Swiss inheritance law grants the testator wide freedom of disposition — up to the forced-share limit. Who is entitled to a forced share, how is it calculated, what did the 2023 revision change?
Swiss inheritance law grants the testator wide freedom of disposition. By will or inheritance contract, the testator can freely determine who receives their estate — up to the forced-share limit. The forced share is the legally guaranteed minimum share of certain close relatives in the estate.
Art. 470 CC names three groups: descendants (children, grandchildren), spouses and registered partners. Parents were also included until the 2023 revision — since then they are no longer.
Art. 471 CC: the forced share of descendants and the spouse is each half of the statutory share of inheritance. Half — not three quarters as before the 2023 revision. The legislator thereby significantly expanded the testator's freedom of disposition.