õigusjärgsed

õigusjärgsed refers to the legal successors or heirs in Estonian law. This concept is fundamental in inheritance and property law, determining who inherits the rights and obligations of a deceased person. When an individual passes away, their property, including assets and debts, does not simply vanish. Instead, it is transferred to their legal successors.

The determination of õigusjärgsed is primarily governed by law, but also by a will left by the deceased. Estonian law distinguishes between statutory heirs and testamentary heirs. Statutory heirs are those who inherit by law in the absence of a valid will, typically close relatives such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings. The order and proportion of inheritance among these statutory heirs are clearly defined in the Law of Succession.

Testamentary heirs, on the other hand, are individuals or entities designated by the deceased in their will. A will allows the testator greater freedom in distributing their assets, though certain legal limitations, such as the compulsory share for close relatives, must still be observed. The process of succession involves identifying the õigusjärgsed, determining the estate, and distributing it according to either the law or the will. This ensures the orderly transfer of property and the continuation of legal relationships.