Rosales v. Rosales

Summary

This case involved a dispute over inheritance rights in the intestate estate of Petra V. Rosales. The deceased's daughter-in-law, Irenea C. Rosales, whose husband predeceased his mother, claimed a share of the estate as a compulsory heir. The Court of First Instance excluded her from inheritance, recognizing only the husband, children, and grandson (by right of representation) as legal heirs. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that a surviving spouse is not an intestate heir of her parent-in-law under the Civil Code. The Court emphasized that intestate succession follows specific provisions, and no law grants daughters-in-law inheritance rights from mothers-in-law. The decision clarified that surviving spouses are third persons regarding their parent-in-law's estates, and only blood relatives can inherit by right of representation.