Question

Marvin and Maria, a married couple, are considering purchasing a new house to serve as their family home. They are aware of the special protection afforded to the family home under the Family Code. In line with this, they seek your legal advice regarding their options and obligations as they plan to establish their family home. Analyze the following scenarios and answer the corresponding questions:

1. Scenario 1:

Marvin and Maria have decided to purchase a condominium unit as their family home. They are both working professionals, and they plan to use their joint savings to pay for the unit. However, Maria’s parents claim that they should have a share in the ownership of the family home because they contributed a significant amount of money to Marvin and Maria's wedding expenses. Marvin and Maria want to know if Maria's parents have a legal right to claim ownership of the family home based on their contributions. Discuss.

2. Scenario 2:

Marvin and Maria are in the process of purchasing a residential property to be used as their family home. They want to ensure that the family home is exclusively for their benefit and that it cannot be seized or sold by their creditors. What are the steps or requirements they need to comply with to secure the family home's protection from seizure and sale? Explain.

3. Scenario 3:

Marvin, Maria, and their two minor children have been living in a house owned by Marvin's parents. However, Marvin's parents recently passed away and left the house as an inheritance to Marvin's brother. Marvin and Maria want to know if they have any rights to continue living in the house as their family home despite not being the legal owners. Can they claim the house as their family home? Elaborate.