Legal Definitions - lucrative succession

Lucrative succession, also known as praeceptio haereditatis, is a legal term used in Scots law. It refers to the act of taking inheritance in advance.

For example, if an heir receives a gratuitous dispositioninter vivos (a gift given during the lifetime of the giver) from their ancestor, they may be liable for their ancestor's debts and obligations. This is because the heir is avoiding responsibility for the debts by receiving the inheritance before the ancestor's death.

The purpose of the concept of lucrative succession is to prevent heirs from avoiding their ancestor's debts and obligations. It ensures that heirs are responsible for their ancestor's debts and obligations, even if they receive the inheritance before the ancestor's death.