SUCCESSION

First Semester, AY 2019-2020

Thursday, 5:00-9:00pm
Viferlyn De Vera Villar
[email protected]

COURSE OUTLINE1
I. Introduction to Succession

1. Concept of Succession
- Arts. 774, 712 of the New Civil Code (NCC)
- Balus vs. Balus, G.R. No. 168970, 15 January 2010

2. Elements of Succession
i. Mode of acquisition
ii. Transfer of property, rights and obligations to the extent of the value of
the inheritance of a person
iii. Transmission through death
iv. Transmission to another
v. By will or by operation of law

3. Kinds of Succession (See Art. 778, NCC)

i. Testamentary
- Art. 779, NCC
ii. Intestate
- Art. 960, NCC
iii. Mixed
- Art. 780, NCC
iv. Contractual
- Arts. 130, 1347, 752, 1080, NCC; and Arts. 84 and 86, Family Code (FC)

4. Parties
i. Decedent
- Art. 775, NCC
ii. Heirs
- Arts. 782, 1026. 1029, NCC
iii. Legatee
- Arts. 782, NCC
iv. Devisee
- Arts. 782, NCC

5. Basis of Succession
i. Natural affection for relatives
ii. Preventing wealth from being stagnant
iii. Attribute of ownership

1 Based on the Course Outlines of Atty. Marie Cecile Roque-Quintos, Atty. Roberto L. Figueroa,
and Mark Dennis Y.C. Joven.

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II. General Provisions

1. Transfer of property, Rights and Obligations

- See Arts. 774, 776, 728, NCC
Cases:
Unionbank vs. Santibanez, 452 SCRA 228 (2005)
Estate of Hemady vs. Luzon Surety, 100 Phil 389 (1956)
Maglasang vs. Canatingan, G.R. No. L-15499, 28 February 1962
Lee vs. RTC of QC Branch 85, G.R. No. 146006, 23 February 2004

2. Obligations limited to value of inheritance

- See Art. 774, NCC
Cases:
Alvarez vs. IAC, 185 SCRA 8 (1990)
Ledesma vs. Mclachlin, 66 Phil 547 (1938)
Genato vs. Baylon, et al., G.R. No. 171035, 24 August 2009

3. Rights and obligations not extinguished by death

Cases:
Bonilla vs. Barcena, 71 SCRA 491
Conde vs. Abaya, 13 Phil 249 (1909)
Cruz vs. Cruz, G.R. No. 173292, 1 September 2010
NHA vs. Almeida, G.R. No. 162784, 22 June 2007

4. Opening of Succession
- See Art. 777, NCC
Cases:
Uson vs. Del Rosario, 92 Phil 530
De Borja vs. Vda. De Borja, 46 SCRA 577 (1972)
Lorenzo vs. Posadas, 64 Phil 353
Rioferio vs. CA, G.R. No. 129008, 13 January 2004
Pasco vs. Heirs of De Guzman, G.R. No. 165554, 26 July 2010
Balus vs. Balus, G.R. No. 168970, 15 January 2010
Coronel vs. CA, G.R. No. 103577, 7 October 1996

III. Testamentary Succession

1. Wills, In General
- Art. 783, NCC
Cases:
Vitug vs. Court of Appeals, 183 SCRA 755
Aluad vs. Aluad, 569 SCRA 697

2. Characteristics of Wills
i. Unilateral, Arts. 841, 1041-1056, NCC
ii. Mortis Causa, Arts. 783, 838, 1080, NCC
iii. Personal, Arts. 784-787, NCC
iv. Individual, Arts. 818, 819, 875, NCC
v. Revocable, Art. 828, NCC
vi. Free expression of Testator’s animus testandi, Art. 829, NCC
vii. Solemn Act, Arts. 804-814, 839, NCC

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3. Construction and Interpretation of Wills
i. Interpretation should favor validity, Art. 788, NCC
ii. In case of Ambiguity, Art. 769, NCC
iii. Interpretation of words, Art. 790, NCC
iv. Interpretation as a whole, Art. 791, NCC
v. Severability of invalid provisions, Art. 792, NCC
vi. After-acquired property, Arts. 793, 930, NCC
vii. Extent of interest covered, Art. 794, NCC

Cases:
Rabadilla vs. CA, 334 SCRA 522
Seangio vs. Reyes, 508 SCRA 177
Dizon-Rivera vs. Dizon, 33 SCRA 554

4. Governing Law
i. Extrinsic Validity (Form)
- Time of execution, Art. 795, NCC
- Place of execution, Arts. 17, 815-817, 810, 818, 819, NCC
Cases:
In re Will of Rev. Abadia, 95 Phil 627 (1954)
In re Will of Jose Riosa, 39 Phil 23

ii. Intrinsic Validity (Content)

- As to time, Art. 2263, NCC
- As to successional rights and intrinsic validity of testamentary
provisions, Art. 16, NCC
Cases:
Miciano vs. Brimo, 50 Phil 867 (1927)
Bellis vs. Bellis, G.R. No. L-23678, 6 June 1967
Jimenez vs. Fernandez, 184 SCRA 190
Cayetano vs. Leonidas, 129 SCRA 524

5. Testamentary Capacity and Intent

- Arts. 796-803, NCC
Cases:
Bagtas vs. Paguio, G.R. No. L-6801, 14 March 1912
Torres vs. Lopez, G.R. No. L-25966, 1 November 1926
Sancho vs. Abella, 58 Phil 728
Neyra vs. Neyra, 76 Phil 333
Samson vs. Corrales, 44 phil 573 (1923)
Ortega vs. Valmonte, 478 SCRA 247 (2005)
Baltazar vs. Laxa, G.R. No. 174489, 11 April 2012

6. Solemnities of Will
i. Formal Requirements Common to Notarial and Holographic Wills
a. In writing
b. Executed in a language or dialect known to testator
Cases:
Estate of Abada vs. Abaja, G.R. No. 147145, 31 January 2005
La Cerna vs. Potot, 12 SCRA 576 (1964)
Suroza vs. Honorado, 110 SCRA 388 (1981)

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ii. Formalities for Notarial or Ordinary Wills
a. Manner of Signing
- Art. 805, NCC
Cases:
Matias vs. Salud, G.R. No. L-10751, 23 June 1958
Garcia vs. Lacuesta, 90 Phil 489
Barut vs. Cabacungan, 21 Phil 461
Nera vs. Rimando, 18 Phil 450
Icasiano vs. Icasiano, 11 SCRA 422
Taboada vs. Rosal, 118 SCRA 195

b. Acknowledgment before Notary Public

- Art. 806, NCC
Cases:
Javellana vs. Ledesma, 97 Phil 258
Ortega vs. Valmonte, 478 SCRA 247
Guerrero vs. Bihis, 521 SCRA 394
Lee vs. Tambago, 544 SCRA 393
Gabucan vs. Manta, 95 SCRA 752

c. Substantial Compliance Rule

- Art. 809, NCC
Cases:
Cagro vs. Cagro, 92 Phil 1032
Gil vs. Murciano, 88 Phil 260
Caneda vs. CA, 222 SCRA 781
Azuela vs. CA, 487 SCRA 119

d. Disabled Testators
- Arts. 807, 808, NCC
Cases:
Garcia vs. Vasquez, 32 SCRA 489
Alvarado vs. Gaviola, 226 SCRA 347

e. Witnesses
- Arts. 820-824, NCC
Cases:
Gonzales vs. CA, 90 SCRA 183
Cruz vs. Villasor, 54 SCRA 231

iii. Formalities for Holographic Wills,

a. Entirely written by the hand of the testator
b. Dated
c. Signed by the testator

- See Arts. 810-814, NCC

Cases:
Roxas vs. De Jesus, 134 SCRA 245
Labrador vs. CA, 184 SCRA 170
Gan vs. Yap, 104 Phil 509
Rodelas vs. Aranza, 119 SCRA 16
Azaola vs. Singson, 109 Phil 102
Codoy vs. Calugay, 312 SCRA 333
Ajero vs. CA, 236 SCRA 488
Kalaw vs. Relova, 132 SCRA 237

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7. Codicils and Incorporation by reference
- Arts. 825-827, NCC

8. Republication and Revival

- Arts. 835-837, NCC

9. Revocation of Wills, Arts. 828-837, NCC

i. Time
- Art. 828, NCC
ii. Place
- Art 829, NCC
iii. Manner
- Arts. 830, 831, NCC
Cases:
Gago vs. Mamuyac, 49 Phil 902 (1927)
Casiano vs. CA, 158 SCRA 451
Maloto vs. CA, 153 SCRA 451 (1988)
Diaz vs. De Leon, 43 Phil 413 (1922)
iv. Effect
- Arts. 832-834, NCC
v. Doctrine of Dependent Relative Revocation
- Molo vs. Molo, 90 Phil 37

10. Allowance and Disallowance of Wills, Arts. 838, 839, 1331, 1335-1338, NCC;
Rule 76, Rules of Court
i. Probate,
- Art. 838, NCC
Cases:
Gallanosa vs. Arcangel, 83 SCRA 676
Alsua-Betts vs. CA, 2 SCRA 332
De la Cerna vs. Potot, 12 SCRA 576
Roberts vs. Leonides, 129 SCRA 754
Nepomuceno vs. CA, 139 SCRA 206
Reyes vs. CA, 281 SCRA 277
Dorotheo vs. CA, 320 SCRA 12
Camaya vs. Patulandong, 423 SCRA 480
In Re Will of Palaganas, 640 SCRA 538

ii. Grounds for Disallowance

- Arts. 839, 1331, 1335-1338, NCC; Rule 76, Section 9, Rules of Court
Cases:
Pascual vs. Dela Cruz, 28 SCRA 421
Alsua-Betts vs. CA, 92 SCRA 332
Coso vs. Fernandez, 42 Phil 596 (1921)

11. Institution of Heirs

i. In General,
- Arts. 840, 841, NCC
a. Classification of Heirs

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 - Arts. 887, 287, NCC; Sec. 15-18, Republic Act No. 8552; Art.
189, FC
b. Extent of Grant
- Art. 842, NCC

ii. Identification of heirs

- Arts. 843-845, NCC

iii. Rule of Equality

- Arts. 846-849, NCC

iv. Manner of Institution

- Arts. 851-853, NCC

v. Effect of predecease of heir

- Art. 856, NCC

vi. Cause
- Art. 850, NCC
- Austria vs. Reyes, 31 SCRA 754 (1970)

vii. Preterition
- Arts. 854, 906,907, 909, 910, 918, NCC
- Distinguished from Disinheritance
- Effects
Cases:
Reyes vs. Barreto-Datu, 19 SCRA 85, (1967)
Aznar vs. Duncan, 17 SCRA 590 (1966)
J.L.T. Agro vs. Balansag, 453 SCRA 211 (2005)
Morales vs. Olondriz, G.R. No. 198994, 3 February 2016
Acain vs. IAC, 155 SCRA 100 (1987)
Nuguid vs. Nuguid, 17 SCRA 449 (1966)
Solano vs. CA, 126 SCRA 122
Balanay vs. Martinez, 64 SCRA 452

12. Substitution of Heirs

i. Definition
- Arts. 857, 872, 904, NCC

ii. Classification
a. Simple or common substitution
- Art. 858, NCC
b. Brief or Compendious substitution
- Art. 860, NCC
c. Reciprocal substitution
- Art. 861, 862, NCC
d. Fideicommisary
- Arts. 863-869, NCC
Cases:
De Perez vs. Garchitorena, 54 Phil 431
Crisologo vs. Singson, 49 SCRA 491
PCIB vs. Escolin, 56 SCRA 266
Palacios vs. Ramirez, 111 SCRA 704

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 iii. Effect
- Art. 862, NCC

iv. When extinguished

13. Conditional Testamentary Dispositions & Those with a term

i. In General
- Arts. 871, 872, NCC

ii. Classification
a. Conditional Testamentary Dispositions, Arts. 872, 1080, 1083
▪ Impossible conditions, conditions contrary to law or good
customs
- Arts. 873, 727, 1183, NCC
▪ Contracting subsequent marriage
- Art. 874, NCC
▪ Disposicion captatoria
- Art. 875, NCC
▪ Potestative
- Arts. 876, 879, NCC
▪ Casual or mixed
- Art. 877, NCC
▪ Suspensive
- Arts. 880, 881, 884, 1179-1192, NCC

b. Testamentary Dispositions with a Term

- Arts. 878, 885, NCC

c. Modal
- Arts. 882, 883, NCC

14. Legitime
i. Definition
- Arts. 886, 904, 872, 1347, 914, NCC
Cases:
Sps. Buenaventura vs. CA, 416 SCRA 263
Manongsong vs. Estimo, 404 SCRA 683

ii. How to determine

- Arts. 908-914, 753, 1061, NCC
Cases:
Locsin vs. CA, 206 SCRA 383
Vizconde vs. CA, 286 SCRA 217

iii. Who are entitled

- Arts. 887, 902, NCC; Sec. 16-18, R.A. 8552; Art. 189 (1), FC
- Baritua vs. CA, 183 SCRA 565

iv. Sharing among compulsory heirs

- Arts. 888-890, 892-903, NCC; Art 176, FC

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 v. Renunciation of Future Legitime
- Art. 905, NCC

vi. Right of Completion

- Arts. 906, 907, 855, NCC

15. Reserva Troncal, Art. 891, NCC

i. Purpose
ii. Requisites
Cases:
Chua vs. CFI, 78 SCRA 406
Gonzales vs. CFI, 104 SCRA 479

iii. Nature
Cases:
Edroso vs. Sablan, 25 Phil 295
Sienes vs. Esparcia, 1 SCRA 750

iv. Persons involved

Cases:
Solivio vs. CA, 182 SCRA 119
Mendoza vs. Delos Santos, 694 SCRA 74

v. Preference among reservatarios

Cases:
Padura vs. Baldovino, G.R. No. L-11960, 27 December 1958
Florentino vs. Florentino, 40 Phil 480
De Papa vs. Camacho, 144 SCRA 281
Gonzales vs. CFI, 104 SCRA 479

vi. Registration
- Sumaya vs. IAC, 201 SCRA 178

vii. Extinguishment

16. Disinheritance
i. Requisites
- Arts. 915-917, NCC
- Seangio vs. Reyes, 508 SCRA 177

ii. Effect
- Arts. 915, 923, NCC
iii. Causes,
- Arts. 919-921, NCC

iv. Ineffective Disinheritance

- Art. 918, NCC

v. Effect of Reconciliation
- Arts. 922, 1033, NCC

17. Legacies and Devises,

- Arts. 924-959, NCC

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 Cases:
Fernandez vs. Dimagiba, 21 SCRA 428
Belen vs. BPI, G.R. No. L-14474, 31 October 1960

IV. Intestate Succession

1. Instances of Intestate Succession
- Arts. 960, 845, 1027, 1028, 1032, NCC

2. Basic Rule of Intestacy

i. Preference of Lines
- Arts. 978, 985, 1003, NCC

ii. Proximity
- Arts. 962, par. 1, 987, par. 1
- Delos Santos vs. Dela Cruz, 37 SCRA 555

iii. Equal Division

- Arts. 962, 2nd par, 1006, 987 (2), 986, 987, NCC; Art. 176, FC

3. Intestate Heirs
- Arts. 961, NCC; Arts. 189, 190, FC; Sec. 17-18, R.A. No. 8552
- Rosales vs. Rosales, 148 SCRA 69

4. Relationship
- Arts. 963-967, NCC

5. Accretion
- Arts. 968-969, NCC

6. Right of Representation
- Arts. 970-977, NCC
Cases:
Teotico vs. Del Val, 13 SCRA 406
Bicomong vs. Almanza, 80 SCRA 421

7. Order of Intestate Succession

i. Descending Direct Line
- Art. 978-984, NCC
Cases:
Hebron vs. Loyola, 623 SCRA 231
Bolanos vs. Berarte, 635 SCRA 264

ii. Ascending Direct Line

- Arts. 985-987, 993, NCC

iii. Illegitimate Children

- Arts. 988-994, NCC
Cases:
Corpuz vs. Corpuz, 85 SCRA 567
Leonardo vs. CA, 120 SCRA 890
Diaz vs. IAC, 150 SCRA 645 (1987)
Diaz vs. IAC, 182 SCRA 427 (1990)
Manuel vs. Ferrer, 247 SCRA 476

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 Pascual vs. Pascual-Bautista, 207 SCRA 561

iv. Surviving Spouse

- Arts. 995-1002, NCC
- Santillon vs. Miranda, 14 SCRA 563

v. Collateral Relatives
- Arts. 1003-1010, NCC
Cases:
Bicomong vs. Almanza, 80 SCRA 421
Bacayo vs. Borromeo, 145 SCRA 986
Carlos vs. Sandoval, 574 SCRA 116
Abellana de Bacayo vs. Ferraris de Borromeo, 14 SCRA 986

vi. State
- Arts. 1011-1014, NCC

8. Rules of Exclusion and Concurrence

V. Provisions Common to Testate and Intestate Succession

1. Right of Accretion
i. Definition
- Art. 1015, NCC

ii. Requisites
- Arts. 1016-1018, NCC

iii. Effects
- Arts. 1019, 1020, 1023, NCC

iv. When not applicable

- Arts. 1021, 1022, NCC

2. Capacity to Succeed
i. Requisites
- Arts. 1024-1026, 1029-1030, 1034, NCC
- Parish Priest of Victoria vs. Rigor, 89 SCRA 493

ii. Grounds for Incapacity to Succeed

- Arts. 1027-1028, 1031-1032, NCC

iii. Pardon
- Art. 1033, NCC

iv. Effects
- Arts. 1035-1038, NCC

v. Governing Law
- Art. 1039, NCC
- Cayetano vs. Leonidas, 129 SCRA 522

vi. Prescription
- Art. 1040, NCC

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 3. Acceptance and Repudiation of Inheritance
i. In General
- Arts. 1041, 1042, 1053-1056, NCC

ii. Requisites
- Art. 1043, NCC
- Borromeo-Herrera vs. Borromeo, 152 SCRA 171

iii. Capacity
- Arts. 1044-1048, NCC

iv. Forms of Acceptance

- Arts. 1049, 1050, 1057, NCC

v. Manner of Repudiation
- Art. 1051, NCC

vi. Effects of Repudiation,

- Arts. 1052-1057, NCC
- Distinguished from Waiver of Future inheritance, Art. 1347, NCC
- Ferrer vs. Spouses Diaz, 619 SCRA 226

VI. Collation
- Arts. 1061-1077, 908-0909, NCC
Cases:
De Roma vs. CA, 152 SCRA 205 (1987)
Vda. De Tupas vs. Regional Trial Court, 144 SCRA 622
Gregorio vs. Madarang, 612 SCRA 340

VII. Partition and Distribution of Estate

1. Partition
- Arts. 1078-1096, NCC
Cases:
Legasto vs. Versoza, 54 Phil 766 (1930)
Tuason vs. Tuason, Jr. and Araneta, Inc. 88 Phil 428 (1951)
Garcia vs. Calaliman, 72 SCRA 201 (1989)
Rivera vs. Dizon, 33 SCRA 554 (1970)

2. Extrajudicial Partition by Heirs

- Sec. 1, Rule 74, Rules of Court

3. Effect of Partition
- Arts. 1091-1096, NCC

VIII. Other Topics (Time Permitting)

- Estate Tax

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