Inheritance in the Kingdom of Somercrag

Inheritance in The Kingdom of Somercrag can be a complex matter, especially where it relates to the passing of lands and titles.

Spousal Inheritance

When a person passes away their eldest child will usually inherit. When no children are available, when the only children are recognised as being too young to execute the position, or otherwise at the discretion of the inheriting child, the incumbent's spouse may inherit. In such a situation however, the children of the original incumbent will always be favoured in future inheritance, regardless of future remarriage of the inheriting spouse.

Mulitple Holdings and Titles

When a person passes who holds multiple holdings or titles - usually through marriage - each of those must be inherited by a different successor. For example where a holder of a Duchal title marries the head of another landed house and then one of them dies and the spouse inherits as detailed above. When the inheriting spouse dies, their first child will inherit the duchal title and their second child will inherit the lower landed house. If no suitable direct descendant is available an uncle or aunt, cousin, or more distant relative will inherit the second title, or otherwise the second title will become extinct, to be reappointed per the Duchal Charter of the Kingdom of Somercrag under King Tyon I Cray.
Similarly, should the heir to a title marry the heir to another title while their incumbent parent is still alive, they will be passed over in the line of succession for that title unless at the time of the incumbent's death they are the only possible inheritor.

Ranking of Titles

When determining the order in which territories and lands will be inherited, the following hierarchy is used:

• Royal titles are ranked highest, for obvious reasons.

• Duchal titles are ranked second.

• Holding titles are ranked third.

• Other landed titles are ranked fourth.

• Finally, non-landed titles are ranked last.

Note: In the case of multiple titles with the same ranking above priority will be given to those with the highest income from taxes, tithes and other revenue streams in the past year.

Birth Order and Adoptees

The usual determinant for inheritance is birth order. However, in the case of adoption, it is usual that the date of adoption is used to determine inheritance instead. It should be noted that this remains the case even in a scenario where a parent has both adopted and biological children - adopted children who were adopted before the birth of their trueborn siblings will inherit before them.

Voluntary Refusal of Inheritance

It is entirely possible for a potential inheritor to refuse their inheritance. This is usually done when an inheritor prefers to inherit a lesser title, or is unwilling or unable to produce or find inheritors of their own.
When this choice is made while the incumbent is still alive, a signed agreement between the incumbent and dis-inherited successor is sufficient. However, when this choice is made following the death of an incumbent it requires the assent of the liege to whom the incumbent was sworn, or in the case of a Royal title, the assent of a majority of their Dukes and Duchesses.

Primary Related Location

The Kingdom of Somercrag