Forms regarding the division of estates

Once we have received the form for the chosen form of division, we will send you a certificate of probate within 1-2 weeks. It gives access to the deceased's bank account and other assets. It also allows you to cover debts and expenses, sign documents and take other actions on behalf of the estate.

Private Division

Heirs usually opt for private division. In order to carry out a private division, as a general rule, at least one of the adult heirs (family heir and/or testamentary heir over the age of 18) must assume full responsibility for the deceased's debts. Once you have signed the form for private probate, you assume responsibility for the deceased's debts. You are under no obligation to do this. Testamentary heirs who inherit a specific amount or an item of little value (less than the basic amount in the National Insurance Scheme) cannot assume the debt liability.

Guide for completing the form 'Erklæring om privat skifte av dødsbo' (PDF form in Norwegian).

Spouse/cohabitant that claims to be a sole heir  

Spouse

Cohabitant

Heirs that are younger than 18 or deprived of legal capacity

Estates with limited assets

Guide for completing the form 'Erklæring om privat skifte av dødsbo av liten verdi' (PDF form in Norwegian).

Power of Attorney

Undivided estate

If the surviving spouse or cohabitant meets the conditions, it is possible to postpone the settlement and distribution of the estate. In the event of an undivided estate, the spouse is generally free to dispose of both their own property and that owned by the deceased. A cohabitant is only entitled to an undivided etstate if they have, have had or are expecting joint children with the deceased. Once you have signed the form for undivided etstates, you assume responsiblity of the deceased's debts. You are not obliged to do this.

Spouse

Cohabitants

Guide for completing the form 'Melding om uskiftet bo for ektefeller' (PDF form in Norwegian).

Public division

There is no form for requesting public division. If you want public division, you must ask the district court for this in writing.

Notice to creditors

If you are in doubt as to whether the deceased had more debts than assets, you can ask the district court where the deceased was resident to issue a notice to creditors.

A notice to creditors is an announcement that is published in the Norwegian Lysingsblad and local or regional newspapers. The notice informs all creditors to submit their claims within six weeks. If a claim is not received within the deadline, it will lapse. Please note that the notice does not apply to foreign creditors, mortgage claims or tax and duty claims.

Digital signature

Heirs can sign the form by hand or digitally. If there are several signatories, some can sign by hand and others digitally.

How to sign digitally:

  • Fill in the form.
  • Send the form by post or e-mail to the district court where the deceased was resident and at the same time inform the court which heirs wish to sign digitally.
  • The heirs who wish to sign digitally will receive an email/SMS from the courts in Norway.
  • Sign digitally by following the link in the email/SMS.
  • Remember to sign within three days. The district court will automatically be notified when the form has been signed.

Alternative procedure:

You can arrange for an electronic signature before sending the form to the district court. For example, use Posten's signing service. The service requires logging in with BankID and is not free of charge.