Inheritance laws undergo major overhaul: Digital wills and rights for "life partners" introduced

The current laws, which have been in effect for nearly 80 years, are set to be replaced by new provisions aimed at modernizing and streamlining inheritance rights and processes.

According to reports in the Greek media, the key changes include:

Inheritance Rights for Life Partners: Under the new laws, life partners, who are not legally married but have been in long-term relationships, will gain inheritance rights. This represents a significant shift from the current framework, which only grants inheritance rights to legally married spouses.

Abolition of Inheritance Rights for Elderly Parents: Parents over the age of 80 will no longer have inheritance rights if their children pass away. This change is designed to streamline the transfer of inheritance to spouses and children, eliminating claims by elderly parents.

Introduction of Inheritance Contracts: For the first time in Greek law, inheritance contracts will be introduced, allowing individuals to agree with their children on how assets will be divided while they are still alive.

Non-Tangible Inheritance Rights: New regulations will address the transfer of non-tangible assets, such as business names, trademarks, and commercial rights. Business owners will have greater flexibility in determining who will inherit these rights.

Time Limits on Inheritance Claims: Inactive heirs will face time limitations on their inheritance rights. This will particularly affect Greek citizens living abroad and their children, encouraging timely handling of inheritance matters.

Digital Wills: Traditional handwritten wills will be replaced by digital wills, which will be drafted and registered by notaries. This modernization aims to reduce legal disputes among heirs and issues surrounding the authenticity of handwritten wills.

These reforms are expected to resolve contentious issues that have plagued inheritance law for years, offering a more modern and equitable system for handling inheritance matters in Greece.