Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Maceda LAW Protecting Installment Buyers OF Real Estate IN THE Philippines
Fixed vs Percentage Docket Fees: Annulment of Real Estate Contracts Qualifies for Fixed Fees
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when annulment of real estate contracts warrants fixed docket fees rather than percentage-based fees.
Estate Settlement and Guardianship: Why Venue and Proper Petition Matter in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies venue rules, proper petitions, and standing in Philippine estate settlement and guardianship proceedings.
Breach of Trust and Conflict of Interest: Attorney Suspended for Unethical Conduct in Estate Settlement
A CPA-lawyer's suspension for breach of trust, conflict of interest, and unethical conduct in settling a client's estate.
Heirs and Nephews: Who Inherits When a Relative Dies Without a Will
Philippine intestate succession rules determine whether a nephew or more distant relatives inherit from a deceased person's estate.
Automatic Contract Cancellation: What Buyers Must Know in Philippine Real Estate
The Supreme Court explains when automatic cancellation clauses in contracts to sell are valid and enforceable in Philippine real estate.
Compromise Agreements in Estate Settlements: Validity and Enforceability
Learn when compromise agreements partitioning inherited property are valid without court approval, and why probate courts cannot finally rule on ownership.
Automatic Contract Rescission: What Buyers and Sellers Should Know in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains automatic rescission in contracts to sell, buyer rights, and the dangers of laches in real estate deals.
Mortgage Contracts and Future Advances: Understanding the Scope of Security in Philippine Law
When does a real estate mortgage cover future loans beyond the stated amount? The Supreme Court explains in Quintanilla v. RCBC.
Probate Court Jurisdiction vs Foreign Courts: The Marcos Estate Ruling
Philippine probate court jurisdiction does not bar foreign courts from acting on claims against an estate, as the Supreme Court explained in this 1997 ruling.
Right of Repurchase in Philippine Real Estate: Pacto de Retro Rules Explained
Learn the rules on pacto de retro sales and the right of repurchase in Philippine real estate, including annotation duties and judicial requirements.
Estate Tax Collection: BIR Authority vs. Probate Court Jurisdiction
Supreme Court ruling on whether the BIR can levy estate properties without probate court approval, and the finality of tax assessments.
Rescission of Real Estate Sales: When Can a Deal Be Undone
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a deed of sale can be rescinded for unpaid consideration and why corporate separateness blocks compensation claims.
Reconveyance Actions and Estate Administration: Jurisdiction vs. Venue in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that seeking appointment as estate administratrix in a reconveyance action affects venue, not jurisdiction, of the RTC.
Perfecting Labor Appeals: Can a Real Estate Bond Substitute for Cash or Surety?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a real estate bond can perfect an employer's appeal to the NLRC under Article 223 of the Labor Code.
Perfecting a Contract of Sale: Understanding Offer and Acceptance in Philippine Law
When is a real estate offer accepted? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on offer, acceptance, and the Statute of Frauds.
Forum Shopping and Judicial Ethics: Lessons from Fil-Estate Golf v. Court of Appeals
When may filing two similar cases be considered forum shopping? The Supreme Court explains the rule and its penalties.
Continuing Security in Mortgages: When Future Loans Are Covered
Philippine Supreme Court explains when real estate mortgages secure future loans beyond stated amounts, and the limits of injunctions against foreclosure.
Right of First Refusal and Ownership Proof in Philippine Real Estate Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts resolve property ownership disputes and partition actions, emphasizing evidence rules and prescription periods.
Mortgaging Property With Pending Land Patent Applications: Risks and Requisites
Learn the legal risks of mortgaging property with pending land patent applications and the requisites for valid real estate mortgages in the Philippines.
Earnest Money and Conditional Obligations: Navigating Real Estate Sales in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on earnest money, conditional obligations, and what happens when a seller fails to deliver in Philippine real estate sales.
Understanding the Limits of General Powers of Attorney in Real Estate Sales
Learn how Philippine courts treat general powers of attorney in real estate transactions and why specificity matters.
Estate Allowances: Who Can Receive Support During Probate in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who may receive support allowances from a decedent's estate during probate proceedings.