pesänjakamispäätös

A pesänjakamispäätös is a legal decision in Finnish inheritance law that determines how the estate of a deceased person is divided among their heirs. This decision is made after the estate inventory (perunkirjoitus) has been completed and the net value of the estate has been determined. The pesänjakamispäätös is a crucial step in the inheritance process, as it legally transfers ownership of assets from the deceased to the rightful beneficiaries.

The process of reaching a pesänjakamispäätös can be initiated in two main ways: through an agreement between the heirs or through a court-appointed estate administrator (pesänjakaja). If all heirs agree on the distribution of assets, they can draft and sign a settlement agreement, which then needs to be approved by the district court. This is often the most straightforward and amicable method.

If the heirs cannot reach an agreement, either on the division itself or on the appointment of an estate administrator, any heir can petition the district court to appoint a pesänjakaja. The pesänjakaja is an independent legal professional, typically a lawyer, who is tasked with managing the estate and dividing it according to Finnish inheritance law. The pesänjakaja will conduct an estate division process, which may involve negotiations, valuations, and potentially a court hearing if disagreements persist. Once the division is finalized, the pesänjakaja drafts a distribution document that is then submitted to the district court for approval. Upon court confirmation, the pesänjakamispäätös is legally binding, and the heirs can proceed with transferring ownership of the inherited assets.