ARELLANO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

CIVIL LAW DEPARTMENT

SY 2019-2020, Second Semester

COURSE OUTLINE
WILLS AND SUCCESSION
(Based from the Outline of Atty. Crisostomo Uribe)

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

A. Definition and Concept. (Arts. 774, 712, 1311)

1. Basis of Law on Succession
2. Legal Philosophy of the Civil Code on Succession
3. Fundamental Changes in the Civil Code
B. Law Governing Form
1. As to Time of Execution (Art. 795)
2. As to the Place of Execution (Arts. 17, 810, 815-819)
Cases:
In Re: Will of Rev. Abadia, G.R. No. L-7188, August 9, 1954
Fleumer v. Hix, 54 Phil. 610
Estate of Giberson, G.R. No. L-4113, June 30, 1952
De la Cerna v. Potot, 12 SCRA 576
Estate of Rodriguez, 46 O.G. #2, p. 584
C. Law governing content
1. As to Time (Art. 2263)
2. As to Successional Rights, etc. (Art. 16[2], 1039)
Cases:
Estate of Christensen, 61 O.G. #46, p. 7302
Estate of Amos Bellis, 20 SCRA 358
Cayetano v. Leonides, 129 SCRA 524
D. Subjects of Succession (Arts. 775, 782, 887, 1003)
1. Who are the Subjects?
2. Relationship (Arts. 963-969)
3. Capacity to Succeed (Art. 1024)
a. Determination (Arts. 1034, 1039, Art. 16[2])
Case:
Cayetano v. Leonides, 129 SCRA 524
b. Who may succeed?
Case:
Parish Priest of Victoria v. Rigor, 89 SCRA 493
c. Who are incapable of Succeeding? (Art. 1025, 1027, 1028, 1031-33, 990-
992)
d. Effect of alienations by the excluded heir (Art. 1036)
e. Rights of the Excluded Heir (Art. 1035, 1937, 1014)
f. Liabilities of an Excluded Heir (Art. 1038)
g. Prescription of Action (Article 1040)
E. Object of Succession (Arts. 776, 781, 1311,1429, 1178, 1347, Article 108, RPC)
Cases:
Reyes v. CA, S.C, L-5620, July 31 1954
Guinto v, Medina, 50 O.G. #1 p. 199, Oct. 7, 1953
F. Opening of Succession
Articles 777, 2263, 2253, 533, 1347, 1461, 130, 132, 90, 391
Articles 84 and 86, Family Code

Requisites for the Transmission of Successional Rights:

1. Express will of the testator or provision of law
2. Death of the person whose property is subject of succession (Art. 43);
Survivorship Rule (Rule 131, Sec. 3[ii]{5})
3. Acceptance of the inheritance- Article 1041-1057
Cases:
Uson v. Del Rosario, 92 Phil. 530
De Borja v. De Borja, 46 SCRA 577
Bonilla v. Barcena, 71 SCRA 491
Cruz v. Cruz, G.R. No. 173292, Sept. 1, 2010
Bough v. Modesto, Jan. 28, 1954, 94 Phil.
Borromeo-Herrera v. Borromeo, 152 SCRA 171
G. Kinds of Succession (Art. 778)
 1. Testamentary- Art. 779
2. Legal or Intestate – Art 960
3. Mixed- Art. 780
4. Contractual – Art. 130, 1347, 752; Art. 84, FC
5. Compulsory

TESTAMENTARY SUCCESSION

II. WILLS

A. Definition (Art. 783)

B. Characteristics (Art. 783, 839[3][4], 828, 796-798, 777, 818,784-787)
C. Interpretation of Wills (Arts. 788, 789, 790-794, 930)
Case:
Solis v. Ascuenta, 49 Phil. 333

III. TESTAMENTARY CAPACITY AND INTENT

A. Who may make a will (Arts 796-803)?

B. Supervening Incapacity (Art. 801)
Case:
Baltazar v. Laxa, G.R. No. 174489, April 11, 2012

IV. SOLEMNITIES OF WILLS

A. Kinds of Wills (Article 804, 810)

B. Notarial Wills
1. General Requirements (Art. 804)
Case:
Suroza v. Honrado, 110 SCRA 388
2. Specific Requirements (Art. 805, 806)
Cases:
Garcia v. Lacuesta, 90 Phil. 489
Balonan v. Abellana, 109 Phil 358
Nera v. Rimando, 18 Phil. 450
Taboada v. Rosal, 118 SCRA 195
Echavez v. Dozen Construction, G.R. No. 192916, October 11, 2010
In Re: Enrique Lopez; Lopez v Lopez, G.R. No. 189984, November 12, 2012
Icasiano v. Icasiano, 11 SCRA 422
Cruz v. Villasor, 54 SCRA 31
Gabucan v. Manta, 95 SCRA 752
Javellana v. Ledesma, 97 Phil 258
3. Witnesses to a Will
a. Who are Competent (Arts. 820, 821, 824)
Case:
Gonzales v. CA, 90 SCRA 183
b. Supervening incompetency (Art. 822)
c. Competency of interested witness. (Art 823)
4. Special Requirements for Deaf, Deaf-Mute and Blind Testators. (Art. 807-808)
Case:
Garcia v. Vasquez, 32 SCRA 489
5. Substantial Compliance (Art. 809)
C. HOLOGRAPHIC WILLS
1. General Requirements (Art. 804)
2. Specific Requirements (Art. 810, 812, 813)
Cases:
Roxas v. De Jesus, 134 SCRA 245
Kalaw v. Relova, 132 SCRA 237

V. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENT BYY REFERENCE (ART. 827)

VI. CODICILS

A. Definition (Art. 825, 830)

B. Solemnities (Art. 826)

VII. REVOCATION OF WILLS AND TESTAMENTARY DISPOSITIONS

 A. Definition of Revocation
B. When may Revocation be effected (Art. 828)
C. Law Governing Revocation (Art. 829)
D. Modes of Revocation (Art. 830)
Cases:
Gago v. Mamuyac, 49 Phil. 902
Casiano v. CA, 158 SCRA 451
1. Effects of Revocation (Art. 831-834)
2. Doctrine of Dependent Relative Revocation
Case:
Molo v. Molo, 90 Phil. 37

VIII. REPUBLICATION AND REVIVAL OF WILLS (ARTS. 835-837)

IX. ALLOWANCE OF WILLS

A. Concept of Probate
Case:
Agtarap v. Agtarap, G.R. No. 177099 and 177192, June 8, 2011
B. Necessity of Probate
Case:
De Borja v. De Borja, 46 SCRA 577
C. Modes of Probate
D. Requirements for Probate (Art. 811)
Cases:
Gan v. Yap, 104 Phil. 509
Rodelas v. Aranza, 119 SCRA 16
Azaola v. Singson, 109 Phil. 102
Codoy v. Calugay, 312 SCRA 333
Uy Kiao Eng v. Nixon Lee, G.R. No. 176831, January 15, 2010
Palaganas v. Palaganas, G.R. No. 169144, January 26, 2011
E. Effect of Allowance of Wills
Cases:
Gallanosa v. Arcangel, 83 SCRA 676
Dela Cerna v. Leonides, 129 SCRA 33
Roberts v. Leonides, 129 SCRA 33
Nepomuceno v. CA, 139 SCRA 206

X. DISALLOWANCE OF WILLS (ARTS. 839, 1335, 1337, 1338)

Case:
Pascual v. De la Cruz, 28 SCRA 421

XI. LEGITIME

A. Concept (Art. 886)

B. Who are entitled to legitimes; Compulsory Heirs (Arts. 887, 902)
Case:
Rosales v. Rosales, 148 SCRA 69
1. Concurrence of Compulsory Heirs and their corresponding legitime (Arts. 888-
890, 892-901, 903, Art. 39; P.D. 603)
2. Restrictions Regarding Legitime (Arts. 904, 872, 905-907, 1347)
3. Determination or Computation (Arts. 908-913)

COLLATION (Arts. 1061-1077)

Cases:
Arellano v. Pascual, G.R. No. 189776, December 15, 2010
Gregorio v. Madarang, G.R. No. 185226, February 11, 2010
Dizon-Rivera v. Dizon, 33 SCRA 554
De Roma v. CA, 152 SCRA 205
Locsin v. CA, 206 SCRA 383
a. Freedom to dispose free portion (Art. 914)

PRINCIPLES AFFECTING LEGITIME

XII. PRETERITION (ARTS. 854, 906, 855,918)

Cases:
Heirs of Policronio Ureta, Sr. v. Heirs of Liberato Ureta, G.R. No.165748 and
165930, September 14, 2011
 Aznar v. Duncan, 17 SCRA 590
Nuguid v. Nuguid, 17 SCRA 449
Reyes v. Barreto-Datu, 19 SCRA 85
Escuin v. Escuin, 11 Phil. 332
Balanay v Martinez, 64 SCRA 452
Solano v. CA, 126 SCRA 122
Acain v. CA, 155 SCRA 100

XIII. RESERVA TRONCAL (ARTS. 891)

Cases:
Edroso v. Sablan, 25 Phil. 295
Seinnes v. Esparcia, 1 SCRA 750
Florentino v. Florentino, 40 Phil. 480
Padura v. Baldovino, 104 Phil. 1065
Chua v. CFI, 78 SCRA 406
Gonzales v. CFI, 104 SCRA 161
De Papa v. Camacho, 144 SCRA 281

XIV. RESERVA ADOPTIVA (ART. 39; PD 603)

Case:
Banawa v. Mirano, 97 SCRA 517
Teotico v. Del Val, 13 SCRA 406

XV. DISINHERITANCE (ARTS. 915-923)

PRINCIPLES AFFECTING THE FREELY DISPOSABLE PORTION

XVI. INSTITUTION OF HEIRS

A. In General
1. Definition (Art. 840)
2. Requisites of a Valid Institution of Heirs (relate to Art. 785, 787)
3. Effect If Will institutes no heir (Art. 841)
4. Freedom of Disposition (Art. 482)
5. Manner of designating an heir (Arts. 843-844 in relation to Art 789)
6. Disposition in Favor of an Unknown Person (Art. 845)
7. Disposition of a Definite Class (Art. 845 in relation to Art. 786)
8. Equality of Heirs (Art. 848)
9. Individuality of Institution (Art 847)
10. Simultaneity of Institution (Art. 849)
11. Institution based on a False Cause (Art. 850)
Case:
Austria v. Reyes, 31 SCRA 754
a. Shares in the institution (Arts. 851-853)
b. Predecease of heirs (Art. 856)
B. Kinds of Institutions
1. Simple or Pure (Art. 777)
2. Conditional (Art. 871)
a. Kinds
Case:
Vda. De Kilayco v. Tengko, 207 SCRA 600
b. Inoperative Conditions (Arts. 872-874, relate to Art. 1183)
c. Disposition Captatoria (Art. 875)
d. Compliance (Arts. 876-877[2])
e. Effect (Arts. 1034[3], 879, 880, 881, 884)
3. Institution with a Term
a. Kinds (Art. 885[1])
b. Effect Arts. 878, 885[2], in rel. Art. 880)
4. Modal Institution (Arts. 882-883)

XVII. SUBSTITUTION OF HEIRS

A. Concept of Substitution (Art. 857)

B. Kinds of Substitution (Art. 858)
1. Simple or Common (Art. 859)
2. Brief or Compendious (Art. 860)
3. Reciprocal (Art. 861)
4. Fideicommissary (Arts. 863-869)
Cases:
 Palacios v. Ramirez, 111 SCRA 704
Crisologo v. Singzon, 49 SCRA 491
C. Time Limitation on Inalienability (Art. 870)

XVIII. LEGACIES AND DEVISES (ART. 924-959)

Cases:
Fernandez v. Dimagiba, 21 SCRA 428
Belen v. Bank of P.I. L-14474, Oct. 31, 1960

LEGAL OR INTESTATE SUCCESSION

XIX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

A. In General
1. When does it Take Place (Art. 960)?
2. Who are the Intestate Heirs (Art. 961)?
Case:
Rosales v. Rosales, 148 SCRA 69
3. Order of and share in the testate succession (Art. 962)
Case:
De Los Santos v. De La Cruz, 37 SCRA 555
B. Right of Representation (Arts. 970, 977, 982, 902, 992, 1005-1008)
Cases:
Teotico v. Del Val
Diaz v. IAC, 150 SCRA 645
De los Santos v. Ferraris-Borromeo, 14 SCRA 986
Corpuz v. Corpuz, 85 SCRA 567

XX. ORDER OF INTESTATE SUCCESSION

A. Descending Direct Line

1. Estate of a Legitimate Decedent
a. Illegitimate Children (Arts. 983, 988-992)
Cases:
Corpuz v. Corpuz, 85 SCRA 567
Leonardo v. CA, 120 SCRA 890
2. Estate of an illegitimate decedent
a. Legitimate Children and Descendant (Arts. 903, 987-994)
b. Illegitimate Children and Descendant (Arts. 990, 992)
B. Surviving Spouse (Arts. 995-1002)
Case:
Santillon v. Mirandan, 14 SCRA 563
C. Ascending Direct Line
1. Legitimate Parents and Ascendant (Arts. 985-987)
2. Illegitimate Parents (Art. 993)
D. Collateral Line (Arts. 1003-1210)
Case:
Bicomong v. Almanza, 80 SCRA 421
Bacayo v. Borromeo, 14 SCRA 986
E. The State (Arts. 1011-1014)

PROVISIONS COMMON TO TESTATE AND INTESTATE SUCCESSION

XXI. RIGHT OF ACCESSION

A. Concept (Arts. 1015-1017, 1019-1020)

B. In Legal Succession (Art. 1018)
C. Compulsory Succession (Art. 1021)
D. Testamentary (Art. 1022-1023)

XXII. PARTITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE ESTATE

A. Partition (Arts. 1078-1090)

Cases:
Neri v. Heirs of Spouses Uy, G.R. No. 194366, October 10,2012
Alsua Betts v. CA, 92 SCRA 332
Doromal v. CA, L-36083, Sept. 2, 1975
 Alonzo v. IAC, 150 SCRA 517
Bautista v. Grino-Aquino, 166 SCRA 760
De los Santos v. De la Cruz, 37 SCRA 558
B. Effects of Partition (Arts. 1091-1096)
Case:
Guilas v. Judge, L-026695, 31 Jan. 1972
De los Santos v. De la Cruz, 37 SCRA 558
Augustines v. CFI, 45 O.G. Supp. #9, p. 184, April 3, 1948
C. Rescission and Nullity of Partition, Art. 1097-1105

XXIII. EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS

Articles 1058-1060
Rule 87, Sec. 1 of RRC
Rule 86, Sec. 5 of RRC
Cases:
In Re: Intestate Estate of Cristina Aguinaldo-Suntay, Emilio Suntay, III v. Isabel
Cojuangco-Suntay, G.R. No. 183053, June 16, 2010
Manungas v. Loreto, G.R. No. 193161, August 22, 2011

GRADING SYSTEM:

Class Standing 20%

Midterms 35%
Finals 45%
Total 100%

PROJECT:

Instructions:
1. The project will be submitted on the last meeting of the class. No extensions will be
allowed;

2. Each student will be required to digest the cases in the outline

3. The project shall be done in your own handwriting on a white legal-size bond paper (8.5
x 13), observing the following margins: (a) Top Margin: 1.2 in. (b) Bottom Margin: 1 in. (c)
Left Margin: 1.5 in. and (d) Right Margin 1 in.;
4. Each page, except for the first page, the certification page and table of contents, must
contain a page number to be written at the lower right corner;

5. You may only use either black, blue or blue black signpens;

6. In compiling your project, it must be ring-bound with a clear front and back cover.

7. The first page should have the following information:

Lower right page:

a. Full name, with the surname indicated first;
b. Section and student number;
c. Name of your instructor;

Top middle page in the following order:

a. Arellano University School of Law
b. Juris Doctor

Middle page:
a. The Law on Wills and Succession

8. The second page should have a certification signed by two (2) of your classmates with the
following statements:

“We hereby certify that the contents of this project are

in accordance with the instructions given. We further
certify that we have read the contents of this project and
the same is complete and an original work of the author.

“We also understand that any violations of the rules

prescribed in the project will automatically penalize the
Undersigned with a deduction of two (2) points per
violation.

__________________ ____________________

9. The third page should contain the Table of Contents. The Table of Contents should only
contain the Titles and the Chapters of the digest and their page numbers.

10. This project is mandatory and is equivalent to ten (10) percent of your Class Standing.
Failure to submit will result in the automatic grade of 65 in project.

11. Any violations on the instructions of the project will cause the deduction of two (2) points
per violation.

12. All other formats, designs or concepts not mentioned in the instruction will be upon the
discretion of the project maker.