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This guide explains the basics of wills and testamentary law for people living in or connected to Solna, Sweden. Swedish inheritance law governs who inherits when someone dies, and testators can usually influence distribution by making a will. However, there are statutory protections for close relatives that may limit how much you can change by will. Local practice in Solna follows national Swedish rules, and practical matters such as preparing an estate inventory - bouppteckning - and interacting with the Swedish Tax Agency are handled in the same way as elsewhere in Sweden.
Many people can draft a simple will by themselves, but legal advice is advisable in a range of common situations to avoid mistakes, reduce the risk of disputes, and ensure your intentions are effective. You may want a lawyer if you have any of the following situations -
- Blended families or complicated family relationships, including previous marriages and stepchildren.
- You plan to limit or exclude a close relative, such as seeking to disinherit children or a spouse, because statutory protections can limit this and a lawyer can explain the consequences.
- You own business interests, shares, or property abroad, or you and your heirs live under different national laws - cross-border succession raises special rules and tax considerations.
- You need to appoint an executor or a testamentary administrator and want clear powers and procedures drafted into your will.
- Your estate includes unusual assets - for example business succession arrangements, trusts, or assets held in other legal forms.
- You face likely disputes among potential heirs and want to reduce the chance of litigation through clear drafting, properly executed documents, or mediation clauses.
- You want help preparing the estate inventory and understanding creditor claims after death, or need representation in probate or court proceedings.
Swedish inheritance law sets out the basic rules that apply in Solna and the rest of Sweden. Key points to understand are the following -
- Statutory heirs and reserved portions: Children have a protected share known as the reserved portion. This means heirs close to the deceased cannot always be fully disinherited without legal consequences. The reserved portion is an important limitation on testamentary freedom and lawyers often use the Swedish term laglott when discussing it.
- Spousal rights: A surviving spouse has statutory protections and rights that affect the division of the estate. Matrimonial property rules and any prenuptial agreement can also influence what passes on death.
- Formal requirements for wills: Wills must meet formal requirements to be valid. In practice this means following the statutory rules on signing and witnesses. If formalities are not followed, a will can be challenged and may be declared invalid.
- Bouppteckning - estate inventory: After a death an estate inventory must be prepared. The bouppteckning lists assets, debts and heirs and is usually required within a set period after death. The bouppteckning is an important first step in settling an estate and triggers other administrative tasks with the Swedish Tax Agency.
- No inheritance tax: Sweden does not impose inheritance tax. This simplifies the tax side of inheritance in most cases, but other taxes may still be relevant - for example capital gains tax on the subsequent sale of property.
- International situations: If you or your assets have cross-border elements, EU succession rules and private international law may affect which national law applies. Property located in Sweden is generally governed by Swedish succession rules, but a written choice of law can sometimes be used for the whole estate under EU rules. These matters are complex and are a common reason to consult a lawyer.
A will must meet Sweden's formal requirements. It should clearly state your intentions, be signed by you and witnessed according to the rules in force. Using clear language, dating the will, and following the witness formalities help reduce the risk that a court will later find the will invalid. For certainty, have a lawyer review the document before finalizing it.
You can try to alter the default distribution of your estate by making a will, but Swedish law protects certain close relatives. Children have a reserved portion that limits full disinheritance. Spousal rights and the marital property regime can also limit what you can do. A lawyer can explain how these protections operate in your situation and how to draft responsibly.
Wills normally require witnesses who sign to confirm they observed the testator signing. Witnesses should be impartial and ideally not named as beneficiaries or closely linked to beneficiaries, because being a beneficiary can create grounds to challenge the will or cause procedural problems. Choose adults with full legal capacity who can later testify about the execution if needed.
You can appoint an executor in your will to manage the estate administration - for example to locate assets, pay debts, prepare the estate inventory, and distribute property according to the will. Appointing a competent executor can make the settlement process smoother, but it also requires careful drafting to specify powers and any remuneration. If you do not appoint an executor, the heirs typically handle administration collectively.
A bouppteckning is an inventory of the deceased person's assets and debts and is a formal step in Swedish estate administration. It must be prepared soon after death and filed with the relevant authority within the statutory time frame. The bouppteckning names heirs and is used to calculate inheritance shares and handle creditor claims. Preparing accurate documentation for the bouppteckning is essential.
If there is no valid will, Swedish intestacy rules determine who inherits. The estate is distributed to relatives in a statutory order - typically spouses and children, then parents and siblings, and so on. Intestacy can produce results that differ from what you might want, so making a will is the best way to express your wishes.
Keep the original will in a safe, known place and tell a trusted person where it is stored. Many people deposit wills with a lawyer, a bank safe-deposit box, or leave it with an appointed executor. Sweden does not have a central national will registry, so clear instructions and a reliable custodian help ensure the document is located quickly.
Yes. You can replace or revoke a will by making a new will that states the old one is revoked, or by physically destroying the earlier will with the intent to revoke it. Because revocation and amendment raise potential disputes later, make changes carefully and consider consulting a lawyer to ensure the new document is effective.
Property located in Sweden is generally governed by Swedish succession law. For assets abroad, foreign law may apply. The EU Succession Regulation provides options for choosing the law of your nationality to govern your estate in many cases, but that choice must be made expressly. Cross-border succession can be complex and is a common reason to seek specialist legal advice.
Costs vary depending on complexity, the lawyer's experience, and the services provided. Simple will drafting is usually more affordable than complex estate planning or litigation. Many lawyers offer an initial consultation to review your situation and estimate fees. Ask for a clear fee estimate, and check whether you may qualify for legal aid or other financial assistance if cost is an issue.
When seeking help in Solna, consider these types of resources -
- The Swedish Tax Agency - for questions about forms, bouppteckning, and reporting obligations in connection with a death.
- Local district court - for matters that become contested or require court supervision.
- Swedish Bar Association - to find qualified lawyers who specialise in inheritance law and to check a lawyer's professional standing.
- Municipal legal aid services and legal advice clinics - some municipalities offer low-cost or free initial guidance, and state legal aid - rättshjälp - may be available in certain cases.
- Banks, pension providers and insurance companies - for beneficiary rules that apply to specific accounts and policies, and for information about how those assets are handled after death.
- Local mediation services - to help families resolve disputes without full litigation.
If you need legal assistance with a will in Solna, follow these practical steps -
1. Gather key documents - a list of assets and debts, property deeds, account statements, insurance and pension papers, and any existing wills or agreements.
2. Clarify your goals - decide who you want to benefit, whether you want to appoint an executor, and whether you have special wishes for business succession or care of dependants.
3. Seek an initial consultation - contact a lawyer in Solna who specialises in inheritance law. Ask about experience with similar cases, fee structure, and whether an initial meeting is charged.
4. Draft or review your will - work with the lawyer to ensure the will is clear, properly signed, witnessed, and that it takes account of statutory protections and tax or cross-border issues.
5. Store the original safely and tell trusted people where it is - consider leaving copies with your lawyer or with the person you have appointed to administer your estate.
6. Keep your will under review - update it after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, or significant changes in assets.
If you are unsure where to start, make a short list of questions and book a meeting with a qualified solicitor in Solna. A brief professional review can prevent costly disputes later and ensure your wishes are respected.
