Cordova v. Folgueras Y Rijos

Citations

• 227 U.S. 375
• 33 S. Ct. 350
• 57 L. Ed. 556
• 1913 U.S. LEXIS 2308

Syllabus

<p>During the lifetime of the ancestor no heir has a vested right to inherit from him; and heirs only have such rights of inheritance as are given to them by the laws in force at their ancestor’s death.</p> <p>It is hot an interference with vested rights to prescribe the mode of procedure, or the time within which to enforce them, provided reasonable time be given therefor.</p> <p>Under the laws of Porto Rico, while Law Eleven of Toro as to effect of acts of recognition of rights of natural children may -be in force,' the provisions of §§ 133 and 137 of the Code of 1902 must be complied with in order to enforce such rights; and this applies to persons whose alleged parent died prior to the enactment of the Code.</p> <p>Decisions of the courts of Spain rendered after 1898, construing Spanish law applicable to possessions ceded to the United States, although entitled to great consideration, do not preclude the local court from reaching an independent judgment.</p>