Pandectarum libri
Ex libro II
Modestinus, Pandects, Book II. A will is the lawful expression of our wishes with respect to what anyone desires to be done after his death.
Modestinus, Pandects, Book II. Where a son is appointed an heir under some condition, and while the condition is pending gives himself to be arrogated, he will cease to be a necessary heir.
The Same, Pandects, Book II. It is an act of kindness for an heir to be appointed for the time that he can obtain the benefit of the inheritance, as for instance: “Let Lucius Titius be my heir for the time when he can obtain my estate.” The same rule applies to legacies. 1Whenever it is not apparent who the appointed heir is, the appointment will not be valid; and this may happen where the testator had several friends of the same name, and in designating the one whom he appointed he used only a single name; unless it is disclosed by the clearest evidence whom the testator had in his mind.
Modestinus, Pandects, Book II. Heirs are said to be either appointed or substituted. Those who are appointed belong to the first degree, those who are substituted to the second, or the third degree. 1There are two kinds of substitutions, the simple, as, for example: “Let Lucius Titius be my heir, and if Lucius Titius should not be my heir, then let Seius be my heir; if he should not be my heir, or should be and die before arriving at puberty, then let Gaius Seius be my heir.” 2We can substitute an heir for others who have been appointed, as well as for those who have disinherited; and we can substitute an heir who has already been appointed, or anyone else. 3A father cannot substitute an heir for his children, unless he appoints one for himself; for without the appointment of an heir no provision of a will is valid.
Modestinus, Pandects, Book II. When the property of a debtor is sold; upon the demand of creditors, a second sale of his property is allowed to be made until his entire indebtedness is discharged, provided the debtor has made acquisitions sufficient to justify the Prætor in taking action.