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.
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Usufruct vs. Co-Ownership: When a Usufructuary Can Eject a Co-Owner
The Supreme Court clarifies that a usufructuary can eject a co-owner during the usufruct period, protecting family property arrangements.
Unmarried Cohabitation Establishing Property Rights In Long Term Illicit Relationships
The Supreme Court ruled that long-term illicit cohabitation can establish co-ownership rights under Article 148 of the Family Code.
Co-Ownership Rights and Provisional Ownership in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that co-owners cannot eject each other from inherited property before partition, even with a Torrens title.
Co-Ownership and Ejectment: When a Co-Owner Can Be Evicted for Forcible Entry
A co-owner who forcibly takes exclusive possession of common property can be ejected. Learn the rules on co-ownership and forcible entry from a 2022 Supreme Court ruling.
Co-Ownership vs. Partition: Clarifying Property Rights in the Philippines
A co-owner may sell only his undivided share; buyers become co-owners, and the proper remedy is partition, not annulment.
Understanding Unlawful Detainer When Tolerance Turns Into Legal Disputes Over Property
The Supreme Court clarifies when tolerated possession in unlawful detainer cases must begin and how co-ownership affects ejectment suits.
Co-Ownership and Property Rights in the Philippines: The Racho Case on Consent
The Supreme Court clarifies when co-owners may sell inherited property and why consent of all heirs is required before partition.
Property Rights in Cohabitation: Actual Contributions Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in adulterous cohabitation, only actual joint contributions create co-ownership of property.
Co-Ownership Disputes: How Inheritance and Sales Affect Land Rights in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when administrative orders on land disputes become final and how co-ownership, inheritance, and sales affect property rights.
When a Deed Speaks Louder Than a Title: Resolving Land Ownership Disputes in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how co-ownership, oral partition, and redemption affect land ownership disputes in the Philippines.
Tenancy Rights vs. Co-Ownership: Proving Agricultural Tenancy in Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that tenancy is a legal relationship that must be proven by substantial evidence, not presumed from mere occupation.
Conjugal Property Rights: When a Forged Donation and Sale Divide Ownership
A forged donation of conjugal property leads to co-ownership between the buyer and the innocent spouse, each holding an undivided half.
Forged Signatures and Imprescriptibility in Co-Ownership Property Disputes
Forged deed transfers property by fraud; co-owner in possession can file imprescriptible quieting of title action.
Co-Ownership and Land Registration: Who Keeps the Owner’s Duplicate Title?
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a buyer of an undivided co-owned land must surrender the owner’s duplicate certificate of title to the co-owners.
Co-Ownership and Lease Agreements: Property Rights After a Spouse's Death
Learn how the Supreme Court resolved lease, co-ownership, and property rights disputes after a spouse's death in Uy v. Estate of Vipa Fernandez.
Implied Trusts and Co-Ownership: Hidden Property Rights in Family Lending Businesses
When a family lending business buys property under one sibling's name, an implied trust may preserve everyone's share.
Implied Trusts Protecting Shared Property Interests Despite Title Registration
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how implied trusts can protect co-ownership rights even when property titles name only one person.
Due Process and Co-Ownership Rights in Non-Profit Organizations and Corporate Asset Transfers
Supreme Court ruling on void mortgages over deceased co-owner's share, good faith purchasers, and co-ownership rights in property transfers.
Co-Ownership Rights and Partition Agreements: Understanding the Bulalacao-Soriano v. Papina Decision
A co-owner cannot sell a specific portion of common property; only co-owners may validly enter into partition agreements. Learn the rules.
Heirs Discord Upholding Partition Rights In Estate Disputes
The Supreme Court affirms that no co-heir may be forced to remain in co-ownership, and explains strict rules on appeals.
Sale vs Donation: How Courts Determine the True Intent Behind Property Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court explains how to distinguish a simulated donation from a real sale, and why building a house on another's land does not create co-ownership.
Co-Ownership Rights Protecting Inherited Property Against Unconsented Mortgages
Learn how co-owners can protect inherited property from unconsented mortgages and what the Supreme Court says about ownership rights.
Co-Ownership and Unauthorized Sales: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court handles co-owned property disputes, redemption rights, and unauthorized sales in this Philippine civil law case analysis.
How Marital Status Determines Property Ownership in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling explains how marital status affects property ownership, co-ownership rules, and the validity of selling property without spousal consent.