In 30 seconds
The new spouse and the children of every union inherit together, with shares fixed by law. All children have the same rights. The will cannot touch the reserved share: if it leaves everything to the new spouse, the children from the first marriage can ask for the reduction of the provisions that exceed the disposable portion. The spouse has the right of habitation over the family home, unless it was co-owned with third parties.
Attorney Renato Giuseppe Fiorentino, Naples Bar · Updated on October 14, 2026
When a remarried parent dies, the new spouse and all the children are heirs, including the children of the first marriage and those born outside marriage. Without a will, with only one child the inheritance goes half to the spouse and half to the child; with two or more children one third goes to the spouse and two thirds to the children, in equal parts (Art. 581 c.c.). The spouse also has the right of habitation over the family home (Art. 540 c.c.).
Does the first spouse inherit anything?
- The divorced ex-spouse is not an heir. If he or she received the divorce allowance and is in a state of need, he or she may ask the court for a periodic allowance chargeable to the estate (Art. 9-bis Law 898/1970).
- The separated spouse without fault attributed remains an heir like the non-separated spouse (Art. 585 c.c.).
How much is due with a will?
The will cannot touch the reserved share (Art. 542 c.c.):
- spouse and one child: one third to the spouse, one third to the child, one third disposable;
- spouse and two or more children: one quarter to the spouse, half to the children, one quarter disposable.
With the disposable portion the parent may favor whomever he or she wishes, even the new spouse or the children of the first marriage.
And if the will leaves everything to the second wife?
As a rule the will is not void merely because it excludes the children: it remains valid, but the provisions that exceed the disposable portion can be reduced at the request of the children, who are forced heirs (action for reduction, Art. 553 et seq. c.c.). Before acting, the estate is reconstructed, including the gifts made during life (notional reunion, Art. 556 c.c.), and the reserved shares are calculated. The action is subject to limitation, so the deadlines must be checked immediately, and in inheritance disputes mediation precedes the lawsuit (Art. 5 Legislative Decree 28/2010). In blended families, a valuation of the estate presented calmly to the beneficiary often leads to an agreement without going to court.
Next question: And if the deceased left a will? Will: validity and challenge.
Do children born outside marriage have the same rights?
Yes. Since Law 219/2012 all children have the same legal status (Art. 315 c.c.). Legislative Decree 154/2013, in force since February 7, 2014, repealed the old right of the children born within marriage to pay out in money the share of the other children (former Art. 537, third paragraph, c.c.). Today the shares are identical.
Can the new spouse stay in the house?
The surviving spouse has the right of habitation over the family home and of use of the furniture, if the house was the deceased’s or jointly owned by the two spouses (Art. 540, second paragraph, c.c.).
- The right is due also without a will and is added to the inheritance share (Cass. Joint Chambers, February 27, 2013, no. 4847).
- In principle it is also due to the separated spouse without fault attributed, unless the house has lost every connection with family life: it must be checked case by case.
- According to the prevailing view it is not due if the house was co-owned with third parties, for example with the children of the first marriage who had inherited it from their mother.
And the new spouse’s children?
The spouse’s children are not heirs of the stepfather or stepmother. They become heirs only if they have been adopted or if they are named in the will within the limits of the disposable portion. If the new spouse inherits and then dies, the assets pass to his or her heirs, not to the children of the deceased’s first marriage.
Does the de facto cohabitant inherit?
No. The cohabitant is not an heir without a will. The law recognizes his or her right to remain in the home of common residence for a limited period (Art. 1, paragraph 42, Law 76/2016). Whoever has entered into a civil union, by contrast, has the same rights as a spouse.
Which tools to use to avoid disputes
- A clear will, that respects the reserved share and uses the disposable portion.
- Gifts during life, to be taken into account in the future division.
- Life insurance policy with named beneficiaries.
- Updated inventory of the assets and accounts.
The frequent case
Frequent case · A problem that often occurs. Described in general terms: names, places and details do not refer to real persons or files.
A father, remarried for many years, leaves by will all his assets to his second wife. The two children from the first marriage ask whether they can obtain anything. The will is published, the estate and the gifts are reconstructed, the reserved shares are calculated, an agreement is proposed to the beneficiary and, if that is not enough, the action for reduction is considered.
The route that usually works best
The possible routes
- Leave things as they are, with the shares fixed by law.
- Make a will that respects the reserved share and uses the disposable portion.
- Add gifts during life or a life insurance policy with named beneficiaries.
- If the will infringes the reserved share: proposal of agreement, mediation, then action for reduction.
Which usually works best and why
A clear will is usually worthwhile: without it, the shares are those of the law and the risk of conflict between new spouse and children remains higher. With the disposable portion you can favor whomever you wish, but the reserved share cannot be touched. If instead the will has already been made and infringes the reserved share, one usually starts from the calculation of the estate and from a proposal of agreement; the court action is left for later. It depends on the case.
What to do right away
- Make an updated list of assets and accounts, including the gifts made during life.
- Check who owns the house: the right of habitation is not due if it is co-owned with third parties.
- Check the position of the ex-spouse, separated spouse or cohabitant, who have different rights, and turn to a lawyer early if you want to challenge a will, because the action is subject to limitation.
Each situation must be assessed on the documents of the specific case: this indication is not a promise of outcome.
How Attorney Fiorentino can assist you
- Check who owns the family home before taking the right of habitation for granted.
- If you want to favor someone, remember that the will must respect the reserved share and can use only the disposable portion.
- Keep the will, the list of assets and the documents on gifts: they are needed to calculate the shares.
The Firm also offers remote consultations, with documents sent online, and gives you a written quote before the engagement. I see clients by appointment in Naples, Rome and Bari.
Frequently asked questions
Is a will that leaves everything to the second wife void?
As a rule no: it remains valid, but the provisions that exceed the disposable portion can be reduced at the request of the children who are forced heirs. The action is subject to limitation.
How much is due to the children and the spouse without a will?
With only one child, half to the spouse and half to the child; with two or more children, one third to the spouse and two thirds to the children (Art. 581 c.c.).
Can the new spouse stay in the house?
He or she has the right of habitation over the family home if it was the deceased’s or jointly owned by the spouses (Art. 540 c.c.); according to the prevailing view it is not due if the house was co-owned with third parties.
Related guides
Wrong division of the estate: rescission for injury exceeding one quarter (Art. 763 c.c.) →
Usufruct to the spouse and the children’s reserved share: the Socinian clause explained simply (Art. 550 c.c.) →
Leaving the inheritance to a child with a disability: will, trust and the “Dopo di noi” law →
Division of the estate: the complete guide →
Main page on the subject: Inheritance and gifts in Naples: all the guides and how to contact the firm →
Sources
Text by Attorney Renato Giuseppe Fiorentino, Naples Bar. Official sources: Normattiva · Court of Cassation · Italian Revenue Agency, inheritance tax return.
Informational content updated on October 14, 2026. It does not constitute legal advice.
Read also
- Leaving the inheritance to a child with a disability: will, fideicommissary substitution, trust and the “Dopo di noi” law
- Succession agreements: why one cannot promise or renounce an inheritance before death (Art. 458 c.c.)
- Equalizing payments in the division of the estate: when they are due, how they are calculated and what happens if they are not paid
(Read also): Legal guides from Studio Legale Fiorentino · Inheritance rights of the de facto cohabitant and the civil-union partner (Law 76/2016) · Separated or divorced: is the ex-spouse still an heir?
Translated from the Italian original; updated on October 18, 2026.
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