Etukäteisetuus

Etukäteisetuus is a Finnish term that translates to "pre-advantage" or "prior entitlement." It refers to a situation where a person or entity has a right or claim established before a specific event or transaction occurs. This pre-existing entitlement can influence subsequent legal or financial outcomes.

In practice, etukäteisetuus can manifest in various contexts. For example, in property law, a mortgage registered on a property creates an etukäteisetuus for the lender. This means the lender has a prior claim to the property over any subsequent purchasers or unsecured creditors. Similarly, in inheritance law, certain individuals might have an etukäteisetuus to a portion of an estate, often referred to as a reserved share, which cannot be arbitrarily disinherited.

The concept is important in determining priority of claims, especially in cases of insolvency or disputes over assets. Understanding the existence and nature of an etukäteisetuus is crucial for assessing risk and making informed decisions in legal and financial matters. It ensures fairness by acknowledging and protecting established rights that predate other claims.