In Finland, surviving spouses don’t automatically inherit their deceased partners.
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Many people are in the dark about what becomes of their assets after death. Image: Matti Myller / Yle
Three in four Finns are unaware of what happens to a married partner’s assets upon death, according to a survey by insurance firm Lähi-Tapiola.
Nearly half of Finns mistakenly believe that a surviving spouse automatically inherits in families with children. In reality, a widow inherits nothing without a will, although they are entitled to half of the couple’s combined assets. The state levies tax on inheritances valued above 30,000 euros.
What the law says
Who inherits in Finland and how?
Under Finnish law, a deceased person’s primary heirs are their children. The surviving spouse inherits only if the deceased had no children or if a will specifies otherwise.
A widower’s actual entitlement is determined through the division of marital assets. If the couple has no prenuptial agreement, the surviving spouse’s share is calculated by combining and dividing the couple’s assets equally. This process, however, does not constitute inheritance.
A surviving spouse may receive an equalisation payment if their assets are smaller than those of the deceased partner, though this reduces the inheritance available to the children. If the surviving spouse is wealthier, no such payment is granted.
“Circumstances can vary a lot depending on whether it’s a blended family, if there are wills, and the nature of ownership and wealth,” said Veera Lammi, a director at life insurer LocalTapiola Life.