Pärimiskord

Pärimiskord refers to the legal order of succession in Estonian inheritance law. It dictates who is entitled to inherit property when a person dies without a will. Estonian law establishes a system of intestate succession based on kinship.

The first in line to inherit are the direct descendants of the deceased, known as first-degree heirs. This includes their children, grandchildren, and so on. If there are no direct descendants, the inheritance passes to the deceased's parents, who are second-degree heirs. If both parents are deceased, the inheritance goes to their descendants, meaning the siblings of the deceased.

Third-degree heirs are the grandparents of the deceased. If the grandparents are no longer alive, their descendants, which are the aunts and uncles of the deceased, and their children (cousins), inherit. If there are no heirs in the preceding degrees, the inheritance devolves to more distant relatives. In the absence of any relatives, the estate typically passes to the local government where the deceased was last registered as a resident.

The pärimiskord ensures that property is distributed according to a predictable legal framework, prioritizing close family members. This system aims to provide clarity and fairness in the absence of explicit instructions from the deceased.