AT Cruz Law Firm

AT Cruz Law Firm We specialize in resolving land, property, condominiums, subdivisions, and corporate shares disputes.

With a team of dedicated and experienced professionals, we provide comprehensive legal solutions tailored to your needs.

We're hiring an associate attorney to help and support our legal function as we build a firm that shows prowess in the f...
17/01/2026

We're hiring an associate attorney to help and support our legal function as we build a firm that shows prowess in the field of property and family relations. You'll partner closely with the legal team and help build an environment that promotes good relationship with our clients.

Our office is located in Marcos Highway, Pasig City. We prefer those who live in nearby residences.

This is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and expertise as you venture your way into civil and business related cases by representing clients in hearings and appeals.

What we're looking for:
- JD + bar admission
- 1 year experience
- Excellent judgment, communication, and organizational skills
- Hard-working, collaborative, and detail oriented
- Ability to work on-site

What you'll do:
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts in property and family related documents
- Collaborate with the our paralegal team in assisting our clients.
- Attend court hearings, mediations, and appear face to face during client consultations.

What we offer:
- Provides exposure in real client-facing responsibility
- Accommodating and helpful team culture
- Profit-sharing

If you are interested in applying, we'd be happy to assist you.

11/07/2023

Effective July 1, 2023, the rate of percentage tax reverts to 3% per Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 69-2023.

Read the full text of the RMC here: https://bit.ly/RMC692023

Read the full Media Release here: https://bit.ly/PR53JUL0523

Good food! Oh my Marikina, you really are a food haven.
16/09/2022

Good food! Oh my Marikina, you really are a food haven.

QUESTION: Luis was survived by two legitimate children, two illegitimate children, his parents, and two br...
04/04/2022

QUESTION: Luis was survived by two legitimate children, two illegitimate children, his parents, and two brothers. He left an estate of P1 million. Who are the compulsory heirs of Luis, how much is the legitime of each, and how much is the free portion of his estate, if any?
ANSWER: The compulsory heirs are the two legitimate children and the two illegitimate children. The parents are excluded by the legitimate children, while the brothers are not compulsory heirs .
a) The legitime of the two (2) legitimate children is one half (1/2) of the estate (P500,000.00) to be divided between them equally, or P250,000.00 each.
b) The legitimate of each illegitimate child is one-half (1/2) the legitime of each legitimate child or P125,000.00.
c) Since the total legitime of the compulsory heirs is P750,000.00, the balance of P250,000.00 is the free portion. If Luis was able to make a last will and testament, he could have given this free portion to anyone.

(2003 Bar)

Ato is the lessee of an apartment owned by Yolo. Ato allowed his married but employed daughter Betty, whose husband work...
17/11/2021

Ato is the lessee of an apartment owned by Yolo. Ato allowed his married but employed daughter Betty, whose husband works in Kuwait, to occupy it. The relationship between Yolo and Ato soured. Since he has no reason at all to eject Ato, Yolo, in connivance with the City Engineer, secured from the latter an order for the demolition of the building. Ato immediately filed an action in the Regional Trial Court to annul the order and to enjoin its enforcement. Yolo and Ato were able to forge a compromise agreement under which A agreed to a twenty percent (20%) increase in the monthly rentals. They further agreed that the lease will expire two (2) years later and that in the event that Yolo would sell the property, either Ato or his daughter Betty shall have the right of first refusal. The Compromise Agreement was approved by the court. Six (6) months before the expiration of the lease, Ato died. Yolo sold the property to the Visorro Realty Corp. without notifying Betina. Betina then filed an action to rescind the sale in favor of the corporation and to compel Yolo to sell the property to her since under the Compromise Agreement, she was given the right of first refusal which, she maintains is a stipulation pour atrui under Article 1311 of the Civil Code. Is she correct?

Answer:

Betty is not correct. Her action cannot prosper. Article 1311 requires that the third person intended to be benefited must communicate his acceptance to the obligor before the revocation. There is no showing that Betty manifested her acceptance to Yolo at any time before the death of Ato and before the sale. Hence, Betty cannot enforce any right under the alleged stipulation pour atrui. (1991 Bar)

Spouses Biong and Linda wanted to sell their house. They found a prospective buyer, Ray. Linda negotiated with Ray for t...
15/11/2021

Spouses Biong and Linda wanted to sell their house. They found a prospective buyer, Ray. Linda negotiated with Ray for the sale of the property. They agreed on a fair price of P2 Million. Ray sent Linda a letter confirming his intention to buy the property. Ray prepared a deed of sale to be signed by the couple and a manager’s check for P2 Million. After receiving the P2 Million, Biong signed the deed of sale. However, Linda was not able to sign it because she was abroad. On her return, she refused to sign the document saying she changed her mind. Linda filed suit for nullification of the deed of sale and for moral and exemplary damages against Ray.

Will the suit prosper? Explain.

Answer:

No, the suit will not prosper. The contract of sale was perfected when Linda and Ray agreed on the object of the sale and the price [Art. 1475, New Civil Code]. The consent of Linda has already been given, as shown by her agreement to the price of the sale. There is therefore consent on her part as the consent need not be given in any specific form. Hence, her consent may be given by implication, especially since she was aware of, and participated in the sale of the property (Pelayo v. CA, G.R. No. 141323, June 8, 2005). Her action for moral and exemplary damages will also not prosper because the case does not fall under any of those mentioned in Art. 2219 and 2232 of the Civil Code. (2006 Bar)

Q: Does the Constitutional policy on the family and the provision that marriage is the foundation of the family and shal...
22/09/2021

Q: Does the Constitutional policy on the family and the provision that marriage is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State bar Congress from enacting a law allowing divorce in the Philippines?

A: No, the Constitutional policy, as well as the supporting provision, does not amount to a prohibition to Congress to enact a law on divorce. The Constitution only meant to help the marriage endure, to “strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development.” (1991, Bar)

Q: On April 15, 1980, Rene and Angelina were married to each other without a marriage settlement. In 1985, they acquired...
22/09/2021

Q: On April 15, 1980, Rene and Angelina were married to each other without a marriage settlement. In 1985, they acquired a parcel of land in Quezon City. On June 1, 1990, when Angelina was away in Baguio, Rene sold the said lot to Marcelo. Can Angelina invalidate the sale?

A: Yes. Under Article 124 of the Family Code, the sale of a conjugal property by a spouse without the consent of the other is void. (2000, Bar)

Q: Julio and Lea, both 18 years old, were sweethearts. At a party at the house of a mutual friend. Lea met Jake, also 18...
22/09/2021

Q: Julio and Lea, both 18 years old, were sweethearts. At a party at the house of a mutual friend. Lea met Jake, also 18 years old, who showed interest in her. Lea seemed to entertain Jake because she danced with him many times. In a fit of jealousy, Julio shot Jake using his father’s 38 caliber revolver which, before going to the party he was able to get from the unlocked drawer which I left inside my bedroom. Jake died as a result of the lone gunshot wound he sustained. Jake’s parents sued Julio’s parent’s for damages. At the time of the incident, Julio was 18 years old and living with his parents. Are Julio’s parents liable for the death of Jake?

A: Yes, Julio’s parents are liable for damages. Parents are liable for torts committed by their children below twenty one (21) years of age. Article 236 of the Family Code as amended by Republic Act 6809, provides in the third paragraph that “nothing in this Code shall be construed to derogate from the duty or responsibility of parents and guardians for children and wards below twenty-one years of age mentioned in the second and third paragraphs of Article 2180 of the Civil Code”. (1993 Bar)

Do I have a right over the properties of my parents while they are still alive? This is the usual question that our Firm...
12/08/2021

Do I have a right over the properties of my parents while they are still alive?

This is the usual question that our Firm hears from clients who are in dire financial situation and the only way they could think of is to get their share in their future inheritance.

Unfortunately, children cannot compel their parents to give them their inheritance, now or in the future. Under the law, the properties of your parents are theirs and theirs alone while they are still alive. They have an unimpeded right to do whatever they want with it without asking for your approval except that they have to provide you with financial support for your basic needs and education up to certain degree. True, these properties may eventually go to you in a form of inheritance but until then, your parents have all the liberty of disposal.

In fact, even if you feel that you have the right to inheritance, the law prohibits you to enter into any agreement affecting your future inheritance. Let us just say that our laws are protective of the true owners. That being said, it also means that your parents have the freedom to generously give you or your siblings a part of their wealth and more often than not, all you have to do is ask kindly.

Problems occur when the parents are already of old age or no longer capable of managing their own affairs. One or some of the children may be interested in taking over the businesses and properties for their own personal benefit and all that they have to do is to get their parents’ precious signature in a document that can magically turn everything into dust. Whether or not the parents were in full mental or emotional capacity when they signed that document, doubt would always be creeping especially in the minds of other children who were not aware about it. It will always be viewed as taking advantage of the parents’ vulnerability. This is a sure way to destroy family relations so our Firm does not advice children to take anything from their parents while they are in a vulnerable state. What we promote is a peaceful resolution of the family dispute through mediation.

Mediation is a form of an out-of-court and private resolution of disputes whereby our Firm stands as the mediator. During mediation, the children and the parents will be heard of their concerns and needs. The goal is to meet these concerns and needs; and come up with an amicable resolution of the problem at hand without the strict imposition of the laws.

When mediation is successful, the parties sign an agreement that serves as a guide to their future conduct. A property may be sold, donated, leased or disposed of in any other manner for the benefit of all or some children; or for the support of the parents. Everything that is needed to be done can be arranged by agreement of the parties. A successful mediation not only heals wounds but may also be a way to bring back the family together. A successful mediation may settle every aspect that caused dispute and leaves the parties with a clear picture of how the future looks like.

Address

Unit 203 AZ Building, J. P Rizal St, 119 Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Avenue, Extension
Pasig
1610

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+639209570383

Website

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