Forced heirship and gifts
Italian succession law protects certain close relatives through reserved shares. Gifts made during lifetime may be relevant when reconstructing the estate and determining whether those shares have been infringed.
The traditional risk for purchasers
Under the previous system, purchasers of gifted assets could in some cases face claims connected with reduction of the donation, creating uncertainty in the circulation and financing of such property.
The new balance
The 2025 reform generally strengthens the stability of acquisitions from a donee while preserving the economic protection of forced heirs, primarily through monetary claims against the donee within the statutory framework.
Solvency becomes central
The shift from recovery of the asset to monetary compensation increases the importance of the donee’s solvency and of reconstructing subsequent gratuitous transfers where relevant.
Planning and evidence
Succession planning now requires even greater attention to documentation, valuation, indirect gifts and the interaction between collazione, reduction actions and the new rules on circulation.
A different allocation of risk
The reform does not eliminate forced-heirship protection; it changes the mechanism through which that protection is balanced against legal certainty for third-party purchasers.