Serafin Sanson v. Isabel Araneta

Summary

This inheritance dispute involved Serafin Sanson's challenge to a 1927 partition agreement of his father's estate, claiming his share was unfairly reduced compared to his siblings Alfredo and Eva. The deceased Roque Sanson's will provided for equal distribution among his three children, but the partition agreement orchestrated by widow Isabel Araneta gave Serafin inferior land in both quality and quantity. The Supreme Court found lesion exceeding one-fourth under multiple valuation methods - inventory value (reduction of P19,068.69), assessed value (P16,696 reduction), market value (from P51,300 to P25,050), and area (from 467+ to 254+ hectares). The Court applied Civil Code Article 1074 allowing rescission for lesion exceeding one-fourth, rejected prescription and renunciation defenses, and affirmed the lower court's order rescinding the partition and requiring equitable redistribution. The case establishes important precedent on inheritance partition rescission based on lesion and demonstrates judicial protection of equal inheritance rights.