Arveforhold

Arveforhold refers to the legal and factual relations that determine how a deceased person’s estate is transferred to heirs and other potential recipients. It encompasses the interplay between family relationships, marital or partner status, and the effect of wills or gifts on the distribution of assets.

The legal framework for arveforhold is usually found in inheritance law, which sets priorities and rules for who inherits when there is no will and how a will can modify those allocations. A common feature is the protection of certain heirs through a compulsory portion, ensuring that close relatives such as children retain a minimum share of the estate despite testamentary arrangements.

Heirs and order of succession typically depend on degree of kinship. Descendants (children and their lineal successors) often have primary rights, while a surviving spouse may have a specific share and rights to stay in the family home or receive usufruct. If there are no descendants, other relatives such as parents, siblings, or more distant kin may inherit. Wills can direct distribution beyond statutory rules but generally cannot completely override the compulsory portion.

Practical implications of arveforhold include estate planning, the management of jointly owned property, tax considerations, and arrangements during life that affect future inheritance, such as gifts or agreements on use of the home. Disputes can arise when testamentary wishes diverge from statutory rights or from family agreements.

Understanding arveforhold is important for planning, preventing conflicts, and ensuring orderly transfer of assets in line with legal and familial expectations.