A marriage abroad is not immediately valid in Switzerland. Swiss authorities need to authenticate the marriage. This article explains the recognition of a marriage contracted abroad.

For heirs, tax consequences after someone dies are often unexpected – whether these are the deceased’s tax debts as of the date of death or the tax demands of the tax office toward the heirs. It can be helpful to clarify the financial circumstances in advance.

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.

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.

In Switzerland, the cantons and municipalities can set and collect their own taxes. One of these cantonal taxes is inheritance tax. These can vary greatly from canton to canton.

The Child and Adult Protection Authority (“CAPA”) ensures the protection of persons who are unable to take care of their needs themselves. The goal is the mildest restriction to personal freedom, which is imperative for the protection of individuals.

The will is drawn up by the testator without the involvement of possible heirs or legatees. This can be a sensitive matter as the will is only effective after the death of the testator. Formal requirements are therefore imposed by law to protect all parties involved.

What is a guardianship provision? In principle, Swiss law provides for legal provisions when parents decease. If only one parent dies, custody usually remains with the surviving parent – given this is within the best interest of the child. This is automatically the case for parents who are married, as well as those who are […]