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Why should you never store a Swiss will at home in a private drawer?

Legal breakdown of why storing a holographic will at home creates catastrophic risks under Swiss succession law and how official cantonal deposit guarantees execution.

20 Oct 2026

How to renounce an inheritance with debts in Switzerland (Erbausschlagung)?

Legal roadmap on handling deceased debts and renouncing succession in Switzerland under Arts. 566–571 CC: 3-month deadline, public inventory, and personal liability.

19 Oct 2026

Does a Swiss will cover assets located in the UK, US, or EU?

Comprehensive legal guide on how a Swiss will applies to international real estate and bank accounts under PILA, the 1961 Hague Convention, and Professio Juris.

17 Oct 2026

How to legally revoke and replace an old Swiss will?

Complete legal roadmap on revoking and replacing an earlier Swiss will under Arts. 509–511 CC: revocation clauses, physical destruction, and official retrieval.

14 Oct 2026

How much does the Swiss court / Justice of the Peace charge for will opening?

How much does official will opening cost in Switzerland? Understand court probate fees under Art. 556 ZGB, cantonal tariffs, and certificates of heirship.

13 Oct 2026

How to structure a Swiss will for blended families and stepchildren?

Do stepchildren inherit under Swiss law? Learn how to protect blended families in a Swiss will, navigate forced heirship rules, and optimize inheritance tax.

12 Oct 2026

Is a video or audio will legally valid in Switzerland?

Can you make a valid will by video or voice recording in Switzerland? Understand statutory invalidity under Art. 505 ZGB, emergency rules, and legal requirements.

09 Oct 2026

What is provisional and remainder heirship (Vor- und Nacherbschaft) in Switzerland?

How does provisional and remainder heirship work in a Swiss will? Understand Vorerbe, Nacherbe (Art. 488 ZGB), official inventories, and estate protection.

08 Oct 2026

How does usufruct (Nutzniessung) work for a surviving spouse in Switzerland?

How does Swiss spousal usufruct (Art. 473 ZGB) protect your home? Learn property rights, children's statutory shares, tax rules, and estate planning steps.

07 Oct 2026

Can a Swiss will be written in English or only official languages?

Can you write a Swiss will in English? Learn the Swiss Civil Code rules for expats, holographic validity, certified translation fees, and probate requirements.

06 Oct 2026

How does Swiss inheritance tax work for non-relatives and partners?

Understand Swiss cantonal inheritance tax rates, partner exemptions, usufruct strategies, and how to legally minimize tax liabilities in a Swiss will.

05 Oct 2026

Can I leave money or property for pets in a Swiss will?

Learn how to provide for pets in a Swiss will through a legally binding care obligation (Auflage) and specific legacy under Article 482 SCC.

03 Oct 2026

What happens if a Swiss will is missing the date or signature?

Learn what happens if a handwritten Swiss will is missing the date, place, or signature, and how Art. 505 & 520a of the Swiss Civil Code apply.

01 Oct 2026

How to handle digital assets and online accounts in a Swiss will?

Learn how to include your digital estate, cryptocurrency holdings, online accounts, and password credentials in a legally valid Swiss will.

01 Oct 2026

At what age can you write a valid will in Switzerland?

Discover the legal age and mental capacity requirements for writing a valid will in Switzerland under Article 467 of the Swiss Civil Code (SCC).

30 Sep 2026

How to leave money to a charity or foundation in Switzerland?

Learn how to leave a charitable bequest or legacy to non-profit organizations and foundations in a Swiss will while ensuring compliance with statutory shares.

30 Sep 2026

What is the difference between a Will and an Advance Care Directive?

A will regulates asset distribution after death, while advance care planning protects your medical and legal rights during your lifetime. Learn the key Swiss legal differences.

29 Sep 2026

What is the difference between a Swiss Will and an Inheritance Contract (Erbvertrag)?

A Swiss will is a unilateral, revocable document, while an inheritance contract is a binding agreement requiring a notary. Learn the legal differences under Art. 498 & 512 CC.

29 Sep 2026

Do you need witnesses for a handwritten will in Switzerland?

For a handwritten (holographic) will in Switzerland, no witnesses are required under Art. 505 CC. Learn when witnesses are mandatory and who is disqualified.

27 Sep 2026

How to contest a will in Switzerland for invalidity or undue influence?

In Switzerland, a will can be challenged via an action for annulment under Art. 519 CC. Learn about valid grounds, the 1-year limitation period, and burden of proof.

27 Sep 2026

What is the freely disposable quota under Swiss inheritance law?

The freely disposable quota is the portion of your estate that you can freely bequeath by will in Switzerland. Learn how it is calculated under the 2023 reform.

26 Sep 2026

Can couples make a joint will in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, joint wills for married couples are legally void. Learn why each partner must draft a separate handwritten will or opt for a notarized inheritance agreement.

26 Sep 2026

How to bequeath Swiss real estate / property in a will?

Comprehensive guide on leaving Swiss houses, chalets, and apartments in a will: statutory shares, usufruct, right of habitation, and Land Registry transfer.

25 Sep 2026

How much does official safekeeping/deposit of a will cost in Swiss cantons?

Complete breakdown of cantonal fees (CHF 50–350) for official deposit and registration of a Swiss last will with probate authorities and notaries.

25 Sep 2026

What is the probate and will opening process in Switzerland after death?

What happens to a will after death in Switzerland? Learn the statutory probate process, duty of delivery (Art. 556 ZGB), court fees, and certificate of heirship.

24 Sep 2026

What is the difference between an heir (Erbe) and a legatee (Vermächtnis) under Swiss law?

Heir or legatee? Understand the fundamental legal differences regarding debt liability, estate community, and bequest delivery under the Swiss Civil Code.

24 Sep 2026

Can I disinherit a child or spouse under Swiss inheritance law?

Complete disinheritance in Switzerland is only legal under extreme circumstances. Learn the statutory rules and how to reduce an heir to their forced share.

23 Sep 2026

how to protect an unmarried partner or cohabitant in a swiss will?

Unmarried cohabitants have zero legal inheritance rights under Swiss law. Learn how to legally protect your partner using a Swiss will and the expanded freely disposable quota.

23 Sep 2026

How to appoint an executor (Willensvollstrecker) in a Swiss will?

Learn how to appoint an executor (Willensvollstrecker) in a Swiss will under Art. 517-518 Swiss Civil Code. Duties, fees, sample wording, and advantages for expats.

21 Sep 2026

How can foreigners in Switzerland choose their home country's inheritance law (Professio juris)?

Learn how expats and foreign nationals living in Switzerland can submit their estate to home country succession law (Professio juris under Art. 90-91 PILA / IPRG).

21 Sep 2026

Where should I register and store my will in Switzerland?

Where should you safely store and register a last will in Switzerland? Learn about official cantonal safekeeping, notary deposit, the Swiss Central Will Register, and why keeping a will in a bank safe deposit box can cause severe probate delays.

20 Sep 2026

What happens if an expat dies in Switzerland without a will (Intestate rules)?

What happens if an expat or foreign resident dies in Switzerland without a will? Understand Swiss intestate succession rules, the Parentela hierarchy, statutory shares for spouses and children, and how to avoid estate freezes.

20 Sep 2026

Can I type and print my will in Switzerland or must it be handwritten?

Can you type and print your last will in Switzerland? Learn why Article 505 ZGB strictly requires handwritten execution and how to avoid formal invalidity under Swiss law.

18 Sep 2026

What are the Swiss forced heirship / statutory shares (Pflichtteil 2023)?

Understand Swiss forced heirship (Pflichtteil) and statutory share rules after the 2023 inheritance reform. Learn how to calculate legal quotas and optimize your disposable estate.

18 Sep 2026

How much does it cost to make a will in Switzerland?

Drafting a will with a notary in Switzerland typically costs between 600 and 2,500 CHF. Costs vary significantly across cantons and hourly legal rates. Learn the complete cost structure and how writing a holographic will can save you over 90% in estate planning fees.

15 Sep 2026

Do I need a notary to make a will in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, a notary is not required to create a legally binding last will and testament. Under Article 505 of the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB), a handwritten holographic will is 100% valid and holds the exact same legal power as an expensive notarial deed.

15 Sep 2026

Is a Handwritten (Holographic) Will Required in Switzerland? (Rules & Validity)

Under Swiss law, if you don't use a notary, your will MUST be 100% handwritten from start to finish. Discover why typed documents fail and how to ensure your handwritten will is legally binding.

14 Sep 2026

How to Make a Legally Valid Last Will and Testament in Switzerland: Complete Expat Guide

Writing a legally binding will in Switzerland does not require an expensive notary. Learn the formal Swiss Civil Code rules, forced heirship rights, and how expats can protect their assets.

14 Sep 2026