Some Nations Make Inheritance the Right of Heirs

U.S. allows transfer of assets anywhere you’d like.  However, that is not always the case around the globe.

There are few legal restrictions to the distribution of wealth in the U.S. This is because estate law in the U.S. has developed to give as much freedom to people as possible, in deciding who should receive an inheritance from them. That is not a worldwide scenario, according to the Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog in “Disinheritance vs. Forced Heirship.”

For example, estate laws in France have been developed, similar to other nations in Europe, to protect heirs from disinheritance. The children of the deceased are entitled to a certain share of their parent’s estate.

Some people believe that this forced heirship leads to greater inequality and dynasties, since it does not allow people to leave a large share of their estates to charity.

An estate planning attorney can advise you on creating an estate plan that fits your unique circumstances and allows your assets to be distributed as you see fit.

Reference: Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog (Jan. 14, 2018) “Disinheritance vs. Forced Heirship.”