Chapters 1 and 2 Civil Code RA 386

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BOOKIII(FULLTEXT):CIVILCODEOFTHEPHILIPPINES:CHANROBLESVIRTUALLAWLIBRARY
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This web page contains the Book III of

Republic Act No. 386
June18,1949
TheCivilCodeofthePhilippines
ANACTTOORDAINANDINSTITUTETHECIVILCODEOFTHEPHILIPPINES
BOOKIII
DIFFERENTMODESOFACQUIRINGOWNERSHIP
PRELIMINARYPROVISION
Art.712.Ownershipisacquiredbyoccupationandbyintellectualcreation.
Ownershipandotherrealrightsoverpropertyareacquiredandtransmittedbylaw,bydonation,byestateand
intestatesuccession,andinconsequenceofcertaincontracts,bytradition.
Theymayalsobeacquiredbymeansofprescription.(609a)
TitleI.OCCUPATION
Art. 713. Things appropriable by nature which are without an owner, such as animals that are the object of
huntingandfishing,hiddentreasureandabandonedmovables,areacquiredbyoccupation.(610)
Art.714.Theownershipofapieceoflandcannotbeacquiredbyoccupation.(n)
Art.715.Therighttohuntandtofishisregulatedbyspeciallaws.(611)
Art.716.The owner of a swarm of beesshall have a right to pursuethem to another's land,indemnifying the
possessor of the latter for the damage. If the owner has not pursued the swarm, or ceases to do so within two
consecutivedays,thepossessorofthelandmayoccupyorretainthesame.Theownerofdomesticatedanimals
may also claim them within twenty days to be counted from their occupation by another person. This period
havingexpired,theyshallpertaintohimwhohascaughtandkeptthem.(612a)
Art.717.Pigeonsandfishwhichfromtheirrespectivebreedingplacespasstoanotherpertainingtoadifferent
ownershallbelongtothelatter,providedtheyhavenotbeenenticedbysomearticleoffraud.(613a)
Art.718.Hewhobychancediscovershiddentreasureinanother'spropertyshallhavetherightgrantedhimin
article438ofthisCode.(614)
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Art.719.Whoeverfindsamovable,whichisnottreasure,mustreturnittoitspreviouspossessor.Ifthelatteris
unknown,thefindershallimmediatelydeposititwiththemayorofthecityormunicipalitywherethefindinghas
takenplace.
Thefindingshallbepubliclyannouncedbythemayorfortwoconsecutiveweeksinthewayhedeemsbest.
Ifthemovablecannotbekeptwithoutdeterioration,orwithoutexpenseswhichconsiderablydiminishitsvalue,
itshallbesoldatpublicauctioneightdaysafterthepublication.
Six months from the publication having elapsed without the owner having appeared, the thing found, or its
value,shallbeawardedtothefinder.Thefinderandtheownershallbeobliged,asthecasemaybe,toreimburse
theexpenses.(615a)
Art.720.Iftheownershouldappearintime,heshallbeobligedtopay,asarewardtothefinder,onetenthof
thesumorofthepriceofthethingfound.(616a)
TitleII.INTELLECTUALCREATION
Art.721.Byintellectualcreation,thefollowingpersonsacquireownership:
(1) The author with regard to his literary, dramatic, historical, legal, philosophical, scientific or other
work
(2)Thecomposerastohismusicalcomposition
(3)Thepainter,sculptor,orotherartist,withrespecttotheproductofhisart
(4)Thescientistortechnologistoranyotherpersonwithregardtohisdiscoveryorinvention.(n)
Art. 722. The author and the composer, mentioned in Nos. 1 and 2 of the preceding article, shall have the
ownershipoftheircreationsevenbeforethepublicationofthesame.Oncetheirworksarepublished,theirrights
aregovernedbytheCopyrightlaws.
Thepainter,sculptororotherartistshallhavedominionovertheproductofhisartevenbeforeitiscopyrighted.
Thescientistortechnologisthastheownershipofhisdiscoveryorinventionevenbeforeitispatented.(n)
Art. 723. Letters and other private communications in writing are owned by the person to whom they are
addressedanddelivered,buttheycannotbepublishedordisseminatedwithouttheconsentofthewriterorhis
heirs.However,thecourtmayauthorizetheirpublicationordisseminationifthepublicgoodortheinterestof
justicesorequires.(n)
Art.724.Speciallawsgoverncopyrightandpatent.(429a)
TitleIII.DONATION
CHAPTER1
NATUREOFDONATIONS
Art.725.Donationisanactofliberalitywherebyapersondisposesgratuitouslyofathingorrightinfavorof
another,whoacceptsit.(618a)
Art. 726. When a person gives to another a thing or right on account of the latter's merits or of the services
renderedbyhimtothedonor,providedtheydonotconstituteademandabledebt,orwhenthegiftimposesupon
thedoneeaburdenwhichislessthanthevalueofthethinggiven,thereisalsoadonation.(619)
Art. 727. Illegal or impossible conditions in simple and remuneratory donations shall be considered as not
imposed.(n)
Art.728.Donationswhicharetotakeeffectuponthedeathofthedonorpartakeofthenatureoftestamentary
provisions,andshallbegovernedbytherulesestablishedintheTitleonSuccession.(620)
Art.729.Whenthedonorintendsthatthedonationshalltakeeffectduringthelifetimeofthedonor,thoughthe
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propertyshallnotbedeliveredtillafterthedonor'sdeath,thisshallbeadonationintervivos.Thefruitsofthe
propertyfromthetimeoftheacceptanceofthedonation,shallpertaintothedonee,unlessthedonorprovides
otherwise.(n)
Art. 730. The fixing of an event or the imposition of a suspensive condition, which may take place beyond the
naturalexpectationoflifeofthedonor,doesnotdestroythenatureoftheactasadonationintervivos,unlessa
contraryintentionappears.(n)
Art.731.Whenapersondonatessomething,subjecttotheresolutoryconditionofthedonor'ssurvival,thereisa
donationintervivos.(n)
Art.732.Donationswhicharetotakeeffectintervivosshallbegovernedbythegeneralprovisionsoncontracts
andobligationsinallthatisnotdeterminedinthisTitle.(621)
Art. 733. Donations with an onerous cause shall be governed by the rules on contracts and remuneratory
donationsbytheprovisionsofthepresentTitleasregardsthatportionwhichexceedsthevalueoftheburden
imposed.(622)
Art.734.Thedonationisperfectedfromthemomentthedonorknowsoftheacceptancebythedonee.(623)
CHAPTER2
PERSONSWHOMAYGIVEORRECEIVEADONATION
Art.735.Allpersonswhomaycontractanddisposeoftheirpropertymaymakeadonation.(624)
Art.736.Guardiansandtrusteescannotdonatethepropertyentrustedtothem.(n)
Art.737.Thedonor'scapacityshallbedeterminedasofthetimeofthemakingofthedonation.(n)
Art.738.Althosewhoarenotspeciallydisqualifiedbylawthereformayacceptdonations.(625)
Art.739.Thefollowingdonationsshallbevoid:
(1)Thosemadebetweenpersonswhowereguiltyofadulteryorconcubinageatthetimeofthedonation
(2)Thosemadebetweenpersonsfoundguiltyofthesamecriminaloffense,inconsiderationthereof
(3)Thosemadetoapublicofficerorhiswife,descedantsandascendants,byreasonofhisoffice.
InthecasereferredtoinNo.1,theactionfordeclarationofnullitymaybebroughtbythespouseofthedonoror
doneeandtheguiltofthedonoranddoneemaybeprovedbypreponderanceofevidenceinthesameaction.(n)
Art.740.Incapacitytosucceedbywillshallbeapplicabletodonationsintervivos.(n)
Art.741.Minorsandotherswhocannotenterintoacontractmaybecomedoneesbutacceptanceshallbedone
throughtheirparentsorlegalrepresentatives.(626a)
Art.742.Donationsmadetoconceivedandunbornchildrenmaybeacceptedbythosepersonswhowouldlegally
representthemiftheywerealreadyborn.(627)
Art. 743. Donations made to incapacitated persons shall be void, though simulated under the guise of another
contractorthroughapersonwhoisinterposed.(628)
Art. 744. Donations of the same thing to two or more different donees shall be governed by the provisions
concerningthesaleofthesamethingtotwoormoredifferentpersons.(n)
Art.745.Thedoneemustacceptthedonationpersonally,orthroughanauthorizedpersonwithaspecialpower
forthepurpose,orwithageneralandsufficientpowerotherwise,thedonationshallbevoid.(630)
Art.746.Acceptancemustbemadeduringthelifetimeofthedonorandofthedonee.(n)
Art. 747. Persons who accept donations in representation of others who may not do so by themselves, shall be
obligedtomakethenotificationandnotationofwhichArticle749speaks.(631)
Art.748.Thedonationofamovablemaybemadeorallyorinwriting.
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An oral donation requires the simultaneous delivery of the thing or of the document representing the right
donated.
Ifthevalueofthepersonalpropertydonatedexceedsfivethousandpesos,thedonationandtheacceptanceshall
bemadeinwriting,otherwise,thedonationshallbevoid.(632a)
Art. 749. In order that the donation of an immovable may be valid, it must be made in a public document,
specifyingthereinthepropertydonatedandthevalueofthechargeswhichthedoneemustsatisfy.
Theacceptancemaybemadeinthesamedeedofdonationorinaseparatepublicdocument,butitshallnottake
effectunlessitisdoneduringthelifetimeofthedonor.
Iftheacceptanceismadeinaseparateinstrument,thedonorshallbenotifiedthereofinanauthenticform,and
thisstepshallbenotedinbothinstruments.(633)
CHAPTER3
EFFECTOFDONATIONSANDLIMITATIONSTHEREON
Art. 750. The donations may comprehend all the present property of the donor, or part thereof, provided he
reserves,infullownershiporinusufruct,sufficientmeansforthesupportofhimself,andofallrelativeswho,at
the time of the acceptance of the donation, are by law entitled to be supported by the donor. Without such
reservation,thedonationshallbereducedinpetitionofanypersonaffected.(634a)
Art.751.Donationscannotcomprehendfutureproperty.
Byfuturepropertyisunderstoodanythingwhichthedonorcannotdisposeofatthetimeofthedonation.(635)
Art.752.TheprovisionsofArticle750notwithstanding,nopersonmaygiveorreceive,bywayofdonation,more
thanhemaygiveorreceivebywill.
Thedonationshallbeinofficiousinallthatitmayexceedthislimitation.(636)
Art.753.Whenadonationismadetoseveralpersonsjointly,itisunderstoodtobeinequalshares,andthere
shallbenorightofaccretionamongthem,unlessthedonorhasotherwiseprovided.
The preceding paragraph shall not be applicable to donations made to the husband and wife jointly, between
whomthereshallbearightofaccretion,ifthecontraryhasnotbeenprovidedbythedonor.(637)
Art. 754. The donee is subrogated to all the rights and actions which in case of eviction would pertain to the
donor. The latter, on the other hand, is not obliged to warrant the things donated, save when the donation is
onerous,inwhichcasethedonorshallbeliableforevictiontotheconcurrenceoftheburden.
Thedonorshallalsobeliableforevictionorhiddendefectsincaseofbadfaithonhispart.(638a)
Art.755.Therighttodisposeofsomeofthethingsdonated,orofsomeamountwhichshallbeachargethereon,
maybereservedbythedonorbutifheshoulddiewithouthavingmadeuseofthisright,thepropertyoramount
reservedshallbelongtothedonee.(639)
Art.756.Theownershipofpropertymayalsobedonatedtoonepersonandtheusufructtoanotherorothers,
providedallthedoneesarelivingatthetimeofthedonation.(640a)
Art.757.Reversionmaybevalidlyestablishedinfavorofonlythedonorforanycaseandcircumstances,butnot
infavorofotherpersonsunlesstheyarealllivingatthetimeofthedonation.
Anyreversionstipulatedbythedonorinfavorofathirdpersoninviolationofwhatisprovidedinthepreceding
paragraphshallbevoid,butshallnotnullifythedonation.(614a)
Art.758.Whenthedonationimposesuponthedoneetheobligationtopaythedebtsofthedonor,iftheclause
does not contain any declaration to the contrary, the former is understood to be liable to pay only the debts
which appear to have been previously contracted. In no case shall the donee be responsible for the debts
exceedingthevalueofthepropertydonated,unlessacontraryintentionclearlyappears.(642a)
Art.759.Therebeingnostipulationregardingthepaymentofdebts,thedoneeshallberesponsiblethereforonly
whenthedonationhasbeenmadeinfraudofcreditors.
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Thedonationisalwayspresumedtobeinfraudofcreditors,whenatthetimethereofthedonordidnotreserve
sufficientpropertytopayhisdebtspriortothedonation.(643)
CHAPTER4
REVOCATIONANDREDUCTIONOFDONATIONS
Art. 760. Every donation inter vivos, made by a person having no children or descendants, legitimate or
legitimatedbysubsequentmarriage,orillegitimate,mayberevokedorreducedasprovidedinthenextarticle,
bythehappeningofanyoftheseevents:
(1) If the donor, after the donation, should have legitimate or legitimated or illegitimate children, even
thoughtheybeposthumous
(2)Ifthechildofthedonor,whomthelatterbelievedtobedeadwhenhemadethedonation,shouldturn
outtobeliving
(3)Ifthedonorsubsequentlyadoptaminorchild.(644a)
Art.761.Inthecasesreferredtointheprecedingarticle,thedonationshallberevokedorreducedinsofarasit
exceedstheportionthatmaybefreelydisposedofbywill,takingintoaccountthewholeestateofthedonoratthe
timeofthebirth,appearanceoradoptionofachild.(n)
Art.762.Upontherevocationorreductionofthedonationbythebirth,appearanceoradoptionofachild,the
propertyaffectedshallbereturnedoritsvalueifthedoneehassoldthesame.
If the property is mortgaged, the donor may redeem the mortgage, by paying the amount guaranteed, with a
righttorecoverthesamefromthedonee.
Whenthepropertycannotbereturned,itshallbeestimatedatwhatitwasworthatthetimeofthedonation.(645a)
Art.763.Theactionforrevocationorreductiononthegroundssetforthinarticle760shallprescribeafterfour
years from the birth of the first child, or from his legitimation, recognition or adoption, or from the judicial
declarationoffiliation,orfromthetimeinformationwasreceivedregardingtheexistenceofthechildbelieved
dead.
This action cannot be renounced, and is transmitted, upon the death of the donor, to his legitimate and
illegitimatechildrenanddescendants.(646a)
Art.764.Thedonationshallberevokedattheinstanceofthedonor,whenthedoneefailstocomplywithanyof
theconditionswhichtheformerimposeduponthelatter.
In this case, the property donated shall be returned to the donor, the alienations made by the donee and the
mortgagesimposedthereonbyhimbeingvoid,withthelimitationsestablished,withregardtothirdpersons,by
theMortgageLawandtheLandRegistrationLaws.
Thisactionshallprescribeafterfouryearsfromthenoncompliancewiththecondition,maybetransmittedto
theheirsofthedonor,andmaybeexercisedagainstthedonee'sheirs.(647a)
Art.765.Thedonationmayalsoberevokedattheinstanceofthedonor,byreasonofingratitudeinthefollowing
cases:
(1)Ifthedoneeshouldcommitsomeoffenseagainsttheperson,thehonororthepropertyofthedonor,or
ofhiswifeorchildrenunderhisparentalauthority
(2) If the donee imputes to the donor any criminal offense, or any act involving moral turpitude, even
thoughheshouldproveit,unlessthecrimeortheacthasbeencommittedagainstthedoneehimself,his
wifeorchildrenunderhisauthority
(3) If he unduly refuses him support when the donee is legally or morally bound to give support to the
donor.(648a)
Art.766.Althoughthedonationisrevokedonaccountofingratitude,nevertheless,thealienationsandmortgages
effectedbeforethenotationofthecomplaintforrevocationintheRegistryofPropertyshallsubsist.
Lateronesshallbevoid.(649)
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Art.767.Inthecasereferredtointhefirstparagraphoftheprecedingarticle,thedonorshallhavearightto
demandfromthedoneethevalueofpropertyalienatedwhichhecannotrecoverfromthirdpersons,orthesum
forwhichthesamehasbeenmortgaged.
Thevalueofsaidpropertyshallbefixedasofthetimeofthedonation.(650)
Art.768.WhenthedonationisrevokedforanyofthecausesstatedinArticle760,orbyreasonofingratitude,or
when it is reduced because it is inofficious, the donee shall not return the fruits except from the filing of the
complaint.
If the revocation is based upon noncompliance with any of the conditions imposed in the donation, the donee
shallreturnnotonlythepropertybutalsothefruitsthereofwhichhemayhavereceivedafterhavingfailedto
fulfillthecondition.(651)
Art.769.Theactiongrantedtothedonorbyreasonofingratitudecannotberenouncedinadvance.Thisaction
prescribeswithinoneyear,tobecountedfromthetimethedonorhadknowledgeofthefactanditwaspossible
forhimtobringtheaction.(652)
Art.770.Thisactionshallnotbetransmittedtotheheirsofthedonor,ifthelatterdidnotinstitutethesame,
althoughhecouldhavedoneso,andevenifheshoulddiebeforetheexpirationofoneyear.
Neithercanthisactionbebroughtagainsttheheirofthedonee,unlessuponthelatter'sdeaththecomplainthas
beenfiled.(653)
Art.771.DonationswhichinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofArticle752,areinofficious,bearinginmindthe
estimatednetvalueofthedonor'spropertyatthetimeofhisdeath,shallbereducedwithregardtotheexcess
butthisreductionshallnotpreventthedonationsfromtakingeffectduringthelifeofthedonor,norshallitbar
thedoneefromappropriatingthefruits.
For the reduction of donations the provisions of this Chapter and of Articles 911 and 912 of this Code shall
govern.(654)
Art. 772. Only those who at the time of the donor's death have a right to the legitime and their heirs and
successorsininterestmayaskforthereductionorinofficiousdonations.
Thosereferredtointheprecedingparagraphcannotrenouncetheirrightduringthelifetimeofthedonor,either
byexpressdeclaration,orbyconsentingtothedonation.
The donees, devisees and legatees, who are not entitled to the legitime and the creditors of the deceased can
neitheraskforthereductionnoravailthemselvesthereof.(655a)
Art.773.If,therebeingtwoormoredonations,thedisposableportionisnotsufficienttocoverallofthem,those
ofthemorerecentdateshallbesuppressedorreducedwithregardtotheexcess.(656)
TitleIV.SUCCESSION
CHAPTER1
GENERALPROVISIONS
Art.774.Successionisamodeofacquisitionbyvirtueofwhichtheproperty,rightsandobligationstotheextent
ofthevalueoftheinheritance,ofapersonaretransmittedthroughhisdeathtoanotherorotherseitherbyhis
willorbyoperationoflaw.(n)
Art. 775. In this Title, "decedent" is the general term applied to the person whose property is transmitted
throughsuccession,whetherornotheleftawill.Ifheleftawill,heisalsocalledthetestator.(n)
Art.776.Theinheritanceincludesalltheproperty,rightsandobligationsofapersonwhicharenotextinguished
byhisdeath.(659)
Art.777.Therightstothesuccessionaretransmittedfromthemomentofthedeathofthedecedent.(657a)
Art.778.Successionmaybe:
(1)Testamentary
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(2)Legalorintestateor
(3)Mixed.(n)
Art.779.Testamentarysuccessionisthatwhichresultsfromthedesignationofanheir,madeinawillexecuted
intheformprescribedbylaw.(n)
Art.780.Mixedsuccessionisthateffectedpartlybywillandpartlybyoperationoflaw.(n)
Art.781.Theinheritanceofapersonincludesnotonlythepropertyandthetransmissiblerightsandobligations
existingatthetimeofhisdeath,butalsothosewhichhaveaccruedtheretosincetheopeningofthesuccession.(n)
Art.782.Anheirisapersoncalledtothesuccessioneitherbytheprovisionofawillorbyoperationoflaw.
Deviseesandlegateesarepersonstowhomgiftsofrealandpersonalpropertyarerespectivelygivenbyvirtueof
awill.(n)
CHAPTER2
TESTAMENTARYSUCCESSION
SECTION1.Wills
SUBSECTION1.WillsinGeneral
Art.783.Awillisanactwherebyapersonispermitted,withtheformalitiesprescribedbylaw,tocontroltoa
certaindegreethedispositionofthisestate,totakeeffectafterhisdeath.(667a)
Art.784.Themakingofawillisastrictlypersonalactitcannotbeleftinwholeorinpartofthediscretionofa
thirdperson,oraccomplishedthroughtheinstrumentalityofanagentorattorney.(670a)
Art. 785. The duration or efficacy of the designation of heirs, devisees or legatees, or the determination of the
portionswhichtheyaretotake,whenreferredtobyname,cannotbelefttothediscretionofathirdperson.(670a)
Art.786.Thetestatormayentrusttoathirdpersonthedistributionofspecificpropertyorsumsofmoneythat
he may leave in general to specified classes or causes, and also the designation of the persons, institutions or
establishmentstowhichsuchpropertyorsumsaretobegivenorapplied.(671a)
Art. 787. The testator may not make a testamentary disposition in such manner that another person has to
determinewhetherornotitistobeoperative.(n)
Art.788.Ifatestamentarydispositionadmitsofdifferentinterpretations,incaseofdoubt,thatinterpretationby
whichthedispositionistobeoperativeshallbepreferred.(n)
Art.789.Whenthereisanimperfectdescription,orwhennopersonorpropertyexactlyanswersthedescription,
mistakes and omissions must be corrected, if the error appears from the context of the will or from extrinsic
evidence,excludingtheoraldeclarationsofthetestatorastohisintentionandwhenanuncertaintyarisesupon
thefaceofthewill,astotheapplicationofanyofitsprovisions,thetestator'sintentionistobeascertainedfrom
thewordsofthewill,takingintoconsiderationthecircumstancesunderwhichitwasmade,excludingsuchoral
declarations.(n)
Art.790.Thewordsofawillaretobetakenintheirordinaryandgrammaticalsense,unlessaclearintentionto
usetheminanothersensecanbegathered,andthatothercanbeascertained.
Technicalwordsinawillaretobetakenintheirtechnicalsense,unlessthecontextclearlyindicatesacontrary
intention,orunlessitsatisfactorilyappearsthathewasunacquaintedwithsuchtechnicalsense.(675a)
Art. 791. The words of a will are to receive an interpretation which will give to every expression some effect,
ratherthanonewhichwillrenderanyoftheexpressionsinoperativeandoftwomodesofinterpretingawill,
thatistobepreferredwhichwillpreventintestacy.(n)
Art.792.Theinvalidityofoneofseveraldispositionscontainedinawilldoesnotresultintheinvalidityofthe
otherdispositions,unlessitistobepresumedthatthetestatorwouldnothavemadesuchotherdispositionsifthe
firstinvaliddispositionhadnotbeenmade.(n)
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Art.793.Propertyacquiredafterthemakingofawillshallonlypassthereby,asifthetestatorhadpossessedit
atthetimeofmakingthewill,shoulditexpresslyappearbythewillthatsuchwashisintention.(n)
Art. 794. Every devise or legacy shall cover all the interest which the testator could device or bequeath in the
propertydisposedof,unlessitclearlyappearsfromthewillthatheintendedtoconveyalessinterest.(n)
Art.795.Thevalidityofawillastoitsformdependsupontheobservanceofthelawinforceatthetimeitis
made.(n)
SUBSECTION2.TestamentaryCapacityandIntent
Art.796.Allpersonswhoarenotexpresslyprohibitedbylawmaymakeawill.(662)
Art.797.Personsofeithersexundereighteenyearsofagecannotmakeawill.(n)
Art.798.Inordertomakeawillitisessentialthatthetestatorbeofsoundmindatthetimeofitsexecution.(n)
Art. 799. To be of sound mind, it is not necessary that the testator be in full possession of all his reasoning
faculties,orthathismindbewhollyunbroken,unimpaired,orunshatteredbydisease,injuryorothercause.
Itshallbesufficientifthetestatorwasableatthetimeofmakingthewilltoknowthenatureoftheestatetobe
disposedof,theproperobjectsofhisbounty,andthecharacterofthetestamentaryact.(n)
Art.800.Thelawpresumesthateverypersonisofsoundmind,intheabsenceofprooftothecontrary.
The burden of proof that the testator was not of sound mind at the time of making his dispositions is on the
personwhoopposes the probate of the will but ifthe testator, one month, or less,before making hiswill was
publiclyknowntobeinsane,thepersonwhomaintainsthevalidityofthewillmustprovethatthetestatormade
itduringalucidinterval.(n)
Art.801.Superveningincapacitydoesnotinvalidateaneffectivewill,noristhewillofanincapablevalidatedby
thesuperveningofcapacity.(n)
Art.802.Amarriedwomanmaymakeawillwithouttheconsentofherhusband,andwithouttheauthorityof
thecourt.(n)
Art.803.Amarriedwomanmaydisposebywillofallherseparatepropertyaswellashershareoftheconjugal
partnershiporabsolutecommunityproperty.(n)
SUBSECTION3.FormsofWills
Art.804.Everywillmustbeinwritingandexecutedinalanguageordialectknowntothetestator.(n)
Art.805.Everywill,otherthanaholographicwill,mustbesubscribedattheendthereofbythetestatorhimself
orbythetestator'snamewrittenbysomeotherpersoninhispresence,andbyhisexpressdirection,andattested
andsubscribedbythreeormorecrediblewitnessesinthepresenceofthetestatorandofoneanother.
Thetestatororthepersonrequestedbyhimtowritehisnameandtheinstrumentalwitnessesofthewill,shall
alsosign,asaforesaid,eachandeverypagethereof,exceptthelast,ontheleftmargin,andallthepagesshallbe
numberedcorrelativelyinlettersplacedontheupperpartofeachpage.
Theattestationshallstatethenumberofpagesuseduponwhichthewilliswritten,andthefactthatthetestator
signed the will and every page thereof, or caused some other person to write his name, under his express
direction,inthepresenceoftheinstrumentalwitnesses,andthatthelatterwitnessedandsignedthewillandall
thepagesthereofinthepresenceofthetestatorandofoneanother.
Iftheattestationclauseisinalanguagenotknowntothewitnesses,itshallbeinterpretedtothem.(n)
Art.806.Everywillmustbeacknowledgedbeforeanotarypublicbythetestatorandthewitnesses.Thenotary
publicshallnotberequiredtoretainacopyofthewill,orfileanotherwiththeOfficeoftheClerkofCourt.(n)
Art.807.Ifthetestatorbedeaf,oradeafmute,hemustpersonallyreadthewill,ifabletodosootherwise,he
shalldesignatetwopersonstoreaditandcommunicatetohim,insomepracticablemanner,thecontentsthereof.
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(n)
Art.808.Ifthetestatorisblind,thewillshallbereadtohimtwiceonce,byoneofthesubscribingwitnesses,and
again,bythenotarypublicbeforewhomthewillisacknowledged.(n)
Art.809.Intheabsenceofbadfaith,forgery,orfraud,orundueandimproperpressureandinfluence,defects
andimperfectionsintheformofattestationorinthelanguageusedthereinshallnotrenderthewillinvalidifitis
proved that the will was in fact executed and attested in substantial compliance with all the requirements of
Article805.(n)
Art.810.Apersonmayexecuteaholographicwillwhichmustbeentirelywritten,dated,andsignedbythehand
ofthetestatorhimself.Itissubjecttonootherform,andmaybemadeinoroutofthePhilippines,andneednot
bewitnessed.(678,688a)
Art. 811. In the probate of a holographic will, it shall be necessary that at least one witness who knows the
handwritingandsignatureofthetestatorexplicitlydeclarethatthewillandthesignatureareinthehandwriting
ofthetestator.Ifthewilliscontested,atleastthreeofsuchwitnessesshallberequired.
In the absence of any competent witness referred to in the preceding paragraph, and if the court deem it
necessary,experttestimonymayberesortedto.(619a)
Art. 812. In holographic wills, the dispositions of the testator written below his signature must be dated and
signedbyhiminordertomakethemvalidastestamentarydispositions.(n)
Art.813.Whenanumberofdispositionsappearinginaholographicwillaresignedwithoutbeingdated,andthe
lastdispositionhasasignatureandadate,suchdatevalidatesthedispositionsprecedingit,whateverbethetime
ofpriordispositions.(n)
Art. 814. In case of any insertion, cancellation, erasure or alteration in a holographic will, the testator must
authenticatethesamebyhisfullsignature.(n)
Art.815.WhenaFilipinoisinaforeigncountry,heisauthorizedtomakeawillinanyoftheformsestablished
bythelawofthecountryinwhichhemaybe.SuchwillmaybeprobatedinthePhilippines.(n)
Art. 816. The will of an alien who is abroad produces effect in the Philippines if made with the formalities
prescribedbythelawoftheplaceinwhichheresides,oraccordingtotheformalitiesobservedinhiscountry,or
inconformitywiththosewhichthisCodeprescribes.(n)
Art. 817. A will made in the Philippines by a citizen or subject of another country, which is executed in
accordance with the law of the country of which he is a citizen or subject, and which might be proved and
allowed by the law of his own country, shall have the same effect as if executed according to the laws of the
Philippines.(n)
Art.818.Twoormorepersonscannotmakeawilljointly,orinthesameinstrument,eitherfortheirreciprocal
benefitorforthebenefitofathirdperson.(669)
Art.819.Wills,prohibitedbytheprecedingarticle,executedbyFilipinosinaforeigncountryshallnotbevalid
inthePhilippines,eventhoughauthorizedbythelawsofthecountrywheretheymayhavebeenexecuted.(733a)
SUBSECTION4.WitnessestoWills
Art.820.Anypersonofsoundmindandoftheageofeighteenyearsormore,andnotbind,deafordumb,and
abletoreadandwrite,maybeawitnesstotheexecutionofawillmentionedinArticle805ofthisCode.(n)
Art.821.Thefollowingaredisqualifiedfrombeingwitnessestoawill:
(1)AnypersonnotdomiciledinthePhilippines
(2)Thosewhohavebeenconvictedoffalsificationofadocument,perjuryorfalsetestimony.(n)
Art.822.Ifthewitnessesattestingtheexecutionofawillarecompetentatthetimeofattesting,theirbecoming
subsequentlyincompetentshallnotpreventtheallowanceofthewill.(n)
Art.823.Ifapersonatteststheexecutionofawill,towhomortowhosespouse,orparent,orchild,adeviseor
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legacyisgivenbysuchwill,suchdeviseorlegacyshall,sofaronlyasconcernssuchperson,orspouse,orparent,
or child of such person, or any one claiming under such person or spouse, or parent, or child, be void, unless
therearethreeothercompetentwitnessestosuchwill.However,suchpersonsoattestingshallbeadmittedasa
witnessasifsuchdeviseorlegacyhadnotbeenmadeorgiven.(n)
Art.824.Amerechargeontheestateofthetestatorforthepaymentofdebtsdueatthetimeofthetestator's
deathdoesnotpreventhiscreditorsfrombeingcompetentwitnessestohiswill.(n)
SUBSECTION5.CodicilsandIncorporationbyReference
Art.825.Acodicilissupplementoradditiontoawill,madeaftertheexecutionofawillandannexedtobetaken
asapartthereof,bywhichdispositionmadeintheoriginalwillisexplained,addedto,oraltered.(n)
Art.826.Inorderthatacodicilmaybeeffective,itshallbeexecutedasinthecaseofawill.(n)
Art. 827. If a will, executed as required by this Code, incorporates into itself by reference any document or
paper, such document or paper shall not be considered a part of the will unless the following requisites are
present:
(1)Thedocumentorpaperreferredtointhewillmustbeinexistenceatthetimeoftheexecutionofthe
will
(2)Thewillmustclearlydescribeandidentifythesame,statingamongotherthingsthenumberofpages
thereof
(3)Itmustbeidentifiedbyclearandsatisfactoryproofasthedocumentorpaperreferredtothereinand
(4)Itmustbesignedbythetestatorandthewitnessesoneachandeverypage,exceptincaseofvoluminous
booksofaccountorinventories.(n)
SUBSECTION6.RevocationofWillsandTestamentaryDispositions
Art.828.Awillmayberevokedbythetestatoratanytimebeforehisdeath.Anywaiverorrestrictionofthis
rightisvoid.(737a)
Art.829.ArevocationdoneoutsidethePhilippines,byapersonwhodoesnothavehisdomicileinthiscountry,is
validwhenitisdoneaccordingtothelawoftheplacewherethewillwasmade,oraccordingtothelawofthe
placeinwhichthetestatorhadhisdomicileatthetimeandiftherevocationtakesplaceinthiscountry,whenit
isinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisCode.(n)
Art.830.Nowillshallberevokedexceptinthefollowingcases:
(1)Byimplicationoflawor
(2)Bysomewill,codicil,orotherwritingexecutedasprovidedincaseofwillsor
(3)Byburning,tearing,cancelling,orobliteratingthewillwiththeintentionofrevokingit,bythetestator
himself,orbysomeotherpersoninhispresence,andbyhisexpressdirection.Ifburned,torn,cancelled,or
obliterated by some other person, without the express direction of the testator, the will may still be
established,andtheestatedistributedinaccordancetherewith,ifitscontents,anddueexecution,andthe
factofitsunauthorizeddestruction,cancellation,orobliterationareestablishedaccordingtotheRulesof
Court.(n)
Art. 831. Subsequent wills which do not revoke the previous ones in an express manner, annul only such
dispositionsinthepriorwillsasareinconsistentwithorcontrarytothosecontainedinthelatterwills.(n)
Art.832.Arevocationmadeinasubsequentwillshalltakeeffect,evenifthenewwillshouldbecomeinoperative
byreasonoftheincapacityoftheheirs,deviseesorlegateesdesignatedtherein,orbytheirrenunciation.(740a)
Art.833.Arevocationofawillbasedonafalsecauseoranillegalcauseisnullandvoid.(n)
Art.834.Therecognitionofanillegitimatechilddoesnotloseitslegaleffect,eventhoughthewillwhereinitwas
madeshouldberevoked.(714)
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SUBSECTION7.RepublicationandRevivalofWills
Art.835.Thetestatorcannotrepublish,withoutreproducinginasubsequentwill,thedispositionscontainedina
previousonewhichisvoidastoitsform.(n)
Art.836.Theexecutionofacodicilreferringtoapreviouswillhastheeffectofrepublishingthewillasmodified
bythecodicil.(n)
Art.837.Ifaftermakingawill,thetestatormakesasecondwillexpresslyrevokingthefirst,therevocationofthe
secondwilldoesnotrevivethefirstwill,whichcanberevivedonlybyanotherwillorcodicil.(739a)
SUBSECTION8.AllowanceandDisallowanceofWills
Art.838.Nowillshallpasseitherrealorpersonalpropertyunlessitisprovedandallowedinaccordancewith
theRulesofCourt.
Thetestatorhimselfmay,duringhislifetime,petitionthecourthavingjurisdictionfortheallowanceofhiswill.
Insuchcase,thepertinentprovisionsoftheRulesofCourtfortheallowanceofwillsafterthetestator'sadeath
shallgovern.
The Supreme Court shall formulate such additional Rules of Court as may be necessary for the allowance of
willsonpetitionofthetestator.
Subject to the right of appeal, the allowance of the will, either during the lifetime of the testator or after his
death,shallbeconclusiveastoitsdueexecution.(n)
Art.839.Thewillshallbedisallowedinanyofthefollowingcases:
(1)Iftheformalitiesrequiredbylawhavenotbeencompliedwith
(2)Ifthetestatorwasinsane,orotherwisementallyincapableofmakingawill,atthetimeofitsexecution
(3)Ifitwasexecutedthroughforceorunderduress,ortheinfluenceoffear,orthreats
(4)Ifitwasprocuredbyundueandimproperpressureandinfluence,onthepartofthebeneficiaryorof
someotherperson
(5)Ifthesignatureofthetestatorwasprocuredbyfraud
(6)Ifthetestatoractedbymistakeordidnotintendthattheinstrumenthesignedshouldbehiswillatthe
timeofaffixinghissignaturethereto.(n)
SECTION2.InstitutionofHeir
Art.840.Institutionofheirisanactbyvirtueofwhichatestatordesignatesinhiswillthepersonorpersonswho
aretosucceedhiminhispropertyandtransmissiblerightsandobligations.(n)
Art. 841. A will shall be valid even though it should not contain an institution of an heir, or such institution
shouldnotcomprisetheentireestate,andeventhoughthepersonsoinstitutedshouldnotaccepttheinheritance
orshouldbeincapacitatedtosucceed.
In such cases the testamentary dispositions made in accordance with law shall be complied with and the
remainderoftheestateshallpasstothelegalheirs.(764)
Art.842.Onewhohasnocompulsoryheirsmaydisposebywillofallhisestateoranypartofitinfavorofany
personhavingcapacitytosucceed.
Onewhohascompulsoryheirsmaydisposeofhisestateprovidedhedoesnotcontravenetheprovisionsofthis
Codewithregardtothelegitimeofsaidheirs.(763a)
Art.843.Thetestatorshalldesignatetheheirbyhisnameandsurname,andwhentherearetwopersonshaving
thesamenames,heshallindicatesomecircumstancebywhichtheinstitutedheirmaybeknown.
Eventhoughthetestatormayhaveomittedthenameoftheheir,shouldhedesignatehiminsuchmannerthat
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therecanbenodoubtastowhohasbeeninstituted,theinstitutionshallbevalid.(772)
Art.844.Anerrorinthename,surname,orcircumstancesoftheheirshallnotvitiatetheinstitutionwhenitis
possible,inanyothermanner,toknowwithcertaintythepersoninstituted.
Ifamongpersonshavingthesamenamesandsurnames,thereisasimilarityofcircumstancesinsuchawaythat,
evenwiththeuseoftheotherproof,thepersoninstitutedcannotbeidentified,noneofthemshallbeanheir.(773a)
Art.845.Everydispositioninfavorofanunknownpersonshallbevoid,unlessbysomeeventorcircumstance
hisidentitybecomescertain.However,adispositioninfavorofadefiniteclassorgroupofpersonsshallbevalid.
(750a)
Art.846.Heirsinstitutedwithoutdesignationofsharesshallinheritinequalparts.(765)
Art.847.Whenthetestatorinstitutessomeheirsindividuallyandotherscollectivelyaswhenhesays,"Idesignate
as my heirs A and B, and the children of C," those collectively designated shall be considered as individually
instituted,unlessitclearlyappearsthattheintentionofthetestatorwasotherwise.(769a)
Art.848.Ifthetestatorshouldinstitutehisbrothersandsisters,andhehassomeoffullbloodandothersofhalf
blood,theinheritanceshallbedistributedequallyunlessadifferentintentionappears.(770a)
Art.849.Whenthetestatorcallstothesuccessionapersonandhischildrentheyarealldeemedtohavebeen
institutedsimultaneouslyandnotsuccessively.(771)
Art.850.Thestatementofafalsecausefortheinstitutionofanheirshallbeconsideredasnotwritten,unlessit
appearsfromthewillthatthetestatorwouldnothavemadesuchinstitutionifhehadknownthefalsityofsuch
cause.(767a)
Art. 851. If the testator has instituted only one heir, and the institution is limited to an aliquot part of the
inheritance,legalsuccessiontakesplacewithrespecttotheremainderoftheestate.
Thesameruleappliesifthetestatorhasinstitutedseveralheirs,eachbeinglimitedtoanaliquotpart,andallthe
partsdonotcoverthewholeinheritance.(n)
Art. 852. If it was the intention of the testator that the instituted heirs should become sole heirs to the whole
estate,orthewholefreeportion,asthecasemaybe,andeachofthemhasbeeninstitutedtoanaliquotpartof
the inheritance and their aliquot parts together do not cover the whole inheritance, or the whole free portion,
eachpartshallbeincreasedproportionally.(n)
Art.853.Ifeachoftheinstitutedheirshasbeengivenanaliquotpartoftheinheritance,andthepartstogether
exceed the whole inheritance, or the whole free portion, as the case may be, each part shall be reduced
proportionally.(n)
Art.854.Thepreteritionoromissionofone,some,orallofthecompulsoryheirsinthedirectline,whetherliving
atthetimeoftheexecutionofthewillorbornafterthedeathofthetestator,shallannultheinstitutionofheir
butthedevisesandlegaciesshallbevalidinsofarastheyarenotinofficious.
Iftheomittedcompulsoryheirsshoulddiebeforethetestator,theinstitutionshallbeeffectual,withoutprejudice
totherightofrepresentation.(814a)
Art.855.Theshareofachildordescendantomittedinawillmustfirstbetakenfromthepartoftheestatenot
disposedofbythewill,ifanyifthatisnotsufficient,somuchasmaybenecessarymustbetakenproportionally
fromthesharesoftheothercompulsoryheirs.(1080a)
Art.856.Avoluntaryheirwhodiesbeforethetestatortransmitsnothingtohisheirs.
Acompulsoryheirwhodiesbeforethetestator,apersonincapacitatedtosucceed,andonewhorenouncesthe
inheritance,shalltransmitnorighttohisownheirsexceptincasesexpresslyprovidedforinthisCode.(766a)
SECTION3.SubstitutionofHeirs
Art.857.Substitutionistheappointmentofanotherheirsothathemayenterintotheinheritanceindefaultof
theheiroriginallyinstituted.(n)
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Art.858.Substitutionofheirsmaybe:
(1)Simpleorcommon
(2)Brieforcompendious
(3)Reciprocalor
(4)Fideicommissary.(n)
Art.859.Thetestatormaydesignateoneormorepersonstosubstitutetheheirorheirsinstitutedincasesuch
heirorheirsshoulddiebeforehim,orshouldnotwish,orshouldbeincapacitatedtoaccepttheinheritance.
Asimplesubstitution,withoutastatementofthecasestowhichitrefers,shallcomprisethethreementionedin
theprecedingparagraph,unlessthetestatorhasotherwiseprovided.(774)
Art.860.Twoormorepersonsmaybesubstitutedforoneandonepersonfortwoormoreheirs.(778)
Art.861.Ifheirsinstitutedinunequalsharesshouldbereciprocallysubstituted,thesubstituteshallacquirethe
share of the heir who dies, renounces, or is incapacitated, unless it clearly appears that the intention of the
testatorwasotherwise.Iftherearemorethanonesubstitute,theyshallhavethesameshareinthesubstitutionas
intheinstitution.(779a)
Art. 862. The substitute shall be subject to the same charges and conditions imposed upon the instituted heir,
unlessandtestatorhasexpresslyprovidedthecontrary,orthechargesorconditionsarepersonallyapplicable
onlytotheheirinstituted.(780)
Art.863.Afideicommissarysubstitutionbyvirtueofwhichthefiduciaryorfirstheirinstitutedisentrustedwith
theobligationtopreserveandtotransmittoasecondheirthewholeorpartoftheinheritance,shallbevalidand
shall take effect, provided such substitution does not go beyond one degree from the heir originally instituted,
andprovidedfurther,thatthefiduciaryorfirstheirandthesecondheirarelivingatthetimeofthedeathofthe
testator.(781a)
Art.864.Afideicommissarysubstitutioncanneverburdenthelegitime.(782a)
Art.865.Everyfideicommissarysubstitutionmustbeexpresslymadeinorderthatitmaybevalid.
Thefiduciaryshallbeobligedtodelivertheinheritancetothesecondheir,withoutotherdeductionsthanthose
whicharisefromlegitimateexpenses,creditsandimprovements,saveinthecasewherethetestatorhasprovided
otherwise.(783)
Art.866.Thesecondheirshallacquirearighttothesuccessionfromthetimeofthetestator'sdeath,eventhough
heshoulddiebeforethefiduciary.Therightofthesecondheirshallpasstohisheirs.(784)
Art.867.Thefollowingshallnottakeeffect:
(1) Fideicommissary substitutions which are not made in an express manner, either by giving them this
name,orimposinguponthefiduciarytheabsoluteobligationtodeliverthepropertytoasecondheir
(2) Provisions which contain a perpetual prohibition to alienate, and even a temporary one, beyond the
limitfixedinarticle863
(3)Thosewhichimposeupontheheirthechargeofpayingtovariouspersonssuccessively,beyondthelimit
prescribedinarticle863,acertainincomeorpension
(4)Thosewhichleavetoapersonthewholepartofthehereditarypropertyinorderthathemayapplyor
investthesameaccordingtosecretinstructionscommunicatedtohimbythetestator.(785a)
Art.868.Thenullityofthefideicommissarysubstitutiondoesnotprejudicethevalidityoftheinstitutionofthe
heirsfirstdesignatedthefideicommissaryclauseshallsimplybeconsideredasnotwritten.(786)
Art.869.Aprovisionwherebythetestatorleavestoapersonthewholeorpartoftheinheritance,andtoanother
theusufruct,shallbevalid.Ifhegivestheusufructtovariouspersons,notsimultaneously,butsuccessively,the
provisionsofArticle863shallapply.(787a)
Art.870.Thedispositionsofthetestatordeclaringallorpartoftheestateinalienableformorethantwentyyears
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arevoid.(n)
SECTION4.ConditionalTestamentaryDispositions
andTestamentaryDispositionsWithaTerm
Art.871.Theinstitutionofanheirmaybemadeconditionally,orforacertainpurposeorcause.(790a)
Art. 872. The testator cannot impose any charge, condition, or substitution whatsoever upon the legitimes
prescribedinthisCode.Shouldhedoso,thesameshallbeconsideredasnotimposed.(813a)
Art.873.Impossibleconditionsandthosecontrarytolaworgoodcustomsshallbeconsideredasnotimposed
andshallinnomannerprejudicetheheir,evenifthetestatorshouldotherwiseprovide.(792a)
Art.874.Anabsoluteconditionnottocontractafirstorsubsequentmarriageshallbeconsideredasnotwritten
unless such condition has been imposed on the widow or widower by the deceased spouse, or by the latter's
ascendantsordescendants.
Nevertheless,therightofusufruct,oranallowanceorsomepersonalprestationmaybedevisedorbequeathedto
anypersonforthetimeduringwhichheorsheshouldremainunmarriedorinwidowhood.(793a)
Art.875.Anydispositionmadeupontheconditionthattheheirshallmakesomeprovisioninhiswillinfavorof
thetestatororofanyotherpersonshallbevoid.(794a)
Art.876.Anypurelypotestativeconditionimposeduponanheirmustbefulfilledbyhimassoonashelearnsof
thetestator'sdeath.
Thisruleshallnotapplywhenthecondition,alreadycompliedwith,cannotbefulfilledagain.(795a)
Art.877.Iftheconditioniscasualormixed,itshallbesufficientifithappensorbefulfilledatanytimebeforeor
afterthedeathofthetestator,unlesshehasprovidedotherwise.
Should it have existed or should it have been fulfilled at the time the will was executed and the testator was
unawarethereof,itshallbedeemedascompliedwith.
Ifhehadknowledgethereof,theconditionshallbeconsideredfulfilledonlywhenitisofsuchanaturethatitcan
nolongerexistorbecompliedwithagain.(796)
Art.878.Adispositionwithasuspensivetermdoesnotpreventtheinstitutedheirfromacquiringhisrightsand
transmittingthemtohisheirsevenbeforethearrivaloftheterm.(799a)
Art. 879. If the potestative condition imposed upon the heir is negative, or consists in not doing or not giving
something,heshallcomplybygivingasecuritythathewillnotdoorgivethatwhichhasbeenprohibitedbythe
testator,andthatincaseofcontraventionhewillreturnwhateverhemayhavereceived,togetherwithitsfruits
andinterests.(800a)
Art. 880. If the heir be instituted under a suspensive condition or term, the estate shall be placed under
administrationuntiltheconditionisfulfilled,oruntilitbecomescertainthatitcannotbefulfilled,oruntilthe
arrivaloftheterm.
Thesameshallbedoneiftheheirdoesnotgivethesecurityrequiredintheprecedingarticle.(801a)
Art.881.Theappointmentoftheadministratoroftheestatementionedintheprecedingarticle,aswellasthe
manneroftheadministrationandtherightsandobligationsoftheadministratorshallbegovernedbytheRules
ofCourt.(804a)
Art.882.Thestatementoftheobjectoftheinstitution,ortheapplicationofthepropertyleftbythetestator,or
thechargeimposedbyhim,shallnotbeconsideredasaconditionunlessitappearsthatsuchwashisintention.
Thatwhichhasbeenleftinthismannermaybeclaimedatonceprovidedthattheinstitutedheirorhisheirsgive
security for compliance with the wishes of the testator and for the return of anything he or they may receive,
togetherwithitsfruitsandinterests,ifheortheyshoulddisregardthisobligation.(797a)
Art.883.Whenwithoutthefaultoftheheir,aninstitutionreferredtointheprecedingarticlecannottakeeffect
in the exact manner stated by the testator, it shall be complied with in a manner most analogous to and in
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conformitywithhiswishes.
Ifthepersoninterestedintheconditionshouldpreventitsfulfillment,withoutthefaultoftheheir,thecondition
shallbedeemedtohavebeencompliedwith.(798a)
Art. 884. Conditions imposed by the testator upon the heirs shall be governed by the rules established for
conditionalobligationsinallmattersnotprovidedforbythisSection.(791a)
Art.885.Thedesignationofthedayortimewhentheeffectsoftheinstitutionofanheirshallcommenceorcease
shallbevalid.
Inbothcases,thelegalheirshallbeconsideredascalledtothesuccessionuntilthearrivaloftheperiodorits
expiration. But in the first case he shall not enter into possession of the property until after having given
sufficientsecurity,withtheinterventionoftheinstitutedheir.(805)
SECTION5.Legitime
Art.886.Legitimeisthatpartofthetestator'spropertywhichhecannotdisposeofbecausethelawhasreserved
itforcertainheirswhoare,therefore,calledcompulsoryheirs.(806)
Art.887.Thefollowingarecompulsoryheirs:
(1)Legitimatechildrenanddescendants,withrespecttotheirlegitimateparentsandascendants
(2)Indefaultoftheforegoing,legitimateparentsandascendants,withrespecttotheirlegitimatechildren
anddescendants
(3)Thewidoworwidower
(4)Acknowledgednaturalchildren,andnaturalchildrenbylegalfiction
(5)OtherillegitimatechildrenreferredtoinArticle287.
Compulsory heirs mentioned in Nos. 3, 4, and 5 are not excluded by those in Nos. 1 and 2 neither do they
excludeoneanother.
Inallcasesofillegitimatechildren,theirfiliationmustbedulyproved.
The father or mother of illegitimate children of the three classes mentioned, shall inherit from them in the
mannerandtotheextentestablishedbythisCode.(807a)
Art.888.Thelegitimeoflegitimatechildrenanddescendantsconsistsofonehalfofthehereditaryestateofthe
fatherandofthemother.
The latter may freely dispose of the remaining half, subject to the rights of illegitimate children and of the
survivingspouseashereinafterprovided.(808a)
Art.889.Thelegitimeoflegitimateparentsorascendantsconsistsofonehalfofthehereditaryestatesoftheir
childrenanddescendants.
Thechildrenordescendantsmayfreelydisposeoftheotherhalf,subjecttotherightsofillegitimatechildrenand
ofthesurvivingspouseashereinafterprovided.(809a)
Art. 890. The legitime reserved for the legitimate parents shall be divided between them equally if one of the
parentsshouldhavedied,thewholeshallpasstothesurvivor.
Ifthetestatorleavesneitherfathernormother,butissurvivedbyascendantsofequaldegreeofthepaternaland
maternallines,thelegitimeshallbedividedequallybetweenbothlines.Iftheascendantsshouldbeofdifferent
degrees,itshallpertainentirelytotheonesnearestindegreeofeitherline.(810)
Art.891.Theascendantwhoinheritsfromhisdescendantanypropertywhichthelattermayhaveacquiredby
gratuitoustitlefromanotherascendant,orabrotherorsister,isobligedtoreservesuchpropertyashemayhave
acquiredbyoperationoflawforthebenefitofrelativeswhoarewithinthethirddegreeandwhobelongtothe
linefromwhichsaidpropertycame.(871)
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Art. 892. If only one legitimate child or descendant of the deceased survives, the widow or widower shall be
entitledtoonefourthofthehereditaryestate.Incaseofalegalseparation,thesurvivingspousemayinheritifit
wasthedeceasedwhohadgivencauseforthesame.
Iftherearetwoormorelegitimatechildrenordescendants,thesurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoaportion
equaltothelegitimeofeachofthelegitimatechildrenordescendants.
Inbothcases,thelegitimeofthesurvivingspouseshallbetakenfromtheportionthatcanbefreelydisposedof
bythetestator.(834a)
Art.893.Ifthetestatorleavesnolegitimatedescendants,butleaveslegitimateascendants,thesurvivingspouse
shallhavearighttoonefourthofthehereditaryestate.
Thisfourthshallbetakenfromthefreeportionoftheestate.(836a)
Art. 894. If the testator leaves illegitimate children, the surviving spouse shall be entitled to onethird of the
hereditaryestateofthedeceasedandtheillegitimatechildrentoanotherthird.Theremainingthirdshallbeat
thefreedisposalofthetestator.(n)
Art. 895. The legitime of each of the acknowledged natural children and each of the natural children by legal
fictionshallconsistofonehalfofthelegitimeofeachofthelegitimatechildrenordescendants.
Thelegitimeofanillegitimatechildwhoisneitheranacknowledgednatural,noranaturalchildbylegalfiction,
shallbeequalineverycasetofourfifthsofthelegitimeofanacknowledgednaturalchild.
Thelegitimeoftheillegitimatechildrenshallbetakenfromtheportionoftheestateatthefreedisposalofthe
testator, provided that in no case shall the total legitime of such illegitimate children exceed that free portion,
andthatthelegitimeofthesurvivingspousemustfirstbefullysatisfied.(840a)
Art. 896. Illegitimate children who may survive with legitimate parents or ascendants of the deceased shall be
entitledtoonefourthofthehereditaryestatetobetakenfromtheportionatthefreedisposalofthetestator.(841a)
Art. 897. When the widow or widower survives with legitimate children or descendants, and acknowledged
naturalchildren,ornaturalchildrenbylegalfiction,suchsurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtoaportionequalto
thelegitimeofeachofthelegitimatechildrenwhichmustbetakenfromthatpartoftheestatewhichthetestator
canfreelydisposeof.(n)
Art. 898. If the widow or widower survives with legitimate children or descendants, and with illegitimate
childrenotherthanacknowledgednatural,ornaturalchildrenbylegalfiction,theshareofthesurvivingspouse
shallbethesameasthatprovidedintheprecedingarticle.(n)
Art. 899. When the widow or widower survives with legitimate parents or ascendants and with illegitimate
children,suchsurvivingspouseshallbeentitledtooneeighthofthehereditaryestateofthedeceasedwhichmust
betakenfromthefreeportion,andtheillegitimatechildrenshallbeentitledtoonefourthoftheestatewhich
shallbetakenalsofromthedisposableportion.Thetestatormayfreelydisposeoftheremainingoneeighthof
theestate.(n)
Art.900.Iftheonlysurvivoristhewidoworwidower,sheorheshallbeentitledtoonehalfofthehereditary
estateofthedeceasedspouse,andthetestatormayfreelydisposeoftheotherhalf.(837a)
Ifthemarriagebetweenthesurvivingspouseandthetestatorwassolemnizedinarticulomortis,andthetestator
diedwithinthreemonthsfromthetimeofthemarriage,thelegitimeofthesurvivingspouseasthesoleheirshall
beonethirdofthehereditaryestate,exceptwhentheyhavebeenlivingashusbandandwifeformorethanfive
years.Inthelattercase,thelegitimeofthesurvivingspouseshallbethatspecifiedintheprecedingparagraph.(n)
Art. 901. When the testator dies leaving illegitimate children and no other compulsory heirs, such illegitimate
childrenshallhavearighttoonehalfofthehereditaryestateofthedeceased.
Theotherhalfshallbeatthefreedisposalofthetestator.(842a)
Art.902.Therightsofillegitimatechildrensetforthintheprecedingarticlesaretransmittedupontheirdeathto
theirdescendants,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate.(843a)
Art. 903. The legitime of the parents who have an illegitimate child, when such child leaves neither legitimate
descendants, nor a surviving spouse, nor illegitimate children, is onehalf of the hereditary estate of such
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illegitimatechild.Ifonlylegitimateorillegitimatechildrenareleft,theparentsarenotentitledtoanylegitime
whatsoever. If only the widow or widower survives with parents of the illegitimate child, the legitime of the
parentsisonefourthofthehereditaryestateofthechild,andthatofthesurvivingspousealsoonefourthofthe
estate.(n)
Art.904.Thetestatorcannotdeprivehiscompulsoryheirsoftheirlegitime,exceptincasesexpresslyspecifiedby
law.
Neither can he impose upon the same any burden, encumbrance, condition, or substitution of any kind
whatsoever.(813a)
Art. 905. Every renunciation or compromise as regards a future legitime between the person owing it and his
compulsoryheirsisvoid,andthelattermayclaimthesameuponthedeathoftheformerbuttheymustbringto
collationwhatevertheymayhavereceivedbyvirtueoftherenunciationorcompromise.(816)
Art.906.Anycompulsoryheirtowhomthetestatorhasleftbyanytitlelessthanthelegitimebelongingtohim
maydemandthatthesamebefullysatisfied.(815)
Art.907.Testamentarydispositionsthatimpairordiminishthelegitimeofthecompulsoryheirsshallbereduced
onpetitionofthesame,insofarastheymaybeinofficiousorexcessive.(817)
Art.908.Todeterminethelegitime,thevalueofthepropertyleftatthedeathofthetestatorshallbeconsidered,
deductingalldebtsandcharges,whichshallnotincludethoseimposedinthewill.
Tothenetvalueofthehereditaryestate,shallbeaddedthevalueofalldonationsbythetestatorthataresubject
tocollation,atthetimehemadethem.(818a)
Art.909.Donationsgiventochildrenshallbechargedtotheirlegitime.
Donationsmadetostrangersshallbechargedtothatpartoftheestateofwhichthetestatorcouldhavedisposed
byhislastwill.
Insofarastheymaybeinofficiousormayexceedthedisposableportion,theyshallbereducedaccordingtothe
rulesestablishedbythisCode.(819a)
Art. 910. Donations which an illegitimate child may have received during the lifetime of his father or mother,
shallbechargedtohislegitime.
Shouldtheyexceedtheportionthatcanbefreelydisposedof,theyshallbereducedinthemannerprescribedby
thisCode.(847a)
Art.911.Afterthelegitimehasbeendeterminedinaccordancewiththethreeprecedingarticles,thereduction
shallbemadeasfollows:
(1)Donationsshallberespectedaslongasthelegitimecanbecovered,reducingorannulling,ifnecessary,
thedevisesorlegaciesmadeinthewill
(2)Thereductionofthedevisesorlegaciesshallbeprorata,withoutanydistinctionwhatever.
Ifthetestatorhasdirectedthatacertaindeviseorlegacybepaidinpreferencetoothers,itshallnotsuffer
anyreductionuntilthelatterhavebeenappliedinfulltothepaymentofthelegitime.
(3)Ifthedeviseorlegacyconsistsofausufructorlifeannuity,whosevaluemaybeconsideredgreaterthan
thatofthedisposableportion,thecompulsoryheirsmaychoosebetweencomplyingwiththetestamentary
provision and delivering to the devisee or legatee the part of the inheritance of which the testator could
freelydispose.(820a)
Art.912.Ifthedevisesubjecttoreductionshouldconsistofrealproperty,whichcannotbeconvenientlydivided,
it shall go to the devisee if the reduction does not absorb onehalf of its value and in a contrary case, to the
compulsoryheirsbuttheformerandthelattershallreimburseeachotherincashforwhatrespectivelybelongs
tothem.
Thedeviseewhoisentitledtoalegitimemayretaintheentireproperty,provideditsvaluedoesnotexceedthatof
thedisposableportionandofthesharepertainingtohimaslegitime.(821)
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Art.913.Iftheheirsordeviseesdonotchoosetoavailthemselvesoftherightgrantedbytheprecedingarticle,
anyheirordeviseewhodidnothavesuchrightmayexerciseitshouldthelatternotmakeuseofit,theproperty
shallbesoldatpublicauctionattheinstanceofanyoneoftheinterestedparties.(822)
Art.914.Thetestatormaydeviseandbequeaththefreeportionashemaydeemfit.(n)
SECTION6.Disinheritance
Art. 915. A compulsory heir may, in consequence of disinheritance, be deprived of his legitime, for causes
expresslystatedbylaw.(848a)
Art.916.Disinheritancecanbeeffectedonlythroughawillwhereinthelegalcausethereforshallbespecified.
(849)
Art.917.Theburdenofprovingthetruthofthecausefordisinheritanceshallrestupontheotherheirsofthe
testator,ifthedisinheritedheirshoulddenyit.(850)
Art.918.Disinheritancewithoutaspecificationofthecause,orforacausethetruthofwhich,ifcontradicted,is
notproved,orwhichisnotoneofthosesetforthinthisCode,shallannultheinstitutionofheirsinsofarasitmay
prejudicethepersondisinheritedbutthedevisesandlegaciesandothertestamentarydispositionsshallbevalid
tosuchextentaswillnotimpairthelegitime.(851a)
Art.919.Thefollowingshallbesufficientcausesforthedisinheritanceofchildrenanddescendants,legitimateas
wellasillegitimate:
(1)Whenachildordescendanthasbeenfoundguiltyofanattemptagainstthelifeofthetestator,hisor
herspouse,descendants,orascendants
(2) When a child or descendant has accused the testator of a crime for which the law prescribes
imprisonmentforsixyearsormore,iftheaccusationhasbeenfoundgroundless
(3) When a child or descendant has been convicted of adultery or concubinage with the spouse of the
testator
(4)Whenachildordescendantbyfraud,violence,intimidation,orundueinfluencecausesthetestatorto
makeawillortochangeonealreadymade
(5) A refusal without justifiable cause to support the parent or ascendant who disinherits such child or
descendant
(6)Maltreatmentofthetestatorbywordordeed,bythechildordescendant
(7)Whenachildordescendantleadsadishonorableordisgracefullife
(8)Convictionofacrimewhichcarrieswithitthepenaltyofcivilinterdiction.(756,853,674a)
Art. 920. The following shall be sufficient causes for the disinheritance of parents or ascendants, whether
legitimateorillegitimate:
(1) When the parents have abandoned their children or induced their daughters to live a corrupt or
immorallife,orattemptedagainsttheirvirtue
(2)Whentheparentorascendanthasbeenconvictedofanattemptagainstthelifeofthetestator,hisor
herspouse,descendants,orascendants
(3) When the parent or ascendant has accused the testator of a crime for which the law prescribes
imprisonmentforsixyearsormore,iftheaccusationhasbeenfoundtobefalse
(4) When the parent or ascendant has been convicted of adultery or concubinage with the spouse of the
testator
(5)Whentheparentorascendantbyfraud,violence,intimidation,orundueinfluencecausesthetestatorto
makeawillortochangeonealreadymade
(6)ThelossofparentalauthorityforcausesspecifiedinthisCode
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(7)Therefusaltosupportthechildrenordescendantswithoutjustifiablecause
(8) An attempt by one of the parents against the life of the other, unless there has been a reconciliation
betweenthem.(756,854,674a)
Art.921.Thefollowingshallbesufficientcausesfordisinheritingaspouse:
(1) When the spouse has been convicted of an attempt against the life of the testator, his or her
descendants,orascendants
(2)Whenthespousehasaccusedthetestatorofacrimeforwhichthelawprescribesimprisonmentofsix
yearsormore,andtheaccusationhasbeenfoundtobefalse
(3)Whenthespousebyfraud,violence,intimidation,orundueinfluencecausethetestatortomakeawill
ortochangeonealreadymade
(4)Whenthespousehasgivencauseforlegalseparation
(5)Whenthespousehasgivengroundsforthelossofparentalauthority
(6)Unjustifiablerefusaltosupportthechildrenortheotherspouse.(756,855,674a)
Art. 922. A subsequent reconciliation between the offender and the offended person deprives the latter of the
righttodisinherit,andrendersineffectualanydisinheritancethatmayhavebeenmade.(856)
Art.923.Thechildrenanddescendantsofthepersondisinheritedshalltakehisorherplaceandshallpreserve
therightsofcompulsoryheirswithrespecttothelegitimebutthedisinheritedparentshallnothavetheusufruct
oradministrationofthepropertywhichconstitutesthelegitime.(857)
SECTION7.LegaciesandDevises
Art.924.Allthingsandrightswhicharewithinthecommerceofmanbebequeathedordevised.(865a)
Art.925.Atestatormaychargewithlegaciesanddevisesnotonlyhiscompulsoryheirsbutalsothelegateesand
devisees.
The latter shall be liable for the charge only to the extent of the value of the legacy or the devise received by
them.Thecompulsoryheirsshallnotbeliableforthechargebeyondtheamountofthefreeportiongiventhem.
(858a)
Art.926.Whenthetestatorchargesoneoftheheirswithalegacyordevise,healoneshallbebound.
Shouldhenotchargeanyoneinparticular,allshallbeliableinthesameproportioninwhichtheymayinherit.
(859)
Art. 927. If two or more heirs take possession of the estate, they shall be solidarily liable for the loss or
destructionofathingdevisedorbequeathed,eventhoughonlyoneofthemshouldhavebeennegligent.(n)
Art.928.Theheirwhoisboundtodeliverthelegacyordeviseshallbeliableincaseofeviction,ifthethingis
indeterminateandisindicatedonlybyitskind.(860)
Art.929.Ifthetestator,heir,orlegateeownsonlyapartof,oraninterestinthethingbequeathed,thelegacyor
deviseshallbeunderstoodlimitedtosuchpartorinterest,unlessthetestatorexpresslydeclaresthathegivesthe
thinginitsentirety.(864a)
Art.930.Thelegacyordeviseofathingbelongingtoanotherpersonisvoid,ifthetestatorerroneouslybelieved
thatthethingpertainedtohim.Butifthethingbequeathed,thoughnotbelongingtothetestatorwhenhemade
thewill,afterwardsbecomeshis,bywhatevertitle,thedispositionshalltakeeffect.(862a)
Art.931.Ifthetestatorordersthatathingbelongingtoanotherbeacquiredinorderthatitbegiventoalegatee
ordevisee,theheiruponwhomtheobligationisimposedortheestatemustacquireitandgivethesametothe
legatee or devisee but if the owner of the thing refuses to alienate the same, or demands an excessive price
therefor,theheirortheestateshallonlybeobligedtogivethejustvalueofthething.(861a)
Art.932.Thelegacyordeviseofathingwhichatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewillalreadybelongedtothe
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legateeordeviseeshallbeineffective,eventhoughanotherpersonmayhavesomeinteresttherein.
Ifthetestatorexpresslyordersthatthethingbefreedfromsuchinterestorencumbrance,thelegacyordevise
shallbevalidtothatextent.(866a)
Art.933.Ifthethingbequeathedbelongedtothelegateeordeviseeatthetimeoftheexecutionofthewill,the
legacyordeviseshallbewithouteffect,eventhoughitmayhavesubsequentlyalienatedbyhim.
Ifthelegateeordeviseeacquiresitgratuitouslyaftersuchtime,hecanclaimnothingbyvirtueofthelegacyor
devisebutifithasbeenacquiredbyoneroustitlehecandemandreimbursementfromtheheirortheestate.(878a)
Art.934.Ifthetestatorshouldbequeathordevisesomethingpledgedormortgagedtosecurearecoverabledebt
beforetheexecutionofthewill,theestateisobligedtopaythedebt,unlessthecontraryintentionappears.
Thesameruleapplieswhenthethingispledgedormortgagedaftertheexecutionofthewill.
Anyothercharge,perpetualortemporary,withwhichthethingbequeathedisburdened,passeswithittothe
legateeordevisee.(867a)
Art.935.Thelegacyofacreditagainstathirdpersonoroftheremissionorreleaseofadebtofthelegateeshall
beeffectiveonlyasregardsthatpartofthecreditordebtexistingatthetimeofthedeathofthetestator.
Inthefirstcase,theestateshallcomplywiththelegacybyassigningtothelegateeallrightsofactionitmayhave
againstthedebtor.Inthesecondcase,bygivingthelegateeanacquittance,shouldherequestone.
Inbothcases,thelegacyshallcompriseallinterestsonthecreditordebtwhichmaybeduethetestatoratthe
timeofhisdeath.(870a)
Art.936.Thelegacyreferredtointheprecedingarticleshalllapseifthetestator,afterhavingmadeit,should
bring an action against the debtor for the payment of his debt, even if such payment should not have been
effectedatthetimeofhisdeath.
Thelegacytothedebtorofthethingpledgedbyhimisunderstoodtodischargeonlytherightofpledge.(871)
Art.937.Agenericlegacyofreleaseorremissionofdebtscomprisesthoseexistingatthetimeoftheexecutionof
thewill,butnotsubsequentones.(872)
Art.938.Alegacyordevisemadetoacreditorshallnotbeappliedtohiscredit,unlessthetestatorsoexpressly
declares.
Inthelattercase,thecreditorshallhavetherighttocollecttheexcess,ifany,ofthecreditorofthelegacyor
devise.(837a)
Art.939.Ifthetestatorordersthepaymentofwhathebelievesheowesbutdoesnotinfactowe,thedisposition
shallbeconsideredasnotwritten.Ifasregardsaspecifieddebtmorethantheamountthereofisorderedpaid,
theexcessisnotdue,unlessacontraryintentionappears.
Theforegoingprovisionsarewithoutprejudicetothefulfillmentofnaturalobligations.(n)
Art.940.Inalternativelegaciesordevises,thechoiceispresumedtobelefttotheheiruponwhomtheobligation
togivethelegacyordevisemaybeimposed,ortheexecutororadministratoroftheestateifnoparticularheiris
soobliged.
Iftheheir,legateeordevisee,whomayhavebeengiventhechoice,diesbeforemakingit,thisrightshallpassto
therespectiveheirs.
Oncemade,thechoiceisirrevocable.
Inthealternativelegaciesordevises,exceptashereinprovided,theprovisionsofthisCoderegulatingobligations
ofthesamekindshallbeobserved,savesuchmodificationsasmayappearfromtheintentionexpressedbythe
testator.(874a)
Art.941.Alegacyofgenericpersonalpropertyshallbevalideveniftherebenothingsofthesamekindinthe
estate.
A devise of indeterminate real property shall be valid only if there be immovable property of its kind in the
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estate.
Therightofchoiceshallbelongtotheexecutororadministratorwhoshallcomplywiththelegacybythedelivery
ofathingwhichisneitherofinferiornorofsuperiorquality.(875a)
Art.942.Wheneverthetestatorexpresslyleavestherightofchoicetotheheir,ortothelegateeordevisee,the
formermaygiveorthelattermaychoosewhicheverhemayprefer.(876a)
Art.943.Iftheheir,legateeordeviseecannotmakethechoice,incaseithasbeengrantedhim,hisrightshall
passtohisheirsbutachoiceoncemadeshallbeirrevocable.(877a)
Art.944.Alegacyforeducationlastsuntilthelegateeisofage,orbeyondtheageofmajorityinorderthatthe
legateemayfinishsomeprofessional,vocationalorgeneralcourse,providedhepursueshiscoursediligently.
Alegacyforsupportlastsduringthelifetimeofthelegatee,ifthetestatorhasnototherwiseprovided.
Ifthetestatorhasnotfixedtheamountofsuchlegacies,itshallbefixedinaccordancewiththesocialstanding
andthecircumstancesofthelegateeandthevalueoftheestate.
Ifthetestatororduringhislifetimeusedtogivethelegateeacertainsumofmoneyorotherthingsbywayof
support,thesameamountshallbedeemedbequeathed,unlessitbemarkedlydisproportionatetothevalueofthe
estate.(879a)
Art.945.Ifaperiodicalpension,oracertainannual,monthly,orweeklyamountisbequeathed,thelegateemay
petitionthecourtforthefirstinstallmentuponthedeathofthetestator,andforthefollowingoneswhichshallbe
due at the beginning of each period such payment shall not be returned, even though the legatee should die
beforetheexpirationoftheperiodwhichhascommenced.(880a)
Art.946.Ifthethingbequeathedshouldbesubjecttoausufruct,thelegateeordeviseeshallrespectsuchright
untilitislegallyextinguished.(868a)
Art.947.Thelegateeordeviseeacquiresarighttothepureandsimplelegaciesordevisesfromthedeathofthe
testator,andtransmitsittohisheirs.(881a)
Art.948.Ifthelegacyordeviceisofaspecificanddeterminatethingpertainingtothetestator,thelegateeor
deviseeacquirestheownershipthereofuponthedeathofthetestator,aswellasanygrowingfruits,orunborn
offspring of animals, or uncollected income but not the income which was due and unpaid before the latter's
death.
Fromthemomentofthetestator'sdeath,thethingbequeathedshallbeattheriskofthelegateeordevisee,who
shall, therefore, bear its loss or deterioration, and shall be benefited by its increase or improvement, without
prejudicetotheresponsibilityoftheexecutororadministrator.(882a)
Art.949.Ifthebequestshouldnotbeofaspecificanddeterminatething,butisgenericorofquantity,itsfruits
andinterestsfromthetimeofthedeathofthetestatorshallpertaintothelegateeordeviseeifthetestatorhas
expresslysoordered.(884a)
Art.950.Iftheestateshouldnotbesufficienttocoverallthelegaciesordevises,theirpaymentshallbemadein
thefollowingorder:
(1)Remuneratorylegaciesordevises
(2)Legaciesordevisesdeclaredbythetestatortobepreferential
(3)Legaciesforsupport
(4)Legaciesforeducation
(5)Legaciesordevisesofaspecific,determinatethingwhichformsapartoftheestate
(6)Allothersprorata.(887a)
Art.951.Thethingbequeathedshallbedeliveredwithallitsaccessoriesandaccessoriesandintheconditionin
whichitmaybeuponthedeathofthetestator.(883a)
Art.952.Theheir,chargedwithalegacyordevise,ortheexecutororadministratoroftheestate,mustdeliver
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theverythingbequeathedifheisabletodosoandcannotdischargethisobligationbypayingitsvalue.
Legaciesofmoneymustbepaidincash,eventhoughtheheirortheestatemaynothaveany.
Theexpensesnecessaryforthedeliveryofthethingbequeathedshallbefortheaccountoftheheirortheestate,
butwithoutprejudicetothelegitime.(886a)
Art.953.Thelegateeordeviseecannottakepossessionofthethingbequeatheduponhisownauthority,butshall
request its delivery and possession of the heir charged with the legacy or devise, or of the executor or
administratoroftheestateshouldhebeauthorizedbythecourttodeliverit.(885a)
Art.954.Thelegateeordeviseecannotacceptapartofthelegacyordeviseandrepudiatetheother,ifthelatter
beonerous.
Shouldhediebeforehavingacceptedthelegacyordevise,leavingseveralheirs,someofthelattermayaccept
andtheothersmayrepudiatethesharerespectivelybelongingtotheminthelegacyordevise.(889a)
Art.955.Thelegateeordeviseeoftwolegaciesordevises,oneofwhichisonerous,cannotrenouncetheonerous
one and accept the other. If both are onerous or gratuitous, he shall be free to accept or renounce both, or to
renounce either. But if the testator intended that the two legacies or devises should be inseparable from each
other,thelegateeordeviseemusteitheracceptorrenounceboth.
Any compulsory heir who is at the same time a legatee or devisee may waive the inheritance and accept the
legacyordevise,orrenouncethelatterandaccepttheformer,orwaiveoracceptboth.(890a)
Art.956.Ifthelegateeordeviseecannotorisunwillingtoacceptthelegacyordevise,orifthelegacyordevise
for any reason should become ineffective, it shall be merged into the mass of the estate, except in cases of
substitutionandoftherightofaccretion.(888a)
Art.957.Thelegacyordeviseshallbewithouteffect:
(1)Ifthetestatortransformsthethingbequeathedinsuchamannerthatitdoesnotretaineithertheform
orthedenominationithad
(2)Ifthetestatorbyanytitleorforanycausealienatesthethingbequeathedoranypartthereof,itbeing
understoodthatinthelattercasethelegacyordeviseshallbewithouteffectonlywithrespecttothepart
thusalienated.Ifafterthealienationthethingshouldagainbelongtothetestator,evenifitbebyreasonof
nullityofthecontract,thelegacyordeviseshallnotthereafterbevalid,unlessthereacquisitionshallhave
beeneffectedbyvirtueoftheexerciseoftherightofrepurchase
(3)Ifthethingbequeathedistotallylostduringthelifetimeofthetestator,orafterhisdeathwithoutthe
heir'sfault.Nevertheless,thepersonobligedtopaythelegacyordeviseshallbeliableforevictionifthe
thing bequeathed should not have been determinate as to its kind, in accordance with the provisions of
Article928.(869a)
Art.958.Amistakeastothenameofthethingbequeathedordevised,isofnoconsequence,ifitispossibleto
identifythethingwhichthetestatorintendedtobequeathordevise.(n)
Art.959.Adispositionmadeingeneraltermsinfavorofthetestator'srelativesshallbeunderstoodtobeinfavor
ofthosenearestindegree.(751)
CHAPTER3
LEGALORINTESTATESUCCESSION
SECTION1.GeneralProvisions
Art.960.Legalorintestatesuccessiontakesplace:
(1)Ifapersondieswithoutawill,orwithavoidwill,oronewhichhassubsequentlylostitsvalidity
(2)Whenthewilldoesnotinstituteanheirto,ordisposeofallthepropertybelongingtothetestator.In
suchcase,legalsuccessionshalltakeplaceonlywithrespecttothepropertyofwhichthetestatorhasnot
disposed
(3)Ifthesuspensiveconditionattachedtotheinstitutionofheirdoesnothappenorisnotfulfilled,orifthe
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heir dies before the testator, or repudiates the inheritance, there being no substitution, and no right of
accretiontakesplace
(4)Whentheheirinstitutedisincapableofsucceeding,exceptincasesprovidedinthisCode.(912a)
Art.961.Indefaultoftestamentaryheirs,thelawveststheinheritance,inaccordancewiththeruleshereinafter
setforth,inthelegitimateandillegitimaterelativesofthedeceased,inthesurvivingspouse,andintheState.(913a)
Art.962.Ineveryinheritance,therelativenearestindegreeexcludesthemoredistantones,savingtherightof
representationwhenitproperlytakesplace.
Relativesinthesamedegreeshallinheritinequalshares,subjecttotheprovisionsofarticle1006withrespectto
relativesofthefullandhalfblood,andofArticle987,paragraph2,concerningdivisionbetweenthepaternaland
maternallines.(912a)
SUBSECTION1.Relationship
Art.963.Proximityofrelationshipisdeterminedbythenumberofgenerations.Eachgenerationformsadegree.
(915)
Art.964.Aseriesofdegreesformsaline,whichmaybeeitherdirectorcollateral.
Adirectlineisthatconstitutedbytheseriesofdegreesamongascendantsanddescendants.
A collateral line is that constituted by the series of degrees among persons who are not ascendants and
descendants,butwhocomefromacommonancestor.(916a)
Art.965.Thedirectlineiseitherdescendingorascending.
Theformerunitestheheadofthefamilywiththosewhodescendfromhim.
Thelatterbindsapersonwiththosefromwhomhedescends.(917)
Art.966.Intheline,asmanydegreesarecountedastherearegenerationsorpersons,excludingtheprogenitor.
Inthedirectline,ascentismadetothecommonancestor.Thus,thechildisonedegreeremovedfromtheparent,
twofromthegrandfather,andthreefromthegreatgrandparent.
Inthecollateralline,ascentismadetothecommonancestorandthendescentismadetothepersonwithwhom
thecomputationistobemade.Thus,apersonistwodegreesremovedfromhisbrother,threefromhisuncle,
whoisthebrotherofhisfather,fourfromhisfirstcousin,andsoforth.(918a)
Art.967.Fullbloodrelationshipisthatexistingbetweenpersonswhohavethesamefatherandthesamemother.
Halfbloodrelationshipisthatexistingbetweenpersonswhohavethesamefather,butnotthesamemother,or
thesamemother,butnotthesamefather.(920a)
Art.968.Ifthereareseveralrelativesofthesamedegree,andoneorsomeofthemareunwillingorincapacitated
to succeed, his portion shall accrue to the others of the same degree, save the right of representation when it
shouldtakeplace.(922)
Art.969.Iftheinheritanceshouldberepudiatedbythenearestrelative,shouldtherebeoneonly,orbyallthe
nearestrelativescalledbylawtosucceed,shouldtherebeseveral,thoseofthefollowingdegreeshallinheritin
theirownrightandcannotrepresentthepersonorpersonsrepudiatingtheinheritance.(923)
SUBSECTION2.RightofRepresentation
Art.970.Representationisarightcreatedbyfictionoflaw,byvirtueofwhichtherepresentativeisraisedtothe
placeandthedegreeofthepersonrepresented,andacquirestherightswhichthelatterwouldhaveifhewere
livingorifhecouldhaveinherited.(942a)
Art. 971. The representative is called to the succession by the law and not by the person represented. The
representative does not succeed the person represented but the one whom the person represented would have
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succeeded.(n)
Art.972.Therightofrepresentationtakesplaceinthedirectdescendingline,butneverintheascending.
Inthecollateralline,ittakesplaceonlyinfavorofthechildrenofbrothersorsisters,whethertheybeofthefull
orhalfblood.(925)
Art.973.Inorderthatrepresentationmaytakeplace,itisnecessarythattherepresentativehimselfbecapableof
succeedingthedecedent.(n)
Art.974.Wheneverthereissuccessionbyrepresentation,thedivisionoftheestateshallbemadeperstirpes,in
such manner that the representative or representatives shall not inherit more than what the person they
representwouldinherit,ifhewerelivingorcouldinherit.(926a)
Art.975.Whenchildrenofoneormorebrothersorsistersofthedeceasedsurvive,theyshallinheritfromthe
latterbyrepresentation,iftheysurvivewiththeirunclesoraunts.Butiftheyalonesurvive,theyshallinheritin
equalportions.(927)
Art.976.Apersonmayrepresenthimwhoseinheritancehehasrenounced.(928a)
Art.977.Heirswhorepudiatetheirsharemaynotberepresented.(929a)
SECTION2.OrderofIntestateSuccession
SUBSECTION1.DescendingDirectLine
Art.978.Successionpertains,inthefirstplace,tothedescendingdirectline.(930)
Art. 979. Legitimate children and their descendants succeed the parents and other ascendants, without
distinctionastosexorage,andeveniftheyshouldcomefromdifferentmarriages.
Anadoptedchildsucceedstothepropertyoftheadoptingparentsinthesamemannerasalegitimatechild.(931a)
Art.980.Thechildrenofthedeceasedshallalwaysinheritfromhimintheirownright,dividingtheinheritance
inequalshares.(932)
Art.981.Shouldchildrenofthedeceasedanddescendantsofotherchildrenwhoaredead,survive,theformer
shallinheritintheirownright,andthelatterbyrightofrepresentation.(934a)
Art. 982. The grandchildren and other descendants shall inherit by right of representation, and if any one of
themshouldhavedied,leavingseveralheirs,theportionpertainingtohimshallbedividedamongthelatterin
equalportions.(933)
Art. 983. If illegitimate children survive with legitimate children, the shares of the former shall be in the
proportionsprescribedbyArticle895.(n)
Art.984.Incaseofthedeathofanadoptedchild,leavingnochildrenordescendants,hisparentsandrelativesby
consanguinityandnotbyadoption,shallbehislegalheirs.(n)
SUBSECTION2.AscendingDirectLine
Art. 985. In default of legitimate children and descendants of the deceased, his parents and ascendants shall
inheritfromhim,totheexclusionofcollateralrelatives.(935a)
Art.986.Thefatherandmother,ifliving,shallinheritinequalshares.
Shouldoneonlyofthemsurvive,heorsheshallsucceedtotheentireestateofthechild.(936)
Art.987.Indefaultofthefatherandmother,theascendantsnearestindegreeshallinherit.
Shouldtherebemorethanoneofequaldegreebelongingtothesamelinetheyshalldividetheinheritanceper
capitashouldtheybeofdifferentlinesbutofequaldegree,onehalfshallgotothepaternalandtheotherhalfto
thematernalascendants.Ineachlinethedivisionshallbemadepercapita.(937)
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SUBSECTION3.IllegitimateChildren
Art. 988. In the absence of legitimate descendants or ascendants, the illegitimate children shall succeed to the
entireestateofthedeceased.(939a)
Art. 989. If, together with illegitimate children, there should survive descendants of another illegitimate child
whoisdead,theformershallsucceedintheirownrightandthelatterbyrightofrepresentation.(940a)
Art.990.Thehereditaryrightsgrantedbythetwoprecedingarticlestoillegitimatechildrenshallbetransmitted
upon their death to their descendants, who shall inherit by right of representation from their deceased
grandparent.(941a)
Art.991.Iflegitimateascendantsareleft,theillegitimatechildrenshalldividetheinheritancewiththem,taking
onehalfoftheestate,whateverbethenumberoftheascendantsoroftheillegitimatechildren.(942841a)
Art.992.Anillegitimatechildhasnorighttoinheritabintestatofromthelegitimatechildrenandrelativesofhis
fatherormothernorshallsuchchildrenorrelativesinheritinthesamemannerfromtheillegitimatechild.(943a)
Art.993.Ifanillegitimatechildshoulddiewithoutissue,eitherlegitimateorillegitimate,hisfatherormother
shallsucceedtohisentireestateandifthechild'sfiliationisdulyprovedastobothparents,whoarebothliving,
theyshallinheritfromhimshareandsharealike.(944)
Art.994.Indefaultofthefatherormother,anillegitimatechildshallbesucceededbyhisorhersurvivingspouse
whoshallbeentitledtotheentireestate.
If the widow or widower should survive with brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, she or he shall inherit
onehalfoftheestate,andthelattertheotherhalf.(945a)
SUBSECTION4.SurvivingSpouse
Art. 995. In the absence of legitimate descendants and ascendants, and illegitimate children and their
descendants, whether legitimate or illegitimate, the surviving spouse shall inherit the entire estate, without
prejudicetotherightsofbrothersandsisters,nephewsandnieces,shouldtherebeany,underarticle1001.(946a)
Art.996.Ifawidoworwidowerandlegitimatechildrenordescendantsareleft,thesurvivingspousehasinthe
successionthesameshareasthatofeachofthechildren.(834a)
Art.997.Whenthewidoworwidowersurviveswithlegitimateparentsorascendants,thesurvivingspouseshall
beentitledtoonehalfoftheestate,andthelegitimateparentsorascendantstotheotherhalf.(836a)
Art.998.Ifawidoworwidowersurviveswithillegitimatechildren,suchwidoworwidowershallbeentitledto
onehalfoftheinheritance,andtheillegitimatechildrenortheirdescendants,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate,
totheotherhalf.(n)
Art. 999. When the widow or widower survives with legitimate children or their descendants and illegitimate
childrenortheirdescendants,whetherlegitimateorillegitimate,suchwidoworwidowershallbeentitledtothe
sameshareasthatofalegitimatechild.(n)
Art.1000.Iflegitimateascendants,thesurvivingspouse,andillegitimatechildrenareleft,theascendantsshallbe
entitledtoonehalfoftheinheritance,andtheotherhalfshallbedividedbetweenthesurvivingspouseandthe
illegitimate children so that such widow or widower shall have onefourth of the estate, and the illegitimate
childrentheotherfourth.(841a)
Art.1001.Shouldbrothersandsistersortheirchildrensurvivewiththewidoworwidower,thelattershallbe
entitledtoonehalfoftheinheritanceandthebrothersandsistersortheirchildrentotheotherhalf.(953,837a)
Art.1002.Incaseofalegalseparation,ifthesurvivingspousegavecausefortheseparation,heorsheshallnot
haveanyoftherightsgrantedintheprecedingarticles.(n)
SUBSECTION5.CollateralRelatives
Art. 1003. If there are no descendants, ascendants, illegitimate children, or a surviving spouse, the collateral
relativesshallsucceedtotheentireestateofthedeceasedinaccordancewiththefollowingarticles.(946a)
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Art.1004.Shouldtheonlysurvivorsbebrothersandsistersofthefullblood,theyshallinheritinequalshares.
(947)
Art. 1005. Should brothers and sisters survive together with nephews and nieces, who are the children of the
descendant'sbrothersandsistersofthefullblood,theformershallinheritpercapita,andthelatterperstirpes.
(948)
Art. 1006. Should brother and sisters of the full blood survive together with brothers and sisters of the half
blood,theformershallbeentitledtoasharedoublethatofthelatter.(949)
Art.1007.Incasebrothersandsistersofthehalfblood,someonthefather'sandsomeonthemother'sside,are
theonlysurvivors,allshallinheritinequalshareswithoutdistinctionastotheoriginoftheproperty.(950)
Art.1008.Childrenofbrothersandsistersofthehalfbloodshallsucceedpercapitaorperstirpes,inaccordance
withtheruleslaiddownforthebrothersandsistersofthefullblood.(915)
Art. 1009. Should there be neither brothers nor sisters nor children of brothers or sisters, the other collateral
relativesshallsucceedtotheestate.
Thelattershallsucceedwithoutdistinctionoflinesorpreferenceamongthembyreasonofrelationshipbythe
wholeblood.(954a)
Art. 1010. The right to inherit ab intestato shall not extend beyond the fifth degree of relationship in the
collateralline.(955a)
SUBSECTION6.TheState
Art.1011.IndefaultofpersonsentitledtosucceedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheprecedingSections,
theStateshallinheritthewholeestate.(956a)
Art. 1012. In order that the State may take possession of the property mentioned in the preceding article, the
pertinentprovisionsoftheRulesofCourtmustbeobserved.(958a)
Art.1013.Afterthepaymentofdebtsandcharges,thepersonalpropertyshallbeassignedtothemunicipalityor
city where the deceased last resided in the Philippines, and the real estate to the municipalities or cities,
respectively,inwhichthesameissituated.
IfthedeceasedneverresidedinthePhilippines,thewholeestateshallbeassignedtotherespectivemunicipalities
orcitieswherethesameislocated.
Such estate shall be for the benefit of public schools, and public charitable institutions and centers, in such
municipalities or cities. The court shall distribute the estate as the respective needs of each beneficiary may
warrant.
The court, at the instance of an interested party, or on its own motion, may order the establishment of a
permanenttrust,sothatonlytheincomefromthepropertyshallbeused.(956a)
Art.1014.Ifapersonlegallyentitledtotheestateofthedeceasedappearsandfilesaclaimtheretowiththecourt
within five years from the date the property was delivered to the State, such person shall be entitled to the
possession of the same, or if sold the municipality or city shall be accountable to him for such part of the
proceedsasmaynothavebeenlawfullyspent.(n)
CHAPTER4
PROVISIONSCOMMONTOTESTATEANDINTESTATESUCCESSIONS
SECTION1.RightofAccretion
Art.1015.Accretionisarightbyvirtueofwhich,whentwoormorepersonsarecalledtothesameinheritance,
deviseorlegacy,thepartassignedtotheonewhorenouncesorcannotreceivehisshare,orwhodiedbeforethe
testator,isaddedorincorporatedtothatofhiscoheirs,codevisees,orcolegatees.(n)
Art.1016.Inorderthattherightofaccretionmaytakeplaceinatestamentarysuccession,itshallbenecessary:
(1)Thattwoormorepersonsbecalledtothesameinheritance,ortothesameportionthereof,proindiviso
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and
(2) That one of the persons thus called die before the testator, or renounce the inheritance, or be
incapacitatedtoreceiveit.(928a)
Art. 1017. The words "onehalf for each" or "in equal shares" or any others which, though designating an
aliquot part, do not identify it by such description as shall make each heir the exclusive owner of determinate
property,shallnotexcludetherightofaccretion.
Incaseofmoneyorfungiblegoods,iftheshareofeachheirisnotearmarked,thereshallbearightofaccretion.
(983a)
Art.1018.Inlegalsuccessiontheshareofthepersonwhorepudiatestheinheritanceshallalwaysaccruetohis
coheirs.(981)
Art.1019.Theheirstowhomtheportiongoesbytherightofaccretiontakeitinthesameproportionthatthey
inherit.(n)
Art.1020.Theheirstowhomtheinheritanceaccruesshallsucceedtoalltherightsandobligationswhichtheheir
whorenouncedorcouldnotreceiveitwouldhavehad.(984)
Art.1021.Amongthecompulsoryheirstherightofaccretionshalltakeplaceonlywhenthefreeportionisleftto
twoormoreofthem,ortoanyoneofthemandtoastranger.
Shouldthepartrepudiatedbethelegitime,theothercoheirsshallsucceedtoitintheirownright,andnotbythe
rightofaccretion.(985)
Art.1022.Intestamentarysuccession,whentherightofaccretiondoesnottakeplace,thevacantportionofthe
institutedheirs,ifnosubstitutehasbeendesignated,shallpasstothelegalheirsofthetestator,whoshallreceive
itwiththesamechargesandobligations.(986)
Art.1023.Accretionshallalsotakeplaceamongdevisees,legateesandusufructuariesunderthesameconditions
establishedforheirs.(987a)
SECTION2.CapacitytoSucceedbyWillofbyIntestacy
Art.1024.Personsnotincapacitatedbylawmaysucceedbywillorabintestato.
Theprovisionsrelatingtoincapacitybywillareequallyapplicabletointestatesuccession.(744,914)
Art. 1025. In order to be capacitated to inherit, the heir, devisee or legatee must be living at the moment the
successionopens,exceptincaseofrepresentation,whenitisproper.
Achildalreadyconceivedatthetimeofthedeathofthedecedentiscapableofsucceedingprovideditbeborn
laterundertheconditionsprescribedinarticle41.(n)
Art. 1026. A testamentary disposition may be made to the State, provinces, municipal corporations, private
corporations,organizations,orassociationsforreligious,scientific,cultural,educational,orcharitablepurposes.
Allothercorporationsorentitiesmaysucceedunderawill,unlessthereisaprovisiontothecontraryintheir
charterorthelawsoftheircreation,andalwayssubjecttothesame.(746a)
Art.1027.Thefollowingareincapableofsucceeding:
(1)Thepriestwhoheardtheconfessionofthetestatorduringhislastillness,ortheministerofthegospel
whoextendedspiritualaidtohimduringthesameperiod
(2) The relatives of such priest or minister of the gospel within the fourth degree, the church, order,
chapter,community,organization,orinstitutiontowhichsuchpriestorministermaybelong
(3) A guardian with respect to testamentary dispositions given by a ward in his favor before the final
accountsoftheguardianshiphavebeenapproved,evenifthetestatorshoulddieaftertheapprovalthereof
nevertheless, any provision made by the ward in favor of the guardian when the latter is his ascendant,
descendant,brother,sister,orspouse,shallbevalid
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(4) Any attesting witness to the execution of a will, the spouse, parents, or children, or any one claiming
undersuchwitness,spouse,parents,orchildren
(5)Anyphysician,surgeon,nurse,healthofficerordruggistwhotookcareofthetestatorduringhislast
illness
(6)Individuals,associationsandcorporationsnotpermittedbylawtoinherit.(745,752,753,754a)
Art. 1028. The prohibitions mentioned in article 739, concerning donations inter vivos shall apply to
testamentaryprovisions.(n)
Art.1029.Shouldthetestatordisposeofthewholeorpartofhispropertyforprayersandpiousworksforthe
benefitofhissoul,ingeneraltermsandwithoutspecifyingitsapplication,theexecutor,withthecourt'sapproval
shalldeliveronehalfthereoforitsproceedstothechurchordenominationtowhichthetestatormaybelong,to
beusedforsuchprayersandpiousworks,andtheotherhalftotheState,forthepurposesmentionedinArticle
1013.(747a)
Art.1030.Testamentaryprovisionsinfavorofthepooringeneral,withoutdesignationofparticularpersonsor
of any community, shall be deemed limited to the poor living in the domicile of the testator at the time of his
death,unlessitshouldclearlyappearthathisintentionwasotherwise.
The designation of the persons who are to be considered as poor and the distribution of the property shall be
madebythepersonappointedbythetestatorforthepurposeindefaultofsuchperson,bytheexecutor,and
shouldtherebenoexecutor,bythejusticeofthepeace,themayor,andthemunicipaltreasurer,whoshalldecide
byamajorityofvotesallquestionsthatmayarise.Inallthesecases,theapprovaloftheCourtofFirstInstance
shallbenecessary.
The preceding paragraph shall apply when the testator has disposed of his property in favor of the poor of a
definitelocality.(749a)
Art.1031.Atestamentaryprovisioninfavorofadisqualifiedperson,eventhoughmadeundertheguiseofan
onerouscontract,ormadethroughanintermediary,shallbevoid.(755)
Art.1032.Thefollowingareincapableofsucceedingbyreasonofunworthiness:
(1)Parentswhohaveabandonedtheirchildrenorinducedtheirdaughterstoleadacorruptorimmoral
life,orattemptedagainsttheirvirtue
(2) Any person who has been convicted of an attempt against the life of the testator, his or her spouse,
descendants,orascendants
(3)Anypersonwhohasaccusedthetestatorofacrimeforwhichthelawprescribesimprisonmentforsix
yearsormore,iftheaccusationhasbeenfoundgroundless
(4)Anyheiroffullagewho,havingknowledgeoftheviolentdeathofthetestator,shouldfailtoreportitto
anofficerofthelawwithinamonth,unlesstheauthoritieshavealreadytakenactionthisprohibitionshall
notapplytocaseswherein,accordingtolaw,thereisnoobligationtomakeanaccusation
(5)Anypersonconvictedofadulteryorconcubinagewiththespouseofthetestator
(6)Anypersonwhobyfraud,violence,intimidation,orundueinfluenceshouldcausethetestatortomakea
willortochangeonealreadymade
(7)Anypersonwhobythesamemeanspreventsanotherfrommakingawill,orfromrevokingonealready
made,orwhosupplants,conceals,oraltersthelatter'swill
(8)Anypersonwhofalsifiesorforgesasupposedwillofthedecedent.(756,673,674a)
Art.1033.Thecauseofunworthinessshallbewithouteffectifthetestatorhadknowledgethereofatthetimehe
madethewill,orif,havingknownofthemsubsequently,heshouldcondonetheminwriting.(757a)
Art.1034.Inordertojudgethecapacityoftheheir,deviseeorlegatee,hisqualificationatthetimeofthedeath
ofthedecedentshallbethecriterion.
IncasesfallingunderNos.2,3,or5ofArticle1032,itshallbenecessarytowaituntilfinaljudgmentisrendered,
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andinthecasefallingunderNo.4,theexpirationofthemonthallowedforthereport.
Iftheinstitution,deviseorlegacyshouldbeconditional,thetimeofthecompliancewiththeconditionshallalso
beconsidered.(758a)
Art.1035.Ifthepersonexcludedfromtheinheritancebyreasonofincapacityshouldbeachildordescendantof
thedecedentandshouldhavechildrenordescendants,thelattershallacquirehisrighttothelegitime.
The person so excluded shall not enjoy the usufruct and administration of the property thus inherited by his
children.(761a)
Art.1036.Alienationsofhereditaryproperty,andactsofadministrationperformedbytheexcludedheir,before
thejudicialorderofexclusion,arevalidastothethirdpersonswhoactedingoodfaithbutthecoheirsshall
havearighttorecoverdamagesfromthedisqualifiedheir.(n)
Art. 1037. The unworthy heir who is excluded from the succession has a right to demand indemnity or any
expenses incurred in the preservation of the hereditary property, and to enforce such credits as he may have
againsttheestate.(n)
Art.1038.Anypersonincapableofsuccession,who,disregardingtheprohibitionstatedintheprecedingarticles,
enteredintothepossessionofthehereditaryproperty,shallbeobligedtoreturnittogetherititsaccessions.
Heshallbeliableforallthefruitsandrentshemayhavereceived,orcouldhavereceivedthroughtheexerciseof
duediligence.(760a)
Art.1039.Capacitytosucceedisgovernedbythelawofthenationofthedecedent.(n)
Art. 1040. The action for a declaration of incapacity and for the recovery of the inheritance, devise or legacy
shall be brought within five years from the time the disqualified person took possession thereof. It may be
broughtbyanyonewhomayhaveaninterestinthesuccession.(762a)
SECTION3.AcceptanceandRepudiationoftheInheritance
Art.1041.Theacceptanceorrepudiationoftheinheritanceisanactwhichispurelyvoluntaryandfree.(988)
Art.1042.Theeffectsoftheacceptanceorrepudiationshallalwaysretroacttothemomentofthedeathofthe
decedent.(989)
Art.1043.Nopersonmayacceptorrepudiateaninheritanceunlessheiscertainofthedeathofthepersonfrom
whomheistoinherit,andofhisrighttotheinheritance.(991)
Art.1044.Anypersonhavingthefreedisposalofhispropertymayacceptorrepudiateaninheritance.
Anyinheritancelefttominorsorincapacitatedpersonsmaybeacceptedbytheirparentsorguardians.Parents
orguardiansmayrepudiatetheinheritancelefttotheirwardsonlybyjudicialauthorization.
The right to accept an inheritance left to the poor shall belong to the persons designated by the testator to
determinethebeneficiariesanddistributetheproperty,orintheirdefault,tothosementionedinArticle1030.
(992a)
Art.1045.Thelawfulrepresentativesofcorporations,associations,institutionsandentitiesqualifiedtoacquire
propertymayacceptanyinheritancelefttothelatter,butinordertorepudiateit,theapprovalofthecourtshall
benecessary.(993a)
Art.1046.Publicofficialestablishmentscanneitheracceptnorrepudiateaninheritancewithouttheapprovalof
thegovernment.(994)
Art.1047.Amarriedwomanofagemayrepudiateaninheritancewithouttheconsentofherhusband.(995a)
Art.1048.Deafmuteswhocanreadandwritemayacceptorrepudiatetheinheritancepersonallyorthroughan
agent. Should they not be able to read and write, the inheritance shall be accepted by their guardians. These
guardiansmayrepudiatethesamewithjudicialapproval.(996a)
Art.1049.Acceptancemaybeexpressortacit.
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Anexpressacceptancemustbemadeinapublicorprivatedocument.
Atacitacceptanceisoneresultingfromactsbywhichtheintentiontoacceptisnecessarilyimplied,orwhichone
wouldhavenorighttodoexceptinthecapacityofanheir.
Actsofmerepreservationorprovisionaladministrationdonotimplyanacceptanceoftheinheritanceif,through
suchacts,thetitleorcapacityofanheirhasnotbeenassumed.(999a)
Art.1050.Aninheritanceisdeemedaccepted:
(1)Iftheheirssells,donates,orassignshisrighttoastranger,ortohiscoheirs,ortoanyofthem
(2)Iftheheirrenouncesthesame,eventhoughgratuitously,forthebenefitofoneormoreofhiscoheirs
(3)Ifherenouncesitforapriceinfavorofallhiscoheirsindiscriminatelybutifthisrenunciationshould
be gratuitous, and the coheirs in whose favor it is made are those upon whom the portion renounced
shoulddevolvebyvirtueofaccretion,theinheritanceshallnotbedeemedasaccepted.(1000)
Art. 1051. The repudiation of an inheritance shall be made in a public or authentic instrument, or by petition
presentedtothecourthavingjurisdictionoverthetestamentaryorintestateproceedings.(1008)
Art.1052.Iftheheirrepudiatestheinheritancetotheprejudiceofhisowncreditors,thelattermaypetitionthe
courttoauthorizethemtoacceptitinthenameoftheheir.
Theacceptanceshallbenefitthecreditorsonlytoanextentsufficienttocovertheamountoftheircredits.The
excess,shouldtherebeany,shallinnocasepertaintotherenouncer,butshallbeadjudicatedtothepersonsto
whom,inaccordancewiththerulesestablishedinthisCode,itmaybelong.(1001)
Art. 1053. If the heir should die without having accepted or repudiated the inheritance his right shall be
transmittedtohisheirs.(1006)
Art.1054.Shouldtherebeseveralheirscalledtotheinheritance,someofthemmayacceptandtheothersmay
repudiateit.(1007a)
Art.1055.Ifaperson,whoiscalledtothesameinheritanceasanheirbywillandabintestato,repudiatesthe
inheritanceinhiscapacityasatestamentaryheir,heisunderstoodtohaverepudiateditinbothcapacities.
Should he repudiate it as an intestate heir, without knowledge of his being a testamentary heir, he may still
acceptitinthelattercapacity.(1009)
Art.1056.Theacceptanceorrepudiationofaninheritance,oncemade,isirrevocable,andcannotbeimpugned,
exceptwhenitwasmadethroughanyofthecausesthatvitiateconsent,orwhenanunknownwillappears.(997)
Art.1057.Withinthirtydaysafterthecourthasissuedanorderforthedistributionoftheestateinaccordance
with the Rules of Court, the heirs, devisees and legatees shall signify to the court having jurisdiction whether
theyacceptorrepudiatetheinheritance.
Iftheydonotdosowithinthattime,theyaredeemedtohaveacceptedtheinheritance.(n)
SECTION4.ExecutorsandAdministrators
Art. 1058. All matters relating to the appointment, powers and duties of executors and administrators and
concerningtheadministrationofestatesofdeceasedpersonsshallbegovernedbytheRulesofCourt.(n)
Art.1059.Iftheassetsoftheestateofadecedentwhichcanbeappliedtothepaymentofdebtsarenotsufficient
forthatpurpose,theprovisionsofArticles2239to2251onPreferenceofCreditsshallbeobserved,providedthat
the expenses referred to in Article 2244, No. 8, shall be those involved in the administration of the decedent's
estate.(n)
Art.1060.AcorporationorassociationauthorizedtoconductthebusinessofatrustcompanyinthePhilippines
may be appointed as an executor, administrator, guardian of an estate, or trustee, in like manner as an
individualbutitshallnotbeappointedguardianofthepersonofaward.(n)
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SECTION5.Collation
Art. 1061. Every compulsory heir, who succeeds with other compulsory heirs, must bring into the mass of the
estateanypropertyorrightwhichhemayhavereceivedfromthedecedent,duringthelifetimeofthelatter,by
way of donation, or any other gratuitous title, in order that it may be computed in the determination of the
legitimeofeachheir,andintheaccountofthepartition.(1035a)
Art.1062.Collationshallnottakeplaceamongcompulsoryheirsifthedonorshouldhavesoexpresslyprovided,
orifthedoneeshouldrepudiatetheinheritance,unlessthedonationshouldbereducedasinofficious.(1036)
Art.1063.Propertyleftbywillisnotdeemedsubjecttocollation,ifthetestatorhasnototherwiseprovided,but
thelegitimeshallinanycaseremainunimpaired.(1037)
Art. 1064. When the grandchildren, who survive with their uncles, aunts, or cousins, inherit from their
grandparents in representation of their father or mother, they shall bring to collation all that their parents, if
alive,wouldhavebeenobligedtobring,eventhoughsuchgrandchildrenhavenotinheritedtheproperty.
Theyshallalsobringtocollationallthattheymayhavereceivedfromthedecedentduringhislifetime,unlessthe
testatorhasprovidedotherwise,inwhichcasehiswishesmustberespected,ifthelegitimeofthecoheirsisnot
prejudiced.(1038)
Art.1065.Parentsarenotobligedtobringtocollationintheinheritanceoftheirascendantsanypropertywhich
mayhavebeendonatedbythelattertotheirchildren.(1039)
Art.1066.Neithershalldonationstothespouseofthechildbebroughttocollationbutiftheyhavebeengiven
bytheparenttothespousesjointly,thechildshallbeobligedtobringtocollationonehalfofthethingdonated.
(1040)
Art. 1067. Expenses for support, education, medical attendance, even in extraordinary illness, apprenticeship,
ordinaryequipment,orcustomarygiftsarenotsubjecttocollation.(1041)
Art. 1068. Expenses incurred by the parents in giving their children a professional, vocational or other career
shallnotbebroughttocollationunlesstheparentssoprovide,orunlesstheyimpairthelegitimebutwhentheir
collationisrequired,thesumwhichthechildwouldhavespentifhehadlivedinthehouseandcompanyofhis
parentsshallbedeductedtherefrom.(1042a)
Art. 1069. Any sums paid by a parent in satisfaction of the debts of his children, election expenses, fines, and
similarexpensesshallbebroughttocollation.(1043a)
Art. 1070. Wedding gifts by parents and ascendants consisting of jewelry, clothing, and outfit, shall not be
reducedasinofficiousexceptinsofarastheymayexceedonetenthofthesumwhichisdisposablebywill.(1044)
Art.1071.Thesamethingsdonatedarenottobebroughttocollationandpartition,butonlytheirvalueatthe
timeofthedonation,eventhoughtheirjustvaluemaynotthenhavebeenassessed.
Theirsubsequentincreaseordeteriorationandeventheirtotallossordestruction,beitaccidentalorculpable,
shallbeforthebenefitoraccountandriskofthedonee.(1045a)
Art.1072.Inthecollationofadonationmadebybothparents,onehalfshallbebroughttotheinheritanceofthe
father,andtheotherhalf,tothatofthemother.Thatgivenbyonealoneshallbebroughttocollationinhisor
herinheritance.(1046a)
Art.1073.Thedonee'sshareoftheestateshallbereducedbyanamountequaltothatalreadyreceivedbyhim
and his coheirs shall receive an equivalent, as much as possible, in property of the same nature, class and
quality.(1047)
Art. 1074. Should the provisions of the preceding article be impracticable, if the property donated was
immovable,thecoheirsshallbeentitledtoreceiveitsequivalentincashorsecurities,attherateofquotation
andshouldtherebeneithercashormarketablesecuritiesintheestate,somuchoftheotherpropertyasmaybe
necessaryshallbesoldatpublicauction.
Ifthepropertydonatedwasmovable,thecoheirsshallonlyhavearighttoselectanequivalentofotherpersonal
propertyoftheinheritanceatitsjustprice.(1048)
Art.1075.Thefruitsandinterestofthepropertysubjecttocollationshallnotpertaintotheestateexceptfrom
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thedayonwhichthesuccessionisopened.
For the purpose of ascertaining their amount, the fruits and interest of the property of the estate of the same
kindandqualityasthatsubjecttocollationshallbemadethestandardofassessment.(1049)
Art.1076.Thecoheirsareboundtoreimbursetothedoneethenecessaryexpenseswhichhehasincurredfor
thepreservationofthepropertydonatedtohim,thoughtheymaynothaveaugmenteditsvalue.
Thedoneewhocollatesinkindanimmovablewhichhasbeengiventohimmustbereimbursedbyhiscoheirs
fortheimprovementswhichhaveincreasedthevalueoftheproperty,andwhichexistatthetimethepartitionif
effected.
Astoworksmadeontheestateforthemerepleasureofthedonee,noreimbursementisduehimforthemhe
has,however,therighttoremovethem,ifhecandosowithoutinjuringtheestate.(n)
Art. 1077. Should any question arise among the coheirs upon the obligation to bring to collation or as to the
things which are subject to collation, the distribution of the estate shall not be interrupted for this reason,
providedadequatesecurityisgiven.(1050)
SECTION6.PartitionandDistributionoftheEstate
SUBSECTION1.Partition
Art.1078.Wheretherearetwoormoreheirs,thewholeestateofthedecedentis,beforeitspartition,ownedin
commonbysuchheirs,subjecttothepaymentofdebtsofthedeceased.(n)
Art. 1079. Partition, in general, is the separation, division and assignment of a thing held in common among
thosetowhomitmaybelong.Thethingitselfmaybedivided,oritsvalue.(n)
Art.1080.Shouldapersonmakepartitionofhisestatebyanactintervivos,orbywill,suchpartitionshallbe
respected,insofarasitdoesnotprejudicethelegitimeofthecompulsoryheirs.
Aparentwho,intheinterestofhisorherfamily,desirestokeepanyagricultural,industrial,ormanufacturing
enterpriseintact,mayavailhimselfoftherightgrantedhiminthisarticle,byorderingthatthelegitimeofthe
otherchildrentowhomthepropertyisnotassigned,bepaidincash.(1056a)
Art. 1081. A person may, by an act inter vivos or mortis causa, intrust the mere power to make the partition
afterhisdeathtoanypersonwhoisnotoneofthecoheirs.
Theprovisionsofthisandoftheprecedingarticleshallbeobservedevenshouldtherebeamongthecoheirsa
minor or a person subject to guardianship but the mandatary, in such case, shall make an inventory of the
propertyoftheestate,afternotifyingthecoheirs,thecreditors,andthelegateesordevisees.(1057a)
Art. 1082. Every act which is intended to put an end to indivision among coheirs and legatees or devisees is
deemed to be a partition, although it should purport to be a sale, and exchange, a compromise, or any other
transaction.(n)
Art.1083.Everycoheirhasarighttodemandthedivisionoftheestateunlessthetestatorshouldhaveexpressly
forbiddenitspartition,inwhichcasetheperiodofindivisionshallnotexceedtwentyyearsasprovidedinarticle
494.Thispowerofthetestatortoprohibitdivisionappliestothelegitime.
Even though forbidden by the testator, the coownership terminates when any of the causes for which
partnership is dissolved takes place, or when the court finds for compelling reasons that division should be
ordered,uponpetitionofoneofthecoheirs.(1051a)
Art. 1084. Voluntary heirs upon whom some condition has been imposed cannot demand a partition until the
condition has been fulfilled but the other coheirs may demand it by giving sufficient security for the rights
which the former may have in case the condition should be complied with, and until it is known that the
condition has not been fulfilled or can never be complied with, the partition shall be understood to be
provisional.(1054a)
Art.1085.Inthepartitionoftheestate,equalityshallbeobservedasfaraspossible,dividingthepropertyinto
lots,orassigningtoeachofthecoheirsthingsofthesamenature,qualityandkind.(1061)
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Art.1086.Shouldathingbeindivisible,orwouldbemuchimpairedbyitsbeingdivided,itmaybeadjudicated
tooneoftheheirs,providedheshallpaytheotherstheexcessincash.
Nevertheless, if any of the heirs should demand that the thing be sold at public auction and that strangers be
allowedtobid,thismustbedone.(1062)
Art.1087.Inthepartitionthecoheirsshallreimburseoneanotherfortheincomeandfruitswhicheachoneof
themmayhavereceivedfromanypropertyoftheestate,foranyusefulandnecessaryexpensesmadeuponsuch
property,andforanydamagetheretothroughmaliceorneglect.(1063)
Art.1088.Shouldanyoftheheirssellhishereditaryrightstoastrangerbeforethepartition,anyoralloftheco
heirs may be subrogated to the rights of the purchaser by reimbursing him for the price of the sale, provided
theydosowithintheperiodofonemonthfromthetimetheywerenotifiedinwritingofthesalebythevendor.
(1067a)
Art.1089.Thetitlesofacquisitionorownershipofeachpropertyshallbedeliveredtothecoheirtowhomsaid
propertyhasbeenadjudicated.(1065a)
Art.1090.Whenthetitlecomprisestwoormorepiecesoflandwhichhavebeenassignedtotwoormorecoheirs,
or when it covers one piece of land which has been divided between two or more coheirs, the title shall be
deliveredtotheonehavingthelargestinterest,andauthenticcopiesofthetitleshallbefurnishedtotheotherco
heirsattheexpenseoftheestate.Iftheinterestofeachcoheirshouldbethesame,theoldestshallhavethetitle.
(1066a)
SUBSECTION2.EffectsofPartition
Art.1091.Apartitionlegallymadeconfersuponeachheirtheexclusiveownershipofthepropertyadjudicatedto
him.(1068)
Art.1092.Afterthepartitionhasbeenmade,thecoheirsshallbereciprocallyboundtowarrantthetitleto,and
thequalityof,eachpropertyadjudicated.(1069a)
Art.1093.Thereciprocalobligationofwarrantyreferredtointheprecedingarticleshallbeproportionatetothe
respectivehereditarysharesofthecoheirs,butifanyoneofthemshouldbeinsolvent,theothercoheirsshallbe
liable for his part in the same proportion, deducting the part corresponding to the one who should be
indemnified.
Those who pay for the insolvent heir shall have a right of action against him for reimbursement, should his
financialconditionimprove.(1071)
Art.1094.Anactiontoenforcethewarrantyamongheirsmustbebroughtwithintenyearsfromthedatethe
rightofactionaccrues.(n)
Art. 1095. If a credit should be assigned as collectible, the coheirs shall not be liable for the subsequent
insolvencyofthedebtoroftheestate,butonlyforhisinsolvencyatthetimethepartitionismade.
Thewarrantyofthesolvencyofthedebtorcanonlybeenforcedduringthefiveyearsfollowingthepartition.
Coheirsdo notwarrant bad debts, ifso known to, and accepted by, the distributee. But if such debtsarenot
assigned to a coheir, and should be collected, in whole or in part, the amount collected shall be distributed
proportionatelyamongtheheirs.(1072a)
Art.1096.Theobligationofwarrantyamongcoheirsshallceaseinthefollowingcases:
(1)Whenthetestatorhimselfhasmadethepartition,unlessitappears,oritmaybereasonablypresumed,
thathisintentionwasotherwise,butthelegitimeshallalwaysremainunimpaired
(2)Whenithasbeensoexpresslystipulatedintheagreementofpartition,unlesstherehasbeenbadfaith
(3)Whentheevictionisduetoacausesubsequenttothepartition,orhasbeencausedbythefaultofthe
distributeeoftheproperty.(1070a)
SUBSECTION3.RescissionandNullityofPartition
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Art.1097.Apartitionmayberescindedorannulledforthesamecausesascontracts.(1073a)
Art.1098.Apartition,judicialorextrajudicial,mayalsoberescindedonaccountoflesion,whenanyoneofthe
coheirs received things whose value is less, by at least onefourth, than the share to which he is entitled,
consideringthevalueofthethingsatthetimetheywereadjudicated.(1074a)
Art. 1099. The partition made by the testator cannot be impugned on the ground of lesion, except when the
legitimeofthecompulsoryheirsistherebyprejudiced,orwhenitappearsormayreasonablybepresumed,that
theintentionofthetestatorwasotherwise.(1075)
Art. 1100. The action for rescission on account of lesion shall prescribe after four years from the time the
partitionwasmade.(1076)
Art.1101.Theheirwhoissuedshallhavetheoptionofindemnifyingtheplaintifffortheloss,orconsentingtoa
newpartition.
Indemnitymaybemadebypaymentincashorbythedeliveryofathingofthesamekindandqualityasthat
awardedtotheplaintiff.
Ifanewpartitionismade,itshallaffectneitherthosewhohavenotbeenprejudicednorthosehavenotreceived
morethantheirjustshare.(1077a)
Art.1102.Anheirwhohasalienatedthewholeoraconsiderablepartoftherealpropertyadjudicatedtohim
cannotmaintainanactionforrescissiononthegroundoflesion,butheshallhavearighttobeindemnifiedin
cash.(1078a)
Art.1103.Theomissionofoneormoreobjectsorsecuritiesoftheinheritanceshallnotcausetherescissionofthe
partition on the ground of lesion, but the partition shall be completed by the distribution of the objects or
securitieswhichhavebeenomitted.(1079a)
Art.1104.Apartitionmadewithpreteritionofanyofthecompulsoryheirsshallnotberescinded,unlessitbe
proved that there was bad faith or fraud on the part of the other persons interested but the latter shall be
proportionatelyobligedtopaytothepersonomittedthesharewhichbelongstohim.(1080)
Art. 1105. A partition which includes a person believed to be an heir, but who is not, shall be void only with
respecttosuchperson.(1081a)
TitleV.PRESCRIPTION
CHAPTER1
GENERALPROVISIONS
Art.1106.Byprescription,oneacquiresownershipandotherrealrightsthroughthelapseoftimeinthemanner
andundertheconditionslaiddownbylaw.
Inthesameway,rightsandconditionsarelostbyprescription.(1930a)
Art. 1107. Persons who are capable of acquiring property or rights by the other legal modes may acquire the
samebymeansofprescription.
Minors and other incapacitated persons may acquire property or rights by prescription, either personally or
throughtheirparents,guardiansorlegalrepresentatives.(1931a)
Art.1108.Prescription,bothacquisitiveandextinctive,runsagainst:
(1)Minorsandotherincapacitatedpersonswhohaveparents,guardiansorotherlegalrepresentatives
(2)Absenteeswhohaveadministrators,eitherappointedbythembeforetheirdisappearance,orappointed
bythecourts
(3)Personslivingabroad,whohavemanagersoradministrators
(4)Juridicalpersons,excepttheStateanditssubdivisions.
Personswhoaredisqualifiedfromadministeringtheirpropertyhavearighttoclaimdamagesfromtheir
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legalrepresentativeswhosenegligencehasbeenthecauseofprescription.(1932a)
Art.1109.Prescriptiondoesnotrunbetweenhusbandandwife,eventhoughtherebeaseparationofproperty
agreeduponinthemarriagesettlementsorbyjudicialdecree.
Neitherdoesprescriptionrunbetweenparentsandchildren,duringtheminorityorinsanityofthelatter,and
betweenguardianandwardduringthecontinuanceoftheguardianship.(n)
Art.1110.Prescription,acquisitiveandextinctive,runsinfavorof,oragainstamarriedwoman.(n)
Art.1111.Prescriptionobtainedbyacoproprietororacoownershallbenefittheothers.(1933)
Art.1112.Personswithcapacitytoalienatepropertymayrenounceprescriptionalreadyobtained,butnotthe
righttoprescribeinthefuture.
Prescriptionisdeemedtohavebeentacitlyrenouncedwhentherenunciationresultsfromactswhichimplythe
abandonmentoftherightacquired.(1935)
Art. 1113. All things which are within the commerce of men are susceptible of prescription, unless otherwise
provided.PropertyoftheStateoranyofitssubdivisionsnotpatrimonialincharactershallnotbetheobjectof
prescription.(1936a)
Art.1114.Creditorsandallotherpersonsinterestedinmakingtheprescriptioneffectivemayavailthemselves
thereofnotwithstandingtheexpressortacitrenunciationbythedebtororproprietor.(1937)
Art.1115.TheprovisionsofthepresentTitleareunderstoodtobewithoutprejudicetowhatinthisCodeorin
speciallawsisestablishedwithrespecttospecificcasesofprescription.(1938)
Art.1116.PrescriptionalreadyrunningbeforetheeffectivityofthisCodeshallbegovernedbylawspreviouslyin
forcebutifsincethetimethisCodetookeffecttheentireperiodhereinrequiredforprescriptionshouldelapse,
thepresentCodeshallbeapplicable,eventhoughbytheformerlawsalongerperiodmightberequired.(1939)
CHAPTER2
PRESCRIPTIONOFOWNERSHIPANDOTHERREALRIGHTS
Art.1117.Acquisitiveprescriptionofdominionandotherrealrightsmaybeordinaryorextraordinary.
Ordinaryacquisitiveprescriptionrequirespossessionofthingsingoodfaithandwithjusttitleforthetimefixed
bylaw.(1940a)
Art.1118.Possessionhastobeintheconceptofanowner,public,peacefulanduninterrupted.(1941)
Art.1119.Actsofpossessorycharacterexecutedinvirtueoflicenseorbymeretoleranceoftheownershallnot
beavailableforthepurposesofpossession.(1942)
Art.1120.Possessionisinterruptedforthepurposesofprescription,naturallyorcivilly.(1943)
Art.1121.Possessionisnaturallyinterruptedwhenthroughanycauseitshouldceaseformorethanoneyear.
Theoldpossessionisnotrevivedifanewpossessionshouldbeexercisedbythesameadverseclaimant.(1944a)
Art.1122.Ifthenaturalinterruptionisforonlyoneyearorless,thetimeelapsedshallbecountedinfavorofthe
prescription.(n)
Art.1123.Civilinterruptionisproducedbyjudicialsummonstothepossessor.(1945a)
Art.1124.Judicialsummonsshallbedeemednottohavebeenissuedandshallnotgiverisetointerruption:
(1)Ifitshouldbevoidforlackoflegalsolemnities
(2)Iftheplaintiffshoulddesistfromthecomplaintorshouldallowtheproceedingstolapse
(3)Ifthepossessorshouldbeabsolvedfromthecomplaint.
Inallthesecases,theperiodoftheinterruptionshallbecountedfortheprescription.(1946a)
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Art.1125.Anyexpressortacitrecognitionwhichthepossessormaymakeoftheowner'srightalsointerrupts
possession.(1948)
Art.1126.AgainstatitlerecordedintheRegistryofProperty,ordinaryprescriptionofownershiporrealrights
shallnottakeplacetotheprejudiceofathirdperson,exceptinvirtueofanothertitlealsorecordedandthetime
shallbegintorunfromtherecordingofthelatter.
AstolandsregisteredundertheLandRegistrationAct,theprovisionsofthatspeciallawshallgovern.(1949a)
Art.1127.Thegoodfaithofthepossessorconsistsinthereasonablebeliefthatthepersonfromwhomhereceived
thethingwastheownerthereof,andcouldtransmithisownership.(1950a)
Art.1128.TheconditionsofgoodfaithrequiredforpossessioninArticles526,527,528,and529ofthisCodeare
likewisenecessaryforthedeterminationofgoodfaithintheprescriptionofownershipandotherrealrights.(1951)
Art.1129.Forthepurposesofprescription,thereisjusttitlewhentheadverseclaimantcameintopossessionof
thepropertythroughoneofthemodesrecognizedbylawfortheacquisitionofownershiporotherrealrights,
butthegrantorwasnottheownerorcouldnottransmitanyright.(n)
Art.1130.Thetitleforprescriptionmustbetrueandvalid.(1953)
Art.1131.Forthepurposesofprescription,justtitlemustbeproveditisneverpresumed.(1954a)
Art.1132.Theownershipofmovablesprescribesthroughuninterruptedpossessionforfouryearsingoodfaith.
The ownership of personal property also prescribes through uninterrupted possession for eight years, without
needofanyothercondition.
With regard to the right of the owner to recover personal property lost or of which he has been illegally
deprived, as well as with respect to movables acquired in a public sale, fair, or market, or from a merchant's
storetheprovisionsofArticles559and1505ofthisCodeshallbeobserved.(1955a)
Art.1133.Movablespossessedthroughacrimecanneverbeacquiredthroughprescriptionbytheoffender.(1956a)
Art. 1134. Ownership and other real rights over immovable property are acquired by ordinary prescription
throughpossessionoftenyears.(1957a)
Art.1135.Incasetheadverseclaimantpossessesbymistakeanareagreater,orlessthanthatexpressedinhis
title,prescriptionshallbebasedonthepossession.(n)
Art.1136.Possessioninwartime,whenthecivilcourtsarenotopen,shallnotbecountedinfavoroftheadverse
claimant.
Art. 1137. Ownership and other real rights over immovables also prescribe through uninterrupted adverse
possessionthereofforthirtyyears,withoutneedoftitleorofgoodfaith.(1959a)
Art.1138.Inthecomputationoftimenecessaryforprescriptionthefollowingrulesshallbeobserved:
(1)Thepresentpossessormaycompletetheperiodnecessaryforprescriptionbytackinghispossessionto
thatofhisgrantororpredecessorininterest
(2)Itispresumedthatthepresentpossessorwhowasalsothepossessorataprevioustime,hascontinued
tobeinpossessionduringtheinterveningtime,unlessthereisprooftothecontrary
(3)Thefirstdayshallbeexcludedandthelastdayincluded.(1960a)
CHAPTER3
PRESCRIPTIONOFACTIONS
Art.1139.Actionsprescribebythemerelapseoftimefixedbylaw.(1961)
Art. 1140. Actions to recover movables shall prescribe eight years from the time the possession thereof is lost,
unlessthepossessorhasacquiredtheownershipbyprescriptionforalessperiod,accordingtoArticles1132,and
withoutprejudicetotheprovisionsofArticles559,1505,and1133.(1962a)
Art.1141.Realactionsoverimmovablesprescribeafterthirtyyears.
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Thisprovisioniswithoutprejudicetowhatisestablishedfortheacquisitionofownershipandotherrealrights
byprescription.(1963)
Art.1142.Amortgageactionprescribesaftertenyears.(1964a)
Art. 1143. The following rights, among others specified elsewhere in this Code, are not extinguished by
prescription:
(1)Todemandarightofway,regulatedinArticle649
(2)Tobringanactiontoabateapublicorprivatenuisance.(n)
Art.1144.Thefollowingactionsmustbebroughtwithintenyearsfromthetimetherightofactionaccrues:
(1)Uponawrittencontract
(2)Uponanobligationcreatedbylaw
(3)Uponajudgment.(n)
Art.1145.Thefollowingactionsmustbecommencedwithinsixyears:
(1)Uponanoralcontract
(2)Uponaquasicontract.(n)
Art.1146.Thefollowingactionsmustbeinstitutedwithinfouryears:
(1)Uponaninjurytotherightsoftheplaintiff
(2)Uponaquasidelict
However,whentheactionarisesfromoroutofanyact,activity,orconductofanypublicofficerinvolvingthe
exercise of powers or authority arising from Martial Law including the arrest, detention and/or trial of the
plaintiff,thesamemustbebroughtwithinone(1)year.(AsamendedbyPDNo.1755,Dec.24,1980.)
Art.1147.Thefollowingactionsmustbefiledwithinoneyear:
(1)Forforcibleentryanddetainer
(2)Fordefamation.(n)
Art.1148.ThelimitationsofactionmentionedinArticles1140to1142,and1144to1147arewithoutprejudiceto
thosespecifiedinotherpartsofthisCode,intheCodeofCommerce,andinspeciallaws.(n)
Art.1149.AllotheractionswhoseperiodsarenotfixedinthisCodeorinotherlawsmustbebroughtwithinfive
yearsfromthetimetherightofactionaccrues.(n)
Art. 1150. The time for prescription for all kinds of actions, when there is no special provision which ordains
otherwise,shallbecountedfromthedaytheymaybebrought.(1969)
Art.1151.Thetimefortheprescriptionofactionswhichhavefortheirobjecttheenforcementofobligationsto
payprincipalwithinterestorannuityrunsfromthelastpaymentoftheannuityoroftheinterest.(1970a)
Art.1152.Theperiodforprescriptionofactionstodemandthefulfillmentofobligationdeclaredbyajudgment
commencesfromthetimethejudgmentbecamefinal.(1971)
Art. 1153. The period for prescription of actions to demand accounting runs from the day the persons who
shouldrenderthesameceaseintheirfunctions.
The period for the action arising from the result of the accounting runs from the date when said result was
recognizedbyagreementoftheinterestedparties.(1972)
Art.1154.Theperiodduringwhichtheobligeewaspreventedbyafortuitouseventfromenforcinghisrightis
notreckonedagainsthim.(n)
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Art.1155.Theprescriptionofactionsisinterruptedwhentheyarefiledbeforethecourt,whenthereisawritten
extrajudicialdemandbythecreditors,andwhenthereisanywrittenacknowledgmentofthedebtbythedebtor.
(1973a)
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