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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Reimbursement Rights for Conjugal Improvements: Who Pays After the Property Is Sold
A widow sought reimbursement for conjugal improvements from the buyers of her late husband's property. The Supreme Court explains why the claim must be directed against the estate, not the purchasers.
Holographic Wills and Disinheritance: Reconciling Intent With Legal Formalities in Estate Succession
When is a disinheritance document a valid holographic will? The Supreme Court clarifies probate rules, preterition, and testamentary intent.
Breaking Down Land Ownership Disputes When Hearsay Clouds Real Estate Claims
A Supreme Court ruling explains why hearsay evidence fails in property disputes, and how Torrens titles protect registered owners.
Estate Settlement When Probate Courts Cant Decide Ownership Disputes
Learn how Philippine courts handle land registration disputes, including the need for original tracing cloth plans and clear evidence of ownership.
Attorney's Fees in Estate Proceedings: Mandamus Not a Remedy When Fees Are Redetermined
When a probate court redetermines attorney's fees, a prior writ of execution is superseded, and mandamus cannot compel its enforcement.
Premature Partition: Estate Settlement Before Property Distribution
When heirs can and cannot demand partition of a decedent's property before estate settlement proceedings are completed.
Mortgage Foreclosure: Why Stipulated Notice Requirements Matter in Real Estate Contracts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on extrajudicial foreclosure: stipulated notice requirements in mortgage contracts are mandatory and enforceable.
Intestate Succession and Laches: Protecting Heirs' Rights to Family Property
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on heirs' rights to inherited property, extrajudicial settlement validity, and when laches cannot bar succession claims.
Heirs Rights Substituting A Deceased Devisee Without Prior Estate Administration
Learn when heirs may substitute a deceased devisee in probate without a court-appointed administrator, under Philippine rules.
Breach of Contract: Understanding Rescission in Real Estate Transactions
Learn how a defective foreclosure sale was voided by the Supreme Court and what it means for buyers and mortgagors.
Real Estate Foreclosure in the Philippines: Notice Requirements and Due Process
A look at Guanco v. Antolo and why strict notice and posting rules govern extrajudicial foreclosure sales in the Philippines.
MIAA vs Parañaque: When Local Governments Cannot Tax National Assets
The Supreme Court ruled that MIAA's airport lands are exempt from local real estate tax because MIAA is a government instrumentality, not a GOCC.
Family Home Protection Consent Requirements IN Real Estate Mortgages Involving Married Couples
Good Faith vs Due Diligence: Protecting Rights in Real Estate Transactions
When is a buyer or mortgagee of land truly in good faith? The Supreme Court clarifies the duty to investigate beyond the Torrens title.
Deficiency Judgments in Philippine Foreclosure: Can Banks Recover More After Auction?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when banks can collect deficiency after extrajudicial foreclosure of real estate mortgages.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When a Corporation Can Be Bound by Unauthorized Acts
Learn when courts may hold a corporation liable for acts done under a trade name, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Ridgewood Estate, Inc. v. Belaos.
Protecting Your Inheritance: Why Heirs' Consent Matters in Estate Partition
Learn how the Supreme Court protects heirs' inheritance rights in estate partition, and why an administrator's failure to follow the decedent's will amounts to extrinsic fraud.
Attorney's Fees in Estate Settlement: When Can Lawyers Directly Claim From the Estate?
Learn when lawyers may directly claim attorney's fees from an estate in the Philippines, based on Supreme Court rulings and estate settlement rules.
Protecting Your Property Rights: Contract Cancellation in Philippine Real Estate
Learn how RA 6552 protects installment buyers and why procedural rules matter in contract cancellation cases under Philippine law.
Why 15 Days Matter: Appeal Deadlines in HLURB Real Estate Cases
A missed 15-day appeal deadline in HLURB cases is fatal. Learn the rule from United Overseas Bank v. Ching.
Mortgage Still Valid Loan Restructuring AND Novation IN THE Philippines Reyes V BPI Family Savings Bank
When does loan restructuring cancel a real estate mortgage? The Supreme Court explains novation rules in Reyes v. BPI Family Savings Bank.
Validity of Adoption in Estate Settlement: Why a Decree Stands Until Annulled
A valid adoption decree cannot be attacked collaterally in estate proceedings. Learn the rule from Reyes v. Sotero.
Perfecting a Contract to Sell: Why Payment Terms Matter in Philippine Real Estate Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why agreeing on price alone does not perfect a contract to sell real property—payment terms are essential.
Equitable Mortgage vs Pacto de Retro Sale: Philippine Real Estate Security Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a deed of sale with right to repurchase is actually an equitable mortgage, protecting borrowers from losing property.