Perintöjärjestyksen

Perintöjärjestyksen is a Finnish term referring to the order of inheritance. It dictates who has the legal right to inherit a deceased person's assets. Finnish inheritance law is primarily governed by the Inheritance Act (Perintökaari). The system is based on kinship, meaning that closest relatives are prioritized.

The primary heirs are typically the deceased's descendants, such as children and grandchildren. If there are no descendants, the inheritance passes to the deceased's parents. If the parents are also deceased, then the inheritance devolves to their descendants, meaning the deceased's siblings and their children. Further down the line, grandparents and their descendants (aunts, uncles, cousins) may inherit.

Spouses have a special position. A surviving spouse generally has the right to inherit from their deceased spouse, often with certain rights to retain marital property. However, the exact rights and order of inheritance can be complex and depend on whether the deceased left a will and the existence of other heirs.

In the absence of any eligible relatives according to the perintöjärjestyksen, the deceased's estate will pass to the Finnish state. It is also possible for a person to make a will (testamentti) to deviate from the statutory order of inheritance, though certain legal reservations, particularly for descendants, may still apply. Understanding the perintöjärjestyksen is crucial for estate planning and settling an estate in Finland.