pärimisi

Pärimisi is a term used in Estonian law to refer to inheritance, the process by which the property, rights, and obligations of a deceased person are transferred to their heirs. This process is governed by the Law of Succession. When a person dies, their assets, including real estate, money, personal belongings, and any debts, become part of the estate. The law outlines who is entitled to inherit and under what conditions.

There are two primary ways in which inheritance can occur: by law or by will. Inheritance by law, also known as intestate succession, applies when the deceased has not left a valid will. In such cases, the law dictates the order of inheritance, typically prioritizing close relatives. First in line are usually the spouse and descendants. If there are no descendants, the inheritance may pass to the deceased's parents, and then to their siblings or other relatives, following a predetermined order.

Inheritance by will, or testate succession, occurs when the deceased has made a valid will specifying how their estate should be distributed. A will allows individuals to designate beneficiaries and determine the distribution of their assets according to their wishes, potentially deviating from the statutory order of inheritance. However, certain legal protections, such as the compulsory share for close relatives, may still apply. The process of inheritance typically involves identifying the heirs, valuing the estate, settling any debts, and formally transferring ownership of assets to the heirs.