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.
Property Claims in Probate: When Philippine Courts Can Decide Ownership
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when probate courts can rule on property claims against a decedent's estate, distinguishing money claims from ownership disputes.
Employee vs. Independent Contractor in Real Estate: The Four-Fold Test Explained
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when real estate sales agents are employees or independent contractors, and why the distinction matters.
Proving Land Identity in Reconveyance Cases: Lessons from Villaroman v. Estate of Arciaga
The Supreme Court clarifies res judicata in property disputes, emphasizing the need to prove land identity and the binding effect of prior judgments.
Unlocking Inheritance Rights Understanding Illegitimate Childrens Entitlement TO Estate Partition IN THE Phili
The Supreme Court clarifies how illegitimate children inherit from their father's estate and when they can demand partition.
Blanket Mortgage Clauses: When Courts Protect Borrowers in Philippine Real Estate
A Supreme Court ruling shows when blanket mortgage clauses fail to cover new loans and why courts protect borrowers.
Understanding the Real Estate Service Act Integration Ruling: What the Supreme Court Decided
The Supreme Court upheld the IRR defining the AIPO for real estate practitioners. Learn what this landmark ruling means for RESPs.
Excluding Heirs in Estate Partition: A Guide to Philippine Succession Law
Learn how the Supreme Court resolved a quieting of title case involving excluded heirs, tax declarations, and property partition in Philippine succession law.
Timely Intervention and Jurisdictional Limits in Philippine Estate Proceedings
Learn how the Constantino case clarifies intervention rules and probate court limits in Philippine estate proceedings.
Special Administrators in Estate Cases: Residency Matters More Than Citizenship
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that residency, not citizenship, determines who may serve as special administrator in estate proceedings.
Marriage Nullity and Estate Settlement: Jurisdiction and Standing Under Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts handle marriage nullity and estate settlement, including who has legal standing to challenge a marriage's validity.
Attorneys' Fees in Estate Recovery: Insights from the Supreme Court's Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies mandatory personal notice to known heirs in probate proceedings and its impact on estate recovery.
Understanding Judicial Misconduct: Bias and Ignorance in Estate Administration
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge's gross ignorance of the law and bias in estate proceedings, and the penalties imposed.
When Must Property Sellers Deliver the Title? The Fil-Estate v. Hermana Realty Rule
Full payment of the purchase price entitles a buyer to demand the deed of sale and owner's duplicate title, even if taxes remain unpaid.
Forum Shopping and Jurisdictional Challenges in Real Estate Mortgage Disputes
Learn how filing separate cases on mortgage validity and foreclosure can constitute forum shopping, and why the HLURB has exclusive jurisdiction.
Navigating Property Disputes Understanding Jurisdictional Limits IN Real Estate Litigation
Learn how Philippine courts determine jurisdiction in property disputes, based on the Supreme Court ruling in Spouses Liu v. Cruz.
Navigating Property Sale Disputes: The Importance of Accurate Contract Descriptions in Real Estate Transaction
A lawyer's drafting mistake won't bar contract reformation when the parties' true intent is clear from their acts.
Understanding the Special Power to Sell in Real Estate Mortgages: A Supreme Court Ruling
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified what constitutes a valid special power to sell in extrajudicial foreclosure of real estate mortgages.
Contract of Sale vs Contract to Sell: When Ownership Transfers in Philippine Real Estate
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between contract of sale and contract to sell, and when ownership actually transfers in real estate transactions.
Real Property Tax Disputes: Location, Titles, and Escrow When LGUs Compete
When two LGUs claim the same property for real estate tax, who gets paid? The Supreme Court's answer in Municipality of Cainta v. Spouses Braña.
Real Estate Broker's Commission: Procuring Cause Prevails Even After Authority Expires
Philippine Supreme Court rules brokers earn commission as procuring cause even if authority expired before deal closed. Learn the rule.
Brokers Entitlement Establishing Procuring Cause IN Real Estate Joint Ventures
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a real estate broker earns a commission in a joint venture deal, explained in plain language.
Sale vs Agency: When Unpaid Vendors Are Not Guilty of Estafa
The Supreme Court clarifies when a failed real estate deal is a breach of contract, not estafa, and why unpaid vendors cannot be criminally liable.
When Banks Can Freeze a Deceased Depositor's Account: Allied Bank v. Sia
Supreme Court clarifies when banks may freeze accounts after a depositor's death, protecting estates and preventing premature withdrawals.
Lump Sum Sales Boundaries Prevail Over Area In Real Estate Contracts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in lump sum real estate sales, boundaries control over stated area under Article 1542.