What changes are being prepared in inheritance law in Ukraine?
Two draft laws providing for the recodification of the Civil Code have already been registered in the Verkhovna Rada. They concern the first and second books of the document. On October 22, 2025, deputies adopted draft law No. 14056 (first book) as a basis, and on November 5, 2025, draft law No. 14057 (second book). Other books of the Code, from the third to the ninth, are not yet registered, but their texts have already been published for public discussion. Some of the most important changes concern inheritance law. Its norms are planned to be moved from the sixth book to the seventh book and significantly updated. In particular, digital assets — for example, digital objects or rights — will be able to be included in the inheritance, unless otherwise prohibited by law or terms of use. The order of succession by law may also change: Second priority — grandchildren of the testator (even if their parents are alive). Third priority — full siblings, as well as grandparents on both sides. Fourth priority — aunts and uncles. Fifth priority — persons who lived with the testator as one family for at least five years. Sixth priority — other relatives up to the sixth degree of kinship inclusively, as well as dependents who were not family members. Dependents will be considered minors or incapacitated persons who received financial assistance from the testator as their main or sole source of livelihood for at least five years. Persons who have committed the premeditated murder of the testator or other potential heirs, as well as attempted to take their lives, will lose the right to inherit. Acceptance of an inheritance or refusal of it will only occur through an application to a notary. If an heir does not submit an application within six months, did not live with the testator, and does not belong to socially vulnerable categories, they will be considered to have not accepted the inheritance. Inherited property can be divided by agreement or through court. An inheritance division agreement will be concluded in writing and must be notarized. A separate novelty will be the introduction of inheritance management, which includes corporate rights. Until the heirs receive certificates, the notary will appoint one administrator. This can be: an heir; an executor of the will; a person designated in the will; another person under a management agreement.
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