The legislative reform proposed by the Ministry of Justice to modernize inheritance law, which has been in place for nearly 80 years, has sparked significant interest among both citizens and the business sector, marking a potentially historic transformation.
With the initiation of a public dialogue and the unveiling of the proposed legislative framework for regulating inheritance, notaries and lawyers report a rush of individuals seeking advice to resolve their inheritance matters. Concerns have risen, particularly over whether handwritten wills will be replaced by “digital wills,” prompting many to act quickly.
Businesses have also shown keen interest in the reform, highlighting the need to update inheritance law to align with modern social and economic realities. Key areas of focus include trademarks, company names, and intellectual property rights—classified under “intangible” inheritance. According to experts, the aim is to create provisions that support the seamless transition of assets, ensuring continuity for businesses and minimizing the risk of post-mortem family disputes, which often lead to prolonged legal conflicts.
To address this complex task, the Ministry of Justice has entrusted a distinguished working group, led by Apostolos Georgiadis, an honorary professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a Supreme Court lawyer. The group includes prominent legal professionals and representatives from institutional bodies, reflecting the importance of this initiative.
The ministry plans to finalize the legislative process by mid-2025. The objective is to craft a comprehensive legal framework that modernizes inheritance rights in line with contemporary familial, technological, and economic changes. This new legislation, replacing decades-old provisions, is expected to mark a dramatic shift widely acknowledged as necessary.
At the committee’s inaugural meeting in early November, Deputy Minister of Justice Ioannis Bougas emphasized the crucial societal role of inheritance law and the need for it to adapt to today’s conditions. “Since the Civil Code’s introduction in 1946, significant social, demographic, and technological developments have emerged,” Bougas remarked, underscoring the need for updates.
The working group has already begun assigning responsibilities for drafting key provisions, with all issues open for discussion. Initial guidelines include enhancing protections for non-relatives, adapting inheritance laws to reflect evolving family structures, expanding property disposal freedoms, and reforming regulations on the legitimate share, wills, and conditional inheritance contracts.
On the contentious issue of abolishing handwritten wills, legal experts express reservations. They argue that abrupt elimination could cause disruption and suggest instead that restrictions be implemented as a balanced alternative.
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