Kirsti Paakkanen inheritance dispute ends with undisclosed settlement

A dispute over the will and 30 million euro inheritance of former Marimekko owner Kirsti Paakkanen has ended with a settlement, Yle reports. The final decision was issued by the Western Uusimaa District Court on Thursday.

Paakkanen’s grandnephew withdrew on Wednesday a lawsuit seeking to have the will revoked. The court consequently ended its consideration of the case and cancelled the remaining hearing dates.

Heikki Lampela, the lawyer representing the estate, said the withdrawal was based on a settlement.

“A settlement has been reached. Sensible people have resolved the matter,” Lampela told Yle. He declined to provide any further details.

Markus Engberg, the lawyer representing the foundation named in the will, also declined to comment and referred to the district court’s public decision.

The original lawsuit was filed by Paakkanen’s niece in May 2022. She argued that the will did not reflect Paakkanen’s final wishes and that her assets should be distributed among relatives under inheritance law.

The niece died in the spring, after which her estate continued the case. Her son sought a court ruling confirming that the will had been revoked and was therefore invalid.

The dispute also led to a criminal investigation after Paakkanen’s niece filed a report in 2023 alleging that the will had been forged. She also alleged that a man who had managed Paakkanen’s affairs had committed other offences. In November last year, a prosecutor decided not to bring charges, saying there was insufficient evidence of crimes.

Paakkanen died aged 92 in November 2021. She had no children. According to the article, she stipulated in a 2025 will that her assets would go to a foundation bearing her name.