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{{Scandinavia-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb | {{Scandinavia-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb | ||
| link1=[[ | | link1=[[Nordic Countries]] | ||
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| link3= | | link3= | ||
| link4= | | link4= | ||
| link5=[[ | | link5=[[Nordic Probate Records|Probate Records]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
In | In the Nordic countries, probates were instituted to protect the rights of minors. Minors were anyone under age 25 and, in earlier time periods, all unmarried females, no matter what their age. | ||
The law determined who would receive what after the debts were paid, for example, the surviving spouse received half and the other half was divided between the surviving heirs. If a child had been married, had children, and then died, their portion of the estate would be divided between their children. | The law determined who would receive what after the debts were paid, for example, the surviving spouse received half and the other half was divided between the surviving heirs. If a child had been married, had children, and then died, their portion of the estate would be divided between their children. | ||
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Note: In all the Scandinavian countries, probates for the clergy were normally kept separately from those of the "common man." They might be listed at the parish or Herred/Härad level, but within the catalog entry it should be indicated that the probates are those of the clergy only. | Note: In all the Scandinavian countries, probates for the clergy were normally kept separately from those of the "common man." They might be listed at the parish or Herred/Härad level, but within the catalog entry it should be indicated that the probates are those of the clergy only. | ||
=== Who | === Who Left a Probate? === | ||
A probate proceeding should have taken place: | A probate proceeding should have taken place: | ||
*Before a surviving spouse could remarry. | *Before a surviving spouse could remarry. | ||
*If there were any minors (under age 25) involved. | *If there were any minors (under age 25) involved. | ||
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A probate did not have to take place if the parents were elderly, the children all over age 25, or everything had already been dispersed. | A probate did not have to take place if the parents were elderly, the children all over age 25, or everything had already been dispersed. | ||
=== What Can These Records Tell Me? === | |||
=== | |||
*Name and residence of deceased | *Name and residence of deceased | ||
*Date of probate registration and/or death date | *Date of probate registration and/or death date | ||
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If the estate debts were greater than the assets, auctions were held to sell off items to raise money to pay the debts. | If the estate debts were greater than the assets, auctions were held to sell off items to raise money to pay the debts. | ||
=== Points to | === Points to Remember === | ||
*A probate action generally took place at the next quarterly court session held after the death, though sealing and inventorying of the estate normally took place within thirty days. | *A probate action generally took place at the next quarterly court session held after the death, though sealing and inventorying of the estate normally took place within thirty days. | ||
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[[Category: | [[Category:Nordic Countries]] | ||