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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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.
Custody Rights of Illegitimate Children: Balancing Maternal Preference and the Child's Best Interests
The Supreme Court clarifies when an illegitimate father may seek custody, and the limits of the tender-age presumption under Article 213.
Illegitimate Children’s Rights: Mother’s Surname and Parental Authority in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that illegitimate children use their mother’s surname and are under her sole parental authority, voiding a father’s unilateral birth registration.
Surname Use for Illegitimate Children: What the Supreme Court Said in Gan v. Republic
The Supreme Court explains when an illegitimate child may use the father's surname, and why changing one's name is a privilege, not a right.
Establishing Filiation: The Complexities of Inheritance Rights for Illegitimate Children in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how illegitimate children prove filiation and inherit, and why unprobated wills fail in estate claims.
Establishing Filiation: The Evidentiary Standard for Illegitimate Children's Support Claims
A support promise without an admission of paternity does not establish filiation. Nepomuceno v. Lopez clarifies the rule.
Moral Damages in Maritime Disasters: Who Can Claim After a Breach of Contract
Supreme Court rules only spouse, descendants, ascendants, and illegitimate children may claim moral damages for a passenger's death in a maritime disaster.
Valid Substituted Service and Child Support Rights in Philippine Family Law
Supreme Court ruling on valid substituted service of summons for OFW parents and the right of illegitimate children to support.
Conjugal Property Support Illegitimate Children Family Code Rules
Supreme Court clarifies when conjugal property may be levied to satisfy support obligations for illegitimate children under the Family Code.
Establishing Filiation: How Informal Writings Can Prove Paternity in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how handwritten letters can establish paternity and filiation of illegitimate children under the Family Code.
Successional Rights OF Illegitimate Children Clarifying Waiver AND Filiation Requirements
Intestate Succession Under the Old Civil Code: Equal Rights for Illegitimate Children
How the Supreme Court applied the old Civil Code's succession rules to protect the inheritance rights of illegitimate children in a landmark 2005 ruling.
Trust AND Title Upholding Heir Rights Despite Torrens Registration
Supreme Court voids a deed transferring conjugal land to illegitimate children, ruling Torrens titles cannot cure a void contract.
Illegitimate Children's Rights: Citizenship and Surname Use Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that illegitimate children of Filipino mothers are Filipino citizens at birth and may continue using their father's surname.
Custody of Illegitimate Children: The Best Interests of the Child in Tonog v. Court of Appeals
Explaining how Philippine courts decide custody of illegitimate children, with the child's welfare as the paramount consideration.
Simulated Sales and Illegitimate Transfers: Protecting Legitimate Heirs' Rights
When a father sells property to illegitimate children to defeat a legitimate heir's share, the sale may be void as simulated.
Surname of Illegitimate Children: Mothers Right Prevails Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court rules illegitimate children must use their mother's surname, even when the father admits paternity.
Illegitimate Childrens Inheritance Rights IN THE Philippines A Case Analysis
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on oral donations, co-ownership, and prescription in estate partition disputes.
Parental Visitation Rights of Illegitimate Children in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms a father's right to visit his illegitimate children, prioritizing the child's welfare over parental disputes.
Establishing Paternity in the Philippines: Navigating Recognition and Support
Learn how Philippine courts establish paternity for illegitimate children and their right to support, based on a landmark Supreme Court ruling.