Raquel Chavez v. Hon. Intermediate Appellate Court (4Th Civil Cases Division)

Summary

The Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Appeals decision validating an estate partition inter vivos over subsequent property sales. Manuela Buenavista distributed her paraphernal property to her six children through deeds of sale in 1958-1960, with three daughters selling their shares to sister Concepcion. When Manuela later attempted to sell the entire property to other parties in 1968-1969, three children sued to nullify these sales. The Court held that the original deeds constituted a valid partition inter vivos under Article 1080 of the Civil Code, executed with the property owner's consent during her lifetime. The parties were estopped from denying the consequences of their voluntary participation in the partition. This case establishes important precedent on estate partition by act inter vivos and the application of estoppel in property disputes among family members.