All maps › Required by law › Leaving your kids an inheritance
Is leaving your kids an inheritance required by law in your country?
The 2026 map of where leaving your kids an inheritance is mandatory or partly required, aired Nov 4, 2026. Sources
Watch on TikTokThe video shows the map as it aired on Nov 4, 2026. The counts on this page are kept up to date.
Sources: Civil codes and current law-firm/notary guides, 2025-26 · Reform reporting 2024-26 · Chambers Private Wealth 2025 / Succession 2026 · How we rate it
Is it mandatory where you live? Check your countryMandatory in 38 countries
Kids keep 1/4 of their legal share, capped at DKK 1.58m each.
Source: Arveloven s. 5
Why we rate it this way
Inheritance Act s.5: tvangsarv = 1/4 of a child's statutory share; testator may cap each child's tvangsarv at DKK 1,580,000 in 2026 (Bekendtgoerelse 1416 of 24 Nov 2025; Lovguiden).
Kids are owed 2/3 of the estate, capped per child at 15 G.
Source: Arveloven 2019 s. 50
Why we rate it this way
Inheritance Act 2019 s.50: pliktdelsarv = 2/3 of the estate to children, capped at 15 times the National Insurance basic amount (G) per child (Chambers Private Wealth 2025).
Children's laglott is half their legal share, whatever the will.
Source: Aervdabalken 7:1
Why we rate it this way
Inheritance Code ch.7 s.1: laglott = half the arvslott; a child disinherited by will can claim it (Realtid 2026: proposal to abolish it is only a proposal).
Children can claim half their legal share, whatever the will says.
Source: Perintoekaari 7:1
Why we rate it this way
Code of Inheritance (40/1965) ch.7 s.1: lakiosa = half the value of the intestate share of a direct descendant (HE 77/2000; unchanged).
Disinherited kids can still claim half their legal share in cash.
Source: BW 4:64
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code Book 4 art. 64: legitieme portie = half the intestate share, a money claim against the heirs since 2003 (e-Justice NL page, KNB).
Kids keep a cash claim to half their legal share.
Source: ABGB s. 759
Why we rate it this way
ABGB s.757-759 (Erbrechts-Aenderungsgesetz 2015, in force 1 Jan 2017): descendants' Pflichtteil = half the intestate share, a money claim; parents lost theirs in 2017 (rulecalc, recordinglaw 2025).
Since 2023 kids' reserve is half their legal share (was 3/4).
Source: ZGB art. 471
Why we rate it this way
ZGB art. 471 as revised 1 Jan 2023: descendants' Pflichtteil cut from 3/4 to 1/2 of the statutory share; parents' Pflichtteil abolished (Vontobel, Swiss Life, Beobachter).
Since 2018 kids together keep at least half the estate.
Source: Civil Code (2018 reform)
Why we rate it this way
Inheritance reform in force 1 Sep 2018: children together are reserved 50% of the estate regardless of number (Chambers Succession & Estate Planning 2026, Belgium).
1 kid: half the estate. 3 or more kids: 3/4 is theirs.
Source: Code civil art. 913
Why we rate it this way
Code civil art. 913: reserve 1/2 (one child), 2/3 (two), 3/4 (three or more) (Expatica Luxembourg 2025).
Minors keep 3/4 of their legal share, adult kids 1/4.
Source: Civil Code s. 1643
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code (89/2012) s.1643: children are forced heirs; a minor gets at least 3/4 of the intestate share, an adult at least 1/4 (text in force 1 Jan 2026, podnikatel.cz).
All three legal systems give kids half their legal share.
Source: FBiH, RS, Brcko Acts 2009-17
Why we rate it this way
Inheritance is entity law, and all three legal systems covering the whole country set the same rule: children are forced heirs with half their intestate share, which a will cannot touch. FBiH Inheritance Law (80/14, 32/19) art. 28-29; Republika Srpska Inheritance Law (1/09 ... 82/19) art. 30-31; Brcko District Inheritance Law (36/17) art. 32-33 (texts on paragraf.ba, read 5 Nov 2026). Red, not amber: amber is for a rule in only one of a country's systems (GB).
Kids keep one-third of their legal share; a will can't cut it.
Source: Civil Code Ptk. 7:76
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code (2013) s.7:75-7:76: koteles resz = 1/3 of the intestate share (cut from 1/2 in 2014); disinheritance only on listed grounds (Kozjegyzok Kozlonye 2025 articles).
Kids can claim half their legal share in cash; minors 2/3.
Source: Civil Code art. 991
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 991: zachowek = 1/2 of the intestate share, 2/3 for a minor or permanently incapable descendant; a money claim (prawnik.cc; court-assistant exam materials 2025).
Kids' reserve: half of what they'd inherit with no will.
Source: Civil Code art. 1088
Why we rate it this way
New Civil Code art. 1086-1088: descendants are reserved heirs; reserve = half the intestate share; a disinherited only child still gets 1/2 (notari.pro, Capital.ro).
Kids keep half their legal share; disinheriting needs a legal reason.
Source: Civil Code art. 1825
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 1825: nomimi moira = half the intestate share; art. 1840 lists the only grounds to disinherit a descendant (taxheaven, odigostoupoliti).
Children keep half their legal share; disinheriting needs a reason.
Source: Civil Code TMK art. 506
Why we rate it this way
Turkish Civil Code art. 506: descendants' sakli pay = half the statutory share; disinheritance only on art. 510 grounds; tenkis action to recover (Kadim Hukuk, Harbiye Hukuk 2025).
One child keeps half the estate; two or more keep two-thirds.
Source: Civil Code art. 2159
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 2159: with a spouse, legitima = 2/3; with no spouse 1/2 (one child) or 2/3 (two or more); applied by Relacao de Coimbra 23 Apr 2024.
Kids keep 1/2 (one child) or 2/3 (two or more) of the estate.
Source: Codice civile art. 537
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 537: legittima 1/2 for one child, 2/3 for two or more (no spouse). Legge 182/2025 (in force 18 Dec 2025) turned recovery of donated property into a money claim; the quota stands (Brocardi 2026).
Two-thirds of the estate goes to the kids (some regions differ).
Source: Codigo Civil art. 808
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 806-808: legitima of children = 2/3 (1/3 strict + 1/3 mejora). Regional law differs: Catalonia/Galicia 1/4, Aragon 1/2, Navarra almost free (Legalitas, Consumer). National rule = red.
Two-thirds of the estate is reserved for the kids.
Source: CCyC art. 2445
Why we rate it this way
Civil and Commercial Code art. 2445: descendants' legitima = 2/3; disinheritance only on statutory grounds (compilation dated Jul 2026; Cronista).
Half the estate is reserved for the kids.
Source: Civil Code art. 1242
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 1240-1242 as amended by Ley 1934 de 2018: with legitimarios, half the estate is divided among them; the other half is free (Rama Judicial text, RSM).
Half the estate goes to forced heirs, a quarter more to family.
Source: Civil Code art. 1184
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 1184: estate split into 4 - two quarters legitimas rigorosas, one quarter mejoras (spouse/descendants/ascendants), one quarter free (leyes-cl.com; no 2025 change found).
With kids, a will can only freely give away one-third.
Source: Codigo Civil art. 725
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 725: whoever has children or descendants or a spouse may freely dispose of up to 1/3 (Casacion 856-2009); PL 3569/2022-CR to raise it to 1/2 not passed (LP Derecho, Peru Gestiona 2026).
1 kid keeps half the estate; 3 or more kids keep three-quarters.
Source: Civil Code art. 887
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 887 as replaced by Ley 15.855 (1987): porcion legitimaria 1/2 (one child), 2/3 (two), 3/4 (three or more) (IMPO / Justia).
Kids keep half their legal share, whatever the will says.
Source: Codigo Civil art. 883
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 883-884: legitima = half the intestate rights of descendants, of public order (TSJ Sala de Casacion Civil, Acceso a la Justicia).
Wills capped at one-third; children's shares are fixed by law.
Source: Family Code (Moudawana)
Why we rate it this way
Family Code (Law 70-03) book on wills: a will may not exceed 1/3 and no will to an heir without the heirs' consent; Book 6 fixes heirs' shares. Applies to Moroccans (Jewish Moroccans follow Hebrew law).
Wills max one-third; the rest follows fixed legal shares.
Source: Personal Status Code
Why we rate it this way
Code of Personal Status: a bequest may only cover 1/3 of the estate and not go to an heir unless the other heirs approve (FIDH inheritance report).
Wills over one-third need the heirs' consent.
Source: Personal Status Law 32/97
Why we rate it this way
Royal Decree 32/97 (Personal Status Law): a bequest may not exceed 1/3 after funeral costs and debts; more needs the heirs' consent (Times of Oman).
Wills max one-third; each child's share is fixed by law.
Source: Wills Law 71/1946
Why we rate it this way
Inheritance Law 77/1943 fixes heirs' shares; Wills Law 71/1946 caps wills at 1/3 without heirs' consent (Tamimi: Inheritance Law applies to all Egyptians; Andersen 2025, Dar al-Ifta).
Wills max one-third; heirs' fixed shares can't be overridden.
Source: Personal Status Law 2022
Why we rate it this way
Personal Status Law (Royal Decree M/73, in force 18 Jun 2022): will limited to 1/3 to a non-heir; more, or to an heir, needs heirs' consent (Al Tamimi, Commoner Law 2026).
A will over one-third needs the heirs' consent.
Source: Civil Code art. 843
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 843: a will over 1/3 of the estate is valid only with heirs' consent (Filodiritto, IAU journal articles); heirs' shares fixed in arts. 861-949.
Wills max one-third; children inherit by fixed shares.
Source: Personal Status Law 188/1959
Why we rate it this way
Personal Status Law 188/1959: optional will capped at 1/3, inheritance by fixed shares; applies to all Iraqis except exempted Christian/Jewish minorities (Emory profile, TIU 2025 paper).
Disinherited kids still get half their legal share - in cash.
Source: BGB s. 2303
Why we rate it this way
BGB s.2303: a child excluded by will can demand the Pflichtteil = half the value of the intestate share, a money claim; withdrawal only for grave misconduct (s.2333) (advocado 2026, bgb.kommentar.de).
Kids keep half their legal share, even if a will cuts them out.
Source: Civil Code art. 1112
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 1112(1): children's yuryubun = 1/2 of the statutory share. Constitutional Court 25 Apr 2024 (2020Hun-Ga4) struck only siblings' yuryubun and ordered loss grounds for abusive heirs; legislature amended in 2026 (Hankyung Feb 2026, Lawtimes). Children's share stands.
Kids together can claim half the estate in cash.
Source: Civil Code art. 1042
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 1042: when children inherit, iryubun = 1/2 of the estate shared by statutory shares; since 1 Jul 2019 a money claim (iryubun shingaigaku seikyu) (mc-law.jp, office-tree.jp).
3 or more kids? 3/4 of your estate is reserved for them.
Source: Code civil art. 913
Why we rate it this way
Code civil art. 913: reserve 1/2 (one child), 2/3 (two), 3/4 (three or more); quotite disponible 1/4 with 3+ (notaires.fr, Actu-Juridique, Bourse Inside 2026). Law of 24 Aug 2021 added a clawback against foreign laws.
By law, half of everything goes to forced heirs like your kids.
Source: Codigo Civil art. 1.846
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 1.845-1.846: descendants, ascendants and spouse are herdeiros necessarios and own half the estate (a legitima); art. 1.789 limits wills to the other half. PL 4/2025 (Civil Code reform, in the Senate Jan 2026) keeps descendants as forced heirs (Mattos Filho, CNB/SP Dec 2025).
Kids get half the estate by law; a will can't cut them out.
Source: Civil Code art. 888
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 887-888: legitimate children's legitime = 1/2 of the estate; disinheritance only for causes in art. 919; SC Macalinao v. Macalinao (2024): legitimes come first (Respicio 2025, NDV Law).
Everywhere not listed here, leaving your kids an inheritance is not required.
Partly mandatory in 14 countries
England: free to will. Scotland: kids can claim 1/3-1/2 of movables.
Source: Succession (Scotland) Act
Why we rate it this way
England, Wales and NI: freedom of testation (only a discretionary Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claim). Scotland: children's legal rights (legitim) = 1/3 of the moveable estate with a surviving spouse, 1/2 without, will or no will (Thorntons/Weightmans 2025; Scottish Government dropped reform). One of the UK's three legal systems = amber.
Only minor or disabled kids keep half their legal share.
Source: Civil Code art. 1149
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 1149: minor children and disabled adult children inherit at least half their intestate share regardless of the will; able adult children can be fully disinherited. No 2025 change found (Gosuslugi guidance live 2026). Minors/disabled only = amber.
Minor and disabled adult kids keep half their legal share.
Source: Civil Code art. 1241
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 1241: minor children, disabled adult children (and disabled spouse/parents) get half their intestate share regardless of the will; court may reduce it. No wartime/martial-law change found (7eminar, dtkt.ua, court.gov.ua 2025). Minors/disabled only = amber.
Only minor or disabled kids keep half their legal share.
Source: Civil Code art. 1069
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 1069: minor or disabled children (and disabled spouse/parents) inherit at least half their intestate share regardless of the will; Supreme Court ruling 14 Aug 2024 (6001-24-00-3gp/320) on its purpose. Minors/disabled only = amber.
Minor or disabled adult kids still get 2/3 of a legal share.
Source: Civil Code 2015 art. 644
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code 2015 art. 644: minor children, adult children unable to work, parents and spouse receive 2/3 of an intestate share even if the will omits them (thuvienphapluat, luatvietnam). Able adult children can be left out = amber.
Only heirs unable to work and with no income must get a share.
Source: Civil Code art. 1141
Why we rate it this way
Civil Code art. 1141: a will must reserve a necessary share for heirs who lack the ability to work AND have no source of income; courts apply it to minor children (Shanghai case, 160,000 yuan reserved for a minor). Otherwise free testation = amber.
Muslims: wills max one-third. Hindus and others can will freely.
Source: Muslim personal law
Why we rate it this way
Indian Succession Act 1925 / Hindu Succession Act: free testation for Hindus, Christians, Parsis etc. Muslim personal law caps a will at 1/3 without heirs' consent; Supreme Court issued notice on a 2025 petition challenging the cap (LiveLaw 2025). Applies to one community = amber.
Muslim estates: fixed shares, wills max one-third.
Source: Shariat Application Act
Why we rate it this way
Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act 1962: Muslim succession follows fixed Islamic shares, wills capped at 1/3 to non-heirs; Christians and Hindus fall under the Succession Act 1925 (free testation). Applies to the Muslim community only = amber.
Muslim estates: fixed shares; other faiths follow other laws.
Source: Muslim personal law
Why we rate it this way
Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act 1937 (still applied): fixed shares, wills max 1/3 for Muslims; Hindu law and the Succession Act 1925 for others. One community = amber.
Muslims: faraid shares, wills max 1/3. Others can will freely.
Source: State Islamic law; Wills Act
Why we rate it this way
Muslim estates follow faraid under state Islamic law (wasiat capped at 1/3; Muslim Wills enactments, e.g. Selangor 1999); non-Muslims under the Wills Act 1959 have free testation (only a Distribution/Family provision claim). One community = amber.
Muslim estates: wills max one-third, rest by fixed shares.
Source: Kompilasi Hukum Islam
Why we rate it this way
Kompilasi Hukum Islam (Inpres 1/1991) art. 195: a will may not exceed 1/3 without heirs' consent, applied by religious courts to Muslims; non-Muslims follow the civil code (BW) or adat law. Plural system, one community = amber.
Muslim estates: wills max 1/3; state wills laws bow to custom.
Source: Wills laws; Islamic law
Why we rate it this way
Wills Act 1837 / state Wills Laws give broad freedom 'subject to' customary and Islamic law; for Muslims a will is limited to 1/3 with the rest by fixed shares (Mondaq 2025, LawPavilion). Community/state-dependent = amber.
Muslims: wills max one-third; non-Muslims may follow own rules.
Source: Family Law 22/2006
Why we rate it this way
Law No. 22 of 2006 (Family Law): Islamic succession and the 1/3 will limit for Muslims; art. 4 lets non-Muslims apply their own rules. One community = amber.
Muslims: wills max one-third. Non-Muslims can opt for free wills.
Source: Decree-Law 41/2024; 41/2022
Why we rate it this way
Federal Decree-Law 41/2024 (Personal Status, in force 15 Apr 2025): Islamic shares and the 1/3 will limit for Muslims; Federal Decree-Law 41/2022 on Civil Personal Status lets non-Muslims will freely. One community = amber.
Show the 143 countries where it is not required
No qualifying national law was found for these countries in the sources under Sources.
All 195 countries: is leaving your kids an inheritance required by law?
AfghanistanNot required
AlbaniaNot required
AlgeriaNot required
AndorraNot required
AngolaNot required
Antigua & BarbudaNot required
ArgentinaMandatory
ArmeniaNot required
AustraliaNot required
AustriaMandatory
AzerbaijanNot required
BahamasNot required
BahrainNot required
BangladeshPartly
BarbadosNot required
BelarusNot required
BelgiumMandatory
BelizeNot required
BeninNot required
BhutanNot required
BoliviaNot required
Bosnia & HerzegovinaMandatory
BotswanaNot required
BrazilMandatory
BruneiNot required
BulgariaNot required
Burkina FasoNot required
BurundiNot required
CambodiaNot required
CameroonNot required
CanadaNot required
Cape VerdeNot required
Central African RepublicNot required
ChadNot required
ChileMandatory
ChinaPartly
ColombiaMandatory
ComorosNot required
Congo - BrazzavilleNot required
Congo - KinshasaNot required
Costa RicaNot required
CroatiaNot required
CubaNot required
CyprusNot required
CzechiaMandatory
Côte d’IvoireNot required
DenmarkMandatory
DjiboutiNot required
DominicaNot required
Dominican RepublicNot required
EcuadorNot required
EgyptMandatory
El SalvadorNot required
Equatorial GuineaNot required
EritreaNot required
EstoniaNot required
EswatiniNot required
EthiopiaNot required
FijiNot required
FinlandMandatory
FranceMandatory
GabonNot required
GambiaNot required
GeorgiaNot required
GermanyMandatory
GhanaNot required
GreeceMandatory
GrenadaNot required
GuatemalaNot required
GuineaNot required
Guinea-BissauNot required
GuyanaNot required
HaitiNot required
HondurasNot required
HungaryMandatory
IcelandNot required
IndiaPartly
IndonesiaPartly
IranMandatory
IraqMandatory
IrelandNot required
IsraelNot required
ItalyMandatory
JamaicaNot required
JapanMandatory
JordanNot required
KazakhstanPartly
KenyaNot required
KiribatiNot required
KuwaitNot required
KyrgyzstanNot required
LaosNot required
LatviaNot required
LebanonNot required
LesothoNot required
LiberiaNot required
LibyaNot required
LiechtensteinNot required
LithuaniaNot required
LuxembourgMandatory
MadagascarNot required
MalawiNot required
MalaysiaPartly
MaldivesNot required
MaliNot required
MaltaNot required
Marshall IslandsNot required
MauritaniaNot required
MauritiusNot required
MexicoNot required
MicronesiaNot required
MoldovaNot required
MonacoNot required
MongoliaNot required
MontenegroNot required
MoroccoMandatory
MozambiqueNot required
Myanmar (Burma)Not required
NamibiaNot required
NauruNot required
NepalNot required
NetherlandsMandatory
New ZealandNot required
NicaraguaNot required
NigerNot required
NigeriaPartly
North KoreaNot required
North MacedoniaNot required
NorwayMandatory
OmanMandatory
PakistanPartly
PalauNot required
Palestinian TerritoriesNot required
PanamaNot required
Papua New GuineaNot required
ParaguayNot required
PeruMandatory
PhilippinesMandatory
PolandMandatory
PortugalMandatory
QatarPartly
RomaniaMandatory
RussiaPartly
RwandaNot required
SamoaNot required
San MarinoNot required
Saudi ArabiaMandatory
SenegalNot required
SerbiaNot required
SeychellesNot required
Sierra LeoneNot required
SingaporeNot required
SlovakiaNot required
SloveniaNot required
Solomon IslandsNot required
SomaliaNot required
South AfricaNot required
South KoreaMandatory
South SudanNot required
SpainMandatory
Sri LankaNot required
St. Kitts & NevisNot required
St. LuciaNot required
St. Vincent & GrenadinesNot required
SudanNot required
SurinameNot required
SwedenMandatory
SwitzerlandMandatory
SyriaNot required
São Tomé & PríncipeNot required
TajikistanNot required
TanzaniaNot required
ThailandNot required
Timor-LesteNot required
TogoNot required
TongaNot required
Trinidad & TobagoNot required
TunisiaMandatory
TurkmenistanNot required
TuvaluNot required
TürkiyeMandatory
UgandaNot required
UkrainePartly
United Arab EmiratesPartly
United KingdomPartly
United StatesNot required
UruguayMandatory
UzbekistanNot required
VanuatuNot required
Vatican CityNot required
VenezuelaMandatory
VietnamPartly
YemenNot required
ZambiaNot required
ZimbabweNot required
Sources
Red means national law reserves part of a parent's estate for the children and a will can't take it away. Amber means only minor or disabled children are protected, only one region, or only one religious community. Green means you can leave everything to anyone.
- Civil codes and current law-firm/notary guides, 2025-26: Code civil 913, BGB 2303, ZGB 471 (2023), CC 1042 (JP), CC 1112 (KR), Civil Code 888 (PH), CC 1.846 (BR)
- Reform reporting 2024-26: KR Constitutional Court 25 Apr 2024 + 2026 amendment; IT Legge 182/2025; BR PL 4/2025; DK amount 2026
- Chambers Private Wealth 2025 / Succession 2026: Belgium, Norway and comparative forced-heirship chapters
Each country in the lists names the source for its rule; countries not listed had no qualifying national law in these sources. Laws as of Nov 5, 2026. We map the law on the books, not how well it is enforced.
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