Lämmatust

Lämmatust, also known as "lämning" or "lämningsskatt," is a historical practice in Sweden where a deceased person's estate was divided among the living relatives. This practice was prevalent in the Middle Ages and persisted into the early modern period. The term "lämmatust" comes from the Swedish word "lämma," which means "to leave" or "to bequeath."

The lämmatust system was based on the principle of "blood kin" (blodskam), where relatives were considered more closely related to the deceased based on their bloodline rather than their legal status. This meant that a person's siblings, parents, and grandparents were considered more closely related than their children or grandchildren.

The lämmatust process involved the deceased person's estate being divided among the living relatives according to their degree of blood kin. The closest relatives received the largest shares, while more distant relatives received smaller shares. The process was often complex and could involve negotiations and disputes among the relatives.

The lämmatust system was eventually replaced by the modern inheritance laws in Sweden, which are based on the principle of intestate succession. These laws determine how a person's estate is divided among their living relatives if they do not have a will. The lämmatust system is now considered a historical practice and is no longer in use.