Atty.

Maria Lourdes Paredes-Garcia

Professor
Wills & Succession JD 2-5 Tues 6-9
College of Law, PUP
SYLLABUS

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A detailed evaluation of the law on testate and intestate succession,
including a study on Wills, Institution and Substitution of heirs, Computation of legitimes of
compulsory heirs in testate and intestate succession, Disinheritance, Preterition, Reserva Troncal and
partition and distribution of the estate of a deceased person and the substantive procedure on the
settlement and administration of the estate of deceased persons under Book III of the New Civil Code.

Course Objectives:
At the end of the course, the student will understand the basic principles of succession; identify rights
and obligations among heirs, and the basic principles in succession. They will also be able to learn
how to compute and allocate portions left in inheritance in both testate and intestate succession.
Lastly, they should be able to learn how to make wills.

BOOK III. TITLE IV. SUCCESSION

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS (ARTS. 774-782)

A. Definition of Terms:

1. Succession (Art. 774)

2. Decedent/Testator (Art. 775)
3. Heir/legatee/devisee (Art. 782)

Charges against the Estate of a Deceased Person

Estate of Hemady v Luzon Surety, 100 Phil 388
Exception:
Ledesma vs McLachlin, 66 Phil 547; GR 44837, November 23, 1938

B. Bases/Reasons for Succession

C. Elements of Succession
Opening of Succession
Pacio v Billon, 1 SCRA 384

D. Inheritance vs Succession (Art. 776)

1. Uson vs del Rosario, 92 Phil 530 Jan. 29, 1953
2. De Borja vs. Vda. de Borja 46 SCRA 577
3. Bonilla vs. Barcena 71 SCRA 491

E. Transmission of Successional Rights (Art. 777)

1. Atty. Ferrer vs Sps. Diaz, GR 165300, Apr. 23, 2010
2. In Re Petition For Probate of Last Will & Testament of Basilio Santiago,
GR 179859, Aug. 9, 2010
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F. Arts. 778-780 Different kinds of Succession

G. Art. 781 Case in point: Balus vs. Balus 610 SCRA 178 (2010)

CHAPTER 2. TESTAMENTARY SUCCESSION (ARTS. 783-959)

 What the inheritance Comprises and Excludes:
 Future inheritance= Blas v. Santos GR L-14070 March 29, 1961
 Transfer to heirs of rights & duties==Tuason, Jr. v. Lingad GR L-24248 July 31, 1974
 Right of Redemption transmissible to heirs==Rupa, Sr. v. CA GL L-80129 Jan. 25, 2000
 Disinheritance Instrument===Seangio v. Reyes GR 140371-72 Nov. 26, 2007

SECTION 1. WILLS

SUBSECTION 1. WILLS IN GENERAL (ARTS. 783-795)

A. Definition, Elements and Characteristics of a Will (Arts. 783-787)
Definition of a Will
Nature of Making a Will; Personal Act of the Testator
Delegable and non-delegable functions of a Testator
Imperfection of the language of a Will; Rules of Interpretation
Dizon-Rivera v Dizon, 33 SCRA 554
Vda. De Villaflor v Juico, 4 SCRA 550
Partial Invalidity of Testamentary Dispositions
After-Acquired Properties
Properties acquired after Making of a will (Art. 793)
Accruals to the Estate since the opening of Succession (Art 781)
Santos v Blas, 1 SCRA 899

B. Interpretation of Wills (Arts. 788-794)

1. Reyes et al vs CA, GR 124099, October 30, 1997
2. Nepomuceno vs CA, 139 SCRA 206, Oct. 9, 1985

C. Extrinsic Validity of Wills

C.1. As to time (Art. 795)
1. Enriquez vs Abadia, 95 Phil 627; GR L-7188, August 9, 1954
C.2. As to place (Art. 17(1); Arts. 815-819)

D. Intrinsic Validity of Wills

D.1. As to time (Art. 2263)
1. Jimenez vs Fernandez, 184 SCRA 190 Apr. 6, 1990
2. Ortega v. Valmonte GR 157451 Dec. 16, 2005

D.2. As to place (Art. 16(2); Art. 1039)

1. Aznar vs Garcia, GR L-16759, January 31, 1963
2. Miciano vs Brimo, 50 Phil 867; GR 22595, November 1, 1924
3. Llorente vs CA GR 124371 Nov. 23, 2000
4. Dorotheo vs CA, 320 SCRA 12 Dec. 8, 1999

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SUBSECTION 2. TESTAMENTARY CAPACITY AND INTENT (ARTS. 796-803)
A. Sound Mind (Art. 799)
1. Bagtas vs Paguio, 22 Phil 227; GR 6801, March 14, 1912
2. Baltazar vs Laxa, GR 174489, Apr. 11, 2012

SUBSECTION 3. FORMS OF WILLS (ARTS. 804-809)

A. Basic Requirements for a Notarial Will (Art. 804 – 806)
1. Azuela vs CA, GR 122880, April 12, 2006
2. Ortega vs Valmonte, GR 157451 Dec. 16, 2005
3. Jaboneta vs Gustilo, 5 Phil 541, January 19, 1906
4. Cañeda vs CA, 222 SCRA 781

B. Acknowledgment of Wills (Art. 806)

1. Garcia vs Gatchalian, GR L-20357 Nov. 25, 1967
2. Cruz vs Villasor, 54 SCRA 31; GR L-32213, November 26, 1973

C. Additional Requirements for Deaf-Mute and Blind Testators (Arts. 807-808)

1. Garcia vs Vasquez GR L-26615 April 30, 1970
2. Alvarado vs Gaviola, 226 SCRA 347; GR 74695, September 14, 1993

D. Formal Requirements for Holographic Wills (Arts. 810-814)

1. Ajero vs CA, 236 SCRA 488; GR 106720, September 15, 1994
2. Kalaw vs Relova, 132 SCRA 237; GR L-40207, September 28, 1984
3. Rodelas vs Aranza, 204 Phil 402; GR L-58609, December 7, 1982
4. Roxas vs de Jesus, GR-L-38338 Jan. 28, 1985
5. Labrador vs. CA

D.1. Witnesses to Probate of Holographic Wills (Art. 811)

1. Codoy vs Calugay, 312 SCRA 333 Aug. 12, 1999

E. Joint Wills (Arts. 818-819)

1. dela Cerna vs Rebaca-Potot 12 SCRA 576, Dec. 23, 1964, GR L-20234

SUBSECTION 4. WITNESSES TO WILLS (ARTS. 820-822)

A. Qualifications/Disqualifications (Arts. 820-821)
1. Gonzales vs CA, 90 SCRA 187, May 25, 1979

B. Devise/Legacy given to a Witness (Arts. 823-824)

SUBSECTION 5. CODICILS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

(ARTS. 825-827)
1. Unson vs Abella, 43 Phil 494; GR 17857, June 2, 1922

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SUBSECTION 6. REVOCATION OF WILLS AND TESTAMENTARY
DISPOSITIONS (ARTS. 828-834)
1. Testate Estate of Maloto vs CA, GR 76464, February 29, 1988 158 SCRA 451

A. Doctrine of Dependent Relative Revocation (in relation with Arts. 832 and 837)
1. De Molo vs Molo, 90 Phil 37 Sept. 21, 1951

SUBSECTION 7. REPUBLICATION AND REVIVAL OF WILLS

(ARTS. 835-837)

SUBSECTION 8. ALLOWANCE AND DISALLOWANCE OF WILLS

(ARTS. 838-839)
A. Nature of Probate Proceedings (Art. 838)
B. Jurisdiction of the Probate Court
C. Grounds for Disallowance of a Will (Art. 839)
D. Revocation vs Disallowance
1. Mercado vs Santos, 66 Phil 215, September 22, 1938
2. Revilla vs CA, GR 95329, Jan. 27, 1993
3. Reyes vs Reyes, GR 139587 Nov. 22, 2000
4. Ortega vs Valmonte, GR 157451 Dec. 16, 2005
5. Dy Yieng Seangio vs Judge Reyes, GR 140371-72 Nov. 27, 2006
6. Maloles II vs Philips, GR 133359, Jan. 31, 2000

SECTION 2. INSTITUTION OF HEIR (ARTS. 840-856)

A. Definition and Requisites (Arts. 840-845)
1. Pecson vs Coronel, 45 Phil 216, October 11, 1923
2. Parish Priest of Victoria, Tarlac vs Rigor GR L-22036 April 30, 1979

B. Equal Sharing; Collective and Simultaneous Institution of Heirs (Arts. 846-849)

C. Statement of a False Cause in the Institution of Heir (Art. 850)
1. Austria vs Reyes, GR L-23079 Feb. 27, 1970

D. Incomplete, Inadequate or Excessive Distribution of Estate (Art. 851-853)

E. Preterition (Arts. 854-856)
E.1. Definition and Requisites
E.2. Preterition vs Disinheritance
1. Nuguid vs Nuguid 17 SCRA 449
2. Acain vs IAC, 155 SCRA 101; GR L-72706, October 27, 1987
3. Neri vs Akutin, 74 Phil 185, May 21, 1943
4. Viado Non vs CA, GR 137287, Feb. 15, 2000; 325 SCRA 652

SECTION 3. SUBSTITUTION OF HEIRS (ARTS. 857-870)

A. Definition, Requisites, Purpose and Limitations
B. Kinds of Substitution (Arts. 858-861)
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C. Fideicommissary Substitution (Arts. 863-870)
C.1. Requisites, Limitation and Prohibitions
1. Perez vs Garchitorena, 54 Phil 431, February 13, 1930
2. Ramirez vs Ramirez, 111SCRA 704 February 15, 1982
3. Kilayko et al vs Tengco, GR L-45425; 45965, March 27, 1992

* RESERVA TRONCAL (Art. 891)

(similarity /difference w/ Fideicommissary Substitution)
1. Nieva vs Alcala, 41 Phil 915; GR 13386, October 17, 1920
2. De Papa vs Camacho, 144 SCRA 281; GR 28032, September 24, 1986
3. Sumaya vs IAC, 201 SCRA 178; GR 68843-44, September 21, 1991

SECTION 4. CONDITIONAL TESTAMENTARY DISPOSITIONS AND

TESTAMENTARY DISPOSITIONS WITH A TERM (ARTS. 871-885)
A. Conditional Institution (Arts. 872-877; 833-884)
1. Rabadilla vs CA, GR 113725, June 29, 2000

B. Institution with a Term (Arts. 878, 880, 885)

C. Modal Institution (Arts. 882-883)
1. Natividad vs Gabino, 36 Phil 663

D. Condition Not To Contract Marriage (Art. 874)

1. Morente vs dela Santa, 9 Phil 387

E. Disposition Captatoria (Art. 875)

SECTION 5. LEGITIME (ARTS. 886-914)

A. Definition, Purpose and Implications
B. Classification of Compulsory Heirs
1. Noble vs Noble, 18 SCRA 1104, Dec. 17, 1966

C. Legitime of Compulsory Heirs (Arts. 888-904)

D. Completion of Legitime vs Preterition (Art. 906)
E. Computation of Net Hereditary Estate (Art. 908)
** Relate with Collation of Donations (Arts. 1061-1077)
a. Collation Procedure
b. Duty to Collate of Grandchildren, Parents, Spouses
c. Property Subject to Collation
1. Vizconde vs CA, 286 SCRA 217 Feb. 11, 1998
2. Arellano vs Pascual, GR 189776, Dec. 15, 2010

F. Order of Reduction of Donation (Arts. 911 & 950)

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SECTION 6. DISINHERITANCE (ARTS. 915-923)
A. Nature, Concept and Requisites of Disinheritance (Art. 915-917)
B. Effects of Invalid Disinheritance (Art. 918)
C. Grounds for Disinheritance (Arts. 919-921)
1. Pecson vs Mediavillo, 28 Phil 81; GR 7890, September 29, 1914
2. Dy Yieng Seangio vs Judge Amor Reyes GR 140371-72 Nov. 27, 2006

D. Nature and Effects of Reconciliation (Art. 922-923)

SECTION 7. LEGACIES AND DEVISES (ARTS. 924-959)

CHAPTER 3. LEGAL OR INTESTATE SUCCESSION (ARTS. 960-1014)

SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS (ARTS. 960-962)

A. Concept of Intestate Succession (Art. 960)
1. Rodriguez vs Borja, 17 SCRA 418, June 21, 1966

SUBSECTION 1. RELATIONSHIP (ARTS. 963-969)

SUBSECTION 2. RIGHT OF REPRESENTATION (ARTS. 970-977)

A. Definition, Nature, Limitations and Extent of the Right of Representation
1. delos Santos vs dela Cruz, 37 SCRA 555, Feb. 22, 1971

SECTION 2. ORDER OF INTESTATE SUCCESSION

SUBSECTION 1. DESCENDING DIRECT LINE (ARTS. 978-984)

1. Sayson vs CA GR 89224-25, 205 SCRA 321 Jan. 23, 1992
2. Spouses Zaragosa vs CA GR 106401 Sept. 29, 2000
3. Pedrosa vs CA GR 118680 Mar. 5, 2001
4. de Jesus vs Estate of Dizon GR 142877 Oct. 2, 2001
5. Adlawan vs Adlawan GR 161916 Jan. 20, 2006
6. Santos vs Alana GR 154942 Aug. 16, 2005
7. Montero vs Septimo GR 149751 Mar. 11, 2005

SUBSECTION 2. ASCENDING DIRECT LINE (ARTS. 985-987)

SUBSECTION 5. COLLATERAL RELATIVES (ARTS. 1003-1010)

1. Bagunu vs Piedad GR 140975 Dec. 8, 2000
2. Fernandez vs Fernandez GR 143256 Aug. 28, 2001
3. Abellana de Bacayo vs Borromeo GR-L-19382, 14 SCRA 986 Aug. 31, 1965
4. GSIS vs Custodio 26 SCRA 658 Jan. 27, 1969
5. Pilapil vs Heirs of Maximino Briones GR 150175 Mar. 10, 2006; Feb. 5, 2007

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SUBSECTION 3. ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN (ARTS. 988-994)
A. The Iron Barrier (Art. 992)
1. Diaz vs IAC 182 SCRA 427 June 17, 1987
2. Cacho vs Udan 13 SCRA 693 April 30, 1965
3. dela Merced vs dela Merced GR 126707 Feb. 25, 1999
4. Albolario vs Colinco GR 129163 April 22, 2003
5. In Re: Instestate Estates of Josefa Delgado and Guillermo Rustia
GR 155733 Jan. 27, 2006

SUBSECTION 4. SURVIVING SPOUSE (ARTS. 995-1002)

1. Santillon vs Miranda, 14 SCRA 563
2. Verdad vs CA GR 109972, 256 SCRA 593 April 29, 1996
3. Armas vs Calisterio GR 136467 April 6, 2000

SUBSECTION 6. THE STATE (ART. 1011-1014)

1. City of Manila vs Archbishop 36 Phil 504 Aug. 30, 1917
2. Republic vs Guzman GR 132964 Feb. 18, 2000

CHAPTER 4. PROVISIONS COMMON TO TESTATE AND INTESTATE

SUCCESSION (ARTS. 1015-1105)

SECTION 1. RIGHT OF ACCRETION (ARTS. 1015-1023)

SECTION 2. CAPACITY TO SUCCEED BY WILL OR BY INTESTACY

(ARTS. 1024-1040)
A. Definition/Qualification to Inherit (Arts. 1024-1026)
B. Persons Incapable of Succeeding Due to:
B.1. Undue/Improper Influence (Art. 1027)
B.2. Public Policy/Morality (Art. 1028)
B.3. Unworthiness (Art. 1032)

C. Ineffectivity of Causes of Unworthiness (Art. 1033)

D. Evaluation of capacity to succeed (Arts. 1034, 1039)
1. Parish Priest of RCC of Victoria, Tarlac vs Rigor, GR-L22036, Apr. 30, 1979

SECTION 3. ACCEPTANCE AND REPUDIATION OF INHERITANCE

(ARTS. 1041-1057)

SECTION 4. EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS (ARTS. 1058-1060)

1. Estate of Ventura vs Ventura, GR L-26306 Apr. 27, 1988

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SECTION 5. PARTITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE ESTATE
(ARTS. 1078-1105)
1. Mang-oy vs CA, 144 SCRA 33, Sept. 12, 1986, GR-L27421
2. JLT Agro Inc. vs Balansag GR 141882 Mar. 11, 2005

SUBSECTION 2. EFFECTS OF PARTITION (ARTS. 1091-1096)

SUBSECTION 3. RESCISSION AND NULLITY OF PARTITION

(ARTS. 1097-1105)