Pärijaõigused

Pärijaõigused refer to the legal rights and responsibilities associated with inheriting property and assets from a deceased person. In Estonian law, these rights are primarily governed by the Law of Succession. When an individual passes away, their assets, including real estate, personal belongings, bank accounts, and other valuables, are subject to inheritance.

The law outlines two main ways inheritance can occur: by will and by law. Inheritance by will takes place when the deceased has left a valid last will and testament specifying who their heirs are and how their property should be distributed. If no will exists, or if the will is invalid, inheritance by law applies, meaning the property is divided among the closest relatives according to a statutory order of succession.

Those who are entitled to inherit are known as heirs. Heirs have the right to claim their share of the inheritance. However, inheriting also comes with responsibilities, such as the obligation to pay any debts left by the deceased. Estonian law generally allows heirs to accept or renounce an inheritance within a certain timeframe. If accepted, the heir becomes responsible for the deceased's assets and liabilities, although the extent of liability can be limited under specific circumstances. The process of transferring ownership of inherited property typically involves a notary and requires various legal documents to be filed.