Osituksen

Ositus is a Finnish legal term referring to the division of property as part of a settlement after two common life events: the dissolution of a marriage (avioeron ositus) and the distribution of an estate after someone dies (perinnön ositus). The form osituksen is the genitive singular used in phrases such as “osituksen kohde” (subject of the settlement) or “osituksen toteuttaminen” (carrying out the settlement). The concept centers on determining ownership, settling debts, and securing the rights of spouses and heirs.

In the context of divorce, ositus governs how marital assets and liabilities are allocated between the spouses. It addresses which property is considered community property, which debts must be shared, and how to provide for dependent children. If spouses reach an agreement, the ositus can be finalized privately; if not, a court may oversee or enforce the settlement to ensure fairness and legal validity.

In inheritance matters, ositus concerns the estate's distribution among heirs according to a will or statutory succession. The process typically follows an inventory of assets and debts, payment of creditors, and then the transfer of property to rightful heirs. There are protections for close relatives, including reserved shares (lakiosa) for spouses and children, which constrain how freely an estate can be divided.

The procedure and participants can vary, but common elements include negotiation, mediation, and, when necessary, court involvement or the appointment of a pesänjakaja (estate administrator) or equivalent official to carry out the distribution.

See also: avioero (divorce), perintö (inheritance), lakiosa (legal share), pesänjakaja (estate administrator).