In summary: In Switzerland, a cohabiting partner is not a legal heir—without a will, they receive nothing, regardless of the length of their relationship. In the absence of a will, the estate passes to the children, parents, or other legal heirs according to the order of succession established by the Civil Code. The will
In summary: During marriage, the spouse is a legal heir and has a protected reserved portion of the estate. Divorce proceedings alone are not sufficient—as long as the divorce is not final, the spouse retains their inheritance rights. Since 2023, it has been possible to eliminate the spouse's reserved portion if a procedure
In summary: Modifying one's will in Switzerland is a fundamental right, possible at any time as long as the testator is of sound mind. Several methods exist: a new will, destruction of the old one, a codicil, or a formal declaration. Strict formal rules apply, otherwise the will is invalid. Certain situations (divorce, inheritance agreement)
What is the role of an executor in Switzerland? When you write your will, you naturally think about how your assets will be distributed among your heirs. But have you considered who will actually ensure your last wishes are carried out? This is precisely where the executor, a key figure, comes in.
What should you include in a will in Switzerland? How do you plan your funeral? We explain each legal tool for organizing your last wishes.
Key points to remember: – A legatee is not an heir — they receive a specific benefit without participating in the settlement of the estate or assuming any debts. – The freedom to dispose of assets has limits — a legacy cannot encroach upon the statutory share of descendants and
Many testators base their testamentary dispositions on old or approximate estimates. This practice carries significant legal risks: unintentional infringement of the reserved portion of the estate, disputes, difficulties in distribution, lack of liquidity, or imperfect tax optimization.
Judgment 5A_89/2024 of 16 December 2024 — a landmark decision Can the assets of a trust be excluded from a Swiss estate? Until recently, the answer was not clear. With its judgment of 16 December 2024 (5A_89/2024), the Federal Supreme Court provides a major clarification: the assets of an irrevocable and discretionary trust
Unworthiness to inherit according to the Federal Court (ruling 5A_367/2025 of 23 July 2025) Inheritance is not just about sharing assets. It involves trust, loyalty and sometimes… betrayal. In a recent ruling, the Federal Court points out that there are situations where a person can
Addressing end-of-life issues today is increasingly appealing to people. Planning one's funeral in advance with a suitable system offers much more than just administrative relief. This choice allows for genuine support for loved ones on the day of their funeral and ensures that every aspect is taken care of.
In Switzerland, a will is a legal document that allows you to transfer your assets according to your wishes, in addition to or in derogation of the rules of legal succession. There are three types of wills recognized by law: holographic (handwritten), public (drawn up before a notary), and oral (in exceptional cases). Writing a clear Swiss will that complies with legal requirements helps avoid conflicts and protect your loved ones.
The holographic will is one of the most common forms of will in Switzerland. It allows any person to draw up their last wishes independently, without the intervention of a notary.
Losing a loved one is already a difficult ordeal for families to overcome. If no succession plan is in place, this can add additional tensions between loved ones. To avoid these conflicts and ensure that your wishes are respected, it is essential to properly prepare the transfer of your assets. In this article, we give you some practical advice to prevent disputes after your death.
Should you include your cryptocurrencies in your will? How can you ensure that these assets are not lost at the time of death? We explain everything in this article.
The certificate of inheritance plays a crucial role in Swiss inheritance law. This document confirms the legitimate status of an individual as an heir in a succession. But what is this certificate really for and how can it be obtained?
This article will help you understand the role of usufruct in the context of an inheritance in Switzerland, how it works and its specific advantages.
In Switzerland, the statutory inheritance is a minimum share of the inheritance that must be allocated to the statutory heirs, regardless of the deceased's testamentary wishes. In this article we explain everything to you.
It is common for spouses to wish to favour each other as much as possible in the event of death. For example, spouses may wish for children not to inherit until both parents have passed away so that the surviving parent is favoured to the fullest extent.
Since January 1, 2023, Swiss inheritance law has undergone significant changes, primarily aimed at increasing the testator's freedom to dispose of their estate. How does divorce proceedings impact inheritance? For example, the statutory reserves, namely the minimum share to which a forced heir is entitled,
If you do not write a will, the legal order of succession will apply. This means that your estate will be passed on to your legal heirs, according to an order pre-established by law.
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