ofestate
illegitimatechildrenalone(ART.901)
o 1/2ofestate
Illegitimateparentsalone(ART.903)
o 1/2ofestate
Rosalesv.Rosales(1987)
Facts:Decedentdiedintestate,leavingasheirsher
husband,herchild,andhergrandchildbyanotherchild
whopredeceasedher.Widowofthechildwho
predeceaseddecedentclaimedthatshe,assurviving
spouseofpredeceasedchild,wasacompulsoryheirof
motherinlaw(decedent).
Held:Thatspouseofpredeceasedchildofdecedentnota
compulsoryheirofdecedentmotherinlaw.ThatART.
887referstoestateofdeceasedspouseinwhichcase
survivingspouseisacompulsoryheir,anddoesnotapply
toestateofparentinlaw.
Lapuzv.Eufemio(1972)
Facts:Wifefiledapetitionforlegalseparationagainst
husband:sexualinfidelity.Wifediedpendentelite.Trial
courtdismissedaction.
Held:Thatdeathofeitherspouseduringpendencyof
actionforlegalseparation(beforefinaldecree)abates
action.Thatthisabatementalsoappliesifactioninvolves
propertyrights.Thateffectisultimately,survivingspouse,
whetherguiltyornot(note:nofinaldecreeoflegal
separationbecauseofdeathofoneofthespouses),isnot
disqualifiedtoinheritfromdecedent(spousewhodied).
Barituav.CA(1990)
Facts:Decedentdiedinanaccident,andparties
responsiblefordeathsettledwithsurvivingspouse.
Decedentsparentslaterfiledacomplaintfordamages
againstpartiesliablefordeathoftheirson.

Held:Thatdecedentsparentsnotentitledtopayment
becausepaymentwasalreadyreceivedbydecedents
survivingspouseandchild,thedeceasedscompulsory
heirs.Thatparentsofdeceasedsucceedonlywhenlatter
dieswithoutlegitimatedescendant.Thatsurvivingspouse
concurswithallclassesofheirs.
Tumbokonv.Legaspi(2010)
Facts:Grandmother(decedent)diedintestate.Sheleftas
compulsoryandintestateheirsherdaughterandher
grandson(sonofpredeceaseddaughter).Widowerorson
inlaw(husbandofpredeceaseddaughter)claimedtobe
decedentscompulsoryheir.
Held:Thatsoninlaw(widowerofdecedents
predeceaseddaughter)notacompulsoryheirofdecedent.
Articles governing the particular combinations:

ART.888.Thelegitimeoflegitimatechildrenand
descendantsconsistsofonehalfofthehereditaryestate
ofthefatherandofthemother.
Thelattermayfreelydisposeoftheremaininghalf,
subjecttotherightsofillegitimatechildrenandofthe
survivingspouseashereinafterprovided.
Equalsharingamonglegitimatechildren(including
adoptedchildren)regardlessofage,sex,ormarriage
oforigin,of1/2oftheestateoftheirdeceasedparent
Descendantsotherthanchildren
generalrule:thenearerexcludethemoreremote
o grandchildrencannotinheritsince
childrenwillbarthem,unlessallthe
childrenrenounce
o therulegoesondowntheline(nolimit
tothenumberofdegreesinthe
descendinglinethatmaybecalledto
succeed)
qualification:rightofrepresentation
ART.889.Thelegitimeoflegitimateparentsor
ascendantsconsistsofonehalfofthehereditaryestates
oftheirchildrenanddescendants.
Thechildrenordescendantsmayfreelydisposeofthe
otherhalf,subjecttotherightsofillegitimatechildren
andofthesurvivingspouseashereinafterprovided.
ART.890.Thelegitimereservedforthelegitimate
parentsshallbedividedbetweenthemequally;ifoneof
theparentsshouldhavedied,thewholeshallpassto
thesurvivor.
Ifthetestatorleavesneitherfathernormother,butis
survivedbyascendantsofequaldegreeofthepaternal
andmaternallines,thelegitimeshallbedividedequally
betweenbothlines.Iftheascendantsshouldbeof
differentdegrees,itshallpertainentirelytotheones
nearestindegreeofeitherline.
Legitimateparents/ascendantsassecondary
compulsoryheirs
Page 34 of 73
theysucceedonlyindefaultofthelegitimate
descendingline
Threebasicrulesgoverningsuccessioninthe
ascendingline
thenearerexcludethemoreremote
o ruleisABSOLUTE(i.e.noqualification;
norightofrepresentation)
divisionbyline
o appliesiftherearemorethanone
ascendantinthenearestdegree
o legitimetobedividedinequalparts
betweenthepaternalandmaternal
lines
equaldivisionwithintheline
o afterportioncorrespondingtotheline
hasbeenassigned,therewillbeequal
apportionmentbetweenoramongthe
recipientsbetweentheline,should
therebemorethanone
ART.892.Ifonlyonelegitimatechildordescendantof
thedeceasedsurvives,thewidoworwidowershallbe
entitledtoonefourthofthehereditaryestate.Incaseof
alegalseparation,thesurvivingspousemayinheritifit
wasthedeceasedwhohadgivencauseforthesame.
Iftherearetwoormorelegitimatechildrenor
descendants,thesurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoa
portionequaltothelegitimeofeachofthelegitimate
childrenordescendants.
Inbothcases,thelegitimeofthesurvivingspouseshall
betakenfromtheportionthatcanbefreelydisposedof
bythetestator.
TEST:Onelegitimatechild,survivingspousewhatis
thesharing?
Iftherehasbeenlegalseparation
ifthereisafinaldecreeoflegalseparationand
thedeceasedistheoffendingspouse
o survivingspousegetshislegitime
(ART.63,par.4,FamilyCode)
ifthereisafinaldecreeoflegalseparationand
thedeceasedistheinnocentspouse
o surviving(offending)spouseis
disqualifiedfrominheriting(idem.)
ifafterthefinaldecreeoflegalseparationthere
wasareconciliationbetweenthespouses
o reciprocalrighttosucceedisrestored
(reconciliationsetsasidethefinal
decree)(ART.66,par.2,FamilyCode)
DeathpendenteliteseeLapuzv.Eufemio,supra
Problem:Terminationofmarriagebyreappearanceof
priorspouse/decreeofannulmentorabsolutenullity
ofmarriage
reappearanceofpriorspouse
o supposeaperson(husband),believing
ingoodfaiththathiswifehadalready
died,remarries,andthensubsequently
hiswifereappears,arebothhisfirst
wifeandsecondwifeentitledto
legitimefromthehusbandifhedies?

marriagesjudiciallyannulledordeclaredvoidab
initio
o sameruleasinreappearanceapplies;
problemarisesifeitherorboth
partnersinthedefectivemarriage
remarrylater
Balanecomments:whyshouldconsortsofa
terminatedmarriage,oranannulledone,orone
declaredvoidabinitio,continuetobeheirsof
eachotherwhentheverybasisoftherightof
succession(i.e.marriage)nolongerexists?
TEST:Legitimatechildren,survivingspousewhatis
thesharing?
Determinationofsurvivingspousesshare:
aslongasatleastoneofseveralchildreninherits
inhisownright
o equivalenttoshareofonechild
supposeallthechildrenpredecease(orare
disinheritedorunworthytosucceed):allthe
grandchildreninheritperstirpes,andtherefore
indifferentamounts
o spousestillgetsashareequivalentto
thatofwhatonechildwouldhave
gottenifqualified
supposeallthechildrenrenounce:allthe
grandchildreninheritpercapita,andtherefore
equally
o spousestillgetsashareequivalentto
thatofwhatonechildwouldhave
gottenhadhesucceeded
Inwhatinstancethenwillthesurvivingspousegeta
shareequivalenttotheshareofadescendant?
ART.893.Ifthetestatorleavesnolegitimate
descendants,butleaveslegitimateascendants,the
survivingspouseshallhavearighttoonefourthofthe
hereditaryestate.
Thisfourthshallbetakenfromthefreeportionofthe
estate.
TEST:Legitimateascendants,survivingspousewhat
isthesharing?
ART.894.Ifthetestatorleavesillegitimatechildren,the
survivingspouseshallbeentitledtoonethirdofthe
hereditaryestateofthedeceasedandtheillegitimate
childrentoanotherthird.Theremainingthirdshallbe
atthefreedisposalofthetestator.
TEST:Illegitimatechildren,survivingspousewhatis
thesharing?
[ART.895.Thelegitimeofeachoftheacknowledged
naturalchildrenandeachofthenaturalchildrenby
legalfictionshallconsistofonehalfofthelegitimeof
eachofthelegitimatechildrenordescendants.
Thelegitimeofanillegitimatechildwhoisneitheran
acknowledgednatural,noranaturalchildbylegal
fiction,shallbeequalineverycasetofourfifthsofthe
legitimeofanacknowledgednaturalchild.]
Page 35 of 73
Thelegitimeoftheillegitimatechildrenshallbetaken
fromtheportionoftheestateatthefreedisposalofthe
testator,providedthatinnocaseshallthetotallegitime
ofsuchillegitimatechildrenexceedthatfreeportion,
andthatthelegitimeofthesurvivingspousemustfirst
befullysatisfied.
TEST:Onelegitimatechild,illegitimatechildren,
survivingspousewhatisthesharing?
TEST:Legitimatechildren,illegitimatechildren,
Reductionofshares(iftotallegitimesexceedthe
entireestate);rules
legitimesoflegitimatechildrenneverreduced
(theyareprimaryandpreferredcompulsory
heirs)
legitimeofsurvivingspouseneverreduced
legitimesofillegitimatechildrenwillbereduced
prorataandwithoutpreferenceamongthem
ART.896.Illegitimatechildrenwhomaysurvivewith
legitimateparentsorascendantsofthedeceasedshall
beentitledtoonefourthofthehereditaryestatetobe
takenfromtheportionatthefreedisposalofthe
testator.
TEST:Illegitimatechildren,legitimateparentswhat
isthesharing?
ART.897.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswith
legitimatechildrenordescendants,andacknowledged
naturalchildren,ornaturalchildrenbylegalfiction,
suchsurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoaportion
equaltothelegitimeofeachofthelegitimatechildren
whichmustbetakenfromthatpartoftheestatewhich
thetestatorcanfreelydisposeof.
ART.898.Ifthewidoworwidowersurviveswith
legitimatechildrenordescendants,andwith
illegitimatechildrenotherthanacknowledgednatural,
ornaturalchildrenbylegalfiction,theshareofthe
survivingspouseshallbethesameasthatprovidedin
theprecedingarticle.
ART.899.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswith
legitimateparentsorascendantsandwithillegitimate
children,suchsurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoone
eighthofthehereditaryestateofthedeceasedwhich
mustbetakenfromthefreeportion,andtheillegitimate
childrenshallbeentitledtoonefourthoftheestate
whichshallbetakenalsofromthedisposableportion.
Thetestatormayfreelydisposeoftheremainingone
eighthoftheestate.
TEST:Legitimateparents,illegitimatechildren,
ART.900.Iftheonlysurvivoristhewidoworwidower,
sheorheshallbeentitledtoonehalfofthehereditary
estateofthedeceasedspouse,andthetestatormay
freelydisposeoftheotherhalf.
Ifthemarriagebetweenthesurvivingspouseandthe

testatorwassolemnizedinarticulomortis,andthe
testatordiedwithinthreemonthsfromthetimeofthe
marriage,thelegitimeofthesurvivingspouseasthe
soleheirshallbeonethirdofthehereditaryestate,
exceptwhentheyhavebeenlivingashusbandandwife
formorethanfiveyears.Inthelattercase,thelegitime
ofthesurvivingspouseshallbethatspecifiedinthe
precedingparagraph.
Survivingspouseassolecompulsoryheir
generalrule:1/2ofestate
exception:1/3ofestate,ifthefollowing
circumstancesconcur
o themarriagewasinarticulomortis
o thetestatordiedwithinthreemonths
fromthetimeofthemarriage
o thepartiesdidnotcohabitformore
thanfiveyears,and
o thespousewhodiedwasthepartyin
articulomortisatthetimeofthe
marriage
ART.901.Whenthetestatordiesleavingillegitimate
childrenandnoothercompulsoryheirs,such
illegitimatechildrenshallhavearighttoonehalfofthe
hereditaryestateofthedeceased.
Theotherhalfshallbeatthefreedisposalofthe
testator.
TEST:Illegitimatechildrenalonehowmuchdothey
get?
ART.902.Therightsofillegitimatechildrensetforthin
theprecedingarticlesaretransmittedupontheirdeath
totheirdescendants,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate.
Rightofrepresentationtothelegitimateand
illegitimatedescendantsofanillegitimatechild
comparewithART.992(incaseoflegitimate
children,rightofrepresentationisgivenonlyto
theirlegitimatedescendants)
effect:rightofrepresentationofillegitimate
childrenisbroaderthanrightofrepresentation
oflegitimatechildren
ART.903.Thelegitimeoftheparentswhohavean
illegitimatechild,whensuchchildleavesneither
legitimatedescendants,norasurvivingspouse,nor
illegitimatechildren,isonehalfofthehereditaryestate
ofsuchillegitimatechild.Ifonlylegitimateor
illegitimatechildrenareleft,theparentsarenotentitled
toanylegitimewhatsoever.Ifonlythewidowor
widowersurviveswithparentsoftheillegitimatechild,
thelegitimeoftheparentsisonefourthofthe
hereditaryestateofthechild,andthatofthesurviving
spousealsoonefourthoftheestate.
TEST:Illegitimateparentsalonehowmuchdothey
get?
TEST:Illegitimateparents,survivingspousewhatis
thesharing?
Page 36 of 73
Thisistheonlyinstancewhenillegitimatechildren
excludesecondarycompulsoryheirs(illegitimate
parents)
Intentofthelawingivingspousearbitraryshares
sothatsomethingmaybeleftforfreedisposition
LEGITIMESQUIZZERSET1:Writehowmucheach
compulsoryheirwouldget.Donotshowyour
solution.Timelimit5minutes.
1) 1legitimatechild=
1adoptedchild=
2) 2adoptedchildren=
legitimateparents=
3) 1adoptedchild=
4illegitimatechildren=
4) survivingspouse=
6legitimatechildren=
5) 5legitimatechildren=
1illegitimatechild=
6) 5illegitimatechildren=
legitimateparents=
7) 4illegitimatechildren=
legitimateparents=
survivingspouse=
8) legitimateparents=
survivingspouse=
9) 1legitimatechild=
legitimateparents=
1illegitimatechild=
survivingspouse=
10) survivingspouse=
1illegitimateparent=
LEGITIMESQUIZZERSET2:Writehowmucheach
compulsoryheirwouldget.Donotshowyour
solution.Timelimit5minutes.
survivingspouse=
survivingspouse=
2adoptedchildren=
4) illegitimateparents=
1illegitimatechild=
6) 3adoptedchildren=
1legitimateparent=

7)
1legitimatechild=
survivingspouse=
8)
1legitimateparent=
2adoptedchildren=
survivingspouse=
survivingspouse=
The Reserva Troncal
ART.891.Theascendantwhoinheritsfromhis
descendantanypropertywhichthelattermayhave
acquiredbygratuitoustitlefromanotherascendant,or
abrotherorsister,isobligedtoreservesuchproperty
ashemayacquiredbyoperationoflawforthebenefit
ofrelativeswhoarewithinthethirddegreeandwho
belongtothelinefromwhichthesaidpropertycame.
Illustrationanddiagram
OorM.S.Rista
g.t.o.ofl.
P
Rios
Explanationofillustrationanddiagram
P(prepositus)inheritsapieceoflandfromhis
father,OorM.S.(originormediatesource).
Subsequently,Pdies,intestate,single,and
withoutlegitimateissue,andthelandisinturn
inheritedbyhismotherRista(reservista)
Ristaisnowrequiredtoreservethepropertyin
favorofPspaternalrelativeswithinthethird
degree(Riosorreservatarios)
Othertermsforreservatroncal
lineal,familiar,extraordinaria,semitroncal,
pseudotroncal
Purpose
thereservatroncalisaspecialruledesigned
primarilytoassurethereturnofthereservable
propertytothethirddegreerelativesbelonging
tothelinefromwhichthepropertyoriginally
came,andtoavoiditsbeingdissipated...bythe
relativesoftheinheritingascendant(Padurav.
Baldovino[1958])
toavoidthedangerthatpropertyexistingfor
manyyearsinafamilyspatrimonymightpass
gratuitouslytooutsidersthroughtheaccidentof
marriageanduntimelydeath(Gonzalesv.CFI
[1981])
topreventoutsidersfromacquiring,throughan
accidentoflife,propertywhich,butforsuch
Page 37 of 73
accident,wouldhaveremainedinthefamily
(idem.)
Requisites(asgiveninChuav.CFI[1977])
thatthepropertywasacquiredbyadescendant
fromanascendantorfromabrotherorsisterby
gratuitoustitle
o termdescendantshouldreadperson(if
grantorisbrotherorsister,acquireris
notadescendant)
o acquisitionisbygratuitoustitle(ttulo
lucrative)whentherecipientdoesnot
giveanythinginreturn
encompassestransmissions
bydonationorbysuccession
ofwhateverkind
thatsaiddescendantdiedwithoutanissue
o shouldread:thatsaidpersondied
withoutlegitimateissue(becauseonly
legitimatedescendantswillpreventthe
propertyfrombeinginheritedbythe
legitimateascendinglinebyoperation
oflaw)
ifdescendantdieswith
illegitimateissue,therewill
bereservatroncal
thatthepropertyisinheritedbyanother
ascendantbyoperationoflaw
o byoperationoflawislimitedto
successiontothelegitimeorby
intestacy,NOTtestamentarysuccession
nodonation
thattherearerelativeswithinthethirddegree
belongingtothelinefromwhichsaidproperty
came
o reservatarios,tobediscussedinfra
Process
firsttransfer
o bygratuitoustitle,fromapersontohis
descendant,brother,orsister
secondtransfer
o byoperationoflaw,fromthetransferee
inthefirsttransfertoanother
ascendant
itisthissecondtransferthat
createsthereserva
thirdtransfer
o fromthetransfereeinthesecond
transfertotherelatives(reservatarios)
Soliviov.CA(1990)
Facts:Motherdiedintestate,leavingallpropertiestosole
heir,herchild.Child(decedent)diedintestate,single,and
withoutlegitimateissue.Decedentwassurvivedby
maternalauntandpaternalaunt.Maternalaunt:
propertiesleftbydecedentbelongtoherbecausesheisa
thirddegreerelativeofdecedentsmother,fromwhose
linepropertycame.
Held:Thatthereisnoreservatroncalbecausedescendant
(decedent)inheritedfromascendant(mother),the
reverseofsituationcoveredbyART.891.
Parties

originormediatesource
o thetransferorinthefirsttransfer
prepositus
o thefirsttransferee,whoisa
descendantorbrother/sisterofthe
origin
reservistaorreservor
o theascendantobligedtoreserve
reservatariosorreservees
o therelativesbenefited
Twobasicrules
noinquiryistobemadebeyondtheorigin
o itdoesnotmatterwhotheownerofthe
propertywasbeforeitwasacquiredby
theorigin
alltherelationshipsamongthepartiesmustbe
legitimate
TheOrigin/MediateSource
eitheranascendantorabrotherorsisterofthe
prepositus
o ascendant:maybeofanydegreeof
ascent
o brotherorsister:conflictingviews
oneviewmustbeofthe
halfblood(because
otherwise,propertywould
notchangelinesinpassingto
acommonascendantofthe
prepositusandthebrother;
noreserveiffraternal
relationshipisofthefull
bloodbecauseitwouldbe
impossibletoidentifytheline
oforiginwhetherpaternal
ormaternal)(J.B.L.Reyes)
anotherviewdoesnot
matterwhetherofthefullor
halfblood(SnchezRomn)
ThePrepositus
eitheradescendantorabrotherorsisterofthe
originwhoreceivespropertyfromtheoriginby
gratuitoustitle
o heisthefirsttransferee
whilepropertyisstillwithhim,thereisasyetno
reserva
o reservearisesonlyuponthesecond
transfer
o whileprepositusownstheproperty,he
hasallrightsofownershipoveritand
mayexercisesuchrightsinorderto
preventareservefromarising,by:
substitutingoralienatingthe
property
bequeathingordevisingit
eithertothepotential
reservistaortothirdpersons
(subjecttotheconstraintsof
thelegitime),or
partitioninginsuchawayas
toassignthepropertyto
partiesotherthanthe
potentialreservista(subject
Page 38 of 73
totheconstraintsofthe
legitime)
theprepositusthereforeisthearbiterofthe
reservatroncal(SnchezRomn)
TheReservista
heisanascendantoftheprepositus,ofwhatever
degree
o mustbeanascendantotherthanthe
origin(iftheoriginisalsoan
ascendant)
iftwopartiesarethesame
person,noreservatroncal
shouldtheoriginandthereservistabelongto
differentlines(i.e.grandchildreceivesproperty
bydonationfrompaternalgrandfather;
grandchilddies;propertyreceivedbydonation
passesbysuccessiontothelegitimeand
intestacytothefather,thepaternalgrandfathers
son)?
o oneviewnobecauseanother
ascendantisonebelongingtoaline
otherthanthatofthereservista
(purposeofreserveisonlycurative)
(J.B.L.Reyes)
o anotherviewyesbecause(a)thelaw
doesnotdistinguish,and(b)purposeof
reservaisnotonlycurative,butalso
preventive,i.e.topreventtheproperty
fromleavingtheline(SnchezRomn)
TheReservatarios
thereservaisinfavorofaclass,collectively
referredtoasthereservatarios(reservees)
requirementstobeareservatario:
o hemustbewithinthethirddegreeof
consanguinityfromtheprepositus
(Cabardov.Villanueva[1922])
o hemustbelongtothelinefromwhich
thepropertycame(determinedbythe
origin)
iforiginisanascendant
eitherofthepaternalor
maternalline
iforiginisabrotherorsister
ofthefullblooditwouldbe
impossibletodistinguishthe
lines
o mustthereservatarioalsoberelatedto
theorigin?
oneview:no,becausethe
articlespeaksonlyoftwo
lines(paternalandmaternal)
ofthedescendant,without
regardtosubdivisions
(Manresa)
anotherview:yes,otherwise
resultswouldarise
completelycontrarytothe
purposeofthereserva,which
istopreventpropertyfrom
passingtopersonsnotofthe
lineoforigin(Snchez
Romn)
reservainfavorofreservatariosasaclass

itisnotrequiredthatthereservatario
mustalreadybelivingwhenthe
prepositusdies,becausethereserveis
establishedinfavorofagrouporclass,
notinfavorofspecificindividuals
(Manresa)
aslongasthereservatariois
aliveatthetimeofthe
reservistasdeath,hequalifies
assuch,evenifhewas
conceivedandbornafterthe
prepositussdeath
preferenceamongthereservatarios
o rulesonintestatesuccessiongovern
howreservablepropertyistobe
distributedtoreservatarios(Padurav.
Baldovino[1958])
i.e.thenearerexcludethe
moreremote,shareof2:1in
favoroffullbloodinrelation
tohalfbloodrelativesofthe
prepositus
representationamongthereservatarios(see
Florentinov.Florentino[1919])
o thereisonlyoneinstanceof
representationamongthe
reservatarios:
ifthepreposituswassurvived
bybrothersorsistersand
childrenofapredeceasedor
incapacitatedbrotheror
sister
o
Padurav.Baldovino(1958)
Facts:Origin(father)died,leavingpropertiesbywillto
survivingwife(motherorreservista)andthreechildren
(onefromfirstmarriage,twofromsecondmarriage).One
oftwochildren(prepositus,single,withoutlegitimate
issue)inthesecondmarriagepredeceasedthemother
(reservista).Reservatarioswerefullbloodsisterof
prepositusandhishalfbrother(childoforiginfromfirst
marriage).
Held:Thatreservatariosofthefullbloodareentitledtoa
sharetwiceaslargeasthatofothers(halfblood
relatives).Thatreservablepropertyshouldpassnottoall
reservatariosasaclassbutonlytothosenearestindegree
totheprepositus,excludingthosereservatariosofmore
remotedegree.Thatreservatroncalmerelydetermines
groupofrelatives(reservatarios)towhomproperty
shouldbereturned;butwithinthatgroupindividualright
topropertyshouldbedecidedbyrulesofintestate
succession.Thatbasicprinciplesofintestacytobeapplied
are(a)proximityindegree,(b)rightofrepresentation,
and(c)ruleofdoubleshareforrelativesorcollateralsof
wholeblood.
Florentinov.Florentino(1919)
Facts:Originleftbywillallhispropertiesto11children.
Onechild(prepositus)diedintestate,single,andwithout
legitimateissue,andwassucceededbyhismother
(reservista).Reservistainstitutedherdaughterassole
heir,givingtodaughterthepropertiessheinheritedfrom
prepositus,herson.Survivingsiblingsandnephewsand
Page 39 of 73
nieces,asrepresentativesofpredeceasedsiblingsof
preposituscomplained.
Held:Thatpropertiesgivenbyreservistatoherdaughter
arereservable.Thatreservatarioswithinthethirddegree,
asincaseofnephewsandniecesofprepositusfromwhom
reservablepropertycame,haverightofrepresentation(to
representtheirascendants,orfathersandmothers,who
arebrothersandsistersofprepositus).
Juridicalnature
natureofreservistasright(Edrosov.Sablan
[1913],infra)
o reservistasrightoverthereserved
propertyisoneofownership
o ownershipissubjecttoaresolutory
condition(i.e.theexistenceof
reservatariosatthetimeofthe
reservistasdeath)
o rightofownershipisalienable,but
subjecttothesameresolutory
condition
o reservistasrightofownershipis
registrable(ifpropertycanbe
registered)
natureofreservatariosright(Sienesv.Esparcia
[1961],infra)
o reservatariosrightoverthereserved
propertyisoneofexpectancy
o expectancyissubjecttoasuspensive
condition(i.e.existenceofreservistaat
thetimeofthereservatariosdeath;
expectancyripensintoownershipifthe
reservatariossurvivethereservista)
o rightofexpectancyisalienable,but
subjecttothesamesuspensive
condition
o reservatariosrightofexpectancyis
registrable(ifpropertycanbe
registered)
Edrosov.Sablan(1913)
Facts:Father(origin)diedwithawill.Propertyoffather
passedtoonlyson(prepositus)whodiedintestate,single,
andwithoutlegitimateissue.Propertyofsoninherited
fromhisfatherpassedbyoperationoflawtomother
(reservista).Mothersoughttohavepropertyinherited
fromsonregistered.Unclesofsonorprepositus(brothers
offatherororigin),reservatarios,opposed.
Held:Seenatureofreservistasright,supra.
Sienesv.Esparcia(1961)
Facts:Father(origin)diedwithawill.Propertyoffather
passedtofivechildren.Onechild(prepositus)died
intestate,single,andwithoutlegitimateissue.Propertyof
childinheritedfromhisfatherpassedbyoperationoflaw
tomother(reservista).Mothersoldproperty.Surviving
halfsistersofprepositusalsosoldsameproperty.
Held:Seenatureofreservatariosright,supra.
Reservistahasnopowertoappoint,bywill,which
reservatariosweretogetthereservedproperty:

Gonzalesv.CFI(1981)
Facts:Father(origin)diedintestate.Propertyoffather
passedtochildren.Onechild(prepositus)diedintestate,
single,andwithoutlegitimateissue.Propertyinheritedby
childpassedbyoperationoflawtomother(reservista).
Mothergavebyholographicwillpropertysheinherited
fromprepositustohergrandchildren(childrenofher
survivingsons).
Held:Thatreservistacannotconveyreservableproperties
bywill(mortiscausa)toreservatarioswithinthethird
degree,totheexclusionofreservatariosinthesecond
degree(hersurvivingdaughtersandsons).Thatthe
principleisthatthenearerexcludedthemoreremote.
Thatreservistacannotbywillselectreservatariosto
whomreservablepropertyshouldbegivenanddeprive
theotherreservatariosoftheirsharetherein.
BalaneComments:
therulethereforeisthatuponthereservistas
death,thereservedpropertypassesbystrict
operationoflaw(accordingtotherulesof
intestatesuccession)totheproperreservatarios
thustheselectionofwhichreservatarioswillget
thepropertyismadebylawandnotbythe
reservista
Propertyreserved
kindofpropertyreservable
o anykind(realorpersonal,corporealor
incorporeal,fungibleornonfungible,
etc)
inRodriguezv.Rodriguez
(1957),asugarquota
allotment(incorporeal)was
heldtobereservable
effectofsubstitution
o theruleisthattheverysameproperty
mustgothrutheprocessof
transmissions
o whatmustcomefromtheorigintothe
prepositus(bygratuitoustitle)andto
thereservista(byoperationoflaw)
mustbethesameproperty
ifprepositussubstitutesthe
propertybyselling,bartering,
orexchangingit.the
substitutecannotbereserved
e.g.therewouldbenoreserva
iftheprepositussoldthe
propertyhereceivedfromthe
originunderapactoderetro
andthenredeemedit
(becausepropertywouldnot
bethesameasprepositus
boughtitbackfromthe
vendeearetro)
Reservedproperty,notpartofreservistasestate
uponhisdeath:
Canov.Director(1959)
Page 40 of 73
Facts:Reservistadied.Survivingreservatariosoughtto
haveland(reservedproperty)registeredinhername.Son
ofreservistaopposed.
Held:Thatreservatarioisnotreservistassuccessor
mortiscausanorisreservablepropertypartof
reservistasestate.Thatupondeathofreservista,
reservatarionearesttoprepositusbecomesautomatically
andbyoperationoflawownerofreservableproperty.
Thatreservablepropertycannotbetransmittedbya
reservistatohisownsuccessorsmortiscausasolongasa
reservatariowithinthethirddegreefromprepositusand
belongingtolinewherepropertycameexistswhen
reservistadies.
BalaneStates:
sincethereservedpropertyisnotcomputedas
partofthereservistasestate,itisnottakeninto
accountindeterminingthelegitimesofthe
reservistascompulsoryheirs
Aproblemwillariseiftwocircumstancesconcur:(a)
theprepositusmakesawillinstitutingtheascendant
reservistatothewholeorapartofthefreeportion;
and(b)thereisleftintheprepositussestate,uponhis
death,inadditiontothereservedproperty,property
notreservable[or,if(a)prepositusdieswithtwoor
moreproperties,onereservable,onehisown;and(b)
prepositusmakesawillgivingallorpartofthefree
porstiontoreservista]
twotheoriesadvanced:
o reservamximaasmuchofthe
potentiallyreservablepropertyas
possiblemustbedeemedincludedin
thepartthatpassesbyoperationoflaw
(maximizingthescopeofthereserva)
o reservamnimaeverysingle
propertyintheprepositussestate
mustbedeemedtopass,partlybywill
andpartlybyoperationoflaw,inthe
sameproportionthatthepartgivenby
willbearstothepartnotsogiven
toillustrate:supposeprepositusreceives2M
fromorigin,andearns4Mashisown;prepositus
makesawillinstitutinghismother(reservista)
tohisfreeportion(1/2ofestate);prepositus
diessingleandwithoutlegitimateissue;
reservistainheritsentireestateofprepositus
(halfbylegitime,halfbytestamentary
succession);howmuchofthe2Mwillbe
reserved?
o reservamximaallofthe2M
(reservableproperty)willpassto
reservistaasherlegitime(rule:fitas
muchofreservablepropertyinthat
partwhichpassesbyoperationoflaw)
3Masreservistaslegitime
(includedinthis3Misthe2M
reservableproperty)
o reservamnimaonly1Mofthe2M
reservablepropertywillpassto
reservistaaspartofherlegitime(rule:
everyitemtopasstoreservistain
proportionorratioastohowmuchof
thefreeportiontheprepositusgaveto
thereservista)

3Masreservistaslegitime
(composedof1Mfromthe2M
reservableproperty,and2M
fromthe4Mownpropertyof
theprepositus;1Mofthe2M
reservablepropertypassesto
reservistabywill,and2Mof
the4Mownpropertyofthe
preposituspassesto
reservistabywill)
Rightsofreservatariosandobligationsofthe
reservista
toinventorythereservedproperties
toannotatethereservablecharacter(if
registeredimmovables)intheRegistryof
Propertywithin90daysfromacceptancebythe
reservista
o thereisonlyonetitletotheimmovable
property,theregisteredownerbeing
thereservista,andthereservable
characterofthepropertyhastobe
annotatedatthebackofthetitleasa
lienorencumbranceinfavorofthe
reservatarios
toappraisethemovables
tosecurebymeansofmortgage:(a)the
indemnityforanydeteriorationofordamageto
thepropertyoccasionedbythereservistasfault
ornegligence,and(b)thepaymentofthevalue
ofsuchreservedmovablesasmayhavebeen
alienatedbythereservistaonerouslyor
gratuitously
Extinguishment;howreservatroncalextinguished
bydeathofreservista
o reservatariostogetproperty;nomore
reserva
reservatroncalbeginswhen
theprepositusdies
reservatroncalendswhenthe
reservistadies(reservatarios
mustbealive)
bydeathofallthereservatarios
o note:ifonesubscribestotheviewthat
thereservistacanbelongtothelineof
origin,deathofallreservatarioswill
notipsofactoextinguishthereserva
becausethereservistacouldhavea
childsubsequently,whowouldbea
reservatario
byrenunciationbyallthereservatarios,
providedthatnootherreservatarioisborn
subsequently
bytotalfortuitouslossofthereservedproperty
byconfusionormergerofrights
o aswhenthereservatariosacquirethe
reservistasrightbyacontractinter
vivos
e.g.saleofreservato
reservatarios
prescriptionoradversepossession
ART.904.Thetestatorcannotdeprivehiscompulsory
heirsoftheirlegitime,exceptincasesexpressly
providedbylaw.
Page 41 of 73

Neithercanheimposeuponthesameanyburden,
encumbrance,condition,orsubstitutionofanykind
whatsoever.
Thelegitimeisnotwithinthetestatorscontrol
legitimepassestocompulsoryheirsbystrict
operationoflaw
Testatordevoidofpowertodeprivecompulsoryheirs
oflegitime
itisthelaw,notthetestator,whichdetermines
thetransmissionofthelegitimes
EXCEPT:indisinheritance
o theonlyinstanceinwhichthelaw
allowsthetestatortodeprivethe
compulsoryheirsoftheirlegitimes
Testatordevoidofpowertoimposeburdenson
legitime
qualifications:inatleasttwoinstances,thelaw
grantsthetestatorsomepoweroverthelegitime
o paymentoflegitimeincash(ART.
1080,par.2)aswhenaparentwho
wishestokeepanagricultural
enterpriseintact,andsuchagricultural
enterprisewasassignedtoachildwho
doesnotknowhowtooperatethe
same
o prohibitiononpartition(ART.1083,
par.1)
restrictionsonthelegitimeimposedbylaw
o thefamilyhomecannotbepartitioned
(ART.159,FamilyCode)
o thereservatroncal
ART.905.Everyrenunciationorcompromiseas
regardsafuturelegitimebetweenthepersonowingit
andhiscompulsoryheirsisvoid,andthelattermay
claimthesameuponthedeathoftheformer;butthey
mustbringtocollationwhatevertheymayhave
receivedbyvirtueoftherenunciationorcompromise.
Reasonfortherule
beforepredecessorsdeath,heirsrightissimply
inchoate
Dutytocollate
anypropertywhichthecompulsoryheirmay
havegratuitouslyreceivedfromhispredecessor
byvirtueoftherenunciationorcompromisewill
beconsideredasanadvanceonhislegitimeand
mustbedulycredited
o e.g.ifsonaskedfor30Mfromhisfather
inordertostartabusiness,andthe
fatheragrees,the30Mwouldbe
consideredasanadvanceonthesons
legitime
duringthesettlementofhis
fathersestate,ifitturnsout
thatthesonisentitledto50M
aslegitime,hewouldbegiven
20Mmore(the30Malready
creditedtohislegitime)
Scopeandprohibition

articleonlyappliestotransactionsof
compromiseorrenunciationbetweenthe
predecessorandtheprospectivecompulsory
heir
o BUTatransactionofsimilarcharacter
betweenaprospectivecompulsoryheir
andanotherprospectivecompulsory
heir,orbetweenaprospective
compulsoryheirandastranger,also
notallowed(ART.1347,par.2)
e.g.Aasked50Mfromhis
wealthybrother,Binorderto
startabusiness,inexchange
forwhichArenouncesthe
legitimehewillgetfromtheir
fatherXinfavorofB;Xdies;
duringthesettlementofXs
estateitturnsoutthatAis
entitledto80Maslegitime;B
claimsthatAcannolonger
getthe30MbalanceasA
alreadyrenouncedhisshare
infavorofB;Biswrong,forA
canstillgethis30Mshare
ART.906.Anycompulsoryheirtowhomthetestator
hasleftbyanytitlelessthanthelegitimebelongingto
himmaydemandthatthesamebefullysatisfied.
ART.906appliesonlytotransmissionsbygratuitous
title
e.g.donation,etc.
Thisisthewellknownrightofcompletionoflegitime
cf.ART.855,909and910
Principle:anythingthatacompulsoryheirreceivesby
gratuitoustitlefromthepredecessorisconsideredas
anadvanceonthelegitimeandisdeductedtherefrom
exceptions:
o ifthepredecessorgavethecompulsory
heiradonationintervivosand
providedthatitwasnottobecharged
againstthelegitime(ART.1062)
o testamentarydispositionsmadebythe
predecessortothecompulsoryheir,
unlessthetestatorprovidesthatit
shouldbeconsideredpartofthe
legitime(ART.1063)
ART.907.Testamentarydispositionsthatimpairor
diminishthelegitimeofthecompulsoryheirsshallbe
reducedonpetitionofthesame,insofarastheymaybe
inofficiousorexcessive.
Notes:
sameprincipleasinART.904
iftestamentarydispositionsexceedthe
disposableportion,compulsoryheirsmay
demandtheirreductiontotheextentthatthe
legitimeshavebeenimpaired
cf.ART.911
ART.908.Todeterminethelegitime,thevalueofthe
propertyleftatthedeathofthetestatorshallbe
considered,deductingalldebtsandcharges,whichshall
Page 42 of 73
notincludethoseimposedinthewill.
Tothenetvalueofthehereditaryestate,shallbeadded
thevalueofalldonationsbythetestatorthataresubject
tocollation,atthetimehemadethem.
Thenethereditaryestate
ART.908makespossiblethecomputationofthe
absoluteamountsofthelegitimesbylaying
downthemannerofcomputingthenetvalueof
theestate(thenethereditaryestate),onwhich
theproportionsarebased
Howtocomputethehereditaryestate:
inventoryofallexistingassets
o appraisalorvaluationofexistingassets
atthetimeofthedecedentsdeath
o assetsincludeonlythosethatsurvive
thedecedent(i.e.notextinguishedby
hisdeath)
o valuedeterminedbyinventorywill
constitutethegrossassets
deductunpaiddebtsandcharges
o allunpaidobligationsofthedecedent
mustbedeductedfromgrossassets
o onlyobligationswithmonetaryvalue,
notextinguishedbydeath,are
considered(i.e.notintuitupersonae
obligations)
o differencebetweengrossassetsand
unpaidobligationswillbetheavailable
assets
addthevalueofdonationsintervivos
o addtothevalueofavailableassetsall
theintervivosdonationsmadebythe
decedent
o donationsintervivosmustbevaluedas
ofthetimetheyweremade(increase
ordecreaseinvalue,forthedonees
account)
o sumofavailableassetsandall
donationsintervivosisthenet
hereditaryestate
Toillustrate
inventoriedassets:17M(grossassets)
deductdebts:6M(11Masavailableassets)
adddonationsintervivos:4M(15Masnet
hereditaryestate)
o iftestatorleft3legitimatechildrenand
asurvivingspouse,theywillgetthe
following:
2.5Meachto3legitimate
children(rule:1/2ofestate)
2.5Mtosurvivingspouse
(rule:shareequivalenttothat
ofonechild)
totallegitimes:10M
freeportion:1M(note:
availableassets,only11M;
valueofnethereditaryestate
[15M]onlyrelevantfor
purposesofcomputingthe
legitimes)
Vizcondev.CA(1998)

Facts:Decedentsoldparceloflandtodaughter.Daughter
hadhusbandandtwochildren.Daughterandchildren
diedinmassacre,inwhichdaughterdiedahead.Children
becameheirsofmother.Whenchildrendied,theirfather
(husband)becamesoleheir.Husband(widower)
extrajudiciallysettledestateofwifewithparentsinlaw
(decedentandhiswife).Decedentdiedandacollationwas
askedwherewidowerincluded.
Held:Thatinclusionofwidower(soninlawinrelationto
decedent)insettlementofintestateestateofhisfatherin
law(fatherofhislatewife)iserroneousbecausesonin
lawnotacompulsoryheirofhisfatherinlaw.That
assumingcollationwereproper,stillpropertysoldby
decedenttohisdeaddaughter(wifeofdecedentssonin
laworthewidower)notcollationableforthereasonthat
transferwasnotbygratuitoustitlebutbyoneroustitle
(sale).Thatobligationtocollateislodgedwithdecedents
compulsoryheir,hisdeaddaughter,andnottosaid
deceaseddaughtershusband.
ART.909.Donationsgiventochildrenshallbecharged
totheirlegitime.
Donationsmadetostrangersshallbechargedtothat
partoftheestateofwhichthetestatorcouldhave
disposedbyhislastwill.
Insofarastheymaybeinofficiousormayexceedthe
disposableportion,theyshallbereducedaccordingto
therulesestablishedbythisCode.
ART.910.Donationswhichanillegitimatechildmay
havereceivedduringthelifetimeofhisfatheror
mother,shallbechargedtohislegitime.
Shouldtheyexceedtheportionthatcanbefreely
disposedof,theyshallbereducedinthemanner
prescribedbythisCode.
Donationsintervivostocompulsoryheirs,considered
asanadvanceontheirlegitimes
coverageofrule
o appliestoallcompulsoryheirs
includingascendants
excludingasurvivingspouse
(exceptincasesofdonations
propternuptiasandmoderate
gifts)
exception
o ruleofimputationoflegitimewillnot
applyifdonorprovidedotherwise
(videART.1062)
inwhichcasedonationtobe
imputedtothefreeportion
Donationsintervivostostrangers
astrangerisanyonewhodoesnotsucceedasa
compulsoryheir
o e.g.father,ifdecedenthaschildren
donationsintervivostostrangersareimputedto
thedisposableportion
ART.911.Afterthelegitimehasbeendeterminedin
accordancewiththethreeprecedingarticles,the
Page 43 of 73
reductionshallbemadeasfollows:
(1)Donationsshallberespectedaslongasthelegitime
canbecovered,reducingorannulling,ifnecessary,the
devisesorlegaciesmadeinthewill;
(2)Thereductionofthedevisesorlegaciesshallbepro
rata,withoutanydistinctionwhatever;
Ifthetestatorhasdirectedthatacertaindeviseor
legacybepaidinpreferencetoothers,itshallnotsuffer
anyreductionuntilthelatterhavebeenappliedinfull
tothepaymentofthelegitime.
(3)Ifthedeviseorlegacyconsistsofausufructorlife
annuity,whosevaluemaybeconsideredgreaterthan
thatofthedisposableportion,thecompulsoryheirs
maychoosebetweencomplyingwiththetestamentary
provisionanddeliveringtothedeviseeorlegateethe
partoftheinheritanceofwhichthetestatorcouldfreely
dispose.
Legitimesareinviolable
ifimpaired,gratuitousdispositionsofthe
testator(intervivosormortiscausa)havetobe
setasideorreducedasmayberequiredtocover
thelegitimes
Methodofreduction*
first,reduceproratathenonpreferredlegacies
anddevises(ART.911[2]),andthe
testamentarydispositions(toheirs)(ART.907)
o nopreferenceamongtheselegacies,
devises,andtestamentarydispositions
second,reduceproratathepreferredlegacies
anddevises(ART.911,lastpar.)
third,reducethedonationsintervivosaccording
totheinverseorderoftheirdates(i.e.theoldest
isthemostpreferred)
*reductionsshallbetotheextentrequiredtocompletethe
legitimes,evenifintheprocess,thedispositionisreduced
tonothing
Devises/legaciesofusufruct/lifeannuities/
pensions(ART.911[3])
ifuponbeingcapitalizedaccordingtoactuarial
standards,thevalueofthegrantexceedsthefree
portion(i.e.itimpairsthelegitime),ithastobe
reduced,becausethelegitimecannotbe
impaired
thetestatorcanimposenousufructoranyother
encumbranceonthepartthatpassesaslegitime
subjecttothetworulesabovementioned,the
compulsoryheirsmayelectbetweencedingto
thedevisee/legateethefreeportion(orthe
proportionalpartthereofcorrespondingtothe
saidlegacy/devise,incasethereareother
dispositions),andcomplyingwiththetermsof
theusufructorlifeannuityorpension
Art.912.Ifthedevisesubjecttoreductionshouldconsist
ofrealproperty,whichcannotbeconvenientlydivided,it
shall go to the devisee if the reduction does not absorb

onehalf 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
belongstothem.
The devisee who is entitled to a legitime may retain the
entireproperty,provideditsvaluedoesnotexceedthatof
thedisposableportionandofthesharepertainingtohim
aslegitime.(821)
Balane:
Provisioncoverstheff.cases:
1. Thedeviseehastobereduced
2. Thethinggivenasadeviseisindivisible
Ineithercase,thereshouldbepecuniary
reimbursmenttothepartywhodidnotgethis
physicalportionofthething
Rules:
1. Iftheextentofreductionislessthanofthe
valueofthethingitshouldbegiventothe
devisee.
2. Iftheextenetofreductionisormoreofthe
valueofthethingitshouldbegiventothe
compulsoryheir.
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
propertyshallbesoldatpublicauctionattheinstanceof
anyoneoftheinterestedparties.(822)
Balane:
Thisarticleappliesifneitherparty(the
compulsoryheirandthedevisee)electsto
exercisehisrightunderArt.912.
Rules:
1. Anyotherheirordevisee,whoelectstodoso,
mayacquirethethingandpaytheparties(the
compulsoryheirandthedeviseeinquestion)
theirrespectiveshareinmoney.
2. Ifnoheirordeviseeelectstoacquireit,itshall
besoldatpublicauctionandthenetproceeds
accordinglydividedbetweentheparties
concerned.
Art.914Thetestatormaydeviseandbequeaththefree
portionashemaydeemfit.(n)
6. Disinheritance
Art.915.Acompulsoryheirmay,inconsequenceof
disinheritance,bedeprivedofhislegitime,forcauses
expresslystatedbylaw.(848a).
Balane:
Requisitesofavaliddisinheritance:(SLaWPUTT)
1. Itmustbemadeinawill.
Itmustbeadmittedintoprobate.
2. Itmustbeforacausespecifiedbylaw.
3. Thewillmustspecifythecause.
4. Itmustbeunconditional.
Page 44 of 73
5.
6.
7.
Itmustbetotal.
Thecausemustbetrue.
Ifthetruthofthecauseisdenied,itmustbe
provedbytheproponent.
Effectofdisinheritance:
Thedisinheritedheirforfeits:
1. hislegitime
2. hisintestateportion,ifany,and
3. anytestamentarydispositionmadeinaprior
willofthedisinheritingtestator
ClassNotes:
ThisshouldbecorrelatedwithArt.904.
Art.916.Disinheritancecanbeeffectedonlythroughawill
whereinthelegalcausethereforshallbespecified.(849)
Art.917.Theburdenofprovingthetruthofthecausefor
disinheritanceshallrestupontheotherheirsofthe
testator,ifthedisinheritedheirshoulddenyit.(850)
Art.918.Disinheritancewithoutaspecificationofthe
cause,orforacausethetruthofwhich,ifcontradicted,is
notproved,orwhichisnotoneofthosesetforthinthis
Code,shallannultheinstitutionofheirsinsofarasitmay
prejudicethepersondisinherited;butthedevisesand
legaciesandothertestamentarydispositionsshallbevalid
tosuchextentaswillnotimpairthelegitime.(851a)
Balane:
Ifthedisinheritancelacksoneorotherofthe
requisitesinthisarticle,theheirinquestiongets
hislegitime.
Astowhetherhewillgetalsoanypartofthe
intestateportionornot,itdependsinwhether
thetestatorgaveawaythefreeportionthrough
testamentarydispositions:
o Ifthroughtestamentaryprovision,
thesedispositionsarevalidandthe
compulsoryheirimproperly
disinheritedgetsonlyhislegitime.
o Hewillgethiscorrespondingshareof
thefreeportionisifisnotthrough
testamentaryprovision.
Art.919.Thefollowingshallbesufficientcausesforthe
disinheritanceofchildrenanddescendants,legitimateas
wellasillegitimate:
(1)Whenachildordescendanthasbeenfoundguiltyof
anattemptagainstthelifeofthetestator,hisorher
spouse,descendants,orascendants;
(2)Whenachildordescendanthasaccusedthetestatorof
acrimeforwhichthelawprescribesimprisonmentforsix
yearsormore,iftheaccusationhasbeenfound
groundless;
(3)Whenachildordescendanthasbeenconvictedof
adulteryorconcubinagewiththespouseofthetestator;
(4)Whenachildordescendantbyfraud,violence,
intimidation,orundueinfluencecausesthetestatorto
makeawillortochangeonealreadymade;
(5)Arefusalwithoutjustifiablecausetosupportthe
parentorascendantwhodisinheritssuchchildor
descendant;
(6)Maltreatmentofthetestatorbywordordeed,bythe
childordescendant;

(7)Whenachildordescendantleadsadishonorableor
disgracefullife;
(8)Convictionofacrimewhichcarrieswithitthepenalty
ofcivilinterdiction.(756,853,674a)
Balane:
Groundsfordisinheritance:(DAMAFASI)
1. Attemptagainstthelife
Allstagesofcommissionareincluded
attempted,frustrtaedorconsumated.
Intenttokillmustbepresent.
Finalconvictionisnecessary.
2. Accusation
Thisincludesthefilingofthecomplaint
beforetheprosecutor,orpresenting
incriminatingevidenceagainstthetestator,
orevensupressingexculpatoryevidence.
Thereshouldbeimprisonmentofmorethan
sixyears.
Theaccusationmustbefoundtobe
groundless.
3. Adulteryandconcubinage
Finalconvictionisrequired.
4. Fraud,violence,intimidationandundue
influenceinthemakingofthewill
5. Refusaltosupportwithoutjustifiablecause
Thedemandmustbeunjustifiablyrefused.
Refusalmaybejustified:
o E.g.Iftheobligordoesnothave
enoughresourcesforallwhomhe
isobligedtosupport.The
ascendantsareonlythirdinthe
hierarchyofpreferenceamong
claimantsofsupport.
6. Maltreatment
Itisrequiredthattheactofverbalor
physicalassaultbeofseriousnature.
Noconvictionisrequired.Itisnoteven
requiredthatanycriminalcasebefiled.
Thismaybeprovedbypreponderanceof
evidence.
7. Leadsadishonorableordisgracefullife
Theremustbehabitualitytotheconduct.
Theconductneednotbesexualinnature.
8. Crimewithcivilinterdiction
o Finalconvictionisrequired.
ClassNotes:
Accusation
o Theexonerationoracquittalmustbe
becausethechargeisgroundless.
Iftheacquittalisonlybeyond
reasonabledoubt,thenthere
issomeground.
Fraud,violence,intimidationandundue
influenceinthemakingofthewill
o Noconvictionisrequiredhere
Maltreatment
o Usuallythisishardtoprovebecause
thereisnowitnessandthetestatoris
dead.
Leadsadishonorableordisgracefullife
o Itcannotbeonlyonce.
o Itneednotbesexualinnature.For
example,partakingintheporkbarrel
scamwithJanetNapoles.
Page 45 of 73

Art.920.Thefollowingshallbesufficientcausesforthe
disinheritanceofparentsorascendants,whether
legitimateorillegitimate:
(1)Whentheparentshaveabandonedtheirchildrenor
inducedtheirdaughterstoliveacorruptorimmorallife,
orattemptedagainsttheirvirtue;
(2)Whentheparentorascendanthasbeenconvictedof
anattemptagainstthelifeofthetestator,hisorher
spouse,descendants,orascendants;
(3)Whentheparentorascendanthasaccusedthetestator
ofacrimeforwhichthelawprescribesimprisonmentfor
sixyearsormore,iftheaccusationhasbeenfoundtobe
false;
(4)Whentheparentorascendanthasbeenconvictedof
adulteryorconcubinagewiththespouseofthetestator;
(5)Whentheparentorascendantbyfraud,violence,
intimidation,orundueinfluencecausesthetestatorto
makeawillortochangeonealreadymade;
(6)Thelossofparentalauthorityforcausesspecifiedin
thisCode;
(7)Therefusaltosupportthechildrenordescendants
withoutjustifiablecause;
(8)Anattemptbyoneoftheparentsagainstthelifeofthe
other,unlesstherehasbeenareconciliationbetween
them.(756,854,674a)
Balane:
Number2,3,4,5and7arethesameground
underArticle919.
Othergroundsfordisinheritanceofparentsor
ascendants:(CIA)
1. Abandonmentbyparentofhischildren
Thisisnotrestrictedtothoseinstancesof
abandonmentpenalizedbylaw.
2. Inducementtoliveacorruptorimmorallife.
Appliesonlytodaughters
Itincludesgrandparentstogranddaughters
astheprovisioncontemplatesascendants
visvisdescendants.
Mereattemptagainsttheirvirtueisenough
aslongasitcanbeproven.
Noconvictionisrequiredinallthreecases
providedintheprovision.
3. Lossofparentalauthority
Notallcausesforlossofparentalauthority
aregroundsfordisinheritance;forinstance,
attainmentofmajority.
Onlythosecauseswhichinvolveculpability
onthepartoftheparentswillprovide
groundsfordisinheritance:
o Judicialdeprivationofparental
authorityonthegroundofsexual
abuse
o Lossofparentalauthorityasa
resultofjudicialdeclarationof
abandonmentofthechild
o Judicialdeprivationofparental
authorityonthegroundsof
Excessivelyharshor
crueltreatmentofthe
child
Givingthechild
corruptingorders,
counselorexample

Compellingthechildto
beor
Subjectingthechildor
allowinghimtobe
subjectedtoactsof
lasciviousness
Attemptagainstthelifeofaparentbyanother
Includesallstagesofconsummation.No
convictionisrequired.
4.
ClassNotes:
Accusation
Art.921.Thefollowingshallbesufficientcausesfor
disinheritingaspouse:
(1)Whenthespousehasbeenconvictedofanattempt
againstthelifeofthetestator,hisorherdescendants,or
ascendants;
(2)Whenthespousehasaccusedthetestatorofacrime
forwhichthelawprescribesimprisonmentofsixyearsor
more,andtheaccusationhasbeenfoundtobefalse;
(3)Whenthespousebyfraud,violence,intimidation,or
undueinfluencecausethetestatortomakeawillorto
changeonealreadymade;
(4)Whenthespousehasgivencauseforlegalseparation;
(5)Whenthespousehasgivengroundsforthelossof
parentalauthority;
(6)Unjustifiablerefusaltosupportthechildrenorthe
otherspouse.(756,855,674a)
Balane:
Theonlynewgroundisnumberfour.Adecreeof
legalseparationisnotrequired.Thereareten
causesoflegalseparationgiveninArticle55of
theFamilyCode.
Art.55.Apetitionforlegalseparationmaybe
filedonanyofthefollowinggrounds:
o (1)Repeatedphysicalviolenceor
grosslyabusiveconductdirected
againstthepetitioner,acommonchild,
orachildofthepetitioner;
o (2)Physicalviolenceormoralpressure
tocompelthepetitionertochange
religiousorpoliticalaffiliation;
o (3)Attemptofrespondenttocorruptor
inducethepetitioner,acommonchild,
orachildofthepetitioner,toengagein
prostitution,orconnivanceinsuch
corruptionorinducement;
o (4)Finaljudgmentsentencingthe
respondenttoimprisonmentofmore
thansixyears,evenifpardoned;
o (5)Drugaddictionorhabitual
alcoholismoftherespondent;
o (6)Lesbianismorhomosexualityofthe
respondent;
o (7)Contractingbytherespondentofa
subsequentbigamousmarriage,
whetherinthePhilippinesorabroad;
o (8)Sexualinfidelityorperversion;
o (9)Attemptbytherespondentagainst
thelifeofthepetitioner;or
o (10)Abandonmentofpetitionerby
respondentwithoutjustifiablecause
formorethanoneyear.
Page 46 of 73
ForpurposesofthisArticle,theterm
"child"shallincludeachildbynatureor
byadoption.(9a)
UnlikeinArt.920whereactuallossofparental
authorityisrequired,heregivinggrounds
thereforissufficient.
o
Art.922.Asubsequentreconciliationbetweenthe
offenderandtheoffendedpersondeprivesthelatterofthe
righttodisinherit,andrendersineffectualany
disinheritancethatmayhavebeenmade.(856)
Balane:
Reconciliationiseither:
1. Anexpresspardonwhichmustbeexpressly
andconcretelyextendedtotheoffenderwho
acceptsit.Ageneralpardonextendedbythe
testatoronhisdeatbedtoallwhohaveoffended
himwillnotsuffice.
2. Anunequivocalconductwhereintheintentto
forgivemustbeclear.Thisisultimatelya
questionoffactswhichmustberesolvedbythe
courts.
Effectsofreconciliation:
1. Ifitoccursbeforedisinheritanceismaderight
todisinheritisdistinguished.
2. Ifitoccursafterthedisinheritanceismade,
disinheritanceissetaside.
Effectsofsettingasidedisinheritance:
1. Disinheritedheirisrestoredtohislegitime.
2. Ifthedisinheritingwilldidnotdisposeofthe
disposableprotion,thedisinheritedheiris
entitledtohisproportionateshare,ifany,ofthe
disposableportion.
3. Ifthedisposablewilloranyofthesubsequent
willdisposedofthedisposableportion(orany
partthereof)infavoroftestamentaryheirs,
legatees,ordevisees,suchdispositionsremain
valid.
Art.923.Thechildrenanddescendantsoftheperson
disinheritedshalltakehisorherplaceandshallpreserve
therightsofcompulsoryheirswithrespecttothelegitime;
butthedisinheritedparentshallnothavetheusufructor
administrationofthepropertywhichconstitutesthe
legitime.(857)
Balane:
Therightofrepresentationisgrantedonlyto
descendantsofdisinheriteddescendants.
Howeveriftheheirdisinheritedisa
parent/ascendantorspouse,thechildrenor
descendantsofthedisinheritedheirdonothave
anyrightofrepresentation.
Therepresentativetakestheplaceofthe
disinheritedheirnotonlywithrespecttothe
legitime,butalsotoanyintestateportionthe
disinheritedheirwouldhaveinherited.
Representationtherefore,occursincompulsory
andintestatesuccessionbutnotintestamentary
succession.
8.
Legacies and Devises

Art.924.Allthingsandrightswhicharewithinthe
commerceofmanbebequeathedordevised.(865a)
Balane:
Whatcanbedevisedorbequethed:anything
withinthecommerceofman.Itisnotrequired
thatthethingdevisedorbequethedbelongto
thetestator.
Limitationsonlegacyordeviseitshouldnot
impairthelegitime.
Art.925.Atestatormaychargewithlegaciesanddevises
notonlyhiscompulsoryheirsbutalsothelegateesand
devisees.
Thelattershallbeliableforthechargeonlytotheextent
ofthevalueofthelegacyorthedevisereceivedbythem.
Thecompulsoryheirsshallnotbeliableforthecharge
beyondtheamountofthefreeportiongiventhem.(858a)
Balane:
Thewordingofthisprovisioniserroneous.A
compulsoryheirassuchcannotbeburdened
withalegacyordevisebecausethatwould
impairhislegitime.Onlyatestamentaryheircan
besoburdened.
Art.926.Whenthetestatorchargesoneoftheheirswith
alegacyordevise,healoneshallbebound.
Shouldhenotchargeanyoneinparticular,allshallbe
liableinthesameproportioninwhichtheymayinherit.
(859)
Balane:
Generalruleisthattheestateischargedwiththe
legacy.
Exceptionisthatthetestatormayimposethe
burdenonatestamentaryheiroralegateeor
devisee.Ifhedoesso,thentheheir,legatee,or
deviseechargedwill,ifheacceptsthedisposition
inhisfavor,beboundtodeliverthelegacyor
devisetothepersonspecified.
Art.927.Iftwoormoreheirstakepossessionofthe
estate,theyshallbesolidarilyliableforthelossor
destructionofathingdevisedorbequeathed,eventhough
onlyoneofthemshouldhavebeennegligent.(n)
Balane:
Theliabilityimposedgereisbasedonmalice,
faultornegligence.Theliabilitywillalsoattach
totheexecutororadministratorintheproper
cases.
Art.928.Theheirwhoisboundtodeliverthelegacyor
deviseshallbeliableincaseofeviction,ifthethingis
indeterminateandisindicatedonlybyitskind.(860)
Balane:
Generalrule,theestateisliableincaseof
eviction.
Exceptionisinthecaseofasubsidiarylegacyor
devise,theheir,legateeordeviseechargedshall
beliable.
Art.929.Ifthetestator,heir,orlegateeownsonlyapart
Page 47 of 73
of,oraninterestinthethingbequeathed,thelegacyor
deviseshallbeunderstoodlimitedtosuchpartorinterest,
unlessthetestatorexpresslydeclaresthathegivesthe
thinginitsentirety.(864a)
Art.930.Thelegacyordeviseofathingbelongingto
anotherpersonisvoid,ifthetestatorerroneously
believedthatthethingpertainedtohim.Butifthething
bequeathed,thoughnotbelongingtothetestatorwhenhe
madethewill,afterwardsbecomeshis,bywhatevertitle,
thedispositionshalltakeeffect.(862a)
Art.931.Ifthetestatorordersthatathingbelongingto
anotherbeacquiredinorderthatitbegiventoalegatee
ordevisee,theheiruponwhomtheobligationisimposed
ortheestatemustacquireitandgivethesametothe
legateeordevisee;butiftheownerofthethingrefusesto
alienatethesame,ordemandsanexcessivepricetherefor,
theheirortheestateshallonlybeobligedtogivethejust
valueofthething.(861a)
Art.932.Thelegacyordeviseofathingwhichatthetime
oftheexecutionofthewillalreadybelongedtothelegatee
ordeviseeshallbeineffective,eventhoughanother
personmayhavesomeinteresttherein.
Ifthetestatorexpresslyordersthatthethingbefreed
fromsuchinterestorencumbrance,thelegacyordevise
shallbevalidtothatextent.(866a)
Art.933.Ifthethingbequeathedbelongedtothelegatee
ordeviseeatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewill,the
legacyordeviseshallbewithouteffect,eventhoughit
mayhavesubsequentlyalienatedbyhim.
Ifthelegateeordeviseeacquiresitgratuitouslyaftersuch
time,hecanclaimnothingbyvirtueofthelegacyor
devise;butifithasbeenacquiredbyoneroustitlehecan
demandreimbursementfromtheheirortheestate.
(878a)
Art.934.Ifthetestatorshouldbequeathordevise
somethingpledgedormortgagedtosecurearecoverable
debtbeforetheexecutionofthewill,theestateisobliged
topaythedebt,unlessthecontraryintentionappears.
Thesameruleapplieswhenthethingispledgedor
mortgagedaftertheexecutionofthewill.
Anyothercharge,perpetualortemporary,withwhichthe
thingbequeathedisburdened,passeswithittothelegatee
ordevisee.(867a)
Art.935.Thelegacyofacreditagainstathirdpersonorof
theremissionorreleaseofadebtofthelegateeshallbe
effectiveonlyasregardsthatpartofthecreditordebt
existingatthetimeofthedeathofthetestator.
Inthefirstcase,theestateshallcomplywiththelegacyby
assigningtothelegateeallrightsofactionitmayhave
againstthedebtor.Inthesecondcase,bygivingthe
legateeanacquittance,shouldherequestone.
Inbothcases,thelegacyshallcompriseallinterestsonthe
creditordebtwhichmaybeduethetestatoratthetimeof
hisdeath.(870a)
Art.936.Thelegacyreferredtointheprecedingarticle
shalllapseifthetestator,afterhavingmadeit,should
bringanactionagainstthedebtorforthepaymentofhis
debt,evenifsuchpaymentshouldnothavebeeneffected

atthetimeofhisdeath.
Thelegacytothedebtorofthethingpledgedbyhimis
understoodtodischargeonlytherightofpledge.(871)
Art.937.Agenericlegacyofreleaseorremissionofdebts
comprisesthoseexistingatthetimeoftheexecutionof
thewill,butnotsubsequentones.(872)
Balane:
Legacy/Deviseofathingownedinpartbythe
testator:
o GeneralRule:conveysonlytheinterest
orpartownedbythetestator.
o Exception:ifthetestatorprovides
otherwise.
Hemayconveymorethanhe
owns.Theestateshouldtryto
acquirethepartofinterest
ownedbyotherparties.Ifthe
otherpartiesareunwillingto
alienate,theestateshould
givethelegatee/deviseethe
monetaryequivalent.
Hemayconveylessthanhe
owns.
Legacy/Deviseofathingbelongingtoanother:
o Ifthetestatororderedtheacquisition
ofthethingtheordershouldbe
compliedwith.Iftheownerisunwilling
topartwiththething,the
legatee/deviseeshouldbegiventhe
monetaryequivalent.
o Ifthetestatorerroneouslybelievedthat
thethingbelongedtohim
legacy/devisevoid.
Exception:ifsubsequentto
themakingofthedisposition,
thethingisacquiredbythe
testatoronerouslyor
gratuitously,thedispositionis
validated.
o Ifthetestatorknewthatthethingdid
notbelongtohimbutdidnotorderits
acquisition,theCodeissilentonthis.
Legacy/Deviseofthingbelongingtothe
legatee/deviseeorsubsequentlyacquiredby
him:
o Ifthethingalreadybelongedtothe
legate/deviseeatthetimeofthe
executionofthewilllegacy/devise
void.Itisnotvalidatedbyanalienation
bythelegatee/deviseesubsequentto
themakingofthewill,unlessthe
acquireristhetestatorhimself.
o Ifthethingwasownedbyanother
personatthetimeofthemakingofthe
willandacquiredthereafterbythe
legatee/devisee:
Ifthetestatorerroneously
believedthatitbelongedto
himlegacy/devisevoid.
Ifthetestatorwasnotin
error.
Ifthethingwas
acquiredonerously
bylegatee/devisee
Page 48 of 73
thelegatee/devisee
isentitledto
reimbursement
Ifthethingwas
acquired
gratuitouslyby
legatee/devisee,
nothingmoreisdue.
o Ifthethingwasownedbythetestator
atthetimeofmakingthewilland
acquiredthereafterfromhimbythe
legatee/deviseeArt932and933are
silentonthisbutArt.957par.2canbe
appliedandthelegacy/deviseshould
bedeemedrevoked.
Legacy/Devisetoremoveanencumbranceover
athingbelongingtothelegatee/devisee:
o Validiftheencumbrancecanbe
removedforaconsideration.
Legacy/Deviseofathingpledged:
o Theencumbrancemustberemovedby
payingthedebt,unlessthetestator
intendedotherwise.
o Achargeotherthanapledgeor
mortgage(asausufructoreasement)
passestothelegateeordevisee
togetherwiththething
Legacyofcreditorremission:
o Appliesonlytoamountstillunpaidat
thetimeofthetestatorsdeath
o Revokediftestatorsubsequentlysues
thedebtorforcollection
o Ifgeneric,appliesonlytothoseexisting
atthetimeofexecutionofthewill,
unlessotherwiseprovided
Art.938.Alegacyordevisemadetoacreditorshallnot
beappliedtohiscredit,unlessthetestatorsoexpressly
declares.
Inthelattercase,thecreditorshallhavetherightto
collecttheexcess,ifany,ofthecreditorofthelegacyor
devise.(837a)
Art.939.Ifthetestatorordersthepaymentofwhathe
believesheowesbutdoesnotinfactowe,thedisposition
shallbeconsideredasnotwritten.Ifasregardsaspecified
debtmorethantheamountthereofisorderedpaid,the
excessisnotdue,unlessacontraryintentionappears.
Theforegoingprovisionsarewithoutprejudicetothe
fulfilmentofnaturalobligations.(n)
Balane:
Legacy/Devisetoacreditor
o Generalrule:Itwillbetreatedlikeany
otherlegacy/deviseandthereforewill
notbeimputedtothedebt.
o Exception:Itwillbeimputedtothe
debtifthetestatorsoprovides,andif
thedebtexceedsthelegacy/devise,the
excessmaybedemandedasan
obligationoftheestate.
Art.940.Inalternativelegaciesordevises,thechoiceis
presumedtobelefttotheheiruponwhomtheobligation
togivethelegacyordevisemaybeimposed,orthe
executororadministratoroftheestateifnoparticular

heirissoobliged.
Iftheheir,legateeordevisee,whomayhavebeengiven
thechoice,diesbeforemakingit,thisrightshallpassto
therespectiveheirs.
Oncemade,thechoiceisirrevocable.
Inthealternativelegaciesordevises,exceptasherein
provided,theprovisionsofthisCoderegulating
obligationsofthesamekindshallbeobserved,savesuch
modificationsasmayappearfromtheintentionexpressed
bythetestator.(874a)
Balane:
Towhomtherightofchoice(onemadeisirrevoacble)
istobegiven:
Generalrule
o Theestatethroughtheexecutoror
administratorinadirect
legacy/devise
o Theheir,legatee,ordeviseecharged
inasubsidiarylegacy/devise
Exception:
o Thelegatee/devisee(orindeedany
otherperson),ifthetestatorso
provides
Ifthepersonwhoistochoosediesbeforethechoiceis
made:
Ifthechoicebelongedtoexecutoror
administratortherightistransmittedtohis
successorinoffice.
Ifthechoicebelongstoanheir,legateeor
deviseetherightistransmittedtohisown
heirs.
Art.941.Alegacyofgenericpersonalpropertyshallbe
valideveniftherebenothingsofthesamekindinthe
estate.
Adeviseofindeterminaterealpropertyshallbevalidonly
iftherebeimmovablepropertyofitskindintheestate.
Therightofchoiceshallbelongtotheexecutoror
administratorwhoshallcomplywiththelegacybythe
deliveryofathingwhichisneitherofinferiornorof
superiorquality.(875a
Art.942.Wheneverthetestatorexpresslyleavestheright
ofchoicetotheheir,ortothelegateeordevisee,the
formermaygiveorthelattermaychoosewhicheverhe
mayprefer.(876a)
Art.943.Iftheheir,legateeordeviseecannotmakethe
choice,incaseithasbeengrantedhim,hisrightshallpass
tohisheirs;butachoiceoncemadeshallbeirrevocable.
(877a)
Balane:
Rulesonvalidity:
GenericlegacyvalidevenIfnosuchmovable
existinthetestatorsestateuponhisdeath.The
estatewillsimplyhavetoacquirewhatisgiven
bylegacy.
Genericdevisevalidonlyifthereexistssuchan
immovableinthetestatorsestateatthetimeof
hisdeath
Rulesonrightofchoice:
Page 49 of 73
Generalrule:theexecutororadministrator,
actingfortheestatehastherightofchoice.
Exception:ifthetestatorgivestherightofchoice
tothelegatee/devisee,ortotheheirsonwhom
theobligationtogivethebenefitisimposed(ina
subsidiarylegacyordevise)
Transmissibilityofchoices:
Ifthechoicebelongstothe
executor/administratorandhediesbefore
makingthechoicerightistransmittedtohis
successorintheposition.
Ifthechoicebelongstothelegatee/deviseeand
hediesbeforemakingthechoicetheright
passedtohisheirs.
Regardingchoices:
Thechoicemustbelimitedtosomethingwhich
isneithersuperiornorinferiorinquality.This
ruleapplieswhetherthechoicebelongstothe
executor/administratororthelegatee/devisee.
Art.944.Alegacyforeducationlastsuntilthelegateeisof
age,orbeyondtheageofmajorityinorderthatthelegatee
mayfinishsomeprofessional,vocationalorgeneral
course,providedhepursueshiscoursediligently.
Alegacyforsupportlastsduringthelifetimeofthe
legatee,ifthetestatorhasnototherwiseprovided.
Ifthetestatorhasnotfixedtheamountofsuchlegacies,it
shallbefixedinaccordancewiththesocialstandingand
thecircumstancesofthelegateeandthevalueofthe
estate.
Ifthetestatororduringhislifetimeusedtogivethe
legateeacertainsumofmoneyorotherthingsbywayof
support,thesameamountshallbedeemedbequeathed,
unlessitbemarkedlydisproportionatetothevalueofthe
estate.(879a)
Balane:
Onlegacyforeducation:
o Thedurationistheageofmajorityor
thecompletionofaprofessional,
vocational,orgeneralcourse,
whichevercomeslater[inthelatter
instanceonlyifthelegateepursueshis
studiesdiligently.]
o Ontheamount,itisprimarilyfixedby
thetestator.Secodarilyisthatwhichis
properasdeterminedbytwovariables:
(i)thesocialstandingand
circumstancesofthelegatee,and(ii)
thevalueofthedisposableportionof
theestate.
Onlegacyforsupport:
o Thedurationmustbethelegatees
lifetimeunlessthetestatorprovides
otherwise.
o Theamountisprimarilyfixedbythe
testator.Secondarilyisthatwhichthe
testatorduringhislifetimeusedtogive
thelegateebywayofsupport,unless
markedlydisproportionatetothevalue
ofthedisposableportion.Tertiarilyis
thatwhichreasonable,onthebasisof
twovariables:(i)thesocialstanding
andcircumstancesofthelegatee,and

(ii)thevalueofthedisposableportion
oftheestate.
Legacyofaperiodicalpensioncanbedemanded
upontestatorsdeath,andthesucceedingonesat
thebeginningoftheperiodwithoutdutyto
reimburseshouldthelegateediebeforethe
lapseoftheperiod.
Art.945.Ifaperiodicalpension,oracertainannual,
monthly,orweeklyamountisbequeathed,thelegatee
maypetitionthecourtforthefirstinstallmentuponthe
deathofthetestator,andforthefollowingoneswhich
shallbedueatthebeginningofeachperiod;suchpayment
shallnotbereturned,eventhoughthelegateeshoulddie
beforetheexpirationoftheperiodwhichhascommenced.
(880a)
Art.946.Ifthethingbequeathedshouldbesubjecttoa
usufruct,thelegateeordeviseeshallrespectsuchright
untilitislegallyextinguished.(868a)
Art.947.Thelegateeordeviseeacquiresarighttothe
pureandsimplelegaciesordevisesfromthedeathofthe
testator,andtransmitsittohisheirs.(881a)
Art.948.Ifthelegacyordeviceisofaspecificand
determinatethingpertainingtothetestator,thelegateeor
deviseeacquirestheownershipthereofuponthedeathof
thetestator,aswellasanygrowingfruits,orunborn
offspringofanimals,oruncollectedincome;butnotthe
incomewhichwasdueandunpaidbeforethelatter's
death.
Fromthemomentofthetestator'sdeath,thething
bequeathedshallbeattheriskofthelegateeordevisee,
whoshall,therefore,bearitslossordeterioration,and
shallbebenefitedbyitsincreaseorimprovement,without
prejudicetotheresponsibilityoftheexecutoror
administrator.(882a)
Art.949.Ifthebequestshouldnotbeofaspecificand
determinatething,butisgenericorofquantity,itsfruits
andinterestsfromthetimeofthedeathofthetestator
shallpertaintothelegateeordeviseeifthetestatorhas
expresslysoordered.(884a)
Balane:
Rulesondemandability,ownershipandfruitsof
legacies/devises:
Demandability:
o pureupontestatorsdeath
o witha(suspensive)termupon
arrivaloftheterm
o conditionaluponthehappeningofthe
condition
Whenownershipvests:
o pureanddeterminateupontestators
death
o pureandgeneric
iffromtestatorsestate
upontestatorsdeath
ifacquiredfromathird
personuponacquisition
o witha(suspensive)termuponarrival
oftheterm,buttherighttoitvests
uponthetestatorsdeath
Page 50 of 73
conditional(suspensive)uponthe
testatorsdeath,iftheconditionis
fulfilled
Fruits:
o pureanddeterminateupontestators
death
o pureandgenericupondetermination,
unlessthetestatorprovidesotherwise
o withatermuponarrivaloftheterm
o withaconditionuponthehappening
ofsuchcondition,unlessthetestator
providesotherwise
Art.950.Iftheestateshouldnotbesufficienttocoverall
thelegaciesordevises,theirpaymentshallbemadeinthe
followingorder:
(1)Remuneratorylegaciesordevises;
(2)Legaciesordevisesdeclaredbythetestatortobe
preferential;
(3)Legaciesforsupport;
(4)Legaciesforeducation;
(5)Legaciesordevisesofaspecific,determinatething
whichformsapartoftheestate;
(6)Allothersprorata.(887a)
Art.951.Thethingbequeathedshallbedeliveredwithall
itsaccessoriesandaccessoriesandintheconditionin
whichitmaybeuponthedeathofthetestator.(883a)
Art.952.Theheir,chargedwithalegacyordevise,orthe
executororadministratoroftheestate,mustdeliverthe
verythingbequeathedifheisabletodosoandcannot
dischargethisobligationbypayingitsvalue.
Legaciesofmoneymustbepaidincash,eventhoughthe
heirortheestatemaynothaveany.
Theexpensesnecessaryforthedeliveryofthething
bequeathedshallbefortheaccountoftheheirorthe
estate,butwithoutprejudicetothelegitime.(886a)
Art.953.Thelegateeordeviseecannottakepossessionof
thethingbequeatheduponhisownauthority,butshall
requestitsdeliveryandpossessionoftheheircharged
withthelegacyordevise,oroftheexecutoror
administratoroftheestateshouldhebeauthorizedbythe
courttodeliverit.(885a)
Art.954.Thelegateeordeviseecannotacceptapartof
thelegacyordeviseandrepudiatetheother,ifthelatter
beonerous.
Shouldhediebeforehavingacceptedthelegacyordevise,
leavingseveralheirs,someofthelattermayacceptand
theothersmayrepudiatethesharerespectivelybelonging
totheminthelegacyordevise.(889a)
Art.955.Thelegateeordeviseeoftwolegaciesordevises,
oneofwhichisonerous,cannotrenouncetheonerousone
andaccepttheother.Ifbothareonerousorgratuitous,he
shallbefreetoacceptorrenounceboth,ortorenounce
either.Butifthetestatorintendedthatthetwolegaciesor
devisesshouldbeinseparablefromeachother,thelegatee
ordeviseemusteitheracceptorrenounceboth.
Anycompulsoryheirwhoisatthesametimealegateeor
deviseemaywaivetheinheritanceandacceptthelegacy
ordevise,orrenouncethelatterandaccepttheformer,or
waiveoracceptboth.(890a)

Balane:
Rulesonacceptanceandrepudiationof
legacies/devises:
1. Aceptancemaybetotalorpartial(asimplied
fromArt.954,par.1)
Exception:Ifthelegacy/deviseispartly
onerousandpartlygratuitous,therecipient
cannotacceptthegratuitouspartandthe
renouncetheonerouspart.Anyother
combinationhoweverispermitted.
Ifthelegateeordeviseediesbefore
acceptingorrenouncing,hisheirsshall
exercisesuchrightastotheirproindiviso
share,andinthesamemannerasoutlined
above.
2. Whenthereistwolegacies/devisestothesame
recipient:
Ifbothgratuitoustherecipientmayaccept
orrenounceeitherorboth
Ifbothoneroussameruleasabove
Ifoneisgratuitousandtheotherisonerous
therecipientcannotacceptthegratuitous
partandtherenouncetheonerouspart.Any
othercombinationhoweverispermitted.
3. Whenlegacyordeviseisalsogiventoonewhois
acompulsoryheir
Therecipientmayaccepteitherorboth
4. Effectifwillprovideotherwisealltherules
aboveoutlinedapplyintheabsenceofa
stipulationinthewillprovidingotherwise.
Art.956.Ifthelegateeordeviseecannotorisunwillingto
acceptthelegacyordevise,orifthelegacyordevisefor
anyreasonshouldbecomeineffective,itshallbemerged
intothemassoftheestate,exceptincasesofsubstitution
andoftherightofaccretion.(888a)
Balane:
Rulesincaseofrepudiationbyorincapacityof
legatee/devisee:
1. Primarilysubstitution
2. Secondarilyaccretion
3. Tertiarilyintestacy
Art.957.Thelegacyordeviseshallbewithouteffect:
(1)Ifthetestatortransformsthethingbequeathedinsuch
amannerthatitdoesnotretaineithertheformorthe
denominationithad;
(2)Ifthetestatorbyanytitleorforanycausealienatesthe
thingbequeathedoranypartthereof,itbeingunderstood
thatinthelattercasethelegacyordeviseshallbewithout
effectonlywithrespecttothepartthusalienated.Ifafter
thealienationthethingshouldagainbelongtothe
testator,evenifitbebyreasonofnullityofthecontract,
thelegacyordeviseshallnotthereafterbevalid,unless
thereacquisitionshallhavebeeneffectedbyvirtueofthe
exerciseoftherightofrepurchase;
(3)Ifthethingbequeathedistotallylostduringthe
lifetimeofthetestator,orafterhisdeathwithoutthe
heir'sfault.Nevertheless,thepersonobligedtopaythe
legacyordeviseshallbeliableforevictionifthething
bequeathedshouldnothavebeendeterminateastoits
kind,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofArticle928.
(869a)
Page 51 of 73
Balane:
Instanceswhenlegacy/deviseisrevokedbyoperationof
law:
1. transformationthetestatorconvertsa
plantationintoafishpond
2. alienationthealienationbythetestatormaybe
onerousorgratuitous.
Thealienationrevokesthelegacy/devise
evenifforanyreasonthethingrevertsto
thetestator.
Exceptions:
o Ifthereversioniscausedbythe
annulmentofthealienationand
thecauseforannulmentwas
vitiationofconsentonthe
grantorspart,eitherbyreasonof
incapacityorofduress.
o Ifthereversionisbyvirtueof
redemptioninasalewithpactode
retro.
3. totallossthiswillbeacauseforrevocation
onlyifittakesplacebeforethetestatorsdeath.
Fortuitouslossafterthetestatorsdeathwillnot
constituterevocation.
Art.958.Amistakeastothenameofthething
bequeathedordevised,isofnoconsequence,ifitis
possibletoidentifythethingwhichthetestatorintended
tobequeathordevise.(n)
Art.959.Adispositionmadeingeneraltermsinfavorof
thetestator'srelativesshallbeunderstoodtobeinfavor
ofthosenearestindegree.(751)
III.
Legal or Intestate Succession
1. General Provisions
Art.960.Legalorintestatesuccessiontakesplace:
(1)Ifapersondieswithoutawill,orwithavoidwill,or
onewhichhassubsequentlylostitsvalidity;
(2)Whenthewilldoesnotinstituteanheirto,ordispose
ofallthepropertybelongingtothetestator.Insuchcase,
legalsuccessionshalltakeplaceonlywithrespecttothe
propertyofwhichthetestatorhasnotdisposed;
(3)Ifthesuspensiveconditionattachedtotheinstitution
ofheirdoesnothappenorisnotfulfilled,oriftheheir
diesbeforethetestator,orrepudiatestheinheritance,
therebeingnosubstitution,andnorightofaccretiontakes
place;
(4)Whentheheirinstitutedisincapableofsucceeding,
exceptincasesprovidedinthisCode.(912a)
Balane:
Intestacy:
Thatwhichtakesplacebyoperationoflawin
defaultofcompulsoryandtestamentary
succession.Itistheleastpreferredamongthe
threemodesofsuccession,butisthemost
common.
Itappliestheprincipleofexclusionand
concurrence(thesameprincipleasin
compulsorysuccession).
Kinds:
1. Totalnotestamentarydisposition;onlyifthere
isnowilldisposingoftheproperty.

2.
PartialAwillthatdisposesofpartofthefree
portion;insofarasitdoesnotimpair
Instanceswhenlegalorintestatesuccessionoperates:
(WISEPIR)
1. Ifapersondieswithoutawill,orwithavoidwill,
oronewhichhassubsequentlylostitsvalidity;
Sir:Thewilldoesnotloseits
validity.
2. Whenthewilldoesnotinstituteanheirto,or
disposeofallthepropertybelongingtothe
testator.Insuchcase,legalsuccessionshalltake
placeonlywithrespecttothepropertyofwhich
thetestatorhasnotdisposed;
3. Ifthesuspensiveconditionattachedtothe
institutionofheirdoesnothappenorisnot
fulfilled,oriftheheirdoesnothappenorisnot
fulfilled,oriftheheirdiesbeforethetestatoror
repudiatestheinheritance,therebeingno
substitution,andnorightofaccretiontakes
place.
4. Whentheheirinstitutedisincapableof
succeeding,exceptincasesprovidedinthis
Code.
5. happeningofresolutorycondition
6. expirationofresolutoryterm
7. preterition
Art.961.Indefaultoftestamentaryheirs,thelawvests
theinheritance,inaccordancewiththeruleshereinafter
setforth,inthelegitimateandillegitimaterelativesofthe
deceased,inthesurvivingspouse,andintheState.(913a)
Art.962.Ineveryinheritance,therelativenearestin
degreeexcludesthemoredistantones,savingtherightof
representationwhenitproperlytakesplace.
Relativesinthesamedegreeshallinheritinequalshares,
subjecttotheprovisionsofarticle1006withrespectto
relativesofthefullandhalfblood,andofArticle987,
paragraph2,concerningdivisionbetweenthepaternal
andmaternallines.(912a)
Balane:
BasisofInstateSuccession:
Thepresumedwillofthedecedent,whichwould
distributetheestateinaccordancewiththelove
andaffectionhehasforhisfamilyandclose
relatives,andindefaultofthesepersons,the
presumeddesireofthedecedenttopromote
charitableandhumanitarian.
BasicRulesofIntestacy:
Theruleofpreferenceoflines
o Thethreelinesofrelationshipare:
thedescending
theascending
thecollateral
o Thelawlaysdownanorderof
preferenceamongtheselines,suchthat
thedescendingexcludestheascending
andthecollateral,andtheascending
excludesthecollateral.
Theruleofproximityofdegree
o Thenearerexcludethemoreremote
withoutprejudicetorepresentation.
Page 52 of 73
Theruleofequalityamongrelativesofthesame
degree
o Ifthenearerexlucdethemoreremote,
logicallythoseofequaldegreeshould
inheritinequalshares
o Exceptionstoruleofequalityinthe
samedegree:
theruleofpreferenceoflines,
supra
thedistinctionbetweenthe
legitimateandillegitmate
filiation
theruleofdivisionbylinein
theascendingline
thedistinctionbetweenfull
bloodandhalfblood
relationshipsamongbrothers
andsisters,aswellas
nephewsandnieces
representation
ClassNotes:
Additionalruleofintestacy(notfoundinthebook):
Theruleofrelationship(therearefourkinds):
(FaBSS)
a. FamilyJusfamilial,ascendantsand
descendantsinthedirectline
b. BloodJussanguinis,collateralsupto
thefifthdegree
c. SpouseJusconjugis
d. StateJusimperii,therightof
sovereignty
1.1. Relationship
Art.963.Proximityofrelationshipisdeterminedbythe
numberofgenerations.Eachgenerationformsadegree.
(915)
Art.964.Aseriesofdegreesformsaline,whichmaybe
eitherdirectorcollateral.
Adirectlineisthatconstitutedbytheseriesofdegrees
amongascendantsanddescendants.
Acollaterallineisthatconstitutedbytheseriesofdegrees
amongpersonswhoarenotascendantsanddescendants,
butwhocomefromacommonancestor.(916a)
Art.965.Thedirectlineiseitherdescendingorascending.
Theformerunitestheheadofthefamilywiththosewho
descendfromhim.
Thelatterbindsapersonwiththosefromwhomhe
descends.(917)
Art.966.Intheline,asmanydegreesarecountedasthere
aregenerationsorpersons,excludingtheprogenitor.
Inthedirectline,ascentismadetothecommonancestor.
Thus,thechildisonedegreeremovedfromtheparent,
twofromthegrandfather,andthreefromthegreat
grandparent.
Inthecollateralline,ascentismadetothecommon
ancestorandthendescentismadetothepersonwith
whomthecomputationistobemade.Thus,apersonis
twodegreesremovedfromhisbrother,threefromhis
uncle,whoisthebrotherofhisfather,fourfromhisfirst
cousin,andsoforth.(918a)

Balane:
Line:
Direct
o Descending
o Ascending
Collateral
o DirectandCollateralImportanceof
distinction:thedirectispreferredover
thecollateral.
o Descendingdirectandascendingdirect
Importanceofdistinction:Thedesce
Computationofdegrees:
Directlinethereisnolegallimittothenumber
ofdegreesforentitlementtointestate
succession.Thepracticallimit,ofcourse,is
humanmortality.
o Modeofcountingdegreesinthedirect
line:
onegeneration=onedegree
parentchild=onedegree
grandparentgrandchild=two
degrees
greatgrandparentsgreat
grandchild=thirddegrees;
andsoforth
CollaterallineComputationofdegreesis
particularlyimportantinthecollateralline
becauseintestatesuccessionextendsonlytothe
5thofcollateralrelationship.
o Modesofcountingdegreesinthe
collateralline:
Fromonereferencepoint,
ascendtonearestcommon
ancestor[Iftherearemore
thanonenearestcommon
ancestor,chooseanyone]
Thendescendtotheother
referencepoint
Numberofgenerations
constitutingtheascentand
thedescentisthedegreeof
collateralrelationship
o CollateralbyDegrees
Firstdegreenone
Seconddegree
brothers/sisters
Thirddegree
Uncles/Aunts
Nephews/Nieces
Fourthdegree
Firstcousins
Brothers/Sistersofa
grandparent
(granduncles/grand
aunts)
Grandchildrenofa
brother/sister
(grand
nephews/grand
nieces)
Fifthdegree
Childrenofafirst
cousin
Firstcousinsofa
parent
Page 53 of 73
Brothers/sistersofa
greatgrandparent
Greatgrandchildren
ofabrother/sister
Art.967.Fullbloodrelationshipisthatexistingbetween
personswhohavethesamefatherandthesamemother.
Halfbloodrelationshipisthatexistingbetweenpersons
whohavethesamefather,butnotthesamemother,orthe
samemother,butnotthesamefather.(920a)
Balane:
Importanceofrulesonrelationships:
Thenearerexcludesthemoreremote
Directlineispreferredoverthecollateral
Descendinglineispreferredovertheascending
Twobasicconceptsinrelationship:
ConceptofdegreeThismethodofcomputing
theproximityofrelationship.Everydegreeis
onegeneration.
ConceptoflinesThesearerelativepositionsin
thefamilybetween2persons.
o Inintestacy:
Thereisnolimitinthedirect
lineeitherascendingor
descending.
Thereisalimitoffivedegrees
inthecollateralline(2
personshavingacommon
ancestor)
Art.968.Ifthereareseveralrelativesofthesamedegree,
andoneorsomeofthemareunwillingorincapacitatedto
succeed,hisportionshallaccruetotheothersofthesame
degree,savetherightofrepresentationwhenitshould
takeplace.(922)
Balane:
Thereisaccretioninintestacyamongheirsofthe
samedegree,incaseofpredecease,incapacityor
renunciationofanyofthem.
Incaseofpredeceaseorincapacity,
representation,ifproper,willpreventaccretion
fromoccurring.
Relativesmustbeinthesamekindof
relationship.Foraccretiontotakeplacetheheirs
involvedmustbeinthesamekindof
relationshiptothedecedent.Thus,therecanbe
noaccretionamongagrandchild,agrandparent
andabrotherofthedecedentbecausetheyare
notinheritingtogetherinthefirstplace.
Art.969.Iftheinheritanceshouldberepudiatedbythe
nearestrelative,shouldtherebeoneonly,orbyallthe
nearestrelativescalledbylawtosucceed,shouldtherebe
several,thoseofthefollowingdegreeshallinheritintheir
ownrightandcannotrepresentthepersonorpersons
repudiatingtheinheritance.(923)
Balane:
EffectofRenunciationbyAllintheSameDegree:
Thedescendinglinefirstifallthedescendants
ofacertaindegreerenounce,successionpasses
tothedescendantsofthenextdegree,andsoon,
adindefinitum.

TheascendinglinenextShouldnoonebeleftin
thedescendingline,theheirsintheascending
acquiretherightofsuccession,againinorderof
degreesofproximity;
ThecollaterallinelastOnlyifallthe
descendantsandascendantsrenouncewillthe
collateralrelativesacquiretherighttosucceed.
PredeceaseorIncapacitybyAllintheSameDegree:
Thiseventualityisnotprovidedforbythis
article.Therulesaboveareequallyapplicableto
suchasituationexceptincaseswhere
representationisproper,i.e.,inthedescending
line.
Representationdoesnotapplyincasesof
universalrenunciationoutlinedabove.
1.2. Right of Representation
Art.970.Representationisarightcreatedbyfictionof
law,byvirtueofwhichtherepresentativeisraisedtothe
placeandthedegreeofthepersonrepresented,and
acquirestherightswhichthelatterwouldhaveifhewere
livingorifhecouldhaveinherited.(942a)
Art.971.Therepresentativeiscalledtothesuccessionby
thelawandnotbythepersonrepresented.The
representativedoesnotsucceedthepersonrepresented
buttheonewhomthepersonrepresentedwouldhave
succeeded.(n)
Art.972.Therightofrepresentationtakesplaceinthe
directdescendingline,butneverintheascending.
Inthecollateralline,ittakesplaceonlyinfavorofthe
childrenofbrothersorsisters,whethertheybeofthefull
orhalfblood.(925)
Art.973.Inorderthatrepresentationmaytakeplace,itis
necessarythattherepresentativehimselfbecapableof
succeedingthedecedent.(n)
Art.974.Wheneverthereissuccessionbyrepresentation,
thedivisionoftheestateshallbemadeperstirpes,insuch
mannerthattherepresentativeorrepresentativesshall
notinheritmorethanwhatthepersontheyrepresent
wouldinherit,ifhewerelivingorcouldinherit.(926a)
Art.975.Whenchildrenofoneormorebrothersor
sistersofthedeceasedsurvive,theyshallinheritfromthe
latterbyrepresentation,iftheysurvivewiththeiruncles
oraunts.Butiftheyalonesurvive,theyshallinheritin
equalportions.(927)
Art.976.Apersonmayrepresenthimwhoseinheritance
hehasrenounced.(928a)
Art.977.Heirswhorepudiatetheirsharemaynotbe
represented.(929a)
Balane:
Instanceswhenrepresentationoperates:(DIP)
Predecease
IncapacityorUnworthiness
Disinheritance
Page 54 of 73
Inwhatkindofsuccessionrepresentationoperates:
Thelegitimethereisnoexpressprovisionon
representationinlegitime,exceptinArticle923,
incaseofdisinheritance.
Intestacythereisnorepresentationin
testamentarysuccession.
Inwhatlinesdoesrepresentationobtain:
Withrespecttothelegitimeinthedirect
descendinglineonly
Withrespecttointestacy
o Inthedirectdescendingline
o Inoneinstanceinthecollateral;i.e.
nephewsandniecesrepresenting
brothersandsistersofthedeceased.
Representationbyillegitimatechildren:
Ifthechildtoberepresentedislegitimateonly
legitimatechildren/descendantscanrepresent
him
Ifthechildtoberepresentedisillegitimate
bothlegitimateandillegitimate
children/descendantscanrepresenthim
Representationofandbyanadoptedchild:
Anadoptedcanneitherrepresentorbe
represented.
Teoticovs.DelVal(1965)
F:Oppositorclaimstobeanadopteddaughterof
FranciscaMortera,adeceasedsisterofthetestatrix.SC
ruledthattheoppositorhasnorighttointerveneeitheras
testamentaryoraslegalheirintheprobateproceedingof
thedeceasedsisterofheradoptedmother.
H:Relationshipofadoptionislimitedsolelytotheadopter
andtheadoptedanddoesnotextendtotherelativesof
theadoptingparentsoroftheadoptedchildexceptonlyas
expresslyprovidedforbylaw.Asaconsequence,the
adoptedisanheiroftheadopterbutnotoftherelativesof
theadopter.
Represenationbyarenouncer:
Althougharenouncercannotberepresented,he
canrepresentthepersonwhoseinheritancehe
hasrenounced.
Howrepresentationoperates:
Perstirpestherepresentativeor
representativesreceiveonlywhattheperson
representedwouldhavereceived.Ifthereare
morethanonerepresentativeinthesame
degree,thendividetheportionequally,without
prejudicetothedistinctionbetweenlegitimate
andillegitimatechildren,whenapplicable.
RulesonQualification:
Therepresentativemustbequalifiedtosucceed
thedecedent.
Therepresentativeneednotbequalifiedto
succeedthepersonrepresented.
Thepersonrepresentedneednotbequalifiedto
succeedthedecedentinfact,thereasonwhy
representationistakingplaceisthattheperson

representedisnotqualified,becauseof
predecease,orincapacityordisinheritance.
RepresentationbygrandchildrenandRepresentation
bynephews/nieces:DifferenceRule
Ifallthechildrenaredisqualifiedthe
grandchildrenstillinheritbyrepresentation.
Ifallthebrothers/sistersaredisqualifiedthe
nephews/niecesinheritpercapita.
Note:Ifonlysome,notallchildrenor
brothers/sistersaredisqualifedtheruleisthe
same.
2. Order of Intestate Succession

Intestate Heirs
I. LegitimateChildren/Descendants
II. IllegitimateChildren/Descendants
III. LegitimateParents/Ascendants
IV. IllegitimateParents
V. SurvivingSpouse
VI. Brothers,Sisters,Nephews,Nieces
VII. OtherCollateralstothe5thdegree
VIII. State
ClassNotes:
Itiscorrecttosaythatacompulsoryheirisan
intestateheir.Butitisnotcorrecttosaythatan
intestateheirisnotacompulsoryheir.
Intestacy
Balane:
RulesofExclusionandConcurrence:
(Note:Childreninclude,inpropercases,other
descendants;andparents,otherascendants.)
1. legitimatechildren
a. excludeparents,collaterals&State
b. concurwithsurvivingspouse&
c. areexcludedbynoone
2. illegitimatechildren
a. excludeillegitimateparents,collaterals
&State
b. concurwithsurvivingspouse,
legitimatechildren,andlegitimate
parents
c. areexcludedbynoone
3. legitimateparents
a. excludecollaterals&state
b. concurwithillegitimatechildren&
survivingspouse
c. areexcludedbylegitimatechildren
4. illegitimateparents[only,notascendants]
a. excludecollaterals&State
b. concurwithsurvivingspouse
c. areexcludedbylegitimatechildrenand
5. survivingspouse
a. excludescollateralsotherthan
brothers,sisters,nephews&nieces,&
State
b. concurwithlegitimatechildren,
illegitimatechildren,legitimate
Page 55 of 73
6.
7.
8.
parents,illegitimateparents,brothers
sisters,nephews&nieces
c. isexcludedbynoone
brothers&sisters,nephews&nieces
a. excludeallothercollaterals&theState
b. concurwithsurvivingspouse
c. areexcludedbylegitimatechildren,
parents,andillegitimateparents
Othercollaterals
a. excludecollateralsinremoterdegrees
&theState
b. concurwithcollateralsinthesame
degree
c. areexcludedbylegitimatechildren,
parents,illegitimateparents,surviving
spouse,brothers&sisters,and
nephews&nieces
State
a. excludesnoone
b. concurswithnoone
c. isexcludedbyeveryone
ClassNotes:
Number5survivingspousedoesnotexcludethe
groupinnumber6.
Balane:
CombinationsinIntestateSuccession(foundpassimin
Art.978):
1. legitimatechildrenalone
thewholeestatedividedequally
2. legitimatechildren&illegitimatechildren
thewholeestate,eachillegitimatechild
gettingtheshareofonelegitimate
child
3. legitimatechildren&survivingspouse
thewholeestate,dividedequally(the
survivingspousecountedasone
legitimatechild)
4. legitimatechildren,survivingspouse&
thewholeestate,thesurvivingspouse
beingcountedasonelegitimatechild
eachillegitimatechildgettingthe
shareofonelegitimate
5. legitimateparentsalone
6. legitimateascendants(otherthanparents)alone
thewholeestate,observing,inproper
cases,theruleofdivisionbyline
7. legitimateparents&illegitimatechildren*
legitimateparentsoftheestate
illegitimatechildrenoftheestate
8. legitimateparents&surivingspouse*
survivingspouseoftheestate
9. legitimateparents,survivingspouse,illegitimate
children*
10. illegitimatechildrenalone
11. illegitimatechildren&survivingspouse*

12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
survivingspousealone
thewholeestate
survivingspouse&illegitimateparents(no
articlegoverning,combinationappliedby
analogywithArt.997)*
illegitimateparentsoftheestate
survivingspouse&legitimatebrothers&sisters,
nephews&nieces*
legitimatebrothers,sisters,nephews,
niecesoftheestate(thenephews&
niecesinheritingbyrepresentation,in
thepropercases)
survivingspouse&illegitimatebrothers&
sisters,nephews&nieces*
illegitimatebrothers,sisters,nephews,
niecesoftheestate(thenephews&
niecesinheritingbyrepresentation,in
thepropercases)
theillegitimatebrothers&sistersare
thosementionedinArt.994.
illegitimateparentsalone
thewholeestate
illegitimateparents&childrenofanykind
illegitimateparentsexcluded
childreninheritinaccordancewith
Nos.1,2&10.
legitimatebrothers&sistersalone
thewholeestate,withabrother/sister
ofthehalfbloodinheritingofthe
estatetheshareofabrother/sisterof
thefullblood
legitimatebrothers&sisters,nephews&nieces
thewholeestate,observingthe2:1
proportionofthefullandhalfblood
fraternity(No.18supra)andthe
nephewsandniecesinheritingby
representationinthepropercases
nephew&nieceswithuncles&aunts
byinferenceunclesandaunts
excluded(accdg.toBacayov.
Borromeo)nephewsandnieces
inheritinginaccordancewithNo.23
infra
illegitimatebrothersandsistersaloneno
articlegoverning
thewholeestate,observingthe2:1
proportionoffullandhalfblood
fraternitybyanalogywithNo.18
supra
illegitimatebrothers,sisters,nephewsand
niecesnoarticlegoverning
thewholeestate,asinNo.19supra,by
analogy
nephews&niecesalone
thewholeestate,percapita,but
observingthe2:1proportionforthe
fullandthehalfblood
othercollaterals
thewholeestate,percapita,thenearer
indegreeexcludingthemoreremote
State
Page 56 of 73
thewholeestate
Assignment&dispositionofdecedents
assets
o Ifthedecedentwasaresident
ofthePhilippinesatanytime:
Personalproperty
tomunicipalityof
lastresidence
Realproperty
wheresituated
o Ifthedecedentnevera
residentofthePhilippines:
Personalandreal
propertywhere
respectivelysituated
Howpropertyistobeused
o Forthebenefitofpublic
educationalandcharitable
institutionsintherespective
municipalities/cities
o Alternatively,attheinstance
ofaninterestedparty,or
motupropio,courtmayorder
creationofapermanenttrust
forthebenefitofthe
institutionsconcerned
ClassNotes:
Followtherulesexceptfornumber2and
number4.Bothhavedifferentstepsfromthe
step.Becarefulbecauseyoumightendup
impairingthelegitime.
Justfollowtherulesonintestacy,thelegitimes
willneverbeimpaired.Theyareautomatically
coveredbytherules.
ButArt.983(whichcoversnumber2also)might
impairthelegitime.
IllustrationonhowArt.983canimpairthelegitime:
XsestateisworthP1,800,000
X(decedent)
|
|
:
:
:
:
:
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
4M
4M
2M
2M
2M2M2M
HerethelegitimeofAandBisimpairedbecausetheir
legitimeisP900,000andtheirsharetogetherisP800,000.
ThereisadeficitofP100,000intheirlegitime.
SinceArt.983impairsthelegitimeasshowninthe
illustration,twostepsmustbefollowedtoavoidsuch:
1. Givethelegitimefirstlegitimatebefore
illegitimate.
2. Ifthereisanexcessdividedittoaratioof2:1.
3. Iflacking,reducetheshareofillegitimate
childrenprorata.
Illustration:
X(decedent)
|
|
:
:
:
:
:
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
4.5
4.52.252.252.252.252.25

ThetotalisP2,025,000.TheestateisonlyP1,800,000.
ThereisadeficitofP225,000.Thesolutionistoreducethe
sharesofillegitimatechildrenprorata.
Reductionofshareofeachillegitimatechild:
225,000(deficit)/5(illegitimatechildren)=P45,000.
Theshareofeachillegitimatechildshouldbereducedby
P45,000.ThusfromP225,000,eachillegitimatechildwill
nowgetP180,000each.
ClassNotes:
Number1illustratedtotalintestacy.
Number15willonlyhappeninonecase.
o InacasewhereXhasthreechildren,A
(legitimate),B(illegitimate)andC
(illegitimate),whenBdies,Acannot
inheritfromhim(andBcannotinherit
fromhim)butCcan.
o ThisisnotprohibitedbyArticle992.
o InManuelv.Ferrer:Whenthelaw
speaksofbrothersandsisters,
nephewsandniecesaslegalheirsofan
illegitimatechild,itrefersto
illegitimatebrothersandsistersaswell
astothechildren,whetherlegitimateof
illegitimateofsuchbrothersand
sisters.
Innumber20,iftherearenephewsandnieces,
theyexcludeunclesandaunts.
SampleProblems:
1. Patrick,illegitimatechildofthelateDonRuben
byhislatemistressEvelyndiesinavehicular
accidentwhileridinghisHarleybecausehehates
wearingahelmet.Hedidnotleaveawillandhis
estateisworthP25,000,000.HisspouseAmirah
andhisfullsisterCieloweredevastatedbyhis
abruptdeath.MeanwhileRobert,DonRubens
childbyhiswifeAraceli,isalsomaddenedwith
griefashewasnotabletomakepeacewithhis
estrangedbrother.HowshouldMr.Patricks
estatebedistributed?
2. Serafin,anotoriouswomanizerandself
proclaimedCassanova,waskilledinflagrante
delictowithhiscurrentmistressDanica.Hewas
shotbyJohnMark,Danicasexboyfriendwhen
hecaughtthemtogether.Thisscandalizedhis
wifeLorietonoend.Tocompoundthewifes
grief,DanicaschildrenwithSerafin:Auring,
Koring,Kristina,Paula,OgieandJoselitare
fightingwithLoriestwinchildrenJessand
Rosleneovertheirlatefathersestatewhichis
worthonlyP500,000.Howshouldtheestatebe
apportioned?
2.1. Descending Direct Line
Art.978.Successionpertains,inthefirstplace,tothe
descendingdirectline.(930)
Art.979.Legitimatechildrenandtheirdescendants
succeedtheparentsandotherascendants,without
distinctionastosexorage,andeveniftheyshouldcome
fromdifferentmarriages.
Anadoptedchildsucceedstothepropertyoftheadopting
Page 57 of 73
parentsinthesamemannerasalegitimatechild.(931a)
Balane:
Therightofanadoptedchildinrelationtohis
adopterisnowgovernedbySecs.17and18of
R.A.8552,whichlaysdownthesameruleasthe
secondparagraphofthisarticle.
Saysonvs.CourtofAppeals(1992)
F:Privaterespondentswhoareadoptedchildrenof
TeodoroandIsabel,filedaclaimintheestateofthe
parentsoftheiradopters.
H:SCheldthattheprivaterespondentsexclusiveheirsof
theirparentsanddeemedtoastotalstrangerstotheir
grandparents.Theadoptedchildshallbedeemedtobea
legitimatechildandhavethesamerightasthelatter,but
theserightsdonotincludetherightofrepresentation.
Art.980.Thechildrenofthedeceasedshallalwaysinherit
fromhimintheirownright,dividingtheinheritancein
equalshares.(932)
Art.981.Shouldchildrenofthedeceasedand
descendantsofotherchildrenwhoaredead,survive,the
formershallinheritintheirownright,andthelatterby
rightofrepresentation.(934a)
Art.982.Thegrandchildrenandotherdescendantsshall
inheritbyrightofrepresentation,andifanyoneofthem
shouldhavedied,leavingseveralheirs,theportion
pertainingtohimshallbedividedamongthelatterin
equalportions.(933)
Art.983.Ifillegitimatechildrensurvivewithlegitimate
children,thesharesoftheformershallbeinthe
proportionsprescribedbyArticle895.(n)
Balane:
Segregatethelegitimesofthechildrenboth
legitimateandillegitimate.
Ifanyresidueisleft,apportionitinproportionof
2:1
Iftheestatemaynotbesufficienttosatisfythe
legitimes,thelegitimesoftheillegitimateswill
havetobereducedprorata.
Art.984.Incaseofthedeathofanadoptedchild,leaving
nochildrenordescendants,hisparentsandrelativesby
consanguinityandnotbyadoption,shallbehislegalheirs.
(n)
Balane:
RepealedbySecs.17and18ofR.A.8552.
2.2. Ascending Direct Line
Art.985.Indefaultoflegitimatechildrenanddescendants
ofthedeceased,hisparentsandascendantsshallinherit
fromhim,totheexclusionofcollateralrelatives.(935a)
Art.986.Thefatherandmother,ifliving,shallinheritin
equalshares.
Shouldoneonlyofthemsurvive,heorsheshallsucceedto

theentireestateofthechild.(936)
Art.987.Indefaultofthefatherandmother,the
ascendantsnearestindegreeshallinherit.
Shouldtherebemorethanoneofequaldegreebelonging
tothesamelinetheyshalldividetheinheritanceper
capita;shouldtheybeofdifferentlinesbutofequal
degree,onehalfshallgotothepaternalandtheotherhalf
tothematernalascendants.Ineachlinethedivisionshall
bemadepercapita.(937)
2.3. Illegitimate Children
Art.988.Intheabsenceoflegitimatedescendantsor
ascendants,theillegitimatechildrenshallsucceedtothe
entireestateofthedeceased.(939a)
Art.989.If,togetherwithillegitimatechildren,there
shouldsurvivedescendantsofanotherillegitimatechild
whoisdead,theformershallsucceedintheirownright
andthelatterbyrightofrepresentation.(940a)
Art.990.Thehereditaryrightsgrantedbythetwo
precedingarticlestoillegitimatechildrenshallbe
transmittedupontheirdeathtotheirdescendants,who
shallinheritbyrightofrepresentationfromtheir
deceasedgrandparent.(941a)
Art.991.Iflegitimateascendantsareleft,theillegitimate
childrenshalldividetheinheritancewiththem,taking
onehalfoftheestate,whateverbethenumberofthe
ascendantsoroftheillegitimatechildren.(942841a)
Art.992.Anillegitimatechildhasnorighttoinheritab
intestatofromthelegitimatechildrenandrelativesofhis
fatherormother;norshallsuchchildrenorrelatives
inheritinthesamemannerfromtheillegitimatechild.
(943a)
CorpuzvsAdministrator(1978)
F:DeceasedTeodorohasnoforcedheirs.Hisclosest
relativeswerehalfsiblings.Tomas,theson,ofJuanita,
whoisinturnthedaughterofTeodoroshalfbrotherJose,
filedanactiontorecoverhermotherssupposedsharein
theintestateestateofthedecedent.
H:JuanitaisnotalegalheirofTeodorosincethereisno
reciprocalsuccessionbetweenlegitimateandillegitimate
relatives.Theruleisbasedonthetheorythatthe
illegitimatechildisdisgracefullylookeduponbythe
legitimatefamily,whilethelatteris,inturn,hatedbythe
illegitimatechild.
LeonardovsCourtofAppeals(1983)
F:PetitionerCresenciano,claimingtobethesonofthelate
Sotero,soughttobedeclaredoneofthelawfulheirsof
decedentwhoisthegrandfatherofSotero.
H:Atmost,petitionerwouldbeanillegitimatechildwho
hasnorighttoinheritinabintestatofromthelegitimate
childrenandrelativesofhisfather,likethedeceased.
Diazvs.IAC(1987)
Page 58 of 73

F:Thecaseinvolvesadisputebetweenthepetitioners,the
illegitimatechildrenofdecedentssonPabloSantero,and
thedecedentsnieceFelisaPamutiJardin,astowhocould
legallyinheritfromthedecedent.Petitionersallegethat
theycouldinheritbyrightofrepresentationoftheir
father,whoisalegitimatechildofthedecedent.
H:SCheldthelegalheirtobetheniece.TheNewCivil
Codestilldoesnotconfertoillegitimatechildrentheright
torepresenttheirparentsintheinheritanceoftheir
legitimategrandparents,eveniftheNewCivilCodehave
madeillegitimatechildrenascompulsoryprimaryheirs
underArt.887.
Diazvs.IAC(1990)
F:AsecondMRfromtheearlier1987case.Issuehereis
doesthetermrelativesinArt.992includethelegitimate
parentsofthefatherormotheroftheillegitimate
children?MaytheseillegitimatechildrenofPablo(father)
inheritfromSimona(grandmother),byrightof
representationoftheirfatherPablowhowasalegitimate
son?
H:Art.992prohibitsabsolutelyasuccessionabintestato
betweenanillegitimatechildandthelegitimatechildren
andrelativesofthefatherormotherofsaidlegitimate
child.
Art.993.Ifanillegitimatechildshoulddiewithoutissue,
eitherlegitimateorillegitimate,hisfatherormothershall
succeedtohisentireestate;andifthechild'sfiliationis
dulyprovedastobothparents,whoarebothliving,they
shallinheritfromhimshareandsharealike.(944)
Art.994.Indefaultofthefatherormother,anillegitimate
childshallbesucceededbyhisorhersurvivingspouse
whoshallbeentitledtotheentireestate.
Ifthewidoworwidowershouldsurvivewithbrothersand
sisters,nephewsandnieces,sheorheshallinherittone
halfoftheestate,andthelattertheotherhalf.(945a)
Balane:
Accordingtojurisprudence,whenthelawspeaks
ofbrothersandsisters,nephewsandniecesas
legalheirsofanillegitimatechild,itrefersto
illegitimatebrothersandsistersaswellasthe
children,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate,of
suchbrothersandsisters.
2.4. Surviving Spouse
Art.995.Intheabsenceoflegitimatedescendantsand
ascendants,andillegitimatechildrenandtheir
descendants,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate,the
survivingspouseshallinherittheentireestate,without
prejudicetotherightsofbrothersandsisters,nephews
andnieces,shouldtherebeany,underarticle1001.
(946a)
Art.996.Ifawidoworwidowerandlegitimatechildren
ordescendantsareleft,thesurvivingspousehasinthe
successionthesameshareasthatofeachofthechildren.
(834a)

Balane:
Thisruleholdsevenifthereisonlyone
legitimatechild,inwhichcasethechildandthe
survivingspousewilldividetheestateequally.
Santillonvs.Miranda(1965)
F:Howshalltheestateofapersonwhodiesintestatebe
dividedwhentheonlysurvivorsarethespouseandone
legitimatechild?ThesonisclaimingthatArt.892should
beappliedwhilethewifestatesthatthedivisionis
betweenthem.
H:SCruledforthewife.Art.996whichappliesin
intestacyshouldberead:Ifthewidoworwidoweranda
legitimatechildareleft,thesurvivingspousehasthesame
shareasthatofthechild.
Art.997.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswith
legitimateparentsorascendants,thesurvivingspouse
shallbeentitledtoonehalfoftheestate,andthe
legitimateparentsorascendantstotheotherhalf.(836a)
Art.998.Ifawidoworwidowersurviveswithillegitimate
children,suchwidoworwidowershallbeentitledtoone
halfoftheinheritance,andtheillegitimatechildrenor
theirdescendants,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate,to
theotherhalf.(n)
Art.999.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswith
legitimatechildrenortheirdescendantsandillegitimate
childrenortheirdescendants,whetherlegitimateor
illegitimate,suchwidoworwidowershallbeentitledto
thesameshareasthatofalegitimatechild.(n)
Art.1000.Iflegitimateascendants,thesurvivingspouse,
andillegitimatechildrenareleft,theascendantsshallbe
entitledtoonehalfoftheinheritance,andtheotherhalf
shallbedividedbetweenthesurvivingspouseandthe
illegitimatechildrensothatsuchwidoworwidowershall
haveonefourthoftheestate,andtheillegitimatechildren
theotherfourth.(841a)
Art.1001.Shouldbrothersandsistersortheirchildren
survivewiththewidoworwidower,thelattershallbe
entitledtoonehalfoftheinheritanceandthebrothers
andsistersortheirchildrentotheotherhalf.(953,837a)
Art.1002.Incaseofalegalseparation,ifthesurviving
spousegavecausefortheseparation,heorsheshallnot
haveanyoftherightsgrantedintheprecedingarticles.(n)
2.5. Collateral Relatives
Art.1003.Iftherearenodescendants,ascendants,
illegitimatechildren,orasurvivingspouse,thecollateral
relativesshallsucceedtotheentireestateofthedeceased
inaccordancewiththefollowingarticles.(946a)
Art.1004.Shouldtheonlysurvivorsbebrothersand
sistersofthefullblood,theyshallinheritinequalshares.
(947)
Art.1005.Shouldbrothersandsisterssurvivetogether
withnephewsandnieces,whoarethechildrenofthe
Page 59 of 73
descendant'sbrothersandsistersofthefullblood,the
formershallinheritpercapita,andthelatterperstirpes.
(948)
Art.1006.Shouldbrotherandsistersofthefullblood
survivetogetherwithbrothersandsistersofthehalf
blood,theformershallbeentitledtoasharedoublethat
ofthelatter.(949)
Art.1007.Incasebrothersandsistersofthehalfblood,
someonthefather'sandsomeonthemother'sside,are
theonlysurvivors,allshallinheritinequalshareswithout
distinctionastotheoriginoftheproperty.(950)
Art.1008.Childrenofbrothersandsistersofthehalf
bloodshallsucceedpercapitaorperstirpes,in
accordancewiththeruleslaiddownforthebrothersand
sistersofthefullblood.(915)
Art.1009.Shouldtherebeneitherbrothersnorsisters
norchildrenofbrothersorsisters,theothercollateral
relativesshallsucceedtotheestate.
Thelattershallsucceedwithoutdistinctionoflinesor
preferenceamongthembyreasonofrelationshipbythe
wholeblood.(954a)
Art.1010.Therighttoinheritabintestatoshallnot
extendbeyondthefifthdegreeofrelationshipinthe
collateralline.(955a)
2.6. The State
Art.1011.Indefaultofpersonsentitledtosucceedin
accordancewiththeprovisionsoftheprecedingSections,
theStateshallinheritthewholeestate.(956a)
Art.1012.InorderthattheStatemaytakepossessionof
thepropertymentionedintheprecedingarticle,the
pertinentprovisionsoftheRulesofCourtmustbe
observed.(958a)
Art.1013.Afterthepaymentofdebtsandcharges,the
personalpropertyshallbeassignedtothemunicipalityor
citywherethedeceasedlastresidedinthePhilippines,
andtherealestatetothemunicipalitiesorcities,
respectively,inwhichthesameissituated.
IfthedeceasedneverresidedinthePhilippines,thewhole
estateshallbeassignedtotherespectivemunicipalitiesor
citieswherethesameislocated.
Suchestateshallbeforthebenefitofpublicschools,and
publiccharitableinstitutionsandcenters,insuch
municipalitiesorcities.Thecourtshalldistributethe
estateastherespectiveneedsofeachbeneficiarymay
warrant.
Thecourt,attheinstanceofaninterestedparty,oronits
ownmotion,mayordertheestablishmentofapermanent
trust,sothatonlytheincomefromthepropertyshallbe
used.(956a)
IV.
Provisions Common to Testate and
Intestate Succession
1.
Right of Accretion
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
renouncesorcannotreceivehisshare,orwhodiedbefore
the testator, is added or incorporated to that of his co
heirs,codevisees,orcolegatees.(n)
Art. 1016. In order that the right of accretion may take

placeinatestamentarysuccession,itshallbenecessary:
(1) That two or more persons be called to the same

inheritance, or to the same portion thereof, pro indiviso;
and
(2) That one of the persons thus called die before the
testator,orrenouncetheinheritance,orbeincapacitated
toreceiveit.(928a)
Accretion
a. Definition(Art.1015)
Occasionsfortheoperationofaccretion:
Renunciation
Predecease
Incapacity
b. Elements(Art.1016)
Proindivisoasundividedorincommon;doesnot
importequality
Ex:
IgivemyportiontoA,BandC
Igive1/8ofmyestatetoA,BandC
Cantherebeaccretionifthesharesarenotequal?
Ex:Atoget,Btoget1/3,andCtoget1/6
Tolentino:NO.Mustbeequal.
Sir:Yes,itispossible.SeeArt.1019,which
contemplatesunequalshares.
Art. 1017. The words "onehalf for each" or "in equal

shares" or any others which, though designating an
aliquotpart,donotidentifyitbysuchdescriptionasshall
make each heir the exclusive owner of determinate
property,shallnotexcludetherightofaccretion.
In case of money or fungible goods, if the share of each

heir is not earmarked, there shall be a right of accretion.
(983a)
Art. 1018. In legal succession the share of the person

whorepudiatestheinheritanceshallalwaysaccruetohis
coheirs.(981)
Inintestacy,accretionoccurs:(RIP)
a. Inrepudiationorrenunciation
b. Inpredecease,onlyifrepresentationdoesnot
takeplace
c. Inincapacityorunworthiness,onlyif
representationdoesnottakeplace
Thecoheirsinwhosefavoraccretionoccursmustbeco
heirsinthesamecategoryastheexcludedheir.
Page 60 of 73
Art. 1019. The heirs to whom the portion goes by the

rightofaccretiontakeitinthesameproportionthatthey
inherit.(n)
Art. 1020. The heirs to whom the inheritance accrues

shall succeed to all the rights and obligations which the
heir who renounced or could not receive it would have
had.(984)
Exceptions:
a. Intestamentarysuccession,ifthetestator
providesotherwise
b. Iftheobligationispurelypersonal,andhence,
intransmissible
Art. 1021. Among the compulsory heirs the right of

accretionshalltakeplaceonlywhenthefreeportionisleft
to two or more of them, or to any one of them and to a
stranger.
Shouldthepartrepudiatedbethelegitime,theotherco
heirsshallsucceedtoitintheirownright,andnotbythe
rightofaccretion.(985)
Inwhatkindsofsuccessiondoesaccretiontakeplace?
1) Testamentarysuccession
2) Intestatesuccession
Notcompulsory(refertopar.2,Art.1021)
Art. 1022. In testamentary succession, when the right of

accretion does not take place, the vacant portion of the
institutedheirs,ifnosubstitutehasbeendesignated,shall
passtothelegalheirsofthetestator,whoshallreceiveit
withthesamechargesandobligations.(986)
Intestamentarysuccession,accretionissubordinateto
substitution,ifthetestatorhassoprovided.
Substitutionexpressintent
Accretionimpliedintent
Nosubstitution,Noaccretion:Vacantpartwilllapseinto
intestacyandbedisposedofaccordingly
2. Capacity to Succeed by Will or by Intestacy

Art.1024.Personsnotincapacitatedbylawmaysucceed
bywillorabintestato.
The provisions relating to incapacity by will are equally

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

devisee or legatee must be living at the moment the

successionopens,exceptincaseofrepresentation,whenit
isproper.
A child already conceived at the time of the death of the

decedent is capable of succeeding provided it be born
laterundertheconditionsprescribedinarticle41.(n)
Par.1iswrong;thereisnoexception.
NaturalPersons:Requirementforcapacitytosucceed:
Mustbelivingwhensuccessionopens
SeeArts.40and41oftheCivilCode
Living:alreadyconceivedwhendecedentdies,
provideditbebornlater
Whensuccessionopens:Decedentsdeath
Ifinstitutionissubjecttoasuspensivecondition:Must
belivingbothwhendecedentdiesandwhenthecondition
happens.
Ifinstitutionissubjecttoasuspensiveterm:Mustbe
livingwhendecedentdies
Exception:None
ParishPriestofRomanCatholicChurchofVictoria,
Tarlacvs.Rigor(1979)
F:Testatorintendedtodevisehisricelandtohisnearest
malerelativewhowouldbecomeapriestafterhisdeath.
There was an ambiguity as to whether he contemplated
only his nearest male relative at the time of his death or
any of his nearest male relatives at any time after the
same.
H: The bequest refers to the testators nearest male

relative living at the time of his death and not to any
indefinitetimethereafter.
Art. 1026. A testamentary disposition may be made to

the State, provinces, municipal corporations, private
corporations, organizations, or associations for religious,
scientific,cultural,educational,orcharitablepurposes.
All other corporations or entities may succeed under a

will, unless there is a provision to the contrary in their
charterorthelawsoftheircreation,andalwayssubjectto
thesame.(746a)
JuridicalPersons:Requirementforcapacitytosucceed:
Mustexistasajuridicalpersonwhenthedecedentdies.
(1)TheStateanditspoliticalsubdivisions
State:musthaveacquiredthe4elements
territory,people,government,sovereignty
Localgovernmentunit:musthavebeencreated
bylaw
(2)Othercorporations,institutionsandentitiesforpublic
interestorpurpose,createdbylaw
theirpersonalitybeginsassoonastheyhave
beenconstitutedaccordingtolaw;
Page 61 of 73
(3)Corporations,partnershipsandassociationsfor
privateinterestorpurpose
Corporation:musthavebeencreatedin
accordancewiththeCorporationCode
Partnership:partnersmusthaveagreed(except
whenrealpropertyiscontributed,whereyoull
needapublicinstrument
ExceptfortheState,Juridicalpersonscannotsucceedby
legitimeorintestacy.
Art.1027.Thefollowingareincapableofsucceeding:
(1) The priest who heard the confession of the testator

during his last illness, or the minister of the gospel who
extendedspiritualaidtohimduringthesameperiod;
(2) The relatives of such priest or minister of the gospel

within the fourth degree, the church, order, chapter,
community, organization, or institution to which such
priestorministermaybelong;
(3) A guardian with respect to testamentary dispositions

given by a ward in his favor before the final accounts of
theguardianshiphavebeenapproved,evenifthetestator
should die after the approval thereof; nevertheless, any
provisionmadebythewardinfavoroftheguardianwhen
the latter is his ascendant, descendant, brother, sister, or
spouse,shallbevalid;
(4) Any attesting witness to the execution of a will, the

spouse, parents, or children, or any one claiming under
suchwitness,spouse,parents,orchildren;
(5) Any physician, surgeon, nurse, health officer or

druggist who took care of the testator during his last
illness;
(6) Individuals, associations and corporations not

permittedbylawtoinherit.(745,752,753,754a)
Par.15:
Applyonlytonaturalpersons
Applicable in testamentary succession, not to

legitimeorintestacy
Rationale: The law seeks to prevent possible

abuseofmoralorspiritualascendancy
Duress or influence is conclusively presumed;

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

ministersetc.belongingtoreligions,sectsor
cults,whoseofficeorfunctionitistoextend
the peculiar spiritual ministrations of their
creed
Requisites:
a. Will must have been executed during
thetestatorslastillness
b. Spiritual ministration must have
extendedduringthelastillness
c. Willmusthavebeenexecutedduringor
afterthespiritualministration

Amakesawillinfavorofhispastor.Later,hebecomes
seriously ill, and calls the pastor for spiritual
ministration.Adies.Isthepastordisqualified?No.
Proper sequence: A is dying Summons pastor

Spiritual ministration During or After spiritual
ministration,hemakesawill,withadispositioninfavorof
thepastorAdies
Does the prohibition apply to ministers of religions

otherthantheChristiandenomination?
Yes,ifsuchreligionhasacounterpart(someonewhogives
spiritualministration)
Par.2 Purpose:
To
prevent
indirect
violationsorcircumventionsofPar.1
SupposeBsummonsapriest,whoisalsohisson,andhe
makesadispositioninhiswill,inhissonsfavor.Bsson
is disqualified from receiving the terstamentary
disposition,butnottohislegitime.
Par.3
Requisite:Willmusthavebeenexecutedby
the ward during the effectivity of the
guardianship
Towhomapplicable:Guardiansofpersons
andproperty
Exception: Guardian who is also an

ascendant, descendant, brother, sister or
spouseofwardtestator
Note: the provision does not exclude the relatives of the

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

the witness may be qualified if there are 3
otherwitnesses
Par.5
Scope of prohibition: Person must have

takencareofthetestatorduringthelatters
finalillness
Taking care means medical attendance

withsomeregularityorcontinuity
Par.6: Total disqualification; Should be a separate

article
Art. 1028. The prohibitions mentioned in article 739,

concerning donations inter vivos shall apply to
testamentaryprovisions.(n)
Art. 1029. Should the testator dispose of the whole or

part of his property for prayers and pious works for the
benefitofhissoul,ingeneraltermsandwithoutspecifying
its application, the executor, with the court's approval
shalldeliveronehalfthereoforitsproceedstothechurch
or denomination to which the testator may belong, to be
usedforsuchprayersandpiousworks,andtheotherhalf
to the State, for the purposes mentioned in Article 1013.
(747a)
Page 62 of 73

Requisites:
a. Disposition for prayers and pious works for the
benefitofthetestatorssoul
b. Nospecificationofapplicationofdisposition
Apportionmentofdispositionoritsproceeds:
to the church or denomination to which the

testatorbelonged
totheState(seeArt.1013)
Art.1030.Testamentaryprovisionsinfavorofthepoorin
general, without designation of particular persons or of
anycommunity,shallbedeemedlimitedtothepoorliving
in the domicile of the testator at the time of his death,
unless it should clearly appear that his intention was
otherwise.
Thedesignationofthepersonswhoaretobeconsidered
aspoorandthedistributionofthepropertyshallbemade
by the person appointed by the testator for the purpose;
in default of such person, by the executor, and should
there be no executor, by the justice of the peace, the
mayor,andthemunicipaltreasurer,whoshalldecidebya
majorityofvotesallquestionsthatmayarise.Inallthese
cases, the approval of the Court of First Instance shall be
necessary.
The preceding paragraph shall apply when the testator

has disposed of his property in favor of the poor of a
definitelocality.(749a)
Beneficiaries:Thepoor
Par.1referstothepoorofthetestatorsdomicile,unless
excludedbythetestatorinhiswill.
Who determines the individual beneficiaries within the

classdesignatedbythetestator?AEA
a. Person authorized by the testator, or in his
default
b. Executor,orinhisdefault
c. Administator
Art. 1031. A testamentary provision in favor of a

disqualifiedperson,eventhoughmadeundertheguiseof
an onerous contract, or made through an intermediary,
shallbevoid.(755)
Effect of simulation or circumvention: Disposition is

void, hence ineffective as to the intended beneficiary and
theintermediary.
Intestateheirs,towhomthepropertywouldgo,havethe
righttoclaimthenullity.
Art. 1032. The following are incapable of succeeding by

reasonofunworthiness:
(1) Parents who have abandoned their children or

inducedtheirdaughterstoleadacorruptorimmorallife,
orattemptedagainsttheirvirtue;
(2) Any person who has been convicted of an attempt

against the life of the testator, his or her spouse,

descendants,orascendants;
(3)Anypersonwhohasaccusedthetestatorofacrimefor
which the law prescribes imprisonment for six years or
more,iftheaccusationhasbeenfoundgroundless;
(4) Any heir of full age who, having knowledge of the

violentdeathofthetestator,shouldfailtoreportittoan
officer of the law within a month, unless the authorities
havealreadytakenaction;thisprohibitionshallnotapply
to cases wherein, according to law, there is no obligation
tomakeanaccusation;
(5)Anypersonconvictedofadulteryorconcubinagewith
thespouseofthetestator;
(6) Any person who by fraud, violence, intimidation, or

undue influence should cause the testator to make a will
ortochangeonealreadymade;
(7)Anypersonwhobythesamemeanspreventsanother
frommakingawill,orfromrevokingonealreadymade,or
whosupplants,conceals,oraltersthelatter'swill;
(8) Any person who falsifies or forges a supposed will of

thedecedent.(756,673,674a)
Application:allkindsofsuccession
Groundsforunworthiness:
Pars. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6: see discussion under Art. 919 (as
groundsfordisinheritance)
Par.4:
a. Heir has knowledge of violent death of the
decedent
b. Heirisoflegalage
c. Heir fails to report it to all officer of the law
withinamonthafterlearningofit
d. Authoritieshavenotyettakenaction
e. Legal obligation for the heir to make an
accusation
Effect of Unworthiness: Total disqualification by any

formofsuccession
Art. 1033. The cause of unworthiness shall be without

effectifthetestatorhadknowledgethereofatthetimehe
made the will, or if, having known of them subsequently,
heshouldcondonetheminwriting.(757a)
2waystorestorecapacity:
a. Writtencondonation
b. Execution by the offended party of a will with
knowledgeofthecauseofunworthiness(thewill
mustalsoinstitutetheunworthyheirorrestore
himtocapacity)
How to reconcile common grounds for Unworthiness

andDisinheritance(Arts.1033and922):
a. If offended party does not make a will
subsequent to the occurrence of the common
cause:Art.1033applies
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b.
Ifoffendedpartymakesawillsubsequenttothe
occurrenceofthecommoncause:
Ifheknewofthecause
1) IfhedisinheritsapplyArt.922
2) If he institutes or pardons the offender
restoredtocapacity
3) Ifwillissilentunworthinessstays
If he did not know of the cause unworthiness

stays
Art. 1034. In order to judge the capacity of the heir,

devisee or legatee, his qualification at the time of the
deathofthedecedentshallbethecriterion.
IncasesfallingunderNos.2,3,or5ofArticle1032,itshall
benecessarytowaituntilfinaljudgmentisrendered,and
inthecasefallingunderNo.4,theexpirationofthemonth
allowedforthereport.
If the institution, devise or legacy should be conditional,

thetimeofthecompliancewiththeconditionshallalsobe
considered.(758a)
Whencapacityistobedetermined:
Gen.Rule:Timeofdecedentsdeath
Ifinstitutionissubjecttoasuspensivecondition:
a. Timeofdecedentsdeath,and
b. Timeofhappeningofcondition
If final judgment is a requisite of unworthiness: Time

offinaljudgment
Art.1035.Ifthepersonexcludedfromtheinheritanceby
reasonofincapacityshouldbeachildordescendantofthe
decedent and should have children or descendants, the
lattershallacquirehisrighttothelegitime.
The person so excluded shall not enjoy the usufruct and

administration of the property thus inherited by his
children.(761a)
ExtentofRepresentation:Legitimeandintestacy
Representation in the collateral line: If the unworthy

heir is a brother or sister, his children (nephews and
niecesofthedecedent)willrepresent
Art.1036.Alienationsofhereditaryproperty,andactsof
administrationperformedbytheexcludedheir,beforethe
judicialorderofexclusion,arevalidastothethirdpersons
whoactedingoodfaith;butthecoheirsshallhavearight
torecoverdamagesfromthedisqualifiedheir.(n)
ThisappliestheDoctrineofInnocentPurchaserforValue
without prejudice to the right to damages of the
prejudicedheirsagainsttheincapacitatedheir.
Art. 1037. The unworthy heir who is excluded from the

succession has a right to demand indemnity or any
expenses incurred in the preservation of the hereditary
property, and to enforce such credits as he may have
againsttheestate.(n)

This article grants a right of reimbursement of necessary

expensestotheexcludedheir.
Art. 1038. Any person incapable of succession, who,

disregarding the prohibition stated in the preceding
articles, entered into the possession of the hereditary
property, shall be obliged to return it together it its
accessions.
Heshallbeliableforallthefruitsandrentshemayhave
received, or could have received through the exercise of
duediligence.(760a)
Disqualifiedheirhereisapossessorinbadfaith.
a. Obligationtoreturn,withaccessions
b. Liabilityforfruitswhichwerereceivedandcould
havebeenreceived
Art. 1039. Capacity to succeed is governed by the law of

thenationofthedecedent.(n)
Art. 1040. The action for a declaration of incapacity and

for the recovery of the inheritance, devise or legacy shall
bebroughtwithinfiveyearsfromthetimethedisqualified
persontookpossessionthereof.Itmaybebroughtbyany
onewhomayhaveaninterestinthesuccession.(762a)
The right of heir to recover the inheritance must be

exercisedwithin5years.
5yearprescriptiveperiodappliesto:
a. thedeclarationofincapacityoftheheir
b. the recovery of the inheritance or portion
thereofwrongfullypossessedbythedisqualified
heir.
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.
(988)
Art. 1042. The effects of the acceptance or repudiation

shall always retroact to the moment of the death of the
decedent.(989)
Retroactivity:
a. Of acceptance successor will be deemed to
have owned and possessed the property from
themomentofdecedentsdeath
b. Ofrenunciationsubstitute,coheirorintestate
heir who gets the property in default of the
renouncer, is deemed to have owned and
possessed it from the moment of decedents
death
c. Conditionalinstitutions
1) Condition happens Property passes with
retroactiveeffect
2) Condition does not happen Property goes
totheappropriatesuccessor,withthesame
retroactiveeffect
Art. 1043. No person may accept or repudiate an
Page 64 of 73
inheritanceunlessheiscertainofthedeathoftheperson
from whom he is to inherit, and of his right to the
inheritance.(991)
Articlerequires:
a. Certaintyofdeath
b. Establishedrighttoinherit
Art. 1044. Any person having the free disposal of his

propertymayacceptorrepudiateaninheritance.
Any inheritance left to minors or incapacitated persons

maybeacceptedbytheirparentsorguardians.Parentsor
guardians may repudiate the inheritance left to their
wardsonlybyjudicialauthorization.
The right to accept an inheritance left to the poor shall

belong to the persons designated by the testator to
determinethebeneficiariesanddistributetheproperty,or
intheirdefault,tothosementionedinArticle1030.(992a)
Art. 1045. The lawful representatives of corporations,

associations, institutions and entities qualified to acquire
propertymayacceptanyinheritancelefttothelatter,but
inordertorepudiateit,theapprovalofthecourtshallbe
necessary.(993a)
Art. 1046. Public official establishments can neither

acceptnorrepudiateaninheritancewithouttheapproval
ofthegovernment.(994)
Art. 1047. A married woman of age may repudiate an

inheritancewithouttheconsentofherhusband.(995a)
Art.1048.Deafmuteswhocanreadandwritemayaccept
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
guardiansmayrepudiatethesamewithjudicialapproval.
(996a)
Accept
Repudiate
Parentsorguardians
Yes
Yes*
Authorizedperson
Yes
No
Lawful
Yes
Yes*
representatives
Publicofficial
Yes,butonlywithapprovalof
establishments
government
Marriedperson(w/o
Yes
Yes
spousesconsent)
Deafmuteswhocan
Yes,personallyorthroughan
readandwrite
agent
Deafmuteswho
Yes,through
Yes,through
cannotreadand
theirguardians
their
write
guardians*
*Requiresjudicialauthorization
Art.1049.Acceptancemaybeexpressortacit.
Anexpressacceptancemustbemadeinapublicorprivate
document.
Atacitacceptanceisoneresultingfromactsbywhichthe
intention to accept is necessarily implied, or which one
wouldhavenorighttodoexceptinthecapacityofanheir.

Acts of mere preservation or provisional administration

do not imply an acceptance of the inheritance if, through
such acts, the title or capacity of an heir has not been
assumed.(999a)
Kindsofacceptance:
a. Express
1) Publicdocument
2) Privatewriting
b. Tacit
c. Implied
Art.1050.Aninheritanceisdeemedaccepted:
(1) If the heirs sells, donates, or assigns his right to a

stranger,ortohiscoheirs,ortoanyofthem;
(2) If the heir renounces the same, even though

gratuitously,forthebenefitofoneormoreofhiscoheirs;
(3)Ifherenouncesitforapriceinfavorofallhiscoheirs
indiscriminately; but if this renunciation should be
gratuitous,andthecoheirsinwhosefavoritismadeare
those upon whom the portion renounced should devolve
byvirtueofaccretion,theinheritanceshallnotbedeemed
asaccepted.(1000)
Tacit acceptance is inferred from acts of ownership

performedbytheheirovertheproperty.
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
testamentaryorintestateproceedings.(1008)
Formofrenunciation:
a. Publicorauthentic(genuine)instrument
b. Petitionfiledinthesettlementproceedings
Art. 1052. If the heir repudiates the inheritance to the

prejudiceofhisowncreditors,thelattermaypetitionthe
court to authorize them to accept it in the name of the
heir.
The acceptance shall benefit the creditors only to an

extentsufficienttocovertheamountoftheircredits.The
excess,shouldtherebeany,shallinnocasepertaintothe
renouncer, but shall be adjudicated to the persons to
whom, in accordance with the rules established in this
Code,itmaybelong.(1001)
This is an instance of accion pauliana, which is the right

given to creditors to impugn or set aside contracts,
transactions or dispositions of their debtors which will
prejudiceordefraudthem.
Extentofrightofcreditortoaccepttheinheritancein
the name of the debtor: Only to the amount or value
necessarytosatisfythecredit
Art.1053.Iftheheirshoulddiewithouthavingaccepted
or repudiated the inheritance his right shall be
transmittedtohisheirs.(1006)
Art. 1054. Should there be several heirs called to the
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inheritance,someofthemmayacceptandtheothersmay
repudiateit.(1007a)
Their right to accept or repudiate corresponds to the

aliquotsharetowhichtheyareentitled.
Art. 1055. If a person, who is called to the same

inheritanceasanheirbywillandabintestato,repudiates
theinheritanceinhiscapacityasatestamentaryheir,heis
understoodtohaverepudiateditinbothcapacities.
Should he repudiate it as an intestate heir, without

knowledge of his being a testamentary heir, he may still
acceptitinthelattercapacity.(1009)
Rationale: The testamentary disposition is the express

will of the testator, whereas intestacy is only his implied
will. One who renounces the express will is deemed to
have renounced the implied also, but not the other way
around.
Ruledoesnotapplytolegitime.
Art. 1056. The acceptance or repudiation of an

inheritance, once made, is irrevocable, and cannot be
impugned, except when it was made through any of the
causes that vitiate consent, or when an unknown will
appears.(997)
Gen. Rule: Acceptance or repudiation of inheritance is

irrevocable
Exceptions:
a. Factors vitiating consent are present FIVUM
(fraud, intimidation, undue influence, mistake,
fraud)
b. Appearance of an unknown will (which is valid
andadmittedtoprobate)
Art.1057.Withinthirtydaysafterthecourthasissuedan
orderforthedistributionoftheestateinaccordancewith
the Rules of Court, the heirs, devisees and legatees shall
signify to the court having jurisdiction whether they
acceptorrepudiatetheinheritance.
Iftheydonotdosowithinthattime,theyaredeemedto
haveacceptedtheinheritance.(n)
Implied acceptance failure to signify acceptance or

renunciationwithinthe30dayperiod
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
personsshallbegovernedbytheRulesofCourt.(n)
Art.1059.Iftheassetsoftheestateofadecedentwhich
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, providedthat
the expenses referred to in Article 2244, No. 8, shall be
those involved in the administration of the decedent's
estate.(n)

Art. 1060. A corporation or association authorized to

conductthebusinessofatrustcompanyinthePhilippines
maybeappointedasanexecutor,administrator,guardian
ofanestate,ortrustee,inlikemannerasanindividual;but
itshallnotbeappointedguardianofthepersonofaward.
(n)
SeeRules7890oftheRulesofCourt
5. Collation
3meaningsofcollation:
1. Ascomputationaddallavailableassets,deduct
debts, and add the donations to get the net
hereditaryestate
Arts.1061,1067,1071,1072
2. As imputation determine if the donation is

chargeable/imputable to the legitime or free
portion
Arts.10621066,1068,1069,10711073
3. AsreturnIfdonationtoastrangerexceedsthe
free portion, he would have to give back to the
estate as much as is needed to complete the
legitimes
Arts.1075,1076
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
fromthedecedent,duringthelifetimeofthelatter,byway
of donation, or any other gratuitous title, in order that it
may be computed in the determination of the legitime of
eachheir,andintheaccountofthepartition.(1035a)
Donations inter vivos made to compulsory heirs AND

strangers
Valueofdonation:Atthetimedonationwasmade
Art. 1062. Collation shall not take place among

compulsory heirs if the donor should have so expressly
provided,orifthedoneeshouldrepudiatetheinheritance,
unless the donation should be reduced as inofficious.
(1036)
Gen. Rule: Donations inter vivos to compulsory heirs

should be imputed to the heirs legitime (considered an
advancetothelegitime)
Exceptions:
a. Donorprovidesotherwise
b. Doneerenouncestheinheritance
Instances when donations inter vivos are to be

imputedtothefreeportion:
a. Whenmadetostrangers
b. When made to compulsory heirs and the donor
soprovides
c. When made to compulsory heirs who renounce
theinheritance
d. Wheninexcessofthecompulsoryheirslegitime,
astotheexcess
Art. 1063. Property left by will is not deemed subject to

collation, if the testator has not otherwise provided, but
Page 66 of 73
thelegitimeshallinanycaseremainunimpaired.(1037)
Gen.Rule:Testamentarydispostionstocompulsoryheirs
should not be imputed to the legitime, but to the free
portion
Exception:Ifthetestatorprovidesotherwise
Art. 1064. When the grandchildren, who survive with

their uncles, aunts, or cousins, inherit from their
grandparentsinrepresentationoftheirfatherormother,
theyshallbringtocollationallthattheirparents,ifalive,
would have been obliged to bring, even though such
grandchildrenhavenotinheritedtheproperty.
They shall also bring to collation all that they may have
receivedfromthedecedentduringhislifetime,unlessthe
testatorhasprovidedotherwise,inwhichcasehiswishes
must be respected, if the legitime of the coheirs is not
prejudiced.(1038)
Grandchildrenhavetoimputetotheirlegitime:
a. Whatever the parent whom they are
representingwouldhavebeenobligedtocollate;
and
b. Whatever they themselves have received from
the grandparent by gratuitous title (subject to
therulesandexceptionsunderArt.1062)
Art.1065.Parentsarenotobligedtobringtocollationin
the inheritance of their ascendants any property which
may have been donated by the latter to their children.
(1039)
Donationtothegrandchildshouldbeimputedtothefree
portion,sinceitisadonationtoastranger.
Art. 1066. Neither shall donations to the spouse of the

child be brought to collation; but if they have been given
by the parent to the spouses jointly, the child shall be
obligedtobringtocollationonehalfofthethingdonated.
(1040)
Donationgiventothechildsspousewillnotbeimputedto
thechildslegitime,asitisadonationmadetoastranger.
Treatmentofdonationsmadetothespousesjointly:
belongstothedonorschild(Art.1062)
belongs to the childs spouse (donation to

stranger)
Art. 1067. Expenses for support, education, medical

attendance, even in extraordinary illness, apprenticeship,
ordinaryequipment,orcustomarygiftsarenotsubjectto
collation.(1041)
Support defined in Art. 194, Family Code; does not

include expenses for the recipients professional,
vocationalorothercareer
Art. 1068. Expenses incurred by the parents in giving

their children a professional, vocational or other career
shall not be brought to collation unless the parents so
provide,orunlesstheyimpairthelegitime;butwhentheir
collationisrequired,thesumwhichthechildwouldhave

spent if he had lived in the house and company of his

parentsshallbedeductedtherefrom.(1042a)
Gen. Rule: Expenses for the childs professional,

vocational,orothercareer,arenotinofficious;shouldnot
bechargedagainsttherecipientslegitime,butagainstthe
freeportion
Exception:Iftheparentsprovideotherwise
Art.1069.Anysumspaidbyaparentinsatisfactionofthe
debtsofhischildren,electionexpenses,fines,andsimilar
expensesshallbebroughttocollation.(1043a)
Donationsbytheparenttothechildshouldbetreatedlike
otherdonationstocompulsoryheirsunderArt.1062.
Art. 1070. Wedding gifts by parents and ascendants

consisting of jewelry, clothing, and outfit, shall not be
reduced as inofficious except insofar as they may exceed
onetenthofthesumwhichisdisposablebywill.(1044)
Wedding gifts in excess of 1/10 of the free portion are

inofficious.
Art.1071.Thesamethingsdonatedarenottobebrought
tocollationandpartition,butonlytheirvalueatthetime
ofthedonation,eventhoughtheirjustvaluemaynotthen
havebeenassessed.
Theirsubsequentincreaseordeteriorationandeventheir
totallossordestruction,beitaccidentalorculpable,shall
be for the benefit or account and risk of the donee.
(1045a)
Value to be computed and imputed: the value of thing

donatedatthetimedonationwasmade
Reason: Any appreciation or depreciation of the thing

after that time should be for the donees account, since
donationtransfersownershiptohim
Art. 1072. In the collation of a donation made by both

parents,onehalfshallbebroughttotheinheritanceofthe
father,andtheotherhalf,tothatofthemother.Thatgiven
by one alone shall be brought to collation in his or her
inheritance.(1046a)
Joint donation: Pertaining to equal shares to the estates

ofthefatherandmother
Donationbyoneparent:Treatedseparately
Art. 1073. The donee's share of the estate shall be
reduced by an amount equal to that already received by
him;andhiscoheirsshallreceiveanequivalent,asmuch
as possible, in property of the same nature, class and
quality.(1047)
Art. 1074. Should the provisions of the preceding article

beimpracticable,ifthepropertydonatedwasimmovable,
the coheirs shall be entitled to receive its equivalent in
cash or securities, at the rate of quotation; and should
there be neither cash or marketable securities in the
estate,somuchoftheotherpropertyasmaybenecessary
shallbesoldatpublicauction.
Page 67 of 73

If the property donated was movable, the coheirs shall
onlyhavearighttoselectanequivalentofotherpersonal
propertyoftheinheritanceatitsjustprice.(1048)
AppliesifArt.1073isnotpossible.
a. Immovables coheirs entitled to cash or
securities
b. Movables coheirs entitled to similarlyvalued
movable
Art.1075.Thefruitsandinterestofthepropertysubject
tocollationshallnotpertaintotheestateexceptfromthe
dayonwhichthesuccessionisopened.
For the purpose of ascertaining their amount, the fruits

andinterestofthepropertyoftheestateofthesamekind
and quality as that subject to collation shall be made the
standardofassessment.(1049)
Rationale: The obligation to return inofficious donations

to the estate arises at the time succession vests
(decedentsdeath).Fromthattime,thecompulsoryheiris
entitledtothefruits.
Extentofcompulsoryheirsrighttofruits:
a. Entirety of fruits if donation was totally
inofficious
b. Prorated between heir and donee if partially
inofficious
Art. 1076. The coheirs are bound to reimburse to the

donee the necessary expenses which he has incurred for
the preservation of the property donated to him, though
theymaynothaveaugmenteditsvalue.
The donee who collates in kind an immovable which has

beengiventohimmustbereimbursedbyhiscoheirsfor
the improvements which have increased the value of the
property, and which exist at the time the partition if
effected.
As to works made on the estate for the mere pleasure of

thedonee,noreimbursementisduehimforthem;hehas,
however,therighttoremovethem,ifhecandosowithout
injuringtheestate.(n)
Totally
Partially
inofficious
inofficious
Necessary
Reimburseinfull
Partial
reimbursementin
Useful
Reimburseinfull,
proportiontothe
ifimprovement
valuetobe
stillexists
returned
Ornamental Noreimbursement Noreimbursement
Onlyremoval,ifno Onlyremoval*ifno
injurytotheestate injurytotheestate
* If the property is physically divided, and the ornament
happens to be located in the donees portion, donee will
haveallrightsofownership.
Art. 1077. Should any question arise among the coheirs

upontheobligationtobringtocollationorastothethings
which are subject to collation, the distribution of the
estate shall not be interrupted for this reason, provided

adequatesecurityisgiven.(1050)
6. Partition and Distribution of Estate
6.1. Partition
Partition is a judicial proceeding that comprises the

entire settlement of the decedents estate, covered by
Rules73to90oftheRulesofCourt.
1
Decedentdies
2
Coownershipofheirs
overnethereditaryestate
orpartibleestate
3
Subsequentpartitionby:
extrajudicialagreement
(Rule74,Sec.1,RulesofCourt),
OR
throughjudicialorder
inappropriatesettlement
proceedings
(Rule90,RulesofCourt)
Art.1078.Wheretherearetwoormoreheirs,thewhole
estate of the decedent is, before its partition, owned in
commonbysuchheirs,subjecttothepaymentofdebtsof
thedeceased.(n)
Art.1079.Partition,ingeneral,istheseparation,division
andassignmentofathingheldincommonamongthoseto
whomitmaybelong.Thethingitselfmaybedivided,orits
value.(n)
Kindsofpartition:
a. Actualphysicaldivisionofthethingamongthe
coheirs
b. Constructive any act, other than physical
division,whichterminatesthecoownership(ex:
saletoa3rdperson)
Casilangvs.Dizon(2013)
F: The decedents grandchildren petitioned to have Jose

evictedandexecutedadeedofextrajudicialpartitionover
thelot.
H: Jose is the lawful owner of the lot. He and his siblings

wereabletopresentsufficientevidencethattheyentered
intoaverbalpartition,whileRosariowasunabletoshow
anyproofthatherfatherinheritedthelotfromLiborio.
Art.1080.Shouldapersonmakepartitionofhisestateby
an act inter vivos, or by will, such partition shall be
respected, insofar as it does not prejudice the legitime of
thecompulsoryheirs.
Aparentwho,intheinterestofhisorherfamily,desires
to keep any agricultural, industrial, or manufacturing
enterprise intact, may avail himself of the right granted
him in this article, by ordering that the legitime of the
other children to whom the property is not assigned, be
Page 68 of 73
paidincash.(1056a)
PartitionbytheCausante(decedent):
Characteristics:
a. Takeseffectonlyupondeath
b. Revocableaslongasthecausanteisalive(hence,
canbechanged,modifiedorrescinded)
Howmade:
a. Bywill,or
b. Byactintervivos
Inwriting
Inapublicinstrument
Legastovs.Verzosa(1930)
F: During the testatrix's lifetime, she made a partition of

the parcels of land to her heirs by virtue of deeds of
assignment.Howeverprobateofthewillwasdenied.
H: Will is not valid as it was not admitted for probate.

Partition of the testator's estate inter vivos, as
contemplatedintheCivilCode,canonlybevalidlymadein
the presence of a valid will, which is why the (old)
provisionspeaksofa"testator."
Limitation on partition by causante: Legitimes of

compulsoryheirscannotbeimpaired
Art. 1081. A person may, by an act inter vivos or mortis

causa,intrustthemerepowertomakethepartitionafter
hisdeathtoanypersonwhoisnotoneofthecoheirs.
Theprovisionsofthisandoftheprecedingarticleshallbe
observed even should there be among the coheirs a
minor or a person subject to guardianship; but the
mandatary, in such case, shall make an inventory of the
property of the estate, after notifying the coheirs, the
creditors,andthelegateesordevisees.(1057a)
Mandatary cannot be a coheir, to ensure fairness and

impartiality.
Art. 1082. Every act which is intended to put an end to

indivision among coheirs and legatees or devisees is
deemedtobeapartition,althoughitshouldpurporttobe
a sale, and exchange, a compromise, or any other
transaction.(n)
Tuasonvs.Tuason(1951)
F:TheshareofoneoftheTuasonsiblingsinahugeparcel
oflandwassold to Araneta. They executed a MoAwhere
theyagreedthatnocoownershallsellhisinterestinthe
land w/o first giving preference to the other coowners.
Angela argued that the contract is null and void for
violatingCC400.
H: CC400 is not applicable. The contracts provision

preservingthecoownershipuntilalllotshavebeensold,
isamereincidenttothemainobjectofdissolvingtheco
ownership.
Art. 1083. Every coheir has a right to demand the

division of the estate unless the testator should have
expresslyforbiddenitspartition,inwhichcasetheperiod

ofindivisionshallnotexceedtwentyyearsasprovidedin
article494.Thispowerofthetestatortoprohibitdivision
appliestothelegitime.
Even though forbidden by the testator, the coownership

terminateswhenanyofthecausesforwhichpartnership
is dissolved takes place, or when the court finds for
compellingreasonsthatdivisionshouldbeordered,upon
petitionofoneofthecoheirs.(1051a)
Gen.Rule:Anycoheirmaydemandpartitionatanytime
Exceptions:
a. Whenforbiddenbythetestatorforaperiodnot
exceeding20years
Exceptionstotheexception:
Whenanyofthecausesfordissolution
ofapartnershipoccurs
When the court finds compelling

reasonsforpartition
b. When the coheirs agree on indivision for a
periodnotexceeding10years(renewable)
c. Whenthelawprohibitspartition
Art. 1084. Voluntary heirs upon whom some condition

has been imposed cannot demand a partition until the
condition has been fulfilled; but the other coheirs may
demanditbygivingsufficientsecurityfortherightswhich
the former may have in case the condition should be
compliedwith,anduntilitisknownthattheconditionhas
not been fulfilled or can never be complied with, the
partitionshallbeunderstoodtobeprovisional.(1054a)
Rationale: Right as heir vests only when the suspensive

conditionhappens.
Otherheirscandemandparitionafterfurnishingadequate
security.
Art.1085.Inthepartitionoftheestate,equalityshallbe
observedasfaraspossible,dividingthepropertyintolots,
or assigning to each of the coheirs things of the same
nature,qualityandkind.(1061)
Equalityamongcoheirs:
a. Quantitative Shares of coheirs are
determinedbylawandbywill
b. Qualitative The law mandates equality in

nature,kindandquality
Exceptions:
Causantehasmadethepartitionhimself
Coheirsagreeotherwise
Qualitative equality is impossible or

impracticable
Art.1086.Shouldathingbeindivisible,orwouldbemuch
impairedbyitsbeingdivided,itmaybeadjudicatedtoone
oftheheirs,providedheshallpaytheotherstheexcessin
cash.
Nevertheless, if any of the heirs should demand that the

thing be sold at public auction and that strangers be
allowedtobid,thismustbedone.(1062)
Towhomthingmaybesold:
Page 69 of 73
a.
b.
Toa3rdperson,or
Toanyofthecoheirs(ifnoneofthemobject)
Art. 1087. In the partition the coheirs shall reimburse

one another for the income and fruits which each one of
themmayhavereceivedfromanypropertyoftheestate,
for any useful and necessary expenses made upon such
property, and for any damage thereto through malice or
neglect.(1063)
Upon partition, the coheirs shall render a mutual

accountingofbenefitsreceivedandnecessaryanduseful
expensesincurredbyeachofthem.
Art. 1088. Should any of the heirs sell his hereditary

rights to a stranger before the partition, any or all of the
coheirsmaybesubrogatedtotherightsofthepurchaser
byreimbursinghimforthepriceofthesale,providedthey
dosowithintheperiodofonemonthfromthetimethey
werenotifiedinwritingofthesalebythevendor.(1067a)
Rightofredemptiongiventoacoheir
Coheir sold his undivided share or portion in

theestate
Sharewassoldtoastranger
Writtennoticebycoheirstothevendor
Garciavs.Calaliman(1989)
F: There was an extrajudicial partition and deed of sale.

Two groups of heirs sold their shares to Calaliman and
Trabadillo. The heirs of the vendors filed a case against
CalalimanandTrabadilloforlegalredemption.Heirswere
not notified of the sale so they claim the 30 day period
stipulatedinArt1088hasyettobegin.
H: Written notice is required before the period of one

monthfortheothercoheirstoredeembeginstorun.The
redemptioner is entitled to written notice to remove all
uncertaintyastothesale,itstermsanditsvalidity,andto
quietanydoubtthatthealienationisnotdefinitive.
Ifonly1coheirredeems:hewillpaythepurchaseprice
Ifmorethan1willredeem:theywillpayproportionally
totheirshareintheproperty
Art. 1089. The titles of acquisition or ownership of each

property shall be delivered to the coheir to whom said
propertyhasbeenadjudicated.(1065a)
Art.1090.Whenthetitlecomprisestwoormorepiecesof
landwhichhavebeenassignedtotwoormorecoheirs,or
when it covers one piece of land which has been divided
betweentwoormorecoheirs,thetitleshallbedelivered
totheonehavingthelargestinterest,andauthenticcopies
of the title shall be furnished to the other coheirs at the
expenseoftheestate.Iftheinterestofeachcoheirshould
bethesame,theoldestshallhavethetitle.(1066a)
6.2. Effects of Partition
Art.1091.Apartitionlegallymadeconfersuponeachheir
the exclusive ownership of the property adjudicated to
him.(1068)

Obviouseffect:Terminationofcoownership
Art.1092.Afterthepartitionhasbeenmade,thecoheirs
shallbereciprocallyboundtowarrantthetitleto,andthe
qualityof,eachpropertyadjudicated.(1069a)
Obligationofmutualwarranty:Liablefordefectsoftitle
andquality(Art.501)
Warrantiesarethesameasinsales:
a. Eviction(title)
b. Hiddendefects(quality)
Art.1093.Thereciprocalobligationofwarrantyreferred
to in the preceding article shall be proportionate to the
respectivehereditarysharesofthecoheirs,butifanyone
of them should be insolvent, the other coheirs shall be
liable for his part in the same proportion, deducting the
partcorrespondingtotheonewhoshouldbeindemnified.
Thosewhopayfortheinsolventheirshallhavearightof
actionagainsthimforreimbursement,shouldhisfinancial
conditionimprove.(1071)
Proportionalliabilityofcoheirsonwarranty:Burdens
shouldbeproportionaltobenefits
Art.1094.Anactiontoenforcethewarrantyamongheirs
mustbebroughtwithintenyearsfromthedatetheright
ofactionaccrues.(n)
Actiontoenforcewarranty:10years
To be counted from the time the portion was lost or the

hiddendefectwasdiscovered.
Art.1095.Ifacreditshouldbeassignedascollectible,the
coheirs shall not be liable for the subsequent insolvency
of the debtor of the estate, but only for his insolvency at
thetimethepartitionismade.
The warranty of the solvency of the debtor can only be

enforcedduringthefiveyearsfollowingthepartition.
Coheirs do not warrant bad debts, if so known to, and

accepted by, the distributee. But if such debts are not
assignedtoacoheir,andshouldbecollected,inwholeor
in part, the amount collected shall be distributed
proportionatelyamongtheheirs.(1072a)
Creditassignedtoacoheirinpartition:
Warrantycoversonlyinsolvencyofthedecedentsdebtor
at the time of partition, not subsequent insolvency, for
whichthecoheirtakestherisk.
Prescriptiveperiod:5years
Art. 1096. The obligation of warranty among coheirs

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

unlessitappears,oritmaybereasonablypresumed,that
hisintentionwasotherwise,butthelegitimeshallalways
remainunimpaired;
(2) When it has been so expressly stipulated in the
Page 70 of 73
agreementofpartition,unlesstherehasbeenbadfaith;
(3)Whentheevictionisduetoacausesubsequenttothe
partition,orhasbeencausedbythefaultofthedistributee
oftheproperty.(1070a)
Instanceswhenthereisnomutualwarranty:
1. Partitionbythetestatorhimself(savewherethe
legitimehasbeenimpaired)
2. Agreement among the coheirs to suppress the
warranty
3. Supervening events causing the loss or the
diminutioninvalue
4. Faultofthecoheir
5. Waiver
6.3. Rescission and Nullity of

Partition
Art. 1097. A partition may be rescinded or annulled for

thesamecausesascontracts.(1073a)
Causesforannulment:Art.1390
Causesforrescission:Art.13811382
Art. 1098. A partition, judicial or extrajudicial, may also

berescindedonaccountoflesion,whenanyoneoftheco
heirsreceivedthingswhosevalueisless,byatleastone
fourth,thanthesharetowhichheisentitled,considering
thevalueofthethingsatthetimetheywereadjudicated.
(1074a)
Lesion is economic injury, where thep arty receives less

thanheisentitledtoreceive.
Amountoflesion:Minimumis
Art. 1099. The partition made by the testator cannot be

impugned on the ground of lesion, except when the
legitimeofthecompulsoryheirsistherebyprejudiced,or
whenitappearsormayreasonablybepresumed,thatthe
intentionofthetestatorwasotherwise.(1075)
Gen. Rule: Heirs cannot demand partition on the ground

oflesion,ifpartitionwasdonebythetestator.
ExceptionstoArt.1098:
a. Impairmentofthelegitime
b. Mistakebythetestatororvitiationofhisintent
Art. 1100. The action for rescission on account of lesion

shallprescribeafterfouryearsfromthetimethepartition
wasmade.(1076)
Prescriptiveperiod(lesion):4years
Art. 1101. The heir who is sued shall have the option of
indemnifying the plaintiff for the loss, or consenting to a
newpartition.
Indemnity may be made by payment in cash or by the

delivery of a thing of the same kind and quality as that
awardedtotheplaintiff.
Ifanewpartitionismade,itshallaffectneitherthosewho

have not been prejudiced nor those have not received

morethantheirjustshare.(1077a)
Coheirwhoissuedforrescissionhastwooptions:
a. Repartition,or
b. Indemnify the coheir the amount of lesion
suffered
Art. 1102. An heir who has alienated the whole or a

considerablepartoftherealpropertyadjudicatedtohim
cannotmaintainanactionforrescissiononthegroundof
lesion,butheshallhavearighttobeindemnifiedincash.
(1078a)
Art. 1103. The omission of one or more objects or

securitiesoftheinheritanceshallnotcausetherescission
of the partition on the ground of lesion, but the partition
shall be completed by the distribution of the objects or
securitieswhichhavebeenomitted.(1079a)
Incompletenessofpartitionisnotagroundforrescission.
Remedy:Supplementalpartition
Art.1104.Apartitionmadewithpreteritionofanyofthe
compulsory heirs shall not be rescinded, unless it be
provedthattherewasbadfaithorfraudonthepartofthe
other persons interested; but the latter shall be
proportionately obliged to pay to the person omitted the
sharewhichbelongstohim.(1080)
Heirismistakenlyexcluded
In good faith the omitted heir gets his rightful

share
Inbadfaithpartitionshallbeannulled
Art.1105.Apartitionwhichincludesapersonbelievedto
beanheir,butwhoisnot,shallbevoidonlywithrespect
tosuchperson.(1081a)
Heir is mistakenly included. In this case the property

willbetakenawayfromhimandredistributedamongthe
properrecipients.
Congratulations!Youarenowreadyto
nailtheexam!
Afewthingstoremember:
Spotconceptsthatmightapply(iftheresawill,
theresaway...forpreteritiontooperate,orif
therearetwotransfersreservatroncal)
Whatrulesshouldapply?Legitimes?Partial
Intestacy?
Usedarkink.
Youmaynowproceedtotestyourskills.Trythefollowing
sampleexamquestions.
Page 71 of 73
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
Thesistershadchildren:
a.Claire:SkullandSpike
b.Lindsey:Mahinhin,Makahiya,MakisigandMaliksi
c.Lorely:SerafinandSalvi
In2004,Shelanmadeawillgivingofhistotal
estatetoher3sisters,withsimplesubstitutionofany
oftheminfavoroftheirrespectivechildren.
QUESTIONS:
Afinaldecreeofprobateforeclosesobjectionstothe
willonthegroundofpreterition.TorF?
Fullandhalfbloodsiblingsinstitutedinawillinherit
equallyunlessotherwiseprovided.TorF?
Itisnotnecessarytoinstituteanheirbyname.Tor
F?
Apersonwithouttestamentarycapacitymaynot
revokeawill.TorF?
Anilliteratepersondoesnothavetestamentary
capacity.TorF?
Insomecase,thetestatorispresumedinsane.TorF?
Awillneednotalwaysbewitnessed.TorF?
Aholographicwillcannotbeprobatedonthebasis
solelyoftestimonialevidence.TorF?
SuperveningIncapacitydoesnotinvalidateawillbut
deprivesthetestatorthepowertorevokeit.TorF?
Republicationofawillthatisformallyvoidcannotbe
donebymerereference.TorF?
Thedateofaholographicwillneednotbewrittenat
thebottom.TorF?
Thetestatormaydelegatetherevocationofhiswill.T
orF?
Adeafmutepersonmayexecuteawillbutcannot
witnessone.TorF?
Ifthereispreterition,alltestamentarydispositions
areconsiderednotwritten.TorF?
Awillandacodicilhaveidenticalformal
requirements.TorF?
Preteritioncanneveroccuriftestatordiedwithouta
will.TorF?
Theattestationclausemustbeinalanguageknown
tothetestator.TorF?
Ablindmancanneithermakenorwitnessawill.Tor
F?
Aminorcanneithermakenorwitnessawill.TorF?
Aconvictedthiefhascompetencetowitnessawill.T
orF?
Aforeignermaywitnessawill.TorF?
Atestamentarydispositioninfavourofawitness
doesnotaffecthiscompetenceasawitness.TorF?
Aprobatedwillmaybeineffective.TorF?
Anundatedwillisnotipsofactovoid.TorF?
Robertdiedintestate,withanestateworth6M.Heis
survivedbyhiswifeDiane,theironlychild,BigBird,
andRoberts3illegitimatechildren:Elmo,Oscarand
Ernie.HowshouldRobertsestatebedivided?
Onhiswaytothelibrary,Ranulfo,single,childless,
diedwhenameteoritefellonhim.Heleftawillwhich
gave1/3ofhisestatetohisgirlfriend,Marjorie,anda
legacyofP600,000totheUPAstronomicalSociety
(UPAS).HewassurvivedbyhisparentsCornelioand
Maiskawhonowcontendsthatthewillisineffective
becausetheyareleftwithnothing.Ranulfosestateis
worth900,000
a. Istheircontentioncorrect?
b. HowmuchwillMarjorieandUPASget?
JohnwasmarriedtoShelanbutafter60yearsof
marriagethecouplewerechildless.Shelanhad3
sisters:Claire(fullblood),Lindsey(halfblood)and
Lorely(halfblood).

AllthreesisterspredeceasedShelan.
WhenShelandiedin2007,survivedbyherhusband,
nephewsandnieces,shehadanestatevaluedat24M.
Howshoulditbeapportioned?
28. JaypeeandAmirah,bothnativesofSurigao,have
beenmarriedfor30years.Theyhaveonedaughter,
Jamie,27yeasrold,single,nochildrenandajunior
executiveatHopeCigarettesCorp.
OnedayinMay,Warlainvitesherparentstospend
theweekendwithherandherfiance,Nickina
cottageonthebeachofSanFabian,Pangasinan.The4
ofthemleaveManilaatdawnonSaturdayinNicks
newcar.InTarlac,theymetaterribleaccident:a
southboundtenwheelertruckdrivenbyCarihits
themheadon.
Nickdiesonthespot.Thethreeotherssurvivedand
wererushedtothehospitalwhere,thatevening,
Jaypeeexpired.AmirahandJamiearetransferredto
Manilaforbettertreatment.
Jamielingersonforaweekbutthetraumaprovestoo
muchandshediesonMonday.Amirahraliiesand
actuallyregainsconsciousness,butunexpectedblood
clotformsinthebrainthreeweeksafterher
daughtersdeathandshetoodiesonFriday.
TheillstarredfamilyaresurvivedbyKorinaand
Enrique(Amirahsparents),RosalynandKarren
(Jaypeessisters),andJantzenandJess(Amirahs
siblings).
Jaypeeownedapieceofland(Surigaoproperty)
worth6Mpesosthatwashisonlyproperty
inheritedbyhimfromhisparents.Amirahowned
nothing.JamieownedalotinAlabang(Alabang
property)worth3Mhehadboughtfromhis
bonusesfromHope.
Towhomshallthetwopiecesofpropertygo?
ANSWERS:(Thesamplexdidnothaveanswers.The
followingaswersarenotnecessarilycorrect.Rea)
1. F.Adecreeofprobateonlyconcernsthe
extrinsicvalidityofawill.
2. T.Distinctionbetweenfullandhalfbloodhasno
applicationintestamentarysuccession.Unless
thecontraryclearlyappears,thereisa
presumptionofequality.
3. T.Whatisessentialisthattheheirbe
identifiable.
4. T.Awillisrevokedwiththeparticipationofthe
testatoronlyintwoways:byanother
Page 72 of 73
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
will/codicilorbyphysicaldestruction.Both
requiretestamentarycapacity.
F.
T.SeeArt.800par2.
T.Holographicwills.
T.Thewillitself(oracopy)mustbepresented.
T.Thetestatormusthavetestamentarycapacity
torevokeawill.SeealsoArt.801.
T.Art.835.
T.Thelawdoesnotrequireaspecificlocationfor
thedateoftheholographicwill.(LabradorvCA)
T.Physicaldestruction.
T.Art.820.
F.Onlyinstitutionofheirisannulled;legacies
anddevisesremainvalidsolongastheyarenot
inofficious.SeeArt.854.
T.Art.826.
T.Ifthereisnotestamentarydisposition,the
compulsoryheirwouldalwaysreceive
somethingthroughintestacy.(ButwhatiftheT
disposedallpropertiesbydonationintervivos?
Mystandisthatthereisstillnopreterition
becausethedonationsimpingingonthelegitime
willbeinofficiousperArt752.Imnotsure.
Reallynotsure.)
F.TheACisnotthebusinessofthetestator.
F.Ablindmanmaymakeawill!
T.1)Notestamentarycapacity;2)Notqualified
tobeawitness.
T.SeeArt.821.
T.
T.Thedispositionsarevoidunlessthereare3
otherwitnesses.
T.Ifthewillisintrinsicallyinvalid.
T.Attestedwillsneedotbedated.
Diane:1.714M
BigBird:1.714M
Elmo:0.857M
Oscar:0.857M
Ernie:0.857M
a.Yes.Theyarepreterited.(1/3ofestatethat
willgotoMarjorie=300,000pluslegacyof
600,000toUPASequals900,000.Theparents,
whoareOyiescompulsoryehirsareleftwith
nothing.)
b.Marjoriewillgetnothingbecausein
preterition,theinstitutionofheirisannulled.
LegacytoUPASremainsvalidbutshouldbe
reducedto450,000becauseitexceedsthefree
portion.
PARTIALINTESTACY
Will:=6M
Thiswillpasstonephewsandniecesby
substitution.(2Mpersetofsubstitutes)
Legitime:
John:1/2oftheestateashislegitime
Remaininggoestonephewsandniecesgoes
byintestacyandbyvirtueoftheirrightto
representation(withdistinctionbetweenfull
andhalfblood2:1:1=3M:1.5M:1.5M)
Hence,
John=12M
SkullandSpike=2.5each
Mahinhin,Makahiya,MakisigandMaliksi=875k
each
SerafinandSalvi=1.75Meach

28. First,Jaypeesestate:6MSurigaoproperty
Byintestacy,
Jamie==3M
Amirah==3M
Next,Jamiesestate:Ayalaproperty(3M)plus
3MfromJaypee=6M
Byintestacy,
ThewholeestategoestoAmirah
Finally,Amirahsestate:ofSurigaoproperty
fromJaypee+Ayalaproperty(3M)fromJamie+
secondhalfofSurigaopropertyfromJamie
whichthelattergotfromJaypee=9M
BUTthesecondhalfofSurigaopropertyis
subjecttoreservatroncalhence,willgoto
RosalynandKarren(1/4each).
Remaining6MwillpassontoAmirahsintestate
heirs:KorinaandEnrique(3Meach).Jantzenand
Jessareexcluded.
Therefore,
Surigaoproperty:Korina,Enrique,Rosalynand
Karren=undividedinteresteach
Ayalaproperty:KorinaandEnrique=
undividedinteresteach.
Page 73 of 73

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Rea Bautista

Art. 775. In this Title, "decedent" is the general term

SUCCESSION RUBEN F. BALANE

Heir can sell his aliquot share but not specific

F: Decedent, during her lifetime, filed an action to quiet

H: The heirs may be substituted to the deceased party

If there is dispute as to who are the legal heirs,

Art. 779. Testamentary succession is that which results

F: Mortgage on decedents land was foreclosed by the

H: Property, the ownership over which has been lost

Art. 782. An heir is a person called to the succession

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

SUCCESSION RUBEN F. BALANE

F: Husband and Decedent Wife executed a Survivorship

Take note of the definition of a will in this case: a

What is nondelegable is the exercise of the

In this article, third person should read as

Art. 785. The duration or efficacy of the designation of

determination of portions they are to

Art. 786. The testator may entrust to a third person the

Art. 787. The testator may not make a testamentary

This does not prejudice right of heirs, devisee,

The thing may rather be effective than be

SUCCESSION RUBEN F. BALANE

to use them in another sense can be gathered, and that

Art. 797. Persons of either sex under eighteen years of

Art. 798. In order to make a will it is essential that the

The burden of proof that the testator was not of sound

Art. 801. Supervening incapacity does not invalidate an

F: 78yearold spinsters will was being assailed because

H: Soundness of mind is presumed. Forgetfulness is not

1.3. Forms of Wills

F: Will of illiterate testatrix was written in English, a

SUCCESSION RUBEN F. BALANE

H: Compliance with the language requirement is

Art. 805. Every will, other than a holographic will, must

Art. 806. Every will must be acknowledged before a

F: Testatrix thumb marked end and each and every page

indicate that the person who wrote the name of the

F: Lawyer wrote the name of the testator followed by a

Doctrine: Test of presence not whether they actually

SUCCESSION RUBEN F. BALANE

F: Original of the will did not contain signature of one of

F: The notary public signed the certificate of

Balane asks: If one of the witnesses is a duly

F: Notary public who acknowledged the will was acting

SUCCESSION RUBEN F. BALANE

F: Valmontes will is being contested because the date of

Art. 807. If the testator be deaf, or a deafmute, he must

Art. 808. If the testator is blind, the will shall be read to

F: Testator had glaucoma. When the will was executed,

H: T was blind for purposes of Art 808 but there was

This is criticized as liberalization running riot.

H: AC not valid. Art 809 does not apply. It cannot be

H: VOID. Art 809 was not applied because there was no

F: The will stated that it contained 7 pages but the

H: Art 809 does not apply. The discrepancy cannot be

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

SUCCESSION RUBEN F. BALANE

F: Date was stated in the first paragraph of the second

H: VALID. The law does not specify a particular location

Not necessary that testators mind be wholly

There is no presumption that language is