disinheritance

Disinheritance is the act of preventing someone, typically a child or heir, from inheriting property or assets. While property owners generally have the freedom to decide how their assets are distributed after death, this freedom is not absolute and varies significantly across legal systems.12

In many modern legal systems, particularly those influenced by civil law, there are limitations on disinheritance to protect close family members. These protections can include a guaranteed minimum share of the estate for certain heirs, known as "forced heirs". In contrast, Anglo-American law has historically allowed more extensive freedom to disinherit, though some jurisdictions now have provisions for family maintenance, allowing courts to order adequate provision for needy family members from an estate.2

The validity of a will, which outlines these dispositions, can be challenged on grounds such as the testator's mental incompetence, undue influence, fraud, or failure to meet strict legal formalities in its execution.34