Forced Heirship

Forced heirship is a legal principle that guarantees certain family members, typically children or spouses, receive a fixed share of a deceased person’s estate, regardless of the deceased’s wishes expressed in a will. This system aims to protect close relatives from disinheritance and ensure they are provided for. While it limits the freedom to distribute assets exclusively as one desires, it balances individual estate planning with family protection by statutory rules set by the law. Forced heirship rules vary by country but generally prioritize the needs of immediate family members.