Arcenas v. Cinco

Summary

This case involved intestate succession rights where Teodora Vda. de Arcenas challenged property sales made by her son Jovencio without her consent. The Supreme Court resolved a procedural dispute about the finality of the trial court's decision, ultimately ruling that a surviving spouse concurring with one legitimate child is entitled to one-half of the deceased spouse's estate under Article 996 of the Civil Code. The Court emphasized that partition should consider improvements made by cotenants in good faith, following equity principles. The case established that agreements on facts do not constitute judicial compromise when parties still dispute substantive legal issues, and that partition proceedings require complete disposition including commissioner reports and hearings before becoming final.