Pärimislike

Pärimislike is a term used in Estonian inheritance law. It refers to the concept of hereditary succession or the passing down of property and rights from a deceased person to their heirs. This process is governed by the Law of Succession.

When an individual dies, their assets, such as real estate, money, and personal belongings, as well as their debts, become part of their estate. Pärimislike dictates how this estate is to be distributed. Estonian law provides for both testamentary succession, where the deceased has left a will specifying the distribution of their assets, and intestate succession, where the estate is distributed according to legal rules in the absence of a will.

In cases of intestate succession, heirs are typically determined by their degree of kinship to the deceased. The law establishes a hierarchy of heirs, with close relatives like spouses and children usually having priority. If there are no close relatives, the inheritance may pass to more distant family members or, in the absence of any heirs, to the state.

The process of pärimislike involves formal legal steps. Heirs usually need to apply for a certificate of inheritance from a notary. This certificate formally establishes their right to inherit and allows them to take possession of the inherited assets and assume any inherited debts. The specific procedures and timelines are outlined in Estonian legal statutes.