Need for a Metamorphosis of Polish Provisions on the Form of a Will

Abstract

Succession law in Poland is regarded as a stable area. Nevertheless, for some time now, particularly in the area of the form of a will, its shortcomings have been recognised and the need for changes has been suggested. Similar occurrences have also taken place in other countries which have already seen a transformation of the provisions on the form of a will. For this reason the author looks at selected foreign solutions and doctrinal views, postulating against their background the need for changes in the Polish law. The purpose of the article is to indicate a possible future path of changes, as well as to provoke a broader scientific discussion concerning this area.

References

1. Baron J.B., Irresolute Testators, Clear and Convincing Wills Law, „Washington & Lee Law Review”, 2016, 73, 1. [Google Scholar]
2. Borysiak W., Funkcjonowanie w praktyce testamentu sporządzanego w formie ustnej (art. 952 k.c.), Warszawa 2014. [Google Scholar]
3. Breitschmid P., Revision der Formvorschriften des Testaments – Bemerkungen zur Umsetzung der »Initiative Guinand«, „Zeitschrift des Bernischen Juristenvereins”, 1995, 3. [Google Scholar]
4. Burkhard Hess, Intertemporales Privatrecht, Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen 1998. [Google Scholar]
5. Crawford B.J., Wills Formalities in the Twenty-First Century, „Wisconsin Law Review”, 2019. [Google Scholar]
6. Crawford B.J., Purser K., Cockburn T., Wills Formalities in a Post-Pandemic World: A Research Agenda, „University of Chicago Legal Forum”, 2021, 4. [Google Scholar]
7. Cristiani F., Nuove tecnologie e testamento: presente e futuro, „Diritto dell’informazione e dell’informatica”, 2013, 29, 3. [Google Scholar]
8. Dorman J.A., Stop Frustrating the Testator’s Intent: Why the Connecticut Legislature Should Adopt the Harmless Error Rule, „Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal”, 2016, 30. [Google Scholar]
9. Dzienis P., Testament sądowy. Głos w dyskusji de lege ferenda, „Państwo i Prawo”, 2023, 5. [Google Scholar]
10. Erp S. van, New Developments in Succession Law, „Electronic Journal of Comparative Law”, 2007, 11. [Google Scholar]
11. Giesen D., BGB Allgemeiner Teil: Rechtsgeschäftslehre, Berlin 1995. [Google Scholar]
12. Gitah, Estate 39/70, [1971] 76 P.M. 156 (Dist. Ct.). Gruchmann L., Die Entstehung des Testamentss-gesetzes vom 31. Juli 1938. Nationalsozialistische „Rechtserneuerung” und Reformkontinuität, ZNR, 1985, 7. [Google Scholar]
13. Hayton D., By-Passing Testamentary Formalities, „Cambridge Law Journal”, 1987, 46. [Google Scholar]
14. Heiss H., Formmängel Und Ihre Sanktionen: Eine Privatrechtsvergleichende Untersuchung, Tübingen 1999. [Google Scholar]
15. Hirsch A.J., Technology Adrift: In Search of a Role for Electronic Wills , „Boston College Law Review”, 2020, 61. [Google Scholar]
16. Horton D., Do-It-Yourself Wills, „University of California Davis Law Review”, 2020, 53. [Google Scholar]
17. Horton D., Weisbord R.K., COVID-19 and Formal Wills, „Stanford Law Review Online”, 2020, 73. [Google Scholar]
18. KG, 3.02.1938, Deutsche Juristenzeitung 1938, 428. [Google Scholar]
19. Koenig v. Cohen [1982] 36(3), Israeli Supreme Court 701. [Google Scholar]
20. Langbein J.H., Substantial Compliance with the Wills Act, „Harvard Law Review”, 1975, 88. [Google Scholar]
21. Langbein J.H., Excusing Harmless Errors in the Execution of Wills: A Report on Australia’s Tranquil Revolution in Probate Law, „Columbia Law Review”, 1987, 87. [Google Scholar]
22. Langbein J.H., Absorbing South Australia’s Wills Act Dispensing Power in the United States: Emulation, Resistance, Expansion, „Adelaide Law Review”, 2017, 38. [Google Scholar]
23. Law Reform Commission of Saskatchewan, Report on Electronic Wills, 2004. [Google Scholar]
24. LG Hamburg, 27.11.1937, Deutsche Juristenzeitung 1938, 199. [Google Scholar]
25. Olis Robleda S.J., La Nulidad Del Acto Jurídico, „Revista general de legislación y jurisprudencia”, 1965, 6. [Google Scholar]
26. Osajda K., Prawo spadkowe (w) przyszłości. Perspektywy rozwoju prawa spadkowego, „Monitor Prawniczy”, 2019, 2. [Google Scholar]
27. Pabin A., Testament jako akt sformalizowany – uwagi w sprawie przyszłego kształtu regulacji dotyczących formy rozrządzeń testamentowych, „Studia Prawnicze”, 2016, 1. [Google Scholar]
28. Ponath G., Die Beschränkungen der Testierfreiheit durch das Testamentsrecht, Frankfurt–Mannheim 2006. [Google Scholar]
29. Purser K., Cockburn T., Wills Formalities in the Twenty-First Century – Promoting Testamentary Intention in the Face of Societal Change and Advancements in Technology: An Australian Response to Professor Crawford, „Wisconsin Law Review Forward”, 2019, 4. [Google Scholar]
30. Purser K., Cockburn T., Crawford B.J., Wills Formalities Beyond COVID-19: An Australian-United States Perspective, „UNSW Law Journal Forum”, 2020, 5. [Google Scholar]
31. Reid K.G.C., De Waal M.J., Zimmermann R., Comparative Succession Law. Testamentary Formalities, Oxford University Press 2011. [Google Scholar]
32. Ripoll Sole A., Hacia Un Nuevo Modelo De Planificación Sucesoria Notarial: La Professio Iuris, „Revista de Derecho Civil”, 2016, 3. [Google Scholar]
33. Röthel A., Ist unser Erbrecht noch zeitgemäß?, München 2010. [Google Scholar]
34. Siddique H., Video Witnessing of Wills to Be Made Legal in England and Wales during Pandemic, „The Guardian”, 2020, July, 25. [Google Scholar]
35. Sasso I., Will Formalities in the Digital Age: Some Comparative Remarks , „Italian Law Journal”, 2018, 4. [Google Scholar]
36. Sturdivant v. Birchett, [1853] 51 Virginia Supreme Court (10 Gratt.), 67. [Google Scholar]
37. Uzcategui J., Application of the Harmless Error Doctrine in California and Beyond, „California Trusts & Estates Quarterly”, 2015, 21. [Google Scholar]
38. Tampieri M., Formalismo testamentario e testamento olografo, „Rivista del Notariato”, 1998, 52. [Google Scholar]
39. Toit F. du, Testamentary Rescue: An Analysis of the Intention Requirement in Australia and South Africa, „Australian Property Law Journal”, 2014, 23. [Google Scholar]
40. Tudoraşcu M.M., The Testament under Romanian Civil Law Provisions, „AGORA International Journal of Juridical Sciences”, 2016, 2. [Google Scholar]
41. Vaquer Aloy A., La relajación de las solemnidades del testamento, „Revista de Derecho Civil”, 2016, 3, 4. [Google Scholar]
42. Victorian Law Reform Commission, Succession Laws, 2013. [Google Scholar]
43. Waldeck S., The Relationship Between Substantial Compliance and Harmless Error, Concurring Opinions, 2013, March, 27. [Google Scholar]
44. Weisbord R.K., Horton D., Urice S.K., Wills, Trusts and Estates. The Essentials, Boston 2018. [Google Scholar]
45. Welser R., Die Reform des österreichischen Erbrechts, „Österreichische Notariat Zeitung”, 2012, 144. [Google Scholar]
46. Załucki M., Videotestament. Prawo spadkowe wobec nowych technologii, Warszawa 2018. [Google Scholar]
47. Załucki M., About the Need to Adjust the Regulations Regarding the Form of Will to the Modern Requirements, „European Journal of Economics, Law and Politics”, 2019, 2. [Google Scholar]
48. Załucki M., A Few Remarks About the Future of Provisions on Making a Will Contrary to the Testamentary Formalities Law, „Cadernos de Dereito Actual”, 2020, 13. [Google Scholar]
49. Załucki M., Evidentiary Function of the Provisions on the Form of Wills in the Contemporary Succession Law: Is the Complete Abandonment of Formalism Possible?, „Trust & Trustees”, 2020, 8–9. [Google Scholar]
50. Załucki M., Solving the „Problem” of Wills Formalities in the Modern Post-Pandemic Society: Can the Endless Discussion Be Concluded?, „Studia Iuridica”, 2021, 87. [Google Scholar]
51. Zimmermann R., Testamentsformen: »Willkür« oder Ausdruck einer Rechtskultur?, „Rabels Zeitschrift für ausländisches und internationales Privatrecht”, 2012, 76. [Google Scholar]