Act: Estonian certificate of succession
Legal framework: Law of Succession Act (PärS), § 171
Competent authority: notary
Procedure:
- The notary conducts succession proceedings to confirm the rightful heirs. The certificate is issued after verifying the inheritance rights based on declarations from interested parties.
- If contested, the certificate may be revoked by the notary, or a court decision can substitute it. The certificate does not affect the inheritance but merely confirms it. If errors are found, a corrected certificate can be issued
Nature and function: The estonian certificate of succession has a declarative nature. It serves as proof of a person’s right to inherit, the extent of their share in the estate, and other details like the appointment of a subsequent heir or an executor of the will.