An interesting judgment by the Greek Supreme Court, Decision 454/2026, explores the balance between testamentary freedom and family protection.
The Court dismissed an appeal challenging a will benefiting a charitable association operating a care home, while limiting the testator’s wife and two children to their legally reserved shares.
Relevant considerations included substantial lifetime gifts to the children, financial support for the family and the testator’s longstanding support for the charity.
Choosing a charitable beneficiary does not, in itself, amount to unjustified disregard for close relatives. Whether a will violates good morals under Article 178 of the Greek Civil Code depends on its terms and the particular circumstances.
The judgment highlights the importance of protecting reserved inheritance rights while respecting the testator’s final wishes.