Lähteosa

Lähteosa is a term that appears in the context of Finnish law, specifically concerning inheritance and wills. It translates loosely to "source portion" or "inherited portion." The concept of lähteosa is related to the legal rights of a deceased person's closest relatives, particularly their spouse and children, to inherit a certain share of the estate. It is a fundamental principle within Finnish inheritance law that aims to protect the financial security of surviving family members.

The lähteosa is not an absolute right to a specific asset but rather a claim to a portion of the total value of the estate. This portion is calculated based on legal formulas that consider the value of the inheritance received by the heir and their other assets. The purpose is to ensure that close relatives receive a fair share, even if the deceased's will attempts to distribute their assets differently. If an heir believes their lähteosa has been violated by the terms of a will or the distribution of assets, they have legal avenues to challenge the distribution and claim their rightful portion. This legal mechanism serves as a safeguard against disinheritance of immediate family members.