Dionisia Monis Lagunilla v. Andrea Monis Velasco

Summary

This inheritance dispute involves the exclusion of heirs from an extrajudicial settlement. Petitioners Dionisia and Rafael Monis challenged the validity of a Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement with Donation executed by their aunts Andrea and Macaria, claiming they were also heirs entitled to representation of their deceased father Venancio. The RTC and CA dismissed the case, finding no bad faith and noting petitioners had received advances on inheritance. However, the Supreme Court set aside these decisions and remanded the case, ruling that Pedro Velasco Jr. (the donee) is an indispensable party whose joinder is mandatory under the Rules of Court. The Court emphasized that without Pedro's inclusion, no final adjudication could be made since his property title would be directly affected by any ruling on the settlement's validity, making the proceedings null and void.