A death is a great burden for relatives and close persons. Right in the first few days after that, various errands have to be done. In this text we show you what to do and when after a death.

Inheritance is a complex process. Depending on the situation when the testator passes away, it may consist of various partial proceedings and steps.

The death certificate confirms the death of a person with all important details. It is a prerequisite for important legal steps to be taken after a death. With it, the heirs can, for example, apply for the certificate of inheritance and organise the funeral.

Many mourners wish to honour a deceased person appropriately. According to a long Swiss tradition, this often occurs in public obituaries, not least in newspapers.

Each canton has different tax rules for inheritance, legacies and gifts. You can save rather a lot of money if you know the tax exemptions and reductions. So it is worth taking a look at the regulations for your canton.

If the deceased person has no relatives, the municipality initially organises the funeral. However, if it turns out that the deceased person does have relatives, they will be charged with the funeral costs.

Contracts do not simply end automatically when our loved ones leave us. So it is important to inform the contractual partners and terminate contracts. In some cases, special termination options apply in the event of a death.

When a testator dies, you must report the death to all institutions and banks. The post office is also to be informed of the death. We recommend leaving a bank account open for settling the estate.

What happens to the testator’s pets when the testator passes away? In the event of death, succession is governed by law or by a disposition of property upon death (testament/inheritance contract). Third parties may be appointed as heirs or as legatees with assets. If several heirs wish to have a pet allocated to them, the […]