Brussels, 26/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European regulation simplifying cross-border succession and finally adopted last month is to take effect on 27 July, the Commission states in a press release with publication in the EU Official Journal. The regulation aims to avoid the legal headache suffered by heirs upon the death of a family member owning goods or property in a country of the EU other than his/her own. It is estimated that the new rules will concern around 450,000 families annually. The regulation provides for the definition of a single criterion, instead of the usual residence of the deceased, to determine the law and the jurisdiction that should apply to cross-border succession. It also creates the “European Certificate of Succession” which will allow those concerned to acquire their status as heir or as administrator of an estate throughout the Union without further formalities. Member states have three years in which to adjust their legislation. Denmark, the United Kingdom and Ireland are not included. (SP/transl.jl)