Sweden Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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The law stipulated that guardians would be appointed to look after the interests of all heirs, especially minors.  The guardian was supposed to be the nearest male relative on the side of the family of the deceased, but this rule was not always followed but should be taken into consideration. Under the law men became of age at 21 years, and females never became of age unless they were widowed. See [[Legal Age in Sweden]] for more information.
The law stipulated that guardians would be appointed to look after the interests of all heirs, especially minors.  The guardian was supposed to be the nearest male relative on the side of the family of the deceased, but this rule was not always followed but should be taken into consideration. Under the law men became of age at 21 years, and females never became of age unless they were widowed. See [[Legal Age in Sweden]] for more information.
Never assume that a child died in infancy just because a younger child is christened with the same name. If you cannot find a death date for the older child, do not assume that the child died in infancy. It pays to study the list of debts and assets of the estate (''boets skulder och tillgångar'') very carefully. It was common then as now to lend or borrow from relatives, and they may be mentioned by name and relationship.
== The Probate Process ==
== The Probate Process ==
Within three months after a death, the heirs assembled at the home of the deceased along with the court-appointed appraisers (''värderingsmän'') who were experienced in the required procedures and legalities. All real-estate, household items, as well as personal property of the deceased were recorded and assigned a monetary value so that they could be properly divided between the heirs. The inventory was to be performed within a year of death but it was not uncommon that it would drag out for a year or two. However, most were within 3 months. At the conclusion of the inventory, the appraisers turned the inventory and appraisal over to the court for probate, which took place at the next court session. The dividing of the property was handled in court and a separate document was made for the distribution of the estate. Occasionally the distribution was added to the end of the inventory, but this was not usually the case. The probate document usually contains two main parts, the preamble and the inventory.
Within three months after a death, the heirs assembled at the home of the deceased along with the court-appointed appraisers (''värderingsmän'') who were experienced in the required procedures and legalities. All real-estate, household items, as well as personal property of the deceased were recorded and assigned a monetary value so that they could be properly divided between the heirs. The inventory was to be performed within a year of death but it was not uncommon that it would drag out for a year or two. However, most were within 3 months. At the conclusion of the inventory, the appraisers turned the inventory and appraisal over to the court for probate, which took place at the next court session. The dividing of the property was handled in court and a separate document was made for the distribution of the estate. Occasionally the distribution was added to the end of the inventory, but this was not usually the case. The probate document usually contains two main parts, the preamble and the inventory.