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.
Heirs' Rights Prevail in Inheritance Disputes: Partition and Prescription Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on heirs' rights in inheritance disputes, covering partition, prescription, and validity of conveyances affecting estate property.
Family Home vs Co-Ownership: Balancing Heirs' Rights in Property Partition
When heirs dispute partition, the family home enjoys special protection. Learn how Philippine law balances co-ownership rights with family home exemptions.
When a Lawyer's Second Marriage Becomes a Professional Misconduct Case
A municipal legal officer faces suspension for contracting a second marriage while his first remained valid, highlighting lawyers' duty to know the law.
Lawyer Suspended for Contracting Second Marriage While First Was Subsisting
A lawyer's second marriage while his first remained valid led to a one-year suspension, underscoring lawyers' duty to know the law.
Upholding Ethical Standards: One-Year Suspension for Lawyer's Bigamous Marriage
A municipal legal officer's second marriage while his first subsists violates lawyer ethics. The Supreme Court explains why.
Estate Settlement Venue and Remarriage After Foreign Divorce: Key Philippine Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies estate settlement venue means actual residence, and a Filipino divorced by a foreign spouse may remarry.
Divorce Abroad and Remarriage in the Philippines: Legal Standing in Bigamy Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who may challenge a bigamous marriage when a foreign divorce is involved, and what evidence is required.
Adoption Requires Clear Parental Consent Protecting Family Rights IN THE Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on adoption: biological parent's written consent is indispensable, and foreign documents must be authenticated.
Second Marriages and SSS Death Benefits: Why Court Decisions Matter
The Supreme Court rules on whether the SSS can disregard a court declaration of presumptive death when awarding death benefits.
Bigamy and Presumptive Death: When a Second Marriage Becomes a Crime
The Supreme Court explains why a judicial declaration of presumptive death is required before remarrying, and when bigamy applies.
Future Inheritance vs Present Rights: Resolving Property Disputes Among Heirs
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on partition inter vivos, future inheritance, and validity of property transfers among heirs.
Upholding Partition Agreements: Notarized Deeds as Valid Public Documents in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on notarized deeds of partition as public documents, their presumption of regularity, and evidentiary weight in property disputes.
Void Marriages and Inheritance Rights: Determining Legal Heirs in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void marriages, death benefits, and who qualifies as legal heirs under the Family Code.
Bigamy and Annulment in the Philippines: When Can a Civil Case Stop a Criminal Charge
Learn when a civil annulment case can suspend a bigamy prosecution, based on the Supreme Court ruling in Arthur Te v. Court of Appeals.
When a Judicial Decree of Nullity Is Not Required for Remarriage Under the Civil Code
The Supreme Court explains when a void first marriage needs no judicial declaration before a second marriage, under the Civil Code regime.
Second Marriages and Absent Spouses: Validity Under the Civil Code Explained
When a first spouse disappears, can a second marriage be valid? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules under the Civil Code.
When Heirs Can Question a Void Marriage After Death: The Niñal Rule
Heirs may challenge a deceased person's void marriage for successional rights. The Supreme Court explains the limits and rules.
Marriage Annulment and Bigamy in the Philippines: Lessons from a Landmark Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a void marriage still requires judicial declaration before remarriage, and its impact on bigamy charges.
Partitioning Property Proving Ownership AND Avoiding Legal Pitfalls IN THE Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle partition actions, ownership disputes, and prescription from the Catapusan case.