Curious what the history is behind this. I can't imagine that there was a widespread problem of children being disinherited by their parents in sunny old Switzerland.

Italy's the same, and I imagine most of the other neighbors, it's not just here.

Also, it's not just children, it's also the spouse who is guaranteed. Not the case in the US, and especially important here as it is possible (and common) to NOT have shared marital assets!

Tom

Disclaimer: This next comment is not directed at the OP or anyone who has posted to the thread

I find it morbidly fascinating to see peoples carefully crafted veneers peeled away when such things start to happen. You see the person for who they really are when they fight over the bones of their parents. In this case, as sadly in many others, it's started while the parents are still around. Often the parents are at an advanced age where they are no longer able to stand up for themselves like they used to and are caught between the warring parties.
If they didn't raise them to be this way, or they didn't live their lives showing their children how not to be greedy and selfish, it's hard to imagine them enjoying their last months/years with that happening around them. If they did raise them to be like that or taught them through their own actions to be greedy and/or selfish, well the old saying of you reap what you sow applies.

This nicely fits with what I think of such people

It's kind of interesting. I can see it evolving out of a history of there being absolutely no protections for ones spouse and children and dad giving everything, say, to a mistress. Seems kind of like a blunt instrument applied to fixing a watch these days though.

Well of course they're spending their money, which is my inheritance. I hope they manage to do it.

It's part of the Napoleonic code, so everywhere Napolean had influence, you'll find this law.

Power corrupts. Utter power corrupts utterly. With money it's much the same. I think most folk have honorable intentions and clear consciences until the time comes that they actually see the chance to get something for nothing. I assure you that the veneer of honestly, fairness and a generous nature can wear thin very, very fast when the chips are down. I'm sure not throwing any stones while I still live in a glass house!

not really, it makes sense to try to keep at least part of the family assets within the family from generation to generation, to ultimately maintain social order.

otherwise there would be an excess of dog shelters with 5-star hotel standard and mistresses hunting for rich men all over the place, while widows and children are left homeless (and ultimately to be supported by the community)

Agreed. There was something else in the paper recently which I also found quite repulsive. A guy found out after 29 years that his daughter is not "really" his daughter but someone else's. He has decided to have nothing to do with either his wife or his daughter. Being mad at his wife I can understand. What I can't understand is, after 29 years of being someone's Dad, just dropping her like a hot potato considering that she was neither party to the original act or a knowing accomplice. Really, really sad....

Said the mod.

I guess their relationship (at least on his side) wasn't based on a real relationship, perhaps more on obligation. Having two daughters myself, I can't fathom it.

I love this sentence, so literary. and true.

Easy: Leave the money in a Trust account, to be used as and when needed for the wellbeing of that person, with additions to the will that also provides for wellbeing of the offspring of that person. You can specify the items for which the trustees can release money, eg: for education, medical bills, and not as a general allowance or gift.

If he is worth a few million then surely his natural children could afford to be generous and to share the inheritance. Or didn't they learn about sharing during childhood?

Think if my children approached me with a similar request, they would be the first to have their inheritance reduced.

That does not work if your Swiss, you have to abide by the laws of Switzerland.

Trust accounts are not legal in Switzerland? No Family Trust funds? Maybe they were not deemed necessary in the days of anonymous, undeclared numbered bank accounts.

They don't exist for 'Swiss' as they dont have a choice of how to dispose of their assets , any body being 'short changed' could go to court to get 'their legal entitlement
Nothing has changed, numbered accounts were never anonymous, the bank knew the owner. It's up to any taxpayer to choose if they declaire an account, it does not have to be numbered not to be mentioned!

Of course you can give someone power of attorney that specifically does not end on your death, you don't need to tell the person about the account during your life time, so there are indeed ways around the 'problem' as long as it's kept quiet & you trust your Lawyer to pass on the info after your death.