Succession as an attribute of ownership

Even at death, a person has the power to control the disposition of his property inasmuch as the power to dispose is an inherent attribute of ownership. Therefore, within the limits fixed by law, a person may distribute his property to anyone he wishes. Both testamentary and intestate succession find support in the theory of succession as an attribute of ownership since a testament is an instrument controlling the disposition of the estate while, in the absence of a testament, the law on intestate succession takes its place by calling on the heirs who would have received the estate had the decedent written a will. (Mison)