Spouses Bernardo Buenaventura v. Court of Appeals

Summary

This case involved a family dispute where some children challenged deeds of sale executed by their parents in favor of their siblings between 1978-1988, claiming the sales were simulated and designed to deprive them of their inheritance. The Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal, ruling that the challenging children lacked standing as real parties in interest since their inheritance rights as compulsory heirs are merely inchoate until their parents' death. The Court found no evidence of simulation, noting that parents are free to dispose of their properties while alive, and that gross inadequacy of price alone does not invalidate sales contracts absent fraud, mistake, or undue influence. The decision reinforced the principle that compulsory heirs cannot claim impairment of legitime during their parents' lifetime and must establish legal interest to challenge property transactions they are not parties to.