239814347-Succession-Reviewer.docx

8/15/2019 239814347-Succession-Reviewer.docx

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SUCCESSIONSUCCESSION

Based on

JOTTINGS AND JURISPRUDENCE IN CIVIL LAW –SUCCESSION

By Atty. Ruben Balane

CHAPTER 1

ART. !. Su""e##$%n $# a &%'e %( a")u$#$t$%nby *$+tue %( ,-$"- t-e +%e+ty/ +$0-t# an'%bl$0at$%n# t% t-e etent %( t-e *alue %( t-e$n-e+$tan"e/ %( a e+#%n a+e t+an#&$tte't-+%u0- -$# 'eat- t% an%t-e+ %+ %t-e+#e$t-e+ by -$# ,$ll %+ by %e+at$%n %( la,.

The Code has simplified the concept of succession

and treats it simply as one of the 7 Modes of Acquiring Ownership as enumerated in Art712 of theNCC

2ODES O3 AC4UIRING OWNERSHIP

1 Occupation2 !ntellectual Creation" #aw$ %onation& 'state and !ntestate (uccession) Tradition7 *rescription

O+erlap of Codal %efinition with Art77)

Article 77$ tal,s of -property. rights and

o/ligations to the e0tent of the +alue of theinheritance

Article 77) tal,s of the -inheritance as including

-all the property. rights and o/ligations of aperson which are not e0tinguished /y his death

or clarity and /etter correlation. *rof Balane

opines that Art77$ should rather read3“Succession is a mode of acquisition by virtue of

which the inheritance of a person is transmitted throughhis death to another or others either by his will or byoperation of law.”

And the inheritance which is transmitted through

a person4s death is defined /y Article 77) toinclude -all the property. rights and o/ligations of

a person which are not e0tinguished /y hisdeath

5hat are Transmitted /y (uccession6

Only Transmissi/le ights and O/ligations

8eneral ule 9 if the right or o/ligation is strictly

personal :intuitu personae;. it is intransmissi/le<otherwise it may /e transmitted

ule egarding *ecuniary O/ligations

A literal construction of Art77$ appears to imply

that money o/ligations of the deceased would

pass to the heirs. to the e0tent that they inheritfrom him

• (eemingly. this article mandates that

the heirs recei+e the estate. and thenpay off the creditors

=owe+er. *hilippine procedural law. as

influenced /y the common>law system. laysdown a different method for the payment of money de/ts. as found in ules ?? to @ of theules of Court It $# %nly A3TER t-e 'ebt# a+ea$' t-at t-e +e#$'ue %( t-e e#tate $#'$#t+$bute' a&%n0 t-e #u""e##%+#

ule @. (ec1 pro+ides for the 5hen the Order for

the %istri/ution of esidue is made According to the rule. when the de/ts. funeral

charges and e0penses of administration. theallowance to the widow and the inheritance ta0ha+e all /een paid. that is the only time that thecourt shall assign the '(!%' of the estate topersons entitled to it

The rule also pro+ides that there shall /e no

distri/ution until the payment of the o/ligationsenumerated a/o+e. ha+e /een made or pro+ided for =owe+er. if the distri/utees gi+e a/ond for the payment of the said o/ligationswithin such time and of such amount as fi0ed /ythe court. the distri/ution may /e allowed

In %u+ #y#te& t-e+e(%+e/ &%ney 'ebt# a+e/

+%e+ly #ea5$n0/ n%t t+an#&$tte' t% t-e -e$+ n%+ a$' by t-e&. T-e e#tate ay# t-e& an' $t $# %nly,-at $# le(t a(te+ t-e 'ebt# a+e a$' 6+e#$'ue7 t-ata+e t+an#&$tte' t% t-e -e$+#.

ustice B# eyes o/ser+ed that *hilippine rules of

(uccession Mortis Causa proceed from an imperfect/lending of " (ystems with Contrasting *hilosophies

9

1. GERMANIC CONCEPT OF UNIVERSAL HEIR

• =eir directly and immediately steps into the

shoes of the deceased upon the latter4sdeath

• At one single occasion :uno ictu;

• 5ithout need of any formality

• 'n mass

• Automatic (u/Decti+e No+ation

. FRANCO!SPANISH S"STEM

• Acquisition of estate /y uni+ersal title /ut

only upon acceptance /y the heir at anytime. with retroacti+e effect

• Acceptance may /e made any time e0cept

when the creditors or the court requires it/e done within a certain time

• This is the system followed /y the NCC. /y

ha+ing the following features3aE ni+ersality of *roperty ights and

O/ligations/E Transmitted from the moment of deathcE 'n /loc. as an entire massdE Transmitted e+en /efore Dudicial

recognition of heirship

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#. ANGLO!AMERICAN $COMMON LA%&S"STEM

• 'state must first /e liquidated. assets

marshaled and the de/ts paid or settledunder Dudicial super+ision. /y aninter+ening trustee or personalrepresentati+e :administrator or e0ecutor;

/efore the net residue is ta,en o+er /y thesuccessor

• This is the system followed /y the ules of

Court. in that3aE '0ecutor or administrator has

possession and management of theestate as long as necessary for thepayment of de/ts and e0penses of administration. with authority toe0ercise the right of disposition

/E (ection " ule ?7 9 action to reco+er title or possession of lands in thehands of the e0ecutor or administrator can /e maintained /y the heir only

upon the order of the Court assigningsuch land to the heir or de+iseecE (ection 1 ule @ 9 heirs may reco+er

their share only upon3 *ayment of de/ts. e0penses

and ta0es =earing conducted /y the

court Court assigns the residue of

the estate to the heirs

As a result of the /lending of these " systems. B#

eyes says that we are thus faced with di+ergent. if not contradictory principles %o the successors acquire the 5=O#' of the

transmissi/le assets and lia/ilities of thedecedent6

• Art77$ 9 /y +irtue of succession the

property. rights and o/ligations. to thee0tent of the +alue of the inheritance of a person. are transmitted /y and at t'e(o(ent o) 'is *eat'. implying atransfer at that instant of the tota+it, or uni+ersality of assets and lia/ilities

%o the successors only acquire the '(!%M

remaining after payment of the de/ts. as implied/y the ules of Court6

• Art1&7 9 within " days a)ter t'e court

'as issue* an or*er )or t'e *istri-utiono) t'e estate in accordance with theoC. the heirs. de+isees and legateesshall signify to the court ha+ing

Durisdiction. whether t'e, accept or repu*iate the inheritance

• The order of distri/ution under the oC

is issued only after the de/ts. ta0es andadministration e0penses ha+e /eenpaid< hence it is argua/le that theacceptance can no longer refer toassets already disposed of /y the

administrator. /ut must /e limited to thenet residue

• But if title +ests in the heir as of the

death of the decedent then theacceptance of the heir /ecomesentirely superfluous. and the law shouldlimit itself to regulating the effects theeffects of a repudiation /y an heir or

legatee. and its retroacti+e effect

Or do the successors acquire only the NAF'%

T!T#' at the death of the predecessor. /ut withpossession or enDoyment +ested in theadministrator or personal representati+e untilafter settlement of the claims against the estate6

'(#T of these di+ergent rules 9 Creditors must

now pursue their claims during the settlementproceedings and not against the heirs indi+idually

ART. 8. In t-$# T$tle/ 9'e"e'ent: $# t-e 0ene+al

te+& al$e' t% t-e e+#%n ,-%#e +%e+ty$# t+an#&$tte' t-+%u0- #u""e##$%n/ ,-et-e+ %+ n%t -e le(t a ,$ll. I( -e le(t a ,$ll/ -e $#al#% "alle' t-e te#tat%+.

%ecedent 9 general term. person

whose property is transmitted Testator 9 specific term. person who transmits his

property +ia a will

!t is unfortunate that the Code does not use the term

-!ntestate to refer to a decedent who died without awill. This would ha+e pre+ented the am/iguity nowinherent in the term -decedent

ART. ;. T-e $n-e+$tan"e $n"lu'e# all t-e+%e+ty/ +$0-t# an' %bl$0at$%n# %( a e+#%n,-$"- a+e n%t et$n0u$#-e' by -$# 'eat-.

O+erlap of Codal %efinition with Art77)

Article 77$ tal,s of -property. rights and

o/ligations to the e0tent of the +alue of theinheritance

Article 77) tal,s of the -inheritance as including

-all the property. rights and o/ligations of aperson which are not e0tinguished /y his death

or clarity and /etter correlation. *rof Balaneopines that Art77$ should rather read3

“Succession is a mode of acquisition by virtue of which the inheritance of a person is transmitted throughhis death to another or others either by his will or byoperation of law.”

And the inheritance which is transmitted through a

person4s death is defined /y Article 77) to include -allthe property. rights and o/ligations of a person whichare not e0tinguished /y his death

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ART. . T-e +$0-t# t% t-e #u""e##$%n a+et+an#&$tte' (+%& t-e &%&ent %( t-e 'eat-%( t-e 'e"e'ent.

Time of Gesting of (uccessional ight

*rof Balane says the terminology used in this article

is -infelicitous /ecause the right to the succession isnot trans(itte* < /ut rather este* To say that it is transmitted upon death implies

that /efore the decedent4s death. the right to thesuccession was possessed /y the decedent:which is a/surd;

To say that it +ests upon death implies that

/efore the decedent4s death the right wasmerely inc'oate :which is correct;

THE LAW PRESU2ES THAT THE PERSON

SUCCEEDING –1. Has a ri/'t to succee* -,

aE #egitime :compulsory succession;.

/E 5ill :testamentary succession;. or cE #aw :intestate succession;

. Has t'e +e/a+ capacit, to succee*0 an*

#. Accepts t'e successiona+ portion

T-e *e#t$n0 %( t-e +$0-t %""u+# $&&e'$ately u%n

t-e 'e"e'ent. 2$e' #u""e##$%n $# t-at e((e"te'

a+tly by ,$ll an' a+tly by %e+at$%n %( la,.

" F!N%( O (CC'((!ON ACC%8 TO AT 77?3

1 T'(TAM'NTAI

• That which results from the designation

of an heir. made in a will2 #'8A# O !NT'(TAT'

• #ost definition3 -ta,es place /y

operation of law in the a/sence of a+alid will

" M!J'%

• That effected partly /y will and partly /y

operation of law

(ome o/ser+ations 9 'numeration cannot satisfactorily accommodate

the system of legitimes

• #egal or intestate succession operates only

in default of a will :Arts@) and @)1;. whilethe legitime operates whether or not thereis a will. in fact pre+ails o+er a will

• There are instances where the rules on

legitime :Arts ??7; operate. to thee0clusion of the rules on intestacy :Arts@);

• !t is therefore /est for clarity. to classify

succession to the legitime as a separateand distinct ,ind of succession. which. for

want of a /etter term. can /e denominatedcompulsory succession

ntil the effecti+ity of the amily Code. there

was one e0ceptional case of succession /ycontract :contractual succession; found in Article1" of Ci+il Code

ART 1!. The future spouses may give eachother in their marriage settlements as much as one"fifth of their present property# and with respect to theirfuture property# only in the event of death# to thee$tent laid down by the provisions of this %odereferring to testamentary succession.

• 4onations propter nuptias of future

property. made /y one of the futurespouses to the other. too, effect (ortiscause. and had only to /e done in themarriage settlements. which werego+erned only /y the (tatute of rauds

• !t was the only instance of Contractual

(uccession in our ci+il law

• This has /een e+i(inate* /y the amily

Code in Article ?$ paragraph 23

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“&onations of future property shall be governedby the provisions on testamentary succession and theformalities of wills.”

• (ince under the pro+ision. any donation of

future property /etween the affiancedcouple is to /e go+erned /y the rules of testamentary succession and the forms of

wills. contractual succession no longer e0ists in this Durisdiction

• (uch a donation /ecomes an ordinary

case of testamentary succession

3OUR FINDS O3 SUCCESSION ACCORDING TO

I2PORTANCE 6P+%(. Balane71. COMPULSOR"

• (uccession to the legitime

• *re+ails o+er all other ,inds

. TESTAMENTAR" $Art. 556&

• (uccession /y will

#. INTESTATE

• (uccession in default of a will

7. MI8E4 $Art. 59:&

• Not a distinct ,ind really. /ut a

com/ination of any two or all of the firstthree

ART. >1. T-e $n-e+$tan"e %( a e+#%n $n"lu'e#n%t %nly t-e +%e+ty an' t-e t+an#&$##$ble+$0-t# an' %bl$0at$%n# e$#t$n0 at t-e t$&e%( -$# 'eat-/ but al#% t-%#e ,-$"- -a*ea""+ue' t-e+et% #$n"e t-e %en$n0 %( t-e#u""e##$%n.

Article 7?1 is /est deleted< it ser+es only to confuse

The inheritance includes only those things

enumerated in Article 77) 5hate+er accrues theretoafter the decedent4s death :which is when thesuccession opens; /elongs to the heir. not /y +irtueof succession. /ut /y +irtue of ownership

To say. as Art7?1 does. that accruals to the

inheritance after the decedent4s death are included inthe inheritance is to negate the principle in Art777that transmission ta,es place precisely at themoment of death Once the decedent dies and the heir inherits. the

fruits of the property or inheritance /elongs tothe heir /y accession. and not /y successionThis is so e+en if the heir does not actuallyrecei+e the inheritance

Art7?1 should ha+e left well enough alone

Kuestion 9 !f the assets left /ehind /y the decedent

are not sufficient to pay the de/ts. may the creditorsclaims the fruits produced /y the decedent4s propertyafter his death6 Or do these fruits pertain to theheirs6

But wouldn4t the de/ts /e deducted from the

estate first /efore the properties are distri/utedto the heirs6

ART. >. An -e$+ $# a e+#%n "alle' t% t-e#u""e##$%n e$t-e+ by t-e +%*$#$%n %( a ,$ll

%+ by %e+at$%n %( la,.De*$#ee# an' le0atee# a+e e+#%n# t%

,-%& 0$(t# %( +eal an' e+#%nal +%e+tya+e +e#e"t$*ely 0$*en by *$+tue %( a ,$ll.

='! 9 person called to the succession

either /y will or /y law%'G!('' 9 persons to whom gifts of real property

are gi+en /y +irtue of a will#'8AT'' 9 persons to whom gifts of personal

property are gi+en /y +irtue of a will

The distinction /etween an heir and a de+isee or

legatee is important /ecause on this distinction

depends the correct application of Art?&$ onpreterition !n cases of preterition. the institution of an heir is

annulled. while the institution of legatees andde+isees is effecti+e to the e0tent that the legitimesare not impaired

The codal definitions are neither clear nor +ery

helpful They are so open>ended that an heir can fallunder the definition of a legateeLde+isee and +ice>+ersa -! gi+e J my fishpond in Na+otas 9 /y definition

of heir. is not J called to the succession /ypro+ision of a will and therefore an heir6

-! gi+e J of my estate 9 if in the partition. J

recei+es a fishpond. can J. /y definition. not /econsidered a de+isee. ha+ing recei+ed a gift of real property /y will6

The definitions of the (panish Code in conDunction

with Castan4s e0planations are more helpful3

• ='! 9 one who succeeds to the

5=O#' or an Aliquot part of theinheritance

• %'G!('' L #'8AT'' 9 those who

succeed to definite. specific. andindi+idual properties

CHAPTER

SECTION 1 – WILLS

Subsection 1 – Wills in General

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ART. >. A ,$ll $# an a"t ,-e+eby a e+#%n $#e+&$tte'/ ,$t- t-e (%+&al$t$e# +e#"+$be'by la,/ t% "%nt+%l t% a "e+ta$n 'e0+ee t-e'$#%#$t$%n %( -$# e#tate/ t% ta5e e((e"t a(te+ -$# 'eat-.

Operati+e 5ords in the %efinition

1 ACT• The definition of a will as an act is too

/road and should ha+e /een more clearlydelimited with a more specific term such asinstru(ent or *ocu(ent . in +iew of thepro+ision of Art?$ that -e+ery will must /ein writing

• NUNCUPATIVE or oral wills are not

recogniHed in our Code. unli,e the (panishCi+il Code wherein military wills could /eoral

2 *'M!TT'%

• 5ill>ma,ing is purely statutory

" OMA#!T!'( *'(C!B'% BI #A5• The requirement of form prescri/ed

respecti+ely for attested and holographicwills

$ CONTO# TO A C'TA!N %'8''

• The testator4s power of testamentary

disposition is limited /y the rules onlegitimes

& AT' =!( %'AT=

• Testamentary succession. li,e all other

,inds of succession in our Code. is (ortiscausa

CC HARACTERISTICSHARACTERISTICS OO 33 WW ILLSILLS

1. PUREL" PERSONAL

• Articles 7?$. 7?& and 7?7

. FREE AN4 INTELLIGENT

• Article ?"@

• The testator4s consent should not /e +itiated

/y the causes mentioned in Article ?"@

paragraphs 2>) on !nsanity. Giolence.

!ntimidation. ndue !nfluence. raud and

Mista,e

#. SOLEMN AN4 FORMAL

• Articles ?$>?1$ and ?2>?21

• The requirements of form depend on

whether the will is attested or holographic

• Articles ?&>?? and ?2>?21 go+ern

attested wills Articles ?1>?1$ go+ern

holographic wills Article ?$ applies to /oth

7. REVOCA;LE AN4 AM;ULATOR"

• Article ?2?


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This rule is consistent with. and reinforces. the purely

person character of a will. laid down in Article 7?$ This article should /e interpreted rationally !t is not

to /e so interpreted as to ma,e it clash with theprinciple e0pressed in Articles 1$1>1&7 of the NCCthat the heir is free to accept or reDect thetestamentary disposition

5hat this article prohi/its is the *e+e/ation to a #r*

person o) t'e poer to *eci*e 'et'er a *ispositions'ou+* ta>e e))ect or not

ART. >>. I( a te#ta&enta+y '$#%#$t$%n a'&$t#%( '$((e+ent $nte++etat$%n#/ $n "a#e %( '%ubt/ t-at $nte++etat$%n by ,-$"- t-e'$#%#$t$%n $# t% be %e+at$*e #-all be+e(e++e'.

Articles 7??>7@$ lays down the rules of construction

and interpretation

The underlying principle here is that testacy ispreferred to intestacy. /ecause the former is thee0press will of the decedent whereas the latter isonly his implied will

!n statutory construction. the canon is3 -That the thing

may rather /e effecti+e than /e without effect

A similar principle in contractual interpretation is

found in Art1"7". which pro+ides that -if somestipulation of any contract should admit of se+eralmeanings. it shall /e understood as /earing thatimport which is most adequate to render it effectual

ART. >. W-en t-e+e $# an $&e+(e"t'e#"+$t$%n/ %+ ,-en n% e+#%n %+ +%e+tyea"tly an#,e+# t-e 'e#"+$t$%n/ &$#ta5e#an' %&$##$%n# &u#t be "%++e"te'/ %( t-ee++%+ aea+# (+%& t-e "%ntet %( t-e ,$ll %+ (+%& et+$n#$" e*$'en"e/ e"lu'$n0 t-e %+al'e"la+at$%n# %( t-e te#tat%+ a# t% -$#$ntent$%n= an' ,-en an un"e+ta$nty a+$#e#u%n t-e (a"e %( t-e ,$ll/ a# t% t-eal$"at$%n %( any %( $t# +%*$#$%n#/ t-ete#tat%+


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Sec1). *eculiar signification of terms – The terms of a writing are presumed to have been used in their primary andgeneral application# but evidence is admissible to show that theyhave a local# technical# or otherwise peculiar signification# and were so used and understood in the particular instance# in whichcase the agreement must be construed accordingly.

!n contractual interpretation. a similar principle ise0pressed in Article 1"7 par13

Art1+!. 'f the terms of a contract are clear and leave nodoubt upon the intention of the contracting parties# the literalmeaning of its stipulations shall control.

ART. 1. T-e ,%+'# %( a ,$ll a+e t% +e"e$*e an$nte++etat$%n ,-$"- ,$ll 0$*e t% e*e+ye+e##$%n #%&e e((e"t/ +at-e+ t-an %ne,-$"- ,$ll +en'e+ any %( t-e e+e##$%n#$n%e+at$*e= an' %( t,% &%'e# %( $nte++et$n0 a ,$ll/ t-at $# t% be +e(e++e',-$"- ,$ll +e*ent $nte#ta"y.

A similar rule is found in ule 1" (ec11 of the oC

9Sec11. 'nstrument construed so as to give effect to all

provisions ( 'n the construction of an instrument where there areseveral provisions or particulars# such a construction is# ifpossible# to be adopted as will give effect to all.

!n contractual interpretation. Articles 1"7" and 1"7$

lay down similar principles 9Art1+. 'f some stipulation of any contract should admit

of several meanings# it shall be understood as bearing thatimport which is most adequate to render it effectual.

Art1+). The various stipulations of a contract shall beinterpreted together# attributing to the doubtful one that sense

which may result from all of them ta,en -ointly

ART. . T-e $n*al$'$ty %( %ne %( #e*e+al'$#%#$t$%n# "%nta$ne' $n a ,$ll '%e# n%t+e#ult $n t-e $n*al$'$ty %( t-e %t-e+ '$#%#$t$%n#/ unle## $t $# t% be +e#u&e't-at t-e te#tat%+ ,%ul' n%t -a*e &a'e #u"-%t-e+ '$#%#$t$%n# $( t-e ($+#t $n*al$''$#%#$t$%n -a' n%t been &a'e.

This article ma,es applica/le to wills the

SEVERA;ILIT" OR SEPARA;ILIT" PRINCIPLE instatutory construction frequently e0pressly pro+ided

in a separa/ility clause The source of this article is Art2?& of the 8erman

Ci+il Code which pro+ides that the in+alidity of one of se+eral dispositions contained in a will results in thein+alidity of the other dispositions only if it is to /epresumed that the testator would not ha+e madethese if the in+alid disposition had not /een made

ART. . P+%e+ty a")u$+e' a(te+ t-e &a5$n0 %( a ,$ll #-all %nly a## t-e+eby/ a# $( t-ete#tat%+ -a' %##e##e' $t at t-e t$&e %(

&a5$n0 t-e ,$ll/ #-%ul' $t e+e##ly aea+ by t-e ,$ll t-at #u"- ,a# -$# $ntent$%n.

This article creates pro/lems which would not ha+e

e0isted had it not /een so nonchalantly incorporatedin the Code. an implant from the Code of Ci+il*rocedure and ultimately from American law

The pro/lem springs from the fact that this article

ma,es the will spea, as of the time it is made. rather than at the time of the decedent4s death :which ismore logical /ecause that is when the will ta,eseffect according to Article 777;

!llustration 9 J e0ecutes a will in 1@?& containing a

legacy3 -! gi+e to M all my shares in B*! Thetestator dies in 1@@. owning at the time of his deathten times as many B*! shares as he did when hemade the will

• nder Article 7@". the shares acquired after

the will was e0ecuted are NOT included inthe legacy

A+t$"le t-e+e(%+e 'ea+t# (+%& t-e "%'al

-$l%#%-y %( A+t$"le# ! an' ; an'"%n#t$tute# an ECEPTION t% t-e "%n"et %( #u""e##$%n a# l$n5e' t% 'eat- an' +en'e+e'le0ally e((e"t$*e by 'eat-

*rof Balane suggests the pro+isions /e reworded

as3 -*roperty acquired after the ma,ing of a willpasses there/y unless the contrary clearly appearsfrom the words or the conte0t of the will

!n the meantime. it is suggested that a li/eral

application of the article /e allowed Can the word -e0pressly in this article /e

interpreted to mean -clearly e+en if it might /estretching a point6

ART. !. E*e+y 'e*$#e %+ le0a"y #-all "%*e+ allt-e $nte+e#t ,-$"- t-e te#tat%+ "%ul' 'e*$"e%+ be)ueat- $n t-e +%e+ty '$#%#e' %(/unle## $t "lea+ly aea+# (+%& t-e ,$ll t-at-e $nten'e' t% "%n*ey a le## $nte+e#t.

This article should /e read together with Art@2@.

which pro+ides that -if the testator. heir. or legateeowns only a part of or an interest in the thing/equeathed. the legacy or de+ise shall /e

understood limited to such part or interest. unless thetestator e0pressly declares that he gi+es the thing inits entirety

8'N'A# #' 9 in a legacy or de+ise

the testator gi+es e0actly the interest hehas in the thing

'JC'*T!ON( 9 he can gi+e a less interest :Art7@$; or a greater interest :Art@2@; than he has

!n the latter case. if the person owning the

interest to /e acquired does not wish to part withit. the solution in Art@"1 can /e applied wherein

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the legatee or de+isee shall /e entitled only tothe (T GA#' O T=' !NT''(T thatshould ha+e /een acquired

RR EE CC AP O3 THEAP O3 THE RR ULES ONULES ON IINTERPRETATIONNTERPRETATION

ANDAND CC ONSTRUCTION O3ONSTRUCTION O3 WW ILLSILLS

2 !n case of dou/t. testacy is preferred and

disposition should /e interpreted in manner

which would ma,e it operati+e

" Two ,inds of Am/iguities

• #atent 9 imperfect description or when no

person or property e0actly answers to

description

• *atent 9 /ased on the face of the will as

to the application of any of its pro+isions

$ !n case of am/iguity. may resort to any

e+idence. e+en e0trinsic e+idence. /ut may not

resort to oral declarations of the testator as to

his intention

& 5ords of a will shall /e ta,en in their ordinary

and grammatical sense. unless3

• Another sense or meaning is clearly

intended to /e used. and

• That other sense or meaning can /e

ascertained

) Technical words shall /e ta,en in technical

sense. e0cept3

• 5hen conte0t clearly indicates otherwise

• 5ill was drawn solely /y the testator and

he was not acquainted with the technical

meaning of such word

ART. 8. T-e *al$'$ty %( a ,$ll a# t% $t# (%+&'een'# u%n t-e %b#e+*an"e %( t-e la, $n(%+"e at t-e t$&e $t $# &a'e.

ASPECTS O3 VALIDIT O3 WILLS

A. ETRINSIC – +e(e+# t% t-e+e)u$+e&ent %( (%+& (%+&al*al$'$ty

1. Goernin/ +a as to TIME a ilipinos 9 law in force when the

will was e0ecuted :Art7@&;/oreigners 9 same rile The

assumption here is that the willis /eing pro/ated in the*hilippines

. Goernin/ +a as to PLACE ilipinos or oreigners

a #aw of citiHenship/ #aw of domicilec #aw of residenced #aw of place of e0ecution. or e *hilippine law

Articles ?1&>?17 > ules of formal +aliditya ilipino A/road > According to the law

in the country in which he may /eand may /e pro/ated in the*hilippines

/ Alien a/road > =as effect in the*hilippines if made according to3#aw of place where he resides. #awof his own country or *hilippine law

c Alien in the phils > Galid in *hils as if e0ecuted according to *hil laws. if3Made according to law of countrywhich he is a citiHen or su/Dect. andMay /e pro+ed and allowed /y lawof his own country

B. INTRINSIC – +e(e+# t% t-e#ub#tan"e %( t-e +%*$#$%n# #ub#tant$*e *al$'$ty

1. Goernin/ +a as to TIME a ilipinos 9 law at the time of

death. in connection with Art22)"/ oreigners 9 depends on their

personal law :Art1). par2 and Art1"@;

Page 9 of 112


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. Goernin/ +a as to PLACE a ilipinos 9 *hilippine law :Art1)

par2 and Art1"@;/ oreigners 9 their national law

:Art1) par2 and Art1"@;

Art22)" pro+ides that -ights to the inheritance of a

person who died. with or without a will. -e)ore the

effecti+ity of this Code :August ". 1@&;. shall /ego+erned /y the Cii+ Co*e o) 19960 -, ot'er

preious +as0 an* -, t'e Ru+es o) Court Theinheritance of those who. with or without a will. *iea)ter the /eginning of the effecti+ity of this Code.shall /e adDudicated and distri/uted in accordancewith this ne -o*, o) +as an* -, t'e Ru+es o) Court </ut the testamentary pro+isions shall /e carried outinsofar as they may /e permitted /y this CodeTherefore. +e/iti(es0 -etter(ents0 +e/acies an* -e3uests s'a++ -e respecte*B 'oeer0 t'eir a(ount s'a++ -e re*uce* if in no other manner can e+erycompulsory heir /e gi+en his full share according tothis Code

Art1) par2 pro+ides that -intestate and testamentary

successions. /oth with respect to the order of succession and to the amount of successional rightsand to the intrinsic +alidity of testamentarypro+isions. shall /e regulated /y the nationa+ +a o) t'e person 'ose succession is un*er consi*eration.whate+er may /e the nature of the property andregardless of the country wherein said property may/e found

5hile Art1"@ pro+ides that -Capacity to (ucceed is

go+erned /y the +a o) t'e nation o) t'e *ece*ent

Subsection 2 – Testamentary Capacity

And Intent

ART. ;. All e+#%n# ,-% a+e n%t e+e##ly+%-$b$te' by la, &ay &a5e a ,$ll.

ART. . Pe+#%n# %( e$t-e+ #e un'e+ e$0-teenyea+# %( a0e "ann%t &a5e a ,$ll.

ART. >. In %+'e+ t% &a5e a ,$ll $t $# e##ent$alt-at t-e te#tat%+ be %( #%un' &$n' at t-et$&e %( $t# ee"ut$%n.

ART. . T% be %( #%un' &$n'/ $t $# n%t

ne"e##a+y t-at t-e te#tat%+ be $n (ull%##e##$%n %( all -$# +ea#%n$n0 (a"ult$e#/ %+ t-at -$# &$n' be ,-%lly unb+%5en/un$&a$+e'/ %+ un#-atte+e' by '$#ea#e/$nKu+y %+ %t-e+ "au#e.

It #-all be #u(($"$ent $( t-e te#tat%+ ,a#able at t-e t$&e %( &a5$n0 t-e ,$ll t% 5n%,t-e natu+e %( t-e e#tate t% be '$#%#e' %(/t-e +%e+ %bKe"t# %( -$# b%unty/ an' t-e"-a+a"te+ %( t-e te#ta&enta+y a"t.

ART. >. T-e la, +e#u&e# t-at e*e+y e+#%n$# %( #%un' &$n'/ $n t-e ab#en"e %( +%%( t%t-e "%nt+a+y.

T-e bu+'en %( +%%( t-at t-e te#tat%+ ,a# n%t %( #%un' &$n' at t-e t$&e %( &a5$n0 -$# '$#%#$t$%n# $# %n t-e e+#%n,-% %%#e# t-e +%bate %( t-e ,$ll= but $(

t-e te#tat%+/ %ne &%nt-/ %+ le##/ be(%+e&a5$n0 -$# ,$ll ,a# ubl$"ly 5n%,n t% be$n#ane/ t-e e+#%n ,-% &a$nta$n# t-e*al$'$ty %( t-e ,$ll &u#t +%*e t-at t-ete#tat%+ &a'e $t 'u+$n0 a lu"$' $nte+*al.

ART. >1. Sue+*en$n0 $n"aa"$ty '%e# n%t$n*al$'ate an e((e"t$*e ,$ll/ n%+ $# t-e ,$ll %( an $n"aable *al$'ate' by t-e #ue+*en$n0%( "aa"$ty.

Articles 7@)>?1 lay down the rules on testamentary

capacity Testamentary Capacity 9 testa(enti )actioB

testa(enti)accin actie. the legal capacity toma,e a will

5ho has testamentary capacity6 All NATA#

persons. unless disqualified /y law uridicalpersons are NOT granted testamentary capacity

DIS4UALI3IED PERSONS

1. THOSE UN4ER 19 $ART565&

• nder 'O2@2. the Administrati+e Code of

1@?7. which too, effect on N%*e&be+ !/1>. years are now rec,oned according tothe 8regorian Calendar

• (ec"1 pro+ides for the legal periods

aE Iear 9 12 calendar months

/E Month 9 " days. unless specificcalendar month is referred to. inwhich case it shall /e computedaccording to the num/er of daysthe specific calendar monthcontains

cE %ay 9 2$ hoursdE Night 9 (unset to sunrise

. THOSE OF UNSOUN4 MIN4 $ART569&

• nsoundness of Mind :!nsanity;

A/sence of the qualities of soundness

of mind %efined /y the Code only /y

indirection /ecause only soundness of

mind is defined under Art7@@

SOUNDNESS O3 2IND 6SANIT7

N'8AT!G'#I

1 Not necessary that testator /e in fullpossession of reasoning faculties

2 Not necessary that testator4s mind /e whollyun/ro,en. unimpaired. unshattered /ydisease. inDury or other cause

*O(!T!G'#I 9 A/ility to ,now " things

1 Nature of estate to /e disposed of

Page 10 of 112


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• Testator should ha+e a fairly accurate

,nowledge of what he owns

• The more one owns. the less accurate

his ,nowledge of his estate e0pected to/e

2 *roper o/Dects of one4s /ounty<

• Testator should ,now. under ordinary

circumstances. his relati+es in the mostpro0imate degrees. his ,nowledgee0pectedly decreasing as the degrees/ecome more remote

" Character of testamentary act

• !t is not required that the testator ,now

the legal nature of a will with theerudition of a ci+ilest

• All that he need ,now is that the

document he is e0ecuting is one thatdisposes of his property upon death

#egal !mportance and !mplication of Mental Capacity

#aw is interested in the legal consequences of

the testator4s mental capacity or incapacity. notin the medical aspects of mental disease

The testator could /e mentally a/errant

medically /ut testamentarily capa/le. or +ice+ersa. mentally competent medically /uttestamentarily incompetent

TEST D as +on/ as t'e testator0 at t'e ti(e 'e

(a*e t'e i++0 as capa-+e o) perceiin/ t'et'ree t'in/s $nature o) estate0 o-ects o) -ount,0an* c'aracter o) testa(entar, act&0 'e 'astesta(entar, capacit,0 'ateer e+se 'e (a, -e(e*ica++,

PRESU2PTION GENERAL RULE – +ebuttable

P+e#u&t$%n %( San$ty un'e+ A+t> TWO ECEPTIONS – ,-en t-e+e $# a

+ebuttable +e#u&t$%n %( In#an$ty 91. 5hen testator. one (ont' or +ess -e)ore t'e

e?ecution o) t'e i++0 as pu-+ic+, >non to-e insane

2 5hen the testator e?ecute* t'e i++ a)ter -ein/ p+ace* un*er /uar*ians'ip or or*ere* co((itte* . in either case. for insanity under ules @" and 11 of the oC. and /eforesaid order has /een lifted

The time for determining mental capacity

time of e?ecution o) t'e i++ and no other

temporal criterion is to /e applied

ART. >. A &a++$e' ,%&an &ay &a5e a ,$ll,$t-%ut t-e "%n#ent %( -e+ -u#ban'/ an',$t-%ut t-e aut-%+$ty %( t-e "%u+t.

(e0ist pro+ision. contains an erroneous and

unintended suggestion that a married man does notha+e the same pri+ilege

(uggested rewording 9

-A married person may ma,e a will without his or

her spouse4s consent

ART. >. A &a++$e' ,%&an &ay '$#%#e by,$ll %( all -e+ #ea+ate +%e+ty a# ,ell a#-e+ #-a+e %( t-e "%nKu0al a+tne+#-$ %+

ab#%lute "%&&un$ty +%e+ty.

(e0ist pro+ision. contains an erroneous and

unintended suggestion that a married man does notha+e the same pri+ilege

Article @7 of the amily Code supersedes this in part

Art@7 'ither spouse may dispose /y will of his

or her interest in the community property

Subsection – !orms o" Wills

ART. >!. E*e+y ,$ll &u#t be $n ,+$t$n0 an'ee"ute' $n a lan0ua0e %+ '$ale"t 5n%,n t%t-e te#tat%+.

Art?$ lays down Common equirements that apply

/oth to ATT'(T'% and =O#O8A*=!C wills Art?&>?? lays down special requirements for

attested wills Articles ?1>?1$ lays down specialrequirements for holographic wills

TWO CO22ON RE4UIRE2ENTS

1. IN %RITING• Oral wills :the testa(entu( nuncupatiu(

of the !nstitutes; are not recogniHed in theCi+il Code

• =owe+er. oral wills are allowed under the

Code of Muslim *ersonal #aws or *%1?"in relation to Art122E

. IN A LANGUAGE OR 4IALECT NO%N TOTHE TESTATOR

• The pro+isions of Article ?$ are

MAN%ATOI and failure to comply withthe two requirements nullifies the will

• Neither the will nor the attestation clause

need state compliance with Art?$ Thiscan /e pro+ed /y '0trinsic '+idence

• *resumption of Compliance 9 it may

sometimes /e presumed that the testator ,new the language in which the will waswritten

aE 5ill must /e in a language or dialect generally spo,en in theplace of e0ecution. and

/E The testator must /e a nati+e or resident of said locality

Page 11 of 112


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ART. >8. E*e+y ,$ll/ %t-e+ t-an a -%l%0+a-$",$ll/ &u#t be #ub#"+$be' at t-e en' t-e+e%( by t-e te#tat%+ -$el( %+ by t-e te#tat%+


13/112


Actual seeing is not required. /ut the

a/ility to see each other :the testator and the witnesses; /y merely castingtheir eyes in the proper direction

2# Attested and subscribed by at least t$reecredible (itnesses in t$e presence o" t$etestator and o" one anot$er#

• Two distinct things are required of the

witnesses here 9aE Attesting 9 which is the act of

witnessing/E (u/scri/ing 9 which is the act of

signing their names in the proper places of the will

• Both must /e done

• May the witness. li,e the testator. affi0 his

thum/mar, in lieu of writing his name6 Art?2 requires a witness to /e a/le toread and write. /ut this does not answer the query definiti+ely The point isde/ata/le

• (igning in the presence of the testator andof one another > Actual seeing is notrequired. /ut the a/ility to see each other :the testator and the witnesses; /y merelycasting their eyes in the proper direction

# Testator' or $is a%ent' must si%n e)ery pa%e' e&cept t$e last' on t$e le"t mar%in int$e presence o" t$e (itnesses

• The last page need not /e signed /y the

testator on the margin /ecause. /eing thepage where the end of the will is. it alreadycontains the testator4s signature

• There is a Mandatory and a %irectory part

to this requirement 9aE MAN%ATOI 9 the signing one+ery page in the witnesses4presence

/E %!'CTOI 9 place of thesigning. the left margin. thesignature can /e affi0ed anywhereon the page

• (igning in the presence > Actual seeing is

not required. /ut the a/ility to see eachother :the testator and the witnesses; /ymerely casting their eyes in the proper direction

*# T$e (itnesses must si%n e)ery pa%e' e&cept

t$e last' on t$e le"t mar%in in t$e presenceo" t$e testator and o" one anot$er#

• Order of (igning 9 immaterial. pro+ided

e+erything is done in a single transaction=owe+er. if the affi0ation of the signaturesis done in se+eral transactions. then it isrequired for +alidity that the T'(TATOaffi0 his signature ahead of the witnesses

+# All pa%es numbered correlati)ely in letterson t$e upper part o" eac$ pa%e#

• Mandatory and %irectory part

aE MAN%ATOI 9 pagination /ymeans of a con+entional systemThe purpose is to pre+ent insertionor remo+al of pages

/E %!'CTOI 9 pagination inletters on the upper part of eachpage

•

,# Attestation clause' statin%-a. Number o" pa%es o" t$e (ill b. !act t$at t$e testator or $is a%ent

under $is e&press direction si%ned t$e (ill and e)ery pa%e t$ereo"' in t$e

presence o" t$e (itnessesc. T$e "act t$at t$e (itnesses (itnessed

and si%ned t$e (ill and e)ery pa%et$ereo" in t$e presence o" t$e testator and o" one anot$er#

• The attestation clause is the affair of

witnesses therefore. it need not /e signed/y the testator

• The signatures of the witnesses must /e at

the BOTTOM of the attestation clause• !f the entire document consists only of 2

sheets. the first containing the will and thesecond the attestation clause. there neednot /e any marginal signatures at all:A/angan + A/angan;

• The fact that the attestation clause was

written on a separate page has /een heldto /e a matter of minor importance andapparently will not affect the +alidity of thewill

/# Ac0no(led%ement be"ore a notary public#

• Co*e *oes not re3uire t'at t'e si/nin/ o)

t'e testator0 itnesses an* notar, s'ou+* -e acco(p+is'e* in one sin/+e act.

• All that is required in this article is that the

testator and witnesses should a+ow to thenotary the authenticity of their signaturesand the +oluntariness of their actions ine0ecuting the testamentary disposition:a+ellana + #edesma;aE atio 9 Certification of

ac,nowledgement need not /e signed/y notary in the presence of testator and witnesses

/E Art?) does not require that testator and witnesses must ac,nowledge onthe same day that it was e0ecuted

cE #ogical !nference 9 neither does thearticle require that testator andwitnesses must ac,nowledge in oneanother4s presence !f ac,nowledgement is done /y testator and witness separately. all of themmust retain their respecti+e capacitiesuntil the last one has ac,nowledged

• Notar, cannot -e counte* as one o) t'e

attestin/ itnesses.

• A))i?in/ o) *ocu(entar, sta(p is not

re3uire* )or a+i*it,.

Page 13 of 112


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(ome %iscrepancies

*ar1 Art?& 9 No statement that the testator

must sign in the presence of the witnesses *ar2 Art?& 9 No statement that the testator and

the witnesses must sign e+ery page in oneanother4s presence

• But these two things are required to /e

stated in the attestation clauseConclusion is that they should /ecomplied with as requirements

Attestation clause is not required to state that

the agent signed in the testator4s presence > acircumstance mandated /y the 1st and 2nd

paragraphs of the article

!ndication of %ate 9 there is no requirement that an

attested will should /e dated. unli,e a holographicwill

ART. >. I( t-e te#tat%+ be 'ea(/ %+ a 'ea(&ute/

-e &u#t e+#%nally +ea' t-e ,$ll/ $( able t%'% #%= %t-e+,$#e/ -e #-all 'e#$0nate t,%e+#%n# t% +ea' $t an' "%&&un$"ate t% -$&/$n #%&e +a"t$"able &anne+/ t-e "%ntent#t-e+e%(.

ART. >>. I( t-e te#tat%+ $# bl$n'/ t-e ,$ll #-allbe +ea' t% -$& t,$"e= %n"e by %ne %( t-e#ub#"+$b$n0 ,$tne##e#/ an' a0a$n/ by t-en%ta+y ubl$" be(%+e ,-%& t-e ,$ll $#a"5n%,le'0e'.

(pecial equirements for =andicapped Testators

or %eaf L %eaf>Mute testator 1 A/le to ead 9 must read the will personally2 na/le to ead 9 must designate two

persons to read the will and communicate tohim. in some practica/le manner itscontents

• %oes this mean the 2 persons must

perform each tas, in turn6

or Blind Testator 9 to /e read to him twice.

once /y one of the su/scri/ing witnesses. andanother time /y the notary

Art9:9 is MAN4ATOR"

!f art?? is mandatory. /y analogy Art?7 is also

mandatory ailure to comply with either wouldresult in nullity and denial of pro/ate

T'e re3uire(ent 'as -een +i-era++, app+ie*0 SC

*ec+arin/ su-stantia+ co(p+iance to -e su))icient. Applies not only to /lind testators /ut also to

those who. for one reason or another. areincapa/le of reading their wills

(u/stantially complied with when documents

were read aloud to the testator with each of the" instrumental witnesses and the notary

following the reading with their respecti+ecopies

;ur*en o) proo) is upon t'e proponent o) t'e i++ t'at

t'e specia+ re3uire(ent o) t'e artic+e as co(p+ie* it'. At t'e sa(e ti(e0 t'ere is no re3uire(ent t'at co(p+iance it' t'e re3uire(ent -e state* eit'er int'e i++ or t'e attestation c+ause

ART. >. In t-e ab#en"e %( ba' (a$t-/ (%+0e+y/%+ (+au'/ %+ un'ue an' $&+%e+ +e##u+ean' $n(luen"e/ 'e(e"t# an' $&e+(e"t$%n# $nt-e (%+& %( atte#tat$%n %+ $n t-e lan0ua0eu#e' t-e+e$n #-all n%t +en'e+ t-e ,$ll $n*al$'$( $t $# +%*e' t-at t-e ,$ll ,a# $n (a"tee"ute' an' atte#te' $n #ub#tant$al"%&l$an"e ,$t- all t-e +e)u$+e&ent# %( A+t$"le >8.

According to B# eyes. -#i/eraliHation unning

iot. instead a possi/le rewording would /e 9'n the absence of bad faith# forgery# or fraud# or

undue and improper pressure and influence# defects andimperfections in the form of attestation or in the languageused therein shall not render the will invalid if suchdefects and imperfections can be supplied by anexamination of the will itself and it is proved that the will was in fact e$ecuted and attested in substantialcompliance with all the requirements of Article !/.

'0amples

1 A failure /y the attestation clause to statethat the testator signed e+ery page can /eli/erally construed. since that fact can /echec,ed /y a +isual e0amination

2 ailure /y the attestation clause to statethat the witnesses signed in one another4spresence should /e considered a ATA##A5 since the attestation clause is theonly te0tual guarantee of compliance

The rule is that omission which can /e supplied /y

an e0amination of the will itself. without the need of resorting to e0trinsic e+idence. will not /e fatal and.correspondingly. would not o/struct the allowance topro/ate of the will /eing assailed

=owe+er. those omissions which cannot /e supplied

e0cept /y e+idence a+iun*e would result in thein+alidation of the attestation clause and ultimately.of the will itself

ART. >1. A e+#%n &ay ee"ute a -%l%0+a-$",$ll ,-$"- &u#t be ent$+ely ,+$tten/ 'ate'/an' #$0ne' by t-e -an' %( t-e te#tat%+ -$el(/ It $# #ubKe"t t% n% %t-e+ (%+&/ an'&ay be &a'e $n %+ %ut %( t-e P-$l$$ne#/an' nee' n%t be ,$tne##e'.

(implicity of the holographic will is its o/+ious

ad+antage. along with other /enefits such as1 (ecrecy2 !ne0pensi+eness

Page 14 of 112


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" Bre+ity

But that +ery simplicity /rings a/out disad+antages 9

1 %anger of forgery2 8reater difficulty of determining

testamentary capacity" !ncreased ris, of duress

RE4UIRE2ENTS O3 A HOLOGRAPHIC WILL1. COMPLETEL" HAN4%RITTEN ;" THE

TESTATOR

• !f testator e0ecutes only part of the will in

his handwriting and other parts are not sowritten. the 'NT!' will is +oid /ecausethe article would /e +iolated

. 4ATE4 ;" HIM

• %ate 9 (pecification or mention. in a

written instrument. of the time :day. monthand year; it was made :e0ecuted; 9Blac,4s #aw %ictionary

• As a general rule. the date in a holographic

will should include the day. month. andyear of its e0ecution =owe+er. when thereis no appearance of fraud. /ad faith. undueinfluence and pressure and the authenticityof the 5ill is esta/lished and the only issueis whether or not the date 'BL)1 is a+alid compliance. pro/ate of theholographic will should /e allowed under the principle of su/stantial compliance

• A complete date is required to pro+ide

against such contingencies as 9aE Two competing wills e0ecuted on

the same day. or /E Of a testator /ecoming insane in

the day on which a will wase0ecuted

• The law does not specify a particular

location where the date should /e placedin the will The only requirements are thatthe date /e in the will itself and e0ecuted inthe hand of the testator

#. SIGNE4 ;" TESTATOR

• Must signature /e at the will4s end :at least

the logical end;6 I'(. article ?12 seems toimply this

• May the testator sign /y means of a

thum/print6 NO. article says will must /e-entirely handwritten. dated and signed -,

t'e 'an* of the testator himself

ART. >11. In t-e +%bate %( a -%l%0+a-$" ,$ll/ $t#-all be ne"e##a+y t-at at lea#t %ne ,$tne##,-% 5n%,# t-e -an',+$t$n0 an' #$0natu+e%( t-e te#tat%+ el$"$tly 'e"la+e t-at t-e ,$llan' t-e #$0natu+e a+e $n t-e -an',+$t$n0 %( t-e te#tat%+. I( t-e ,$ll $# "%nte#te'/ at lea#tt-+ee %( #u"- ,$tne##e# #-all be +e)u$+e'.

In t-e ab#en"e %( any "%&etent,$tne## +e(e++e' t% $n t-e +e"e'$n0

a+a0+a-/ an' $( t-e "%u+t 'ee& $tne"e##a+y/ ee+t te#t$&%ny &ay be+e#%+te' t%/

Article applies only to *O(T MOT'M pro/ates. it

does not apply to Ante Mortem pro/ates since insuch cases the testator himself files the petition and

will identify the document itself

T'e t'ree itness proision in case o) conteste*

'o+o/rap'ic i++s is 4IRECTOR"0 not (an*ator,. Testamentary wills 9 mandatory

=olographic wills 9 directory

5itnesses must3

1 Fnow the handwriting and signature of thetestator

2 Truthfully declare that handwriting andsignature is that of the testator

In t'e pro-ate o) a 'o+o/rap'ic i++0 t'e *ocu(ent

itse+) (ust -e pro*uce*. T'ere)ore0 a 'o+o/rap'ic i++

cannot -e pro-ate*.

The e0ecution and contents of a lost or destroyed

holographic will MAI NOT B' *OG'% /y the /aretestimony of witnesses who ha+e seen andLor readsuch will =owe+er. attested wills MAI B' *OG'%/y testimonial e+idence 5hy the difference in rules6

Because of the nature of the wills !n holographic

wills. the only guarantee of authenticity is thehandwriting itself !n attested wills. the testimonyof su/scri/ing or instrumental witnesses and of the notary guarantees authenticity of the will

#oss of the holographic will entails loss of the

only medium of proof while loss of the ordinarywill lea+es the su/scri/ing witnesses a+aila/le toauthenticate

!n the case of ordinary wills. it would /e more

difficult to con+ince " witnesses plus the notaryto deli/erately lie

Considering the holographic will may consist of

2>" pages and only one of them need /e signed.the su/stitution of the unsigned pages may goundetected

!n the case of a lost ordinary will. the "

su/scri/ing witnesses would /e testifying as to aACT which they saw. namely the act of thetestator of su/scri/ing the will 5hereas in thecase of a lost holographic will. the witnesseswould testify as to their O*!N!ON of thehandwriting which they allegedly saw. an opinionwhich cannot /e tested in court nor directlycontradicted /y the oppositors /ecause thehandwriting itself is not at hand

'JC'*T!ON 9 may /e pro+ed /y a photographic or

photostatic copy. e+en a mimeographed or car/oncopy. or /y other similar means. if any. where/y theauthenticity of the handwriting of the deceased may/e e0hi/ited and tested /efore the pro/ate court

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ART. >1. In -%l%0+a-$" ,$ll#/ t-e '$#%#$t$%n#%( t-e te#tat%+ ,+$tten bel%, -$# #$0natu+e&u#t be 'ate' an' #$0ne' by -$& $n %+'e+ t% &a5e t-e& *al$' a# te#ta&enta+y'$#%#$t$%n#.

ART. >1. W-en a nu&be+ %( '$#%#$t$%n#aea+$n0 $n a -%l%0+a-$" ,$ll a+e #$0ne',$t-%ut be$n0 'ate'/ an' t-e la#t'$#%#$t$%n -a# a #$0natu+e an' a 'ate/#u"- 'ate *al$'ate# t-e '$#%#$t$%n#+e"e'$n0 $t/ ,-ate*e+ be t-e t$&e %( +$%+ '$#%#$t$%n#.

ormal equirements for Additional %ispositions in a

=olographic 5ill1 (ignature2 %ate

5hen there are (e+eral Additional %ispositions

1 (ignature and date. or 2 'ach additional disposition signed and

undated. /ut the last disposition signed anddated

NOT'(

1 !f se+eral additional dispositions. each of which is dated. /ut only the last is datedand signed. then only the last additionaldisposition is +alid

2 !f additional dispositions /efore the last arenot signed and not dated. /ut the lastdisposition is signed and dated. whathappens to the intermediate ones6

•

!f made on one occasion 9 lastdisposition signed and dated +alidatesall

• !f on different occasions 9 intermediate

additions are +oid

• But distinction is practically worthless

/ecause circumstances of e0ecution of holographic wills are often difficult topro+e

ART. >1!. In "a#e %( any $n#e+t$%n/ "an"ellat$%n/e+a#u+e %+ alte+at$%n $n a -%l%0+a-$" ,$ll/t-e te#tat%+ &u#t aut-ent$"ate t-e #a&e by

-$# (ull #$0natu+e.

ull signature does not mean testator4s full name.

only his usual and customary signature 'ffect of non>compliance 9 the change :insertion.

cancellation. etc; is simply considered NOT MA%'The will is not there/y in+alidated as a whole. /ut atmost only as regards the particular words erased.corrected or inserted N#'(( the portion in+ol+edis an essential part of the will. such as the date

ART. >18. W-en a 3$l$$n% $# $n a (%+e$0n"%unt+y/ -e $# aut-%+$e' t% &a5e a ,$ll $nany %( t-e (%+ e#tabl$#-e' by t-e la, %( t-e "%unt+y $n ,-$"- -e &ay be. Su"- ,$ll&ay be +%bate' $n t-e P-$l$$ne#.

ART. >1;. T-e ,$ll %( an al$en ,-% $# ab+%a'

+%'u"e# e((e"t $n t-e P-$l$$ne# $( &a'e,$t- t-e (%+&al$t$e# +e#"+$be' by t-e la, %( t-e la"e $n ,-$"- -e +e#$'e#/ %+ a""%+'$n0t% t-e (%+&al$t$e# %b#e+*e' $n -$# "%unt+y/%+ $n "%n(%+&$ty ,$t- t-%#e ,-$"- t-$# C%'e+e#"+$be#.

ART. >1. A ,$ll &a'e $n t-e P-$l$$ne# by a"$t$en %+ #ubKe"t %( an%t-e+ "%unt+y/ ,-$"-$# ee"ute' $n a""%+'an"e ,$t- t-e la, %( t-e "%unt+y %( ,-$"- -e $# a "$t$en %+ #ubKe"t/ an' ,-$"- &$0-t be +%*e' an'all%,e' by t-e la, %( -$# %,n "%unt+y/ #-all

-a*e t-e #a&e e((e"t a# $( ee"ute'a""%+'$n0 t% t-e la,# %( t-e P-$l$$ne#.

RULES O3 3OR2AL VALIDIT

1. FILIPINO A;ROA4

• According to the law in the country in which

he may /e

• And may /e pro/ated in the *hilippines

. ALIEN A;ROA4

• =as effect in the *hilippines if made

according to3aE #aw of place where he resides/E #aw of his own country

cE *hilippine law

#. ALIEN IN THE PHILS.

• Galid in *hilippines L As if e0ecuted

according to *hilippine laws. if3aE Made according to law of country

which he is a citiHen or su/Dect.and

/E May /e pro+ed and allowed /y lawof his own country

!n relation to Articles 1& and 17 of the NCC

Art. 1/. 0aws relating to family rights and duties# or to thestatus# condition and legal capacity of persons are binding uponcitiens of the *hilippines# even though living abroad.

• NAT!ONA#!TI *!NC!*#' 9 *hilippine law

follows ilipino citiHens where+er they may /e

Art 17 The forms and solemnities of contracts.wills and other pu/lic instruments shall /e go+erned/y the laws of the country in which they aree0ecuted

5hen the acts referred to are e0ecuted /eforethe diplomatic or consulate officials of the epu/licof the *hilippines in a foreign country. thesolemnities esta/lished /y *hilippine laws shall /eo/ser+ed in their e0ecution

Page 16 of 112


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The competency of a person to /e an

instrumental witness to a will is determined /ythe statute under Arts ?2>?21. whereas hiscredi/ility depends on the appreciation of histestimony and arises from the /elief andconclusion of the Court that said witness istelling the truth

ART. >. I( t-e ,$tne##e# atte#t$n0 t-eee"ut$%n %( a ,$ll a+e "%&etent at t-et$&e %( atte#t$n0/ t-e$+ be"%&$n0#ub#e)uently $n"%&etent #-all n%t+e*ent t-e all%,an"e %( t-e ,$ll.

As in the case of testamentary capacity under

Art?1. the time of the e0ecution of the will is theonly rele+ant temporal criterion in the determinationof the competence of the witnesses

ART. >. I( a e+#%n atte#t# t-e ee"ut$%n %( a,$ll/ t% ,-%& %+ t% ,-%#e #%u#e/ %+ a+ent/ %+ "-$l'/ a 'e*$#e %+ le0a"y $# 0$*enby #u"- ,$ll/ #u"- 'e*$#e %+ le0a"y #-all/#% (a+ %nly a# "%n"e+n# #u"- e+#%n/ %+ #%u#e/ %+ a+ent/ %+ "-$l' %( #u"- e+#%n/%+ any %ne "la$&$n0 un'e+ #u"- e+#%n %+ #%u#e/ %+ a+ent/ %+ "-$l'/ be *%$'/ unle##t-e+e a+e t-+ee %t-e+ "%&etent ,$tne##e#t% #u"- ,$ll. H%,e*e+/ #u"- e+#%n #%atte#t$n0 #-all be a'&$tte' a# a ,$tne## a#$( #u"- 'e*$#e %+ le0a"y -a' n%t been &a'e%+ 0$*en.

Article is misplaced here /ecause it tal,s a/outCA*AC!TI TO (CC''% and not capacity to /e awitness

Article ?2" lays down a disqualification of a witness

to succeed to a legacy or de+ise when there are only" witnesses Competence of the person as a witnessis NOT A'CT'% Assuming all other requisites for formal +alidity

are met. the will is perfectly +alid /ut the witness:or relati+es specified in the article; cannotinherit

Article also applies to ='!( The intent of the law is

to co+er all testamentary institutions

%isqualification applies only to the testa(entar,

*isposition made in fa+or of the witness or thespecified relati+es !f the party is also entitled to alegitime or an intestate share. that portion is notaffected /y the party4s witnessing the will

Kuestion 9 (upposing there are $ witnesses. each a

recipient of a testamentary disposition. are thedispositions to them +alid or +oid6

• Argua/le

• May say that dispositions are GA#!% /ecause

the law only requires that there /e " other co(petent witnesses to such will for thedisposition to /e +alid or the witnesses to/e competent. they need only meet thequalifications in Art?2 and ha+e none of thedisqualifications in Art?21

• May also say that dispositions are !NGA#!%

/ecause the intent of the law is to a+oidwitnesses from attesting to the will /ased onthe dispositions as a consideration for suchact !f all of the witnesses are recipients of testamentary dispositions. then there isgreater chance that they are all witnessing/ecause a consideration has /een gi+en tothem

ART. >!. A &e+e "-a+0e %n t-e e#tate %( t-ete#tat%+ (%+ t-e ay&ent %( 'ebt# 'ue at t-et$&e %( t-e te#tat%+


19/112


,$ll unle## t-e (%ll%,$n0 +e)u$#$te# a+e+e#ent?

@1 T-e '%"u&ent %+ ae+ +e(e++e' t%$n t-e ,$ll &u#t be $n e$#ten"e att-e t$&e %( t-e ee"ut$%n %( t-e ,$ll=

@ T-e ,$ll &u#t "lea+ly 'e#"+$be an'$'ent$(y t-e #a&e/ #tat$n0 a&%n0

%t-e+ t-$n0# t-e nu&be+ %( a0e#t-e+e%(=

@ It &u#t be $'ent$($e' by "lea+ an'#at$#(a"t%+y +%%( a# t-e '%"u&ent%+ ae+ +e(e++e' t% t-e+e$n= an'

@! It &u#t be #$0ne' by t-e te#tat%+ an' t-e ,$tne##e# %n ea"- an'e*e+y a0e/ e"et $n "a#e %( *%lu&$n%u# b%%5# %( a""%unt %+ $n*ent%+$e#.

Article only refers to documents such as3

1 !n+entories2 Boo,s of Accounts" %ocuments of Title$ *apers of (imilar Nature

%O'( NOT include documents that ma,e

testamentary dispositions. or else the formalrequirements of a will would /e circum+ented

Can holographic wills incorporate documents /y

reference6 NO *ar$ of Art?27 requires signatures of the

testator and the witnesses on e+ery page of theincorporated document :e0cept +oluminousanne0es; !t seems therefore that only attestedwills can incorporate documents /y reference.since only attested wills are witnessed

nless testator e0ecutes a holographic will and

superfluously has it witnessed

Subsection , – e)ocation o" Wills And Testamentary ispositions

ART. >>. A ,$ll &ay be +e*%5e' by t-e te#tat%+ at any t$&e be(%+e -$# 'eat-. Any ,a$*e+ %+ +e#t+$"t$%n %( t-$# +$0-t $# *%$'.

A will is essentially 'GOCAB#' or AMB#ATOI

This characteristic cannot /e wai+ed e+en /y the

testator There is no such thing as an irre+oca/le will This characteristic is consistent with the principle in

Art777 that successional rights +est only upon death

ART. >. A +e*%"at$%n '%ne %ut#$'e t-eP-$l$$ne#/ by a e+#%n ,-% '%e# n%t -a*e-$# '%&$"$le $n t-$# "%unt+y/ $# *al$' ,-en $t$# '%ne a""%+'$n0 t% t-e la, %( t-e la"e,-e+e t-e ,$ll ,a# &a'e/ %+ a""%+'$n0 t%t-e la, %( t-e la"e $n ,-$"- t-e te#tat%+ -a' -$# '%&$"$le at t-e t$&e= an' $( t-e

+e*%"at$%n ta5e# la"e $n t-$# "%unt+y/,-en $t $# $n a""%+'an"e ,$t- t-e+%*$#$%n# %( t-$# C%'e.

RULES 3OR REVOCATION

Reocation (a*e in t'e P'i+ippines

• *hilippine #aw

Reocation (a*e Outsi*e P'i+ippines.

1 Testator not *o(ici+e* in *hils

• #aw of place where the 5!## was

made

• #aw of place where the testator was

domiciled at time of re+ocation

2 Testator *o(ici+e* in *hils :Art?2@;

• *hilippine #aw 9 consistent with

domiciliary principle followed /y thisarticle

• #aw of place of e+ocation 9 principle

of +e? +oci ce+e-rationis

• #aw of place where the 5!## was

made 9 /y analogy with rules onre+ocation where testator is a non>*hilippine domiciliary

Curious that the law departs from the nationality

theory and adopts the domiciliary theory

ART. >. N% ,$ll #-all be +e*%5e' e"et $n t-e(%ll%,$n0 "a#e#?@1 By $&l$"at$%n %( la,= %+ @ By #%&e ,$ll/ "%'$"$l/ %+ %t-e+ ,+$t$n0

ee"ute' a# +%*$'e' $n "a#e %( ,$ll#=%+

@ By bu+n$n0/ tea+$n0/ "an"el$n0/ %+ %bl$te+at$n0 t-e ,$ll ,$t- t-e $ntent$%n %( +e*%5$n0 $t/ by t-e te#tat%+ -$el(/ %+ by #%&e %t-e+ e+#%n $n -$# +e#en"e/an' by -$# e+e## '$+e"t$%n. I( bu+ne'/t%+n/ "an"elle'/ %+ %bl$te+ate' by #%&e%t-e+ e+#%n/ ,$t-%ut t-e e+e##'$+e"t$%n %( t-e te#tat%+/ t-e ,$ll &ay#t$ll be e#tabl$#-e'/ an' t-e e#tate'$#t+$bute' $n a""%+'an"e t-e+e,$t-/ $( $t# "%ntent#/ an' 'ue ee"ut$%n/ an' t-e(a"t %( $t# unaut-%+$e' 'e#t+u"t$%n/"an"ellat$%n/ %+ %bl$te+at$%n a+e

e#tabl$#-e' a""%+'$n0 t% t-e Rule# %( C%u+t.

2ODES O3 REVOFING A WILL UNDER

PHILIPPINE LAW1. ;" OPERATION OF LA%

• May /e total or partial

• '0amples of re+ocation /y operation of law

aE *reterition 9 Art?&$/E #egal (eparation 9 Art)" par$ CcE nworthiness to succeed 9 Art1"2

Page 19 of 112


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dE Transformation. alienation or loss ofthe o/Dect de+ised or /equeathed 9

Art@&7eE udicial demand of a credit gi+en as a

legacy > Art@")

. ;" A SU;SEUENT %ILL OR CO4ICIL

• equisites for +alid re+ocation /y a

su/sequent instrument 9aE (u/sequent instrument must

comply with formal requirements of a will

/E Testator must possesstestamentary capacity

cE (u/sequent instrument must either contain an e0press re+ocatoryclause or /e incompati/le with theprior will

dE (u/sequent instrument must /epro/ated to ta,e effect

• e+ocation /y su/sequent will may /e

Total or *artial. '0press or !mplied

aE Total 9 whole prior instrument isre+o,ed/E *artial 9 only certain pro+isions or

dispositions of the prior instrumentis re+o,ed

cE '0press 9 re+ocation of priorinstrument is stated in thesu/sequent instrument

dE !mplied 9 incompati/ility /etweenpro+isions of prior and su/sequentinstruments

#. ;" PH"SICAL 4ESTRUCTION

• our ways to destroy 9

aE Burning

/E TearingcE CancellingdE O/literating

• *hysical destruction may /e done /y the

testator personally or /y another personacting in his presence and /y his e0pressdirection nauthoriHed if without e0press

direction of testator But what if withe0press direction /ut not in hispresence6

Argua/le May say that it is

authoriHed and therefore the

destroyed instrument is re+o,ed/ecause of the intent and consent of the testator to re+o,e and destroy.and that the law does not pro+idethat without the testator4s presence.destruction will /ecomeunauthoriHed

On the other hand. it may /e argued

that the testator4s presence isrequired /ecause at any time duringthe actual /urning. destroying. etche may put a stop to the destructionif he changes his mind. and that is

precisely why his presence isrequired6

• 'ffect of unauthoriHed destruction 9 5ill

may still /e pro+ed as lost or destroyed:Art?" NCC and ule 7) oC; =owe+er. this is possi/le only if the

will is attested< if the will isholographic. it cannot /e pro/ated iflost. e+en if the loss or destructionwas unauthoriHed. unless a copysur+i+es

• 'lements of a Galid e+ocation /y *hysical

%estructionaE CO*( 9 physical destruction

itself< there must /e e+idence ofphysical destruction

/E AN!M( 9 Capacity and intent to re+o,e

Testator must ha+e

completed e+erything he

intended to do• Both corpus an animus must concur

• #oss or una+aila/ility of a will may. under

certain circumstances. gi+e rise to thepresumption that it had /een re+o,ed /yphysical destruction 5here a will which cannot /e found

is shown to ha+e /een in thepossession of the testator when lastseen. the presumption is. in thea/sence of other competente+idence. that the same wascancelled or destroyed

(ame presumption arises where it isshown that testator had readyaccess to the will and it cannot /efound after his death

But such presumptions may /e

o+ercome /y proof that the will wasnot destroyed /y the testator withintent to re+o,e it

ART. >1. Sub#e)uent ,$ll# ,-$"- '% n%t+e*%5e t-e +e*$%u# %ne# $n an e+e##&anne+/ annul %nly #u"- '$#%#$t$%n# $n t-e+$%+ ,$ll# a# a+e $n"%n#$#tent ,$t- %+ "%nt+a+y t% t-%#e "%nta$ne' $n t-e latte+ ,$ll#.

e+ocation of a will /y a su/sequent will or codicil

may /e e0press :through a re+ocatory clause; or implied :through incompati/ility;

!n the old Ci+il Code. mere fact of a su/sequent will.

pro+ided that it is +alid. re+o,ed the prior one. e?cept on+, i) t'e testator proi*es in t'e posterior i++ t'at t'e prior i++ as to su-sists in 'o+e or in part

The present rule pro+ides that the e0ecution of a

su/sequent will does not ipso )acto re+o,e a prior one

Page 20 of 112


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ART. >. A +e*%"at$%n &a'e $n a #ub#e)uent,$ll #-all ta5e e((e"t/ e*en $( t-e ne, ,$ll#-%ul' be"%&e $n%e+at$*e by +ea#%n %( t-e $n"aa"$ty %( t-e -e$+#/ 'e*$#ee# %+ le0atee# 'e#$0nate' t-e+e$n/ %+ by t-e$+

+enun"$at$%n.

'fficacy of the re+ocatory clause does not depend on

the testamentary disposition of the re+o,ing will.N#'(( the testator so pro+ides e+ocation isgenerally spea,ing. an a/solute pro+ision.independent of the acceptance or capacity of thenew heirs

An 'JC'*T!ON is where the testator pro+ides in the

su/sequent will that the re+ocation of the prior one isdependent on the Capacity or Acceptance of theheirs. de+isees or legatees instituted in thesu/sequent will

•

%'*'N%'NT '#AT!G' 'GOCAT!ON

DEPENDENT RELATIVE REVOCATION

5here the act of destruction is connected with

the ma,ing of another will as fairly to raise theinference that the testator meant the re+ocationof the old to depend upon the efficacy of the newdisposition intended to /e su/stituted. there+ocation will /e conditional and dependentupon the efficacy of the new disposition< and if.for any reason. the new will intended to /e madeas a su/stitute is inoperati+e. the re+ocation failsand the original will remains in full force

This is the doctrine of dependent relati+e

re+ocation The failure of the new testamentarydisposition. upon whose +alidity the re+ocationdepends. is equi+alent to the non>fulfillment of asuspensi+e condition. and hence pre+ents there+ocation of the original will But a mere intentto ma,e at some time a will in place of thatdestroyed will not render the destructionconditional !t must appear that the re+ocation isdependent upon the +alid e0ecution of a newwill :Molo + Molo;

!t must /e remem/ered that dependent relati+e

re+ocation applies on+, i) it appears t'at t'e testator inten*e* 'is at o) reocation to -e con*itione* on t'e(a>in/ o) a ne i++ or on its a+i*it, or e))icac,

!n Molo + Molo. the (amson + Na+al doctrine was

cited. pro+iding that -A su/sequent will. containing aclause re+o,ing a pre+ious will. ha+ing /eendisallowed. for the reason that it was not e0ecuted inconformity with the pro+isions of the Code of Ci+ilprocedure as to the ma,ing of wills. cannot producethe effect of annulling the pre+ious will. inasmuch assaid re+ocatory clause is +oid

Kuestion 9 supposing the institution of heirs.

legatees or de+isees in the su/sequent will is su/Dect

to a suspensi+e condition. is the re+ocation of theprior will a/solute or conditional6 %epends on the testator4s intent

!f the su/sequent will contains a re+ocatory

clause which is a/solute or unconditional. there+ocation will /e a/solute regardless of thehappening or non>happening of the suspensi+econdition

But if the testator states in the su/sequent will

that the re+ocation of the prior will is su/Dect tothe occurrence of the suspensi+e condition. or if the will does not contain a re+ocatory clause. there+ocation will depend on whether the conditionhappens or not

• !f the suspensi+e condition does not

occur. the institution is deemed ne+er to ha+e /een made and the prior institution will /e gi+en effect :ie nore+ocation of prior will;

• This is in accord with the Duridical

nature of suspensi+e conditions. and isan instance of dependent relati+e

re+ocation

!s the rule on dependent relati+e re+ocation

applica/le if the re+ocation of the will is /y physicaldestruction6 I'( !f testator e0ecutes a su/sequent will

re+o,ing the prior will /ut conditioned on the+alidity of the su/sequent will. then if thesu/sequent will is declared in+alid. the prior willsu/sists

!n Molo + Molo. in an o/iter. (C held that the

physical destruction of the will %!% NOT re+o,eit. /ased on the inference made /y the court inthat case. that the testator meant the re+ocationto depend on the +alidity of a new will

But apart from the fact that the statement is

o-iter /ecause the facts did not clearly showthat the will had /een destroyed. it is argua/lewhether the prior will should /e deemed tosu/sist despite its physical destruction Can itnot /e argued that the act of the testator indestroying the will in fact confirmed his intent tore+o,e it6

!n the case of %iaH + %e #eon. the testator

e0ecuted a prior will /ut destroyed it ande0ecuted another will re+o,ing the former=owe+er. the second will was found to /e note0ecuted with all the necessary requisites toconstitute sufficient re+ocation The court then

held that the intention of re+o,ing the will wasmanifest from the fact that the testator wasan0ious to withdraw or change the pro+isions hehad made in his first will Therefore. the courtconcluded that original will presented ha+ing/een destroyed with ani(o reocan*i . theoriginal will and last testament cannot /epro/ated and was effecti+ely re+o,ed

!n Molo. re+ocation of the prior will was not

allowed /ecause the court inferred that thetestator meant re+ocation to depend on the+alidity of the new will. so in that case t'e ru+eon *epen*ent re+atie reocation as app+ie*

Page 21 of 112


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=owe+er. in %e #eon. court held that the

testator4s intent to re+o,e the prior will was notdependent on the +alidity of the su/sequent willso e+en if the second will was +oid andinsufficient as re+ocation. the prior will was stillre+o,ed /ecause such re+ocation was notdependent on the +alidity of the second will :6QQ;

ART. >. A +e*%"at$%n %( a ,$ll ba#e' %n a(al#e "au#e %+ an $lle0al "au#e $# null an'*%$'.

5ills are re+oca/le a* nutu( or at the testator4s

pleasure The testator does not need to ha+e areason to re+o,e the will

=owe+er. precisely /ecause the law respects the

testator4s true intent. this article sets aside are+ocation that does not reflect such intent

RE4UISITES 3OR A 3ALSE ILLEGAL CAUSE TO

RENDER REVOCATION VOID –1. CAUSE MUST ;E CONCRETE0 FACTUAL

AN4 NOT PUREL" SU;ECTIVE

• !f a testator re+o,ed on the stated ground

that the heir was !locano and all !locanosare /ad. it would Dust /e preDudice and there+ocation is +alid /ecause it is /ased on asu/Decti+e cause

. IT MUST ;E FALSE #. THE TESTATOR MUST NOT NO% OF ITS

FALSIT" 7. IT MUST APPEAR FROM THE %ILL THAT

THE TESTATOR IS REVOING ;ECAUSE OF THE CAUSE %HICH IS FALSE.

!f the re+ocation is /y physical destruction. and the

re+o,ed will is 'o+o/rap'ic . then though there+ocation /e +oid. pro/ate will not /e possi/le.N#'(( a copy of the holographic will sur+i+es

The rule regarding nullity of re+ocation for an illegal

cause limits the freedom of the testator to re+o,e/ased on an illegal cause. /ut this is due to pu/licpolicy considerations

!t must /e noted that the illegal cause s'ou+* -e

state* in t'e i++ as t'e cause o) t'e reocation

ART. >!. T-e +e"%0n$t$%n %( an $lle0$t$&ate"-$l' '%e# n%t l%#e $t# le0al e((e"t/ e*ent-%u0- t-e ,$ll ,-e+e$n $t ,a# &a'e #-%ul'be +e*%5e'.

The part of the will which recogniHes an illegitimate

child is NOT re+oca/le /ecause recognition is anirre+oca/le act Therefore. e+en if the will is re+o,ed.the recognition remains effecti+e

nder the amily Code. admission of illegitimate

filiation in a will would constitute proof of illegitimate

filiation According to Article 17& of the amily Code 9

Art1+/. 'llegitimate children may establish their illegitimatefiliation in the same way and on the same evidence as legitimatechildren.

The action must be brought within the same periodspecified in Art1+# e$cept when the action is based on thesecond paragraph of Art1+2# in which case the action may bebrought during the lifetime of the alleged parent.

Basically. the principle laid down in Art?"$ remains

unaltered regarding these admissions contained inwills

Subsection / – epublication and e)i)al o" Wills

ART. >8. T-e te#tat%+ "ann%t +eubl$#-/,$t-%ut +e+%'u"$n0 $n a #ub#e)uent ,$ll/t-e '$#%#$t$%n# "%nta$ne' $n a +e*$%u#

%ne ,-$"- $# *%$' a# t% $t# (%+&.

ART. >;. T-e ee"ut$%n %( a "%'$"$l +e(e++$n0 t%a +e*$%u# ,$ll -a# t-e e((e"t %( +eubl$#-$n0 t-e ,$ll a# &%'$($e' by t-e"%'$"$l.

!f the testator wishes to repu/lish a will that is +oid as

to form. the only way to repu/lish it is to e0ecute asu-se3uent i++ and reproduce :copy out; thedispositions of the original will Mere reference to theprior will in the su/sequent will is not enough

A will is +oid as to form if it does not comply with the

requirements of Arts?$>?1?< ?1>?1$< ?1?>?1@

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RR EE CC AP O3AP O3 33 OR2ALOR2AL RR E4UIRE2ENTSE4UIRE2ENTS

O3 AO3 A WW ILLILL

1. ATTESTEDORDINAR WILL

a Must /e in writing

/ '0ecuted in a language or dialect ,nown to testator

c (u/scri/ed /y the testator or his agent in his

presence and /y his e0press direction at the end

thereof. in the presence of the witnesses

d Attested and su/scri/ed /y at least " credi/le

witnesses in presence of the testator of one

another

e Testator. or his agent. must sign e+ery page.

e0cept the last. on the left margin in the presence

of the witnesses

f The witnesses must sign e+ery page. e0cept the

last. on the left margin in the presence of the

testator and of one another

g All pages num/ered correlati+ely in letters on the

upper part of each page

h Attestation clause. stating3


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• Articles 7@? 9 ?1 on testamentary

capacity and intent

#. FORCE0 4URESS0 INFLUENCE OFFEAR OR THREATS

• orce or Giolence 9 when in order to wrest

consent. serious or irresisti/le force isemployed

• %uress or !ntimidation 9 when one of thecontracting parties is compelled /y areasona/le and well>grounded fear of imminent and gra+e e+il upon his person or property. or upon the person or property of his spouse. descendants or ascendants. togi+e his consent Age. se0 and condition of the person are /orne in mind Threat toenforce a Dust or legal claim throughcompetent authority does not +itiateconsent

7. UN4UE J IMPROPER PRESSURE AN4INFLUENCE

• ndue !nfluence 9 when a person ta,es

improper ad+antage of his power o+er thewill of another. depri+ing the latter of areasona/le freedom of choiceCircumstances such as the following shall/e considered3 confidential. family. spiritualand other relations /etween parties. or factthat person unduly influenced wassuffering from mental wea,ness or ignorantor in financial distress

!. In#t$tut$%n %( -e$+ $# an a"t by *$+tue%( ,-$"- a te#tat%+ 'e#$0nate# $n -$# ,$llt-e e+#%n %+ e+#%n ,-% a+e t% #u""ee'-$& $n -$# +%e+ty an' t+an#&$##$ble +$0-t#an' %bl$0at$%n#.

ules on institution of heir set forth in this section

apply as well to institution of %e+isees and #egatees

ART. >!1. A ,$ll #-all be *al$' e*en t-%u0- $t#-%ul' n%t "%nta$n an $n#t$tut$%n %( an -e$+/%+ #u"- $n#t$tut$%n #-%ul' n%t "%&+$#e t-eent$+e e#tate/ an' e*en t-%u0- t-e e+#%n#% $n#t$tute' #-%ul' n%t a""et t-e$n-e+$tan"e %+ #-%ul' be $n"aa"$tate' t%

#u""ee'.In #u"- "a#e# t-e te#ta&enta+y

'$#%#$t$%n# &a'e $n a""%+'an"e ,$t- la,#-all be "%&l$e' ,$t- an' t-e +e&a$n'e+ %( t-e e#tate #-all a## t% t-e le0al -e$+#.

ART. >!. One ,-% -a# n% "%&ul#%+y -e$+#&ay '$#%#e by ,$ll %( all -$# e#tate %+ anya+t %( $t $n (a*%+ %( any e+#%n -a*$n0"aa"$ty t% #u""ee'.

One ,-% -a# "%&ul#%+y -e$+# &ay'$#%#e %( -$# e#tate +%*$'e' -e '%e# n%t"%nt+a*ene t-e +%*$#$%n# %( t-$# C%'e ,$t-

+e0a+' t% t-e le0$t$&e %( #a$' -e$+#.

'+en if the will does not contain any testamentary

disposition. it will /e formally +alid pro+ided itcomplies with all the formal requisites This is in,eeping with the character of wills as dispositi+e of property under Art7?"

HOW 2UCH CAN BE DISPOSED O3 B WILLM

1 No Compulsory =eirs 9 'ntire hereditaryestate

2 There are Compulsory =eirs 9 thedisposa/le portion or the net hereditaryestate minus the legitimes

The amount of the legitimes depends on the,inds and num/er of compulsory heirs Gariouscom/inations are possi/le and so the amount of disposa/le portion is also +aria/le

!f the testator disposes /y will of #'(( than he is

allowed to. there will /e M!J'% succession 9 Testamentary succession as to the part

disposed of /y will. and !ntestate succession as to the part not disposed

of /y the will The legitimes. of course. pass /y strict operation

of law

ART. >!. T-e te#tat%+ #-all 'e#$0nate t-e -e$+ by -$# na&e an' #u+na&e/ an' ,-en t-e+ea+e t,% e+#%n# -a*$n0 t-e #a&e na&e#/-e #-all $n'$"ate #%&e "$+"utan"e by,-$"- t-e $n#t$tute' -e$+ &ay be 5n%,n.

E*en t-%u0- t-e te#tat%+ &ay -a*e%&$tte' t-e na&e %( t-e -e$+/ #-%ul' -e'e#$0nate -$& $n #u"- &anne+ t-at t-e+e"an be n% '%ubt a# t% ,-% -a# been$n#t$tute'/ t-e $n#t$tut$%n #-all be *al$'.

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ART. >!!. An e++%+ $n t-e na&e/ #u+na&e/ %+ "$+"utan"e# %( t-e -e$+ #-all n%t *$t$atet-e $n#t$tut$%n ,-en $t $# %##$ble/ $n any%t-e+ &anne+/ t% 5n%, ,$t- "e+ta$nty t-ee+#%n $n#t$tute'.

I( a&%n0 t-e e+#%n# -a*$n0 t-e #a&e

na&e# an' #u+na&e#/ t-e+e $# a #$&$la+$ty%( "$+"utan"e# $n #u"- a ,ay t-at/ e*en,$t- t-e u#e %( t-e %t-e+ +%%(/ t-e e+#%n$n#t$tute' "ann%t be $'ent$($e'/ n%ne %( t-e& #-all be an -e$+.

'K!'M'NT O %'(!8NAT!ON O ='!

The heir. legatee or de+isee must /e $'ent$($e'

$n t-e ,$ll ,$t- #u(($"$ent "la+$ty to lea+e nodou/t as to the testator4s intention

The /asic rule in testamentary succession

always is respect for and compliance with thetestator4s wishes

T'e *esi/nation o) na(e an* surna(e is4IRECTOR". 5hat is required is that the identity of the designated successor /e sufficiently esta/lishedThis is usually done /y gi+ing the name andsurname. /ut there are other ways as can /egleaned from Art?$" par2. such as to one4s Reldestfirst cousin4

I) t'ere is an, AM;IGUIT" in t'e *esi/nation0 it

s'ou+* -e reso+e* in +i/'t o) Art596 D -, t'e conte?t o) t'e i++ an* an, e?trinsic ei*ence aai+a-+e0e?cept t'e testator2s ora+ *ec+arations. !f it is not possi/le to resol+e the am/iguity. the

testator4s intent /ecomes indetermina/le andtherefore intestacy as to that portion will result

ART. >!8. E*e+y '$#%#$t$%n $n (a*%+ %( anun5n%,n e+#%n #-all be *%$'/ unle## by#%&e e*en %+ "$+"utan"e -$# $'ent$tybe"%&e# "e+ta$n. H%,e*e+/ a '$#%#$t$%n $n(a*%+ %( a 'e($n$te "la## %+ 0+%u %( e+#%n# #-all be *al$'.

n,nown *erson

This article refers to a successor whose identity

cannot /e determined /ecause the designation in thewill is so unclear or so am/iguous as to /e incapa/le

of resolution This does not refer to one with whom the testator is

not personally acquainted The testator may institutesome/ody who is a perfect stranger to him. pro+idedthe identity is clearly designated in the will

ART. >!;. He$+# $n#t$tute' ,$t-%ut 'e#$0nat$%n%( #-a+e# #-all $n-e+$t $n e)ual a+t#.

8'N'A# *'(M*T!ON

E3ua+it, in cases o) co++ectie *esi/nation

!f the testator intends an unequal apportionment.

he should so specify The article applies only in testa(entar, succession.

and only among testamentary heirs or de+isees or legatees !t will NOT A**#I to an heir who is /oth a

compulsory and a testamentary heir. for in thatcase the heir will get his legitime and histestamentary portion

Not e0plicitly co+ered /y this article is an instance

where the shares of some of the heirs aredesignated and those of others are not '0ample 9 -! institute to of my estate A. B. C

and %. of which A will get 1L" and B is to get The shares of C and % are unspecified Are theyto di+ide equally the remaining portion of the of the estate. after deducting A4s and B4sportions :The remainder is &L12 of 6;

I'(. /ecause the article tal,s a/out heirs

instituted without designation of shares A and Bha+e /een designated their shares. therefore

Art?$) applied to C and %

ART. >!. W-en t-e te#tat%+ $n#t$tute# #%&e-e$+# $n'$*$'ually an' %t-e+# "%lle"t$*ely a#,-en -e #ay#/ 9I desi%nate as my $eirs Aand 6' and t$e c$ildren o" C /: t-%#e"%lle"t$*ely 'e#$0nate' #-all be "%n#$'e+e'a# $n'$*$'ually $n#t$tute'/ unle## $t "lea+lyaea+# t-at t-e $ntent$%n %( t-e te#tat%+ ,a# %t-e+,$#e.

'quality and !ndi+iduality of %esignation

This article follows the /asic rule of equality in the

pre+ious article !n addition. it esta/lished the*'(M*T!ON that t-e -e$+# "%lle"t$*ely +e(e++e't% a+e 'e#$0nate' per capita al%n0 ,$t- t-%#e#ea+ately 'e#$0nate'

!f the testator intends a /loc, designation. he should

so specify

ART. >!>. I( t-e te#tat%+ #-%ul' $n#t$tute -$#b+%t-e+# an' #$#te+#/ an' -e -a# #%&e %( (ull bl%%' an' %t-e+# %( -al( bl%%'/ t-e$n-e+$tan"e #-all be '$#t+$bute' e)uallyunle## a '$((e+ent $ntent$%n aea+#.

Once again. this article follows the general rule of equality laid down in Art?$)

Also. if the testator intends an unequal

apportionment. he should so specify

%!''NT #' !N !NT'(TACI

Art?$? only applies to testamentary succession.

wherein si/lings. regardless of whether full or half /lood. get equal shares e0cept if a differentintention of the testator appears

!n !NT'(TACI. the rule is different The

applica/le pro+ision is Art 1) which

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esta/lishes a +%%+t$%n %( ?1 /etween fulland half /lood /rothers and sisters. /ut withoutpreDudice to the rule prohi/iting succession a-intestato /etween legitimate and illegitimatesi/lings :Art@@2;

Art. 1!!3. Should brother and sisters of the full bloodsurvive together with brothers and sisters of the half

blood# the former shall be entitled to a share double thatof the latter.

Art. 442. An illegitimate child has no right to inheritab intestate from the legitimate children and relatives ofhis father or mother5 nor shall such children or relativesinherit in the same manner from the illegitimate child.

'>CA*

Testamentary (uccession 9 equality in shares of

full and half /lood /rothers and sisters unlessthe testator pro+ides otherwise :Art?$?;

!ntestacy 9 *roportion of 231 /etween full and

half /lood /rothers and sisters :Art1);. andonly if the disqualification in Art@@2 does not

apply

Kuestion 9 %oes Art?$? apply e+en to illegitimate

/rothers and sisters. in cases where the testator is of legitimate status and +ice +ersa6 I'( Art?$? doesnot distinguish

ART. >!. W-en t-e te#tat%+ "all# t% t-e#u""e##$%n a e+#%n an' -$# "-$l'+en t-eya+e all 'ee&e' t% -a*e been $n#t$tute'#$&ultane%u#ly an' n%t #u""e##$*ely.

Article lays down the same rule as Arts ?$) and ?$7

'quality and !ndi+iduality of institution are presumed !f the testator desires a different mode of

apportionment. he should so specify

ART. >8. T-e #tate&ent %( a (al#e "au#e (%+ t-e$n#t$tut$%n %( an -e$+ #-all be "%n#$'e+e' a#n%t ,+$tten/ unle## $t aea+# (+%& t-e ,$llt-at t-e te#tat%+ ,%ul' n%t -a*e &a'e #u"-$n#t$tut$%n $( -e -a' 5n%,n t-e (al#$ty %( #u"- "au#e.

8'N'A# #' 9 the falsity of the stated cause for

the testamentary institution %O'( NOT A'CT the

+alidity or efficacy of the institution eason 9 testamentary disposition is ultimately

/ased on li/erality

'JC'*T!ON 9 the falsity of the stated cause for

institution will set aside the institution if the followingfactors are present3

1 Cause for institution is stated in the will2 Cause must /e shown to /e false

" !t appears on the face of the will that if thetestator had ,nown of the falsity of suchcause. he would not ha+e instituted the heir

ART. >81. I( t-e te#tat%+ -a# $n#t$tute' %nly %ne-e$+/ an' t-e $n#t$tut$%n $# l$&$te' t% anal$)u%t a+t %( t-e $n-e+$tan"e/ le0al#u""e##$%n ta5e# la"e ,$t- +e#e"t t% t-e+e&a$n'e+ %( t-e e#tate.

T-e #a&e +ule al$e# $( t-e te#tat%+ -a#$n#t$tute' #e*e+al -e$+#/ ea"- be$n0 l$&$te't% an al$)u%t a+t/ an' all t-e a+t# '% n%t"%*e+ t-e ,-%le $n-e+$tan"e.

The wording of the article. according to *rof Balane.

is erroneous /ecause +e/a+ succession *oes not ta>e p+ace it' respect to t'e re(ain*er o) t'e estate -ut to t'e re(ain*er o) t'e disposable portion.

There may after all /e compulsory heirs whose

legitimes will therefore co+er part of the estate. the

and the legitimes do not pass /y legal or intestatesuccession

(uggested ewording 9

Art. /1. 'f the testator has instituted only one heir# andthe institution is limited to an aliquot part of the inheritance# lessthan the entire disposable portion, legal succession ta,es place with respect to the remainder of the estate.

The same rule applies if the testator has instituted severalheirs# each being limited to an aliquot part# and all the parts donot cover the whole inheritance.

Moreo+er. this article states e0actly the same rule

laid down in Art?$1 there is a/solutely no need for the redundancy

ART. >8. I( $t ,a# t-e $ntent$%n %( t-e te#tat%+ t-at t-e $n#t$tute'

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