Foreign element in legal regulation on succession: the experience of Regulation (EU) Nº 650/2012

Abstract

The article reveals the problems of inheritance with a foreign element. In the modern world without borders, people change their residence, own real estate, keep bank accounts, and possess other property in different countries. This cannot but have consequences for succession. This, in turn, can create some difficulties, cause disputes between the heirs, and will undoubtedly affect the costs of registration of the inheritance. Another common problem is that a will made in one country may not have legal effect in another country where it must be executed. These and many other issues could not remain unresolved at the level of the European Union. A unified approach to solving many inheritance issues was found through the adoption of Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and acceptance and enforcement of authentic instruments in matters of succession and on the creation of a European Certificate of Succession. This provision came into effect on August 17, 2015 and applies to cases of inheritance arising after this date. Inheritance cases are formalized by one competent authority (court or other instance) in one state.

Keywords

• inheritance
• Regulation on Succession
• European Certificate of Succession
• European Union
• Member State