论遗嘱的时空一致性

On the Temporal and Spatial Consistency of Wills

时空一致性原则是对遗嘱的形式要求,也是民法典时代下遗嘱要式主义的具象。这一严格形式的背后蕴涵着充分保障遗嘱的真实,维护遗嘱自由原则的规范意志。遗嘱的要式可以增强遗嘱的真实性和严肃性,但过分强调形式要式性可能会妨害遗嘱人真实意思表示之实现,需要在形式要件与实质内容之间寻求平衡点。在实践中,当案涉遗嘱的法定要件存在部分瑕疵时,建议将非法定要件的其他证据充分纳入时空一致性的考虑,实现对遗嘱人内心真意的合理考查。

The principle of spatiotemporal consistency is a formal requirement for wills, and it is also the embodiment of testamentism in the era of civil code. Behind this strict form lies the normative will to fully guarantee the authenticity of wills and safeguard the principle of testamentary freedom. The essential form of a will can enhance the authenticity and seriousness of the will, but overemphasizing the formal form may hinder the realization of the testator’s true intention, and it is necessary to seek a balance between the formal elements and the substantive content. In practice, when there are some defects in the statutory elements of the will involved in the case, it is recommended that other evidence of the non-statutory elements be fully included in the consideration of temporal and spatial consistency, so as to realize a reasonable examination of the testator’s true intentions.