Testamente och arvsrätt

Rätt arv handlar om hur en avliden persons kvarlåtenskap ska fördelas; en fråga som i alla tider har tilldragit sig uppmärksamhet. Många har intresse, berättigat eller inte, av att få del av den efterlämnade egendomen. Reglerna om arv och testamente anger hur man ska gå tillväga i denna situation. De ger uttryck för en avvägning mellan olika intressen; arvingarna och i synnerhet barnens intresse av kvarlåtenskapen, en efterlevande makes eller sambos intresse av att få behålla det gemensamma hemmet intakt samt arvlåtarens intresse av att genom testamente få förfoga över sin egendom efter eget huvud. I Rätt arv beskrivs bl.a. arvsordningen och förutsättningar för arv samt skyddet för en efterlevande make, både genom giftorätt och arvsrätt. Vidare behandlas efterarvsrätt, testamentsrätten samt förmånstagarförordnanden i försäkring. Boken innehåller en genomgång av de frågor som ett arvskifte aktualiserar. I ett avslutande kapitel uppmärksammas några successionsrättsliga frågor av rättspolitiskt intresse – är reglerna om arv och testamente avpassade för vår tid? Rätt arv är främst avsedd att vara en lärobok för studerande på juristlinjernas grundutbildning. Boken har emellertid också stort värde för alla med ett yrkesmässigt eller privat intresse av successionsrättsliga frågor.

Denna bok behandlar rättshandlingar för dödsfalls skull, alltså främst testamenten men också arvsavtal och förmånstagarförordnanden vid livförsäkring och individuellt pensionssparande. När det gäller testamenten behandlas - testamentsrättens historia - rätten att göra eller ta testamente - upprättande och återkallelse - ogiltighet och klander - förverkande och preskription - tolkning - testamente av make och inbördes testamenten. Beträffande förmånstagarförordnanden åskådliggörs likheter och skillnader i relation till vad som gäller för testamenten. I boken ges en översikt av regelsystemet, av sammanhanget mellan olika bestämmelser och av skälen för olika lösningar. Referat av rättsfall används som illustration. Lagförslag som lämnats av Utredningen om en arvs- och testamentsrätt i tiden (SOU 2025:91), omnämns men analyseras inte. Boken är skriven för studerande på juristutbildningar men kan också användas av andra kategorier av läsare.

Den kvarlåtenskap som någon lämnar efter sig vid sin död ska enligt arvsrätten fördelas på dennes arvingar och/eller testamentstagare. Ibland förekommer det att en arvtagare eller testamentstagare först ska få kvarlåtenskapen men att den därefter, vid denne arvinges eller testamentstagares död, ska tillfalla någon annan. Den som slutligen ska få arvet brukar då benämnas efterarvinge eller sekundosuccessor och det arv som tillfaller denne brukar kallas efterarv.

Reglerna om efterarv är i sig ganska komplicerade och innehåller dessutom ett antal otydligheter. I boken behandlas detta utförligt och tydliggörs genom exempel. Efterarvsreglerna kan också i förening med andra regler i arvslagstiftningen leda till mycket krångliga arvssituationer. I boken behandlas sådana komplicerade fall.

Boken vänder sig främst till personer som arbetar med arvs- och testamentsrättsliga frågor på t.ex. domstolar, advokatbyråer, banker, försäkringsbolag, socialkontor, bouppteckningsbyråer och liknande. Den bör också kunna användas vid utbildning för sådana arbetsuppgifter.

Med Ekonomisk familjerätt förstås reglerna om makars och sambors egendom samt reglerna om arv, testamente och boutredning. Regler som inte har ekonomisk anknytning (t.ex. faderskap, vårdnad och adoption) berörs mera kortfattat. Regler om gåva hör inte traditionellt till familjerätten, men eftersom gåvoavtalet har störst betydelse i relationer mellan anhöriga, innehåller boken även ett avsnitt om gåva. Författaren förklarar på ett klart och lättbegripligt sätt de ofta komplicerade reglerna. Han ger exempel på avtal och andra rättshandlingar (t.ex. äktenskapsförord, testamenten och skifteshandlingar) och tydliggör med uppställningar och sifferexempel.

I denna tionde upplaga har författaren gjort ändringar och kompletteringar och fört framställningen à jour fram till mars 2022. Boken vänder sig till studerande vid universitet och högskolor och praktiskt verksamma jurister men även till den intresserade lekmannen.

BOUPPTECKNING & ARVSKIFTE visar steg för steg hur du upprättar en korrekt bouppteckning och hur ett slutligt arvskifte genomförs. Du får en utförlig genomgång av alla frågor som blir aktuella vid ett dödsfall, exempelvis frågor om arvsordning, dödsbodelägarkrets, bodelning mellan makar eller sambor, testamenten och värdering av tillgångar och skulder. Tydliga exempel visar hur alla dokument kan utformas. Boken är skriven på begriplig svenska och innehåller många praktiska exempel som underlättar förståelsen.

Hur skall ett testamente utformas? Vilka rättigheter och skyldigheter för testamentstagarna kan bestämmas i ett förordnande? I vilka fall kan arvingar och andra berörda få ett testamente ogiltigförklarat? Testamentsrättens ändamål är att ge möjligheter för en person att bestämma hur kvarlåtenskap skall fördelas inom och mellan generationer. I denna bok behandlas hur avvägningen bör göras mellan de legala arvingarnas rätt att ärva i kraft av släktskap och testatorns rätt att bestämma över sin kvarlåtenskap, samt i vilken utsträckning arvingarna är skyldiga att beakta en avlidens olika viljeyttringar om kvarlåtenskapen. Framställningen bygger på den grundläggande principen att ett testamente skall vara rationellt såväl från samhällsekonomiskt perspektiv som från den legala arvsordningens perspektiv. I boken diskuteras också successionsrättens allmänna läror liksom tänkbara reformer inom testamentsrätten.

The fate of the dead is a compelling and emotive subject, which also raises increasingly complex legal questions. This book focuses on the substantive laws around disposal of the recently deceased and associated issues around their post-mortem fate. It looks primarily at the laws in England and Wales but also offers a comparative approach, drawing heavily on material from other common law jurisdictions including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.The book provides an in-depth, contextual and comparative analysis of the substantive laws and policy issues around corpse disposal, exhumation and the posthumous treatment of the dead, including commemoration. Topics covered include: the legal frameworks around burial, cremation and other disposal methods; the hierarchy of persons who have a legal duty to dispose of the dead and who are entitled to possession of the deceased’s remains; offences against the dead; family burial disputes, and the legal status of burial instructions; the posthumous use of donated bodily material; and the rules around disinterment, and creating an appropriate memorial. A key theme of the book will be to look at the manner in which conflicts involving the dead are becoming increasingly common in secular, multi-cultural societies where the traditional nuclear family model is no longer the norm, and how such legal contests are resolved by courts.As the first comprehensive survey of the laws in this area for decades, this book will be of use to academics, lawyers and judges adjudicating on issues around the fate of the dead, as well as the death industry and funeral service providers.

Boutredningsman – en praktisk genomgång riktar sig till den som behöver en grundläggande genomgång av de olika momenten i det arbete som ska, och bör, utföras av en boutredningsman. I denna bok finns svar på de grundläggande frågorna i arbetet och en översiktlig genomgång av några av de bestämmelser som ska tillämpas.

Boken riktar sig främst till den som arbetar med boutredningsmannauppdrag inom sitt yrke. Innehållet kan även vara av intresse för den som är satt att förvalta ett dödsbo eller för de studenter som önskar läsa mer om en boutredningsmans uppgifter.

Utöver rekommendationer kring rent praktiska moment gällande hanteringen av olika tillgångsslag och rekommendationer kring förfarandet gentemot borgenärerna berörs även frågor om jäv, tillsyn över boutredningsman och internationella frågor.

Den grundläggande systematiken i ärvdabalken och bodelningsbestämmelserna (äktenskapsbalken och sambolagen) berörs för att ge förståelse kring vilka överväganden man som boutredningsman, och i förekommande fall bodelningsförrättare, behöver göra.

JOHANNES GEHLIN är advokat och delägare vid Advokatfirman Glimstedt i Norrköping/Linköping. Han arbetar företrädesvis inom obeståndsrätt, affärsjuridik och ekonomisk familjerätt. Inom ekonomisk familjerätt åtar han sig regelbundet uppdrag som boutredningsman, bodelningsförrättare och partsombud. Han föreläser regelbundet inom juridik.

En klassisk och utförlig kommentar till ärvdabalken, 1-17 kap. om arv och testamente, paragraf för paragraf med redovisning av förarbeten, rättspraxis och doktrin. I denna åttonde upplaga kommenteras ny relevant rättspraxis och litteratur som publicerats sedan förra upplagan kom ut. Bl.a. annat har ett antal avgöranden från HD inom arvs- och testamentsrätten vilka rört allt ifrån tillämpning av principerna för testamentstolkning, återkallelse av testamente, sekundosuccession, det förstärkta laglottsskyddet till frågan om en fullmakts rättsverkan sedan fullmaktsgivaren avlidit tagits med. Vidare kommenteras ett stort antal hovrättsavgöranden som illustrerar behandlingen av materiella eller processuella frågor.

Till betydelsefulla legislativa nyheter under denna period hör den nya lagen (2021:401) om Allmänna arvsfonden och förordningen (2021:403) som är knuten till den nya lagen, vilka trädde i kraft den 1 juli 2021. Även annan ny lagstiftning utanför ÄB har aktualiserat tillämpningen av olika stadganden i balken.

Launching a major new research project examining the principles of succession law in comparative perspective, this book discusses the formalities which the law imposes in order for a person to make a testamentary disposal of property. Among the questions considered are the following. How are wills made? What precisely are the rules - as to the signature of the testator, the use of witnesses, the need for a notary public or lawyer, and so on? Is there is a choice of will-type and, if so, which type is used most often and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? How common is will-making or do most people die intestate? What happens if formalities are not observed? How can requirements of form be explained and justified? How did the law develop historically, what is the state of the law today, and what are the prospects for the future?The focus is on Europe, and on countries which have been influenced by the European experience. Thus in addition to giving a detailed treatment of the law in Austria, Belgium, England and Wales, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain, the book explores legal developments in Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America, and in some of the countries of Latin America with a particular emphasis on Brazil. It also includes chapters on two of the mixed jurisdictions - Scotland and South Africa - and on Islamic Law. The book opens with chapters on Roman law and on the early modern law in Europe, thus setting the historical scene as well as anticipating and complementing the accounts of national history which appear in subsequent chapters; and it concludes with an assessment of the overall development of the law in the countries surveyed, and with some wider reflections on the nature and purpose of testamentary formalities.

Testamentary capacity is an increasingly difficult and important area in will preparation. The rise in capacity issues, associated with the increasing aging population and longer life expectancy, has become a fruitful area for dispute and litigation. This book equips practitioners with the knowledge and practical guidance needed in this complex but commonplace problem area.Featuring an explanation of the law relating to testamentary capacity, the book also includes a practical section on the role of the will draftsman. Covering all associated areas such as interviews, questioning, recording of relevant information, and risk management policies, these issues are put into context by a guide to mental health issues that can affect capacity.This books also features a section on litigating in this area including pre-litigation considerations, a guide to ADR and settlement, and procedural issues. Written by experienced wills practitioners and an expert in old age psychiatry, this book is the first to link relevant medical issues directly to law and practice, presenting all the information a draftsman or litigator needs on the subject. This is an invaluable resource for all concerned with issues of testamentary capacity.

Testamentary capacity is an increasingly difficult and important area in will preparation. The rise in capacity issues, associated with the increasing aging population and longer life expectancy, has become a fruitful area for dispute and litigation. This book equips practitioners with the knowledge and practical guidance needed in this complex but commonplace problem area.Featuring an explanation of the law relating to testamentary capacity, the book also includes a practical section on the role of the will draftsman. Covering all associated areas such as interviews, questioning, recording of relevant information, and risk management policies, these issues are put into context by a guide to mental health issues that can affect capacity.This books also features a section on litigating in this area including pre-litigation considerations, a guide to ADR and settlement, and procedural issues. Written by experienced wills practitioners and an expert in old age psychiatry, this book is the first to link relevant medical issues directly to law and practice, presenting all the information a draftsman or litigator needs on the subject. This is an invaluable resource for all concerned with issues of testamentary capacity.

Intestate Succession is the second volume in the Comparative Succession Law series which examines the principles of succession law from a comparative and historical perspective. This volume discusses the rules which apply where a person dies either without leaving a valid will, or leaving a will which fails to dispose of all of the person''s assets. Among the questions considered are the following: What is the nature of the rules for the disposal ofthe deceased''s assets? Are they mechanical or is there an element of discretion? Are particular types of property dealt with in particular ways? Is there entitlement to individual assets (as opposed to money)? Do the rules operate in a parentelic system or a system of some other kind? Are spouses treated morefavourably than children? What provision is made for extra-marital children, for adopted children, for step-children? Does cohabitation give rise to entitlement? How are same-sex couples treated? Broader questions also arise of a historical and comparative nature. Where, for example, do the rules in intestate succession come from in particular legal systems? Have they been influenced by the rules in other countries? How are the rules explained and how are they justified? To what extent havethey changed over time? What are the long-term trends? And finally, are the rules satisfactory, and is there pressure for their reform?As in the first volume, this book will focus on Europe and on countries which have been influenced by the European experience such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States of America, Quebec, and the countries of Latin America. Further chapters are devoted to Islamic Law and Nordic law. Opening with a discussion on Roman law and concluding with an assessment of the overall development of the law in the countries surveyed, this book will provide a wider reflection on the natureand purpose of the law of intestate succession.

Intestate Succession is the second volume in the Comparative Succession Law series which examines the principles of succession law from a comparative and historical perspective. This volume discusses the rules which apply where a person dies either without leaving a valid will, or leaving a will which fails to dispose of all of the person''s assets. Among the questions considered are the following: What is the nature of the rules for the disposal ofthe deceased''s assets? Are they mechanical or is there an element of discretion? Are particular types of property dealt with in particular ways? Is there entitlement to individual assets (as opposed to money)? Do the rules operate in a parentelic system or a system of some other kind? Are spouses treated morefavourably than children? What provision is made for extra-marital children, for adopted children, for step-children? Does cohabitation give rise to entitlement? How are same-sex couples treated? Broader questions also arise of a historical and comparative nature. Where, for example, do the rules in intestate succession come from in particular legal systems? Have they been influenced by the rules in other countries? How are the rules explained and how are they justified? To what extent havethey changed over time? What are the long-term trends? And finally, are the rules satisfactory, and is there pressure for their reform?As in the first volume, this book will focus on Europe and on countries which have been influenced by the European experience such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States of America, Quebec, and the countries of Latin America. Further chapters are devoted to Islamic Law and Nordic law. Opening with a discussion on Roman law and concluding with an assessment of the overall development of the law in the countries surveyed, this book will provide a wider reflection on the natureand purpose of the law of intestate succession.

Increasing numbers of people have connections with one country, but live and work in another, frequently owning property or investments in several countries. People with lifelong or subsequently developed impairments of capacity move cross-border or have property or family interests or connections spread across different jurisdictions. This new work fills a gap in a specialist market for a detailed work advising lawyers on all the considerations in these situations. The book provides a clear, comprehensive, and unique overview of all relevant capacity and private international law issues, and the existing solutions in common law and civil law jurisdictions and under Hague Convention XXXV. It sets out the existing law of various important jurisdictions, including detailed chapters on the constituent parts of the UK, Ireland, Jersey, the Isle of Man and the Hague 35 states; and shorter chapters on 26 Non-Hague states and those within federal states, including coverage of the United States, several Australian and Canadian states, and a number of other Commonwealth jurisdictions. Containing a number of helpful case studies and flowcharts, the book draws upon the expertise of the editors in their respective fields, together with detailed contributions from expert practitioners and academics from each relevant jurisdiction.All the editors and many of the contributors and correspondents are members of STEP.

Increasing numbers of people have connections with one country, but live and work in another, frequently owning property or investments in several countries. People with lifelong or subsequently developed impairments of capacity move cross-border or have property or family interests or connections spread across different jurisdictions. This new work fills a gap in a specialist market for a detailed work advising lawyers on all the considerations in these situations. The book provides a clear, comprehensive, and unique overview of all relevant capacity and private international law issues, and the existing solutions in common law and civil law jurisdictions and under Hague Convention XXXV. It sets out the existing law of various important jurisdictions, including detailed chapters on the constituent parts of the UK, Ireland, Jersey, the Isle of Man and the Hague 35 states; and shorter chapters on 26 Non-Hague states and those within federal states, including coverage of the United States, several Australian and Canadian states, and a number of other Commonwealth jurisdictions. Containing a number of helpful case studies and flowcharts, the book draws upon the expertise of the editors in their respective fields, together with detailed contributions from expert practitioners and academics from each relevant jurisdiction.All the editors and many of the contributors and correspondents are members of STEP.

Claiming a Promised Inheritance examines those cases where a person is promised a future inheritance and, having acted on it, later discovers that the promise is unfulfilled. The book structures its analysis and argument around the stories of disappointed promisees and their unfulfilled expectations of a future inheritance, and how they might seek redress. It maps and compares the various, and often very diverse range of legal responses that a promisee can avail herself of across different legal areas of the law (ranging from contract law to property law, employment law, unjust and unjustified enrichment law, and succession law) and in both common and civil law traditions. Braun asks how these responses protect the interests of promisees and whether they are sensitive to the context in which such promises are expressed. In doing so, the focus rests on the level of protection the various forms of redress grant, their scope, and the challenges promisees face when brining a claim, but also on the values and interests that are at stake when granting relief. This book argues that due to the social and legal context within which promises of a future inheritance are normally made, promisees are usually in a vulnerable position that can easily by exploited. It further argues that the law is usually more acutely attuned to the risks that the promisor incurs and that greater attention should be paid to the challenges promisees face. Claiming a Promised Inheritance thus complements the traditional viewpoint by bringing into focus the (too often ignored) perspective of promisees.

Claiming a Promised Inheritance examines those cases where a person is promised a future inheritance and, having acted on it, later discovers that the promise is unfulfilled. The book structures its analysis and argument around the stories of disappointed promisees and their unfulfilled expectations of a future inheritance, and how they might seek redress. It maps and compares the various, and often very diverse range of legal responses that a promisee can avail herself of across different legal areas of the law (ranging from contract law to property law, employment law, unjust and unjustified enrichment law, and succession law) and in both common and civil law traditions. Braun asks how these responses protect the interests of promisees and whether they are sensitive to the context in which such promises are expressed. In doing so, the focus rests on the level of protection the various forms of redress grant, their scope, and the challenges promisees face when brining a claim, but also on the values and interests that are at stake when granting relief. This book argues that due to the social and legal context within which promises of a future inheritance are normally made, promisees are usually in a vulnerable position that can easily by exploited. It further argues that the law is usually more acutely attuned to the risks that the promisor incurs and that greater attention should be paid to the challenges promisees face. Claiming a Promised Inheritance thus complements the traditional viewpoint by bringing into focus the (too often ignored) perspective of promisees.

Highly regarded, and cited in a number of judgments, Thomas on Powers is concerned with the general principles and doctrines governing or affecting the creation, exercise, and operation of powers in private law, and provides a discursive, intellectual analysis of the principles underlying the problems commonly encountered by practitioners. The first edition of Thomas on Powers was published in 1998 as part of Sweet & Maxwell''s Property and Conveyancing Library. This new edition both updates the original work and expands the scope of the book significantly to include coverage of offshore trusts and current trusts issues such as fiduciary powers, protectors, and "shams".Thomas on Powers provides extensive coverage of recent statutes dealing with trustee delegation; developments to the law relating to pension schemes; and cases relating to the rule in Hastings-Bass, which has had a series of contentious recent decisions. This edition includes expanded discussion of case law from Commonwealth countries and focuses more on the numerous judgments from offshore jurisdictions, some of which raise novel questions and issues. The book also includes an increased emphasis on the specific legislation of offshore trusts, where practical problems centred around the creation and exercise of trustee powers have become very important. This edition covers the problematic interaction of powers of revocation and sham trusts; the scope and effects of powers of amendment; the powers and role of protectors of offshore trusts; and the powers of directors of companies; and the relationship between fiduciary powers in private law and powers exercised by public bodies.

Highly regarded, and cited in a number of judgments, Thomas on Powers is concerned with the general principles and doctrines governing or affecting the creation, exercise, and operation of powers in private law, and provides a discursive, intellectual analysis of the principles underlying the problems commonly encountered by practitioners. The first edition of Thomas on Powers was published in 1998 as part of Sweet & Maxwell''s Property and Conveyancing Library. This new edition both updates the original work and expands the scope of the book significantly to include coverage of offshore trusts and current trusts issues such as fiduciary powers, protectors, and "shams".Thomas on Powers provides extensive coverage of recent statutes dealing with trustee delegation; developments to the law relating to pension schemes; and cases relating to the rule in Hastings-Bass, which has had a series of contentious recent decisions. This edition includes expanded discussion of case law from Commonwealth countries and focuses more on the numerous judgments from offshore jurisdictions, some of which raise novel questions and issues. The book also includes an increased emphasis on the specific legislation of offshore trusts, where practical problems centred around the creation and exercise of trustee powers have become very important. This edition covers the problematic interaction of powers of revocation and sham trusts; the scope and effects of powers of amendment; the powers and role of protectors of offshore trusts; and the powers of directors of companies; and the relationship between fiduciary powers in private law and powers exercised by public bodies.

Risk and Negligence in Wills, Estates, and Trusts provides essential guidance for all will draftsmen. It offers in-depth analysis of negligence and wills, together with commentary on safe practice and the avoidance of risk. Together the areas covered provide a framework for the safe practice that is now essential in this much disputed area of work.This updated edition examines the new developments in will preparation and what is needed for safe practice as well as the important cases since the last edition. This work contains indispensable practical guidance, tailored to meet the demands of all those involved in wills, trusts, and estates and disputes relating to them. Practical advice in establishing best practice to avoid disputes is given and the appendices include practical forms and checklists to assist this. In addition there is analysis of the allied subjects of estate and trust administration and commonly encountered problem areas. A section also concentrates on duties in relation to taxation aspects of this work. Negligence and private client work is a fast developing area of modern law. The recent financial crisis has helped to focus attention closely on what risk is and how it should be managed. This has not merely been in the financial sector but in all areas of business. The legal profession has seen some major financial failures and an operating climate that is increasingly difficult. The rise in PI claims, the insurers'' restrictions on cover, and the increased cost of cover have led to an increased focus on professional ability and risk management. Therefore, knowledge of the risks, what constitutes safe practice, and how to manage risk, are essential for anyone practising in this area.

Risk and Negligence in Wills, Estates, and Trusts provides essential guidance for all will draftsmen. It offers in-depth analysis of negligence and wills, together with commentary on safe practice and the avoidance of risk. Together the areas covered provide a framework for the safe practice that is now essential in this much disputed area of work.This updated edition examines the new developments in will preparation and what is needed for safe practice as well as the important cases since the last edition. This work contains indispensable practical guidance, tailored to meet the demands of all those involved in wills, trusts, and estates and disputes relating to them. Practical advice in establishing best practice to avoid disputes is given and the appendices include practical forms and checklists to assist this. In addition there is analysis of the allied subjects of estate and trust administration and commonly encountered problem areas. A section also concentrates on duties in relation to taxation aspects of this work. Negligence and private client work is a fast developing area of modern law. The recent financial crisis has helped to focus attention closely on what risk is and how it should be managed. This has not merely been in the financial sector but in all areas of business. The legal profession has seen some major financial failures and an operating climate that is increasingly difficult. The rise in PI claims, the insurers'' restrictions on cover, and the increased cost of cover have led to an increased focus on professional ability and risk management. Therefore, knowledge of the risks, what constitutes safe practice, and how to manage risk, are essential for anyone practising in this area.

This third volume in a series on Comparative Succession Law concerns the entitlement of family members to override the provisions of a deceased person''s will to obtain money or assets (or more money or assets) from the person''s estate. Some countries, notably those in the civil law tradition (such as France or Germany), confer a pre-ordained share of the deceased''s estate or of its value on certain members of the deceased''s family, and especially on the deceased''s children and spouse. Other countries, notably those in the common law tradition (such as England, Canada, or Australia), leave the matter to the discretion of the court, the amount awarded depending primarily on financial need. Whichever form it takes, mandatory family provision is both a protection against disinheritance and also, therefore, a restriction on testamentary freedom.The volume focuses on Europe and on countries influenced by the European experience. In addition to detailed treatment of the law in Austria, England and Wales, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Scotland, and Spain, the book also has chapters on Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, Canada, the countries of Latin America, and the People''s Republic of China. Some other countries are covered more briefly, and there is a separate chapter on Islamic law. The book opens with accounts of Roman law and of the law in medieval and early-modern Europe, and it concludes with a comparative assessment of the law as it is today in the countries and legal traditions surveyed in this volume.

This third volume in a series on Comparative Succession Law concerns the entitlement of family members to override the provisions of a deceased person''s will to obtain money or assets (or more money or assets) from the person''s estate. Some countries, notably those in the civil law tradition (such as France or Germany), confer a pre-ordained share of the deceased''s estate or of its value on certain members of the deceased''s family, and especially on the deceased''schildren and spouse. Other countries, notably those in the common law tradition (such as England, Canada, or Australia), leave the matter to the discretion of the court, the amount awarded depending primarily on financial need. Whichever form it takes, mandatory family provision is both a protectionagainst disinheritance and also, therefore, a restriction on testamentary freedom.The volume focuses on Europe and on countries influenced by the European experience. In addition to detailed treatment of the law in Austria, England and Wales, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Scotland, and Spain, the book also has chapters on Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, Canada, the countries of Latin America, and the People''s Republic of China. Some other countries are covered more briefly, and there is a separate chapter onIslamic law. The book opens with accounts of Roman law and of the law in medieval and early-modern Europe, and it concludes with a comparative assessment of the law as it is today in the countries and legal traditions surveyed in this volume.

This new edition has been extended to include chapters on the Czech Republic, Gibraltar, Indonesia, Luxembourg, and the Phillipines, making this the most comprehensive analysis of succession laws available.Each country analysis is based on a similar set of questions to ensure that all issues are tackled for every jurisdiction and to enable the reader to make easy comparisons between the countries included. The questionnaire has been updated to include a new section on challenges to an administrator''s decision, and extends the section on inheritance orders to address the interaction of trusts and forced heirship. The book also considers the law at regional level in the European Union explaining the effect of recent EU legislation with regard to harmonization, and considering the impact of the European Succession Regulation post-implementation.Now covering 56 jurisdictions, this work is an invaluable reference source for those advising on matters of international succession, especially in cases where there are cross-border elements.

This new edition has been extended to include chapters on the Czech Republic, Gibraltar, Indonesia, Luxembourg, and the Phillipines, making this the most comprehensive analysis of succession laws available.Each country analysis is based on a similar set of questions to ensure that all issues are tackled for every jurisdiction and to enable the reader to make easy comparisons between the countries included. The questionnaire has been updated to include a new section on challenges to an administrator''s decision, and extends the section on inheritance orders to address the interaction of trusts and forced heirship. The book also considers the law at regional level in the European Union explaining the effect of recent EU legislation with regard to harmonization, and considering the impact of the European Succession Regulation post-implementation.Now covering 56 jurisdictions, this work is an invaluable reference source for those advising on matters of international succession, especially in cases where there are cross-border elements.

The eighth edition of Wills, Probate and Estates has been written to provide trainee solicitors with a clear and thorough understanding of current best practice in the area of wills, trusts, probate, and the administration of estates. The manual takes into account all recent changes in legislation.The book outlines the basic elements of a will, familiarising trainees with the common law and statutory background, and enabling them to draft wills and simple trusts in accordance with statute and their clients' informed instructions. It then outlines how to obtain the necessary grant of representation on the death of a client, either with or without a will, and how to administer such an estate, taking into account the various obligations on the personal representative.Wills, Probate and Estates provides succinct and practical advice, provided by solicitors for solicitors, tackling questions of practice and procedure that are of central importance not only for students on the Professional Practice Course, but also to practitioners who deal with any area of wills, trusts, probate, or the administration of estates.

The Issue of how assets are distributed after death is of increasing significance for larger numbers of people. In this original and path-breaking study, the authors examine the principle means through which people plan to dispose of their assets after death: by the use of wills. By offering an empirical study of 800 English wills, the book identifies significant patterns of bequeathing among a cross-section of the population, and not just among those sections of society who enjoy substantial wealth. This leads us to focus upon what wills tell us about the family and kin relationships, and upon how people transmit their assets across generations: to their families and to institutions and organizations.