Succession
Succession
I.
General Principles
Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 3
Important Principles of Succession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3
Concept of Succession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3
Presumptive Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4
II.
Testamentary Succession
Meaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
III.
Interpretation of Wills
Rules on Ambiguity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Kinds of Ambiguity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
IV.
Soundness of Mind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7
V.
Validity of a Will
Formal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Intrinsic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
VI.
Kinds of wills
Notarial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8
Holograhpic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. 8
VII.
Witnesses to Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . 12
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
Institution of Heirs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 21
Preterition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
XIII.
Substitution of Heirs
Simple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 27
Fidiecommissary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Testamentary provisions that will not take effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
XIV.
Transcribed lecture of Atty. Rillorta [SLU- Baguio]; some of the contents were taken from the audio-lectures of Dean Navarro
& Balane Notes.
XV.
XVI.
Legitimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 40
Legitimate testator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 42
Illegitimate testator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Donations made by the testator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. 44
Collation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Reduction of inofficious donation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45
Legitime of legitimate children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 46
Legitime of legitimate parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Legitime of surviving spouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Legitime of illegitimate children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Reserve troncal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Disinheritance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 56
XX.
Relationship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
XXI.
Right of Representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 76
Disclaimer: This note was the result of pooled present at hand legal resources & in case of omitted topics; it is incumbent upon you to supply the same.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
1. No one can stop me from becoming a lawyer!
The Supreme Court cannot, all that it can do is
to delay me 4 times!
2. When one speaks of succession, he cannot
evade speaking about death. Succession
happens occurs only when there is death.
CONCEPT OF SUCCESSION
o Succession is a mode of acquisition of
inheritance transmitted to the heirs upon the
death of the decedent through a will or by
operation of law.
Illustration:
Santiago W. was rushed to the hospital. He was
declared DOA. He was brought home for the wake.
The next day he woke up and asks for water.
QUESTION: Is there succession that happened
during the time that Santiago was dead? NONE! There is no death that happened.
IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF SUCCESSION
(this permeates the entirety of succession)
1. Succession cannot take place while the owner of
the estate is alive. The heir has a mere
expectancy right to the property of the
decedent, during the lifetime of the latter.
2. Interest of the family may override the will of
the decedent because of compulsory heirs.
There is a legitime reserve for the family. A will
cannot impair the legitime.
3. The estate passes or devolves to the family
unless the decedent expressly orders otherwise
in a will. Family covers spouse, ascendants,
descendants, and collateral relatives.
4. The family can not be entirely deprived of the
estate because of the system of legitime.
5. Within
the
family,
heirs
of
equal
degree/proximity inherit in equal shares
TESTAMENTARY SUCCESSION
General Principle:
o Testamentary succession is only in the free
portion, the testator cannot touch the legitime
by disposing them. The legitime is reserved by
law to the compulsory heirs.
What is the importance of testamentary
succession? It gives the realization that the law
recognizes the fact that when a person made a will
the state should not interfere in the disposition of
the decedent's property as long as the legitimes are
protected.
to
take
effect
after
his
death.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A WILL:
1. Purely personal- non-delegable; personal
participation of the testator is required.
2. Ambulatory in nature - Essentially
revocable while the testator is still alive.
3. Mortis causa- takes effect after a person's
death.
4. Animus testandi- there must be intent to
dispose mortis causa the property of the
testator. There must be a real intent to make
a will or a disposition to take effect upon
death. Said intent must appear from the
words of the will.
5. Individual- one person alone. Joint wills are
prohibited.
"Will making power is non-delegable"
General Rule: Art. 784- "The making of a will is a
STRICTLY PERSONAL ACT; it cannot be left in whole
or in part to the discretion of a third person, or
accomplished through the instrumentality of an
agent of an attorney."
Art. 785- "The duration or efficacy of the
designation of heirs, devisees or legatees, or the
determination of the portions which they are to take,
when referred to by name, cannot be left to the
discretion of a third person."
Exception: Art. 786- "The testator may entrust to
a third person the distribution of specific property or
sums of money that he may leave in general to
specified classes or causes, and also the designation
of the persons, institutions or establishments to
which such property or sums of money are to be
given or applied."
Meaning of Making a will as purely personal
act"- It is the DISPOSING POWER which cannot be
delegated. But the physical act of making a notarial
will can be delegated to the secretary BUT NOT THE
EXECUTION OR MAKING OF HOLOGRAPHIC WILLS.
"The testator may not make a testamentary
disposition in such manner that another person has
to determine whether or not it is to be operative.
INTERPRETATION OF WILLS
What if there is ambiguity in the will?
Rule:
The words of a will are to be taken in their
ordinary and grammatical sense, unless a
clear intention to use them in another sense
can be gathered, and that other can be
ascertained.
Testacy is favored over intestacy.
The interpretation by which the disposition is
operative shall be preferred.
Ergo: The court should not immediately disregard
the will. If the uncertainty arises upon the face of
the will, as to the application of any of its provisions,
the testator's intention is to be ascertained from the
words of the will (INTRINSIC EVIDENCE), taking into
consideration the circumstance under which it was
made(EXTRINSIC EVIDENCE- written declarations of
the testator), EXCLUDING ORAL DECLARATIONS.
If inspite of evidence the ambiguity cannot be cured,
then annul the will.
Why oral declarations of the testator are not
admitted as evidence? Because they cannot be
questioned by the deceased. Also because they are
easy to fabricate.
KINDS OF AMBUGUITY
1. Patent/ Apparent
> That which appears in the face of the will,
e.g., "I give 1/2 of my estate to one of my
brothers. Who among the brothers? This is
patently ambiguous.
2.
Latent/ Hidden
> Perfectly clear on its face. The ambiguity does
not appear until you apply the provisions of the
will, e.g., "I give to M the property intersecting
Bonifacio road and Session road. The ambiguity
is determined only when the will is probated.
That is, when it appears that I am the owner of
all 4 corners of the lot. Now, which of those
lots?
A MARRIED WOMAN
A married woman may make a will without the
consent of her husband, and without authority of
the court.
A married woman may dispose by will of all her
separate property as well as her share in the
conjugal partnership or absolute community
property.
VALIDITY OF A WILL
Principle: The law that determines the validity of a
will is the law that is applicable at the time the will
was made.
I.
FORMAL VALIDITY
1. Time criterion
Gen. Rule: law at the time of execution
determines the validity of the will.
Exception: subsequent laws may apply
retroactively if the law expressly provides.
Exception to the Exception:
the
subsequent law will not apply if the testator
is dead, for he has no chance to change his
will.
KINDS
1. Ordinary or Notarial Wills- requires an
attestation clause, an acknowledgment before
a notary public.
2. Holographic Will- must be entirely written,
dated, and signed in the handwriting of the
testator.
COMMON REQUIREMENTS TO BOTH WILLS
1. In writing but no specific form is required. It
could be in a marble glass or on a wall, so
long as there was testamentary capacity.
2. Written in a language or dialect known to the
testator.
Is it necessary for a will to state that the
testator know the language? No! Extrinsic/
testimonial evidence may prove this.
NOTARIAL WILL
Cross as signature
Gen. Rule: A cross is unacceptable as a
signature
Principles:
Body of the will- language used must be the
one understand by the testator.
HOLOGRAPHIC WILL
A holographic will is a will which is entirely
WRITTEN, DATED, and SIGNED by the HAND of the
TESTATOR.
Elements:
1. It must be written
2. It must be dated
3. Signed by the hand of the testator himself.
REAL/MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS OF A
HOLOGRAPHIC WILL
1. Written entirely by the testator.
Illustrations:
A. If partly by the testator and partly by
another person- VOID, since the will must
be entirely written by the hand of the
testator.
B. If another person wrote an additional part
without the knowledge of the testator, the
will is VALID but the addition is VOID.
The part of the will written by the testator
is valid since he wrote it, but the addition
written by another person is VOID because
it was not written by the hand of the
testator.
C. If another person wrote an additional part
WITH the knowledge of the testatorVOID. Eventhough the testator has
knowledge of the addition; the requirement
remains that, a holographic will must be
entirely written by the hands of the
testator.
2. It must be dated
General Rule: Day, month, and year must be
indicated.
Exception: When there is no appearance of
FRAUD, BAD FAITH, UNDUE INFLUENCE, and
PRESSURE and the authenticity of the will is
established, and the only issue is whether or not
FEB/61 is valid, then it should be allowed under
the principle of SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE.
Note: if the date is proven wrong, then its
validity depends on whether the error is
deliberate or not. If deliberate, the will is
considered not dated and the will is void. If not
deliberate, the date will be considered as the
true date. [This is an issue of fact which must
be determined according to the attending
circumstances].
Exceptions:
Disputable
Presumption
of
Revocation [evidence may be presented to
dispute]
1. Doctrine of Relative revocation- the
revocation of the first will is made by the
testator to be dependent on the validity of the
subsequent will.
For this to apply, it presupposes that the
provisions of the first will are almost
identical to the provisions of the second
will.
REVIVAL
1. Effected by
operation of law
2. Void not in form
but on other
matters.
3. Usually three
documents are
involved (Art.
837). These
documents are
the first, second,
and third will.
Article 837
1. Gives the will 2
effects antemortem, even if the
testator is still alive.
It makes the will
operative even if
the testator is alive.
2. Makes it irrevocable
Disadvantages of
Ante-mortem Probate
1. Pre-mature
disclosure of
inheritance.
2. Futile because the
testator can easily
make a subsequent
will revoking it.
What are the issues to be delved in antemortem probate? (Power of the court)
General Rule: The court can only delve into the
extrinsic validity of the will, such as identity,
testamentary capacity, and due execution.
Exception: the court delves into the intrinsic
validity of the will when:
1. Will is void on its face.
2. Where the petitioners set aside the issue of
probate and traveled further to delve into the
issue of intrinsic validity.
3. If the sole issue in the probate was an issue of
ownership of a property contained in the
testamentary disposition (usually co-owned
property disposed by the testator in its
entirety).
CASE: Nepomocino vs. CA- The testator left his
entire estate to his legal wife and children but
devised the free portion to his common law wife.
HELD: The general rule is that only extrinsic validity
could be at issue during the probate, this rule is not
FORCE/
VIOLIENCE (Art.
1335 par. 1)
There is violence
when inorder to
wrest consent,
serious or irresistible
force is employed.
DURESS/
INTIMIDATION (Art.
1335, par. 2)
There is intimidation when
one of the contracting
parties is compelled by a
reasonable and wellgrounded fear of an
imminent and grave evil
upon his person or
property, or upon the
person or property of his
spouse, descendants or
ascendants, to give his
consent.
UNDUE INFLUENCE
(Art. 1337)
There is undue influence
when a person takes
improper advantage of his
power over the will of
another, depriving the
latter of a reasonable
freedom of choice. The
following circumstances
shall be considered: the
confidential, family,
spiritual and other relations
between the parties, or the
fact that the person alleged
to have been unduly
influenced was suffering
from mental weakness, or
was ignorant or in financial
distress.
NOTE:
1. Mere inequality in the distribution of
inheritance does not constitute undue
influence.
Rationale: human experience dictates that
the reason of making a will is for the legal
heirs not to inherit equally. If your intention in
making a will is for your legal heirs to inherit
equally, then you might as well die intestate.
2. Mere ascendancy does not constitute undue
influence.
3. The remedy when the judgment of the
probate court becomes final is appeal and not
annulment of judgment due to falsity in the
will. The judgment of the trial court is
conclusive, and it binds the whole world
Class designation
o Valid, e.g. class in Civil law, SLU School of
Law, 2012-2013.
How much would an heir inherit if there is no
designation of shares? (Art. 846)
o Heirs instituted without designation of shares
shall inherit in equal parts.
Rationale: Presumption of Equality, because if
the testator wanted his heir to inherit unequally
then he should have stated it in his will.
What if the testator instituted a specific
person and a class as an heir, how much do
they inherit? (Art. 847)
Problem: The testator provides I give 1/3 of my
estate to A, B, and C. C is a class of people. How
do you divide the estate?
General Rule: Presumption of Equality. It is not to
be interpreted as 1/3 to A, B, and C. Rather 1/3 of
the estate should be divided equally among A, B,
and the members of class C. Why? Because the
presumption is that the members of C were
individually instituted.
Exception: If the testator provides otherwise. If the
testator say I give 1/3 of my estate to A, B, and
class C as a unit, then 1/3 will be divided equally
among A, B and C.
Take note: when the testator calls to the
succession of a person and his children, they are
deemed to have been instituted simultaneously and
not successively.
What if the instituted heirs are brothers and
sisters of the testator and some are from the
full blood and others of the half blood, how
much would one inherit?
Full blood- same parents
Half blood- only one parent is the same.
o
Exceptions:
1. If the testator provides otherwise in the
will.
2. If they inherit by intestacy. Ratio is 2:1 in
favor of full blood brothers and sisters
(Art. 1006)
PRETERITION
What is the effect if the testator intended to
give the whole estate to the instituted heirs
but he made a mistake in the computation
thereof? (Art. 852)
o If it was the intention of the testator that the
instituted heirs should become sole heirs to the
whole estate, or the whole free portion as the
case maybe, and each of them has been
instituted to an aliquot part of the inheritance,
or the whole free portion, each part shall be
increased proportionally.
o
Succession
Testamentary
Compulsory Heirs
Voluntary Heirs
Representation
*In default of
those who will
inherit in their
own right
*they are the
nephew and
nieces of the
testator only
Institution
*Will of the testator
*Institution and substitution are
applicable only in the free portion
and not in the legitime.
*In apportioning the inheritance,
institution comes first. In default
of instituted heirs look in the will if
there is a substitute.
*Institution is the act by virtue of
which a testator designates in his
will the person/s who are to
succeed him in his property &
transmissible rights & obligations.
*Substitution is the appointment
of another heir so that he may
enter into the inheritance either in
default of the heir originally
instituted or after.
Free Portion
Legitime
Estate- no
Art. 1016
Includes: compulsory
heirs, strangers,
classes, causes,
testators soul
Art. 806
26
Intestate
distinction of
legitime and
free portion
Art. 1018
Substitution
Representation
Accretion
Intestate
Order of
succession
*Legitimate
children and
descendants
*Legitimate
parents and
ascendants.
*Widow or
widower
*Illegitimate
children
*Collateral
relatives
(Brothers,
Sisters,
nieces,
nephews)
*State
SUBSTITUTION OF HEIRS
Articles 857 to 870
General Principles:
1. The second heir or substitute heir directly
inherits from the testator and not from the
first heir.
2. A fidiecommissary substitution can never
burden the legitime [Art. 864].
3. The testator cannot impose any charge,
condition or substitution whatsoever upon the
legitimes prescribed in this Code. Should he
do so, the same shall be considered as not
imposed [Art. 872].
Simple Substitution
o One on one substitution.
o It can be implied or express.
Given time
It is provided by the testator in the will, if
none then it is understood that the period
is the lifetime of the fiduciary. The fiduciary
is a usufructuary of the property. As such if
no period was given by the testator then
the usufruct is in consideration of the life of
the fiduciary.
Illustration:
o I gave to A naked ownership, and to B the
usufruct and upon Bs death, to his son C. This
is valid, it is within the limit of Article 863. If it
goes to the son of the son of B, then it is
invalid.
Corollary provisions:
Article 727- Illegal or impossible conditions in
simple and renumenatory donations shall be
considered as not imposed.
Article 1183- Impossible conditions, those
contrary to good customs or public policy and
those prohibited by law shall annul the obligation
which depends upon them. If the obligation is
divisible, the part thereof which is not affected by
the impossible or unlawful condition shall be
valid.
Nullifies the Condition
1. Testamentary
dispositions
2. Donations
Nullifies the
Obligation
1. Onerous
obligations
Formula:
First: gross estate- all first category debts= net
estate
Second: from the net estate: determine the
legitime and free portion. From the free portion
apply the debts in testamentary provisions.
Note: No contest or forfeiture clause- If an heir
contests the manner of distribution of the free
portion, then he loses his share. It is a valid
condition. It is not illegal nor contrary to law for it
reflects the wishes of the testator.
II. Condition Prohibiting Marriage
Article 874- An absolute condition not to
contract a first or subsequent marriage shall be
considered as not written unless such condition
has been imposed on the widow or widower by
the decease spouse or by the latters ascendants
or descendants.
Nevertheless the rights of usufruct,
allowance or some personal prestation
devised or bequeathed to any person
time during which he or she should
unmarried or in widowhood.
or an
may be
for the
remain
Note:
o The second paragraph of Article 874
relaxes the rule to go around the
prohibition of the first paragraph of the
same article.
E.g. I give X a pension of 10,000
during the entire time she is single.
This is a valid condition
o
Constructive
applicable in
conditions.
compliance
is
positive potestative
2. Casual
o The fulfillment of the condition depends
solely on chance or on the will of a third
person.
o E.g. I gave X 1/3 of my estate should
Mayon erupt one year from now.
3. Mixed
o The fulfillment of the condition depends
partly on chance and partly on the will of
the heir, devisee, or legatee.
o
Mixed
1. By
will[1]
person
interestedapplicable; [2] person not interested- not
applicable.
2. By chance- not applicable.
General Rule: Instituted heir must fulfill
the obligation.
Exception: Constructive fulfillment.
Requisites for applicability:
1. The condition did not happen without
the fault of the instituted heir.
2. It must be the heir that is supposed to
personally fulfill the conditions.
If the heir dies after the testator but before the term
expires, he transmits his rights to his own heirs
because of the vested right.
Resolutory Conditions
o Resolutory condition is a condition where in
the happening of the condition extinguishes
the obligation.
o
Testamentary
Dispositions
Potestative
Negativ
e
Positive
Mixed OR
Casual
Dispositions w/ a Term
Resolutory
Suspensive
[ex die]
Resolutory
[in diem]
Dispositions with
a Mode
LEGITIMES
Article 886- 914
General Principles:
1. There is no obligation on the compulsory heirs
to accept his/ her legitime.
2. Collationable donations [gratuitous] made to
compulsory heirs are considered as advances
of their legitime [Article 1061].
3. Representation is applicable in the legitime as
long as the representatives comes from the
direct descending line.
4. The compulsory heir who renounces his
legitime cannot be represented.
5. The law does not fix the value of a legitime; it
only provides the principle in determining the
legitime.
6. Legitimes of the spouse and illegitimate
children are always taken from the free
portion [Article 895].
7. The testator cannot deprive his compulsory
heirs of their legitime, except only in cases of
valid disinheritance. Neither can the testator
impose upon the legitime any burden,
encumbrance, condition, or substitution of any
kind whatsoever [Article 904].
8. Article 905- every
renunciation or
compromise as regards a future legitime
between the person owing it and his
compulsory heirs is void and the latter may
claim the same upon the death of the former;
but they must bring to collation whatever they
may have received by virtue of the
renunciation or compromise.
o
o
o
Illustration:
X married to W. They had a child Z. X owns a
lot worth 5M, which is his only property.
X sold the lot for 15M. Is it valid? Yes! The
prohibition does not cover onerous dispositions,
because this involves an excahnage of values. The
consideration of the sale will devolved to the
estate of X. Mamanahin din ni Z at W ang 15M na
bayad ng lote.
Variable Legitime
o There is a variable legitime if the aliquot
part changes depending upon whether they
survive alone as a class or they concur with
other classes of compulsory heirs.
o
Note:
o In determining whether the children excludes the ascendants determine first if the testator
is a legitimate person or an illegitimate person.
Legitimate Testator
Exclusion of
ascendants
Exclusion of
Parents
Illegitimate Testator
They cannot inherit from the
illegitimate testator because
succession with regards to the
ascending line stops on the parents
of the illegitimate testator [Art. 903].
o Why? Article 992- An
illegitimate child has no right
to inherit ab intetestato from
the legitimate children and
relatives of his father or
mother; nor shall such
children or relatives inherit in
the same manner from the
illegitimate child [Iron
curtain rule].
o Lugi ang illegitimate child
kapag pwedeng mag-inheirt
sa kanya ang mga lolo at lola
niya at mga legitimate
children ng parents niya,
samantalang sinasabi ng
Article 992 na hindi siya
pwedeng mag-inheirt sa
kanila.
They are excluded in the presence of
legitimate child OR Illegitimate
child [Art. 903].
GM
Illegitimate Testator
GF
Legitimate Testator
Legitimate Daughter
GM
Illegitimate Son
Illegitimate Testator
Legitimate Daughter
Illegitimate Son
Legitimate testator
1. If the surviving heirs are GF and GM, F, Legitimate Daughter and Illegitimate Son, who will
inherit from the Testator?
Only the legitimate daughter and the illegitimate child. As per Art. 887, the presence of
legitimate descendants excludes the ascendants.
2. What if the heirs are GF & GM, F, and Illegitimate Son, who will inherit from the testator?
F and the Illegitimate Son will inherit. As to F he excludes GF and GM, because the nearer relative
of the testator excludes the farther [Principle of Proximity]. As to the Illegitimate Son, he concurs
with F.
3. What if the heirs are GM and GF and Illegitimate Son, who will inherit?
Both of them will inherit because they concur with each other, as per Art. 887.
Illegitimate Testator
1. What if the heirs are GF & GM, F, Legitimate Daughter, and Illegitimate Son, who will inherit?
Only the Legitimate Daughter and Illegitimate Son. As per Art. 903, the presence of either
illegitimate or legitimate descendants excludes the parents.
GF and GM will not inherit from the illegitimate testator as per Art. 992.
How to determine the legitime? How to compute net assets?
1. Inventory all gross assets.
2. Deduct unpaid debts from gross assets since the debts of the decedent are to be paid by his estate.
o Gross assets-Debts= Available assets
3. Add donations inter vivos made by the decedent to anyone. The values of the donated property are to be
ascertained at the time the donation was made. Any change in the value is for the account of the doneowner.
Illustration
Available assets+ donations= hereditary estate [basis for computing the legitime.]
Gross assets-----------2, 500,000
Outstanding debts---500,000
Available assets----- -2, 000, 000
Donation to eldest son + 300,000
1991 stock to brother + 500,000
Donation to daughter + 200,000
Net hereditary estate
3, 000, 000
Note:
o Debts in the testamentary provisions are not included [modal institution].
o If there are 3 children the legitime is 1,500,000 [1/2 of the net estate], it will be divided
equally among them for 500,000 each.
o Spouse- 500,000. Entitled to the same share of each child.
70,000
Less: debts
Available Assets
Add: Donations:
1987 to A
1989 to M
1991 to D
Net hereditary estate
35,000
35, 000
15, 000
30, 000
40, 000
120, 000
Legitimes
20, 000
20, 000
20, 000
10, 000
Lack
5, 000
20, 000
20, 000
excess of 30,000
Imputation:
o 45, 000 [60, 000 15, 000 (donation to A) = 45k] is needed to comply with the legitime
but we only have 35, 000 available assets. So we need 10, 000. Reduce the donations.
o Apply imputation
-Donation to D is considered as donation to a stranger as far as the 30, 000 is concerned.
- Donation to M is a donation to a stranger.
- Donation to A is not subject to reduction. [kulang pa nga un legitime eh!]
Reduction:
o The first to bear the reduction is the donation to D, so deduct 10,000 from him.
A= 20, 000
B= 20, 000
C= 20,000
D= 30, 000
M= 30, 000
Rules to be observed:
1. Nearer excludes the more remote. No
representation in the ascending line.
o Rule of Proximity and Rule of Exclusion
Illustration:
A1
A2
B1
B2
B
X
If X dies, the legitime will be shared by the
parents A and B because the nearer excludes
the more remote.
If A predeceases X, B gets all. A1 and A2 will
get nothing because there is no right of
representation in the ascending line.
2. Division by lines or between the lines.
[Rule of Division]- 1/2 of legitime each to
maternal and paternal [assuming that the
nearest relatives in both sides are of the
same place.]
Illustration: see illustration supra.
Ratio of Legitime:
1. Spouse surviving alone
General rule: 1/2 of the estate
Exception- 1/3 of the estate, if the
marriage was solemnized in articulo mortis
and the testator died within 3 months from
the time of such marriage.
Exception to the exception: 1/2 of the
estate if the marriage was solemnized in
articulo mortis and the testator died within 3
months from the time of such marriage, but
the
legitimate
issue
prevent
reserva
happening.
which
would
troncal
from
Illustration:
X
A
Y
B
C
Mediate source- X
Praepositus- C
Reservista- A
Marry, so that
descendants there
if he has
would be a
Illustration:
GF- origin
Reservatorios-A
M- reservista
P- praepositus
Before his death in 2011, GF donated a parcel of land to his grandson P, the only child of his deceased
son F. P died intestate in 2012 without any heir in the direct descending line, as a consequence of
which the land passed to his mother M, in accordance with the law of intestate succession. Is the
property reservable? It is evident that the property in this case is reservable, because all of the
requisites for reservation are present. In the first place, M who is the ascendant reservista, had
acquired the property by operation of law from her descendant P; in the second place, P who is the
descendant praepositus had previously acquired the property by gratuitous title from another
ascendant, his grandfather, GF, who is the origin of the said property, and in the 3 rd place, the
descendant had died without any legitimate issue in the direct descending line who could inherit from
him. Consequently, from the time of the death of the descendant praepositus, P in 2011 the
ascendant M who acquired the property is obliged to reserve it for the benefit of relatives of the
praepositus who are within the 3rd degree who belong to the line from which the said property came.
The reservable character of the property will as a rule terminate upon the death of the ascendant
reservista. Thus if we extend the example by presupposing that M died in the last month of 2012, A
and B, uncles of the prepositus P in the paternal line can claim the property as their own right in
accordance with the provision of Article 891 of the CC.
NATURE OF RIGHTS
1. Right of the Reservista over the reserved
property
o Reservistas right over the property is that
of ownership.
o
Reservistas
registrable.
right
of
ownership
is
Special Problems
Problem: Mediate source donates a piece of land to
Praepositus worth 100, 000. Praepositus then dies
without legitimate issue. Reservista is the mother of
Praepositus.
1. If praepositus had no will and the land is
the only property in his estate, what is
reserved?
o The whole land.
o 1/2 to reservistas legitime; 1/2 to
reservista by intestacy.
2. If with a will that said I give the free
portion to my mother, what is reserved?
o 1/2 of the land.
o What is reserved is what reservista
received as legitime because it was
transferred by operation of law.
3. If praepositus acquired another piece of
land worth 100, 000 before he died and
he did not have a will, what is reserved?
o The land from the mediate source is
reserved.
4. Same as number 3, but this time
Praepositus died with a will stating I
give the free portion to my mother.
What is reserved?
o 1/2 to reservista as legitime = 100, 000
o 1/2 to reservista by will = 100. 000
o Land from mediate source can be
reserved
o Land subsequently acquired cannot be
reserved.
Two theories:
1. Reserva
maxima
[maximum
operation of reserva trocal] - fit as
much of reservable property as you
can in the 1/2 by legitime. In the
example, the whole land from mediate
source is reservable.
2. Reserva minima [followed by most
commentator]- every item will pass
according to ratios of the properties.
In the example, 1/2 will pass as
legitime and 1/2 by will for both
pieces of land= 1/2 of land from
mediate source is reservable.
5. If the land from mediate source is 100,
000 and the land subsequently acquired
is 60, 000, and praepositus died without
a will, what is reserved?
o 1/2 as legitime = 80, 000
o 1/2 by intestacy = 80, 000
Reserva Maxima- 8/10 of land from
mediate source is reservable.
Reserva Minima- 1/2 of the land from
mediate source is reservable.
6. Same as number 6 but praepositus had a
will stating I bequeath 1/4 of my estate
to my mother. What is reserved?
o 1/2 as legitime= 80, 000 3/4 by
Operation of law
o 1/4 by intestacy = 40, 000
o 1/4 by will = 40, 000
Reserva maxima- whole land from mediate
source is reservable.
Reserva minima- 3/4 of land from mediate
source is reservable. Look at how much
passes by operation of law because that is the
property that is reservable.
This arises if:
1. Praepositus dies leaving property he got
from mediate source by gratuitous title
and other property from other sources.
2. Praepositus made a will instituting the
reservista to part of the estate.
1. Reserva troncal;
2. Provided that the representatives are within
the third degree collateral relatives of the
praepositus and they belong to the line where
the property came.
3. Those who will represent concur with at least
one of the reservatorios.
A
D
P Q
XY
STU
N
V W
AA
BB
CC
ZZ
What about X and Z? Although they belong to the third degree relative counting from the
praepositus, they will not inherit because they do not belong to the line where the property came.
They have no blood relation to the mediate source..
Situation 3:
What if in the problem above F died, can P, Q, R represent him?
o Yes! P, Q, R can represent him because they belong within the third degree collateral relatives.
However the representation is only up to the share of F.
o
Note the XY and ZZ cannot represent F because representation in the collateral line ends with the
third degree collateral relatives [nephews and nieces]. XY and ZZ are not the nieces/ nephews of
O but they are his grandnephews and grandnieces.
Situation 4:
What if all the reservtorios D, E, F, H, and I are dead or renounced the inheritance. How will the property be
inherited?
o P, O, R, S, T, U, V, and W will inherit in their own right because they belong to the third degree
relative of the praepositus and where the property came. They will divide the property per capita
[per person]. However, the ratio of 2:1 will apply. The full-blood nephews and nieces will be
entitled to twice as the share of the half-blood nieces and nephews.
P, Q, R, S, T, and U are entitled to 1/10 of the property because they are the halfblood nephews and nieces of G, the ascendant reservista.
V and W- 2/10 of the property because they are the full-blood nephews and nieces
of G, the ascendant-reservista.
o Note that BB and CC will not inherit. Although they belong within the third degree relative counting
from the praepositus, they do not belong to the line where the property came.
EXTINGUISHMENT OF RESERVA TRONCAL
1. Death of Reservista- No more reserva
troncal. The reservatorios get the property. If
there are no reservatorios, the property shall
form part of the estate of the reservista. It is a
kind of delayed succession from the
praepositus. The reserved property does not
form part of the reservistas estate if there are
reservatorios.
2. Death
of
all
the
ReservatoriosReservistas title to the property becomes
absolute and unconditional.
3. Fortuitous loss of the reserved propertyIf the loss was due to the fault of the
reservista, the security will answer for the
property.
4. Waiver by all the reservatorios provided
no reservatorio is subsequently born.This is a tentative extinguishment because
DISINHERITANCE
Articles 915- 923
General Principles:
o A compulsory heir, may in consequence of
disinheritance, be deprived of his legitime, for
causes expressly stated by law [Art. 915]. Note
that for a compulsory heir to be deprive of his
legitime the disinheritance must be valid and not
imperfect.
o
If
the
ground
is
disinheritancesubsequent
reconciliation
between
the
offended party and the offender revokes the
disinheritance.
If the ground is unworthiness reconciliation will not apply. The heir who was
rendered unworthy, even if here was a
subsequent reconciliation will not inherit.
Illustration:
1. Santiago Wakas, for the second time
married a young and beautiful woman.
However, his son Guillermo had an affair
with his stepmother. Santiago after making
his will learned of the affair. He did not
change his will to disinherit Guillermo,
pinagsabihan lang niya. Because of what
happened Santiagos health suddenly
deteriorate. Before his death a tearful
reconciliation happen between them.
Can Guillermo inherit from Santiago?
No! In this case there was no disinheritance
so that the subsequent reconciliation
between Santiago and Guillermo. Guillermo
is rendered unworthy to inherit because as
per Article 1032 it provides that- the
following are incapable of succeeding by
reason of unworthiness:
XXXX
(5) Any person convicted of adultery or
concubinage with the spouse of the
testator;
XXX
Corollarily, Article 1033 provides that- the
causes of unworthiness shall be without
effect if the testator had knowledge thereof
at the time he made the will, or if, having
known of them subsequently, he should
condone them in writing. Santiago had no
knowledge of the cause of unworthiness at
the time he made the will.
2. In the problem supra: suppose that after
learning the affair of Guillermo and his wife,
Santiago bursting in anger made another
will disinheriting Guillermo. After sometime,
there was a tearful reconciliation between
them. Can Guillermo inherit from Santiago?
Yes! Because the law provides that
reconciliation between the offender and the
offended party renders ineffectual the
disinheritance that may have been made.
Further by availing of the grounds of
disinheritance, Santiago waived the right to
avail of the grounds for unworthiness.
T
ABCD-
A
B
C
D
Preterited
Given a legacy of 100, 000
Was imperfectly disinherited
Was instituted as the sole heir.
o
WHAT IS EFFECT OF1. Preterition- it will annul the institution of
heirs but devises and legacies shall be
respected as long as they are not inofficious.
2. Invalid disinheritance- the institution
remains valid, but must be reduced insofar as
the legitime has been impaired [Art. 918].
3. Insufficient legitimecompletion of legitime.
demand
for
the
What is a Legacy?
o A legacy is a gratuitous grant in a will of a
specific personal property.
o A legatee is a person who succeeds by
particular title to a specific personal property.
What is a Devise?
o A devise is a gratuitous grant in a will of a
specific real property.
o A devisee is a person who succeeds by a
particular title to a specific real property.
o
Up to what extent a testator may give as a
devise or legacy?
General rule:
o If the testator owns only a part, the
devisee/legatee will only get that part.
o As per Art. 929- If the testator, heir, or
legatee owns only a part of, or an interest in
the thing bequeathed, the legacy or devise
shall be understood limited to such part or
interest.
Exceptions:
1. Testator gives more- Unless the testator
expressly declares the he gives the thing in
its entirety [Art. 929].
E.g., giving it in its entirety. How? The
estate should buy out the rest of the
property. If co-owners do not like to sell,
then the estate gives him the testators
share plus the cash value of the rest of the
property.
2. Testator gives less- Art. 794 Every
devise or legacy shall convey all the interest
of which the testator could devise or
bequeath in the property disposed of, unless
it clearly appears from the will that he
intended to convey less interest.
Can legacies and devises be given during the
lifetime of the testator?
General rule: No, because legacies or devises
are always given in the will. Thus, it is given after
the death of the testator.
Exception: Principle of Ademption- it
contemplates that the testator gives a donation
and such donation becomes part of the legacy of
devise. Also the donation is dependent upon the
efficacy of the legatee.
Do legacies and devises need to be accepted
by the devisee or legatee?
Indeterminate Devise
There must exist
immovables of the same
kind in order to be valid
Art. 950
When
a
coconut
plantation
transformed into a fishpond.
is
Exception to exception:
Art. 930- If the testator
erroneously
believed
that he owns it entirely,
the legacy or devise is
void.
Why? It is vitiated by
mistake.
habet
Exception:
After making the will the
testator acquired the property
of the 3rd person by whatever
title.
Art. 931- If the testator
orders that a thing belonging
to another be acquired in order
that it be given to a legatee or
devisee, the heir upon whom
the obligation is imposed or
the estate must acquire it and
give the same to the legatee or
devisee; but if the owner of
the thing refuses to alienate
the same, or demands an
excessive price therefor, the
heir or the estate shall only be
obliged to give the just value
of the thing.
Problems:
1. X, designated as legatee by W, is the owner
of the property at the time of the making of
Ws will. Subsequently, after the making of
the will W bought the property from X. Is the
Exceptions:
a. Relatives of the full and half-blood- Art.
1026
b. Rule of division by line in the ascending
line.
c. Rule on preference of lines if survived
by a father and son, the father is
excluded.
d. Distribution between legitimate and
illegitimate children [2:1] even though
in the same degree.
e. By representation- because of this, they
inherit in different shares.
LEGAL OR INTESTATE SUCCESSION
General principles:
Art. 961- In default of testamentary heirs, the
law vests the inheritance, in accordance with the
rules hereinafter set forth, in the legitimate and
illegitimate relatives of the deceased, in the
surviving spouse, and in the state.
GGF
1 degree
GP
1 degree
P
1 degree
Child
What is meant by relative in the collateral
line? Art. 964, par. 2- A collateral line is that
constituted by the series of degrees among persons
who are ascendants and descendants, but who
come from a common ancestor.
How is the computation of degree of
relationship in the collateral line? Art. 966,
par. 2- In the collateral line, ascent is made to the
person with whom the computation is to be made.
Thus, a person is two degrees removed from his
brother, three from his uncle, who is the brother of
his father, four from his first cousin and so forth.
GF
X
F
S
Y
W
B
Is there a limit of those who will inherit from
the instestate decedent?
Direct line- there is no limit.
Collateral line- up to the 5th degree only.
Who will get the inheritance of an heir
unwilling or incapacitated to succeed? Art.
968- If there are several relatives of the same
degree, and one or some of them are unwilling or
incapacitated to succeed, his portion shall accrue to
the others of the same degree, save the right of
representation when it should take place.
What is the effect if the nearest relative
repudiates the inheritance? Art. 966- If the
disinheritance should be repudiated by the nearest
relatives, should there be one only, or by all the
nearest relatives called by law to succeed, should
there be several, those of the following degree shall
inherit in their own right and cannot represent the
person or persons repudiating the inheritance.
RIGHT OF REPRESENTATION
Articles 970 to 977
General rule:
Art. 971- The representative is called to the
succession by the law and not by the person
represented. The representative does not
succeed the person represented but the one
whom the person represented would have
succeeded.
What is representation?
Art. 970- Representation is a right created by
fiction of law, by virtue of which 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
living or he could have inherited.
It
is
also
called
successional
subrogation- it is the process whereby one
person
takes
anothers
place.
The
representative is subrogated [takes the
place] of the person represented [JBL
Reyes].
does
Questions:
1. Must the representative have the capacity to
succeed from the decedent? Yes, because
the representative is really succeeding from
the decedent.
B
B1
C
B2
Illustration:
respective parent.
Collateral Line
A1
A2
B1
C1
C2
If B predeceases X, B1 would represent him in
his share. The sharing would be by stirpes.
If A, B, C, predecease X, all nephews and
nieces inherit in their own right per capita. The
property will be divided equally.
Note: for representation to operate, it is
necessary that an uncle or aunt survives in the
collateral line with the nephews and nieces.
Otherwise the latter would inherit per capita.
Direct Line
X
A
A1
A2
B1
D
C
C1
C2
Situation 1
GF
Situation 2
GF
T
S
T
D
In situation 1: T predeceases
GF. T has two children S
and D. D is illegitimate. GF
dies intestate. Who can inherit
from GF by way of
representation?
Only S because he is a
compulsory heir of T in the
direct descending line. D
cannot inherit because of
Article 1002, which provides
that illegitimate children
cannot inherit from the
relatives of his parents and
vice verse.
Why? Because in
representation D
would by directly
inheriting from GF
and not from T.
Accretion
1. predeceas
e
2. incapacit
y
3. renuncia
tion
Representation
1. predecease
2. incapacity
3. disinheritanc
e
Illustration:
Article 1019
A
B
X
C
D
Estate= 600, 000. If C predecease X, then
B= 200, 000 + 40, 000= 240, 000
C= 200, 000 + 40, 000= 240, 000
D= 100, 000 + 20, 000+ 120, 000
Article 1020
A
A1
B
A2
X
C
D
Estate= 600, 000. A predecease X. B
renounced.
If all are present, then 150, 000 each. However
B renounced so his share will be divided by his
co-heirs by way of accretion.
A1 and A2= 150, 000 + 50, 000= 200, 000
C= 150, 000 + 50, 000+ 200, 000
Predecease
Incapacity
Legitime
1. Right of representation
2. Representation not
applicable, heirs inherit
in their own right.
3. No accretion
Same proceeding as
predecease.
Repudiation
Disinheritance
1. Right of representation.
2. Representation not
applicable, co-heirs
inherit in their own
right.
3. No accretion.
Free Portion
1. Substitution;
2. Substitution not
applicable, then
accretion
Intestate Succession
1. Inherit in their own
right [Art. 981].
2. No accretion
1. Substitution;
2. Substitution not
applicable, then
accretion
1. Substitution;
2. Substitution not
applicable, then
accretion
1. Representation
2. Accretion [Art.
968].
Disinheritance does
not apply in the free
portion and intestate
succession. It only
operates in the
legitime.
1. Accretion [Art.
1018].
2. Intestate
succession
Not applicable.
Why? There is no
will containing the
disinheritance.
Though
unworthiness is
applicable.
Illustration:
X
B
B1
However,
intestate
and
testamentary
successions, both with respect to the order of
succession and to the amount of successional
rights and to the intrinsic validity of
testamentary provisions, shall be regulated by
the national law of the person whose succession
is under consideration, whatever may be the
nature of the property and regardless of the
country wherein said property may be found.
Illustrations:
1. A, a priest, is a friend of B. B regularly goes
to confession to A. B then becomes seriously
ill. He executes a will instituting A to 1/3 of his
estate. Is this testamentary disposition valid or
is A capacitated to inherit from B? Yes! A is
capacitated to inherit because the spiritual
ministration was not done during the last
illness of the testator.
Note:
This grants right of representation to children or
ascendants of incapacitated children or
descendants.
The representation covers the legitime and
intestacy.
Who are incapacitated to succeed in
testamentary succession?
Article 1028- The prohibitions mentioned in
Article 739, concerning donations inter vivos
shall apply to testamentary provisions.
An
inheritance
is
deemed
X
A
W Y Z
X died on January 1, 2011. A died on January 14,
2011 without having accepted or repudiated the
inheritance. WYZ get the rights of A. Any of them may
renounce. If W and Y renounce, then 2/3 of As share
is deemed renounce. No accretion takes place
between WYZ.
What is the rule if an heir is both an intestate or
testate heir and he renounces? Article 1055- If a
person, who is called to the same inheritance as an
heir by will and ab intestato, repudiates the
inheritance in his capacity as a testamentary heir, he
is understood to have repudiated it in both capacities.
Should he repudiate it as an intestate heir, without
knowledge if his being a testamentary heir, he may
still accept it in the latter capacity.
Note: If the heir is both a testate and intestate heir:
1. If he renounces in a testate capacity- he is
deemed to have renounced in both capacities.
Why? If the heir rejected an express will, then
he is deemed to have rejected the implied will.
2. If he renounces in an intestate capacity,
whether he had knowledge that he was a
testate heir or not, only his capacity to inherit as
an intestate heir is renounced. Even if he had
knowledge, he may want to accept the testate,
share to show respect for the will of the
testator. Philosophy behind this is that
testamentary succession is superior to intestate
succession.
Legitime is treated separately- this may be
accepted or renounced separately. The heir may
accept the testate share and reject the legitime
and
vice
versa.