Family structures have evolved, and the law needed to adapt
Our approach to family life has changed a great deal. Marriage is no longer the only model, and blended families have become increasingly common. To reflect these societal developments, the legislator wisely chose to adapt the law governing inheritance, making it more flexible and better suited to modern forms of parenthood. Let us take a moment to look at the rules that now apply to inheritances, as well as those that remain unchanged.
Heirs in a broader sense than before
This new legal framework makes it possible to include family members other than children or spouses in the estate. The reduction in the forced heirship share for descendants gives testators greater freedom to allocate part of their assets to stepchildren or an unmarried partner. For entrepreneurs, other aspects of this reform aim to simplify the transfer of a business by avoiding fragmentation, which is often detrimental to the continuation of operations. While this legal framework, more in tune with our modern society, certainly grants more freedom, it also makes it more crucial to properly prepare one’s will.
A wealth management strategy to reassess
Furthermore, this legal revision also stipulates, and this is important, that the conclusion of an inheritance pact subsequently prohibits any lifetime donation. This is why, when regulations change, it is essential to review whether existing arrangements remain the most appropriate for the transfer of one’s assets. Plus Family Office has been specifically designed to meet the new needs of today’s families and their estates. Our experts are ideally placed to advise you on how best to optimise your inheritance planning and take full advantage of this regulatory update.
