Such absurd laws was the reason I did not become Swiss.

To be fair, that example is not the law, and would be very unlikely to have succeeded unless there were other factors involved that we're not aware of.

I do agree that the principle is crazy, but as we don't have kids it's not something I worry about. Is this an area that is being addressed by this current referendum measure?

In theory one has trust in their spouses that they would want the best for their kids, if on's kids from a previous spouse or if one has no trust in your spouse firstly they shouldn't be a spouse, secondly now one will have a choice to leave providing inheritance for both ... its all about having a choice

And all of this outlines why this legislation needs changing. But regretfully I have been unable to find any information on what changes are actually being contemplated.

I don't think so. The votes this time around had to do with paternity leave, parental allowances, FMOP, planes for the military, and hunting.

I think Tom was probably right in post #2 with respect to this change to inheritance law:

It's allowed rich families to stay rich over generations, nothing ever gets lost via divorce, you could say it makes a lot of sense.

The ancient germanic custom was to divide inheritance equally among direct heirs. The present Swiss law with mandatory parts for both parents and descendants seems to be a reversion to this kind of tradition. The fortune-concentrating way was the old one of primogeniture. First son gets all of it, second son goes into church service, all other sons have to make their own luck as Reisläufer and all the daughters are married off into other families.

Both my parents lived to be 90, so with some careful planning I aim to die at 95 and be completely penniless. I figure that will sort the mater out....

What if you live to be 96?

LOL - made me giggle. Personally, my parents lived to 96 and 94- and I imagine I won't make it that far. It was simple for us to make a successoral pact to ensure the second spouse inherits 100% - and then our daughters will get 50% each. As said above, much simpler if you have only been married once (50 years in a few months) and have adult children who approve of the plans. I do hope something will be left for them - in the case of my parents and my MIL, Care Homes took it all very quickly. Not my choice - will remain at home with support, then OUT. We are so lucky in Switzerland to have that choice.

Why? You can choose in your will to apply the inheritance system you choose, if bi-national, no?

No.

If you are Swiss, only Swiss law matters. Your other nationalities are irrelevant.

Tom

It is NOT for both, it is only for parents if there are no descendants.

Tom

Be careful what you assume.

Richard Burton had a Swiss will and who died at home in Celigny (GE) The UK authorities rejected that and applied British law to his entire estate. As did the Geneva authorities. The dispute lasted for years.

NOPE, if you are SWISS you are SWISS & ONLY SWISS as far as the SWISS are concerned.

If me and my wife are C-permit holders with 2 children, are we subject to CH inheritance laws or can we just have a simple CH will that defers to our US will?

Also, we are currently applying for CH citizenship for our kids, not us; how tricky will it become then? Yikes!

You need to make a declaration to your geminate that you wish US laws to apply.

Nope.. only if his kids remain only American.
If his children become Swiss, it’s solely Swiss law that applies.

Time for parents to leave CH if they chose not to become Swiss

In Vaud you could state this in your will. Having Swiss Children will not affect the parent’s status.