Inheritance Law

Inheritance law touches on fundamental questions: how will your assets be distributed, how do you protect your family? We accompany you from planning to partition — with a Certified Specialist SBA Inheritance Law.

Request a consultation +41 71 511 45 05 info@steurifisch.ch

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What we do for you.

Will

Legally sound drafting and review of testamentary dispositions under Swiss law — holographic or publicly notarised.

Three generations at the living room table with documents

Inheritance Contract

Drafting and public notarisation of inheritance contracts, for instance to benefit a spouse or to arrange waivers of statutory entitlements.

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Partition of the Estate

Support for communities of heirs and implementation of the partition — amicably or through the courts.

Inheritance Disputes

Representation in inheritance disputes, in particular in abatement and invalidity actions.

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Executorship

Acting as executor and estate administrator in the role of an independent fiduciary.

For your situation.

Couple in their sixties going through documents at the living room table

Estate planning before retirement

Pension or lump sum, providing for your partner, house and children: what to settle between 55 and 70.

Inheritance Law in Switzerland

Swiss inheritance law is set out in the Civil Code (Art. 457 et seq.). Anyone who makes no testamentary disposition is succeeded according to statutory succession: descendants inherit first, alongside the spouse or registered partner. Cohabiting partners, stepchildren or charitable organisations receive nothing without a disposition. If you want to shape your estate yourself, you need a will or an inheritance contract.

Will and Inheritance Contract

A holographic will must be written entirely by hand, dated and signed (Art. 505 Swiss Civil Code). A public will is executed with the involvement of a notary and two witnesses (Art. 499 et seq.). An inheritance contract requires public notarisation (Art. 512); it binds the parties and is suitable, for example, for securing the position of a spouse or agreeing waivers of compulsory portions. As our firm also provides notarial services, we accompany you from advice to notarisation from a single source.

Compulsory Portions since the Revision of Inheritance Law

The revised inheritance law has applied since 1 January 2023: the compulsory portion of descendants is now half of their statutory share, as is that of the spouse; parents no longer have a compulsory portion (Art. 471 Swiss Civil Code). The freely disposable quota has therefore increased. Existing wills and inheritance contracts should be reviewed in light of the new legal situation — wording from before the revision may now have a different effect than intended.

Partition of the Estate and Inheritance Disputes

On death, several heirs form a community of heirs which administers the estate jointly until it is divided (Art. 602 et seq. Swiss Civil Code). We support amicable partitions through partition agreements — and represent you where no agreement can be reached. Where compulsory portions have been infringed, an abatement action is available (Art. 522 et seq.); defective dispositions can be challenged by an invalidity action (Art. 519 et seq.). Time limits apply, so an early legal assessment is worthwhile.

Executorship

As executors we administer estates as an independent fiduciary (Art. 517 et seq. Swiss Civil Code): we draw up the inventory, settle debts, deliver legacies and prepare the partition. Particularly with complex assets or strained family relationships, this noticeably relieves the heirs.

Inheritance Law in Eastern Switzerland

We advise you at our offices in Wil SG (Villa India), Zurich, Teufen AR and Gossau SG. With Fabian Steuri, the firm has a Certified Specialist SBA Inheritance Law — from initial estate planning through to court proceedings.

Your contact persons.

Fabian Steuri

Partner · M.A. HSG — Attorney at Law and Public Notary · Certified Specialist SBA Inheritance Law

+41 71 511 45 05 f.steuri@steurifisch.ch

Kim Ana Wegmann

MLaw — Attorney at Law and Public Notary

+41 71 511 45 05 k.wegmann@steurifisch.ch

Book an appointment +41 71 511 45 05 info@steurifisch.ch

Frequently asked questions.

What happens without a will?

Without a will, statutory succession under Art. 457 et seq. of the Swiss Civil Code applies. Your assets are then distributed according to the statutory rules — which does not always reflect your personal wishes. A will or an inheritance contract lets you use the leeway the law grants you.

What are the statutory entitlements since the inheritance law revision?

Since 1 January 2023, the compulsory portion of descendants and of the spouse is half of their statutory share (Art. 471 Swiss Civil Code). Parents no longer have a compulsory portion. You can therefore dispose freely of a larger part of your estate than before.

Can I write my will by hand?

Yes. A holographic will must be written by hand from beginning to end, dated and signed (Art. 505 Swiss Civil Code). Formal defects or unclear wording, however, frequently lead to disputes. A legal review or public notarisation provides clarity.

When should I draw up a will?

As soon as you have assets or wish to safeguard family arrangements. Early planning is particularly advisable for cohabiting couples, blended families or business owners, because statutory succession does not reflect these situations.

What does an executor do?

An executor is appointed in the will (Art. 517 et seq. Swiss Civil Code). The executor administers the estate, settles debts, delivers legacies and prepares the partition. This relieves the heirs and helps prevent conflicts.

What does advice on inheritance law cost?

In an initial consultation we clarify your situation, the approach and the costs to be expected. You receive a transparent offer before any fees are incurred. The effort depends on the scope and complexity of your case.

How long does the division of an estate take?

If the heirs agree and the estate is straightforward, the division is often completed within a few months. Where real estate, businesses or heirs abroad are involved, or the community of heirs is in dispute, it can take years. We structure the process and push for a swift conclusion.