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Back to [[Portal:Sweden|Sweden Portal Page]]► | Back to [[Portal:Sweden|Sweden Portal Page]]► | ||
In Sweden, the Act of 1734 made it mandatory to conduct an inventory of the estate of the deceased. This legal proceeding is called in Swedish “''bouppteckning''”. | In Sweden, the Act of 1734 made it mandatory to conduct an inventory of the estate of the deceased. This legal proceeding is called in Swedish “''bouppteckning''”. Some inventories were taken prior to 1734 and the practice has continued into modern Sweden. | ||
Soon after a death, the heirs assembled at the home of the deceased along with the court-appointed appraisers called “''värderingsmän''” who were experienced in the required procedures and legalities. All household items, as well as personal | Soon after a death, the heirs assembled at the home of the deceased along with the court-appointed appraisers called “''värderingsmän''” who were experienced in the required procedures and legalities. All 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. (In modern Sweden the inventory by law must be performed within three months). At the conclusion of the inventory, the appraisers turned the probate (inventory) 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. Occcasionally the distribution was added to the end of the inventory, but this was not usually the case. | ||
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 probate (inventory) 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 | |||
All probating (distribution of the estate) was done by the district court (''häradstinget'') for rural parishes or by the city court (''rådhusrätten'') for those living in a city. Nobility had the privilege of having their probate processed by the court of appeals (''hovrätten'') between the years 1737 and 1916. | |||
Between two and four court sessions were held each year. Each session took its name from the season of the year in which the court was held: | Between two and four court sessions were held each year. Each session took its name from the season of the year in which the court was held: | ||
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*''Sommartinget'' – summer court (June, July, & August) | *''Sommartinget'' – summer court (June, July, & August) | ||
*''Hösttinge''t – autumn court (September, October, & November) | *''Hösttinge''t – autumn court (September, October, & November) | ||
Although a probate was obligated with death, often it was made only for the wife or husband which ever died first. Other factors could also decrease the odds of finding a probate such as being unmarried, poverty, youth. Some probates have been lost due to poor storage or the destruction of the records. Odds of finding a probate are increased for married persons, especially if leaving minor children. Also if the person had significant assets and/or a high social status they are more likely to have had a probate. In any event it is always worthwhile to check to see if a probate exists. | Although a probate was obligated with death, often it was made only for the wife or husband which ever died first. Other factors could also decrease the odds of finding a probate such as being unmarried, poverty, youth. Some probates have been lost due to poor storage or the destruction of the records. Odds of finding a probate are increased for married persons, especially if leaving minor children. Also if the person had significant assets and/or a high social status they are more likely to have had a probate. In any event it is always worthwhile to check to see if a probate exists. | ||