Etterlatt

Etterlatt is a Norwegian term that denotes something that has been left behind or bequeathed by a deceased person. It derives from the verb etterlate and functions as both an adjective and a noun in legal and everyday language. As an adjective, it describes assets, obligations, or properties that remain after death, for example etterlatt formue (the estate bequeathed) or etterlatt bo (the deceased’s estate).

The plural form, etterlatte, is often used to refer to the survivors or heirs, commonly in phrases like de etterlatte (the bereaved) or etterlatte arvinger. In legal contexts, the estate is often referred to as boet, which includes both assets and liabilities; terms such as etterlatte eiendeler and etterlatte gjeld describe the assets and debts left by the deceased.

In usage, etterlatt appears in wills, probate proceedings, and estate inventories, as well as in obituaries or discussions of inheritance. It helps distinguish what remains as a result of death from what was created later or owned independently by living individuals.

Etymology and cross-language notes: etterlatt comes from the verb etterlate (to leave behind or bequeath). Related terms exist in other Scandinavian languages, such as Swedish efterlämnad and Danish efterladt, with similar meanings.

See also: testamente, arverett, bo, arv, de etterlatte.