Määräosa

Määräosa is a Finnish legal term that translates roughly to "reserved portion" or "forced heirship share." It refers to a portion of a deceased person's estate that is legally reserved for certain close relatives, regardless of the deceased's wishes expressed in a will. This concept is rooted in the principle that immediate family members have a moral and legal right to inherit from their kin.

In Finland, the primary beneficiaries of määräosa are the deceased's descendants (children and grandchildren) and, in the absence of descendants, the deceased's parents. A spouse does not automatically have a right to a määräosa in the same way as descendants or parents, although they have other inheritance rights. The size of the määräosa is determined by law. Typically, a descendant is entitled to half of the inheritance they would have received if there were no will. If there are no descendants, parents are entitled to a specific portion.

A will can disinherit individuals who are not entitled to a määräosa. However, a will cannot completely remove the inheritance rights of those who are entitled to a määräosa. If a will attempts to do so, the entitled heir can claim their reserved portion. The purpose of the määräosa is to ensure a minimum level of financial security for the closest family members and to prevent complete disinheritance of those who are considered to have a natural claim to the inheritance. The regulations surrounding määräosa are part of Finland's inheritance law, governed by specific provisions in the Finnish Inheritance Act.