Antonio Feliciano v. Antonio E. Feliciano, Jr.

Summary

This case involves a family dispute over ownership of a condominium unit between Dr. Antonio Feliciano Sr.'s second family (wife Marietta and their children) and his son from his first marriage (Antonio Jr.). Marietta purchased the unit but executed a Deed of Assignment transferring it to Antonio Jr. for P2,268,000.00. When Antonio Jr. mortgaged the property, Marietta sued claiming no consideration was actually paid and that a resulting trust existed. The RTC initially ruled for Marietta, but the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court reversed, finding that the notarized Deed of Assignment carried a presumption of regularity that petitioners failed to overcome with clear and convincing evidence. The Supreme Court held that petitioners' self-serving testimonies were insufficient to prove a resulting trust, and that Marietta's failure to establish an express trust if that was her true intention negated the existence of an implied trust. The case demonstrates the strong evidentiary burden required to overcome the presumption of validity accorded to notarized documents and the strict requirements for proving resulting trusts.