[ULPIANUS libro quarto decimo ad edictum. ] §5.2.6.prPostumus inofficiosum testamentum potest dicere eorum, quibus suus heres uel legitimus potuisset fieri, si in utero fuerit mortis eorum tempore: sed et cognatorum, quia et horum ab intestato potuit bonorum possessionem accipere.
[ULPIANUS, On the Edict, Book 14] A posthumous child can declare the testament to be inofficious of those whose self-successor (suus heres) or statutory heir (legitimus heres) he could have become, if he was in the womb at the time of their death; but also that of cognates, since he could also receive possession of goods (bonorum possessio) from them on intestacy.
quid ergo? eis imputatur cur intestati non decesserant? sed hoc nemo apud iudicem potest impetrare: non enim interdicitur testamenti factione.
What then? Is it imputed to them why they did not die intestate? But no one can obtain this before a judge, for the making of a testament is not forbidden.
hoc plane ei imputare potest, cur eum heredem non scripserit: potuit enim scriptus heres in possessionem mitti ex clausula de uentre in possessionem mittendo: item natus secundum tabulas haberet.
This, clearly, can be imputed to him, why he did not write him as heir; for if designated as heir, he could have been put into possession under the clause 'on putting the womb into possession' (de uentre in possessionem mittendo); likewise, once born, he would hold according to the tablets.
simili modo et eum, qui post testamentum matris factum exsecto uentre extractus est, posse queri dico.
In like manner, I say that he too who was extracted by Caesarean section (exsecto uentre) after his mother's testament was made can complain.
§5.2.6.1Si quis ex his personis, quae ad successionem ab intestato non admittuntur, de inofficioso egerit (nemo enim eum repellit) et casu optinuerit, non ei prosit uictoria, sed his qui habent ab intestato successionem: nam intestatum patrem familias facit.
If anyone among those persons who are not admitted to succession on intestacy should bring an action concerning an inofficious testament (for no one rejects him) and should happen to prevail, the victory would not benefit him, but those who have succession on intestacy; for it makes the paterfamilias intestate.
§5.2.6.2Si quis instituta accusatione inofficiosi decesserit, an ad heredem suum querellam transferat? Papinianus respondit, quod et quibusdam rescriptis significatur, si post adgnitam bonorum possessionem decesserit, esse successionem accusationis.
If anyone dies after instituting an accusation of an inofficious testament, does he transfer the complaint to his heir? Papinian answered, which is also indicated in certain rescripts, that if he dies after the acknowledgement of the possession of goods, there is a succession to the accusation.
et si non sit petita bonorum possessio, iam tamen coepta controuersia uel praeparata, uel si cum uenit ad mouendam inofficiosi querellam decessit, puto ad heredem transire.
And even if the possession of goods has not been requested, yet if the dispute has already been commenced or prepared, or if he dies when he comes to bring the complaint of an inofficious testament, I think it transfers to the heir.