The parties to the estate inherit
If the deceased has left assets, the parties to the estate will inherit these. In Sweden, debts are not inherited. Who inherits depends on whether or not the deceased was married or had children. There may be a prenuptial agreement and/or a will stating that specific things should go to a specific person or organisation. Unless a will has been made, cohabitees do not inherit from one another.
Inheritance and distribution of the estate (skatteverket.se, in Swedish) External link.
Before anything else, the estate must pay off its debts
The estate must pay for funeral expenses, transport of the body and any bills addressed to the deceased personally before the estate can be divided. If the debts exceed the estate’s assets, there is no need to pay the remaining debt.
Prepare a distribution of estate document
The division is called the distribution of the estate and is documented in a distribution of estate document. This document shows that the parties are agreed on who is to inherit what. All heirs shall sign the distribution of estate document, which then becomes a legally binding agreement. Retain the distribution of estate document. This does not need to be sent to anyone. If you are the sole party to the estate, the estate’s assets are transferred to you once the estate inventory is registered by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).
Division of joint assets
If you and the deceased had joint assets and there are several heirs, you will need to make a division of property. You do this after the estate inventory has been registered and the estate’s debts and expenses have been paid.
You can learn more about the division of property on the Swedish Tax Agency’s (Skatteverket) website.
Property division (skatteverket.se, in Swedish) External link.
Common law spouse with or without children
- If you were not married to the deceased, then their children are the primary heirs.
- In order for cohabiting partners to inherit, there must be a will.
- If the deceased had children with somebody else, unless there is a will that states otherwise, they normally have the right to take out their inheritance immediately.
If you are unable to agree
If the parties to the estate are unable to agree on how the estate should be administered or the inheritance distributed, the district court may appoint an independent estate administrator, probate officer or estate distribution executor. You can learn more about applying for independent assistance at domstol.se.
Spouses and children are the primary heirs
- If you were married to the deceased and did not have any children, you are the primary heir.
- If you were married with children, you inherit before the child/children, who in most cases must wait until the death of their other parent before inheriting.
- If the deceased had children with somebody else, unless there is a will that states otherwise, they normally have the right to take out their inheritance immediately. Under Swedish law, these children of the deceased person are called särkullbarn.
A minor who inherits
When the Swedish Tax Agency receives the estate inventory and a minor inherits, the Swedish Tax Agency notifies the chief guardian in the municipality where the child is registered. It is the custodian (usually the guardian) who takes care of the inheritance on behalf of the child.
If the inheritance is over a price base amount (SEK 59,200 in 2026), the custodian must deposit the amount into a blocked bank account.
If the inheritance amounts to more than eight price base amounts (SEK 473,600 in 2026), the custodian must also submit a yearly written report to the chief guardian in the municipality on how the finances have been managed.
In many cases, the chief guardian's consent is required for various forms of trading with the child's assets.
Further information is available on the municipalities' websites.
If there are no heirs or will
If someone dies without leaving any heirs or will, the estate goes to the Swedish Inheritance Fund.
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