While a will is a so-called one-sided legal transaction, which may only be drawn up by one person, an inheritance contract always involves at least two people. In our day-to-day work as a law firm, we are regularly confronted with the following questions:

I have not signed a will or an inheritance contract. What happens to my assets after I die?
First of all, the most important thing: No, you are not required by law to conclude a will or an inheritance contract! Without a final decision, your assets go to your immediate relatives (children, spouse, parents, siblings, etc.) after you die. Did you know that in the case of a childless couple, when the first spouse dies, the surviving spouse does not become the sole heir without a final decision?

I have written a personal will. Is this legally valid?
Of course, you can write your will yourself. It is important that you write down, date and sign this will yourself from start to finish. Please note: A computer printout with a handwritten signature can be challenged by your heirs and thus declared invalid!

Where should I keep my handwritten will?
Certainly not under the pillow! You can entrust this to someone close to you. However, we do not guarantee that this will will be opened one day. Too often, handwritten wills have mysteriously disappeared immediately after death! For this reason, you can keep your will with us in a safe place, and we will report this to the will headquarters in Bern at the same time. Only then can you be guaranteed that your will will will actually be opened one day.

Then why do I even need a notary to draw up a final will?
An inheritance contract (in contrast to a will written personally) can only be drawn up by means of a public document before a notary. Time and again, we see so-called “two-page wills” written by hand, in which several people — with good intentions — benefit each other. However, such rulings are invalid! As notaries, we guarantee the preparation of a final will tailored to you personally, whether as a will or as an inheritance contract, and at the same time offer our services as executor so that your last will is guaranteed to be carried out one day.

I have already issued a final decree abroad and have immigrated to Switzerland in the meantime. Or the opposite case: I have established a final will in Switzerland and have emigrated in the meantime. What now?
In all constellations with international connections, alarm bells are ringing and comprehensive personal advice is essential. We are professionals in Switzerland's legal system. For all other countries, we usually prefer to call in a lawyer or notary from the respective country. The largest group of immigrants in Switzerland are nationals from Germany. In particular, the so-called “Berlin Testament” urgently needs to be revised if a German couple takes up residence in Switzerland.

What does it cost to establish or register a final will?
According to the Valais notaries' tariff regulations, the preparation of a final will costs between Fr. 200.— to Fr. 3,000.—, the lifetime guaranteed deposit of a will drawn up by hand costs a maximum of Fr. 400.—. In addition, there are the costs of registering the document with the land registry office and with the will center of a maximum of Fr. 100.

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