Succession PDF

UST GOLDEN NOTES 2011
Note: Under this theory the basis of

successionisasortoffamilycoownership
withtheresultthatlegalsuccessionisthe
normal procedure and testamentary
succession, the exception or one of the
limitations.
SUCCESSION
I.GENERALPROVISIONS
A.DEFINITION/WHATISTRANSMITTED
Q:Whatissuccession?
A:Successionisamodeofacquisitionbyvirtueof
which the property, rights and obligations to the
extentofthevalueoftheinheritanceofaperson,
are transmitted through his death to another or
others either by his will or by operation of law.
(Art.774)
Q:Whatisthebasisofsuccession?
A:
1. Negative Theories refer to those
which deny to succession any rational
basis and which have been formulated
by the individualistic and socialistic
schools.
a. There can be no testamentary
succession because these rights
aremerelythecreationsofthewill
of a person who is devoid of any
will,beingalreadydead.
b. There can be no intestate
successionbecausethecommunity
of property in the family can only
be conceived of as long as the
latterexists.
Note: According to this view, the

propertiesof the deceased are converted
intoresnulliuswhich,tothejudgmentof
others, fall under the ownership of the
firstoccupantwhogenerallyistherelative
nearestindegreeand,tothejudgmentof
others,belongtothestate.
2.
Positive Theories Those which base

succession on the right of property.
According to this view, succession is
based on individual ownership and the
power of the owner to dispose of the
same.
a. If an owner can freely dispose of
hispropertieswithsuchconditions
as he may deem convenient, then
itfollowsthathecandistributethe
sameafterhisdeathsincethewill
is nothing more than the
instrumentofalienationsubjectto
theconditionofdeath.
b. Those which base succession on
therightoffamily
3.
EclecticTheoryAccordingtothisview,
the basis of testamentary succession is
the right of ownership but the basis of
legal or intestate succession is the ties
of blood and the right of family co
ownership.(Caguioa,p.2)
Q:Whatarethecharacteristicsofsuccession?
A:
1. Itisamodeofacquisition;
2. Onlyproperty,rightsandobligationsto
the extent of the value of the
inheritancearetransmitted;
3. Thetransmissiontakesplaceonlyatthe
timeofdeath;
4. The transmission takes place either by
willorbyoperationoflaw.
Q:Whataretherequisitesofsuccession?
A:DATE
1. Deathofdecedent;
2. Acceptance of the inheritance by the
successor;
3. Transmissibleestate;
4. Existence and capacity of successor,
designatedbydecedentorlaw.
B.SUCCESSIONOCCURSATTHEMOMENTOF
DEATH
Q:Whenarerightstosuccessiontransmitted?
A: The rights to succession are transmitted from

the moment of the death of the decedent. (Art.
777)
Note: Although, the provision states that the rights

are transmitted upon the death of a person, it is
rathervestedupondeath.
Q:Whatistransferredbydeathinsuccession?
A: Only the property, rights and obligations not

extinguished by death are transmitted to the
heirs.
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CIVILLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.ELMERT.RABUYA;SUBJECTHEAD:ALFREDOB.DIMAFELIXII;
ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:KARENFELIZG.SUPNAD,LAMBERTOL.SANTOSIII;MEMBERS:PAULELBERTE.AMON,ALSTONANARNA,OZANJ.
FULLEROS,CECILIOM.JIMENO,JR.,ISMAELSARANGAYA,JR.;CONTRIBUTORS:LOISERAEG.NAVAL,MONICAJUCOM
SUCCESSION
Q:Areafteracquiredpropertiesofthedecedent
transmissible?
A:
GR: Property acquired during the period
between the execution of the will and the
deathofthetestatorisnotincluded.
XPN: When a contrary intention expressly

appearsinthewill.(Art.793)
Note:Appliesonlytolegaciesanddevisesand
nottoinstitutionofheirs.
Theinheritanceofapersonincludesnotonly
thepropertyandthetransmissiblerightsand
obligations existing at the time of his death,
but also those which have accrued thereto
sincetheopeningofthesuccession.(Art.781)
Q: What is the general rule as regards

transmissibilityofrights?
A:Iftherightorobligationisintuitupersonae,itis
intransmissible,otherwiseitistransmissible.
Note:Intuitupersonaemeansstrictlypersonal.
Q:Whatrightsarenottransferredbythedeath
ofaperson?
A:
1. Purelypersonalrights;
2. Rights which are made intransmissible
bystipulationoftheparties;
3. Rights which are intransmissible by
provisionoflaw.
Note: All other rights are transmissible to the heirs

uponthedeathofaperson.
Q: What are the rights that are extinguished by

death?
A:PAPULP
1. Partnershiprights
2. Agency
3. Personaleasements
4. Usufruct
5. Legalsupport
6. Parentalauthority
Q: What obligations or contracts are not

transmittedbydeath?
A:Thosewhicharemadeintransmissible:
1. bytheirnature;
2. bystipulation;or
3. byprovisionoflaw(Art.1311)
Note:Thisisanexceptiontothegeneralrulethat
contracts or obligations are binding upon the
parties,theirheirsorsuccessorsininterest.
Q: What are the obligations that are

extinguishedbydeath?
A:
1. Monetary
obligations
are
not
transmittedtotheheirs.
2. Nonmonetary
obligations
are
transmittedtotheheirs.
Q:Mayheirsbeheldliableforthedebtsor
obligationsofthedecedent?
A:
GR:No.Itistheestatethatpaysforthedebts
leftbythedecedent.
XPN: It is true that the heirs assume liability

for the debts of the decedent, although it is
limited only to the extent of the value of the
inheritance received. (Estate of Hemady v.
Luzon Surety Co., G.R. No. L8437, Nov. 28,
1956)
Note:Theheirsarenotpersonallyliablewith
theirownindividualpropertiesforthemonetary
obligations/debtsleftbythedecedent.
Q: Is a contract of guaranty extinguished by

death?
A: No, because a contract of guaranty does not

fall in any of the exceptions under Art. 1311
(relativityofcontracts).Aguarantorsobligationis
basicallytopaythecreditoriftheprincipaldebtor
cannot pay. Payment does not require any
personal
qualifications.
The
personal
qualifications become relevant only at the time
theobligationisincurredbutnotsoatthetimeof
discharge or fulfillment of the obligation. (Estate
of Hemady v. Luzon Surety Co., Inc., G.R. No. L
8437,Nov.28,1956)
Q: The wife died while the action for legal

separation waspending. Her children, however,
wanted to continue the action. They ask that
they be allowed to substitute their deceased
mother, arguing that the action should be
allowedtocontinue.Decide.
A:Thechildrencannotbesubstitutedinanaction
for legal separation upon the death of their
mother who filed the case. An action for legal
separation is purely personal on the part of the
innocent spouse because such an action affects
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
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the marital status of the spouses. (Bonilla v.

Barcena,G.R.No.L41715,June18,1976)
Q: Fortunata died while her action for quieting

oftitleofparcelsoflandwaspending.Doesher
deathresultintheextinguishmentoftheaction
ormayherheirssubstituteherinthecase?
A: Her heirs may substitute her because the

actionisnotextinguishedbyherdeath.Sincethe
rightstothesuccessionaretransmittedfromthe
momentofthedeathofthedecedent,fromthat
moment, the heirs become the absolute owners
of his property, subject to the rights and
obligations of the decedent, and they cannot be
deprived of their rights thereto except by the
methods provided for by law. The right of the
heirs to the property of the deceased vests in
them upon such death, even before judicial
declaration of their being heirs in the testate or
intestateproceedings.
When she died, her claim or right to the parcels

of land in litigation was not extinguished by her
deathbutwastransmittedtoherheirsuponher
death. Her heirs have thus acquired interest in
thepropertiesinlitigationandbecamepartiesin
interest in the case. (Bonilla v. Barcena, et al.,
G.R.No.L41715,June18,1976)
Q: Can the heir enter into a contract of sale,

conveyance or any disposition pertaining to his
interest in the inheritance even pending the
settlementoftheestate?
A: Yes, because his hereditary share/interest in

the decedents estate is transmitted or vested
immediately from the moment of decedents
death.Thisis,however,subjecttotheoutcomeof
thesettlementproceedings.
Q:Whatisthenatureofthetransactionentered
into by the heir pertaining to his hereditary
share in the estate pending the settlement of
theestate?
A:Theeffectofsuchtransactionistobedeemed
limited to what is ultimately adjudicated to the
heir. However, this aleatory character of the
contract does not affect the validity of the
transaction.
Q:Mayanheirconveyfutureinheritance?
A:Nocontractmaybeenteredintouponafuture
inheritance except in cases expressly authorized
bylaw(Art.1347).
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C.KINDSOFSUCCESSORS
Q:Whatarethekindsofheirs?
A:
1. Voluntary called to succeed either by
virtueofthewillofthetestator:
a. Devisee
b. Legatee
Note: An heir is one who succeeds to

the whole (universal) or aliquot part of
the estate. Devisee or legatee is one
who succeeds to definite, specific, and
individualizedproperties.
2. Compulsory called by law to succeed

to a portion of the testators estate
knownaslegitime.
3. LegalorIntestatebyoperationoflaw
throughintestatesuccession.
Q:Whoaredeviseesandlegatees?
A: Devisees are persons to whom gifts of real

property are given by virtue of a will. On the
other hand, Legatees are persons to whom gifts
ofpersonalpropertyaregivenbyvirtueofawill
Q: What are the distinctions between heirs and

legatees/devisees?
A:
HEIRS
DEVISEESORLEGATEES
Astorepresentationofdeceasedsjuridicalperson
Neverrepresentthe
Representthejuridical
personalityofthe
personalityofthe
deceasednomatter
deceasedandacquire
howbigthelegacyor
theirrights,withcertain
thedeviseis
exceptionstohis
obligations
Determinabilityofamountofinheritance
Arealwaysgivena
Inheritanundetermined
determinatethingora
quantitywhoseexact
fixedamount
amountcannotbe
knownaprioriand
whichcannotbefixed
untiltheinheritanceis
liquidated
Extentofsuccessionalright
Onlysucceedtothe
Succeedtothe
determinatethingor
remainderofthe
quantitywhichis
propertiesafterallthe
debtsandallthelegacies mentionedinthelegacy
ordevise
anddeviceshavebeen
paidorgiven
Astowhentheyexist
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
Canexistwhetherthe
Onlyintestamentary
successionbetestateor
succession
intestate
Effectofpreterition
Theinstitutionofanheir
isentirelyannulled
Thelegaciesanddevises
remainvalidinsofaras
theyarenotinofficious.
Effectofdefectivedisinheritance
Incaseofimperfector
Thelegaciesand
defectivedisinheritance,
deviseesremainvalid
theinstitutionofanheir
insofarastheyarenot
isannulledtotheextent
inofficious.
thatthelegitimesare
impaired.
Q: Suppose a person is named tosucceed toan

entire estate. The estate, however, consists of
only one parcel of land. Is he an heir or a
devisee?
A:Itdependsonthemannerofhisdesignationin
thewill. Here,becauseheiscalledtoinheritthe
entireestate,heisanheir.
Q:Inwhatinstancesdothedistinctionsbetween
heirsanddevisees/legateesbecomesignificant?
Q:Whoarethecompulsoryheirs?
A:
1. Legitimate children and descendants
(LCD)
2. Legitimate parents and ascendants
(LPA)
3. Survivingspouse(SS)
Legitimatechildrenanddescendants(LCD)
Q:Isanadoptedchildacompulsoryheir?
A: Legitimate children includes adopted
childrenandlegitimatedchildren.
Under R.A. 8552 or the Domestic Adoption Law
adoptedchildrenhavethesamerightsgrantedto
the legitimate children. Adopted children, for all
intentsandpurposesareconsideredaslegitimate
children.
Hence,theadoptedchildrencanalreadyexclude
legitimateparents/ascendants.
Legitimateparentsandascendants(LPA)
Q: When do legitimate parents and ascendants
inherit?
A:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Preterition
Imperfect/defectivedisinheritance
Afteracquiredproperty
Acceptance
or
repudiation
successionalrights
of
Q: What are the classifications of compulsory

heirs?
A:
1. PrimarycompulsoryheirsTheyarenot
excluded by the presence of other
compulsoryheirs.
E.g. legitimate children, surviving

spouse
2. Secondary compulsory heirs Those
who succeed only in default of the
primarycompulsoryheirs.
E.g.legitimateascendants
3. Concurring compulsoryheirsTheyget
their legitimes together with the
primary or secondary heirs. Neither
excludes primary or secondary heirs,
noreachother.
E.g. Surviving spouse and illegitimate
childrenanddescendants.
A: Legitimate parents and ascendants inherit in

default of legitimate children and descendants.
Theyaresecondarycompulsoryheirs.
Q:Isthepresenceofillegitimatechildrenofthe
decedentexcludetheLPA?
A:No.Legitimateparentsandascendantsconcur
withtheillegitimatechildrenofthedecedent.
However, if the decedent is himself illegitimate,
his illegitimate children exclude the illegitimate
parentsandascendants.
Survivingspouse(SS)
Q: Can a common law spouse be a compulsory
heir?
A:No.Theremustbevalidmarriagebetweenthe
decedent and the surviving spouse. If the
marriage is null and void, the surviving spouse
cannotinherit.
Q: How can the heirs of the decedent use the
nullity of marriage to prevent the surviving
spousefrominheriting?
A: The heirs can raise the issue of nullity of the
marriage in the same proceeding for the
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settlementoftheestate.Thisisallowedbecause
amarriagethatisnullandvoidcanbecollaterally
attacked.
2.
3.
However, in case of voidable marriages, if the
marriage is not annulled before the decedent
died,thesurvivingspousecanstillinherit
4.
Reason:Voidablemarriagescanonlybeattacked
inadirectproceeding,i.e.annulmentproceeding.
5.
Note: The surviving spouse is not a compulsory

heirofhis/herparentinlaw.
Separationinfactwillnotdisqualifythesurviving
spouse from getting his/her legitime, regardless
ofhis/herguilt.
6.
Note: Mutual wills Separate wills

although containing reciprocal provisions
arenot prohibited, subjecttothe rule on
disposicioncaptatoria.
Illegitimatechildren
Note: Under the Family Code, there is no more
distinction between acknowledged natural children
andillegitimatechildren.Theyareallconsideredas
illegitimate.
Compulsoryheirsofapersonwhoisillegitimate:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Legitimatechildrenanddescendants;
Illegitimatechildrenanddescendants;
In default of the foregoing, illegitimate
parentsonly;
Survivingspouse.
Q:Inwhatwaysmaycompulsoryheirsinherit?
A:Compulsoryheirsinheriteither:
1. intheirownright;or
2. byrightofrepresentation
II.TESTAMENTARYSUCCESSION
WILLS
1.INGENERAL
A.DEFINITIONANDCHARACTERISTICS
Q:Whatisawill?
A:Awillisanactwherebyapersonispermitted,
withtheformalitiesprescribedbylaw,tocontrol
to a certain degree the disposition of his estate,
totakeeffectafterhisdeath.(Art.783)
Q:Whatarethecharacteristicsofawill?
A:Awillis:
1. StatutoryrightThemakingofawillis
only a statutory not a natural right.
Hence,awillshouldbesubordinatedto
boththelawandpublicpolicy.
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Unilateral act No acceptance by the

transferees is needed during the
lifetimeofthetestator.
StrictlypersonalactThedispositionof
property is solely dependent upon the
testator.
Ambulatory A will is essentially
revocable during the lifetime of the
testator.
FreefromvicesofconsentAwillmust
have been executed freely, knowingly
and voluntarily, otherwise, it will be
disallowed.
IndividualactAwillmustbeexecuted
only by one person. A joint will is not
allowedinthePhilippines.
7.
Solemn or formal act A will is

executedinaccordancewithformalities
prescribedbylaw.
(1)PERSONALACT;
NONDELEGABILITYOFWILLMAKING
Q:Whatismeantbystrictlypersonalact?
A:UnderArt.784,itmeansthatinthemakingof
a will, preparation thereof cannot be wholly or
partially entrusted to a third person or made
through an agent or attorney. It refers to the
disposition of property. This is so because the
essence of making a will is the disposition of
property, hence, it cannot be delegated to
another.
Q: Can the testator delegate to a third person

the power to determine whether or not a
testamentarydispositionistobeoperative?
A:No.Itisnotonlythedelegationwhichisvoid;
the testamentary disposition whose effectivity
will depend upon the determination of the third
person is the one that cannot be made. Hence,
the disposition itself is void. (Art. 787; Tolentino,
p.33)
Q:Whatcannotbedelegatedtothediscretionof
athirdperson?
A: The following cannot be delegated to a third

person because they comprise the disposing
powerofthetestator:
1. Duration or efficacy of designation of
heirs,legatees,ordevisees.
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
2.
Determination of the portions which

the heirs are to receive when referred
tobyname.
3. Determination as to whether or not a
dispositionistobeoperative.(Art.785)
Q: What, on other hand, may be entrusted to

thirdpersons?
A:
1. Distributionofspecificpropertyorsums
ofmoneythatthetestatormayleavein
generaltospecifiedclassesorcauses
2. Designation of the persons, institutions
or establishments to which such
property or sums are to be given or
applied.(Art.786)
Reason: Here, there is really no delegation

because the testator has already set the
parametersrequiredbylaw,namely:
a. Thespecificationofpropertyorsumsof
money
b. Thespecificationofclassesorcauses.
Ineffect,thethirdpersonwillonlybecarryingout
the will of the testator as determined by these
parameters.
(2)RULESOFCONSTRUCTIONAND
INTERPRETATION/LAWGOVERNING
FORMALVALIDITY
Q: How should the provisions of a will be

construed?
A:Asageneralrule,thelanguageofawillshould
be liberally construed and as much as possible,
the intention of the testator should be given
effect.
Incaseofdoubt,thatinterpretationbywhichthe
dispositionistobeoperativeshallbepreferred.
Reason: Testacy is preferred over intestacy. (Art.
791)
Q: What are the rules in the construction of

Wills?
A:
1. Words of the will are to be taken in
their ordinary and grammatical sense
unless there is a clear intention to use
theminanothersensecanbegathered,
andthatcanbeascertained.(Art.790)
2. Technicalwordsaretobetakenintheir
technicalsense,unless:
a. The context clearly indicates a
contraryintentionor
b.
It satisfactorily appears that he

was unacquainted with such
technicalsense.(Ibid.)
3. The invalidity of one of several

dispositionscontainedinawilldoesnot
result in the invalidity of the other
dispositionsunlessitistobepresumed
that the testator would not have made
such other dispositions if the first
invalid disposition had not been made.
(Art.792)
4. Everydeviseorlegacyshallcoverallthe
interest in the property disposed of
unless it clearly appears from the will
that he intended to convey a less
interest.(Art.794)
Q:Whatarethekindsofambiguitiesinawill?
A:
1. Latent ambiguities Ambiguities which
are not apparent on the face of a will
buttocircumstancesoutsidethewillat
thetimethewillwasmade.
E.g.
a. If it contains an imperfect
descriptionofpersonorproperty;
b. A description of which no person
orpropertyexactlyanswers
2. Patent ambiguities Those which are

apparentonthefaceofthewill.
E.g.Uncertainty which arises upon the face
ofthewillastotheapplicationofanyofits
provisions.(Art.789)
Q: What are the steps in resolving the

ambiguities?
A:
1. Examinethewillitself;
2. Refer to extrinsic evidence or the
surrounding circumstances, except oral
declarations of the testator as to his
intention.
Reason: Because the testator can no longer

refutewhateverisattributedtohim.
2.TESTAMENTARYCAPACITYANDINTENT
Q:Whocanmakeawill?
A: All persons who are not expressly prohibited

bylawmaymakeawill.(Art.796)
Thelawpresumescapacitytomakeawill;hence,
in order that a person may be disqualified to
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make one, he must be expressly prohibited by

law.
Note:Theabilityaswellasthepowertomakeawill
mustbepresentatthetimeoftheexecutionofthe
will.
Supervening incapacity does not invalidate an

effectivewill,noristhewillbyanincapableperson
validatedbythesuperveningofcapacity.(Art.801)
Q: What are the requisites of testamentary

capacity?
A:
1. Atleast18yearsofage;and
2. Ofsoundmind
Note: It is not necessary that the testator be in full

possession of all his reasoning faculties, or that his
mind be wholly unbroken, unimpaired, or
unshatteredbydisease,injuryorothercause.
Itshallbesufficientifthetestatorwasableatthe
timeofmakingthewilltoknowthe:
a. natureoftheestatetobedisposedof;
b. properobjectsofhisbounty;and
c. characterofthetestamentaryact.
Q:Whoarethosepersonsexpresslyprohibited
bylawtomakeawill?
A:
1. Personsofeithersexunder18yearsof
age(Art.797)
2. Persons who are not of sound mind
(Art.798)
Q: Is a person suffering from civil interdiction

qualifiedtomakeawill?
A: Yes. He is deprived only of the power to

dispose of his properties through acts inter vivos
but not through acts mortis causa. (Art. 34,
Revised Penal Code; Rabuya, Civil Law Reviewer,
p.527)
Q: Is a married woman required to obtain the

consentofthehusbandandtheauthorityofthe
courtbeforeshecanmakeawill?
A: No. She can make a will even without the

consent of her husband and the authority of the
court.(Art.802)
Note:Amarriedwomanmaydisposeofherseparate
property and her share in the conjugal or absolute
communityproperty.
286
A.AGEREQUIREMENT
Q:Canapersonundereighteenyearsoldmakea
will?
A:No.Personsofeithersexundereighteenyears
oldcannotmakeawill.(Art.797)
Q:Whenissoundnessofthemindrequired?
A:Itisessentialonlyatthetimeofthemaking(or
execution)ofthewill.(Art.798;AlsuaBettsv.CA,
92SCRA332;Rabuya,CivilLawReviewer,p.527)
Q:Whatisthestatusofthewillifthetestatoris
notofsoundmindatthetimeofitsexecution?
A: The will is invalid regardless of his state of

mind before or after such execution. In other
words,thewillofanincapableisnotvalidatedby
thesuperveningofcapacity.(Art.801;id.)
Note: Conversely, if the testator was of sound

mindatthetimeofthemakingofthewill,thewill
is valid even if the testator should later on
becomeinsaneanddieinthatcondition.Inother
words,superveningincapacitydoesnotinvalidate
aneffectivewill.(id.,pp.527528)
Q:Ifthereisnoproofastothesoundnessofthe
mindofthetestatoratthetimeheexecutedhis
will,whatisthestatusofhiswillassumingthat
he complies with all other requisites for its
validity?
A:Thewillisvalid.Thisissobecausegenerally,in
absence of proof to the contrary, the law
presumesthateverypersonisofsoundmind.
Such presumption of soundness of mind,

however,doesnotariseifthetestatorwas:
1. Publicly known to be insane, one
month,orless,beforemakinghiswill;
2. Under guardianship at the time of the
makingofthewill.
Note: Mere weakness of mind or partial imbecility

from disease of body or from age does not
necessarily render a person incapable of making a
will.
Q: Who has the burden of proving that the

testatoractedinlucidinterval?
A: The person who maintains the validity of the

willbasedonthesaidground.(Rabuya,CivilLaw
Reviewer,p.530)
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
Q: When Brenda was a baby, she was
accidentally dropped by her mother when her
mother saw a cockroach. As a result, she
suffered from insanity. When she was in her
thirties,sheexecutedawill.Aftersometime,her
brain damage was totally cured. What is the
statusofthewill?
A: Still void. The will of an incapable cannot be

validated by supervening capacity. What is
importantisthattheability,aswellasthepower
tomakeawillmustbepresentatthetimeofthe
executionofthewill.
Q:Willyouranswerbethesameifthesituation
was the reverse Brenda developed insanity
aftersheexecutedherwill?
A:No.Superveningincapacitydoesnotinvalidate
aneffectivewill,hencethewillisvalid.
Q:Mayanilliterateexecuteawill?
A:
GR:Yes,anilliteratecanmakeanordinaryor
notarial will because a person who does not
know how to read and write does not mean
hedoesnotunderstandthelanguage.
XPN:Theilliteratecannotmakeaholographic
will.
3.FORM
A.FORMALVALIDITYRULES
Q:Whatlawgovernstheformsandsolemnities
ofwills?
A:Itisthelawofthecountrywherethewillwas
executed that governs the form and solemnities
st
ofwills.(Art.17,1 paragraph;Art.815)
Q:Whataretheeffectsofawillexecutedbyan
alienabroad?
A: The will of an alien who is abroad produces

effect in the Philippines if made with the
formalities prescribed by the law of the place in
which he resides, or according to the formalities
observed in his country, or in conformity with
thosewhichtheCivilCodeprescribes.(Art.816)
Q:Whataretheeffectsofawillexecutedbyan
alieninthePhilippines?
A: It shall produce the same effect as if it was

executed in the Philippines if it is executed in
accordancewiththelawofthecountrywherehe
isacitizenorsubject,andwhichmightbeproved
and allowed by the law of his own country. (Art.
817)
Q: Is a joint will executed by a Filipino in a

foreigncountryvalid?
A:No.Thesameholdstrueevenifitisauthorized
bythelawofthecountrywherethejointwillwas
executed.(Art.819)
(1)LAWGOVERNINGSUBSTANTIVEVALIDITY
Q:WhatarethemattersmentionedinArticle15
of the New Civil Code which are governed by
Philippinelaws?
A:1.familyrightsandduties
2.status;
3.condition;and
4.legalcapacityofpersons.(Art.15)
Q: What are the matterspertaining to intestate

and testamentary successions which are
regulatedbythenationallawofthedeceased?
A:1.Orderofsuccession
2.amountofsuccessionalrights
3.intrinsicvalidityoftestamentaryprovisions
4.capacitytosucceed.(Art.16;Art.1039)
B.COMMONREQUIREMENTS
Q: What are the formal requirements common

tobothnotarialandholographicwills?
A:
1. Inwriting;
2. In a language or dialect known to the
testator.
3.
Note:Theobjectofthesolemnitiessurroundingthe
execution of wills is to close the door against bad
faith and fraud, to avoid substitution of wills and
testaments and to guarantee their truth and
authenticity.
(1)INWRITING
Q:Istherulethateverywillmustbeinwriting
mandatory?
A:Yes.Ifthewillisnotinwriting,itisvoidand
cannotbeprobated.(Rabuya,CivilLawReviewer,
p.531)
Note:Philippinelawsdonotrecognizethevalidityof
nuncupativewills,whichareoralwillsdeclaredor
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dictated by the testator and dependent merely on

oraltestimony.(id.)
Q: In case of a holographic will, what is the

requirementforitsvalidity?
A:Itmustbeentirelyhandwrittenbythetestator
himself.(Art.810)
Q: What are the rules in relation to notarial or

attestedwills?
A:Notarialorattestedwillmaybe:
1. entirely handwritten by a person other
thanthetestator;
2. partly handwritten by the testator
himself and partly handwritten by
anotherperson;
3. entirely
printed,
engraved
or
lithographed;or
4. partlyhandwritten(whetherbytestator
or another person) and partly printed,
engravedorlithographed.(Rabuya,Civil
LawReviewer,p.531)
(2)LANGUAGE/DIALECTREQUIREMENT
C.NOTARIALWILLS
Q: Is the rule every will must be executed in a

languageknowntothetestatormandatory?
A: Yes, otherwise, the will is void. (Suroza v.

Honrado,110SCRA388;id.)
Q: Is the fact that the will was executed in a

language known to the testator required to be
statedintheattestationclause?
A: No. This fact can be established by extrinsic

evidenceorevidencealiunde.(Lopezv.Liboro,81
Phil.429)
Note:Itwillbepresumedthatthewillwasexecuted
inalanguageordialectknowntothetestatorifthe
will was executed in a certain locality and that the
testatorwasaresidentofthatlocality.(Rabuya,Civil
LawReviewer,p.532)
Q: Is it presumed that the testator knows the

dialectofthelocalitywhereheresides?
A:Ifthetestatorresidesinacertainlocality,itcan
be presumed that he knows the dialect or the
language in the said locality. (Abangan v.
Abangan,G.R.No.13431,Nov.12,1919)
288
Note: The fact that the testator knew the language

need not appear on the face of the will. This fact
maybeprovenbyextrinsicevidence.
Q:Doesthisruleapplytowitnessesinanotarial
orattestedwill?
A: No. The rule only applies to the testator,

whether in notarial or holographic will. Further,
Art. 805 is clear that the attestation clause need
not be in the language known to the witnesses.
(SeeRabuya,CivilLawReviewer,supra)
(1)ARTS.805806
Q:Whataretheformalitiesintheexecutionofa
notarialwill?
A:WESAPNAN
1. InWriting;
2. Executedinalanguageordialectknown
tothetestator;
3. Subscribedbythetestatorhimselforby
the testators name written by some
otherpersoninhispresenceandunder
hisexpressdirectionattheendthereof,
atthepresenceofwitnesses;
4. Attestedtoandsubscribedbyatleast3
credible witnesses in the presence of
thetestatorandofoneanother;
5. EachandeveryPagemustbesignedby
thetestatororbythepersonrequested
by him to write his name, and by
instrumental witnesses in the presence
ofeachother,ontheleftmargin;
6. Eachandeverypageofthewillmustbe
Numberedcorrelativelyinlettersplaced
ontheupperpartofeachpage;
7. Must contain an Attestation clause,
statingthefollowing:
a. Thenumberofpagesofthewill,
b. Fact that the testator signed the
willandeverypageinthepresence
ofwitnesses,orcausedsomeother
persontowritehisnameunderhis
expressdirection,
c. All witnesses signed the will and
everypagethereofinthepresence
ofthetestatorandofoneanother;
8. MustbeacknowledgedbeforeaNotary
public.
Q: What is the effect if one or some of the

requisitesarelacking?
A: Lack of one of the requisites is a fatal defect

whichwillrenderthewillnullandvoid
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
Q: What is the rule in cases of omissions in the
will?
A: Omissions which can be supplied by an

examinationofthewillitself,withouttheneedof
resorting to extrinsic evidence, will not be fatal
and, correspondingly, would not obstruct the
allowancetoprobateofthewillbeingassailed.
However,evidencealiundearenotallowedtofill
a void in any part of the document or supply
missing details that should appear in the will
itself. They only permit a probe into the will, an
exploration into its confines, to ascertain its
meaning or to determine the existence or
absence of the requisite formalities of law.
(Caedav.CA,G.R.No.103554,May28,1993)
(2)SPECIALRULESFORHANDICAPPED
TESTATORS
Q: What are the special requirements if the

testatorisdeaformute?
A:
1. If the testator is able to read, he must
personallyreadthewill;or
2. If the testator is unable to read, he
must designate two persons to read it
and communicate to him, in some
practicable manner, the contents
thereof.(Art.807;seeRabuya,CivilLaw
Reviewer,p.559)
Note: The law does not require that the persons

readingandcommunicatingthecontentsofthewill
betheinstrumentalwitnesses.(id.,p.560)
Q: What are the special requirements if the

testatorisblind?
A:Thewillshallbereadtohimtwice,oncebyone
ofthesubscribingwitnesses,andanothertimeby
the notary public before whom the will is
acknowledged.(Art.808;id.)
Note:Art.808appliesnotonlytoblindtestatorsbut
alsotothosewho,foronereasonoranother,are
incapableofreadingtheirwills,eitherbecauseof
poorordefectiveeyesightorbecauseofilliteracy.
(id.)
(3)SUBSTANTIALCOMPLIANCE
Q:Whenisawillnotrenderedinvalidbyreason
of defects or imperfections in the form of
attestationorinthelanguageusedtherein?
A:Ifthewillisexecutedinsubstantialcompliance
with all the requirements of Article 805, in the
absence of bad faith, forgery, fraud, undue and
improperpressureorinfluence.(SeeArt.809)
(4)REQUISITES
WITNESSES
Q:Whatarethequalificationsofwitnesses?
A:Witnessestoawillmustbe:S18ABCD
1. OfSoundmind.
2. Atleast18yearsofage.
3. Abletoreadandwrite
4. NotBlind,deafordumb
5. Not have been Convicted by final
judgmentoffalsificationofadocument,
perjuryorfalsetestimony.
6. DomiciledinthePhilippines
Q: Will the beneficial interest of a witness in a

willdisqualifyhimassuch?
A: Beneficial interest in a notarial will does not

disqualify one as a subscribing witness, but it
may,ormaynotnullifythedeviseorlegacygiven
tothesaidwitness.
Awitnesswhoatteststheexecutionofawill,and
towhom,ortowhosespouse,parentorchild,or
anyoneclaimingtherightofsaidwitness,spouse,
parentorchild,adeviseorlegacygiven,shallbe
void, unless there are 3 other competent
witnessestosuchwill.(Art.823NCC)
Note: If the witness is instituted as heir, not as

devisee or legatee, the rule would still apply,
becauseundueinfluenceorpressureonthepartof
theattestingwitnesswouldstillbepresent.
Creditorsofthetestatorarenotdisqualifiedtobea
witnesstothewill.
Q:Steviewasbornblind.Hewenttoschoolfor
the blind, and learned to read in Braille
language.HespeaksEnglishfluently.Canhe:
1.Makeawill?
A:Steviemaymakeanotarialwill.Ablindmanis
notexpresslyprohibitedfromexecutingawill.In
fact, Art. 808 of NCC provides for additional
formality when the testator is blind. Stevie
however, may not make a holographic will in
Braille because the writing in Braille is not a
handwriting. A holographic will to be valid must
be entirely written, signed and dated by the
testatorinhisownhandwriting.
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2.Actasawitnesstoawill?
A: A blind man is disqualified by law to be a

witnesstoanotarialwill.
3. In either of the instances, must the will be

readtohim?
A:IncaseStevieexecutesanotarialwill,ithasto
be read to him twice. First by one of the
instrumentalwitnesses,andsecondbythenotary
public before whom the will was acknowledged.
(2008BarQuestion)
D.HOLOGRAPHICWILLS
(1)REQUIREMENTS
Q:Whatisaholographicwill?
A: A holographic will is one entirely written,

dated, and signed by the hand of the testator
himself.Itissubjecttonootherform,andmaybe
made in or out of the Philippines, and need not
bewitnessed.(Art.810)
Q: What are the formalities required in the

executionofholographicwill?
A:SEED
1. Signedbytestatorhimself
2. Executedinalanguageordialectknown
tohim(Art.804)
3. Entirelywritten
4. Dated;
5. Note: In case of any insertion,
cancellation, erasure or alteration in a
holographic will, the testator must
authenticate the same by his full
signature.(Art.814)
Q: What are the effects of insertions or

rd
interpolationsmadebya3 person?
A:
GR:Whenanumberoferasures,corrections,
cancellation, or insertions are made by the
testator in the will but the same have not
been noted or authenticated with his full
signature, only the particular words erased,
corrected,alteredwillbeinvalidated,notthe
entiretyofthewill.
XPN:
1. Where the change affects the essence
ofthewillofthetestator;
290
Note:Whentheholographicwillhadonly
one substantial provision, which was
altered by substituting the original heir
with another, andthesame did not carry
therequisitefullsignatureofthetestator,
the entirety of the will is voided or
revoked.
Reason: What was cancelled here was

the very essence of the will; it
amountedtotherevocationofthewill.
Therefore, neither the altered text nor
theoriginalunalteredtextcanbegiven
effect. (Kalaw v. Relova, G.R. No. L
40207,Sept.28,1984)
2. Wherethealterationaffectsthedateof
thewillorthesignatureofthetestator.
rd
3. If the words written by a 3 person
were contemporaneous with the
execution of the will, even though
authenticated by the testator, the
entire will is void for violation of the
requisitethattheholographicwillmust
be entirely in the testators
handwriting.
Q: Natividads holographic will, which had only

one substantial provision, as first written,
named Rosa as her sole heir. However, when
Gregorio presented it for probate, it already
contained an alteration, naming Gregorio,
instead of Rosa, as sole heir, but without
authentication by Natividads signature. Rosa
opposestheprobateallegingsuchlackofproper
authentication. She claims that the unaltered
form of the will should be given effect. Whose
claimshouldbegranted?
A: None. Both their claims should be denied. As

to Gregorios claim, the absence of proper
authentication is fatal to his cause. As to Rosas
claim,tostatethatthewillasfirstwrittenshould
be given efficacy is to disregard the seeming
change of mind of the testatrix. But that change
of mind can neither be given effect because she
failed to authenticate it in the manner required
by law by affixing her full signature. (Kalaw v.
Hon.Relova,etc.,etal.,G.R.No.L40207,Sept.28,
1984)
DATE
Q: Why is the date in a holographic will

important?
A:Toestablishiftherewastestamentarycapacity
at the time the will was executed. Also, should
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
there be conflicting wills, it can establish which
willwasexecutedlater.
Q:Isitrequiredthatthedateofthewillshould
include the day, month and year of its
execution?
A:
GR: The "date" in a holographic will should
include the day, month, and year of its
execution.
XPN: When there is no appearance of fraud,

bad faith, undue influence and pressure and
the authenticity of the will is established and
the only issue is whether or not the date
appearing on the holographic will is a valid
compliancewithArt.810,NCC,probateofthe
holographic will should be allowed under the
principleofsubstantialcompliance.
Note:Inthiscase,thedatewaswrittenas"FEB./61"
(Roxas v. De Jesus G.R. No. L38338 January 28,
1985).
Theexactdatethoughindicatedonlybyimplication,
mustbewithcertainty.
(2)WITNESSESREQUIREDFORPROBATE
Q: What are the rules governing the probate of

holographicwills?
A: In the post mortem probate of holographic

wills,thefollowingrulesaretobeobservedasto
thenumberofwitnessestobepresented:
1. If the will is not contested, it shall be

necessarythatatleastonewitnesswho
knowsthehandwritingandsignatureof
the testator explicitly declares that the
will and the signature are in the
handwritingofthetestator.
2. Ifthewilliscontested,atleastthreeof
suchwitnessesshallberequired.
3. In the absence of any competent
witness and if the court deems it
necessary, expert testimony may be
resortedto.(Art.811;Rabuya,CivilLaw
Reviewer,p.563)
Note: In an earlier case, it was held that even if

thegenuinenessoftheholographicwilliscontested,
Article 811 of the NCC cannot be interpreted as to
require the compulsory presentation of three
witnessestoidentifythehandwritingofthetestator,
underpenaltyofhavingtheprobatedenied.(Codoy
v.Calugay,312SCRA333;id.,pp.563564)
In a later case, however, the Court ruled that the

requirement of at least three witnesses in case the
will is contested is mandatory. The Court explained
that the possibility of a false document being
adjudged as the will of the testator cannot be
eliminated, which is why if the holographic will is
contested, the law requires three witnesses to
declare that the will was in the handwriting of the
deceased.(id,p.564)
The execution and contents of a lost or destroyed

holographic will may not be proved by the bare
testimonyofwitnesseswhohaveseenorreadsuch
will. The will itself mustbe presented; otherwise, it
shall produce no effect. (Gan v. Yap, 104 Phil. 509;
id.) But a photostatic copy or Xerox copy of the
holographic will may be allowed because
comparisoncanbemadewiththestandardwritings
ofthetestator.(Rodelasv.Aranza,119SCRA16;id.)
ALTERATIONS,REQUIREMENTS
Q: What are the rules in case of insertion,

cancellation,erasureoralteration?
A: In case of insertion, cancellation, erasure or

alterationinaholographicwill,thetestatormust
authenticate the same by his full signature. (Art.
814)
Note: Full signature refers to the testators

habitual,usualandcustomarysignature.(Rabuya,
CivilLawReviewer,p.565)
Q: What is the effect if the insertion,

cancellation, erasure or alteration is not
authenticatedwiththetestatorsfullsignature?
A:Itisconsideredasnotmade,butthewillisnot
invalidated.(id.)
Note:Wherethetestatorhimselfcrossedoutthe
name of the heir named, and substituted the
name of another, without authentication, it was
heldthatthisdidnotresultinmakingtheperson
whose name was crossed as heir. (Kalaw v.
Relova,132SCRA237;id.)
E.JOINTWILLS
Q:ArejointwillsallowedinthePhilippines?
A: Two or more persons cannot make a will

jointly,orinthesameinstrument,eitherfortheir
reciprocal benefit or for the benefit of a third
person.(Art.818)
Wills, prohibited by Article 818, executed by

Filipinosinaforeigncountryshallnotbevalidin
the Philippines, even though authorized by the
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laws of the country where they may have been

executed.(Art.819)
Q:Whatarethekindsofjointwills?
A:
1. MutualWillsexecutedpursuanttoan
agreement between two or more
personstodisposeoftheirpropertyina
particular
manner,
each
in
consideration of the other separate
wills of two persons, which are
reciprocalintheirprovisions.
2. Reciprocal Wills the testators name
each other as beneficiaries under
similartestamentaryplans.
Q: Manuel, a F ilipino, and his American wife

Eleanor, executed a Joint Will in Boston,
Massachusetts when they were residing in said
city. The law of Massachusetts allows the
execution of joint wills. Shortly thereafter,
Eleanor died. Can the said will be probated in
thePhilippinesforthesettlementofherestate?
A:Yes,thewillmaybeprobatedinthePhilippines
insofar as the estate of Eleanor is concerned.
While the Civil Code prohibits the execution of
joint wills here and abroad, such prohibition
applies only to Filipinos. Hence, the joint will
which is valid where executed is valid in the
Philippines but only with respect to Eleanor.
Under Article 819, it is void with respect to
Manuel whose joint will remains void in the
Philippinesdespitebeingvalidwhereexecuted.
AlternativeAnswer:Thewillcannotbeprobated
in the Philippines, even though valid where
executed, because it is prohibited under Article
818 of the Civil Code and declared void under
Article819.Theprohibitionshouldapplyevento
the American wife because the Joint will is
offensivetopublicpolicy.Moreover,itisasingle
juridical act which cannot be valid as to one
testator and void as to the other. (2000 Bar
Question)
JohnandPaula.Britishcitizensatbirth,acquired
Philippine citizenship by naturalization after
theirmarriage.Duringtheirmarriagethecouple
acquiredsubstantiallandholdingsinLondonand
inMakati.PaulaboreJohnthreechildren,Peter,
Paul and Mary. In one of their trips to London,
thecoupleexecutedajointwillappointingeach
otherastheirheirsandprovidingthatuponthe
death of the survivor between them the entire
estate would go to Peter and Paul only but the
two could notdispose of nordivide the London
292
estate as long s they live. John and Paula died

tragically in the London Subway terrorist attack
in 2005. Peter and Paul filed a petition for
probate of their parents will before a Makati
RegionalTrialCourt.
Q:Shouldthewillbeadmittedtoprobate?
A: No, the will cannot be admitted to probate.

JointwillsarevoidundertheNewCivilCode.And
evenifthejointwillexecutedbyFilipinosabroad
werevalidwhereitwasexecuted,thejointwillis
stillnotvalidinthePhilippines.
Q:Arethetestamentarydispositionsvalid?
A: If a will is void, all testamentary dispositions

contained in that will are also void. Hence, all
testamentary provisions contained in the void
jointwillarealsovoid.
Q: Is the testamentary prohibition against the

divisionoftheLondonestatevalid?
A: The testamentary prohibition against the

division by Peter and Paul of the London estate
for as long as they live, is not valid. Art. 494 of
NCC provides that a donor or testator may
prohibit partition for a period which may not
exceedtwenty(20)years.(2008BarQuestion)
4.CODICILS,DEFINITIONANDFORMAL
REQUIREMENTS
Q:Whatisacodicil?
A:Acodicilisa supplementoradditiontoawill,
madeaftertheexecutionofawillandannexedto
betakenaspartthereof,bywhichanydisposition
madeintheoriginalwillisexplained,addedto,or
altered.(Art.825)
Note: A codicil is executed after the execution of a

priorwill.
It must be executed in accordance with all the
formalitiesrequiredinexecutingawill.
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
Q:Whatarethedistinctionsbetweenacodicil
andasubsequentwill?
A:
CODICIL
SUBSEQUENTWILL
Formsapartofthe
originalwill.
Itisaneworaseparate
will.
Supplementsthe
originalwill,
explaining,addingto,
oralteringanyofits
dispositions.
Makesdispositions
withoutreferencetoand
independentofthe
originalwill.
Doesnot,asarule,
revokeentirelythe
priorwill.
Ifitprovidesforafull
dispositionofthe
testatorsestate,may
revokethewholeprior
willbysubstitutinganew
andlastdispositionfor
thesame.
Awillandacodicil,
beingregardedasa
singleinstrumentare
tobeconstrued
together.
Apriorwillanda
subsequentwill,being
twoseparatewills,may
beconstrued
independentlyofeach
other.
5.INCORPORATIONBYREFERENCE
Q:Whatisincorporationbyreference?
A:Incorporationbyreferenceistheincorporation
of an extrinsic document or paper into a will by
referencesoastobecomeapartthereof.
Note:Thedocumentsorpapersincorporatedwill
be considered part of the will even though the
samearenotexecutedintheformofawill.
Thedoctrineofincorporationbyreferenceisnot
applicable in a holographic will unless the
documents or papers incorporated by reference
arealsointhehandwritingofthetestator.
Q: What are the requisites of incorporation by

reference?
A:EDIS
1. Document referred to in the will must
be in Existence at the time of the
executionofthewill;
2. The will must clearly Describe and
identifythesame;
3. It must be Identified by clear and
satisfactory proof as the document or
paperreferredtotherein;
4. It must be Signed by the testator and
the witnesses on each and every page,
except in case of voluminous books of
accountorinventories.(Art.827)
6.REVOCATION;KINDS
Q:Whatisrevocation?
A: An act of the mind terminating the potential

capacityofthewilltooperateatthedeathofthe
testator,manifestedbysomeoutwardandvisible
actorsign,symbolicthereof.
Q:Whenmaythetestatorrevokeawill?
A:Awillmayberevokedbythetestatoratany
timebeforehisdeath.Anywaiverorrestrictionof
thisrightisvoid.(Art.828)
Q:Maytherightofthetestatortorevokethe
willbewaivedorrestricted?
A:No,thetestatorsrighttorevokeduringhis
lifetimeisabsolute.Itcanneitherbewaivednor
restricted.
Reason:Becauseawillisambulatory.(Art.828)
Q:Whatlawgovernsincaseofrevocation?
A:
1. If the revocation takes place in the
Philippines, whether the testator is
domiciled in the Philippines or in some
othercountryPhilippinelaws
2. Iftherevocationtakesplaceoutsidethe
Philippines:
a. by a testator who is domiciled in
thePhilippinesPhilippinelaws
b. byatestatorwhoisnotdomiciled
inthiscountry
i. Laws of the place where the
willwasmade,or
ii. Lawsoftheplaceinwhichthe
testator had his domicile at
the time of revocation. (Art.
829)
Q:Whatarethemodesofrevokingawill?
A:
1. Byimplicationoflaw;
2. By the execution of a subsequent
document;
3. By physical destruction through
burning, cancelation or obliteration.
(Art.830)
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REVOCATIONBYIMPLICATIONOFLAW
Q:Discussrevocationbyimplicationoflaw.
A: Revocation is produced by implication of law

whencertainactsoreventstakeplaceafterawill
has been made, rendering void or useless either
the whole will or certain testamentary
dispositionstherein.
Rationale:Thelawpresumesachangeofmindon
the part of the testator due to certain changed
circumstancepertainingtothefamilyrelationsor
inthestatusoftheproperty.
Q:Howarewillsrevokedbyoperationoflaw?
A:
1. When after the testator has made a
will, he sells or donates the legacy or
devise;
2. Provisions in awill in favor ofa spouse
who has given cause for legal
separation;
Note: The revocation shall take place the

moment the decree of legal separation is
granted.
3.
4.
5.
When an heir, legatee or devisee

commitsanactofunworthiness;
Whenacreditthathasbeengivenasa
legacy is judicially demanded by the
testator;
When one, some or all the compulsory
heirshavebeenpreteritedoromitted
Note:Theinstitutionofheirsisvoid.
REVOCATIONBYEXECUTIONOFASUBSEQUENT
INSTRUMENT
Q: What are the requisites of revocation by

subsequentwillorcodicil?
A:
1. The subsequent instrument must
complywiththeformalrequirementsof
awill
2. Thetestatormustpossesstestamentary
capacity
3. Thesubsequentinstrumentmusteither
contain a revocatory clause or be
incompatible with the prior will (totally
orpartially)
4. The revoking will must be admitted to
probate.
Q:Inwhatwaysmayrevocationbyasubsequent
willbedone?
A:Revocationmaybe:
a. Express by providing for a revocatory
clause;
b. Implied provisions are completely
inconsistentwithpreviouswill.
Note:Thewillcontainingtherevocatoryclausemust
itself be valid, and admitted to probate, otherwise,
thereisnorevocation.
Q:WhatisthePrincipleofInstanter?
A:Theexpressrevocationofthe1stwillrendersit
nd
voidbecausetherevocatoryclauseofthe2 will,
not being testamentary in character, operates to
revokethe1stwillinstantlyupontheexecutionof
thewillcontainingit.
Q:Cantherebeaninstancewhereasubsequent
will, which is incompatible with the prior will,
andsuchpriorwillsubsistatthesametime?
A: Yes. The fact that the subsequent will is

posteriorandincompatiblewiththefirstdoesnot
mean that the first is entirely revoked because
therevocationmaybetotalorpartial.
Note: The execution of a subsequent will does not

ipsofactorevokeapriorwill.
In case of inconsistent wills, the subsequent will

prevails over the prior will because it is the latest
expressionoftestamentaryintentofthetestator.
The subsequent will which do not revoke the

previous will in an express manner, only annulsthe
dispositions in the previous will which are
inconsistent with or contrary to those contained in
thesubsequentwill.(Art.831)
Q: What is the effect if the revoking will

becomes inoperative by reason of incapacity or
renunciation?
A: A revocation made in a subsequent will shall

take effect even if the new will should become
inoperative by reason of the incapacity of the
heirs,deviseesorlegateesdesignatedtherein,or
bytheirrenunciation.(Art.832)
Note: The testator must have the testamentary

capacityatthetimeofthemakingofthesubsequent
will.
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CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
REVOCATIONBYPHYSICALDESTRUCTION
Q: What are the requisites of revocation by

physicalactofdestruction?
A:OTAP
1. Overtactofphysicaldestruction;
2. Testamentarycapacityofthetestatorat
the time of performing the act of
revocation;
3. AnimusRevocandiintentiontorevoke;
4. Performed by testator himself or other
person in the presence and express
directionofthetestator.
Note: The physical destruction may be done by the

testatorpersonallyorbyanotherpersonactinginhis
presenceandbyhisexpressdirection.
Itisnotnecessarythatthewillbetotallydestroyed.
It is sufficient if on the face of the will, there is
shown somesign of the physicalact of destruction.
(Malotov.CA,G.R.No.76464,Feb.29,1988)
Q: How can a will be revoked by physical

destruction?
A: The physical act of destruction of a will, like

burning, does not per se constitute an effective
revocation,unlessthedestructioniscoupledwith
animus revocandi on the part of the testator.
(Malotov.CA,G.R.No.76464,Feb.29,1988)
Q: What is required for a revocation done by a

person,otherthanthetestator,bevalid?
A:
1. Under the express direction of the
testator;and
2. Doneinthepresenceofthetestator.
Note: Elements for a valid revocation done by the

testator himself must be present even if the
revocationisdonebyanotherperson.
Itgoeswithoutsayingthatthedocumentdestroyed
mustbethewillitself.
Q: What is the effect if the person directed by

thetestatortorevokehiswillisincapacitatedto
makeawillsuchaswhenheisbelow18yearsof
age?
A:None.Inrevocationofwills,whatisessentialis
the capacity of the testator to revoke. The
capacityofthepersondirectedbythetestatorto
revokehiswillisimmaterial.
Q: In 1919, Miguel executed a will. In the post

mortem probate, there was a testimony to the
effect that the will was in the testators
possession in 1919, but it can no longer be

found.Isthewillrevoked?
A: Yes, the Doctrine of Presumed Revocation
applies, which provides that: where a will which
cannot be found, is shown to have been in the
possession of the testator when last seen, the
presumption is, in the absence of other
competentevidence,thatthesamewascancelled
or destroyed. The same presumption arises
where it is shown that the testator had ready
accesstothewillanditcannotbefoundafterhis
death.(Gagov.MamuyacG.R.No.26317,Jan.29,
1927)
Note:Thepresumptionis,however,notconclusive
andanyonewhohasprooftothecontrarymayrebut
thepresumption.
Q:WhatistheDoctrineofDependentRelative
Revocation?
A: Where the testators act of destruction is

connectedwiththemakingofanotherwill,soas
fairly to raise the inference that the testator
meanttherevocationoftheoldtodependupon
theefficacyofthenewdispositionintendedtobe
substituted, the revocation will be conditional
and dependent upon the efficacy of the new
disposition; and if, for any reason, the new will
intended to be made as a substitute is
inoperative, the revocation fails and the original
willremainsinfullforce.(Molov.Molo,G.R.No.
L2538,Sept.21,1951)
Simply put, for this doctrine to operate, the

testator must have intended that the revocation
ofhisfirstwillbedependentonthevalidityofhis
second will. In this case the intention of the
testator is clear: He does not want to die
intestate.
Note: Failure of the new testamentary disposition

upon whose validity the revocation depends is
equivalent to the nonfulfillment of a suspensive
condition and thus prevents the revocation of the
originalwill.
Revocationofawillbasedonafalsecauseoran
illegalcauseisnullandvoid.
Q:Mr.Reyesexecutedawillcompletelyvalidas
to form. A week later, however, he executed
another will which expressly revoked his first
will, which he tore his first will to pieces. Upon
the death of Mr. Reyes, his second will was
presented for probate by his heirs, but it was
denied due to formal defects. Assuming that a
copyofthefirstwillisavailable,mayitnowbe
admittedtoprobateandgiveneffect?Why?
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A: Yes, the first will may be admitted to probate

andgiveneffect.Whenthetestatortorethefirst
will, he was under the mistaken belief that the
secondwillwasperfectlyvalidandhewouldnot
have destroyed the first will had he known that
the second will is not valid. The revocation by
destructionthereforeisdependentonthevalidity
of the second will. Since it turned out that the
secondwillwasinvalid,thetearingofthefirstwill
did not produce the effect of revocation. This is
known as the doctrine of dependent relative
revocation (Molo v. Molo, G.R. No. L2538, Sept.
21,1951)(2003BarQuestion)
Alternative Answer: No, the first will cannot be

admittedtoprobate.Whileitistruethatthefirst
will was successfully revoked by the second will
becausethesecondwillwaslaterdeniedprobate,
thefirstwillwas,nevertheless,revokedwhenthe
testator destroyed it after executing the second
invalidwill.(Diazv.DeLeon,G.R.No.17714,May
31,1922).
Q: What is the rule in case of revocation based

onfalseorillegalcause?
A: Revocation based on a falseor illegal cause is

nullandvoid.
Requisites:
1. Thecausemustbeconcrete,factualand
notpurelysubjective
2. Itmustbefalse
3. Thetestatormustnotknowofitsfalsity
4. It must appear from the will that the
testator is revoking because of the
causewhichisfalse.
Q: The will contains a statement whereby the

testatorrecognizeshisillegitimatechild.Thiswill
was revoked. May the revoked will be used as
basisforprovingthesaidrecognition?
A:Yes.Recognitioninawillofanillegitimatechild
does not lose its legal effect even if the will is
revoked.
7.ALLOWANCEANDDISALLOWANCEOFWILLS
A.PROBATEREQUIREMENT
Q:Whatisprobate?
A:Itisaspecialproceedingmandatorilyrequired
for the purpose of establishing the validity of a
will.
296
Nowillshallpasseitherrealorpersonalproperty
unlessitisprovedandallowedinaccordancewith
theRulesofCourt.(Art.838)
Note: Probate does not deal with the intrinsic

validityofthetestamentaryprovisions.
Evenifonlyoneheirhasbeeninstituted,theremust
stillbeajudicialorderofadjudication.
Evenifawillhasalreadybeenprobated,iflaterona
subsequentwillisdiscovered,thelattermaystillbe
presented for probate, as long as two wills can be
reconciled.
Q:Doesprescriptionapplytoprobateofwills?
A: The statute of limitations is not applicable to

probateofwills(ImprescriptibilityofProbate)
Rationale: Probate proceedings are not established
intheinterestofthesurvivingheirs,butprimarilyfor
the protection of the expressed wishes of the
testator.
Q: What are the characteristics of a probate

proceeding?
A:
1. Specialproceeding;
2. Proceedinginrem;
3. Notcontentiouslitigation;
4. Mandatory;
5. Imprescriptible;
Q:Whatarethedifferentkindsofprobate?
A:
1. Antemortem testator himself
petitions the court for the probate of
hisownwill.
2. Postmortem another person applies
for probate of the will after the
testatorsdeath.
(1)ISSUESTOBERESOLVEDINPROBATE
PROCEEDINGS
(A)EXCEPTIONSWHENPRACTICAL
CONSIDERATIONS
DEMANDTHEINTRINSICVALIDITYOFTHEWILL
BERESOLVED
Q: What are the questions that can be

determinedbyaprobatecourt?
A:
GR: Probate courts cannot inquire into the
intrinsicvalidityofwill
Theonlyquestionsthatcanbedeterminedby
aprobatecourtarethe:
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
1.
2.
3.
Dueexecution
Testamentarycapacity
Identityofthewill
XPN:Practicalconsiderations(E.g.whenthe
willisvoidonitsface)
Q:Thetestatordevisedapartofhisestatetohis
concubine,whichfactofconcubinagewasstated
in his will. On probate, the court ruled that the
willwasvalidlyexecutedbutthedeviseinfavor
of the concubine is null and void. Can the
probate court pass upon the intrinsic validity of
thetestamentaryprovisionstatedinthewill?
A: Yes. While as a general rule, in probate

proceedings,thecourtsareaofinquiryislimited
toanexaminationandresolutionoftheextrinsic
validity of the will, given exceptional
circumstances,theprobatecourtisnotpowerless
to do what the situation constrains it to do and
passuponcertainprovisionsofthewill,asinthis
case.(Nepomucenov.CA,G.R.No.62952,Oct.9,
1985)
Note:TheSCheldasbasisitsfindingthatinthe
eventofprobateofthewill,orifthecourtrejects
thewill,probabilityexiststhatthecasewillcome
up once again on the same issue of the intrinsic
validity or nullity of the will, the same will result
in waste of time, effort, expense plus added
anxiety.
Q:Canaprobatecourtdecideonquestionsof
ownership?
A:
GR:Aprobatecourthasnojurisdictionto
decidequestionsofownership.
XPN:
1. When the parties voluntary submit the
issueofownershiptothecourt;
2. When provisionally, the ownership is
passed upon to determine whether or
notthepropertyinvolvedispartofthe
estate.
3. The question of ownership is an
extraneous matter which the probate
courtcannotresolvewithfinality.
Q: When Vic died, he was survived by his

legitimate son, Ernesto, and natural daughter,
Rosario. Rosario, who had Vics will in her
custody, did not present the will for probate.
SheinstitutedanactionagainstErnestotoclaim
herlegitimeonthetheorythatVicdiedintestate
becausetheabsenceofprobate.Tosupporther
claim, she presented Vics will, not for its

probate, but for proving that Vic acknowledged
her. Is the procedure adopted by Rosario
allowed?
A: No. It is in violation of procedural law and an

attempttocircumventanddisregardthelastwill
andtestamentofthedecedent.Thepresentation
ofawilltothecourtforprobateismandatoryand
its allowance by the court is essential and
indispensabletoitsefficacy.
Note: SC held that the case of Leao v. Leao (25

Phil., 180), which sanctioned the extrajudicial
partition by the heirs of the properties left by a
decedent,butnotthenonpresentationofawillfor
probate, cannot be relied upon as an authority for
the unprecedented and unheard of procedure
adopted by Rosario in this case, in the face of
express mandatory provisions of the law requiring
her to present the will to the court for probate. It
doesnotaffirmativelyappearinthedecisioninthat
casethatthepartitionmadebytheheirswasnotin
accordance with the will or that they in any way
disregarded the will. No question of law was raised
and decided in that case. (Guevara v. Guevara G.R.
No.48840,Dec.29,1943)
Q: To put an end to the numerous litigations

involving decedent Franciscos estate, his heirs
enteredintoacompromiseagreementwhereby
theyagreedtopayTasiana,Franciscossurviving
spouse, P800,000 as her full share in the
hereditaryestate.
When submitted to the court for approval,

Tasiana attacked its validity on the ground that
the heirs cannot enter into a compromise
agreement without first probating Franciscos
will. Tasiana relied on Guevara v. Guevara (74
Phil. 479) where the court held that the
presentation of a will for probate is mandatory
and that the settlement and distribution of an
estate on the basis of intestacy when the
decedentleftawill,isagainstthelawandpublic
policy.Decide.
A:TheGuevararulingisnotapplicableinthiscase
because here, there was no attempt to settle or
distribute the estate among the heirs before the
probate of the will. The clear object of the
contractwasmerelyTasianasconveyanceofany
andallherindividualshareandinterest,actualor
eventual in the estate. There is no stipulation as
toanyotherclaimant,creditororlegatee.
As a hereditary share in a decedent's estate is

transmitted or vested immediately from the
moment of the death of such causante or
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predecessorininterest,thereisnolegalbartoa
successor (with requisite contracting capacity)
disposing of her or his hereditary share
immediately after such death, even if the actual
extent of such share is not determined until the
subsequentliquidationoftheestate.
Also,asFranciscossurvivingspouse,Tasianawas
his compulsory heir. Wherefore, barring
unworthiness or valid disinheritance, her
successional interest existed independent of
Francisco's last will and testament and would
exist even if such will were not probated at all.
Thus, the prerequisite of a previous probate of
the will, as established in the Guevara and
analogouscases,cannotapplytothecase.
Note:Neitherthealeatorycharacterofthecontract
nor the coetaneous agreement that the numerous
litigationsbetweenthepartiesaretobeconsidered
settled and should be dismissed, although such
stipulation gives the contract the character of a
compromise, affect the validity of the transaction.
(DeBorja,etal.v.Vda.deBorja,G.R.No.L28040,
Aug.18,1972)
Q:Whenapersondiestestate,mayhisheirsopt
for an extrajudicial partition instead of having
thewillprobated?
A: No. In the subsequent case of Riosa v. Rocha

(1926), 48 Phil. 737, the Court held that an
extrajudicial partition is not proper in testate
succession.
(2)EFFECTOFFINALDECREEOFPROBATE,RES
JUDICATAONFORMALVALIDITY
Q: What is the scope of a final decree of

probate?
A:Afinaldecreeofprobateisconclusiveastothe
due execution of the will, i.e., as to the extrinsic
orformalvalidityonly.
B.GROUNDSFORDENYINGPROBATE
Q: What are the grounds for disallowance of a

will?
A:FIFUSM
1. TheFormalitiesrequiredbylawhave
notbeencompliedwith;
2. ThetestatorwasInsaneormentally
incapableofmakingwill;
3. ThewillwasexecutedthroughForceor
underduress,orinfluenceoffearor
threats;
4. ThewillwasprocuredbyUndueand
improperpressureandinfluence,on
partofthebeneficiaryorsomeother
person;
298
5.
6.
TheSignatureoftestatorwasprocured
byfraud.
ThetestatoractedbyMistakeordidnot
intendthattheinstrumenthesigned
shouldbehiswill(Art.839,NCC)
Note:Thelistisexclusive.
Awilliseithervalidorvoid.Thereisnosuchthingas
avoidablewill.
Q:Whendothefollowingconstituteasgrounds
fordisallowance?
1. Violence
A:wheninordertocompelthetestatorto
executeawill,seriousorirresistibleforceis
employed
2. Intimidation
A:whenthetestatoriscompelledbya
reasonableandwellgroundedfearofan
imminentandgraveeviluponhispersonor
propertyofhisspouse,descendants,or
ascendants,toexecutethewill
3. UndueInfluence
A:whenapersontakesimproperadvantage
ofhispoweroverthewillofanother,
deprivingthelatterofareasonablefreedom
ofchoice.
4. Mistake
A:Pertainstothemistakeinexecution
whichmayeitherbe:
1. mistake as to the identity or character
oftheinstrumentwhichhesigned,or
2. mistake as to the contents of the will
itself.
Q: What other defects of the will, if any, can

causedenialofprobate?
A:Therearenootherdefectsofthewillthatcan
causedenialofprobate.Art.805oftheCivilCode
provides that the will must be subscribed at the
end thereof by the testator, and subscribed by
threeormorecrediblewitnessesinthepresence
ofthetestatorandofoneanother.Thedriver,the
cook and the lawyer who prepared the will are
credible witnesses. The testator and the
instrumentalwitnessesofthewill,shallalsosign,
eachandeverypageofthewillproper,exceptthe
last,ontheleftmargin,andallthepagesshallbe
numbered correlatively in letters placed of the
upperpartofeachpage.
It has been held, however, that the testators

signature is not necessary in the attestation
clause, and that if a will consists of two sheets,
the first of which contains the testamentary
dispositions, and is signed at the bottom by the
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
testatorandthethreewitnesses,andthesecond
sheet contains the attestation clause, as in this
case, signed by 3 witnesses, marginal signatures
andpagingarenotnecessary.Afterall,theobject
of the law is to avoid substitution of any of the
sheetsofthewill. (Abanganv. Abangan,40Phil.
476 [1919]; In Re: Will of Tan Diuco, 45 Phil 807
[1924]).
B.INSTITUTIONOFHEIRS
Q: How is institution of heir defined under

Article840?
A:Institutionofheirisanactbyvirtueofwhicha
testator designates in his will the person or
persons who are to succeed him in his property
andtransmissiblerightsandobligations(Art.840,
NCC).
Note:Institutioncannotbeallowedtoaffectthe
legitime.
Therecanbeaninstitutedheironlyintestamentary
succession.
Q:Whataretherequisitesofavalidinstitution?
A
1. Thewillmustbeextrinsicallyvalid;
Note: The testator must have the

testamentary capacity to make the
institution.
2. The institution must be intrinsically
valid;
Note: The legitime must not be

impaired,thepersoninstitutedmustbe
identifiedoridentifiable,andthereisno
preterition.
3. Theinstitutionmustbeeffective.
Note: No repudiation by the heir;

testatorisnotpredeceasedbytheheir.
Q:Whataretheeffectsifawilldoesnotcontain
aninstitutionofheir?
A:Thewillshallbevalideventhoughitdoesnot
contain an institution of heir, or such institution
should not comprise the entire estate, and even
thoughthepersonsoinstitutedshouldnotaccept
the inheritance or should be incapacitated to
succeed.(Art.841)
Note:Institutionofheirsisnotindispensableandits
absencewillnotrenderthewillvoid,providedthere
areothertestamentarydispositions,likedevisesand
legacies or where the will merely disinherits a

compulsoryheir.
Q: What are the three principles in the

institutionofheirs?
A:
1. Equality heirs who are instituted
without a designation of shares inherit
inequalparts.
Note: Applies only when the heirs are of

thesameclassorsamejuridicalcondition
andinvolvesonlythefreeportion.
As between a compulsory heir and a

voluntary heir and they are instituted
without any designation of shares, the
legitime must first be respected and the
free portion shall then be equally divided
betweenthem.
2.
Individuality heirs collectively

instituted are deemed individually
instituted unless contrary intent is
proven.
3. Simultaneity when several heirs are

instituted, they are instituted
simultaneously and not successively,
unlessthecontraryisproved.
Q:Whatarethekindsofinstitutionofheirs?
A:Institutionofheirmaybe:
1. withacondition
2. withaterm
3. for a certain purpose or cause (modal
institution)
Q: May a conceived child be instituted as an

heir?
A:Aconceivedchildmaybeinstituted,provided
theconditionsinArts.40and41arepresent
(Conceptuspronatohabetur).
Q: What is the effect if the institution of heir is

basedonafalsecause?
A:
GR: The institution of heir is valid. The false
cause shall be considered simply as not
written.
XPN:Iffromthewillitself,itappearsthatthe
testator would not have madethe institution
if he has known the falsity of the cause, the
institutionshallbevoid.
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Note: In case of illegal cause, the cause shall be

consideredasnotwritten,unlesstheillegalcauseis
theprincipalreasonormotiveforthedisposition,in
whichcasetheinstitutionshallbevoid.
Q: The testatrix devised a parcel of land to Dr.

Rabadilla.ItwasprovidedthatDr.Rabadillawill
acquire the property subject to the obligation,
until he dies, to give Maria 100 piculs of sugar,
andintheeventofnonfulfillment,theproperty
will pass to the nearest descendants of the
testatrix.
WhenDr.Rabadilladied,Mariafiledacomplaint
toreconveythelandallegingthattheheirsofDr.
Rabadilla violated the condition. Is the
institutionofDr.Rabadilla,amodalinstitution?
A: Yes, because it imposes a charge upon the

instituted heir without, however, affecting the
efficacyofsuchinstitution.
In a modal institution, the testator states the

object of the institution, the purpose or
applicationofthepropertyleftbythetestator,or
thechargeimposedbythetestatorupontheheir.
A mode imposes an obligation upon the heir or
legatee but it does not affect the efficacy of his
rights to the succession. The condition suspends
butdoesnotobligate;andthemodeobligatesbut
does not suspend. (Rabadilla v. CA, G.R. No.
113725,June29,2000)
1.PRETERITION
Q:Whatispreterition?
A: Preterition is the omission in testators will of

one, some or all of the compulsory heirs in the
directline,whetherlivingatthetimeofexecution
ofthewillorbornafterthedeathofthetestator.
(Art.854)
Q: What does born after the death of the

testatormean?
A: It simply means that the omitted heir must

alreadybeconceivedatthetimeofdeathofthe
testatorbutwasbornonlyafterthedeathofthe
testator.
Q:Whataretherequisitesofpreterition?
A:
1. There is a total omission in the
inheritance;
2. Thepersonomittedisacompulsoryheir
inthedirectline;
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3.
4.
The omitted compulsory heir must

survive the testator, or in case the
compulsory heir predeceased the
testator, there is a right of
representation;
Nothing must have been received by
theheirbygratuitoustitle.
2.CONCEPT
Q:Whomaybepreterited?
A:Compulsoryheirsinthedirectline.
Q:Mayaspousebepreterited?
A: No. While a spouse is a compulsory heir,

he/she is not in the direct line (ascending or
descending).
Q:Maythedecedentsparentsbepreterited?
A: Yes, if there is an absence of legitimate

compulsory heirs in the descending line. This is
the effect of the application of the rule on
preferenceoflines.
Q: When is there a total omission of a

compulsoryheir?
A:Thereistotalomissionwhentheheir:
1. Receives nothing under the will
whetherasheir,legatee,ordevisee;
Note: If a compulsory heir is given a

shareintheinheritance,nomatterhow
small,thereisnopreterition.
However,ifacompulsoryheirgetsless
thanhislegitime,whilethisisnotacase
ofpreterition.Inthiscase,heisentitled
to a completion of his legitime under
Art.906.
2. Has received nothing by way of

donationintervivosorpropter nuptias;
and
Note: If a compulsory heir has already

received a donation from the testator,
thereisnopreterition.
Reason: A donation to a compulsory

heir is considered an advance of the
inheritance.
3. Willreceivenothingbywayofintestate
succession.
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
Q:Whataretheeffectsofpreterition?
A:
1. Preterition annuls the institution of
heirs;
2. Devicesandlegaciesarevalidinsofaras
theyarenotinofficious;
3. If the omitted compulsory heir dies
before testator, institution shall be
effectual, without prejudice to right of
representation
3.COMPULSORYHEIRSINTHEDIRECTLINE
Q: Who are the compulsory heirs in the direct

line?
A:
1. Legitimate children and descendants
withrespecttotheirlegitimateparents
orascendants;
2. Legitimate parents ot ascendants, with
respect to their legitimate children and
descendants;
3. Illegitimatechildren
4. The father or mother of illegitimate
children
Note:Thesurvivingspouseisnotincluded.
According to Justice Jurado, an adopted child is by
legal fiction considered a compulsory heir in the
directline.
4.PRETERITIONVS.DISPOSITIONLESSTHAN
LEGITIME
Q: What are the distinctions and similarities

between
imperfect
disinheritance
and
preterition?
A:
IMPERFECT
PRETERITION
DISINHERITANCE
Distinctions
Theinstitutionofheirs
Theinstitutionremains
iscompletelyannulled.
valid,butmustbe
reducedinsofarasthe
legitimehasbeen
impaired.
Similarities
Inbothcases,theomittedheirandtheimperfectly
disinheritedheirgetatleasttheirlegitime
Bothlegaciesanddevisesremainvalidinsofarasthe
legitimehasnotbeenimpaired.
Bothlegaciesanddevisesrefertocompulsoryheirs.
5.EFFECTSOFPRETERITION,DEVISEESONLY
ENTITLEDTOCOMPLETIONOFLEGITIME
Q: What is the effect of preterition on the will

itself?
A:
GR: The effect of annulling the institution of
heirs will be, necessarily, the opening of a
totalintestacyexceptthatproperlegaciesand
devises must be respected. Here, the will is
notabrogated.
XPN:Ifthewillcontainsauniversalinstitution
of heirs to the entire inheritance of the
testator,thewillistotallyabrogated.
Reason: The nullification of such institution of
the universal heirs without any other
testamentarydispositioninthewillamountstoa
declarationthatnothingatallwaswritten.
Q:Whataretherightsofthepreteritedheirs?
A:Theyareentitlednotonlytotheirsharesofthe
legitime but also to those of the free portion
which was not expressly disposed of by the
testatorbywayofdevisesandlegacies.
Q:Whatistheeffectiftheheirpredeceasesthe
testator?
A: If the heir who predeceases the testator is a

voluntary heir, a devisee or a legatee, he shall
transmitnorighttohisownheirs.
Note: The rule is absolute with respect to a

voluntaryheirandadeviseeorlegatee.
Right of representation only applies to compulsory

heirs in the direct descending line, and in the
collateral line, only in favor of children of brothers
andsisters.
Thereisnorightofrepresentationintheascending
line.
The representative inherits directly not from the

person represented, but from the one whom the
personwouldhavesucceeded.
The rule also applies in case the heir becomes

incapacitatedtosucceed,orwasdisinherited.
Q: What is the effect if the heir repudiated or

renouncedhisinheritance?
A: An heir who renounced his inheritance,

whetherascompulsoryorasvoluntaryheir,does
nottransmitanyrighttohisownheirs.
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Note: An heir who repudiated his inheritance, may

represent the person whose inheritance he has
renounced.(Art976)
Q: What can the compulsory heir do if the

testatorlefttitlelessthanthelegitimebelonging
totheformer?
A:Anycompulsoryheirtowhomthetestatorhas
leftbyanytitlelessthanthelegitimebelongingto
himmaydemandthatthesamebefullysatisfied.
(Art.906)
Note: Testamentary dispositions that impair or

diminish the legitime of the compulsory heirs shall
bereducedonpetitionofthesame,insofarasthey
maybeinofficiousorexcessive.(Art.907)
C.SUBSTITUTIONOFHEIRS
1.DEFINITION
Q:Whatissubstitution?
A:Substitutionistheappointmentofanotherheir
so that he may enter into the inheritance in
defaultoftheoriginalheir.
2.KINDS
Q:Whatarethedifferentkindsofsubstitution?
A:
1. Simple/commontakesplacewhenthe
heirinstituted:
a. predeceasestestator;
b. repudiatestheinheritance;or
c. isincapacitatedtosucceed
Note:Simplesubstitutionwithouta
statementofthecauses,towhichit
refers,shallcomprisethe3above
mentionedsituations.
2. Brief/compendiouswhentwoormore
persons are substituted for one or for
twoormoreheirs.
3. Reciprocal one heir designated as

substituteforinstitutedheirwhilelatter
is simultaneously instituted as
substituteforformer.
Note:Thesubstituteentersintotheinheritancenot
asanheirsucceedingthefirstheir,butasanheirof
thetestator.
302
3.FIDEICOMMISSARYSUBSTITUTION
Q:Whatisfideicommissarysubstitution?
A: Also known as indirect substitution, it is a

substitution by virtue of which the fiduciary or
first heir instituted is entrusted with the
obligation to preserve and transmit to a second
heirthewholeorpartoftheinheritance.
Note: For its validity and effectivity, such

substitution does not go beyond one degree from
the heir originally substituted and provided further,
that the fiduciary or first heir and the second heir
arelivingatthetimeofdeathofthetestator.
Q: Who are the parties to a fideicommissary

substitution and what are their respective
obligations?
A:
PARTIES
Firstheiror
fiduciary
Secondheiror
fideicommissary
Testator
OBLIGATIONS
Hehastheobligationto
preserveandtransmitthe
inheritance.
Heeventuallyreceivesthe
propertyfromthefiduciary.
None
Q: What are the distinctions between direct

substitutionandindirectsubstitution?
A:
DIRECT
SUBSTITUTION
Thesubstitutereceives
thepropertyindefault
ofthefirstheir
institutedwhodoesnot
orcannotreceivethe
same.
Therearevarious
liberalities,onethatis
immediateandthe
otherorothers
eventual,butwithonly
oneofthemeffective
(becauseultimately
eithertheinstituted
heirsucceedsoritis
thesubstitute).
Thetestatorsodirects
thetransmissionofhis
propertythatoneor
moreheirsenjoyand
mayfreelydisposeof
thesame.
INDIRECT
SUBSTITUTION
(Fideicommissary
Substitution)
Thesubstitutereceives
thepropertyafterthe
heirfirstinstitutedhas
enjoyedthesamefor
sometime.
Therearetwo
liberalitieswhichare
botheffectivebut
successivelyenjoyed.
Thefirstheirinstituted
isobligedtopreserve
thepropertyforthe
benefitofoneormore
succeedingheirsand
hispowerofalienation
iscurtailedoratleast
limited.
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
Nootherpurposethan
topreventthe
successionofthe
intestateheirs.
Hasafurthersocial
effectasitlimitsthe
freecirculationof
propertyandforsuch
reasonmanylaws
prohibitthesameor
limitit.
Thereisonlyone
transfer.
Thereare2transfers
Hasthefreeand
absolutedisposition
andcontroloverthe
property.
Theidentityofthe
substitutedoesnot
matter.
Noabsolutedisposition
becauseitissubjectto
theconditionthathe
willpreserveand
transmitthesameto
thefideicommissary.
Andalso,thereis
controlontheproperty
butthereisalimitto
thecirculationofthe
property.
Thefideicommissaryis
limitedtorelatives
withinonedegreefrom
thefirstheiror
fiduciary:parentchild.
Q: What are the conditions for a valid

fideicommissarysubstitution?
A:
1. Thattheinstitutiondoesnotgobeyond
one degree from the heir originally
instituted;
2. That the substitution be expressly
made;
3. That both the fiduciary and beneficiary
be living at the time of the testators
death;
4. That it should be imposed on the free
portionandnotonthelegitime.
Q: What are the elements/requisites of

A:
1. Theremustbeafirstheirorfiduciary;
2. Anabsoluteobligationisimposedupon
the fiduciary to preserve and to
transmit to a second heir the property
atagiventime;
3. Thereisasecondheirwhomustbeone
degreefromthefirstheir;
4. The first andsecond heir mustboth be
living and qualified at the time of the
deathofthetestator.
1.
FIDUCIARY
Theremustbeafirstheirorfiduciary
Note: The first heir receives property, either upon

the death of the testator or upon the fulfillment of
anysuspensiveconditionimposedbythewill.
Thefirstheirisalmostlikeausufructuarywithright
to enjoy the property. Thus, like a usufructuary, he
cannotalienatetheproperty.Thefirstheirisobliged
to make an inventory but he is not required to
furnishabond.
Q:Whataretheobligationsofafiduciary?
A:
1. Topreservetheinheritance;
2. Todelivertheinheritance;
3. To make an inventory of the
inheritance.
Q: What is the effect of alienation of the

property subject to the fideicommissary
substitutionbythefirstheir?
A: The transfer is not valid. The fiduciary cannot

alienate the property either by an act inter vivos
or mortis causa. He is bound to preserve the
property and transmit it to the second heir or
fideicommissary.
Q:Whatistheperiodofthefiduciarystenure?
A:
1. Primary rule the period indicated by
thetestator
2. Secondary rule if the testator did not
indicate a period, then the fiduciarys
lifetime
Q: Is the fiduciary allowed to make deductions

totheinheritance?
A:
GR:Thefiduciaryshoulddelivertheproperty
intact
and
undiminished
to
the
fideicommisaryheiruponarrivaloftheperiod
XPN: The only deductions allowed, in the

absenceofacontraryprovisioninthewillare:
1. Legitimateexpenses;
2. Credits;
3. Improvements
Note: The coverage of legitimate expenses and

improvements are limited to necessary and useful
expenses,butnottoornamentalexpenses.
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2. ABSOLUTEOBLIGATION
TOPRESERVEANDTRANSMITPROPERTY
Anabsoluteobligationisimposeduponthe
fiduciarytopreserveandtotransmittoasecond
heirthepropertyatagiventime.
Q: How should an absolute obligation to

preserve and to transmit be imposed upon the
fiduciary?
A: The obligation to preserve and transmit must

begivenclearlyandexpresslybygivingitaname
fideicommissary substitution or by imposing
upon the first heir the absolute obligation to
preserve and deliver the property to the second
heir.
Note:"Giventime"meansthetimeprovidedbythe
testator;ifnotprovided,thenitisunderstoodthat
theperiodisthelifetimeofthefirstheir.
st
Q:Ifthetestatorprovidedthatthe1 heirshall
enjoythepropertyduringhislifeandthatupon
his death it shall pass to another expressly
designated by the testator, but without
imposing the obligation to preserve the
property, is there fideicommissary substitution
inthiscase?
A:None.Thereisnofideicommissarysubstitution
but merely a legacy of the usufruct of the
property.
3.FIDEICOMMISSARY
Thereisasecondheirwhomustbeonedegree
fromthefirstheir.
Q:Whatdoesonedegreemean?
A: "One degree" refers to the degree of

relationship;itmeansonegeneration.Assuch,
the fideicommissary can only be either a parent
orchildofthefirstheir.
Note: The relationship is always counted from the

first heir. However, fideicommissary substitutions
arealsolimitedtoonetransmission.Uponthelapse
oftimeforthefirstheir,hetransmitsthepropertyto
the second heir. In other words, there can only be
onefideicommissarytransmissionsuchthatafterthe
first, there can be no second fideicommissary
substitution.
304
CAPACITYTOSUCCEEDOFFIDUCIARYAND
FIDEICOMMISSARY
Thefirstandsecondheirmustbothbelivingand
qualifiedatthetimeofthedeathofthetestator.
Q:Whymustboththefirstandsecondheirbe
livingandqualifiedatthetimeofthedeathof
thetestator?
A:Thefideicommissaryinheritsnotfromthefirst
heirbutfromthetestator,thus,therequirement
that the fideicommissary be alive or at least
conceivedatthetimeofthetestatorsdeath.
Note:Thefideicommissarysubstitutionmustnotbe
imposedonthelegitime,onlyonthefreeportion.
Q:Dotheheirstoafideicommissarysubstitution
inheritsuccessively?
A:No.Boththefirstheirandthefideicommissary
inheritthepropertysimultaneously,althoughthe
enjoymentandpossessionaresuccessive.
Note:Fromthemomentofdeathofthetestator,the
rightsofthefirstheirandthefiduciaryarevested.
Q: What is the effect if the fideicommissary

predeceasesthefiduciary?
A: If the fideicommissary predeceases the

fiduciary,butsurvivesthetestator,hisrightspass
tohisownheirs.
Q:Whatistheremedyofthefideicommissaryto
protecthimselfagainstalienationtoaninnocent
thirdperson?
A: If the first heir was able to register the

property in his name, fideicommissary should
annotate his claim on the land on the title to
protect himself against any alienation in favor of
innocentthirdparties.
When the property passes to the

fideicommissary, there is no more prohibition to
alienate.
Q: What is the effect of the nullity of the

A:Thenullityofthefideicommissarysubstitution
does not prejudice the validity of the institution
oftheheirsfirstdesignated;thefideicommissary
clauseshallsimplybeconsideredasnotwritten.
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
Q: If the testator gives the usufruct to different
personssuccessively,whatruleswillapply?
A:Theprovisionsonfideicommissarysubstitution
alsoapplyinacasewherethetestatorgivesthe
usufructtovariouspersonssuccessively.
Q:Raymond,single,namedhissisterRuffainhis
will as a devisee of a parcel of land which he
owned. The will imposed upon Ruffa the
obligation of preserving the land and
transferring it, upon her death, to her
illegitimatedaughterScarletwhowasthenonly
one year old. Raymond later died, leaving
behindhiswidowedmother,RuffaandScarlet.
IstheconditionimposeduponRuffatopreserve
the property and to transmit it upon her death
toScarlet,valid?
A: When an obligation to preserve and transmit

thepropertytoScarletwasimposedonRuffa,the
testator Raymond intended to create a
fideicommissary substitution where Ruffa is the
fiduciary and Scarlet is the fideicommisary.
Having complied with the requirements of Art.
863 and 869 (NCC), the fideicomissary
substitutionisvalid.
Q:IfScarletpredeceasesRuffa,whoinheritsthe
property?
A: If Scarlet predeceases Ruffa, the

fideicommissary substitution is rendered null or
ineffectiveunderArt.863(NCC).AndapplyingArt.
868 (NCC), the fideicommissary clause is
disregarded without prejudice to the validity of
theinstitutionofthefiduciary.InsuchcaseRuffa
shallinheritthedevicefreefromthecondition.
If Ruffa predeceases Raymond, can Scarlet

inheritthepropertydirectlyfromRaymond?
A:Inafideicommissarysubstitution,theintention
of the testator is to make the second heir his
ultimate heir. The right of the second heir is
simply postponed by the delivery of the
inheritance to the first heir for him to enjoy the
usufruct over the inheritance. Hence, when the
first heir predeceased the testator, the first heir
did not qualify to inherit and the right of the
second heir to receive the inheritance will no
longer be delayed provided the second heir is
qualified to inherit at the time of the testators
death. In fideicommissary substitution, the first
andsecondheirsinheritfromthetestator,hence,
both should be qualified to inherit from the
testatoratthetimeofhisdeath.
In the problem, when Ruffa predeceased

Raymund, she did not qualify to receive the
inheritance to enjoy it usufruct, hence, the right
of Scarlet to receive the inheritance upon the
death of the testator will no longer be delayed.
However, Scarlet is not qualified to inherit from
RayondbecausesheisbarredbyArt.992ofNCC
being an illegitimate child of Raymonds
illegitimate father. The devise will therefore be
ineffective and the property will be disposed of
byintestacy.(2008BarQuestion)
D.CONDITIONALTESTAMENTARYDISPOSITIONS
ANDTESTAMENTARYDISPOSITIONSWITHA
TERM
Q:Whatisaterm?
A: It is any future and certain event upon the

arrival of which the validity or efficacy of a
testamentarydispositionsubjecttoitdepends.
Note:Adispositionwithasuspensivetermdoesnot
prevent the instituted heir from acquiring his rights
and transmitting them to his heirs even before the
arrivaloftheterm.
Reason: The right oftheheir institutedsubjecttoa
termisvestedatthetimeofthetestator'sdeathhe
willjustwaitforthetermtoexpire.
Iftheheirdiesafterthetestatorbutbeforetheterm
expires, he transmits his rights to his own heirs
becauseofthevestedright.
Q: When the disposition is subject to a term,

what should be done by the instituted heirs or
legal heirs so that they can enjoy possession of
theproperty?
A:Ifthedispositionissubjecttoa:
1. Suspensive term The legal heirs can
enjoy possession of the property until
the expiration of the period but they
must put up a bond (caucion muciana)
in order to protect the right of the
institutedheir.
2. Resolutory term The legal heirs can

enjoy possession of the property but
when the term arrives, he must give it
to the legal heirs. The instituted heir
doesnothavetofileabond.
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E.LEGITIME
1.DEFINITION
Q: In relation to Articles 908 to 910, how shall

thereductionfromthelegitimebemade?
A: After the legitime has been determined in
accordancewiththethreeprecedingarticles,the
reductionshallbemadeasfollows:
Q:Definelegitime.
A:Legitimeisthatpartofthetestator'sproperty
which he cannot dispose of because the law has
reserved it for certain heirs who are, therefore,
calledcompulsoryheirs.(Art.886)
1.
Note:Thereiscompulsiononthepartofthetestator
toreservethatpartoftheestatewhichcorresponds
tothelegitime.
2.
Q:Howislegitimedetermined?
If the testator has directed that a

certain devise or legacy be paid in
preference to others, it shall not suffer
anyreductionuntilthelatterhavebeen
applied in full to the payment of the
legitime.
A: To determine the legitime, the value of the

propertyleftatthedeathofthetestatorshallbe
considered, deducting all debts and charges,
whichshallnotincludethoseimposedinthewill.
3.
Tothenetvalueofthehereditaryestate,shallbe
added the value of all donations by the testator
thataresubjecttocollation,atthetimehemade
them.(Art.908)
Q: Cite the rules governing the donations made
bythetestatorinfavorofhischildren,legitimate
and illegitimate, and strangers and those which
areinofficious.
4.
A:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Donationsshallberespectedaslongas
thelegitimecanbecovered,reducingor
annulling, if necessary, the devises or
legaciesmadeinthewill;
Thereductionofthedevisesorlegacies
shall be pro rata, without any
distinctionwhatever.
Donations given to children shall be

chargedtotheirlegitime.
Donations made to strangers shall be
charged to that part of the estate of
whichthetestatorcouldhavedisposed
byhislastwill.
Insofar as they may be inofficious or
may exceed the disposable portion,
they shall be reduced according to the
rules established by this Code. (Art.
909)
Donations which an illegitimate child
may have received during the lifetime
ofhisfatherormother,shallbecharged
to his legitime. Should they exceed the
portion that can be freely disposed of,
they shall be reduced in the manner
prescribedbythisCode.(Art.910)
If the devise or legacy consists of a

usufruct or life annuity, whose value
maybeconsideredgreaterthanthatof
the disposable portion, the compulsory
heirs may choose between complying
with the testamentary provision and
deliveringtothedeviseeorlegateethe
part of the inheritance of which the
testatorcouldfreelydispose.(Art.911)
Ifthedevisesubjecttoreductionshould
consist of real property, which cannot
be conveniently divided, 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
respectivelybelongstothem.(Art.912)
Thedeviseewhoisentitledtoalegitime
may retain the entire property,
provideditsvaluedoesnotexceedthat
of the disposable portion and of the
sharepertainingtohimaslegitime.(id.)
Note:Iftheheirsordeviseesdonotchooseto
avail themselves of the right granted by the
preceding article, any heir or devisee who did
nothavesuchrightmayexerciseit;shouldthe
latternotmakeuseofit,thepropertyshallbe
soldatpublicauctionattheinstanceofanyone
oftheinterestedparties.(Art.913)
Thetestatormaydeviseandbequeaththefree
portionashemaydeemfit.(Art.914)
306
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
RULESONLEGITIME
Q:Canthetestatordeprivethecompulsoryheirs
theirlegitimes?
A: No. The testator cannot deprive the

compulsory heirs of their legitimes, except
throughdisinheritance.
Note:Onlythelegitimeisreserved.Thefreeportion
maybedisposedofbywill.
Q:Mustcompulsoryheirsaccepttheirlegitimes?
A: No. There is no obligation on the compulsory

heirstoaccept.
Q:Whatarethekindsoflegitime?
A:
1. Fixed If the amount (fractional part)
does not vary or change regardless of
whether there are concurring
compulsoryheirsornot.
a. legitimate
children
and
descendants (legitimate childrens
legitimeisalways)
b. legitimateparentsandascendants
2. Variable If the amount changes or

varies in accordance with whom the
compulsoryheirconcur.
a. survivingspouse
b. illegitimatechildren
c. parentsoftheillegitimatechild
Note:Factorswhichaffectthelegitime:
1. Identity of the concurring compulsory
heirsand;
2. Numberofconcurringcompulsoryheirs.
Q: What are the limitations imposed on the

testatorregardinghisrightsofownership?
A:Thetestatorcannotmakedonationsintervivos
which impinge upon the legitime or which are
inofficious.
Note: The prohibition does not cover an onerous

disposition (sale) becausethis involves anexchange
ofvalues.
Q: What are the rules governing succession in

thedirectdescendingline?
A:
1. Rule of preference between lines
descending line is preferred over the
ascendingline;
2.
3.
Ruleofproximity;
Right of representation, in case of
predecease,
incapacity
and
disinheritance;
4. If all the legitimate children repudiate
their legitime, the next generation of
legitimatedescendants,succeedintheir
ownright.
Q: What are the rules governing succession in

theascendingline?
A:
1. Ruleofproximitynearerexcludesthe
moreremote;
2. Divisionbyline;
3. Equaldivisionwithintheline.
Q: What is/are the remedy(ies) available to a

compulsory heir whose legitime has been
impaired?
A:
1. In case of preterition annulment of
institution of heir and reduction of
devisesandlegacies
2. In case of partial impairment
completionoflegitime
3. In case of inofficious donation
collation
Q: Is the renunciation or compromise of future

legitimeallowed?
A: The renunciation or compromise is prohibited

andconsiderednullandvoid.
Q:Whatisthescopeoftheprohibition?
A:
1. Any renunciation of future legitimes,
whetherforavaluableconsiderationor
not;
2. Any waiver of the right to ask for the
reductionofaninnoficiousdonation;
3. Compromise between the compulsory
heirs themselves during the lifetime of
thetestator.
Note:Theprohibitionisnotapplicableincasesof:
1. Renunciationsorcompromisesmadeafter
thedeathofthetestator;
2. Donations or remissions made by the
testator to the compulsory heirs as
advancesoftheirlegitime.
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Q: What is the order of preference in reducing

testamentarydispositionsanddonations?
A:
1. Legitimeofcompulsoryheirs
2. Donationsintervivos
3. Preferentiallegaciesordevises
4. Allotherlegaciesordevisesprorata.
Note: The order of preference is applicable

when:
1. Thereductionisnecessarytopreservethe
legitime of compulsory heirs from
impairment whether there are donations
intervivosornot;or
2. Although,thelegitimehasbeenpreserved
by the testator himself there are
donationsintervivos.
Q: What are the steps in the distribution of the

estateofthetestator?
A:
1. Determinethevalueofthepropertyleft
at the death of the testator. (Gross
estate)
2. Deduct all debt and charges, except
thoseimposedinthewillfromthegross
estate.(Netasset)
3. Add the value of all donations by the
testatorthataresubjecttocollation.
(Nethereditaryestate=[Grossestate
DebtsandCharges]+donations)
4. Determine who are the compulsory
heirs and their corresponding legitimes
usingthetableoflegitimesbelow.
5. Determinethefreeportion.
Freeportion= nethereditaryestate
Less:
legitimes(totalamount)
6. Imputationofdonations
7. Distributionoftheremainingportionto
thelegateesanddevisees.
Q: What is the effect of donations to the

inheritanceofanheir?
A:Donationsintervivosgiventochildrenshallbe
charged to their legitime, unless otherwise
providedbythetestator.
Reason: Donations to the compulsory heirs are

advancestothelegitime.
TABLESOFLEGITIMES.
LegitimatechildrenorDescendants
Shareoflegitimate
childrenand
descendants
ofthenetestate
Freeportion
ofthenetestate
LegitimateParentsandAscendants
Shareof legitimate
parentsand
ascendants
ofthenetestate
Freeportion
ofthenetestate
OneLegitimatechildordescendantand
SurvivingSpouse
Shareofalegitimate
child
ofthenetestate
Shareofthesurviving
spouse
ofthenetestate
Freeportion
ofthenetestate
Illegitimatechildrenandlegitimatechildren
Shareoflegitimate
childrenand
descendants
ofthenetestate
Shareofeach
illegitimatechildren
ofthelegitimeof
eachlegitimate
childrenorascendant
Freeportion
Whateverremains
Twoormorelegitimatechildrenor
descendantandSurvivingSpouse
Shareofalegitimate
child
ofthenetestate
Portionequaltothe
Shareofthesurviving legitimeofeachofthe
legitimatechildrenor
spouse
descendant
Freeportion
Whateverremains
Note: Donations inter vivos to strangers shall be

chargedtothefreeportion.
308
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
LegitimateParents;SurvivingSpouse;
IllegitimateChildren
LegitimateParentsorAscendantsand
SurvivingSpouse
Sharesand
of
legitimate
parents
and
ascendants
ofthenetestate
ofthenetestate
Surviving
spouse
1/8ofthenetestate
ofthenetestate
Illegitimate
children
ofthenetestate
Free
portion
1/8ofthenetestate
Shareof
legitimate
parentsor
ascendants
ofthenetestate
Shareofthe
surviving
spouse
Freeportion
IllegitimatechildrenandSurvivingSpouse
Shareof
illegitimate
children
1/3ofthenetestate
Shareof
the
surviving
spouse
1/3ofthenetestate
Free
portion
1/3ofthenetestate
SurvivingSpouseAlone;Exception:Marriagein
ArticuloMortis
LegitimateParentsorAscendantsand
IllegitimateChildren
Sharesand
of
legitimate
parents
and
ascendants
ofthenetestate
Illegitimate
children
ofthenetestate
Free
portion
ofthenetestate
SurvivingSpouse;LegitimateChildrenor
Ascendants;IllegitimateChildren
Shareof
legitimate
childrenand
descendants
ofthenetestate
Surviving
spouse
Equaltotheportionofthe
legitimeofeachlegitimatechild
Illegitimate
children
oftheshareofeachlegitimate
child
Freeportion
Whateverremains
Surviving
spouse
only
ofthenetestate
Free
portion
ofthenetestate
Surviving
spouse
only
(marriage
inarticulo
mortis,
testator
diedw/in3
months)
1/3ofthenetestate
Free
portion
2/3ofthenetestate
Surviving
spouse
only
(marriage
inarticulo
mortis,
testator
diedw/in
3mos.but
havebeen
livingas
H&Wfor
notless
than5yrs)
ofthenetestate
Free
portion
ofthenetestate
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IllegitimateParentsAlone;orWith
illegitimatechildrenorLegitimateChildrenor
Descendants;orWithSurvivingSpouse
Shareof
the
ofthenetestate
illegitimate
parents
alone
Free
ofthenetestate
portion
ofthenetestate
Shareof
illegitimate
parents
ofthenetestate
Shareof
the
surviving
spouse
Free
ofthenetestate
portion
IllegitimateChildrenAlone
Shareof
illegitimate
children
ofthenetestate
Free
portion
ofthenetestate
TABLEOFINTESTATESHARES
LEGEND:
Legit.ChildrenorDescendants
Legit.ParentsorAscendants
SurvivingSpouse
NephewsandNieces
LCD
LPA
SS
NN
Illegit.ChildrenorDescendants
Illegit.ParentsorAscendantsI
BrothersandSisters
ILCD
LPA
BS
INTESTATEHEIRS
SHAREINTHEFREEPORTION
AnyClassalone
ofthefreeportion
LCDalone
SS
(SS)
LCD
SS
Remainingportionofestateafterpayinglegitimes
LegitimestobedividedequallybetweentotalnumberofchildrenplustheSS
LCD
ILCD
Remainingportionofestateafterpayinglegitimes
Legitimestobedividedbytheratioof2:1
OneLCD
OneILCD
SS
Remainingportionofestateafterpayinglegitimestobedividedbytheratioof2:1
OnepartgoestotheILCD
Sameshareasalegitimatechild
LCD
ILCD
SS
Remainingportionofestateafterpayinglegitimestobedividedbytheratioof2:1
OnepartgoestotheILCD
Sameshareasalegitimatechild,providedlegitimesarenotimpaired
LPA
ILCD
(ILCD)
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CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
LPA
SS
(SS)
LPA
SS
ILCD
(SS)
ILCD
SS
1/6
1/6
SS
or
ILPA
SS
BS,NN
SS
BS,NN
(BS,NN)
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StepsinDeterminingtheLegitimeofCompulsoryHeirs
Step 1: INVENTORY
(Gross Value of Estate)
Determination of the gross value of the estate at the time of

the death of the testator
Step 2: DEDUCT
OBLIGATIONS
Determination of all the debts and charges which are

chargeable against the estate
Step 3: Net Value
Step 4: Collation
Net Hereditary Estate
Determination of the net valueof the estate by deducting all

the debts and charges from the gross value of the estate
Collation or addition of all the value of all donations inter

vivos to the net value of the estate
Determination of the Net Hereditary Estate from the total

thus found
Imputation of all the value of donations inter vivos made to
compulsory heirs against their legitimes and of the value of
all donations inter vivos made to strangers against the
disposable free portion and restoration to the hereditary
estate if the donation is inofficious.
If the legitime is impaired, the following reductions shall be
made:
a. First, reduce pro rata non-preferred legacies and
devices, and the testamentary dispositions.
b. Second, reduce pro rata the preferred legacies and
devises
c. Third, reduce the donations inter vivos according to
the inverse order of their dates.
*** As to the remaining portion of the estate, it shall be
distributed to the devisees and legatees
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CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
2.COMPULSORYHEIRSANDVARIOUS
COMBINATIONS
Q:Whoarecompulsoryheirs?
A:Thefollowingarecompulsoryheirs:
1. Legitimate children and descendants,
withrespecttotheirlegitimateparents
andascendants;
2. In default of the foregoing, legitimate
parentsandascendants,withrespectto
their
legitimate
children
and
descendants;
3. Thewidoworwidower;
4. Acknowledged natural children, and
naturalchildrenbylegalfiction;
5. Otherillegitimatechildrenreferredtoin
article287.
NOTE:CompulsoryheirsmentionedinNos.3,4,and
5arenotexcludedbythoseinNos.1and2;neither
dotheyexcludeoneanother.
In all cases of illegitimate children, their filiation

mustbedulyproved.
The father or mother of illegitimate children of the

three classes mentioned, shall inherit from them in
the manner and to the extent established by this
Code.(Art.887)
Q: What are the classifications of compulsory

heirs?
A:
1. PrimarycompulsoryheirsTheyarenot
excluded by the presence of other
compulsoryheirs.
E.g. legitimate children, surviving

spouse
2. Secondary compulsory heirs Those
who succeed only in default of the
primarycompulsoryheirs.
E.g.legitimateascendants
3. Concurring compulsoryheirsTheyget
their legitimes together with the
primary or secondary heirs. Neither
excludes primary or secondary heirs,
noreachother.
E.g. Surviving spouse and illegitimate

childrenanddescendants.
Legitimatechildrenanddescendants(LCD)
Q:Isanadoptedchildacompulsoryheir?
A: Legitimate children includes adopted

childrenandlegitimatedchildren.
Under R.A. 8552 or the Domestic Adoption Law

adoptedchildrenhavethesamerightsgrantedto
the legitimate children. Adopted children, for all
intentsandpurposesareconsideredaslegitimate
children.
Hence,theadoptedchildrencanalreadyexclude
legitimateparents/ascendants.
Legitimateparentsandascendants(LPA)
Q: When do legitimate parents and ascendants

inherit?
A: Legitimate parents and ascendants inherit in

default of legitimate children and descendants.
Theyaresecondarycompulsoryheirs.
Q:Isthepresenceofillegitimatechildrenofthe
decedentexcludetheLPA?
A:No.Legitimateparentsandascendantsconcur
withtheillegitimatechildrenofthedecedent.
However, if the decedent is himself illegitimate,

his illegitimate children exclude the illegitimate
parentsandascendants.
Survivingspouse(SS)
Q: Can a common law spouse be a compulsory
heir?
A:No.Theremustbevalidmarriagebetweenthe
decedent and the surviving spouse. If the
marriage is null and void, the surviving spouse
cannotinherit.
Q: How can the heirs of the decedent use the

nullity of marriage to prevent the surviving
spousefrominheriting?
A: The heirs can raise the issue of nullity of the

marriage in the same proceeding for the
settlementoftheestate.Thisisallowedbecause
amarriagethatisnullandvoidcanbecollaterally
attacked.
However, in case of voidable marriages, if the

marriage is not annulled before the decedent
died,thesurvivingspousecanstillinherit
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Reason:Voidablemarriagescanonlybeattacked
inadirectproceeding,i.e.annulmentproceeding.
Note:Thesurvivingspouseisnotacompulsoryheir
ofhis/herparentinlaw.
Separationinfact will not disqualify the surviving

spouse from getting his/her legitime, regardless of
his/herguilt.
Illegitimatechildren
Note: Under the Family Code, there is no more

distinction between acknowledged natural children
andillegitimatechildren.Theyareallconsideredas
illegitimate.
Compulsoryheirsofapersonwhoisillegitimate:
1. Legitimatechildrenanddescendants;
2. Illegitimatechildrenanddescendants;
3. In default of the foregoing, illegitimate
parentsonly;
4. Survivingspouse.
Q:Inwhatwaysmaycompulsoryheirsinherit?
A:Compulsoryheirsinheriteither:
1. intheirownright;or
2. byrightofrepresentation
3.RESERVATRONCAL
Q:Whatisreservatroncal?
A: Reserva troncal The ascendant who inherits

from his descendant any property which the
lattermayhaveacquiredbygratuitoustitlefrom
another ascendant, or a brother or sister, is
obligedtoreservesuchpropertyashemayhave
acquired by operation of law for the benefit of
relativeswhoarewithinthethirddegreeandwho
belongtothelinefromwhichsaidpropertycame.
(Art.891)
Purpose: To prevent persons who are outsiders

to the family from acquiring, by chance or
accident, property which otherwise would have
remained with the said family. In short, to put
back the property to the line from which it
originallycame.
Note:Othertermsusedtorefertoreservatroncal:
1. Lineal
2. Familiar
3. Extraordinaria
4. Semitroncal
5. Pseudotroncal
Q: What are the requisites that must exist in

order that a property may be impressed with a
reservablecharacter?
A:
1. That the property was acquired by a
descendant (called praepositus or
propositus) from an ascendant or from
a brother or sister by gratuitous title
when the recipient does not give
anythinginreturn;
2. Thatsaiddescendant(praepositus)died
withoutanissue;
3. That the same property (called
reserva) is inherited by another
ascendant (called reservista) by
operation of law (either through
intestate or compulsory succession)
fromthepraepositus;and
4. Thattherearelivingrelativeswithinthe
third degree counted from the
praepositus and belonging to the same
line from where the property originally
came(calledreservatarios).(Art.891;
Chua v. CFI of Negros Occidental,
Branch V, 78 SCRA 412; Rabuya, Civil
LawReviewer,pp.634635)
Q:Doesreservatroncalexistinanillegitimateor
adoptiverelationship?
A: No. It only exists in the legitimate family.

(Centenov.Centeno,52Phil.322;id,p.635)
Q: What are the causes for the extinguishment

ofthereserva?
A:DDLRRP
1. Deathofthereservista
2. Death of all the relatives within the
third degree prior to the death of the
reservista
3. Accidental Loss of all the reservable
properties
4. Renunciation or waiver by the reserves
orreservatarios
5. Registration under Act 496 without the
reservablecharacterbeingannotatedif
itfallsintothehandsofabuyeringood
faithforvalue
6. By Prescription reservista seeks to
acquire(30yearsimmovable;8years
movable)
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CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
Q:Differentiatereservaminimaandreserva
maxima.
A:
RESERVAMINIMA
RESERVAMAXIMA
Allofthepropertieswhich
thedescendanthad
previouslyacquiredby
gratuitoustitlefrom
anotherascendantorfrom
abrotherorsistermustbe
consideredaspassingto
theascendantreservista
partlybyoperationoflaw
andpartlybyforceofthe
descendantswill.
Alloftheproperties
whichthedescendant
hadpreviouslyacquired
bygratuitoustitlefrom
anotherascendantor
fromabrotherorsister
mustbeincludedinthe
ascendantslegitime
insofarassuchlegitime
cancontain.
Appliesintestate
succession.
Alwaysfollowedin
intestatesuccession
Q:Whoarethepartiesinreservatroncal?
A:
1. Origin
2. Propositus
3. Reservista
4. Reservatartios/Reservees
ORIGIN
Q:Whomustbetheorigininreservatroncal?
A: The origin of the property must be an

ascendant,brotherorsisterofthepropositus.
Note: The origin must be a legitimate relative
becausereservatroncalexistsonlyinthelegitimate
family.
Q:Inorderforreservatroncaltotakeplace,how
should the property be transmitted from the
origintothepropositus?
A: The transmission from the origin to the

propositusmustbebygratuitoustitle.
Q:Cantheoriginalienatetheproperty?
A:Yes.Whiletheoriginownstheproperty,there
is no reserva yet, and therefore, he has the
perfectrighttodisposeofit,inanywayhewants,
subject, however to the rule on inofficious
donations.
PROPOSITUS
Q:Whomustbethepropositus?
A: The propositus must be a legitimate

descendantorhalfbrother/sisteroftheoriginof
theproperty.
Note:Togiverisetoreservetroncal,thepropositus
must not have any legitimate children, otherwise,
the reservable property will be inherited by the
latter
The presence of illegitimate children of the

proposituswillnotpreventhislegitimateparentsor
ascendantsfrominheritingthereservedproperty.
Thepropositusisthedescendantwhosedeathgives
risetothereservatroncal,andfromwhomtherefore
thethirddegreeiscounted.
Q:Canthepropositusalienatetheproperty?
A: Yes. While propositus is still alive, there is no

reserva yet, therefore, he is the absolute owner
of the property, with full freedom to alienate or
disposeorencumber.
Inasmuch as the propositus is the full owner of

theproperty,hemayevendefeattheexistenceof
any possible reserve by simply not giving the
property involved to his ascendant, by way of
inheritancebyoperationoflaw.
Note:Thepropositusisreferredtoasthearbiterof
thereserva.
RESERVISTA
Q:Whoisthereservistainreservatroncal?
A: The reservista is the ascendant who inherits

from the propositus by operation of law. It is he
whohastheobligationtoreserve.
Note: The relationship between the reservista and

thepropositusmustbelegitimate.
Ifheinheritedthepropertyfromthepropositus,not
by legalsuccessionor by virtue of legitime, thereis
noobligationtoreserve.
Q: Does the reservista own the reservable

property?
A: The reservista is an absolute or full owner,

subjecttoaresolutorycondition.Iftheresolutory
conditionisfulfilled,thereservistasownershipof
thepropertyisterminated.
Resolutory condition: If at the time of the

reservistasdeath,thereshouldstillexistrelatives
within the third degree (reservatarios) of the
propositus and belonging to the line from which
thepropertycame.
Note:Thereservablepropertyisnotpartofthe
estateofthereservista.
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Q:Canthereservistaalienatetheproperty?
A:Thereservistacanalienatethepropertybeing
theownerthereofbutsubjecttothereservation.
Q:Isthereservistarequiredtofurnishabond?
A:
GR:Heisrequiredtofurnishabond,security
or mortgage to guarantee the safe delivery
laterontothereservatariosoftheproperties
concerned,inthepropercases.
XPN: The bond, security or mortgage is not
needed when the property has been
registered or annotated in the certificate of
titleassubjecttoreservatroncal.
Note:Uponthereservistasdeaththeownershipof
thereservedpropertiesisautomaticallyvestedto
thereservatarioswhoareexisting.Hence,the
reservistacannotdisposethereservedpropertyby
williftherearereservatariosexistingatthetimeof
hisdeath.
Q:Whataretheobligationsofthereservista?
A:
1. Tomakeaninventoryofthereservable
property;
2. Toannotatethereservablecharacterof
the real property in the Register of
Deedswithin90daysfromthetimehe
receivestheinheritance;
3. Tofurnishabond,security,ormortgage
toanswerforthereturnofpropertyor
itsvalue;
rd
4. To preserve the property for the 3
degreerelatives.
RESERVATARIOS
Q:Whoarethereservatarios?
A:Thereservatariosarerelativeswithinthethird
degreeofthepropositus,whobelongtothesame
linefromwhichthepropertyoriginallycame,who
will become the full owners of the property the
moment the reservista dies, because by such
death,thereservaisextinguished.
Q:Whoaretherelativeswithinthethirddegree
fromthepropositus?
A:
1. Parents;
2. Grandparents;
316
3.
4.
5.
Fullandhalfbrothersandsisters;
Greatgrandparents,
Nephewsandnieces.
Q:Whataretherequisitesforpassingoftitleto
thereservatarios?
A:
1. deathofthereservista;and
2. the fact that the reservatarios survived
thereservista.
Note:Thereservatariosinheritthepropertyfrom
thepropositus,notfromthereservista.
Thereservatariosmustbelegitimaterelativesofthe
originandthepropositus.
Reservatroncalisgovernedbythefollowingruleson
intestatesuccession:(Applicablewhenthereare
concurringrelativeswithinthethirddegree)
1. Proximity The nearer excludes the
farther
2. The direct line is preferred over the
collateralline
3. Thedescendinglineispreferredoverthe
ascendingline
Q:Whataretherightsofthereservatarios?
A:
1. Toaskfortheinventoryofallreservable
property
2. The appraisal of all reservable movable
property
3. The annotationin the registry of deeds
of the reservable character of all
reservableimmovableproperty
4. Constitutionofthenecessarymortgage.
Q:Whendoesthereservatarioacquiretheright
overthereservableproperty?
A: Upon the death of the reservista, the

reservatario nearest the decedent propositus
becomes, automatically and by operation of law,
the absolute owner of the reservable property.
(Canov.DirectorofLands)
Q: Is there right of representation in reserva

troncal?
A:Thereisrepresentationinreservatroncal,but
the representative must also be within the third
degree from the propositus. (Florentino v.
Florentino)
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
OPERATIONOFRESERVATRONCAL
Theoriginofthepropertyisthelegitimateascendant,brotherorsisterofthepropositus
UpondeathoftheORIGIN,hispropertyistransmittedtothePROPOSITUSeitherbydonationintervivos
ormortiscausa,aslongasitisbygratuitoustitle.
ORIGIN
PROPOSITUS
RESERVISTA
RESERVATARIO
ThePROPOSITUSisalegitimatedescendantorhalfbrother/sisteroftheORIGINoftheproperty.
Togiverisetoreservetroncal,thePROPOSITUSmustnot haveanylegitimate children,otherwise,the
reservablepropertywillbeinheritedbythelatter
ThePROPOSITUSisthedescendantwhosedeathgivesrisetothereservatroncal,andfromwhomthe
thirddegreeiscounted.
TheRESERVISTAistheascendantwhoinheritsfromthePROPOSITUSbyoperationoflaw.Itishewhohas
theobligationtoreserve.
TherelationshipbetweentheRESERVISTAandthePROPOSITUSmustbelegitimate.
TheRESERVISTAisanabsoluteorfullowner,subjecttoaresolutorycondition.
Resolutorycondition: IfatthetimeoftheRESERVISTASsdeath,thereshouldstillexistrelativeswithinthe
thirddegree(reservatarios)ofthepropositusandbelongingtothelinefromwhichthepropertycame.
TheRESERVATARIO'sarerelativeswithinthethirddegreeofthepropositus,whobelongtothesameline
fromwhichthepropertyoriginallycame,whowillbecomethefullownersofthepropertythemomentthe
reservistadies.
ThereservatariosinheritthepropertyfromthePROPOSITUS,notfromtheRESERVISTA.
UponthedeathoftheRESERVISTA,theRESERVATARIOnearestthedecedentPROPOSITUSbecomes,
automaticallyandbyoperationoflaw,theabsoluteownerofthereservableproperty.
4.DISINHERITANCE
A.DISINHERITANCEFORCAUSE
Q:Whatisdisinheritance?
A: Disinheritance is the process or act, thru a

testamentarydispositionofdeprivinginawillany
compulsoryheirofhislegitimefortrueandlawful
cause.
Note: The onlywayin which a compulsory heir can

be deprived of his legitime is through valid
disinheritance.
Disinheritance is not automatic. There must be

evidence presented to substantiate the
disinheritance and must be for a valid and sound
cause.
Effect of disinheritance: Total exclusion to the

inheritance, meaning, loss of legitime, right to
intestatesuccession,andofanydispositioninaprior
will.
Disinheritance,however,iswithoutprejudicetothe
right of representation of the children and
descendantsofthepersondisinherited.
But the disinherited parent shall not have the

usufruct or administration of the property which
constitutesthelegitime.
Q: What are the requisites of a valid

disinheritance?
A:Disinheritancemustbe:
1. Madeinavalidwill;
2. Identity of the heir is clearly
established;
3. Foralegalcause;
4. Expresslymade;
5. Causestatedinthewill;
6. Absoluteorunconditional;
7. Total;
8. Causemustbetrueandifchallengedby
theheir,itmustbeprovedtobetrue.
Note:Proponentofdisinheritancehastheburdenof
proof.
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(1)RECONCILIATION
Q: What is the effect of subsequent

reconciliation between the offender and the
offendedpartyonthelattersrighttodisinherit?
A: A subsequent reconciliation between the

offender and the offended person deprives the
latter of the right to disinherit, and renders
ineffectualanydisinheritancethatmayhavebeen
made.(Art.922)
(2)RIGHTSOFDESCENDANTSOFPERSON
DISINHERITED
Q:Whatisreconciliation?
A:Thereisreconciliationwhentwopersonswho
are at odds decide to set aside their differences
andtoresumetheirrelations.Theyneednotgo
backtotheiroldrelation.
Note:Ahandshakeisnotreconciliation.Ithastobe
somethingmore.Itmustbeclearanddeliberate.
In order to be effective, the testator must pardon

thedisinheritedheir.Thepardonwhetherexpressor
tacit, must refer specifically to the heir disinherited
and to the acts he has committed, and must be
acceptedbysuchheir.
In disinheritance, reconciliation need not be in

writing.
Q: What is the effect of reconciliation on a

personsrighttodisinherit?
A:
1. Ifmadebeforedisinheritancerightto
disinheritisextinguished.
2. If made after disinheritance
disinheritanceissetaside.
B.DISINHERITANCEWITHOUTCAUSE
Q: What is the effect of disinheritance without

cause?
A: Disinheritance without a specification of the

cause, or for a cause the truth of which, if
contradicted,isnotproved,orwhichisnotoneof
those set forth in this Code, shall annul the
institutionofheirsinsofarasitmayprejudicethe
person disinherited; but the devises and legacies
andothertestamentarydispositionsshallbevalid
tosuchextentaswillnotimpairthelegitime.(Art.
918)
318
Q:Whatarethegroundsfordisinheritance?
A:
1. Common causes for disinheritance of
children or descendants, parents or
ascendants,andspouse:
a. When the heir has been found

guiltyofanattemptagainstthelife
of
the
testator,
his/her
descendants or ascendants, and
spouse, in case of children or
parents.
b. When the heir by fraud, violence,
intimidation, or undue influence
causes the testator to make to
make a will or to change one
alreadymade.
c. When the heir has accused the
testator of a crime for which the
lawprescribesimprisonmentofsix
years or more, if the accusation
hasbeenfoundgroundless.
d. Refusalwithoutjustifiablecauseto
support the testator who
disinheritssuchheir.
2. PeculiarCausesforDisinheritance
a. ChildrenandDescendants:
i. Conviction of a crime which
carrieswithitapenaltyofcivil
interdiction
ii. Maltreatment of the testator
b word or deed by the
childrenordescendant
iii. When the children or
descendant
has
been
convicted of adultery or
concubinage with the spouse
ofthetestator
iv. When the children or
descendant
leads
a
dishonorable or disgraceful
life
b. ParentsorAscendants:
i. When the parent or
ascendanthasbeenconvicted
of adultery or concubinage
with the spouse of the
testator
ii. When the parents have
abandoned their children or
induced their daughters to
live a corrupt or immoral life,
or attempted against their
virtue
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
iii.
iv.
Loss of parental authority for

causesspecifiedintheCode
Attemptbyoneoftheparents
against the life of the other,
unless there has been
reconciliationbetweenthem
c.
Spouse:
When the spouse has given
causeforlegalseparation
ii.
When the spouse has given
grounds for the loss of
parentalauthority
5.LEGACIESANDDEVISES
i.
Q:Whatcanbebequeathedordevised?
A: Anything within the commerce of man or

whichisalienable.
Q:Whomaybechargedwithlegaciesand
devices?
A:
1. Anycompulsoryheir
2. Anyvoluntaryheir
3. Anylegateeordevisee
4. Theestate,representedbytheexecutor
oradministrator(Jurado,p.345)
Q:Canthetestatorbequeathordeviseathingor
propertybelongingtosomeoneelse?
A:Itdependsonwhether:
1. Thetestatorthoughtthatheownedit
GR: A legacy or devise of a thing

belonging to someone else when the
testator thought that he owned it is a
void legacy or devise because it is
vitiatedbymistake.
XPN: If the testator acquires it after

makinghiswill.
2. The testator knows that he does not

ownbutordereditsacquisition
If the thing given as devise or legacy is

not owned by the testator at the time
he made the will but he orders his
estatetoacquireit,itisavalidlegacyor
devise. The testator knew that he did
notownit.Thereisnomistake.
Q: What is the effect if the thing or property

bequeathed or devised belonged to the legatee
ordeviseeatthetimethewillwasexecuted?
A: The legacy or devise is ineffective even if the

legatee or devisee alienates the thing after the
willismade.
Q: Suppose the legatee or devisee acquired the

property after the will has been executed?
Supposeheacquiredthethingbyoneroustitle?
Whatwouldbetheeffect?
A:Ifatthetimethelegacyordeviseismade,the
thingdidnotbelongtothelegateeordeviseebut
lateronheacquiresit,then:
1. Ifheacquireditbygratuitoustitle,then
thelegacyordeviseisvoid.
Reason: The purpose of the testator that

the property would go to the devisee or
legatee has already been accomplished
withnoexpensetothelegateeordevisee.
2.
If he acquired it by onerous title, the

legacy or devise is valid and the estate
may be required to reimburse the
amount.
Q:Supposethepropertybequeathedordevised
has been pledged or mortgaged, who has the
obligation to free the property from such
encumbrance?
A:
GR:Thepledgeormortgagemustbepaidby
theestate.
XPN: If the testator provides otherwise.

However,anyotherchargesuchaseasements
and usufruct, with which the thing
bequeathed is burdened, shall be respected
bythelegateeordevisee.
Q:Whatisalegacyofcredit?
A:It takesplacewhenthetestatorbequeathsto
anotheracreditagainstathirdperson.Ineffect,
itisanovationofthecreditbythesubrogationof
thelegateeintheplaceoftheoriginalcreditor.
Q:Whatisalegacyofremission?
A: It is a testamentary disposition of a debt in

favorofthedebtor.Thelegacyisvalidonlytothe
extentoftheamountofthecreditexistingatthe
timeofthetestator'sdeath.Ineffect,thedebtis
extinguished.
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Note:
1.
2.
3.
Legacy applies only to the amounts

outstanding at the time of the testator's
death.
The legacy is revoked if the testator files
anaction(judicialsuit)againstthedebtor.
It applies only to credits existing at the
time the will was made, and not to
subsequentcredits.
Q:Isalegacyordeviseconsideredpaymentofa
debt,ifthetestatorhasastandingindebtedness
tothelegateeordevisee?
A:No,legacyordeviseisnotconsideredpayment
of a debt because if it is, then it would be a
uselesslegacyordevisesinceitwillreallybepaid.
Q:Whatistheorderofpaymentoflegaciesand
devises?
A:
1. Remuneratorylegaciesordevises
2. Legaciesordevisesdeclaredbytestator
tobepreferential
3. Legaciesforsupport
4. Legaciesforeducation
5. Legacies or devises of a specific
determinate thing which forms part of
theestate
6. Allothersprorata
Note: When the question of reduction is between

and among legatees and devisees themselves, Art.
950 governs; but when there is a conflict between
compulsory heirs and legatees/devisees, Art. 911
governs.
Q: What are the grounds for the revocation of

legacyordevise?
A:
1. Transformation of the thing in such a

manner that it does not retain either
theformorthedenominationithad.
2. Alienationofthethingbequeathed.
Note:
GR:Thealienationofthepropertyrevokes
thelegacyordevisenotwithstandingthe
nullityofthetransaction.
However,whetherornotthelegacyor
deviseisrevokedornotdependsonthe
basisforthenullityofthecontract:
Ifthenullityisbasedonvitiatedconsent,
thelegacyordeviseisnotrevoked
becausetherewasnointentiontorevoke.
Forallothergrounds,thelegacyordevise
isrevoked.
XPN:Ifthesaleispactoderetroandthe
testatorreacquireditduringhislifetime.
3.
Note:Theorderofpreferenceisapplicablewhen:
1. There are no compulsory heirs and the
entireestateisdistributedbythetestator
aslegacy/devise;or
2. There are compulsory heirs but their
legitimehasalreadybeenprovidedforby
the testator and there are no donations
intervivos.
Q:WhatisthedistinctionbetweenArt.911and
Art.950?
A:
Orderofpreference
Orderofpreference
underArt.911
underArt.950
LDPO:
1. Legitimeof
compulsoryheirs;
2. Donationsinter
vivos;
3. Preferential
legaciesor
devises;
4. AllOtherlegacies
ordevisesprorata
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Totallossofthethingbequeathed.
Note:Thelossofthethingbequeathed
mustnotbeattributedtotheheirs.There
shouldbenofaultonthepartoftheheirs.
4.
If the legacy is a credit against a third

person or the remission of a debt, and
the testator, subsequent to the making
of the will, brings an action against the
debtorforpayment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
RemuneratoryL/D;
PreferentialL/D;
Legacyforsupport;
Legacyforeducation;
L/Dofaspecific,
determinatething
whichformsapartof
theestate;
6. Allothersprorata
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
III.LEGALORINTESTATESUCCESSION
A.GENERALPROVISIONS
1.RELATIONSHIP
Q:Whatislegalorintestatesuccession?
A: Legal or intestate succession is that which is

effectedbyoperationoflawindefaultofawill.It
islegalbecauseittakesplacebyoperationoflaw;
it is intestate because it takes place in the
absence or in default of a last will of the
decedent.(Jurado,p.377)
Q: What is the formula for application of

inheritance?
A:Thefollowingareappliedsuccessively:ISRAI
1. Institution of an heir (Bequest, in case
oflegaciesordevises)
2. Substitution,ifproper
3. Representation,ifapplicable
4. Accretion,ifapplicable
5. Intestacy, if all of The above are not
applicable
Q: When can legal or intestate succession take

place?
A:Intestatesuccessiontakesplacewhen:
1. there is no will; the will is void, or the
willisrevoked;
2. the will does not dispose all the
property of the testator. (partial
intestacy);
3. the suspensive condition attached to
theinheritanceisnotfulfilled;
4. The heir predeceased the testator or
repudiates the inheritance and no
substitution and no right of accretion
takeplace.
5. The heir instituted is incapacitated to
succeed.
Note: The enumeration is not exclusive; there are

othercausesforintestacywhicharenotincludedin
theenumeration.
E.g.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Preterition;
Arrivaloftheresolutorytermorperiod;
Fulfillment of a resolutory condition
attachedtotheinheritance;
Noncompliance or impossibility of
complyingwiththewillofthetestator.
Q: Can there be a valid will which does not

instituteanheir?
A: Yes, a will is valid even if it contains only a

provisionfordisinheritanceorifonlylegaciesand
devisesarecontainedinthewill.
Q:Whoareintestateheirs?
A:
1. Legitimatechildrenordescendants
2. Illegitimatechildrenordescendants
3. Legitimateparentsorascendants
4. Illegitimateparents
5. Survivingspouse
6. Brothers and sisters, nephews and
nieces
th
7. Other collateral relatives up to the 5
degree
8. TheState.
2.RIGHTOFREPRESENTATION
Q:Whatisrightofrepresentation?
A: Right created by fiction of law where the

representative is raised to the place and degree
of the person represented, and acquires the
rights which the latter would have if he were
livingorcouldhaveinherited.
Q:Whatistheeffectofrepresentation?
A: Whenever there is succession by

representation,thedivisionoftheestateshallbe
made per stirpes, in such manner that the
representativeorrepresentativesshallnotinherit
morethanwhatthepersontheyrepresentwould
inherit, if he were living or could inherit. (Art.
974)
Note:Perstirpesmeansinheritancebygroup,all
thosewithinthegroupinheritinginequalshares.
Representationissuperiortoaccretion.
Q:Whendoesrightofrepresentationarise?
A:Representationmayariseeitherbecauseof:
1. death,
2. incapacity,or
3. disinheritance.
Q:Whenisrightorrepresentationnotavailable?
A:
1. As to compulsory heirs: In case of
repudiation,theonewhorepudiateshis
inheritance cannot be represented.
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2.
Their own heirs inherit in their own

right.
As to voluntary heirs: Voluntary heirs,
legateesanddeviseeswho:
a. Predeceasethetestator;or
b. Renouncetheinheritance
cannotberepresentedbytheirown
heirs,withrespecttotheirsupposed
inheritance.
Q: Does the representative inherit from the

personrepresented?
A:No.Inrepresentation,therepresentativedoes
notinheritfromthepersonrepresentedbutfrom
thetestatorordecedent.
Q: Where does right of representation take

place?
A: Representation takes place in the direct

descendingline,neverintheascending.
Note:Therepresentativehimselfmustbecapableof
succeedingthedecedent.
An illegitimate child can represent his father,
providedthatthefatherwasalsoillegitimate.
Q: Does right of representation apply in the

collateralline?
A: Right of representation takes place only in

favor of children of brothers or sisters, whether
full or half blood and only if they concur with at
leastoneuncleoraunt.
Note:Thisruleappliesonlywhenthedecedentdoes
nothavedescendants.
Q:Whatistheeffectifthereisnouncleoraunt
uponwhomthechildren,whoseektoinvokethe
rightofrepresentation,canconcurwith?
A: There shall be no right of representation and

ultimately they shall not inherit following Art.
975.
Q:Mayanillegitimatesiblingofthedecedentbe
represented?
A: Yes. An illegitimate brother or sister of the

deceased can be represented by his children,
without prejudice to the application of the Iron
CurtainRule.(Tolentino,p.451)
Q: Does the right of representation apply to

adoptedchildren?
A: No. The right of representation cannot be

invokedbyadoptedchildrenbecausetheycannot
322
represent their adopting parents to the

inheritanceofthelattersparents.
Reason:Thelawdoesnotcreateanyrelationship
between the adopted child and the relatives of
the adopting parents, not even to the biological
orlegitimatechildrenoftheadoptingparents.
Note: Under R.A. 8552 or the Domestic Adoption

Law, the adopted child and the adopting parents
havereciprocalsuccessionalrights.
Q:Whatistheruleonequaldivisionoflines?
A:
GR: Intestate heirs equal in degree inherit in
equalshares.
XPN:
1. In the ascending line, the rule of
divisionbylineistothematernalline
and to the paternal line, and within
eachline,thedivisionispercapita.
2. In the collateral line, the fullblood
brothers/sisters will get double that of
thehalfblood.
3. The division in representation, where
division is per stirpes the
representative divide only the share
pertainingtothepersonrepresented.
Note: The share of an illegitimate child is of the

shareofalegitimateone.
Fullbloodbrotherorsisterisentitledtodoublethe
shareofhalfbrotherorsister(Art.1006).
Compulsoryheirsshall,innocase,inheritabintesto
lessthantheirlegitimeasprovidedintestamentary
succession.
IRONCURTAINRULE
Q:Whatistheironcurtainrule?
A: Art. 992 of the Civil Code provides that

illegitimate children cannot inherit ab intestato
from the legitimate children and relatives of his
mother or father. Legitimate children and
relativescannotinheritinthesamewayfromthe
illegitimatechild.
Note: The iron curtain rule only applies in intestate

succession.
Thereisabarrierrecognizedbylawbetweenthe
legitimate relatives and the illegitimate child so
that one cannot inherit from the other and vice
versa.
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
Rationale:Thelawpresumestheexistenceof
antagonismbetweentheillegitimatechildand
thelegitimaterelativesofhisparents.
Q:Distinguishtheapplicationofironcurtainrule
andrightofrepresentation.
A:
IRONCURTAINRULE
RIGHTOF
REPRESENTATION
Prohibitsabsolutelya
successionabintestato
betweenthe
illegitimatechildand
thelegitimatechildren
andrelativesofthe
fatherormotherof
saidillegitimatechild.
Note:Ironcurtainrule
imposesalimitationon
rightof
representation.
Rightcreatedbyfiction
oflawwherethe
representativeisraised
totheplaceand
degreeoftheperson
represented,and
acquirestherights
whichthelatterwould
haveifhewereliving
orcouldhave
inherited.
Appliesiftheonewho
diedfirstisthe
legitimateparentor
childofthe
illegitimatesparent.
Reason:illegitimate
inheritsfromhis
parentsestatewhich
includeshisparents
inheritancefromsaid
legitimaterelativeor
childwhodied.
Appliesiftheonewho
diedfirstisthe
illegitimatesparent.
Reason:illegitimate
willberepresentinghis
parentbecauseofthe
predecease,thebar
imposedbytheiron
curtainruleis
renderedoperativeto
preventsuch.
Appliestoboth
intestateandtestate
succession
Determiningfactor:whodiedfirst?Isitthe
parentoftheillegitimatechildorisitthe
legitimaterelativeorchildofhisparent?
Appliesonlyin
intestatesuccession
RightofRepresentationandIronCurtainRule
(D)
If the child to be represented is

LEGITIMATE only legitimate children/
descendants can represent him
If the child to be represented is

ILLEGITIMATE both legit & illegit
children/ descendants can represent him
Legit X
legit
(X1)
illegit
(X2)
Illegit Y
legit
(Y2)
illegit
(Y1)
Iron Curtain Rule applies
Since X and Y both predeceased D, only X1 can represent X. X2 cannot by virtue of the iron curtain
rule. Both Y1 and Y2 can represent Y
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B.ORDEROFINTESTATESUCCESSION
Q:Whatistheorderofpreferencebetweenlines
inlegalorintestatesuccession?
A:Successiontakesplace:
First,inthedirectdescendingline;
Second,inthedirectascendingline;
Finally,inthecollateralline.
Q:Whatistheorderofintestatesuccessiontoa
legitimatechild?
A: In general, and without prejudice to the

concurrent right of other heirs in proper cases,
the order of intestate succession to a legitimate
childisasfollows:
1. legitimatechildrenanddescendants;
2. legitimateparentsandascendants;
3. illegitimatechildren;
4. thesurvivingspouse;
5. collateralsuptothefifthdegree;and
6. the State. (Rabuya, Civil Law Reviewer,
p.678)
Q: What is the order of intestate succession to

anillegitimatechild?
A:
1. The
legitimate
children
and
descendants of a person who is an
illegitimate child are preferred over
other intestateheirs, without prejudice
to the right of concurrence of
illegitimate children and the surviving
spouse.
2. In the absence of legitimate children

and descendants, the illegitimate
children (of the illegitimate child) and
theirdescendantssucceedtotheentire
estate, without prejudice to the
concurrent right of the surviving
spouse.
3. In the absence of children and

descendants, whether legitimate or
illegitimate, the third in the order of
succession to the estate of the
illegitimate child is his illegitimate
parents.Ifbothparentssurviveandare
entitled to succeed, they divide the
estate share and share alike. Although
thelawissilent,ifthesurvivingspouse
oftheillegitimatechildconcurswiththe
illegitimate parents, the surviving
spouse shall be entitled to onehalf of
324
theestatewhiletheillegitimateparents
gettheotherhalf.
Note: In the ascending line, only the

illegitimateparents are entitledto inherit
from the illegitimate child; the other
illegitimate descendants are not so
entitled.
4.
5.
In default of children or descendants,

legitimate or illegitimate, and
illegitimate parents, the surviving
spouse shall inherit the entire estate.
But if the surviving spouse should
survive with brothers and sisters,
nephews and nieces, the surviving
spouse shall inherit onehalf of the
estate,andthelattertheotherhalf.The
brothers and sisters must be by
illegitimatefiliation,otherwise,theIron
CurtainRuleshallapply.
Although the law is silent, illegitimate

brothers and sisters who survive alone
shall get the entire inheritance. The
legitimate children of the illegitimate
parentsarenotentitledtoinheritfrom
theillegitimatechildbyvirtueofArticle
992oftheNCC.
6.
TheState.(id.,pp.691692)
IV.PROVISIONSCOMMONTOTESTATEAND
INTESTATESUCCESSION
A.RIGHTOFACCRETION
1.DEFINITIONANDREQUISITES
Q:Whatisaccretion?
A: Accretion is a right by virtue of which, when

two or more persons are called to the same
inheritance,deviseorlegacy,thepartassignedto
the one who renounces or cannot receive his
share, or who died before the testator, is added
orincorporatedtothatofhiscoheir,codevisees,
orcolegatees.
Basis:Accretionisarightbasedonthepresumed
will of the deceased that he prefers to give
certain properties to certain individuals rather
thantohislegalheirs.Accretionispreferredover
intestacy.
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
Q:Whataretherequisitesofaccretion?
A:
1. Two or more persons must have been
called in the testators will to the same
inheritance, legacy or devise, or to the
sameportionthereof,proindiviso
2. There must be a vacancy in the
inheritance,legacyordeviseasaresult
ofpredecease,incapacityorrepudiation
Q:Intestamentarysuccession,inwhatinstances
mayaccretiontakeplace?
A:
1. Predecease
2. Incapacity
3. Renunciation
4. Nonfulfillment of suspensive condition
imposeduponinstitutedheir
5. Ineffectivetestamentarydisposition
Q:Inintestatesuccession,inwhatinstancesmay
accretiontakeplace?
A:
1. Predeceaseoflegalheir
2. Incapacityoflegalheir
3. Repudiationbylegalheir
Note: Accretion takes place only if there is no

representation.
Inrenunciation,thereisalwaysaccretion.
Reason:Norepresentationinrenunciation.
In intestacy, apply representation first. If there is
none,thenaccretionwillapply.
In testacy, apply substitution first. If there is no
substitution, then accretion will apply. However, in
testamentary succession, the inheritance must not
havebeenearmarked.Accretioncannottakeplaceif
theinheritanceisearmarked.
B.CAPACITYTOSUCCEEDBYWILLORINTESTACY
1.PERSONSINCAPABLEOFSUCCEEDING
Q: What does absolute incapacity to succeed

mean?
A:Itmeansthepersonisincapacitatedtosucceed
in any form, whether by testate or intestate
succession.
Q:Whoareabsolutelyincapacitatedtosucceed?
A:
1. Thosenotlivingatthetimeofdeathof
thetestator
2.
3.
Those who cannot be identified. (Art.

845)
Thosewhoarenotpermittedbylawto
inherit.(Art.1027)
Q: Who are incapacitated to succeed based on

moralityorpublicpolicy?
A:ACO
1. Persons guilty of Adultery or
concubinage with the testator at the
timeofthemakingofthewill;
2. Persons guilty of the same Criminal
offense,inconsiderationthereof;
3. Apublicofficerorhiswife,descendants
andascendants,byreasonofhisOffice.
(Art.739)
Q: Who are incapacitated to succeed by reason

ofunworthiness?
A:PCAVAFPF
1. Parents who have abandoned their
children or induced their daughters to
lead a corrupt or immoral life, or
attemptedagainsttheirvirtues;
2. Persons Convicted of an attempt
against the life of the testator, his or
herspouse,descendantsorascendants;
3. Persons who Accused the testator of a
crime for which the law prescribes
imprisonment for six years or more, if
the accusation has been found to be
groundless;
4. Heir of full age who, having knowledge
of the Violent death of the testator,
should fail to report it to an officer of
the law within a month unless the
authoritieshavealreadytakenaction.
Note: This prohibition shall not apply to

cases wherein, according to law, there is
noobligationtomakeanaccusation.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Person convicted of Adultery or

concubinage with the spouse of the
testator;
Person who by Fraud, violence,
intimidation,orundueinfluenceshould
cause the testator to make a will or to
changeonealreadymade;
Person who by the same means
Preventsanotherfrommakingawill,or
from revoking one already made, or
who supplants, conceals, or alters the
latter'swill;
Person who Falsifies or forges a
supposed will of the decedent. (Art.
1032)
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Note:Grounds1,2,3,5and6arethesamegrounds
asindisinheritance.
Numbers6,7and8coversix(6)actswhichrelateto
wills:
1. Causingthetestatortomakeawill
2. Causingthetestatortochangeanexisting
will
3. Preventing the decedent from making a
will
4. Preventing the testator from revoking his
will
5. Supplanting, concealing, or altering the
testator'swill.
6. Falsifyingorforgingasupposedwillofthe
decedent.
RELATIVEINCAPACITYTOSUCCEED
Q:Whatisrelativeincapacitytosucceed?
A:Itmeansthepersonisincapacitatedtosucceed
becauseofsomespecialrelationtothetestator.
Q: What are the grounds for relative incapacity

tosucceed?
A:UMA
1. Undueinfluenceorinterest(Art.1027)
2. Moralityorpublicpolicy(Art.739)
3. Actsofunworthiness(Art.1032)
Q: Who are incapacitated to succeed based on

undueinfluenceorinterest?
A:PRGWPI
1. ThePriestwhoheardtheconfessionof
thetestatorduringhislastillness,orthe
minister of the gospel who extended
spiritual aid to him during the same
period;
2. The Relatives of such priest or minister

of the gospel within the fourth degree,
thechurch,order,chapter,community,
organization, or institution to which
suchpriestorministermaybelong;
3. A Guardian with respect to

testamentary dispositions given by a
ward in his favor before the final
accountsoftheguardianshiphavebeen
approved, even if the testator should
die after the approval thereof;
nevertheless, any provision made by
thewardinfavoroftheguardianwhen
thelatterishisascendants,descendant,
brother,sister,orspouse,shallbevalid;
326
4.
Any attesting Witness to the execution

of a will, the spouse, parents, or
children, or any one claiming under
such witness, spouse, parents, or
children;
Note:Numbers1to4donotapplytolegitimes.
5.
Any Physician, surgeon, nurse, health

officerordruggistwhotookcareofthe
testatorduringhislastillness;
Note:Number5isanabsolutedisqualification.
6.
Individuals,
associations
and
corporations not permitted by law to
inherit.
PRIESTS
Q:Whoarecoveredbythisdisqualificationto
inherit?
A:PMRC
1. Priest who heard the confession of the
testatorduringhislastillness;
2. Minister of the gospel who extended
spiritual aid to him during the same
period;
3. Relatives of such priest or minister of
thegospelwithinthefourthdegree;or
4. TheChurch,order,chapter,community,
organization, or institution to which
suchpriestorministermaybelong;
Q: What are the requisites for this

disqualificationtoapply?
A:
1. Thewillwasmadeduringthelastillness
ofthetestator;
2. The spiritual ministration must have
beenextendedduringthelastillness;
3. The will was executed during or after
thespiritualministration.
Q: If the confession was made before the will

wasmade,canthepriestinherituponthedeath
ofthesickperson,if:
1. Thepriestisthesonofthesickperson?
2. The priest was the sick persons
brother?
A:
1. Yes.Hecangetthelegitime.
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
Note:Apriestisincapacitatedtosucceed
when the confession is made prior to or
simultaneouslywiththemakingofawill.
The disqualification applies only to

testamentarydispositions.
2.
Yes.Hecaninheritbyintestacy.
Note: Despite this apparent restriction to

Christian ministers, this applies to all
spiritualministers,e.g.,Buddhistmonks.
Reason: It is conclusively presumed that

the spiritual minister used his moral
influence to induce or influence the sick
person to make a testamentary
dispositioninhisfavor.
GUARDIANS
Q:Whatisthecoverageofthisdisqualification?
A: It applies to guardians, with respect to

testamentary dispositions given by a ward in his
favor before the final accounts of the
guardianship have been approved, even if the
testatorshoulddieaftertheapprovalthereof.
Q:Whendoesthedisqualificationapply?
A:
GR: The disqualification applies when the
disposition is made after the guardianship
beganorbeforeguardianshipisterminated
approval of final accounts or lifting of
guardianship.
XPN: It does not apply even when the

disposition is made after the guardianship
began or before it is terminated when the
guardianisan:ADBSS
1. Ascendant;
2. Descendant;
3. Brother;
4. Sister;or
5. Spouse.
ATTESTINGWITNESSES
Q:Whoarecoveredbythedisqualification?
A:
1. Attesting witness to the execution of a
will;
2. Theattestingwitness:
a. spouse,
b. parents,or
c. children,or
3.
Any one claiming under such witness,

spouse,parents,orchildren;
Q:Willthedisqualificationstillapplyifthereare
otherwitnessestothewill?
A:Itdependsuponcompliancewiththerequisite
number of witnesses. If, notwithstanding the
disqualified witness, the number of witnesses is
sufficient,theformerisnotdisqualified.
PHYSICIANS
Q:Uponwhomdoesthedisqualificationapply?
A:PSNHD
1. Physician;
2. Surgeon;
3. Nurse;
4. Healthofficer;or
5. Druggist
Note: For the disqualification to apply, the

aforementioned must have taken care of the
testatorduringhislastillness.
Q:Whatmustbepresentforthisdisqualification
toapply?
A:
1. Thewillwasmadeduringthelastillness
2. The sick person must have been taken
caredofduringhislastillness.Medical
attendancewasmade.
3. Thewillwasexecutedduringorafterhe
wasbeingtakencaredof.
PROHIBITEDBYLAWTOINHERIT
Individuals, associations and corporations not

permittedbylawtoinherit.
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2.UNWORTHINESSVS.DISINHERITANCE
Q:
Distinguish
Unworthiness
from
Disinheritance.
A:
DISINHERITANCE
UNWORTHINESS
Effectsontheinheritance
Exclusionfromthe
Deprivationofa
entireinheritance.
compulsoryheirofhis
However,donations
legitime.
intervivosarenot
affected.
Effectsofpardonorreconciliation
Reconciliationbetween
theoffenderandthe
Ifthetestatorpardons
offendedpartydeprives
theactofunworthiness,
thelatteroftherightto
thecauseof
disinherit,andrenders
unworthinessshallbe
ineffectualany
withouteffect.
disinheritancethatmay
havebeenmade.
Mannerofreconciliationorpardon
Expressorimplied
Grounds
Therearegroundsfordisinheritancewhicharealso
causesforincapacitybyreasonofunworthiness.
Effectofsubsequentreconciliationifdisinheritance
hasalreadybeenmadeonanyofthegrounds
whicharealsocausesforunworthiness
Themomentthetestatorusesoneofthecausesfor
unworthinessasagroundfordisinheritance,he
therebysubmitsittotheruleondisinheritance.
(Rabuya,CivilLawReviewer,pp.644649;704708)
C.ACCEPTANCEANDREPUDIATIONOFTHE
INHERITANCE
Q:Whatarethethreeprincipalcharacteristicsof
acceptanceandrepudiation?
A:
1. Itisvoluntaryandfree
2. Itisretroactive
3. Oncemade,itisirrevocable
Q: What are the requisites of acceptance and

repudiation?
A:
1. Certaintyofthedeathofthedecedent
2. Certaintyoftherightofinheritance
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ACCEPTANCE
Q:Howmayinheritancebeaccepted?
A:
1. Express acceptance through a public
orprivateinstrument
2. Tacit acceptance through acts by
which the intention to accept is
necessarilyimpliedorwhichonewould
have no right to do except in the
capacityofanheir.
Q:Whenisinheritancedeemedaccepted?
A:
1. Whentheheirsells,donates,orassigns
hisrights
2. When the heir renounces it for the
benefitofoneormoreheirs
3. When renunciation is in favor of all
heirsindiscriminatelyforconsideration
4. Othertacitactsofacceptance:
a. Heir demands partition of the
inheritance
b. Heir alienates some objects of the
inheritance
c. Acts
of
preservation
or
administration if, through such
acts, the title or capacity of the
heirhasbeenassumed
d. Under Art. 1057, failure to signify
acceptance or repudiation within
30 days after an order of
distributionbytheprobatecourt.
REPUDIATION
Q:Whatarethewaysbywhichtherepudiation
of the inheritance, legacy or devise may be
made?
A:
1. Bymeansofapublicinstrument
2. Bymeansofanauthenticinstrument
3. Bymeansofapetitionpresentedtothe
court having jurisdiction over the
testamentaryorintestateproceedings.
Q:Whatistheeffectofrepudiationifanheiris
bothatestateandlegalheir?
A: If an heir is both a testate and legal heir, the

repudiation of the inheritance as a testate heir,
he is understood to have repudiated in both
capacities. However, should he repudiate as a
legal heir, without knowledge of being a testate
CIVILLAWTEAM:
SUCCESSION
heir, he may still accept the inheritance as a
testateheir.
Q:Whatistheremedyiftheheirrepudiatesthe
inheritancetotheprejudiceofhiscreditors?
A: If the heir repudiates the inheritance to the

prejudice of his own creditors, the latter may
petition the court to authorize them to accept it
inthenameoftheheir.
Requisites:
1. Theheirwhorepudiatedhisinheritance
must have been indebted at the time
whentherepudiationismade
2. The heirdebtor must have repudiated
his inheritance according to the
formalitiesprescribedbylaw
3. Such act of repudiation must be
prejudicialtothecreditororcreditors.
4. There must be judicial authorization
(Art.1052)
D.COLLATION
Q:Whatiscollation?
A: It is the process of adding the value of thing

donatedtothenetvalueofhereditaryestate.
To collate is to bring back or return to the

hereditarymass,infactorfiction,propertywhich
camefromtheestateofthedecedent,duringhis
lifetime, but which the law considers as an
advancefromtheinheritance.
Collation is applicable to both donations to

compulsoryheirsanddonationstostrangers.
GR:Compulsoryheirsareobligedtocollate.
XPN:
1. Whentestatorshouldhavesoexpressly
provided;
2. When compulsory heir repudiates his
inheritance
Q: What are the properties that are to be

collated?
A:
1. Any property/right received by
gratuitoustitleduringtestatorslifetime
2. All that may have been received from
decedentduringhislifetime
3. All that their parents have brought to
collationifalive
Q: What are the properties not subject to

collation?
A:
1. Absolutely no collation expenses for
support, education (elementary and
secondary only), medical attendance,
even in extraordinary illness,
apprenticeship, ordinary equipment or
customarygifts.
2. Generallynotimputedtolegitime:
a. Expenses incurred by parents in
giving their children professional,
vocational, or other career unless
the parents so provide, or unless
theyimpairthelegitime.
b. Wedding gifts by parents and
ascendants consisting of jewelry,
clothing and outfit except when
they exceed 1/10 of the sum
disposablebywill.
Note: Only the value of the thing donated shall be

broughttocollation.Thisvaluemustbethevalueof
thethingatthetimeofthedonation.
E.PARTITIONANDDISTRIBUTIONOFESTATE
1.PARTITION
Q:Whatispartitionanddistribution?
A:Itistheseparation,divisionandassignmentof
athingheldincommonamongthosetowhomit
maybelong.
Q:Whomayeffectpartition?
A:Thepartitionmaybeeffectedeither:
1. By the decedent himself during his
lifetimebyanactintervivosorbywill
2. By a third person designated by the
decedentorbytheheirsthemselves
3. By a competent court in accordance
withtheNewRulesofCourt
Q:Whocandemandpartition?
A:Any:
1. Compulsoryheir
2. Voluntaryheir
3. Legateeordevisee
4. Person who has acquired an interest in
theestate
V
ICE
C
HAIRFOR
A
DMINISTRATIONAND
F
INANCE
:
J
EANELLE
C.
L
EE
329
Q:Whenpartitioncannotbedemanded?
A:Partitioncannotbedemandedwhen:PAPU
1. Expressly Prohibited by testator for a
periodnotmorethan20years
2. Coheirs Agreed that estate not be
divided for period not more than 10
years,renewableforanother10yrs
3. Prohibitedbylaw
4. To partition estate would render it
Unserviceable for use for which it was
intended
2.PARTITIONINTERVIVOS
Q:Cananestatebepartitionedintervivos?
A: Yes. Such partition shall be respected, insofar

as it does not prejudice the legitime of
compulsoryheirs.(SeeArt.1080)
3.EFFECTSOFPARTITION
Q:Whataretheeffectsofpartition?
A:
1. Confers upon each heir the exclusive
ownershipofpropertyadjudicated.
2. Afterthepartition,thecoheirsshallbe
reciprocally bound to warrant the title
to (warranty against eviction) and the
quality of (warranty against hidden
defects)eachpropertyadjudicated.
3. Theobligationofwarrantyshallceasein
thefollowingcases:
a. When the testator himself has
made the partition unless his
intention was otherwise, but the
legitime shall always remain
unimpaired.
b. When it has been expressly
stipulated in the agreement of
partition, unless there has been
badfaith.
c. When the eviction was due to a
cause subsequent to the partition,
orhasbeencausedbythefaultof
thedistributeeoftheproperty.
4. An action to enforce warranty among

coheirs must be brought within 10
years from the date the right of cause
ofactionaccrues.
330
Q: What are the effects of the inclusion of an

intruderinpartition?
A:
1. Between a true heir and several
mistakenheirspartitionisvoid.
2. Between several true heirs and a
mistaken heir transmission to
mistakenheirisvoid.
3. Through the error or mistake; share of
true heir is allotted to mistaken heir
partition shall not be rescinded unless
thereisbadfaithorfraudonthepartof
the other persons interested, but the
latter shall be proportionately obliged
topaythetrueheirofhisshare.
Q:Whenpartitioncannotbedemanded?
A:Partitioncannotbedemandedwhen:PAPU
1. Expressly Prohibited by testator for a
periodnotmorethan20years
2. Coheirs Agreed that estate not be
divided for period not more than 10
years,renewableforanother10yrs
3. Prohibitedbylaw
4. To partition estate would render it
Unserviceable for use for which it was
intended
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UST GOLDEN NOTES 2011

Note: Under this theory the basis of

Note: According to this view, the

Positive Theories Those which base

A: The rights to succession are transmitted from

Note: Although, the provision states that the rights

A: Only the property, rights and obligations not

XPN: When a contrary intention expressly

Q: What is the general rule as regards

Note: All other rights are transmissible to the heirs

Q: What are the rights that are extinguished by

Q: What obligations or contracts are not

Q: What are the obligations that are

XPN: It is true that the heirs assume liability

Q: Is a contract of guaranty extinguished by

A: No, because a contract of guaranty does not

Q: The wife died while the action for legal

UST GOLDEN NOTES 2011

the marital status of the spouses. (Bonilla v.

Q: Fortunata died while her action for quieting

A: Her heirs may substitute her because the

When she died, her claim or right to the parcels

Q: Can the heir enter into a contract of sale,

A: Yes, because his hereditary share/interest in

Note: An heir is one who succeeds to

2. Compulsory called by law to succeed

A: Devisees are persons to whom gifts of real

Q: What are the distinctions between heirs and

Q: Suppose a person is named tosucceed toan

Q: What are the classifications of compulsory

E.g. legitimate children, surviving

A: Legitimate parents and ascendants inherit in

UST GOLDEN NOTES 2011

Note: The surviving spouse is not a compulsory

Note: Mutual wills Separate wills

Unilateral act No acceptance by the

Solemn or formal act A will is

Q: Can the testator delegate to a third person

A: The following cannot be delegated to a third

Determination of the portions which

Q: What, on other hand, may be entrusted to

Reason: Here, there is really no delegation

Q: How should the provisions of a will be

Q: What are the rules in the construction of

It satisfactorily appears that he

3. The invalidity of one of several

2. Patent ambiguities Those which are

Q: What are the steps in resolving the

Reason: Because the testator can no longer

A: All persons who are not expressly prohibited

UST GOLDEN NOTES 2011

make one, he must be expressly prohibited by

Supervening incapacity does not invalidate an

Q: What are the requisites of testamentary

Note: It is not necessary that the testator be in full

Q: Is a person suffering from civil interdiction

A: Yes. He is deprived only of the power to

Q: Is a married woman required to obtain the

A: No. She can make a will even without the

A: The will is invalid regardless of his state of

Note: Conversely, if the testator was of sound

Such presumption of soundness of mind,

Note: Mere weakness of mind or partial imbecility