Management of the estate to protect creditors

According to Rule 84 of the Rules of Court, the administrator is given several powers and duties including the power to possess and manage the properties of the estate. By virtue of Article 777, properties are transmitted from the decedent to his/her heirs by succession from the moment of death of the decedent. Inasmuch as the heir is an owner of such properties, s/he may exercise all rights of ownership to include the right to possess and manage the same. This apparent conflict is necessitated by the possibility that the estate may have to answer for some debts and obligations of the decedent. Thus, before the heir can actually possess the properties inherited, an administrator is appointed to manage, protect, and preserve the estate while he liquidates the estate for the protection of creditors. (Mison)