pärimisõiguses

Pärimisõigus, or inheritance law, is the branch of law that governs the distribution of a deceased person's assets and liabilities. In many jurisdictions, it outlines the procedures for transferring property from the deceased, known as the testator or de cuius, to their heirs or beneficiaries. This typically involves a will, a legal document in which the testator specifies how their estate should be divided. If no valid will exists, the rules of intestacy, or statutory succession, apply, dictating how the estate is distributed among legal heirs, usually close relatives.

The process often involves identifying the estate's assets, such as real estate, bank accounts, and personal belongings, as well as any outstanding debts. A legal representative, such as an executor appointed in a will or an administrator appointed by the court, is usually responsible for managing the estate, settling debts, and distributing the remaining assets according to the law or the testator's wishes. Inheritance law also addresses potential disputes, such as challenges to the validity of a will or claims by individuals who believe they have been unfairly excluded from the inheritance. The specific rules and procedures can vary significantly between countries and legal systems.