Which law applies?
Can I choose the law applicable to my succession?
Last update: 10/3/2012
It depends on the situation of the movables and immoveables. Indeed, the law applicable to the succession is the law of the country where the movables and immoveables were situated at the moment of the death of the deceased.
Latvian law allows no exception to this law; you cannot choose the law applicable to your succession.
Detailed information
Which criteria are used to determine the applicable law?
The law applicable to the succession is the law of the country where the movables and immoveables were situated at the moment of the death of the deceased. It depends on the situation of the movables and immoveables.
Distribution of an inheritance in a foreign State is allowed only after lawful claims against the inheritance of persons whose place of residence is in Latvia have been satisfied.
Which principles govern the choice of applicable law?
Latvian law does not provide for the choice of applicable law.
What are the main international agreements in force?
In international judicial cooperation an important role is played by the bilateral (trilateral) international treaties to which Latvia is a party.
There are several agreements: agreement between the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia on legal assistance and legal relations; agreements on legal assistance and legal relations in civil, family and criminal cases between the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarussia, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Kyrgyz, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Uzbekistan.
