Issues and Prospects for Improving National Legislation on Wills: a Comparative Legal Analysis

The institution of the will is a central element of civil law, enabling individuals to exercise control over their property after death. In Uzbekistan, as in many other countries, the legislation governing wills requires modernization to meet contemporary demands and address practical challenges. The article studies the situation of national legislation on wills, identifies shortcomings and problems in its application and provides evidence-based reform-oriented recommendations, grounded on international experience, for the purpose of better regulation. Comparative Legal, Systematic and Analytical methodology has been used to study oversea models (Germany, France, USA, UK, Switzerland) and ways to adapt them to Uzbekistan legal system. Among the key issues addressed: the need to establish novel kinds of wills (joint wills, inheritance contacts, wills in electronic form), streamlining procedures for will certification and execution, consolidating the legal position of the executor, and the introduction of digital technologies in inheritance law. The article argues that the modernization of national legislation should aim at ensuring the genuine freedom of testation, protecting the rights of heirs, reducing legal disputes, and harmonizing Uzbek law with contemporary international standards.