Atty. Pedro M. Ferrer v. Spouses Alfredo Diaz

Summary

This case establishes the fundamental principle that contracts involving future inheritance are null and void under Article 1347 of the Civil Code. Comandante's waiver of hereditary rights over her parents' property while they were still living was declared invalid as it violated the prohibition against contracts upon future inheritance. The Supreme Court emphasized that for inheritance to be 'future,' succession must not have been opened, the object must form part of the inheritance, and the expectancy must be purely hereditary. The Court also cancelled the adverse claim based on the invalid waiver and remanded the case for full trial, ruling that genuine issues of fact existed that precluded summary judgment. The decision protects the integrity of succession laws and ensures proper procedural safeguards in civil litigation.