Succession law

What does usufruct cover? "I own a villa, am married and have three children from a previous marriage. I have arranged for the villa to revert to my children on my death, but for the usufruct to revert to my wife. If she no longer wishes to live there, can she demand a periodic financial contribution from one of her children?

When inheritance jumps over borders" To pick up on your last point, I have the following question: as a French couple living in France, we have an only son who is a French national but lives and works in Switzerland. When we die, how will the estate be dealt with? "Roger, France When...

Can I make my cat my sole heir? "I'm the owner of a magnificent show cat and I'm in good financial health, but as I'm on my own, I'd like to know if there's a legal provision that would allow me to name my favourite companion as my sole heir? Michèle, Geneva According to art. 467...

Can I disinherit my daughter who has cut ties? "Further to your article published on 29 May 2017, I would like some explanations on the subject of disinheritance. Indeed, I have been facing family conflicts with my daughter for more than 10 years now. Following her marriage, she practically cut ties with...

Extending the life of a grave is expensive "My wife and I have received a letter from the town of Veyrier informing us that the grave of our son, who died in 1995, has expired. Transferring him to another grave will cost us around CHF 3,500 for 20 years and CHF 6,500 for 40 years. If we...

Preparing your estate: the three types of will " I'm 82 years old and, apart from a half-brother, I have no other relatives. All my life, I've quarrelled with my half-brother, who has often lied to me and hidden things about our mother. I therefore do not want him to touch my inheritance to my...

I've been living with my girlfriend for nearly ten years but she's always refused to marry me. I'm approaching sixty, I don't have any children and I'm wondering what I can do so that the day something happens to me she doesn't end up penniless"...

Alimony, death and inheritance " After 40 years together, my husband and I decided to separate. The judgement ordering protective measures for the marital union ordered my husband to pay me alimony. Unfortunately, my husband died suddenly and I find myself in a precarious financial situation. What's more, my...

Dividing up the estate " My mother died a few years ago. She left us ownership of a number of buildings. My sister, my father and I will soon be undertaking some work that will increase the value of these properties. I'm wondering, from a tax point of view, if it's...