Testamentary Freedom
Testamentary freedom refers to the legal right of an individual to decide how their assets and property will be distributed after their death. This principle allows a person, often through a will, to specify beneficiaries, allocate specific items, and establish conditions for inheritance. It reflects the belief that individuals should have control over their own estate planning.
However, testamentary freedom is not absolute. Certain laws, such as forced heirship rules in some jurisdictions, may limit a person's ability to disinherit specific family members, like spouses or children. These regulations ensure that certain individuals receive a minimum share of the estate, balancing personal wishes with family rights.