Erbschaftsansprüche

Erbschaftsansprüche, also known as inheritance claims, refer to the legal rights that individuals have to inherit property and assets from a deceased person. These claims are primarily governed by inheritance law, which varies significantly between jurisdictions. Generally, inheritance claims arise from either a will or statutory succession.

In cases where a deceased person has left a valid will, the beneficiaries named in the will have a direct erbschaftsanspruch based on the testator's wishes. The will dictates the distribution of the estate, and the named beneficiaries are entitled to receive their designated shares. However, certain legal limitations, such as compulsory portions for close relatives, may still apply.

If there is no will, or if the will is invalid, the estate is distributed according to the rules of statutory succession. This means that specific relatives, such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings, are entitled to inherit in a predefined order and proportion. The closer the degree of kinship, the higher the priority in claiming the inheritance.

Erbschaftsansprüche can also be complex, involving issues like joint ownership, debts of the deceased, and potential disputes among heirs. In many legal systems, a formal process of estate administration or probate is required to officially transfer ownership of assets and settle any outstanding liabilities before the beneficiaries can fully exercise their erbschaftsansprüche. Seeking legal advice is often recommended to navigate these complexities.