mittejärelütuse

Mittejärelütuse refers to a concept in Estonian law concerning the distribution of inheritance. It describes a situation where there is no direct heir or a series of direct heirs to inherit property after someone's death. Instead of the inheritance passing to immediate family members, it can revert to the state or be distributed according to specific legal provisions. This can occur if the deceased left no will designating other beneficiaries, or if all named beneficiaries are unable or unwilling to accept the inheritance.

The Estonian Inheritance Act outlines the procedures for handling such cases. Generally, if no heirs are found, the property becomes ownerless and typically falls to the state. This process involves a legal determination that no entitled heirs exist, and then the state takes possession of the assets. There are also provisions for distant relatives or other individuals to claim an inheritance under certain circumstances, but if these fail, the principle of mittejärelütuse comes into play. This ensures that property does not remain in legal limbo indefinitely and has a clear legal disposition. The concept is designed to prevent intestacy from leading to property disputes or prolonged legal uncertainty.