SYLLABUS

COURSE TITLE: Succession

COURSE CREDIT: 4 Units
TYPE OF COURSE: Major Subject
FACULTY: Atty. Crisostomo A. Uribe
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Succession is basically covered by Book III, Title IV of the Civil Code
of the Philippines. It involves a detailed analysis and study on the
kinds of succession [testamentary succession, legal or intestate, and
mixed succession], kinds of heirs [compulsory heirs, voluntary heirs,
and legal or intestate heirs], principles affecting legitimes
[preterition, reserve troncal, and disinheritance], principles affecting
the freely disposable portion [institution and substitution of heirs,
and legacies and devisees], and principles common to legal and
intestate succession [representation and accretion], as well as
partition and distribution of the estate of the decedent.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. understand the basic principles in succession
2. identify rights and obligations among heirs
3. appreciate and apply these fundamental principles to actual
wills
4. encourage diligence and the observance of honesty and fair
dealings at all times
COURSE OUTLINE
I.

GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Definition and Concept. (Arts. 774, 712, 1311)
Basis of Law on Succession
Legal Philosophy of the Civil Code on Succession
Fundamental Changes in the Civil Code
B. Law Governing Form
1. As to Time of Execution (Art. 795)
2. As to the Place of Execution (Arts. 17, 810,
815-819)

Cases:

In Re: Will of Rev. Abadia, 50 O.G. #9, p. 4185

Fleumer v. Hix, 54 Phil. 610
Estate of Giberson, 48 O.G. #7, 2657
De la Cerna v. Potot, 12 SCRA 576
Estate of Rodriguez, 46 O.G. #2, p. 584

C. Law governing content

1. As to Time (Art. 2263)
2. As to Successional Rights, etc. (Art. 16[2],
1039)
Cases:
Estate of Christensen, 61 O.G. #46, p. 7302
Estate of Amos Bellis, 20 SCRA 358
Cayetano v. Leonides, 129 SCRA 524

D. Subjects of Succession (Arts. 775, 782, 887, 1003)

1. Who are the Subjects?
2. Relationship (Arts. 963-969)
3. Capacity to Succeed (Art. 1024)
a. Determination (Arts. 1034, 1039, Art. 16[2])
Case:
Cayetano v. Leonides, 129 SCRA 524
b. Who may succeed?
Case:
Parish Priest of Victoria v. Rigor, 89 SCRA
493
c. Who are incapable of Succeeding? (Art. 1025,
1027, 1028, 1031-33, 990-992)
d. Effect of alienations by the excluded heir (Art.
1036)
e. Rights of the Excluded Heir (Art. 1035, 1937,
1014)
f. Liabilities of an Excluded Heir (Art. 1038)

g. Prescription of Action (Article 1040)

E. Object of Succession (Arts. 776, 781, 1311,1429,

1178, 1347,Article 108,RPC)
Cases:
Reyes v. CA, S.C, L-5620, July 31 1954
Guinto v, Medina, 50 O.G. #1 p. 199, Oct. 7, 1953

F. Opening of Succession
Articles 777, 2263, 2253, 533, 1347, 1461, 130, 132, 390, 391
Articles 84 and 86, Family Code
Requisites for the Transmission of Successional Rights:
1. express will of the testator or provision of law
2. death of the person whose property is subject of
succession- Art. 43; Survivorship Rule (Rule 131, Sec. 3[ii]
{5})
3. acceptance of the inheritance- Article 1041-1057
Cases:
Uson v. Del Rosario, 92 Phil. 530
De Borja v. De Borja, 46 SCRA 577
Bonilla v. Barcena, 71 SCRA 491
Cruz v. Cruz, G.R. No. 173292, Sept. 1, 2010
Bough v. Modesto, Jan. 28, 1954, 94 Phil.
Borromeo-Herrera v. Borromeo, 152 SCRA 171
G. Kinds of Succession (Art. 778)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Testamentary- Art. 779

Legal or Intestate Art 960
Mixed- Art. 780
Contractual Art. 130, 1347, 752, Art. 84,FC
Compulsory

TESTAMENTARY SUCCESSION
II.

WILLS
a. Definition (Art. 783)
b. Characteristics (Art. 783, 839[3][4], 828, 796-798, 777,
818,784-787)
c. Interpretation of Wills (Arts. 788, 789, 790-794, 930)

Case:
Solis v. Ascuenta, 49 Phil. 333
III.

TESTAMENTARY CAPACITY AND INTENT

a. Who may make a will (Arts 796-803)
b. Supervening Incapacity (Art. 801)

Case:
Baltazar v. Laxa, G.R. No. 174489, April 11, 2012
IV.

SOLEMNITIES OF WILLS
a. Kinds of Wills (Article 804, 810)
b. Notarial Wills
1. General Requirements (Art. 804)

Case:
Suroza v. Honrado, 110 SCRA 388
2. Specific Requirements (Art. 805, 806)
Cases:
Garcia v. Lacuesta, 90 Phil. 489
Balonan v. Abellana, 109 Phil 358
Nera v. Rimando, 18 Phil. 450

Taboada v. Rosal, 118 SCRA 195

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

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENT BYY REFERENCE (ART. 827)

VI.

CODICILS
a. Definition (Art. 825, 830)
b. Solemnities (Art. 826)

VII.

REVOCATION OF WILLS AND TESTAMENTARY DISPOSITIONS

a.
b.
c.
d.

Definition of Revocation
When may Revocation be effected (Art. 828)
Law Governing Revocation (Art. 829)
Modes of Revocation (Art. 830)

Cases:
Gago v. Mamuyac, 49 Phil. 902
Casiano v. CA, 158 SCRA 451
e. Effects of Revocation (Art. 831-834)
f. Doctrine of Dependent Relative Revocation
Case:
Molo v. Molo, 90 Phil. 37
VIII.
IX.

REPUBLICATION AND REVIVAL OF WILLS- ARTS. 835-837

ALLOWANCE OF WILLS
A. Concept of Probate

Case:
Agtarap v. Agtarap, G.R. No. 177099 and 177192, June 8, 2011
B. Necessity of Probate
Case:
De Borja v. De Borja, 46 SCRA 577
C. Modes of Probate
D. Requirements for Probate (Art. 811)
Cases:

Gan v. Yap, 104 Phil. 509

Rodelas v. Aranza, 119 SCRA 16
Azaola v. Singson, 109 Phil. 102
Codoy v. Calugay, 312 SCRA 333
Uy Kiao Eng v. Nixon Lee, G.R. No. 176831, January 15, 2010
Palaganas v. Palaganas, G.R. No. 169144, January 26, 2011

E. Effect of Allowance of Wills

Cases:
Gallanosa v. Arcangel, 83 SCRA 676
Dela Cerna v. Leonides, 129 SCRA 33
Roberts v. Leonides, 129 SCRA 33
Nepomuceno v. CA, 139 SCRA 206
X.

DISALLOWANCE OF WILLS- ARTS. 839, 1335, 1337, 1338

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

LEGITIME
a. Concept, Art. 886
b. Who are entitled to legitimes; Compulsory Heirs. Arts.
887, 902

Case:
Rosales v. Rosales, 148 SCRA 69
c. Concurrence of Compulsory Heirs and their
corresponding legitimes-Arts. 888-890, 892-901, 903,
Art. 39,P.D. 603
d. Restrictions Regarding Legitime-Articles 904, 872, 905907, 1347
e. Determination or Computation. Articles 908-913
COLLATION (Arts. 1061-1077)

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

PRINCIPLES AFFECTING LEGITIME

XII.

PRETERITION-ARTS. 854, 906, 855,918

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

RESERVA TRONCAL-ARTS. 891

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

RESERVA ADOPTIVA- ART. 39,PD 603

Case:
Banawa v. Mirano, 97 SCRA 517

Teotico v. Del Val, 13 SCRA 406

XV.

DISINHERITANCE- ARTS.- 915-923

PRINCIPLES AFFECTING THE FREELY DISPOSABLE PORTION

XVI.

INSTITUTION OF HEIRS

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

a. Kinds Art. 885(1)

b. Effect Arts. 878, 885(2), in rel. Art. 880
4. Modal Institution Arts. 882-883
XVII. SUBSTITUTION OF HEIRS
Concept of Substitution. Art. 857
Kinds of Substitution. Art. 858
1. Simple or Common- Art. 859
2. Brief or Compendious- Art. 860
3. Reciprocal-Art. 861
4. Fideicommissary- Arts. 863-869
Cases:
Palacios v. Ramirez, 111 SCRA 704
Crisologo v. Singzon, 49 SCRA 491
C. TIME LIMITATION ON INALIENABILITY ART. 870
XVIII. LEGACIES AND DEVISESART. 924-959
Cases:
Fernandez v. Dimagiba, 21 SCRA 428
Belen v. Bank of P.I. L-14474, Oct. 31, 1960
LEGAL OR INTESTATE SUCCESSION
XIX.

GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. In General
1. When does it Take Place. Art. 960
2. Who are the Intestate Heirs. Art. 961

Case:
Rosales v. Rosales, 148 SCRA 69
3. Order of and share in the testate succession. Art.
962
Case:
De Los Santos v. De La Cruz, 37 SCRA 555

B. Right of RepresentationArt. 970, 977, 982, 902,

992,1005-1008
Cases:
Teotico v. Del Val
Diaz v. IAC, 150 SCRA 645
De los Santos v. Ferraris-Borromeo, 14 SCRA 986
Corpuz v. Corpuz, 85 SCRA 567

XX.

ORDER OF INTESTATE SUCCESSION

A. Descending Direct Line

1. Estate of a Legitimate Decedent
a. Illegitimate Children, Arts. 983, 988-992
Cases:
Corpuz v. Corpuz, 85 SCRA 567
Leonardo v. CA, 120 SCRA 890
2. Estate of a illegitimate decedent
a. Legitimate Children and Descendant-Art.
903,987-994
b. Illegitimate Children and Descendant- Art.
990,992

B. Surviving Spouse , Art. 995-1002

Case:
Santillon v. Mirandan, 14 SCRA 563
C. Ascending Direct Line
a. Legitimate Parents and Ascendant, Arts. 985-987
b. Illegitimate Parents, Art. 993
D. Collateral Line, Art. 1003-1210

Case:
Bicomong v. Almanza, 80 SCRA 421
Bacayo v. Borromeo, 14 SCRA 986
E. The State, Art. 1011-1014

PROVISIONS COMMON TO TESTATE AND INTESTATE SUCCESSION

XXI.

Right of Accession

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

B. In Legal Succession, Art. 1018
C. Compulsory Succession, Art. 1021
D. Testamentary, Art. 1022-1023
XXII. PARTITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE ESTATE
A. Partition, Art. 1078-1090
Cases:
Neri v. Heirs of Spouses Uy, G.R. No. 194366, October 10,2012
Alsua Betts v. CA, 92 SCRA 332
Doromal v. CA, L-36083, Sept. 2, 1975
Alonzo v. IAC, 150 SCRA 517
Bautista v. Grino-Aquino, 166 SCRA 760
De los Santos v. De la Cruz, 37 SCRA 558
B. Effects of Partition, Art. 1091-1096
Case:
Guilas v. Judge, L-026695, 31 Jan. 1972
De los Santos v. De la Cruz, 37 SCRA 558
Augustines v. CFI, 45 O.G. Supp. #9, p. 184, April 3, 1948
C. Rescission and Nullity of Partition, Art. 1097-1105
XXIII. EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS
Articles 1058-1060
Rule 87, Sec. 1 of RRC

Rule 86, Sec. 5 of RRC

Cases:
In Re: Intestate Estate of Cristina Aguinaldo-Suntay, Emilio Suntay,
III v. Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay, G.R. No. 183053, June 16, 2010
Manungas v. Loreto, G.R. No. 193161, August 22, 2011