kuolinpesää

Kuolinpesä is a Finnish legal term referring to the estate of a deceased person. It encompasses all the assets and liabilities of the deceased at the time of their death. This includes property, money, investments, debts, and any other possessions. The kuolinpesä is a temporary legal entity that exists from the moment of death until the estate is formally divided among the heirs.

The management and division of a kuolinpesä are governed by Finnish inheritance law. Typically, the surviving spouse and any children are the primary heirs. The estate is managed by the heirs themselves, or if they choose, they can appoint an executor or administrator to handle the process. This management involves tasks such as identifying and valuing the assets, paying off any outstanding debts and taxes, and ultimately distributing the remaining assets according to the will of the deceased or the laws of intestacy if no will exists.

The process of dividing the kuolinpesä, known as ositus or perinnönjako, can be complex and may involve legal professionals. It ensures that the deceased's affairs are settled and their assets are rightfully transferred to their beneficiaries. The kuolinpesä ceases to exist once the division is complete and all legal obligations have been met.