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.
Estate Tax in the Philippines: Rate, Deadlines, and How to Settle an Estate
Learn the estate tax Philippines rate, who pays it, and the steps to file and settle a decedent's estate under the TRAIN Law.
Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate in the Philippines: When and How
Learn when you can use extrajudicial settlement of estate in the Philippines, who can file, and the step-by-step process under Philippine law.
Intestate Succession and Legitime in the Philippines: Who Inherits
Understand intestate succession in the Philippines, how legitime protects compulsory heirs, and who inherits when there is no will.
Estate Tax in the Philippines: A Practical Guide for Heirs and Beneficiaries
Learn the Philippine estate tax rules: the 6% rate, deductions, filing deadlines, exemptions, and penalties under the TRAIN Law.
Unwritten Land Sales in the Philippines: When Possession and Improvements Matter
The Supreme Court clarifies when an unwritten sale of land can be enforced, focusing on possession, improvements, and partial performance under Philippine law.
Double Sale in the Philippines: Good Faith and Due Diligence in Property Disputes
A buyer who fails to inspect the property before purchase cannot claim good faith in a double sale. The Supreme Court explains why.
Proving Filiation for Inheritance: Delayed Birth Registration in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how delayed birth registrations and other evidence establish filiation for inheritance claims in the Philippines.
Good Faith Buyers and Title Defects: Lessons from Billote v. Badar
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on good faith buyers, Section 4 Rule 74 annotations, and co-owner sales of undivided shares.
Heirship Disputes: Why Summary Judgments Fail When Inheritance Rights Are Unclear
Supreme Court explains why summary judgment cannot resolve contested heirship and inheritance rights in estate administration cases.
Heirship in Property Disputes: Can Ordinary Civil Actions Decide Inheritance?
The Supreme Court clarifies when heirship can be resolved in an ordinary civil action, not just special proceedings, for property disputes.
Navigating Estate Settlements: Understanding the Limits of Intervention in Probate Proceedings
Learn when courts allow intervention in probate cases, the legal standards applied, and practical tips for protecting estate interests.
Venue vs Jurisdiction: When Courts Cannot Dismiss Probate Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that improper venue is not a ground for motu proprio dismissal of probate cases, distinguishing venue from jurisdiction.
Attorney's Fees in Estate Proceedings: When Docket Fees Are Not Required
The Supreme Court clarifies when lawyers claiming fees from an estate need not pay separate docket fees, and when certiorari is proper.
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.
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.
Probate of an Alien's Will in the Philippines: Nationality Principle Explained
Philippine courts can probate a foreigner's will executed in the Philippines. The nationality principle does not strip local courts of jurisdiction.
Foreign Nationals and Land Ownership: Constitutional Limits on Succession Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that foreign nationals cannot own land or transmit rights through succession, affecting heirs' claims.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Individual Liability for Corporate Fraud
When can directors be personally liable for corporate fraud? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on piercing the corporate veil.
Reconstitution of Land Titles: Proving Prior Existence Under RA 26
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reconstitution of lost titles: proof of prior issuance is required under RA 26, not just a decree.
Heirs Obligations Settling Debts Before Inheritance Distribution
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on heirs' duty to settle decedent's debts before inheritance distribution, including interest rules.
Exclusive Ownership vs Successional Rights: Clarifying Property Claims in Inheritance Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when heirs acquire rights to property and how titles describe ownership in inheritance disputes.
Estate Inventory Disputes: Probate Courts' Provisional Powers on Inclusion of Properties
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on probate courts' authority to provisionally determine ownership for estate inventory inclusion.
Heirship Disputes Must Be Resolved in Special Proceedings, Not Ordinary Civil Actions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that determining legal heirs requires a special proceeding, not an ordinary action for reconveyance.
Estate Administration: The Administrator's Right to Examine Documents for Estate Properties
A Supreme Court ruling on an estate administrator's power to compel production of documents believed to reveal properties belonging to the decedent's estate.