How is a will drawn up and can I register it?
Last update: 10/3/2012
A will can be drawn up:
- in writing (but not necessarily handwritten) and signed by the deceased;
- the deceased’s signature must be appended or attested in the presence of two witnesses. The witnesses must also sign the will.
Joint wills are also permissible.
A will drawn up abroad is in principle valid in Finland if it complies with the laws of the State where it was drawn up.
There is no register of wills in Finland. A will may be filed with a court but this does not produce any specific legal effects.
Information about how to keep, to register and to search for a will are also available on the website of the European Network of Register of Wills Association (ENRWA) in the section “Information sheet”.
Detailed information
What are the conditions governing the validity of a will as regards its form and substance?
For a will to be valid, its author must have the power to will (9 PK) and he/she must have the desire to make a will. Observance of the formal requirements is also a condition for the validity of the will.
The will must be made in writing (10 PK). Moreover, a typed will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses or by the deceased in his/her own hand. Alternatively, it is sufficient to acknowledge the signature previously appended in the presence of witnesses. The witnesses must not be subject to a participation ban (because of family ties or their appointment as legatees, etc.). Wills drawn up in exceptional circumstances are subject to a limited validity period.
What are the validity conditions for a will originating from another State?
The provisions of The Hague Convention on the Conflicts of Laws relating to the Form of Testamentary Dispositions of 1961 apply.
Are agreements relating to a future inheritance authorised? Who can conclude such an agreement? What form must be respected?
An inheritance agreement with a restrictive effect on the deceased is not admissible, any more than a general restrictive effect with regard to joint wills.
Are there other possibilities for settling a succession?
Gifts made while the deceased is living.
How and where can I register a will? What is the effect of registration?
Registration with the court is allowed but does not have any real legal effect.
