Text of the provision
Art. 791. The words of a will are to receive an interpretation which will give to every expression some effect, rather than one which will render any of the expressions inoperative; and of two modes of interpreting a will, that is to be preferred which will prevent intestacy.
(n)
Civil Code of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, approved June 18, 1949, effective August 30, 1950. Reproduced in full; verified verbatim against the LawPhil and ChanRobles official-text renderings.
What this article means
The words of a will are to receive an interpretation that gives every expression some effect, rather than one that renders any expression inoperative; and of two modes of interpreting, the one preventing intestacy is preferred.
Related provisions
- Article 789 — Curing Ambiguities.
- Article 792 — Invalid Dispositions Are Severable.
Cases citing this article
- Rizalino B. Abella, et al. vs. Atty. Sergio C. Sumayod, Jane A. Pica, Annaliza Yu, and Petron Corp., Inc, G.R. No. 269598, April 2, 2025 — read the decision on LawPhil →
Compiled automatically from Supreme Court decisions published on LawPhil that expressly cite this article, most frequently cited first. A listing means the decision cites the provision — it is not a statement that the case is the leading authority, and it does not show whether a ruling has since been modified or abandoned. Always read the decision itself.