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Solna, Sweden Attorneys in related practice areas.
Private Client law covers personal legal matters that affect individuals and their families. In Solna, Sweden, Private Client work typically includes wills and estate planning, inheritance and probate, family law issues such as marriage and cohabitation agreements, powers of attorney and mandates, guardianship and care for elderly or incapacitated people, tax and pension questions relevant to individuals, and cross-border personal law matters. Solna is part of Stockholm County and uses the same national laws and agencies as the rest of Sweden, while local authorities - such as Solna Municipality social services and the Solna District Court - play a practical role in some matters.
People turn to Private Client lawyers for many reasons. Common situations include:
- Making a valid will and planning an estate so that your assets are distributed according to your wishes while respecting statutory protections for family members.
- Handling the estate inventory - bouppteckning - and estate administration after someone dies, including dealing with creditors and distributing assets.
- Resolving inheritance disputes between heirs or contesting a will.
- Preparing prenuptial agreements - äktenskapsförord - or cohabitation agreements - samboavtal - to protect property when relationships start or end.
- Appointing powers of attorney - fullmakt - for financial or health matters, or arranging for a legally appointed representative such as a god man or förvaltare if someone cannot manage their affairs.
- Advising on tax, pensions and benefits that affect personal decisions and estate planning.
- Handling cross-border issues where a deceased or a living person has assets, residence or family in more than one country.
Even when legal steps seem straightforward, a lawyer can help avoid mistakes that lead to disputes or unintended tax and financial consequences.
Key Swedish legal features that are especially relevant for Private Client matters in Solna include:
- Inheritance law - Ärvdabalken - lays down statutory rules on who inherits, how inheritance is divided, and how to make valid wills. Children have a statutory protection called laglott - a reserved portion - that limits how far they can be disinherited.
- Bouppteckning - the estate inventory - is a formal inventory of a deceased person’s assets and debts. It must normally be completed and submitted to the Swedish Tax Agency within three months of death. The bouppteckning forms the basis for settling debts and distributing the estate.
- There is no inheritance tax or gift tax in Sweden. That simplifies cross-border tax planning in some cases, but other local taxes and foreign taxes may still apply.
- Matrimonial and cohabitation rules differ. Married couples divide marital property through bodelning on divorce unless an agreement says otherwise. Cohabiting partners are covered by the Cohabitees Act - sambolagen - which protects jointly owned home and household goods but not the full asset pool.
- Powers of attorney - fullmakter - are commonly used for financial and health-related decisions. For longer-term decision-making for someone who lacks capacity, a court can appoint a god man or förvaltare under the Guardianship Act; social services and the district court are involved.
- Court and administrative practice. Probate disputes or formal administration may involve the district court - tingsrätt - while administrative matters such as registration of the bouppteckning are handled by the Swedish Tax Agency. Local bodies in Solna - for example Solna social services - handle requests for guardianship or support for vulnerable people.
A valid Swedish will should be written and signed by the testator. Normally it should be signed in the presence of two witnesses who also sign. The testator must be of legal capacity. Because formal mistakes can make a will invalid, it is sensible to get legal advice when drafting a will to ensure it expresses your wishes and respects statutory protections.
Bouppteckning is the estate inventory made after a death. It lists assets and liabilities as of the date of death. The estate inventory is usually prepared by the heirs or an appointed representative and must be submitted to the Swedish Tax Agency within three months. It is an important document for settling debts and distributing property.
No. Sweden abolished inheritance tax and gift tax in 2005. However, inheritance can have other tax consequences - for example, capital gains tax may arise on future sales of inherited property, and other countries may impose taxes on assets abroad.
Swedish law protects close family members. Children have a reserved portion called laglott - legally protected to a certain extent - and spouses have rights related to marital property. You can structure your estate by will, but you cannot fully ignore statutory protections. If you want to change how property is shared, consult a lawyer to understand what is possible and how to document intentions legally.
Practical steps should be taken quickly. Secure important documents, notify the bank and any pension providers, and start the bouppteckning process. The bouppteckning should normally be submitted within three months. If you are named as an executor or are an heir, consider getting legal advice early to understand liabilities to creditors and options for acceptance or renunciation of the estate.
A god man is a court-appointed representative who assists someone with limited capacity to manage finances or personal affairs and acts with their consent. A förvaltare is appointed by the court when a person cannot manage their affairs and needs a stronger form of intervention - the förvaltare can make decisions for the person. Social services and the district court handle these appointments.
Cohabitation and marriage are treated differently. The Cohabitees Act - sambolagen - protects jointly owned home and household goods for cohabitants, but other assets may not be covered. Married couples follow matrimonial property rules. To protect your assets and intentions, consider a written cohabitation agreement or prenuptial agreement depending on your situation.
Yes, wills can be contested. Common grounds include lack of testamentary capacity, improper formalities when the will was signed, undue influence, or breach of statutory reserved rights. Time limits and procedural rules apply when contesting a will. If you believe a will is invalid or unfair, consult a lawyer promptly to protect your position.
Look for experience in estate planning, probate and family law. Check that the lawyer is licensed and has relevant case experience. Ask about fees and whether the firm provides a written engagement letter outlining scope, costs and estimated timeline. Local knowledge of Solna courts and authorities can also be useful.
Some people qualify for legal aid - rättshjälp - or other assistance depending on income, assets and case type. Public agencies and some lawyers offer initial guidance or consultations. Eligibility rules vary by case and you should discuss possible support with a lawyer or a municipal advice service.
When you need practical help in Solna, consider contacting or consulting information from the following types of organizations:
- Solna Municipality social services for help with guardianship, elderly care needs and local social support.
- Solna District Court - tingsrätt - for matters that require court filings, estate administration disputes or formal appointments.
- The Swedish Tax Agency for requirements about bouppteckning and registration of the estate inventory.
- The Swedish Enforcement Authority - for issues related to creditor claims and debt enforcement.
- The Swedish Pensions Agency for questions about survivor pensions and pension coordination after a death.
- The Swedish Bar Association for information about finding a qualified, licensed lawyer in Solna with Private Client expertise.
- Local legal advice clinics, municipal consumer advice services and senior citizens organizations for initial guidance and referrals.
If you need legal assistance with a Private Client matter in Solna, follow these practical steps:
- Gather key documents - wills, marriage and partnership documents, bank statements, deeds, pension information, ID and any existing powers of attorney. Clear documentation speeds up advice and administration.
- Assess urgency. If someone has just died, take immediate steps to secure property, notify banks and start the bouppteckning process within the statutory time frame.
- Contact a lawyer who specialises in Private Client matters. Ask about experience, fee structure, and whether you will receive a written engagement letter.
- Consider interim protective measures - for example, applying for a court appointment if someone is incapable of managing their affairs or instructing the bank to freeze accounts where appropriate.
- If cost is a concern, ask about legal aid, initial low-cost consultations, or fixed-fee services for specific tasks like drafting a will or preparing a bouppteckning.
- Keep clear records of all communications and financial transactions related to the estate or personal legal matter.
Getting timely legal advice helps protect your rights, reduces the risk of disputes and ensures that formal steps are done correctly under Swedish law. If you are uncertain which agency to contact first, a local Private Client lawyer can quickly point you to the correct next step in Solna.
