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The aim of this thesis is to examine and clarify some issues concerning interpretation of wills and to describe the reasons for the development of a legal right of inheritance and presumptions for the interpretation of wills.

One question is how interpretation of wills is conducted. The role of presumptions, and whether they are related to variations in burden of proof or empirical premises are important issues in this context. A second issue concerns the formal requirements for a will, the reasons behind these requirements and their restrictive effects on interpretation. Furthermore, some of the statutory presumptions as well as some presumptions from case law, mainly regarding altered legal conditions, are examined. Finally, this work also deals with the objectives of the system of intestate succession as well as the objectives of presumptions regarding interpretation, and the question whether these objectives are normative or not.