To the best of my knowledge as a result of Web research, the surviving
sibling would have inherited. Given that the prospective heir has
since died, his heirs would be the next in line to inherit. As the
assets are in the USA, it appears that the residency of the surviving
heir, regardless of the possible incapacity under Cuban law, would
govern the succession. (Note US Code, Title 31, infra.)
Although there have been changes to the laws of inheritance and
succession since 1986, I can find no evidence that the rule of
succession has been changed since then, and, consequently, the present
law would have been applicable insofar as that clause is concerned.
(It appears to be a common rule in the Latin American and Caribbean
nations derived from the Spanish Legal Code. See the Comparative
tables at the Microjuris Web site, listed below.) According to Article
511 (or 510), Volume IV, Right of Succession, Title III, Succession
Intestate, Chapter I (see below), succession in the absence of
children and their descendants, parents, and spouse, or others of the
male line, descends to the surviving sibling as the next rightful
heir, and thence to his/her heirs.
See:
Microjuris Web site
http://www.microjuris.com
Comisión Conjunta Permanente para la Revisión y Reforma del Código
Civil de Puerto Rico
Permanent Commission for the Revision and Reformation of the Civil
Code of Puerto Rico
Comparative Tables
http://www.microjuris.com/mjpr/comisioncodigocivil/Tablas_Comparativas/(d)%20libro%20tercero_de%20las%20sucesiones%20(arts%20599-1040%20del%20ccpr)/
Intestacy Tables
http://www.microjuris.com/mjpr/comisioncodigocivil/Tablas_Comparativas/(d)%20libro%20tercero_de%20las%20sucesiones%20(arts%20599-1040%20del%20ccpr)/10%20intestada%20disp%20gen/
ORDER OF SUCCESSION TABLES
http://www.microjuris.com/mjpr/comisioncodigocivil/Tablas_Comparativas/(d)%20libro%20tercero_de%20las%20sucesiones%20(arts%20599-1040%20del%20ccpr)/13%20ord%20sucesion/
My translations follow the Spanish text, are very rough, and may not
be accurate. Use them with caution. The are included only because
Google requires that answers be in English. Rely on the Spanish text
for correct legal meaning.
"LIBRO IV – DERECHO DE SUCESIONES
TÍTULO II – SUCESIÓN TESTAMENTARIA
CAPÍTULO I – DISPOSICIONES GENERALES
SECCIÓN PRIMERA - TESTAMENTO
***Arts. 476 a 479.-
Art. 480.-
1.- Puede ser instituida heredera o legataria cualquier persona
natural o juridical.
2.- Se exceptúa de la disposición anterior el notario y sus parientes
dentro del cuarto grado de consanguinidad y segundo de afinidad, así
como los testigos y demás personas que hayan intervenido en el
otorgamiento del testamento.
Art. 481.- La institución de heredero no puede estar sujeta a
condición ni a término.
Art. 482 El testador puede designar sustitutos a los herederos
instituidos para el caso en que éstos mueran antes que él, o no puedan
aceptar o renuncien a la herencia.
TRANSLATION:
Article 480
1. - Any natural or lawful person can be established inheritor or
legatee.
2. - One exception to the previous disposition is the notary and his
relatives within the fourth degree of consanguinity and second of
affinity, as well as the witnesses and other people who have taken
part in the granting of the testament.
Art. 481. - The establishment of heir cannot be subject to rank nor
term.
Art. 482 - The testator can designate substitutes to the established
heirs in the event that they predecease him, or cannot accept or
resign the inheritance.
DE LAS SUCESIONES
DISPOSICIONES GENERALES
LIBRO CUARTO
DERECHO DE SUCESIONES
TITULO I
DISPOSICIONES GENERALES
CAPITULO I
SUCESION Y TITULOS PARA HEREDAR
Artículo 466.
El derecho de sucesión comprende el conjunto de normas que regulan la
trasmisión del patrimonio del causante después de su muerte.
Artículo 467.
1 La sucesión tiene lugar por testamento o por ley. La primera se
denomina testamentaria y la sug unda intestada.
2. La herencia puede trasmitirse también en parte por testamento y en
parte por disposición de ley.
Artículo 468.
1. El heredero es sucesor, a título universal, en todo o en parte
alícuota de los bienes, derechos y obligaciones del causante.
2.El legatario sólo sucede en determinados bienes o derechos, pero no
en las obligaciones.
3. Si se atribuyen al instituido bienes determinados que constituyen
una parte considerable del valor de la herencia, sólo puede
reputársele heredero si está obligado a participar en las cargas de la
sucesión según la voluntad presunta del causante. En otro caso, el
instituido tiene la condición de legatario.
TRANSLATION:
Article 466.
The right of succession comprehends the set of standards that regulate
the transmission of the patrimony of the originator after his death.
Article 467.
1 The succession takes place by testament or law. The first is called
testamentary and the second intestacy.
2. The inheritance can also be transmitted partly by testament and
partly by disposition of law.
Article 468.
1. The heir is successive, by universal title, in everything or
partial allocation of the goods, rights and obligations of the
originator.
2.The legatee only succeeds to certain goods or rights, but not in the
obligations.
3. If one is designated as established to inherit those certain goods
that constitute a considerable part of the value of the inheritance,
he can only be regarded as heir if he is obliged to participate in the
burdens of the succession according to the presumptive will of the
originator. Else, the established one has the condition of legatee.
DE LA SUCESIÓN INTESTADA
DISPOSICIONES GENERALES
LIBRO IV – DERECHO DE SUCESIONES
TITULO III
SUCESION INTESTADA
CAPITULO I
DISPOSICIONES GENERALES
Artículo 509. La sucesión intestada tiene lugar cuando:
1) una persona muere sin haber otorgado testamento, o éste se declara
judicialmente nulo o ineficaz en todo o en parte;
2) el testamento no contiene institución de heredero en todo o en
parte de los bienes, derechos y acciones, ono dispone de todos los que
corresponden al testador. En este caso, la sucesión intestada tiene
lugar solamente respecto de aquéllos de que no hubiera dispuesto; y
3) todos los herederos instituidos premueren al testador, son
incapaces de suceder o renuncian a la herencia.
Artículo 511. Son herederos llamados por ley los hijos y demás
descendientes, los padres, el cónyuge, los demás ascendientes y los
hermanos y sobrinos.
TRANSLATION:
Article 509. The intestacy succession occurs when:
1) a person dies without having granted testament, or the one made is
declared partly judicially null or ineffective in whole or;
2) the testament does not contain establishment of heir in whole or in
part of the goods, rights and actions, or make arrangements for all
who stood in correspondence to the testator. In this case, the
intestacy succession applies only with respect to those for whom it
had not made arrangement; and
3) all the established heirs predecease the testator, are
incapacitated to inherit or resign the inheritance.
Article 511. The children and other descendants are heirs by law, the
parents, the spouse, others in the ascending line, and brothers and
nephews.
This appears to have been superseded by the following, although with
the same language.
From Cubanet.com
Civil Ley 59 Cuarto 4
http://64.21.33.164/ref/dis/civil_4.htm
ARTICULO 510. Son herederos
llamados por la ley los hijos y
demás descendientes, los padres,
el cónyuge, los demás
ascendientes, y los hermanos y
sobrinos.
TRANSLATION:
ARTICLE 510.
The children and other descendants are heirs by law, the parents, the
spouse, the others in the ascending line, and the brothers and
nephews.
de las sucesiones
DE LA CAPACIDAD PARA SUCEDER
CAPACIDAD PARA SUCEDER
LIBRO IV - DERECHO DE SUCESIONES
TÍTULO I - DISPOSICIONES GENERALES
CAPITULO II - INCAPACIDAD PARA HEREDAR
Artículo 469.-
1.- Son incapaces para ser herederos o legatarios los que:
a).-hayan atentado contra la vida del causante o de otro heredero o
beneficiario de la herencia;
b).-hayan empleado engaño, fraude o violencia para obligar al
causante a otorgar una disposición testamentaria o a cambiar o dejar
sin efecto la otorgada; y
c).-hayan negado alimentos o atención al causante de la herencia.
2.- La incapacidad cesa por el perdón expreso o tácito del causante.
Artículo 470.
Es también causa de incapacidad para ser heredero o legatario el hecho
de haber abandonado definitivamente el país."
TRANSLATION:
Article 469
1. - They are incapacitated as heirs or legatees who:
a)- have made an attempt against the life of the originator or another
heir or beneficiary of the inheritance;
b).- have used deceit, fraud or violence to force the originator to
grant a testamentary disposition or to change or to lapse a granted
one; and
c).- they have denied food or attention to the originator of the
inheritance.
2. - The incapacity stops by the express or tacit pardon of the
originator.
Article 470. - The fact of abandonment of the fatherland is also a
cause of incapacity as inheritor or legatee.
CUBAN LAW
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Gaceta Oficial - Organ Oficial de Publicidad Normativa de la Republica
de Cuba
Official Legal Gazette of Cuba
http://www.gacetaoficial.cu/
Departamento de Civil y Familia
Derecho sobre Bienes.
http://lex.uh.cu/Dptos/Civil/Asignaturas/DSB.html
Excerpts:
"LEGISLACION BASICA
1.- Código Civil de 1987.
2.- Ley General de la Vivienda No.65/88.
3.- Ley General de la Vivienda No.48/84.
4.- Ley de Reforma Urbana de 14 de octubre de 1960.
5.- Ley de Reforma Agraria de 17 de mayo de 1959.
6.- Decreto - Ley No.125 / 1991 de la propiedad, posesión y herencia
de la tierra.
7.- Decreto - Ley No.185/98 de reforma a la Ley General de la Vivienda
No.65/88 en cuanto al Registro de la Propiedad.
8.- Ley Hipotecaria de Ultramar de 1893 y Reglamento de la Ley
Hipotecaria de Ultramar de 1893.
9.- Constitución de la República.
10.- Ley No.77 / 94 de Inversiones Extranjeras.
11.- Ley No.50/84 de Notarias Estatales y Reglamento de la Ley de
Notarias Estatales dictado por Resolución del MINJUS en 1990.
EFFECT OF US CODE ON DISPOSITION OF CUBAN ASSETS IN THE UNITED STATES
Title 31 US Code US Customs Service Department of Treasury
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/imp-exp2/pubform/compend/title_31.htm
The Code of Federal Regulations National Archives and Records
Administration http://www.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/cfrassemble.cgi?title=199931
TITLE 31, CHAPTER V--OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL, DEPARTMENT OF
THE TREASURY
Section 515 Cuba Assets Control Regulations
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_99/31cfr515_99.html
[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 31, Volume 2, Parts 200 to END]
[Revised as of July 1, 1999] From the U.S. Government Printing Office
via GPO Access [CITE: 31CFR515.313]
[Page 555]
TITLE 31--MONEY AND FINANCE: TREASURY
CHAPTER V--OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL, DEPARTMENT OF THE
TREASURY
PART 515--CUBAN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
Subpart C--General Definitions
Sec. 515.313 Property subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States.
(a) The phrase property subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States includes, without limitation, securities, whether registered or
bearer, issued by:
(1) The United States or any State, district, territory, possession,
county, municipality, or any other subdivision or agency or
instrumentality of any thereof; or
(2) Any person with the United States whether the certificate which
evidences such property or interest is physically located within or
outside the United States.
(b) The phrase property subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States also includes, without limitation, securities, whether
registered or bearer, by whomsoever issued, if the instrument
evidencing such property or interest is physically located within the
United States.
[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 31, Volume 2, Parts 200 to END]
[Revised as of July 1, 1999] From the U.S. Government Printing Office
via GPO Access [CITE: 31CFR515.327]
[Page 556-557]
TITLE 31--MONEY AND FINANCE: TREASURY
CHAPTER V--OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL, DEPARTMENT OF THE
TREASURY
PART 515--CUBAN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
Subpart C--General Definitions
Sec. 515.327 Blocked estate of a decedent.
The term blocked estate of a decedent shall mean any decedent's estate
in which a designated national has an interest. A person shall be
deemed to have an interest in a decedent's estate if he: (a) Was the
decedent; (b) Is a personal representative; or
[[Page 557]]
(c) Is a creditor, heir, legatee, devisee, distributee, or
beneficiary.
[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 31, Volume 2, Parts 200 to END]
[Revised as of July 1, 1999] From the U.S. Government Printing Office
via GPO Access [CITE: 31CFR515.407]
[Page 559]
TITLE 31--MONEY AND FINANCE: TREASURY
CHAPTER V--OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL, DEPARTMENT OF THE
TREASURY
PART 515--CUBAN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
Subpart D--Interpretations
Sec. 515.407 Administration of blocked estates of decedents.
Section 515.201 prohibits all transactions incident to the
administration of the blocked estate of a decedent, including the
appointment and qualification of personal representatives, the
collection and liquidation of assets, the payment of claims, and
distribution to beneficiaries. Attention is directed to Sec. 515.523
which authorizes certain transactions in connection with the
administration of blocked estates of decedents, and Sec. 515.522 which
authorizes the unblocking by specific license of estate assets to
certain heirs under certain circumstances.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 54 FR 5234, Feb. 2, 1989; 64
FR 25812, May 13, 1999]
[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 31, Volume 2, Parts 200 to END]
[Revised as of July 1, 1999] From the U.S. Government Printing Office
via GPO Access [CITE: 31CFR515.522]
[Page 566-567]
TITLE 31--MONEY AND FINANCE: TREASURY
CHAPTER V--OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL, DEPARTMENT OF THE
TREASURY
PART 515--CUBAN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
Subpart E--Licenses, Authorizations, and Statements of Licensing
Policy
Sec. 515.522 U.S. assets of certain Cuban decedents.
(a) Specific licenses may be issued unblocking the net pro rata shares
of certain heirs of designated nationals in U.S.-located estate
assets, after deducting the total debt due creditors for claims that
accrued prior to the effective date, in cases where all of the
following conditions are met:
(1) The applicant is a permanent resident of the United States or the
authorized trade territory and is not a specially designated national;
and
(2) No interest on the part of a designated national not licensed as
an unblocked national pursuant to Sec. 515.505 exists in that portion
of the assets to which the applicant is entitled.
(b) Applications for specific licenses under this section must include
all of the following information:
[[Page 567]]
(1) Proof of permanent residence in the United States or the
authorized trade territory, to be established by the submission of
documentation issued by relevant government authorities that must
include at least two of the following documents:
(i) passport;
(ii) voter reigstration card;
(iii) permanent resident alien card; or
(iv) national identity card. Other documents tending to show
residency, such as income tax returns, may also be submitted in
support of government documentation, but will not suffice in and of
themselves;
(2) Proof of death of the designated national to be established by a
death certificate;
(3) Proof of heirship, to be established by a copy of the decedent's
duly executed will certified by a probate court, a court decree
determining the heirs, or, failing the availability of such documents,
copies of certificates establishing the relationship of the heir to
the deceased, e.g., birth or marriage certificates;
(4) A description of the assets involved, including interest due on
blocked funds since April 1, 1979, the name and address of the
institution in which the assets are held, the account or safe deposit
box number, the name in which the assets are held and a statement of
all known encumbrances or claims against them; and
(c) Any document provided pursuant to this section that is not written
in the English language must be accompanied by a translation into
English, as well as a certification by the translator that he is not
an interested party to the proceeding, is qualified to make the
translation, and has made an accurate translation of the document in
question.
[54 FR 5235, Feb. 2, 1989. Redesignated at 64 FR 25813, May 13, 1999]
[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 31, Volume 2, Parts 200 to END]
[Revised as of July 1, 1999] From the U.S. Government Printing Office
via GPO Access [CITE: 31CFR515.523]
[Page 567-568]
TITLE 31--MONEY AND FINANCE: TREASURY
CHAPTER V--OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL, DEPARTMENT OF THE
TREASURY
PART 515--CUBAN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
Subpart E--Licenses, Authorizations, and Statements of Licensing
Policy
Sec. 515.523 Transactions incident to the administration of
decedents' estates.
(a) The following transactions are authorized in connection with the
administration of the assets in the United States of any blocked
estate of a decedent:
(1) The appointment and qualification of a personal representative;
(2) The collection and preservation of such assets by such personal
representative and the payment of all costs, fees and charges in
connection therewith; and
(3) The payment by such personal representative of funeral expenses
and expenses of the last illness.
(4) Any transfer of title pursuant to a valid testamentary
disposition.
This paragraph does not authorize any unblocking or distribution of
estate assets to a designated national.
(b) In addition to the authorization contained in paragraph (a) of
this section, all other transactions incident to the administration of
assets situated in the United States of any blocked estate of a
decedent are authorized if:
(1) The decedent was not a national of a designated foreign country
at the time of his death;
(2) The decedent was a citizen of the United States and a national of
a designated foreign country at the time of his death solely by reason
of his presence in a designated foreign country as a result of his
employment by, or service with the United States Government; or
(3) The assets are unblocked under a specific license issued pursuant
to Sec. 515.522.
(c) Any property or interest therein distributed pursuant to this
section to a designated national shall be regarded for the purpose of
this chapter as property in which such national has an interest and
shall accordingly be subject to all the pertinent sections of this
chapter. Any payment or distribution of any funds, securities or other
choses in action to a designated national shall be made by deposit in
a blocked account in a domestic bank or with a public officer, agency,
or instrumentality designated by a court having jurisdiction of the
estate. Any such deposit shall be made in one of the following ways:
(1) In the name of the national who is the ultimate beneficiary
thereof;
(2) In the name of a person who is not a national of a designated
foreign country in trust for the national who is the ultimate
beneficiary; or
(3) Under some other designation which clearly shows the interest
therein of such national.
[[Page 568]]
(d) Any distribution of property authorized pursuant to this section
may be made to a trustee of any testamentary trust or to the guardian
of an estate of a minor or of an incompetent.
(e) This section does not authorize:
(1) Any designated national to act as personal representative or co-
representative of any estate;
(2) Any designated national to represent, directly or indirectly, any
person who has an interest in an estate;
(3) Any designated national to take distribution of any property as
the trustee of any testamentary trust or as the guardian of an estate
of a minor or of an incompetent; or
(4) Any transaction which could not be effected if no designated
national had any interest in such estate.
(f) Any payment or distribution authorized by this section may be
deposited in a blocked account in a domestic bank or with a public
officer, agency, or instrumentality designated by the court having
jurisdiction of the estate in one of the ways prescribed in paragraph
(c) (1), (2) or (3) of this section, but this section does not
authorize any other transaction directly or indirectly at the request,
or upon the instructions of any designated national.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 54 FR 5234, Feb. 2, 1989; 64
FR
25813, May 13, 1999]
Search terms:
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Cuba+herencia+de+propiedad
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N.B. The above is subject to the Google disclaimers. It is not legal
advice, nor does it substitute for legal advice from competent
lawyers.
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