Asset investigation in inheritance

An estate investigation is the foundation of every well-managed estate. Without it, heirs risk moving blindly, ignoring assets, debts, gifts, and financial relationships that can radically change the inheritance picture. An estate investigation, in the context of an estate, is a tool that serves to completely and reliably reconstruct the deceased's estate. It is much more important than often thought, as it allows heirs to make informed decisions and avoid hidden risks.

It is essential to conduct an asset investigation when there is little knowledge of the deceased's assets, habits, vices, or the people who cared for them in their final years. The Agenzia delle Successioni is almost always appointed to conduct asset investigations when there are no harmonious situations with the deceased or their family.

Therefore, when the asset investigation is requested, the state of the deceased's financial situation is photographed, including credits and debts.

• Really understanding what you inherit: the heart of asset investigation
• What are the risks without an asset investigation?
• Transparency among heirs: a value that avoids conflicts and facilitates the evaluation of the estate
• How an asset investigation actually works
• When asset investigation becomes indispensable

Really understanding what you inherit: the heart of asset investigation

Many families, but not all, believe they have a perfect understanding of their loved one's financial situation. In reality, in most cases, unexpected details emerge. An old bank account never closed, a forgotten plot of land, an outstanding loan, a gift made years ago but never disclosed. A person's wealth, especially if built over a lifetime, is often more complex than it appears.

The purpose of the asset investigation is to rigorously reconstruct each asset and liability component, thus precisely defining the estate. It is not limited to verifying real estate or bank accounts, but encompasses the entire patrimonial universe of the deceased, including credits and debts:

• registered movable and immovable property
• banking relationships
• insurance relationships
• corporate relations
• debt situations with the Treasury
• any wills

It's a process of analysis, cross-referencing data, and document verification that requires specific skills. Many investigations stop at the final state of the assets, while others require in-depth analysis that goes back several years.

What are the risks without an asset investigation?

Accepting an inheritance without knowing exactly what it contains is a leap in the dark. Italian law, in fact, provides that the heir takes over not only the assets, but also the debts of the deceased. And it's not uncommon to discover, too late, that, for example, behind a modestly priced apartment, the deceased never paid the condominium fees.

An asset investigation often allows you to avoid these surprises, offering heirs the opportunity to make an informed choice whether:

• accept the inheritance
• accept it with benefit of inventory
• to renounce the inheritance

But it's not just about debts. Another crucial aspect concerns gifts made during one's lifetime, which can alter the shares due to forced heirs. Identifying them is essential to understand whether one's share has been affected and, if necessary, take protective action.

Transparency among heirs: a value that avoids conflicts and facilitates the evaluation of the estate

Inheritances are often fertile ground for misunderstandings, suspicions, and family tensions. Many disputes arise not from actual injustices, but from a lack of clear and shared information.

A professional asset investigation has a calming effect. It brings transparency, eliminates doubts, and puts all heirs on the same informational level. When the data is objective and documented, decisions become simpler and arguments are drastically reduced.

Subsequently, it becomes easier to evaluate and quantify the financial value of the inheritable assets and plan their management.

How an asset investigation actually works

Behind a complete estate file lies methodical and thorough work that the Agenzia delle Successioni applies to its clients. It begins with a consultation with the heirs , easily requested by filling out the form, which is useful for gathering initial information and identifying any critical areas.

Once the Agenzia delle Successioni service is activated , access to public databases is provided, such as:

• Land Registry
• Conservatory
• PRA
• Company Register
• notarial archives

At the same time, requests are made to banks, notarial deeds are analyzed, any tax or financial debts are verified, company shareholdings are checked, and the most significant asset movements are reconstructed.

The end result is a coherent, clear, and complete document that captures the deceased's entire estate and highlights any critical issues. These include suspicious donations, hidden debts, undeclared assets, and complex financial relationships.

When asset investigation becomes indispensable

There are situations where an asset investigation is not only useful, but necessary. Consider when the heirs are unaware of the deceased's financial situation. Family relationships may be strained or nonexistent. Another case to monitor is when the deceased had business activities or company interests. Or there are suspicions of undeclared donations or transfers of assets. There are cases where the heirs live far away and cannot verify in person, or when an unexpected will is published, resulting in an attempted theft of assets. The Agenzia delle Successioni provides assistance in Italy and abroad. The succession may be complex or of significant value.

In all these cases, an asset investigation is the only tool that allows you to approach the succession with clarity and certainty.

Agenziadellesuccessioni.it offers a professional service designed to support heirs through every phase of estate planning.