succession
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inheritance succession
The legally or testamentarily established order in which people inherit the assets of a deceased person.
Das Testament regelt die Erbfolge eindeutig.
The will clearly regulates the inheritance succession.
The word consists of 'Erbe' (inheritance, or what one inherits) and 'Folge' (order/sequence). So 'Erbfolge' (succession) literally describes the order of the people who inherit something.
Ohne Testament gilt die gesetzliche Erbfolge.
Without a will, the statutory inheritance succession applies.
The context makes the meaning clear. If it is about a 'Testament' (will), 'Gesetz' (law), or 'Vermögen' (assets), the legal inheritance succession is meant. In texts about 'Monarchie' (monarchy), 'König' (king), or 'Thron' (throne), it is about succession to the throne.
Sein Anwalt erklärte ihm die komplizierte Erbfolge in der Familie.
His lawyer explained the complicated inheritance succession in the family to him.
In a legal context, 'Erbfolge' (inheritance succession) is often used with the verbs 'regeln' (to regulate), 'festlegen' (to establish), or 'ändern' (to change). Common adjectives are 'gesetzlich' (statutory/legal) or 'testamentarisch' (testamentary).
Das Ehepaar wollte seine Erbfolge neu regeln.
The married couple wanted to reorganize their inheritance succession.
succession
'die Nachfolge' and 'die Erbfolge' both have to do with the question of who comes after another person. 'Nachfolge' is more general and fits offices, jobs, roles, or leadership positions. 'Erbfolge' is used only when it is about inheritance, that is, assets after someone’s death, or in monarchies for the order of succession to the throne. The words are easy to confuse because both describe an order after a person. As a practical rule: for work, clubs, or offices, you usually say 'Nachfolge'. For inheritance or the throne, you say 'Erbfolge'.
Nach dem Tod des Großvaters gab es Streit über die Erbfolge.
After the grandfather's death, there was a dispute about the inheritance succession.
Nach vielen Gesprächen hat die Firma die Nachfolge in der Geschäftsleitung geregelt.
After many discussions, the company settled the succession in the executive management.