Alternatives to Hiring a Swiss Estate Liquidation Service
Compare the options for handling estate administration after a death in Switzerland — full-service firms, lawyers, self-guided guides, and embassy help.
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All articles about Someone Died in Switzerland: English Speaker's Emergency Guide.
Apostille Switzerland: How to Get Swiss Documents Legalized
Need a Swiss apostille for a death certificate or inheritance document? Here's which office to contact, what it costs, and how long it takes.
Assisted Suicide in Switzerland: Legal Procedures and What Families Need to Know
Assisted voluntary death in Switzerland triggers a police investigation and forensic review. Here's what families face after a Dignitas or Lifecircle procedure.
Best Death Abroad Guide for Expat Families in Switzerland
What to do when a family member dies in Switzerland — comparing resources for expat families handling repatriation, bank freezes, and Swiss estate administration.
Best English-Language Guide for Dealing with a Death in Switzerland
Comparing English resources for navigating Swiss death administration — free portals, expat forums, estate services, and structured guides for non-German speakers.
Certificate of Inheritance Switzerland (Erbschein): How to Apply, Costs, and Timeline
The Swiss Erbschein is the only document that unfreezes bank accounts and transfers property. Here's how to apply, what it costs, and how long it takes.
Embassy Death Notification in Switzerland: What Your Consulate Can and Cannot Do
When a foreign national dies in Switzerland, their embassy must be notified. Here's what US, UK, and other embassies actually handle — and what they can't.
Funeral and Cremation Costs in Switzerland: What Families Actually Pay
Swiss funeral costs range from free (municipal cremation) to CHF 15,000+ (private repatriation). Here's what each option costs and what municipalities cover.
How to Handle a Death in Switzerland Without Speaking German
Step-by-step approach for English speakers navigating Swiss death bureaucracy — key German terms, bilingual templates, and which offices accept English.
Lease Termination After Death in Switzerland: The 30-Day Window Under Art. 266i CO
When a tenant dies in Switzerland, heirs inherit the lease and full rent liability. Article 266i CO gives a 30-day window to terminate — here's how to use it.
Pillar 3a Death Benefit and AHV Survivors Pension in Switzerland
What happens to Pillar 3a savings when someone dies in Switzerland? Who gets the AHV survivors pension? Beneficiary order, eligibility, and how to claim.
How to Repatriate a Body from Switzerland: Costs, Documents, and Timeline
Repatriating a body from Switzerland requires a Leichenpass, zinc-lined coffin, and medical officer seal. Here's the full process, costs, and urn alternative.
Swiss Bank Account After Death: How the Freeze Works and How to Unfreeze It
Swiss banks freeze all accounts the moment they learn of a death. Here's how the freeze works, how long it lasts, and what to do before notifying the bank.
Swiss Estate Lawyer vs Self-Guided Death Administration: When You Need One and When You Don't
Comparing the cost and necessity of hiring a Swiss estate lawyer at CHF 350-500/hr versus handling death administration yourself with bilingual templates.
Swiss Inheritance Law for Foreigners: What Non-Swiss Heirs Need to Know
Swiss inheritance law after the 2023 reform — compulsory portions, cross-border estates, and what happens when a foreigner dies in Switzerland without a will.
Swiss Inheritance Tax: Rates by Canton, Exemptions, and What Foreign Heirs Pay
Swiss inheritance tax varies wildly by canton — some charge 0%, others up to 49.5%. Learn which cantons tax foreign heirs and how to calculate your liability.
Tax Inventory After Death in Switzerland: The 60-Day Deadline
Swiss tax offices send a mandatory inventory questionnaire within 14 days of a death. Heirs have 60 days to respond. Here's what to expect and how to prepare.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Switzerland: Step-by-Step for English Speakers
Someone died in Switzerland and you don't speak German or French? Here's the exact 48-hour checklist: registry, embassy, bank freeze, funeral, and tenancy.