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Inheritance

This section looks at issues relating to inheritance that affect orphans and other vulnerable children. Rules about inheritance usually form part of national law. Another section looks at birth registration.

Many children and young people in developing countries face problems inheriting their parents' property when they die. This may be partially due to cultural traditions concerning property inheritance at death. These may prevent women and young children inheriting property. Instead, property may be inherited by a male relative of the father. It is expected that he would then take on responsibility for care of his brother's family. However, sometimes relatives may take the property without taking on responsibility of care.

In addition, there may be cultural taboos about succession planning. It may be believed that planning for death can cause death. This may be one reason why few people in developing countries write wills. It is however easy for people to write their own will using a standard format. This can be used to appoint a legal guardian in case of parental death. Wills can sometimes be written as part of memory projects.

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