General answers by Juristbyrå Simon Dicksved
Swedish inheritance-law practice · Available in English and Swedish

Editorially prepared: June 30, 2026

Editorial format notice: These questions are written to reflect how clients naturally ask about cross-border estates. The answers present the firm’s general educational explanation; they are not a verbatim interview, individualized legal advice, or a statement of U.S. law. No result, timeline, or outcome is promised. Swedish legal claims require Simon’s final approval before publication, and U.S. issues require review by appropriately licensed U.S. counsel.

The first conversation about an international estate usually begins with a practical question rather than a legal term. Below, the client’s question is followed by the issues Simon would normally want a family to understand before anyone chooses a legal or administrative step. Every estate depends on its documents, dates, family relationships, assets, and jurisdictions. Use this guide to organize the right questions—not to decide your rights or calculate a deadline.

Is remote representation generally possible?

Many Swedish estate tasks can be performed through an authorized representative, but there is no universal power of attorney that every institution must accept for every purpose. The authority must fit the act: requesting information, participating in an estate inventory, dealing with a bank, signing an estate distribution agreement, selling property, receiving funds, or instructing counsel can require different wording and proof. The estate party granting authority must understand the scope and any limits. A recipient may apply its own identity and original-document controls. Before signing, identify each expected transaction and ask the recipient what it requires. A narrowly drafted authority can be safer and more readily understood than a document that grants “all powers” without explaining the estate, assets, duration, substitution rights, and payment authority.

Can I use an American power-of-attorney form?

Possibly, but a general American form is often designed for domestic financial or health decisions and may not identify Swedish estate roles or transactions clearly. Its governing law, durability language, notarial certificate, and defined powers may confuse a Swedish recipient. Conversely, a Swedish-form document must be executable and verifiable where the signer is located. The practical solution is usually to draft for the Swedish purpose, then confirm how the signature will be authenticated in the United States. Do not combine unrelated personal financial authority with estate authority unless there is a reason. Remember that a person cannot grant authority on behalf of an estate merely because that person is a relative; the underlying status and joint-representation rules must be established. Have both the text and execution method reviewed before signing.

Do I need notarization or an apostille?

It depends on the recipient, document, and transaction. A U.S. notarization can verify a signature under state practice. An apostille authenticates the public official’s signature or seal for international use under the Hague system; it does not confirm that the document’s legal content is sufficient or that the signer had authority. Some Swedish recipients may accept a witnessed signature and identity copy, while property, banking, or litigation contexts may demand more. Ask for requirements in writing and confirm whether an original, certified copy, translation, or apostille is needed. Do not obtain an apostille before the document has the correct notarial form for the issuing state. Planning the sequence matters: sign, notarize correctly, obtain the appropriate state apostille if required, translate if required, and send through a trackable channel.

Who should I appoint?

Choose someone based on the tasks, not convenience alone. The representative should be reliable, responsive across time zones, comfortable with documents and deadlines, and free from conflicts that could distort decisions. An heir may act for another heir in some circumstances, but differing economic interests should be considered. A Swedish lawyer or jurist may be appointed for legal and administrative tasks within an engagement, while property access or personal-item handling may be better assigned separately. Define whether the representative may hire professionals, settle claims, sell assets, receive money, delegate authority, or sign a final distribution. Require reporting and copies. If several family members appoint different people, establish a communication protocol so Swedish institutions do not receive competing instructions.

Can the representative sign the estate inventory or distribution?

A representative may be able to participate or sign for an estate party when the authority is legally and practically sufficient, but roles must be distinguished. The person providing the estate information, the inventory officials, estate parties, an official estate administrator, and an attorney-in-fact do not all perform the same function. A power of attorney cannot turn its holder into a neutral inventory official if that person is disqualified, and it cannot override a court-appointed administrator’s authority. For an estate distribution agreement, the document should show the capacity in which each person signs and attach or reference the authority appropriately. Institutions receiving the final document may inspect the power closely. Confirm the signature block and supporting evidence before circulating originals among multiple countries.

How long should the authority last?

Tie duration to the matter and include a practical revocation method. Some powers end on a date; others continue until specified estate tasks are complete or until revoked. An authority that expires too early can interrupt a sale or bank process, while an indefinite authority can create unnecessary risk. Consider what happens if the representative cannot serve, whether substitution is allowed, and whether the grantor loses capacity. Keep a signed copy and a list of every recipient. If revoked, notify recipients in a form they can rely on and recover originals where possible. Completion of one transaction does not necessarily terminate authority for all others. The engagement with a professional and the private power of attorney are separate documents and may end under different terms.

How do we protect money and sensitive information?

Avoid giving a representative broader payment power than needed. Specify whether estate proceeds may enter a client account, estate account, or named recipient account, and require documentary support for expenses. Never send bank credentials, identity scans, or signed powers through an unverified email thread. Use secure portals where available and confirm account changes through a known telephone number. Fraudsters target estates because families expect unusual international requests. Maintain a payment log showing invoice, authority, approval, recipient, account verification, and confirmation. A power of attorney should not waive ordinary controls. If the representative is also an heir or creditor, disclose that position and consider independent review for transactions that benefit the representative.

What should I ask Simon before signing?

Ask what Swedish acts are expected, which institutions will receive the document, whether they have confirmed their formal requirements, and what powers are intentionally excluded. Ask how fees and expenses are approved, how often you receive reports, how originals are stored, and how you revoke authority. Confirm whether separate U.S. advice is needed for execution, notarization, capacity, or tax consequences. Request an English explanation if the operative document is Swedish, but understand which language version controls. Finally, ask what cannot be delegated. A thoughtful power of attorney is a project plan expressed as legal authority: it names the people, tasks, limits, evidence, and end point. It should reduce friction without making your control disappear.

Simon, what should I do next?

Book the free 30-minute first call. You do not need to collect or send documents before speaking with Simon; simply explain where Sweden enters the matter and whether Swedish bank assets, property or a cooperative apartment, or both are involved. Simon can then review fit, scope, and conflicts. If the matter proceeds, he sends an engagement agreement for signature before requesting the relevant documents. Contacting the firm does not create a lawyer-client or attorney-client relationship, stop a deadline, or guarantee representation. If a court, authority, bank, or other adviser has given you a date, obtain matter-specific advice promptly.

Primary sources and further reading

Sources are provided for general orientation and may change. Access current official guidance and obtain professional review before acting.