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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Na lei portuguesa é imperativamente reservada uma quota da herança aos herdeiros legitimários, independentemente da vontade do de cuius. Esta quota indisponível constitui uma grave e desproporcional limitação do direito de propriedade privada e da liberdade de dispor do autor da sucessão. A previsão da legítima e dos sucessíveis legitimários baseou-se num princípio de solidariedade familiar e na proteção da família, e é nesse mesmo sentido que a limitação que representa tem vindo a ser justificada. Contudo, as alterações sociais do fim do século XX, e o consequente surgimento de novas realidades familiares, põem em causa o que ficou estabelecido na Reforma de 1977 ao Código Civil em matéria de sucessões, especialmente no que à posição dos ascendentes diz respeito. Existe uma eminente necessidade de atualização e flexibilização do regime, sendo oportuna a ponderação das relações afetivas e efetivas dos herdeiros com o falecido, bem como das necessidades que estão verdadeiramente em causa. A legítima dos ascendentes não se coaduna com as situações familiares atuais e, assim como noutros ordenamentos jurídicos, propõe-se a supressão do seu direito à legítima e a respetiva compensação através de uma obrigação de alimentos a cargo da herança.
The Portuguese legal system reserves a part of the inheritance assets to some heirs, regardless of the will of the deceased. This compulsory part constitutes a serious and disproportionate limitation to private property and to the freedom to dispose of the property in case of death. The stipulation of “legítima” and “forced heirs” was based on the constitutionally guaranteed protection of the family, and it is in this same sense that the mentioned limitation has been justified. However, social changes of the late twentieth century, and the consequent emergence of new family realities, puts into question what was established in the reform of 1977 to the Civil Code in matters of succession, especially as far as the ascendants are concerned. There is an urge need to update and liberalize the system. Therefore, it is appropriate to consider the affective and effective relationships between the heirs and the deceased, as well as the needs that are truly at stake. The ascendants’ reserve is not consistent with the current familial situations and, as in other legal systems, it is proposed to suppress their right and to compensate it through an obligation of duty of care attached to the inheritance.
The Portuguese legal system reserves a part of the inheritance assets to some heirs, regardless of the will of the deceased. This compulsory part constitutes a serious and disproportionate limitation to private property and to the freedom to dispose of the property in case of death. The stipulation of “legítima” and “forced heirs” was based on the constitutionally guaranteed protection of the family, and it is in this same sense that the mentioned limitation has been justified. However, social changes of the late twentieth century, and the consequent emergence of new family realities, puts into question what was established in the reform of 1977 to the Civil Code in matters of succession, especially as far as the ascendants are concerned. There is an urge need to update and liberalize the system. Therefore, it is appropriate to consider the affective and effective relationships between the heirs and the deceased, as well as the needs that are truly at stake. The ascendants’ reserve is not consistent with the current familial situations and, as in other legal systems, it is proposed to suppress their right and to compensate it through an obligation of duty of care attached to the inheritance.
Description
Keywords
Legítima Herdeiros legitimários Solidariedade familiar Propriedade privada Legítima dos ascendentes Obrigação de alimentos a cargo da herança Forced heirs Family protection Private property The ascendants’ reserve Duty of care attached to the inheritance