erfðarréttur

Erfðarréttur, which translates to inheritance law in English, is the legal framework governing the transfer of a person's assets and liabilities upon their death. This area of law dictates who inherits property, under what conditions, and the procedures that must be followed. Key concepts within erfðarréttur include wills, intestate succession, and the rights of heirs.

A will, or erfðaskrá, is a legal document where an individual specifies how their estate should be distributed after their death. If a person dies without a valid will, the rules of intestate succession, or erfðaskipti án erfðaskrár, apply. These rules typically prioritize close family members, such as spouses and children, according to a predetermined legal order.

Heirs, or erfingjar, are the individuals entitled to inherit from an estate. Their rights and responsibilities are defined by erfðarréttur. This may include the right to claim a portion of the estate, as well as the obligation to settle any outstanding debts of the deceased. The process of distributing the estate is often managed by an executor or administrator, who oversees the legal and financial aspects of the inheritance. Erfðarréttur aims to ensure a fair and orderly transfer of property and to provide clarity for those left behind.