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BETWEEN SPOUSES
the prospective spouses made therein, shall be rendered void if the marriage does not
take place. However, stipulations that do not depend upon the celebration of the
marriages shall be valid.
A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
CPG ACP
Art. 74. The property relationship between husband and wife shall be governed in the
Property acquired prior to marriage is All property regardless of when they were
following order:
paraphernal. After marriage, conjugal. acquired is conjugal property.
(1) By marriage settlements executed before the marriage;
(2) By the provisions of this Code; and
(3) By the local custom. (118) Whatever is exclusive will remain
exclusive.
Art. 75. The future spouses may, in the marriage settlements, agree upon the regime
of absolute community, conjugal partnership of gains, complete separation of property,
or any other regime. In the absence of a marriage settlement, or when the regime
agreed upon is void, the system of absolute community of property as established in SITUATIONS
this Code shall govern. (119a) 1. ACP.
a. A property acquired exclusively after the marriage will become
Art. 76. In order that any modification in the marriage settlements may be valid, it must community.
be made before the celebration of the marriage, subject to the provisions of Articles b. Fruits of exclusive property = paraphernal. Subject to reimbursement.
66, 67, 128, 135 and 136. (121) c. Exclusive property/gratuitous title is sold by a spouse, the proceeds are
community because there is conversion. Subject to reimbursement.
Art. 77. The marriage settlements and any modification thereof shall be in writing, d. If personal property is exchanged/bartered = community. EXCEPT: if
signed by the parties and executed before the celebration of the marriage. They shall the property received will qualify as a property used for the personal and
not prejudice third persons unless they are registered in the local civil registry where exclusive use of the recipient spouse.
the marriage contract is recorded as well as in the proper registries of properties. 2. CPG.
(122a) a. A property acquired exclusively after the marriage with the spouse’s
paraphernal property, it will become paraphernal.
Art. 78. A minor who according to law may contract marriage may also execute his or b. Fruits of exclusive property = community
her marriage settlements, but they shall be valid only if the persons designated in c. Exclusive property is sold by a spouse, the proceeds are paraphernal.
Article 14 to give consent to the marriage are made parties to the agreement, subject d. If personal property is exchanged/bartered = exclusive.
to the provisions of Title IX of this Code. (120a) = impliedly repealed
Art. 79. For the validity of any marriage settlement executed by a person upon whom RELEVANT PROVISIONS
a sentence of civil interdiction has been pronounced or who is subject to any other - Because of the spouses’ oneness, they cannot sell property to each other except
disability, it shall be indispensable for the guardian appointed by a competent court to when a separation of property was agreed upon in the marriage settlement or when
be made a party thereto. (123a) there has been a judicial separation of property (Art. 1490 NCC)
- Between spouses, there shall be a right of accretion unless the donor has
Art. 80. In the absence of a contrary stipulation in a marriage settlement, the property otherwise provided (Art. 753 NCC).
relations of the spouses shall be governed by Philippine laws, regardless of the place - An agreement in consideration of marriage must be in writing. Otherwise, it shall
of the celebration of the marriage and their residence. This rule shall not apply: be unenforceable.
(1) Where both spouses are aliens; - The requirement that an ante-nuptial agreement must be in writing is mandatory
(2) With respect to the extrinsic validity of contracts affecting property not situated for its enforceability and validity.
in the Philippines and executed in the country where the property is located; and o For subsequent marriages where the previous marriage was terminated due to
the death of the former spouse, the surviving spouse cannot have any other
(3) With respect to the extrinsic validity of contracts entered into in the Philippines regime except a complete separation of property if the surviving spouse, within
but affecting property situated in a foreign country whose laws require different one year from the death of the other, did not initiate any judicial or extrajudicial
formalities for its extrinsic validity. (124a) settlement of the properties of their previous marriage (Art. 103 and 130 NCC).
- Spouses cannot sell property to each other. EXCEPT: there is a separation of - If found unfair and/or unreasonable, its effectivity can still be maintained if it is
property in the settlement or if there is a judicial separation of property. shown that the disadvantaged spouse, when they signed, had some understanding
- The FC favors the ACP rather than the separation. of their rights to be waived or prejudiced or in any manner affected by the
agreement.
- Burden of proof of the invalidity of an agreement is on the spouse alleging it.
MARRIAGE SETTLEMENT
EXCEPTION: if the contract is unreasonable on its face and a presumption of
- As to property relations, the spouses shall primarily be governed by their concealment arises, the burden shall be on the other party to prove the validity.
settlement. REQUIREMENTS
o Must be in writing
o Signed by the parties EXCEPTIONS
o Made prior to the celebration of the marriage
- If a marriage is terminated by the death of one spouse and the surviving spouse
o Must be registered in the local civil registrar where the marriage contract is
marries again without initiating any judicial or extrajudicial settlement of the
recorded and in the proper registries of property
properties of their previous marriage within one year from the death of the
- An oral marriage settlement is void and cannot be ratified by any claim of partial
deceased, a mandatory regime of complete separation of property shall govern.
execution or absence of objection.
- The contracting parties can stipulate on any arrangement for their settlement.
EXCEPT: ON MODIFICATIONS
o Contrary to law, public policy, and the Family Code
o That their property relations will start at a time other than the moment of the General Rule: No modifications of the property after the celebration of marriage.
celebration of marriage (Art. 88 and 107 FC) Exception: a modification may be made after the celebration after securing a judicial
o Allowing them to make any substantial donation to each other (Art. 87 FC) approval and should only refer to the instances provided in Arts. 66, 67, 128, 135, and
o Automatic conversion of property regimes at a certain time in marriage is also 136 FC.
void.
- If there is no settlement or if the same is void, the absolute community of property - A revival of the former property regime upon reconciliation after a judicial decree
will prevail. of legal separation has been rendered can be made only via a court order recorded
- Mixed-Up Property Regime: spouses shall retain as their own exclusive property in the civil registries.
all their salaries earned during the marriage but will consider any real estate - A spouse may not enter into an agreement which will have the effect of converting
purchased from the same as commonly owned while all personal properties as community property into separate property so as to relieve the same from liability
exclusively owned. to be taken in satisfaction for the payment of community debts.
- Rules on Validity
o The consideration of a marriage settlement is the marriage itself. If no marriage, ON LOCAL CUSTOMS
the settlement is void.
Exception: stipulations that do not depend on the celebration of marriage - When the parties stipulate that local custom shall apply or that absolute community
i.e. stipulation to support their common child because a parent is obliged shall not govern without mentioning what regime to use, local custom shall then
to support the child whether legitimate or not. apply.
o If the provisions in the settlement are separable, the invalid provisions will not - If the settlement provides that neither absolute community or local custom shall
render ineffectual the valid ones. prevail without mentioning what to use, such provision will be void and the absolute
- Considerations prior to the enactment of the FC for subsequent marriages community shall be used.
o 1401 to 1416 NCC CIVIL INTERDICTION
o Computation in Phone
- Shall deprive the offender during the time of his sentence of the rights of parental
authority, or guardianship, either as to the person or property of any ward, of martial
ON THE FAIRNESS OF THE SETTLEMENT authority, of the right to manage his property, and of the right to dispose of such
property by any act or any conveyance inter vivos.
- Considerations on the fairness and reasonableness of the settlement: - it shall be indispensable for the guardian, appointed by the court, to be made a
o Relative situation of the parties party to the written marriage settlement
o Ages
o Health and experience
o Properties ON MINORITY
o Family ties and connections
o Needs - An 18-year old can execute a marriage settlement without the consent of the
o Other factors that show that the agreement was understandingly made parents because once emancipated, an 18-year old becomes qualified and
responsible for all acts of civil life.
Art. 87. Every donation or grant of gratuitous advantage, direct or indirect, between
the spouses during the marriage shall be void, except moderate gifts which the
RULES GOVERNING PROPERTY RELATIONS
spouses may give each other on the occasion of any family rejoicing. The prohibition
- Property relations of spouses is governed by their will provided that their agreement shall also apply to persons living together as husband and wife without a valid
will not be contrary to law, public policy, and within the limits of the Family Code. marriage.
- If the spouses are Filipinos, their property relations will be governed by Philippine
laws unless the contrary is agreed regardless of where they are situated. Art. 43. The termination of the subsequent marriage referred to in the preceding Article
EXCEPTION: shall produce the following effects: (3) Donations by reason of marriage shall remain
o Real and personal property because they shall always be subject to the law of valid, except that if the donee contracted the marriage in bad faith, such donations
the country where they are situated made to said donee are revoked by operation of law
o If both spouses are aliens married in the Philippines.
- Reimbursement will happen at the liquidation of property when there is already a
declaration of separation of properties.
DONATIONS PROPTER NUPTIAS / DONATION BY REASON OF MARRIAGE
B. DONATION PROPTER NUPTIAS - Donation is an act of liberality. It must not be negotiated. The donee must not take
part in the decision-making of the donor.
Art. 82. Donations by reason of marriage are those which are made before its - It may be part of the marriage settlement but it cannot be part of the property
celebration, in consideration of the same, and in favor of one or both of the future settlement.
spouses. (126) - Donation propter nuptias are without onerous consideration because the marriage
is the only motive for the donation and not its causa.
Art. 83. These donations are governed by the rules on ordinary donations established - May be subject to reduction for inofficiousness upon the donor’s death, if they
in Title III of Book III of the Civil Code, insofar as they are not modified by the following should infringe the legitime of a forced heir.
articles. (127a) - Requisites for Donation
o In consideration of marriage
Art. 84. If the future spouses agree upon a regime other than the absolute community o Prior to the celebration
of property, they cannot donate to each other in their marriage settlements more than o Must be in favor of one or both of the spouses
one-fifth of their present property. Any excess shall be considered void. o Must not be more than 1/5 of the donor’s present property if in a marriage
settlement.
Donations of future property shall be governed by the provisions on testamentary - REMEMBER:
succession and the formalities of wills. (130a) o IF THE LAW SAYS THE DONATION IS REVOKED BY OPERATION OF LAW,
THERE IS NO NEED TO FILE AN ACTION TO REVOKE THE DONATION
Art. 85. Donations by reason of marriage of property subject to encumbrances shall EXCEPT IF THE DONEE REFUSES TO RETURN THE PROPERTY. In which
be valid. In case of foreclosure of the encumbrance and the property is sold for less case, donor has the right to file an action.
than the total amount of the obligation secured, the donee shall not be liable for the Movable: prescription is 8 years
deficiency. If the property is sold for more than the total amount of said obligation, the Immovable: prescription is 30 years
donee shall be entitled to the excess. (131a) o IF THE LAW SAYS THAT THE DONATION MAY BE REVOKED, THERE IS A
NEED TO FILE AN ACTION WHICH HAS A PRESCRIPTION OF FIVE YEARS
Art. 86. A donation by reason of marriage may be revoked by the donor in the following FROM THE JUDICIAL DECLARATION OF NULLITY, ANNULMENT, OR
cases: LEGAL SEPARATION.
(1) If the marriage is not celebrated or judicially declared void ab initio except
donations made in the marriage settlements, which shall be governed by Article 81;
(2) When the marriage takes place without the consent of the parents or TYPES OF DONATIONS
guardian, as required by law; - Donations that are not propter nuptias:
(3) When the marriage is annulled, and the donee acted in bad faith; o Made in favor of the spouses after the celebration of the marriage
(4) Upon legal separation, the donee being the guilty spouse; o Executed in favor of the future spouses but not in consideration of marriage
(5) If it is with a resolutory condition and the condition is complied with; o Granted to persons other than the spouses even though they may be founded
(6) When the donee has committed an act of ingratitude as specified by the on the marriage
provisions of the Civil Code on donations in general. (132a) - Donations may be contained in a marriage settlement. Requirements:
o Follows rules governing ordinary donations under Title III of Book III NCC
o Donee must accept the donation personally or through an authorized person
o Acceptance must be made during the lifetime of the donor and done because the subtle hazards and the undue influence attendant in the
- Donation of a movable may be made orally or in writing. negotiation of a marriage settlement are generally absent in a donation,
o Oral donation requires the simultaneous delivery of the thing which is done unilaterally in a separate deed of donation free from the
o If more than 5,000, it must be in writing. Otherwise, void. interference of even the donee-spouse
- Donations of an immovable are valid if
o Made in a public document that specifies the property to be donated and the
value of the charges that the done must satisfy. ON ONE-FIFTH LIMITATION
o Acceptance must be in a public document as well either in the same document - If the marriage settlement is other than an ACP and there is also a donation propter
or in another. If in another, the donor shall be notified in an authentic form and nuptias not included in a settlement but contained in a separated deed, the one-
this step shall be noted in both instruments. fifth limitation will not apply.
o Must be in the lifetime of the donor - Applicable is the general rules on donation in Title III of Book III NCC.
- Donations of future property o Article 750 NCC
o Shall be governed by the provisions on testamentary succession and the The donation may comprehend all the present property of the donor, or part
formalities of a will. thereof, provided he reserves, in full ownership or in usufruct, suffi cient
o May be handwritten. Requirements: means for the support of himself, and all relatives who, at the time of the
Should be entirely handwritten, dated and sighed by the donor. acceptance of the donation, are by law entitled to be supported by the
If not handwritten, it must be subscribed at the end thereof by the donor or donor. Without such reservation, the donation shall be reduced on petition
his name written by someone else in his presence. of any person affected
Attested and subscribed by three or more credible witnesses in the o Article 752 NCC
presence of the donor an of one another. No person may give or receive more than he may give or receive by will.
The other person who wrote the donor’s name shall also sign on the left The donation shall be inofficious in all that it may exceed this limitation.
margin of all pages except on the left
All pages shall be numbered in letters placed on the upper part of the page.
Attestation clause shall state the number of pages used in which the deed DONATION WITH ENCUMBRANCE
of donation is written and the fact that the donor signed every page thereof
or cause some other person to write his name under his express direction - An encumbrance is a mortgage or other charge on property or assets
in the presence of instrumental witnesses and that they witnessed and - If the object of the donation is subject of an encumbrance, the donation is still valid
signed the deed of donation and all the pages thereof in the presence of the but the donee’s rights are subject to the encumbrance.
donor and one another o If the object of the donation has been foreclosed to answer for the unpaid debt
If the attestation clause is in the language not understood by the witnesses, of the donor, the donee shall not be liable in the event the foreclosure is less
it shall be interpreted to them than the debt of the donee.
Must be notarized by a notary public by the donor and the witnesses o The donee could not be liable because is not a debtor nor a solidary debtor with
- Donations between future spouses respect to the principal obligation.
o Requisites: o If the foreclosure is greater than the debt, the excess shall go to the donee
Valid marriage settlement because, as the owner, the donee is entitled to whatever value of the property
The property regime is not an absolute community which can be obtained.
Must not be more than 1/5 of the donor’s present property o Donee cannot seek reimbursement from the foreclosure since the donation was
It must be accepted by the would-be spouse an act of liberality by the donor.
Must comply with the requisites in Title III Book III NCC on donations
o Useless if the property regime is absolute community
o Useless if there is no marriage settlement because the de facto regime would MARRIAGE NOT CELEBRATED
be absolute community. - If not celebrated, the donor has the option to revoke or maintain the donation.
o Does it contradict the prohibition on donations between spouses? NO - If the donation is contained in a marriage settlement, the donation is void.
The reason for the rule is to prevent the exertion of undue influence by the - No prescriptive period when the donor can revoke the donation. HOWEVER:
donor spouse to the donee. o Article 1149 NCC: all actions whose periods are not fixed must be brought
This danger is remote in future spouses than in married ones already. within five years from the time the right of action accrues. IF THE MARRIAGE
The law only contemplates donations made in their marriage settlements IS NOT CELEBRATED, THE TIME THE RIGHT OF ACTION ACCRUES
because it is usually negotiated and agreed upon by the parties. SHALL BE ON THE FIXED DATE OF THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY AND
Thus, exerting undue influence is clearly possible in the discussions of the FIVE YEARS THEREAFTER.
marriage settlements. o IN CASES WHERE THE DONATION IS VOID BECAUSE IT IS INCLUDED IN
In essence, the “not more than one-fifth limitation” is not applicable in case A MARRIAGE SETTLEMTN, THERE IS NO PRESCRIPTION.
the donation propter nuptias is made in a separate deed of donation
o IF THE DONATION DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE MARRIAGE (donations Any donation given by Ax to
NOT propter nuptias), donation is still valid. Xy MAY be void if Ax and
Xy were already guilty of
adultery/concubinage at the
MARRIAGE JUDICIALLY DECLARED VOID time of donation or when
- A marriage that is void by law does not automatically give the donor the right to they were already living as
revoke the donation. There must first be a judicial declaration that the marriage is spouses without a valid
void. marriage.
- Five situations that can arise depending on the reason for the nullity of the
marriage: If Ax and Beh’s Donation by Xy shall be
marriage was in revoked by operation of law
IF THEN OTHER NOTES itself void and no upon the finality of the
declaration of nullity judicial declaration of nullity
Subsequent Donation is revoked by If the donee does not has been obtained of Xy and Ax’s marriage.
marriage is void operation of law. want to return the object, prior to Ax’s
because Abe did not PROVIDED THAT SAID the donor can file an marriage to Xy
acquire a prior SPOUSE ACTED IN BAD action. Prescription starts
judicial declaration FAITH (meaning he knew on the date of the finality Both parties are in Donor has the option to Prescription is five years
of void marriage for from the start that his of the judicial declaration good faith revoke or not from the time of the
the previous subsequent marriage was of nullity. judicial declaration of
marriage. Requires void). The possession is nullity
If movable, 8 years. If
that Abe acted in lost from the finality of the
immovable, 30 years.
bad faith. declaration of nullity.
NO CONSENT OF PARENTS OR GUARDIAN
There is bad faith on All donations by reason of
the part both such void marriage shall be - For marriages contracted by parties 18 and above to below 21.
contracting parties revoked by operation of o Marriage is annullable and the donation may or may not be revoked by the
in a subsequent law. donor.
marriage where one o Does not require a prior judicial declaration of annulment.
of them obtained a o Donor has give years prescription from the time he knew that the consent was
judicial declaration not obtained.
of presumptive o Knowledge must be on the date of the celebration of marriage or after. If before,
death to be able to this rule cannot YET apply because the parents may eventually give their
remarry consent.
If the marriage has Applicable provision is Art. This does not exclude
ANNULLED MARRIAGE AND DONEE ACTED IN BAD FAITH
been declared void 86(1). Such donations may donations contained in
not based on the or may not be revoked by the marriage settlements - There is an irreconcilable conflict between Article 86(3) which makes the donation
grounds of Art. 44 the donor.. because they are merely revocable at the instance of the donor in case the marriage is annulled and
and Art. 40 governed by Art. 81. In the donee is proven to be in bad faith in contracting the marriage and Article 50 in
which case, the donation relation to Article 43(3) which provides that one of the effects of an annulment
is void. Good faith or bad decree is that a donation propter nuptias is considered revoked by operation of law
faith is irrelevant. if the donee is in bad faith
- What should be applied is Article 50 because t particular spouse who acted in bad
Ax is validly married Any donation propter faith should not be allowed to profit or gain, by any means whatsoever, from his act
to Beh and marries nuptias given by Xy to Ax of bad faith which precipitated such an annullable marriage.
Xy while the first may or may not be revoked - It is more in keeping with the spirit of the law to consider any donation propter
marriage was by Xy. nuptias as revoked by operation of law in case where the marriage is annulled and
subsisting (bigamy) the donee acted in bad faith.
- Why not give the innocent donor spouse the option to revoke the donation?
o It may give rise to collusion: guilty spouse will bargain by saying that he will not VOID DONATIONS
oppose the petition for annulment provided he keep the donated property.
- No marriage takes place
o It will not be a good deterrent for those people who regard marriage as a way
- Donations made more than he may give or receive by will
to get rich.
- Donations made by persons who were guilty of infidelity at the time of the donation.
- Art. 87 donation or grant of gratuitous advantage between spouses and common
law spouses.
EXCEPTION TO THE BAD FAITH REQUIREMENT
o Ratio: fear of undue and improper pressure or influence upon the donor
- There are instances when the marriage is annullable but the spouses may not be o Moderate gifts are allowed depending on a case-to-case basis considering the
in bad faith. Example financial capacity of the donor.
o Donee spouse informs donor or donor-spouse that he has STD. This act is not o Intended benefit does not have to be proven.
considered bad faith. o On common law spouses
o The donation to the donee shall remain effective and can never be revoked Donation must be done when they were still living together as husband and
either under Art. 86(3) or Art. 50 in relation to Art. 43(3). wife without the benefit of marriage.
o Covered in this provision is when a spouse sells property to the other and this
spouse also gave the other the money with which the property is to be bought.
ON LEGAL SEPARATION o Other coverage of Art. 87 / Indirect Donations
- Marriage bond is not extinguished, there is a possibility the spouses may reconcile. 1) to a stepchild who has no compulsory and/or legal heirs, such as his or her
Thus, donor may or may not revoke the donation. children, other than the other spouse at the time of the donation;
- In cases where there is infidelity, the donations between the spouses shall be void. 2) to a common child who has no compulsory and/ or legal heirs other than
the other spouse at the time of the donation;
3) to the parents of the other spouse;
ON RESOLUTORY CONDITIONS 4) to the other spouse’s adopted child who has no compulsory and/or heirs
or, in cases when, at the time of the donation, the only surviving relative of the
- Where the donor is a third party. If there is a resolutory condition and it is adopted is the other spouse (parent of the adopted);
complied with, the donor has the option to revoke the donation. 5) to a common adopted child who has no other compulsory and/or legal
o Prescription: 5 years from the happening of the resolutory condition. heirs.
o Example: parent donates car to spouses. Resolutory condition: the car will be
revoked if they leave the Philippines. Spouse left. Father then has the option to If the donee gives birth to a common child who is a compulsory or legal heir,
revoke the donation. the invalidity of the donation will not be cured since the donation is void from
- Where the donor is the spouse. Donor-spouse can recover the donation without the beginning.
a prescriptive period.
o Art. 1109 NCC – prescription does not run between husband and wife even Except: donations for their common children for the purpose of education or
though there is a separation of property. other activity for self-improvement. Any other reason is invalid because the
parents are presumptive heirs of the child.
ACTS OF INGRATITUDE
- Art. 765 NCC PERSONS WHO CAN CHALLENGE VALIDITY OF TRANSFER
The donation may also be revoked at the instance of the donor, by reason of - Only who are real parties in interest.
ingratitude in the following cases: - There must be an interference in the rights of the party in interest.
1) If the donee should commit some offense against the person, the honor or
property of the donor, or of his wife or children under his parental authority;
2) If the donee imputes to the donor any criminal offense, or any act involving moral RESERVA TRONCAL
turpitude, even though he should prove it, unless the crime or the act has been
committed against the donee himself, his wife or children under his authority; - Art. 891 NCC
3) If he unduly refuses him support when the donee is legally or morally bound to The ascendant who inherits from his descendant any property which the latter may
give support to the donor have acquired by gratuitous title from another ascendant, or a brother or sister, is
- If the donor wants to revoke, prescription is one year from the time he had obliged to reserve such property as he may have acquired by operation of law for
knowledge of the fact of ingratitude of the donee. the benefit of relatives who are within the third degree and who belong to the line
o If the donation is revoked, the alienations and mortgages effected before the from which said property came.
notation of the complaint for revocation shall subsist. Later ones shall be void. - Ratio: keep the property within the same bloodline.
- Example: X and A are married. Y is their only son. X, before he died, donated to - The provisions on co-ownership are suppletory to this type of regime. In case of
his son Y a Pasig property. X has two living brothers, D and M. Thereafter Y died conflict, the FC shall prevail.
without any descendant-heir. The Pasig-property was therefore inherited by A, the
mother. When the mother inherits the property, it became her property. If the
mother dies, the property will not go to the other heirs of the mother, like her parents
or brothers, but to D and M who are the living brothers of X and at the same time 2) Community Property and Its Charges
are the uncles of Y. D and M are within the third degree from Y.
o The moment X donated to Y, it would seem as if it was a void indirect donation Art. 91. Unless otherwise provided in this Chapter or in the marriage settlements,
to his wife A. the community property shall consist of all the property owned by the spouses at
o However, D and M could not file a case to nullify X’s donation to his son since the time of the celebration of the marriage or acquired thereafter. (197a)
they were not real parties in interest.
o Thus, reserve truncal will operate. Art. 92. The following shall be excluded from the community property:
(1) Property acquired during the marriage by gratuitous title by either spouse,
C. SYSTEM OF ABSOLUTE COMMUNITY OF PROPERTY and the fruits as well as the income thereof, if any, unless it is expressly provided
by the donor, testator or grantor that they shall form part of the community property;
1) General Provisions (2) Property for personal and exclusive use of either spouse. However, jewelry
shall form part of the community property;
Art. 88. The absolute community of property between spouses shall commence at (3) Property acquired before the marriage by either spouse who has legitimate
the precise moment that the marriage is celebrated. Any stipulation, express or descendants by a former marriage, and the fruits as well as the income, if any, of
implied, for the commencement of the community regime at any other time shall be such property. (201a)
void. (145a)
Art. 89. No waiver of rights, shares and effects of the absolute community of Art. 93. Property acquired during the marriage is presumed to belong to the
property during the marriage can be made except in case of judicial separation of community, unless it is proved that it is one of those excluded therefrom.
property.
Art. 94. The absolute community of property shall be liable for:
When the waiver takes place upon a judicial separation of property, or after the (1) The support of the spouses, their common children, and legitimate children of
marriage has been dissolved or annulled, the same shall appear in a public either spouse; however, the support of illegitimate children shall be governed by
instrument and shall be recorded as provided in Article 77. The creditors of the the provisions of this Code on Support;
spouse who made such waiver may petition the court to rescind the waiver to the (2) All debts and obligations contracted during the marriage by the designated
extent of the amount sufficient to cover the amount of their credits. (146a) administrator-spouse for the benefit of the community, or by both spouses, or by
one spouse with the consent of the other;
Art. 90. The provisions on co-ownership shall apply to the absolute community of (3) Debts and obligations contracted by either spouse without the consent of the
property between the spouses in all matters not provided for in this Chapter. other to the extent that the family may have been benefited;
(4) All taxes, liens, charges and expenses, including major or minor repairs, upon
GENERAL INFORMATION the community property;
(5) All taxes and expenses for mere preservation made during marriage upon the
- All properties before and during the marriage comprises the ACP. Spouses separate property of either spouse used by the family;
become co-owners. (6) Expenses to enable either spouse to commence or complete a professional
- ACP commences at the moment of the celebration of the marriage. Any stipulation or vocational course, or other activity for self-improvement;
making the regime effective at any other time will be void. (7) Ante-nuptial debts of either spouse insofar as they have redounded to the
- Art. 144 FC. In a partial separation of property regime, those not agreed upon as benefit of the family;
separate shall be ACP. (8) The value of what is donated or promised by both spouses in favor of their
- No waiver of rights, interests, shares, and effects of the ACP is allowed. common legitimate children for the exclusive purpose of commencing or
EXCEPTION completing a professional or vocational course or other activity for self-
o When there is a judicial separation of property. improvement;
- This regime is more in consonance with the traditional oneness of the Filipino (9) Ante-nuptial debts of either spouse other than those falling under paragraph
family. (7) of this Article, the support of illegitimate children of either spouse, and liabilities
- An alien married to a Filipino cannot acquire property in the Philippines due to the incurred by either spouse by reason of a crime or a quasi-delict, in case of absence
constitutional provision. Thus, if the Filipino sells his property without the consent or insufficiency of the exclusive property of the debtor-spouse, the payment of
of the alien, the alien cannot sue in court.
- This is a merger into a single ownership of the separate properties of the spouses.
which shall be considered as advances to be deducted from the share of the This provision is in accordance with Art. 1 where the spouses may fix their
debtor-spouse upon liquidation of the community; and property relations.
(10) Expenses of litigation between the spouses unless the suit is found to be 2. Art. 92. The following shall be excluded from the community property:
groundless. (1) Property acquired during the marriage by gratuitous title
Must be a valid gratuitous title
If the community property is insufficient to cover the foregoing liabilities, except Inclusions: fruits and incomes
those falling under paragraph (9), the spouses shall be solidarily liable for the May be an ACP if the donor states so.
unpaid balance with their separate properties. (161a, 162a, 163a, 202a-205a) (2) Property for personal and exclusive use of either spouse. However, jewelry
shall form part of the community property;
Art. 95. Whatever may be lost during the marriage in any game of chance, betting, May be acquired before or during the marriage
sweepstakes, or any other kind of gambling, whether permitted or prohibited by Must be interpreted in terms of value. Thus, a jewelry of substantial value is
law, shall be borne by the loser and shall not be charged to the community but any community property.
winnings therefrom shall form part of the community property. (3) Property acquired before the marriage by either spouse who has legitimate
descendants by a former marriage….
Inclusions: fruits and income
SPECIAL TYPE OF CO-OWNERSHIP Not only children, but also grandchildren etc. They must all be legitimate.
- ACP is a special type of co-ownership. Thus, the law states that the provisions on If all the descendants are illegitimate, whatever property acquired in the
co-ownership in matters not mentioned in the FC is also applicable to fill the gap. previous void ab initio marriage after liquidation shall belong to the ACP of
- Examples: the subsequent marriage.
o Art. 486 NCC Take note: if voidable, the children of that marriage are still considered
Each co-owner may use the thing owned in common, provided he does legitimate.
so in accordance with the purpose for which it is intended and in such a If the marriage was terminated by death and there was no liquidation one
way as not to injure the interest of the co-ownership or prevent the other year after the death in accordance to Art. 103, the subsequent marriage
co-owners from using it according to their rights. The purpose of the co- shall only have a complete separation of property.
ownership may be changed by agreement, express or implied. (394a) If there was liquidation and the survivor has descendants from that
o Article 487 NCC marriage, the properties before the subsequent marriage shall be
Any one of the co-owners may bring an action in ejectment. separate even if the subsequent marriage is ACP.
- Difference with the generic co-ownership: in ACP, there is no waiver of rights, etc.
ON CONVERSION
ON WAIVER - If what is excluded in the marriage settlement is the PHP 1 million only, whatever
- Waiver is disallowed because the interest of the spouses in the community is bought by that money is no longer excluded. Hence, community property.
properties is merely inchoate or an expectancy prior to liquidation. - If a house is donated by gratuitous title and the owner-spouse sells it, the proceeds
- When there is a judicial separation of property, waiver is now allowed. Otherwise, will be community property.
void. When is there a judicial separation? - The law on ACP does not provide that property purchased with the exclusive
o When marriage was dissolved or annulled money of the wife or husband shall be excluded from the community property.
o Legal separation where separation of property is an effect - Thus, in the event any property is exchanged or merely bartered for another
- When there is a waiver, it shall be in a public instrument. property, the result would be the same for the same reasons.
- Creditors may petition the court to rescind a waiver of the spouses to the extent of - EXCEPTION TO THE RULE ON CONVERSION: IF THE NEW PROPERTY IS
the amount that is payable to them. Example: FOR THE PERSONAL AND EXCLUSIVE USE OF THE RECIPIENT SPOUSE.
o A and B had their absolute community of property worth P1,000,000 dissolved - This rule does not apply to CPG because Article 109(3) states that properties
in accordance with law. Upon judicial separation of property, B is entitled to get acquired by barter or exchange with exclusive property is not included in the CPG.
P500,000 as her share. B is indebted to X in the amount of P100,000. B decides
to waive her entire share in favor of A. X, the creditor of B, can seek the
rescission of the waiver to the extent of P100,000 to protect his interest. CHARGES ON THE ACP
1. Support
Most sacred and important of all obligations
EXCLUSIONS OF THE ACP The other obligations may fail but this one should not except if there is valid
1. Art. 91. Unless otherwise provided in this Chapter or in the marriage cause
settlements….
Comprises everything indispensable for sustenance, dwelling, clothing, her act of defending herself in a criminal case for adultery “was as necessary
medical attendance, education, transportation, and in keeping with the as a claim for support”.
financial capacity of the family 7. Solidary liability of spouses
Support of illegitimate children shall be governed by Support under the FC, Solidary obligations
which shall be taken from the separate property of the parent-spouse. o Those where several creditors or debtors or both concur, and
If the personal property is insufficient, it can be taken from the ACP, where each creditor has the right to demand and each debtor is
which shall serve as advances to be deducted from the share of said bound to perform, in its entirety, the prestation constituting the
spouse upon liquidation. object of the obligation
2. Debts and obligations o Creditors can demand full payment in any one of the debtors.
During the Marriage This solidary liability shall not include ante-nuptial debts not redounding to
If the administrator spouse contracts debt or obligation for the benefit of the the benefit of the family, the support of illegitimate children by either spouse,
community, the ACP shall be liable. and liabilities incurred by the spouse by reason of a crime or a quasi-delict
Consent not needed from the other spouse. However, there must 8. Insolvency of spouses
be proof to show that the debt or obligation has redounded to the ACP shall not be among the assets to be possessed by the assignee for the
benefit of the family. payment of the insolvent debtor’s obligations
If it did not redound to the benefit of the family, it may still be chargeable to o EXCEPT IF IT REDOUNDED TO THE BENEFIT OF THE FAMILY
the ACP if it was contracted by both spouses or if the other gave their Assignee definition
consent. o An appointed person who represents the insolvent and the
Any loss from the exercise of a profession or family business shall be creditors in insolvency proceedings whether voluntary or
chargeable to the ACP. involuntary
Any personal undertaking by a spouse i.e. being a guarantor to a o Takes all properties of the insolvent and obtain title thereto
bond by a third party is not presumed to be for the benefit of the o They shall convert the estate into money for the settlement of debts
family as any advantage that may arise is merely indirect.
Before the Marriage GAINS AND LOSSES IN GAMES OF CHANCE
ACP shall be liable if it redounded to the benefit of the family. - Losses shall be born by the loser
If it did not benefit, the exclusive property of the debtor shall be liable. - Winnings shall be credited to the ACP
In case of absence or insufficiency of personal property, the ACP shall pay, - If someone gives a spouse a sweepstake ticket which eventually wins, it will be
which shall be considered as advances to be deducted from the share of the exclusive property because property acquired by gratuitous title including the fruits
debtor spouse upon liquidation and income thereof are exclusive properties. Except if the donor states that it
3. Taxes, liens, charges, repairs should be ACP.
Expenditures incurred for the preservation of a separate property is - Gross income definition by the National Internal Revenue Code
premised on the fact that such property has been used or is being used by o Including prize and winnings derived from whatever source.
the family
4. Expenses or donation for self-improvement activities
These are within the ambit of support for the family.
The value of what is donated or promised by both spouses in favor of their
common legitimate children for the exclusive purpose of commencing or 3) Ownership, Administration, Enjoyment, and Disposition of Community of Property
completing a professional or vocational course or other activity for self-
improvement shall be chargeable Art. 96. The administration and enjoyment of the community property shall belong
5. Liabilities by reason of a crime or quasi-delict to both spouses jointly. In case of disagreement, the husband's decision shall
Generally, not chargeable to the ACP. prevail, subject to recourse to the court by the wife for proper remedy, which must
Liable only if the separate property is insufficient or none at all. be availed of within five years from the date of the contract implementing such
Considered as advances of the share of the indebted spouse upon decision.
liquidation.
6. Expenses of liquidation In the event that one spouse is incapacitated or otherwise unable to participate in
Requires that the suit is between the spouses and that it is not groundless the administration of the common properties, the other spouse may assume sole
ACP may also be liable in a suit where only one spouse is involved or if none powers of administration. These powers do not include disposition or encumbrance
at all for so long as it benefits the family. without authority of the court or the written consent of the other spouse. In the
The legal fees which she spent during litigation, wherein she was absence of such authority or consent, the disposition or encumbrance shall be void.
subsequently acquitted, can be charged to the community property because However, the transaction shall be construed as a continuing offer on the part of the
consenting spouse and the third person, and may be perfected as a binding
contract upon the acceptance by the other spouse or authorization by the court o There is no prescription period to nullify the disposition.
before the offer is withdrawn by either or both offerors. (206a) - If the disposition has a buyer in good faith, then the sale cannot be voided. If in bad
faith, then the sale is voided.
Art. 97. Either spouse may dispose by will of his or her interest in the community - If there is knowledge by the wife but no consent, the contract is annullable at the
property. (n) instance of the wife because according to the FC, it is the husband’s decision that
will prevail.
Art. 98. Neither spouse may donate any community property without the consent o If the wife ratifies the contract by express or implied act, she cannot seek the
of the other. However, either spouse may, without the consent of the other, make annulment of the contract even within the prescription period.
moderate donations from the community property for charity or on occasions of o In this case, the contract is free from legal infirmity and is effective on the date
family rejoicing or family distress. it was entered into.
ON ABANDONMENT
4. Decree of separation of property - Implies a departure by one spouse with the avowed intent never to return, followed
- May be voluntary or involuntary. by prolonged absence without just cause, and without in the meantime providing in
o If voluntary, the parties can file the agreement for separation of property in court the least for one’s family although able to do so.
to obtain approval. After approval, they can file a revival but no more voluntary - There must be absolute cessation of martial relations, duties, and rights with the
separation will be allowed. intention of perpetual separation.
o If involuntary, it must be for a sufficient cause and must have court approval. - Must not only be physical estrangement but also amount to financial and moral
Sufficient causes under Article 135 FC: desertion.
Civil interdiction - Aside from judicial separation of property, the aggrieved party may petition the
Absentee spouse court for
Loss of parental authority o Receivership
Abandonment o Authority to be the sole administrator of the property regime
Administrator has abused their power - Assumption of Articles 101 and 128:
Separation in fact for at least 1 year and reconciliation is highly improbable. o Any spouse who has been absent for three months or has failed to give any
information as to their whereabouts in the same period shall be prima facie
5. Liquidation after affidavit of appearance presumed to have no intention of returning to the dwelling.
- A reappearing spouse or an interested person under Art. 41 files an affidavit of
reappearance to terminate the subsequent marriage of the present spouse validly
contracted with another person. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FAMILY OBLIGATIONS
o Article 43: termination of the marriage shall result in the dissolution of the
property regime. - The relief mentioned in Article 101 apply only when one of the spouses fails to
comply with their obligations to the family:
o Marital Should the surviving spouse contract a subsequent marriage without compliance
o Parental with the foregoing requirements, a mandatory regime of complete separation of
o Property property shall govern the property relations of the subsequent marriage. (n)
- However, mere refusal to inform the other spouse of the progress of the family
business does not constitute abuse of administration powers. Art. 104. Whenever the liquidation of the community properties of two or more
o Abuse connotes willful and utter disregard of the interests of the partnership, marriages contracted by the same person before the effectivity of this Code is
evidenced by a repetition of deliberate acts and/r omissions prejudicial to the carried out simultaneously, the respective capital, fruits and income of each
latter. community shall be determined upon such proof as may be considered according
o Abuse =/= acts prejudicial to the other spouse to the rules of evidence. In case of doubt as to which community the existing
o Abuse =/= acts injurious to the partnership properties belong, the same shall be divided between the different communities in
proportion to the capital and duration of each.
PROCEDURE
5) Liquidation of Assets and Liabilities
1. Inventory
Art. 102. Upon dissolution of the absolute community regime, the following a. The market value or the assessed value at the time of the liquidation
procedure shall apply: must be taken into account and not the purchase value.
(1) An inventory shall be prepared, listing separately all the properties of the b. New valuation may be allowed if the liquidation takes time provided that
absolute community and the exclusive properties of each spouse. all the properties are appraised.
(2) The debts and obligations of the absolute community shall be paid out of its 2. Payment of debts
assets. In case of insufficiency of said assets, the spouses shall be solidarily liable a. All debts must be paid where the regime is liable.
for the unpaid balance with their separate properties in accordance with the b. Take note of the advances of each spouses for their individual
provisions of the second paragraph of Article 94. obligations paid in advance by the regime.
(3) Whatever remains of the exclusive properties of the spouses shall thereafter 3. Delivery of exclusive properties
be delivered to each of them. a. Deliver the remains of the exclusive properties
(4) The net remainder of the properties of the absolute community shall constitute b. These are those stipulated in the marriage settlement as exclusive or
its net assets, which shall be divided equally between husband and wife, unless a even during the marriage and to the exclusive referred in Art. 92.
different proportion or division was agreed upon in the marriage settlements, or 4. Partition of net assets
unless there has been a voluntary waiver of such share provided in this Code. For a. Net assets should be equally divided, which is the net remainder of the
purpose of computing the net profits subject to forfeiture in accordance with Articles regime after the first three steps.
43, No. (2) and 63, No. (2), the said profits shall be the increase in value between b. There is no equal sharing if there is an agreed division in the marriage
the market value of the community property at the time of the celebration of the settlement or if there is a valid waiver, which must only occur upon a
marriage and the market value at the time of its dissolution. judicial separation of property or after the dissolution/annulment of the
(5) The presumptive legitimes of the common children shall be delivered upon marriage and which must be contained in a public instrument.
partition, in accordance with Article 51. c. If in bad faith, common children, children of the guilty spouse by a
(6) Unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties, in the partition of the properties, previous marriage, or the innocent spouse.
the conjugal dwelling and the lot on which it is situated shall be adjudicated to the 5. Delivery of the presumptive legitime
spouse with whom the majority of the common children choose to remain. Children a. Only after the finality of an annulment or nullity decree
below the age of seven years are deemed to have chosen the mother, unless the b. Does not apply to legal separation cases
court has decided otherwise. In case there is no such majority, the court shall c. Children or their guardian may institute a summary proceeding for the
decide, taking into consideration the best interests of said children. (n) enforcement of this step.
d. Shall be delivered in cash, property, or sound securities. EXCEPT if the
Art. 103. Upon the termination of the marriage by death, the community property parties already provided for such matters.
shall be liquidated in the same proceeding for the settlement of the estate of the
deceased.
If no judicial settlement proceeding is instituted, the surviving spouse shall liquidate LIQUIDATION UPON DEATH
the community property either judicially or extra-judicially within six months from - Section 2 Rule 73 ROC
the death of the deceased spouse. If upon the lapse of the six months period, no “When the marriage is dissolved by the death of the husband or wife, the
liquidation is made, any disposition or encumbrance involving the community community property shall be inventoried, administered, and liquidated, and the
property of the terminated marriage shall be void. debts thereof paid, in the estate or intestate proceedings of the deceased spouse.
If both spouses have died, the conjugal partnership shall be liquidated in the testate D. CONJUGAL PARTNERSHIP OF GAINS
or intestate proceedings of either.”
- Exception: 1) General Provisions
o Deceased spouse left no will and no debts, all heirs are of age or minors are
represented by their guardians or legal representatives, they may divide among Art. 105. In case the future spouses agree in the marriage settlements that the
themselves without letters of administration from the court regime of conjugal partnership gains shall govern their property relations during
o It must be in a public instrument filed in the office of the register of deeds. marriage, the provisions in this Chapter shall be of supplementary application.
o If they disagree, they may do so in an ordinary action for partition.
o If there is only one heir, whole estate may be adjudicated through an affidavit The provisions of this Chapter shall also apply to conjugal partnerships of gains
filed in the office of the register of deeds already established between spouses before the effectivity of this Code, without
- Any disposition or encumbrance of any specific property before the process of prejudice to vested rights already acquired in accordance with the Civil Code or
liquidation has been completed or even before the lapse of the six-month period other laws, as provided in Article 256. (n)
shall be void.
- The spouses cannot claim any definite property when the regime is still in Art. 106. Under the regime of conjugal partnership of gains, the husband and wife
existence. Rights of heirs only vest upon the death of the spouse. place in a common fund the proceeds, products, fruits and income from their
- If there is a surviving spouse and compulsory heirs, the estate becomes their co- separate properties and those acquired by either or both spouses through their
ownership. efforts or by chance, and, upon dissolution of the marriage or of the partnership,
o As a co-owner, the spouse or the heirs can undertake any act of dominion over the net gains or benefits obtained by either or both spouses shall be divided equally
their interest, share or participation but not over a specific concrete property. between them, unless otherwise agreed in the marriage settlements. (142a)
- ALWAYS THE GENERAL RULE: it is only after liquidation that definable property
can be claimed by and adjudged to them from the remainder of their properties GENERAL NOTES:
after satisfaction of all the obligations which the community property has to pay.
- No complaint for the collection of indebtedness chargeable to the regime can be - Conjugal Partnership
Definition: It is that formed by a husband and his wife whereby they place
brought against the surviving spouse unless he has committed to be solidarily liable
in a common fund the fruits of their separate property, and the income from
for the claim against the regime. Otherwise, void.
their work or industry, the same to be divided between them EQUALLY (as
- If the surviving spouse validly remarries without any liquidation for the previous a general rule) upon the dissolution of the marriage or the partnership.
marriage, the mandatory regime of complete separation of property shall govern.
o This is the only exception to the mandatory rule that in the absence of a regime, - Regime of conjugal partnership of gains can only apply if:
the ACP shall govern. 1. There is a marriage settlement
o This applies even if the marriage settlement of the subsequent marriage states 2. It is the property regime agreed upon by the parties
that it should be ACP or CPG. 3. Also applies to marriages solemnized before the effectivity of the
Family Code without marriage settlement because it is the default
regime under the Civil Code
SIMULTANEOUS LIQUIDATION
- What comprises conjugal partnership:
- Refers to at least two marriages contracted prior to August 3, 1988 and involves a 1. Properties acquired during marriage thru the efforts or the industry of
situation where the community properties of each marriage are to be liquidated both spouses
simultaneously. 2. Income/fruits of their exclusive properties that accrue during the
- Computation depends upon the proofs presented by the contending claimants. marriage
- In case of doubt, the properties inventoried shall be divided between or among the 3. Fruits of paraphernal properties form part of the assets of the conjugal
different communities in proportion to the capital and duration of each partnership
- See computations in page 494 and 495. Therefore subject to the payment of the debts and expenses
- Excluded from the absolute community of a subsequent marriage is property of the spouses, but not to the payment of the personal
acquired before the marriage by either spouse who has legitimate descendants by obligation of the husband, unless it be proved that such
a former marriage, and the fruits as well as the income, if any, of such property obligations were productive of some benefit of the family
o Regardless if there was liquidation or not. - No unilateral declaration by one spouse can change the character of a conjugal
- If the termination is by nullity or annulment, the property regime in the subsequent property; it’s determined by law and not by the will of the spouses
marriage is co-ownership because the subsequent marriage is void pursuant to
- Upon dissolution of marriage or of the partnership:
Articles 52 and 53 FC.
o GENERAL RULE: Net gains shall be divided between the spouses equally
o Property acquired before the marriage will not be included in the co-ownership
o UNLESS: There is a different ratio of sharing stated in their marriage settlement
Art. 107. The rules provided in Articles 88 and 89 shall also apply to conjugal Plata v. Yatco
partnership of gains. (n) - Case wherein a property was purchased by a spouse previous to the marriage and
was only after the marriage that the said property was registered under the name
Art. 108. The conjugal partnership shall be governed by the rules on the contract of the owner-spouse but together with the other spouse as co-owner
of partnership in all that is not in conflict with what is expressly determined in this Said property is still the exclusive property of the spouse who bought it by
Chapter or by the spouses in their marriage settlements. (147a) his/her exclusive funds prior to the marriage
The registration after the marriage of the certificate of title under the co-
ownership of the spouses to both spouses ONLY creates a trust, thereby
NOTES: necessitating the restoration to the real owner upon liquidation
- Conjugal partnership of grains shall commence at the precise moment when the
marriage ceremony is celebrated; hour is considered not the date of marriage
ON PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY GRATUITOUS TITLE
- General Rule: The spouses cannot waive their rights, interest, shares or effects in - Anything received by each spouse from any source by way of an act of liberality of
the conjugal partnership during their marriage the giver shall belong exclusively to the spouse-recipient.
Exception: Upon judicial separation of property Includes donation, gift, honorarium
In such case, the same must be in a public instrument and there must
be court approval CPG APG
- Property acquired exclusive - Property acquired during marriage
- In case of conflict between the Civil Code on the rule on partnership and the - Income and fruits of the property by gratuitous title by either spouse,
provision of the FC on the conjugal partnership of gains, the latter shall prevail. acquired by gratuitous title and the fruits as well as income
conjugal exclusive property
- Unless, expressly provided by the
donor, testator, or grantor that they
shall form part of the community
2) Exclusive Property property
Art. 109. The following shall be the exclusive property of each spouse: Villanueva v. IAC
(1) That which is brought to the marriage as his or her own; - If property were acquired by lucrative or gratuitous title such as by way of
(2) That which each acquires during the marriage by gratuitous title; succession, the said property is separate property regardless of whether it was
(3) That which is acquired by right of redemption, by barter or by exchange with acquired before or after the marriage
property belonging to only one of the spouses; and
(4) That which is purchased with exclusive money of the wife or of the husband.
(148a) ON REDEMPTION, BARTER, AND EXCHANGE
- GR: property shall belong to the spouse who has the right to redeem regardless of
ON PROPERTIES BROUGHT TO THE MARRIAGE whether or not he/she uses personal funds
- Under CPG, all properties brought into the marriage belong to each of them
exclusively. - When conjugal funds are used to effect the redemption, the spouse making the
Partnership does not produce merger of the properties redemption through conjugal fund shall be liable to the conjugal partnership for the
Hence, they can exercise all rights of dominion or of ownership over these reimbursement of the amount used to redeem his/exclusive property.
exclusive properties
- When no right of redemption belong to either spouse:
- These exclusive properties shall be principally used for the payment of personal o Whoever buys/procures something using his/her own funds shall exclusively
debts, not redounding to the benefit of the family, contracted by the owner- own what was purchased
spouse before the marriage
Rosete v. Provincial Sheriff of Zambales
- If the property is asserted as separate property and a title has been issued under - Held: 2 parcels of land so redeemed by the wife cannot anymore be subject of
the name of the one asserting it and acts have been undertaken clearly indicating another execution to satisfy the balance of the indemnity because the wife did not
that the property is separately owned without prompt opposition from the adverse acquire the property on behalf of the husband, but she acquired it by right of
party who knew of the acts of dominion of those asserting the separate nature of redemption as successor-in-interest.
the property, they cannot belatedly claim the conjugal nature of the disputed Property in question become the exclusive property of the wife
property.
Zulueta v. Pan American World Airways - If an exclusive property of a spouse is involved in a litigation, only the owner-
- In the absence of proof that the right of redemption pertained to any of the spouses, spouse will litigate and need not include the other spouse. However, if the action
the property involved or rights arising therefrom, must be presumed to form part of for recovery of an exclusive property involves recovery of conjugal property, the
the conjugal partnership. other spouse must be impleaded as party plaintiff.
Art. 110. The spouses retain the ownership, possession, administration and Art. 113. Property donated or left by will to the spouses, jointly and with designation
enjoyment of their exclusive properties. of determinate shares, shall pertain to the donee-spouses as his or her own
exclusive property, and in the absence of designation, share and share alike,
Either spouse may, during the marriage, transfer the administration of his or her without prejudice to the right of accretion when proper. (150a)
exclusive property to the other by means of a public instrument, which shall be
recorded in the registry of property of the place the property is located. (137a, 168a,
169a)
PROPERTY DONATED OR LEFT BY WILL TO SPOUSES
- Is an exclusive property
ADMINISTRATION Includes: - In the absence of specific designation of share, the spouses will own the donated
o entering into contracts regarding the use of the property, property in equal shares
o Engaging in litigation
o Collection of fruits, profits, and income arising from the separate property
ON ACCRETION IN CASE OF DONATION
- Even if the exclusive property of a spouse is under the administration of the other - Accretion incorporation or addition of property to another property
spouse, it does not preclude the owner-spouse from selling or encumbering said - General Rule: In joint donation, one could not accept independently of his co-
property. He/she can dispose, alienate, or encumber his/her exclusive property donee for there is no right of accretion unless expressly provided
without the consent of the administering spouse. Exception: when joint donation is in favor of husband and wife
- He/she may also transfer administration to a stranger, even without the consent of - Scenario: Valid donation was given to H & W jointly where the donor provided
the other spouse that: ¼ of the property wife and ¾ husband
Each of them shall own such portions given as separate properties
Naguit vs. CA In case the wife does not accept her part:
- Exclusive property of the wife was sold upon execution of the sheriff for the o Her share in the property donated pro indiviso shall go to the other
satisfaction of husband’s personal obligation spouse by way of accretion; means that husband will own ALL of the
- Held: property donated as his separate property
o Wife can file a separate action to annul the sale If donor provides that no right of accretion shall be available to the
o Wife, whose, exclusive property was wrongfully levied upon, can be considered husband:
a 3rd person and is “therefore justified in bringing independent action to o Husband will only get the original share
vindicate her right of ownership over the subject property
Art. 114. If the donations are onerous, the amount of the charges shall be borne
Art. 111. A spouse of age may mortgage, encumber, alienate or otherwise dispose by the exclusive property of the donee spouse, whenever they have been
of his or her exclusive property, without the consent of the other spouse, and advanced by the conjugal partnership of gains. (151a)
appear alone in court to litigate with regard to the same. (n)
NOTES:
Art. 112. The alienation of any exclusive property of a spouse administered by the
other automatically terminates the administration over such property and the - If the donation is subject to an onerous condition, the donee spouse shall bear
proceeds of the alienation shall be turned over to the owner-spouse. (n) the cost in complying with the condition.
- Should the spouse concerned have no sufficient funds to pay the cost of complying
NOTES: with it, the conjugal partnership may advance the cost but subject to reimbursement
later on from the exclusive funds of the donee spouse.
- Any spouse who alienates his or her exclusive separate property will terminate the
administration of the other spouse over such property and the proceeds of the
alienation shall be turned over to the owner-spouse.
Art. 115. Retirement benefits, pensions, annuities, gratuities, usufructs and similar - Said husband had the property registered under the name of the other woman after
benefits shall be governed by the rules on gratuitous or onerous acquisitions as full payment
may be proper in each case. - Held: property is the conjugal partnership of the legitimate first marriage on the
basis of Art. 116
NOTES:
Villanueva v. Court of Appeals
- Retirement benefits, pensions, annuities, gratuities, usufruct and other similar
- After proof of acquisition during the marriage has been shown, the presumption of
benefits may either be conjugal or exclusive depending on the nature of the benefit
conjugality attaches even if the property is registered in the name of one or both of
or how it was acquired.
the spouses.
If acquired gratuitously/ lucratively (gift/donation) during marriage –
exclusive
Pintiano-Anno v. Anno
If acquired onerously and if such entitlement is a matter of right– conjugal
- Proofs consisting of tax declaration in the name of one of the spouses obtained
during the marriage are not evidence of acquisition, and hence are not sufficient to
In re Stan’s Estate, Myr. Prob give rise to the presumption that the property is conjugal.
- Testator, after marriage took out an insurance policy on which he paid the
premiums from his salary
- Held: Insurance money was community property; ½ of which the wife was entitled
as survivor
4) Properties that Compose the Conjugal Partnership of Gains
Bank of the Ph Islands vs. Posadas
Art. 117. The following are conjugal partnership properties:
- Even if the life insurance taken out by the deceased person is made payable to the - Those acquired by onerous title during the marriage at the expense of the
deceased estate, the proceeds of the said insurance shall still be considered common fund, whether the acquisition be for the partnership, or for only one
conjugal property if the life insurance policy is paid out of conjugal funds of the spouses;
- However, if the policy were paid partly by conjugal funds and partly by separate - Those obtained from the labor, industry, work or profession of either or both
funds of the spouses;
the proceeds shall be owned by the conjugal partnership and the separate - The fruits, natural, industrial, or civil, due or received during the marriage
property proportionately in accordance with the contribution from the common property, as well as the net fruits from the exclusive
property of each spouse;
- The share of either spouse in the hidden treasure which the law awards to
the finder or owner of the property where the treasure is found;
3) Presumption in Favor of Conjugal Property - Those acquired through occupation such as fishing or hunting;
- Livestock existing upon the dissolution of the partnership in excess of the
Art. 116. All property acquired during the marriage, whether the acquisition number of each kind brought to the marriage by either spouse; and
appears to have been made, contracted or registered in the name of one or both - Those which are acquired by chance, such as winnings from gambling or
spouses, is presumed to be conjugal unless the contrary is proved. betting. However, losses therefrom shall be borne exclusively by the loser-
spouse.
NOTES:
- Proof of acquisition during the coverture is a condition sine qua non for the ON ACQUISITION BY ONEROUS TITLE FROM COMMON FUND
operation of the presumption in favor of conjugal ownership - Properties acquired by onerous title from the common fund during the marriage are
considered conjugal.
Wong v. IAC, 200 SCRA 792 o Holds true even if the acquisition be for the partnership, or for only one of the
- For as long as it is proven that the property has been acquired during the marriage, spouses.
the presumption applies even though the spouses are living separately. It has
likewise been held that evidence must be clear to overcome the presumption. Zulueta v. Pan American World Airways, Inc.
- Damages granted by the courts in favor of any of the spouses arising out of a
contract solely financed by the conjugal partnership of gains and was unduly
Belcodero vs.CA breached by a 3rd party belongs to the conjugal partnership of gains
- Husband bought property in installments and thereafter left his family to bigamously
marry another woman
5) On Installments and Interest
Bismorte v. Aldecoa
- Damages arising out of the illegal detention of the exclusive property of any of the Art. 118. Property bought on installments paid partly from exclusive funds of either
spouse shall pertain to the conjugal partnership if such detention deprived the or both spouses and partly from conjugal funds belongs to the buyer or buyers if
partnership of the use and earnings full ownership was vested before the marriage and to the conjugal partnership if
such ownership was vested during the marriage. In either case, any amount
Lilius v. Manila Railroad, Co. advanced by the partnership or by either or both spouses shall be reimbursed by
- In cases of damages awarded to one of the spouses as a result of physical injuries the owner or owners upon liquidation of the partnership. (n)
inflicted by a 3rd party, said damages exclusively belong to the said injured spouse.
NOTES:
- Contemplates a situation when installment was initiated prior to the marriage and
ON FRUITS AND EARNINGS FROM PROPERTIES
ended during the marriage.
- Belong to the conjugal partnership:
Fruits from conjugal properties
- Properties bought on installment before the marriage paid partly by exclusive
Fruits of the exclusive properties of either spouse only if:
funds and partly by conjugal funds can be exclusive or conjugal DEPENDING on
1. It accrued during the marriage
when ownership of the property or title was vested or transferred
2. Net fruits of the exclusive property
Exclusive if vested before the marriage;
- Net fruit is referred because the fruits of the separate property
Conjugal if transferred upon the buyer-spouse after the marriage
will be deducted first to the expenses of the administration of
ceremony and if transferred only upon payment of the last installment was
said property and the remining balance of said fruit (which is
paid from the conjugal funds
the net fruit) shall be considered conjugal
In either case, any amount advanced by the partnership or by either or
both spouses shall be reimbursed by the owner upon liquidation of the
ON HIDDEN TREASURE
partnership.
- The share of either spouse in the hidden treasure which the law awards to the
finder or owner of the property where the treasure is found is conjugal partnership
Jovellanos v. CA
property.
- Since the last installment was made during the valid second marriage by conjugal
funds of the said marriage, the property rightfully belongs to the conjugal
- Contemplates artifacts/objects which have undergone transformation from their
partnership of the second marriage even though, during the first marriage, the
original raw state (necklace, earrings, bracelets etc.)
property was paid partly by conjugal funds of the said first marriage and partly by
Gold nuggets, precious stones in their raw state and oil not treasures
exclusive funds of the husband.
- The Supreme Court also stated that, in accordance with Article 118, the proper
ON LIVESTOCK
reimbursements should be done.
- Livestock existing upon the dissolution of the partnership in excess of the number
of each kind brought to the marriage by either spouse shall be conjugal.
- Does not provide for a situation where the property was bought during the marriage
and purchase was funded partly by the exclusive property of either or both of the
spouses and partly by the conjugal funds.
ON CHANCE
BUT jurisprudence (Castillo, Jr. v. Pasco) provides that if such is the case,
- Likewise, those obtained through chance (e.g. winning from gambling or betting)
are considered conjugal. Losses from gambling or betting shall be borne it cannot be said to be exclusively bought by the exclusive money of either
exclusively by the loser-spouse spouses, therefore, the property so bough should be considered conjugal
But subject to reimbursement scheme of the last sentence of this Article.
Art. 119. Whenever an amount or credit payable within a period of time belongs to Villanueva v. IAC
one of the spouses, the sums which may be collected during the marriage in partial
- If the value of the improvement and any resulting increase in value are more than
payments or by installments on the principal shall be the exclusive property of the
the value of the separate property at the time of improvement, the entire property
spouse. However, interests falling due during the marriage on the principal shall
of one of the spouses shall belong to the conjugal partnership.
belong to the conjugal partnership.
- But ownership shall vest only upon reimbursement to the owner-spouse which shall
NOTES: be made at the time of the liquidation of the conjugal partnership. Proof, therefore,
- Exclusive property where one of the spouses has in his favor a credit payable is needful at the time of the making or construction of the improvements and the
in installment or a credit which will be fully paid during the marriage, all payments source of the funds used therefor, in order to determine the character of the
made exclusively belongs to the spouse who owns the credit improvements as belonging to the conjugal partnership or to one spouse
separately.
- Conjugal property interest thereof which accrued during the marriage, as interest
is considered a fruit of an exclusive property during the marriage
Ferrer v. Ferrer
- Where, prior to the death of the husband, he sold his lot over which an improvement
built by conjugal funds was constructed and where the surviving spouse sought
reimbursement of half of the amount of the improvement from the new owner on
6) Rules on Improvement
the basis of Article 120 of the Family Code.
- The Supreme Court rejected the claim for reimbursement by stating that Article 120
Art. 120. The ownership of improvements, whether for utility or adornment, made
does not give a cause of action on the part of the surviving spouse to claim from
on the separate property of the spouses at the expense of the partnership or
subsequent buyers of the property of the deceased husband. Article 120 only
through the acts or efforts of either or both spouses shall pertain to the conjugal
allows claims from the husband if he is still the owner of the lot upon liquidation.
partnership, or to the original owner-spouse, subject to the following rules:
When the cost of the improvement made by the conjugal partnership and any
SAMPLE COMPUTATION
resulting increase in value are more than the value of the property at the time of
the improvement, the entire property of one of the spouses shall belong to the
conjugal partnership, subject to reimbursement of the value of the property of the
owner-spouse at the time of the improvement; otherwise, said property shall be
retained in ownership by the owner-spouse, likewise subject to reimbursement of
the cost of the improvement.
In either case, the ownership of the entire property shall be vested upon the
reimbursement, which shall be made at the time of the liquidation of the conjugal
partnership.
NOTES:
- When an improvement is introduced by the conjugal partnership on the land
belonging to either spouse, the land and the improvement will be considered
conjugal or exclusive depending on its value - But since the cost of land is P 100, 000, which is more than the value of the
Property shall belong to the conjugal property improvement (P 80, 000) owner-spouse
o If the cost of the improvement made in the conjugal partnership is o Owner spouse must reimburse the conjugal partnership at the time of
MORE than the value of the land at the time of the improvement liquidation the amount of P 50K which is the cost of the improvement
Property shall belong to the owner-spouse
o If the land is MORE valuable than the improvement
- In both cases, the conjugal partnership or the spouse concerned has the obligation
to reimburse the cost of the improvement or the land at the time of the liquidation
of the conjugal partnership.
- If no reimbursement is made, the ownership of the property shall be retained by
the owner-spouse, likewise subject to reimbursement of the cost of the
improvement.
7) Charges upon the Conjugal Partnership of Gains considered as giving a direct advantage accruing to the family. Hence, the creditors
cannot go against the conjugal partnership property of the husband in satisfying
Art. 121. The conjugal partnership shall be liable for: the obligation subject of the surety agreement.
(1) The support of the spouse, their common children, and the legitimate children o The Supreme Court said that the mere signing of a person to act as
of either spouse; however, the support of illegitimate children shall be governed by surety or guarantor of another person does not make him automatically
the provisions of this Code on Support; engaged in the profession or business of suretyship or guaranty such
(2) All debts and obligations contracted during the marriage by the designated that any loss arising from the same should be chargeable to the conjugal
administrator-spouse for the benefit of the conjugal partnership of gains, or by both partnership. However, if both spouses signed the surety agreement,
spouses or by one of them with the consent of the other; then the conjugal partnership shall be liable.
(3) Debts and obligations contracted by either spouse without the consent of the
other to the extent that the family may have benefited; Cobb-Perez v. Lantin
(4) All taxes, liens, charges, and expenses, including major or minor repairs upon - SC held that debts incurred for a commercial enterprise for gain or in the exercise
the conjugal partnership property; of the industry or profession by which the husband, as an administrator of the
(5) All taxes and expenses for mere preservation made during the marriage upon property contributes to the support of the family, cannot be deemed to be his
the separate property of either spouse; exclusive and private debts.
(6) Expenses to enable either spouse to commence or complete a professional, o Conjugal partnership of gains shall be liable for the same.
vocational, or other activity for self-improvement;
(7) Ante-nuptial debts of either spouse insofar as they have redounded to the
benefit of the family; - ON OBLIGATION OF HUSBAND AND WIFE:
(8) The value of what is donated or promised by both spouses in favor of their o The conjugal partnership property is also liable for all obligations
common legitimate children for the exclusive purpose of commencing or contracted by the husband and wife. Thus, when the said obligation
completing a professional or vocational course or other activity for self- becomes due, the conjugal partnership shall be answerable for it (if it
improvement; and benefited the family) and not the husband and the wife individually as
(9) Expenses of litigation between the spouses unless the suit is found to independent debtors.
groundless.
- ON SOLIDARY OBLIGATION:
If the conjugal partnership is insufficient to cover the foregoing liabilities, the o However, if the conjugal partnership is insufficient to pay the obligation,
spouses shall be solidarily liable for the unpaid balance with their separate the spouses shall be solidarily liable for the unpaid balance with their
properties. (161a) separate properties.
NOTES:
- The charges and obligations of the conjugal partnership enumerated are the SAME
as those of the absolute community of property regime (Article 94, Fam Code),
EXCEPT the 3 personal obligations of a spouse in Art. 94 (9) which are treated
separately.
o Ante-nuptial debt of a spouse which did not redound to the benefit of
the family
o Support of illegitimate children
o Civil liabilities arising from a crime committed
Art. 143. Should the future spouses agree in the marriage settlements that their Art. 147. When a man and a woman who are capacitated to marry each other, live
property relations during marriage shall be governed by the regime of separation exclusively with each other as husband and wife without the benefit of marriage or
of property, the provisions of this Chapter shall be suppletory. (212a) under a void marriage, their wages and salaries shall be owned by them in equal
shares and the property acquired by both of them through their work or industry
NOTES: shall be governed by the rules on co-ownership.
- The marriage settlement shall principally govern the regime of separation of
property. The Family Code shall only be suppletory in character. In the absence of proof to the contrary, properties acquired while they lived together
shall be presumed to have been obtained by their joint efforts, work or industry,
Art. 144. Separation of property may refer to present or future property or both. It and shall be owned by them in equal shares. For purposes of this Article, a party
may be total or partial. In the latter case, the property not agreed upon as separate who did not participate in the acquisition by the other party of any property shall be
shall pertain to the absolute community. (213a) deemed to have contributed jointly in the acquisition thereof if the former’s efforts
consisted in the care and maintenance of the family and of the household.
NOTES:
- The parties may agree on the extent of their separation of property regime. Neither party can encumber or dispose by acts inter vivos of his or her share in the
o It may involve present or future property or both. property acquired during cohabitation and owned in common, without the consent
o It may be total or partial. of the other, until after the termination of their cohabitation.
If it is partial, the property not agreed upon as separate shall
pertain to the absolute community. When only one of the parties to a void marriage is in good faith, the share of the
- It is not valid for the contracting parties to agree in the marriage settlement that party in bad faith in the co-ownership shall be forfeited in favor of their common
the conjugal partnership of property or the absolute community of property shall children. In case of default of or waiver by any or all of the common children or their
govern their marital property relationship only up to a certain time because it is descendants, each vacant share shall belong to the respective surviving
tantamount to dissolving the ACP or CPG by virtue of a cause or contingency not descendants. In the absence of descendants, such share shall belong to the
specifically provided by law. innocent party. In all cases, the forfeiture shall take place upon termination of the
cohabitation. (144a)
Art. 145. Each spouse shall own, dispose of, possess, administer and enjoy his or NOTES:
her own separate estate, without need of the consent of the other. To each spouse - When a man and a woman lived together as husband and wife without the benefit
shall belong all earnings from his or her profession, business or industry and all of marriage or under a void marriage, the property regimes in Chapters 3, 4, and 5
fruits, natural, industrial or civil, due or received during the marriage from his or her will NOT apply. Instead, their property relation will be governed by co-ownership.
separate property. (214a)
- Valid marriage: ACP, CPG, and SOP will apply - A party who did not contribute money in the acquisition by the other party of any
- No marriage or void marriage: rule on co-ownership will apply property shall be deemed to have contributed jointly in the acquisition thereof if the
former’s effort consisted in the care and maintenance of the family of the
- 2 Kinds of Co-ownership: household.
1. Full co-ownership (Art. 147) - Under Art. 147, consent of both parties is required in the disposition of any of the
Co-ownership for everything acquired by either party common properties.
onerously during their cohabitation
All their wages and salaries acquired during cohabitation Valdes v. RTC, 72 SCAD 967, 260 SCRA 221
shall be owned by them in equal shares - Paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5) of Article 43 relates only, by the explicit terms of
2. Co-ownership based only on their actual contribution (Art. 148) Article 50, to voidable marriages under Article 45 and, exceptionally, to void
Co-ownership for those acquired by both parties through marriages under Article 40 of the Family Code, namely, the declaration of nullity of
actual joint contribution of money, property or industry a subsequent marriage contracted by a spouse of a prior void marriage before the
latter is judicially declared void.
- If a man and woman live together without marriage: - A spouse who contracted a subsequent marriage without having the previous
o No legal impediment to marry each other – Art. 147 applies marriage judicially declared void is guilty not only of bigamy but also of violating
o Have legal impediment to marry each other – Art. 148 applies Art. 40, thus, his subsequent marriage is null and void. The spouse in bad faith
in a void marriage under Art. 40 shall forfeit only his share of the net profits
- If marriage is void: of the ACP or CPG in favor of the common children or, if there are none, the
o Invalidity is NOT due to absence of legal capacity – Art. 147 applies children of the guilty spouse by previous marriage, or in default, the children of the
Refers to these void marriages because of: innocent spouse.
- However, if the marriage is void NOT because of Art. 40, the forfeiture of share
Art. 36 – psychological incapacity
shall be in accordance with Arts. 147 and 148, which provide that the guilty party
Art. 44 – both spouses in a void subsequent marriage
shall forfeit not only his/her share in the net profits but all his/her shares in
acted in bad faith
the co-ownership in favor of their common children.
Art. 53 – non-compliance of requirements before
remarrying Diño v. Diño, G.R. No. 178044, January 19, 2011
Absence of consents - Article 50 of the Fam Code does NOT apply to marriages which are declared void
Authority of solemnizing officer ab initio under Art. 36, which should be declared void without wanting for the
Absence of valid marriage license or marriage liquidation of the properties of the parties.
ceremony
o Invalidity is due to absence of legal capacity – Art. 148 applies
Refers to the ff:
Man and a woman living together as husband and Art. 148. In cases of cohabitation not falling under the preceding Article, only the
wife, without benefit of marriage, but are not properties acquired by both of the parties through their actual joint contribution of
capacitated to marry (parties are below 18 yrs old) money, property, or industry shall be owned by them in common in proportion to
Adulterous relationship their respective contributions. In the absence of proof to the contrary, their
contributions and corresponding shares are presumed to be equal. The same rule
Bigamous or polygamous marriage
and presumption shall apply to joint deposits of money and evidences of credit.
Incestuous void marriage
Void marriages for reasons of public policy If one of the parties is validly married to another, his or her share in the co-
ownership shall accrue to the absolute community or conjugal partnership existing
- Person with legal capacity in such valid marriage. If the party who acted in bad faith is not validly married to
o Any male or female of the age of eighteen years or upwards not under another, his or her shall be forfeited in the manner provided in the last paragraph
any of the impediments mentioned in Articles 37 (void incestuous of the preceding Article.
marriage) and 38 (marriage against public policy).
- To qualify under Article 147, the man and the woman must: The foregoing rules on forfeiture shall likewise apply even if both parties are in bad
1. Be capacitated to marry each other; faith. (144a)
2. Live exclusively with each other as husband and wife; NOTES:
3. Be without the benefit of marriage or under a void marriage. - If any one of the requirements under Article 147 is absent, Article 148 will apply.
*All these requisites must concur - However, the parties may be deemed to be co-owners of a property acquired
during the cohabitation only upon proof that each made an actual contribution
to its acquisition. Without proof of actual contribution, a co-ownership under
Article 148 cannot arise.