Writing & Media

Trusts & Estates: The thunder of Credit Suisse’s bailout

International entrepreneurs discussing relocation to Switzerland with Swiss mountains in the background, symbolizing stability and openness in the financial sector. Photo by Ariel Davidoff.

The thunder of Credit Suisse’s bailout has faded. With the waiver of the state guarantees, the clouds have cleared. As a result, peace has returned to Switzerland, the largest cross-border financial centre in the world.

For some private clients, Switzerland is no longer strictly neutral. After all, it now follows EU sanctions on its own. Yet this also brings advantages. Indeed, more and more people from the United States, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and Germany want to settle here. They arrive both with their companies and in private.

A softer forced-heirship rule

This year, Swiss inheritance law changed. In particular, the forced-heirship rules became softer. Therefore, international inheritance planning is now easier. Previously, Swiss law gave 50% of an estate to the partner and 50% to the children. Now the partner receives 25% and the children receive 25%. As a result, the remaining half is free for other beneficiaries.

Read more (page 55)