Elena Ivanova and students
On 10 November, a lecture on family and inheritance law was held at the Department of Management in Construction at the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. The guest speaker was Elena Ivanova—an attorney with the F. N. Plevako Saint Petersburg Bar Association and a member of the Builders' Guild, who possesses thirty years of legal experience.
The guest was introduced by Marina Egorova, Deputy Dean for educational work at the Faculty of Economics and Management, Academic Secretary of the Department of Management in Construction, and Senior Lecturer.
The topic of the meeting was issues that a person may encounter at different stages of life: marriage, division of property, registration of a marriage contract and transfer of inheritance. The speaker paid special attention to inheritance planning and explained why it is worth thinking about it long before the circumstances arise in which you will have to enter into an inheritance.
Drawing on specific examples from legal practice, Elena Ivanova discussed the differences between a formal marriage and cohabitation without official registration, explained the nuances of property rights for spouses, and outlined the potential uses of a prenuptial agreement. In particular, students learned how such a document can be used to pre-determine property arrangements, allocate financial obligations, and safeguard the family’s interests in the event of financial hardship or the bankruptcy of one of the spouses.
A specific part of the lecture was devoted to estate planning tools. The speaker examined the nuances of wills and inheritance agreements, explained the procedures for distributing assets among heirs, and discussed ways to avoid protracted legal disputes. She also pointed out that the scope of inheritance extended beyond real estate, vehicles, and cash; it can also include intellectual property rights and other assets that hold special value for the owner.
In closing, Elena Ivanova shared examples from her legal practice, touching upon the protection of minors' rights, the resolution of conflicts within educational settings, and legal support for individuals involved in traffic accidents. Students had the opportunity to ask the speaker questions and receive clarifications on topics of interest to them.
The lecture enabled participants to explore practical aspects of family and inheritance law, and to learn about potential legal risks as well as tools for protecting their personal and property interests.
