LUY LIM vs CA

G.R. No. 124715 January 24, 2000

RULE 73 - VENUE AND PROCESS
Facts:
Petitioner Rufina Luy Lim is the surviving spouse of the late Pastor Y. Lim whose estate is the subject of
probate proceedings. Pastor Lim died on June 1994, Rufina Lim as the surviving spouse filed for the
administration of the estate. However, Rufina Lim filed an amended petition which averred that such
corporations were owned by Pastor Lim, that such were dummies of Pastor Lim. That those listed as
incorporators are there only for the purpose of registration with the SEC, and that the real properties,
although registered in the name of the corporations were actually acquired by Pastor Lim during his
marriage with Rufina Lim.
Issue:
Whether or not a corporation in its universality be the proper subject of and be included in the
inventory of the estate of the deceased person.
Held:
The real property included in the inventory of the estate of the late Pastor Lim are in the possession of
and are registered in the name of private respondent corporation, which under the law possesses a
personality separate and distinct from their stockholders and in the absence of any agency to shield the
veil of corporate fiction, the presumption of conclusiveness of said titles in favor of private respondent
should stand.