First-line heirs: who is entitled to inheritance in 2026

First-line heirs: who is entitled to inheritance in 2026

The right to inherit primarily belongs to the closest relatives of the deceased: 

• children
•  spouse
•  parents. 

They inherit property in equal shares if there is no will. 

However, in practice, inheritance distribution is rarely that simple: shares may be affected by mandatory rights of certain individuals, refusal of inheritance, agreements between relatives, or even court decisions. 

That is why it is important not only to know who is entitled, but also to understand how to properly оформити inheritance to avoid loss of property or conflicts.

Contents:

• Who are first-line heirs
• How inheritance by law works
• Size of inheritance share
• Division of inheritance between heirs
• Refusal of inheritance: nuances
• When court and agreements are needed

Who are first-line heirs

In practice, situations often arise where one of the heirs lived in the apartment or cared for the deceased. 

However, legally this does not change the principle of equality, and this is where conflicts often begin. If heirs are concerned about possible disputes, they can review cases in the article Who Can Challenge a Will After Death and How to Avoid It  to understand how to protect their rights.

How inheritance by law works

Inheritance by law follows a strict order and rules that do not consider emotions or verbal agreements.

The process begins with filing an application and formally starting the procedure, including inventory of property after the owner's death and re-registration of an apartment after the owner’s death or other assets.

At this stage, it is crucial to act correctly. If there are doubts, it is better to contact a notary immediately to avoid delays and risks.

Size of inheritance share

The share of inheritance among legal heirs is generally equal among all first-line heirs.

However, in practice, nuances arise: mandatory share rules apply, redistribution may occur, or partial refusal of inheritance may be formed.

As a result, the actual distribution may differ significantly from expectations.

Division of inheritance between heirs

When there are several heirs, the issue of dividing inheritance between first-line heirs arises.

The ideal scenario is an agreement and signing a contract on inheritance division or distribution of inherited property. Many even search for a sample inheritance division agreement, but it is important to understand that each case is individual.

Particularly complex are cases involving division of property after the death of one spouse, where joint ownership issues arise.

Refusal of inheritance: nuances

Refusal is not a formality, but a legal action with consequences.

Possible options include:

• notarized refusal of inheritance
• refusal of inheritance abroad
• refusal of a mandatory share after 6 months

Each of these requires proper legal registed and mistakes can be irreversible.

When court and agreements are needed

If an agreement cannot be reached, court intervention may be required. In such cases, a claim for division of inherited property is filed, and the court issues a decision.

Costs should also be considered, including court fees for claims related to recognition of ownership rights.

To avoid this scenario, it is better to resolve matters in advance through a notary or agreements. More details can be found in the section notarial services , where solutions for various inheritance situations are presented.