Fredha (الفريضة, literally 'prescribed obligation') is in Algeria 2026 the notarial succession devolution act conforming to Islamic sharia. It identifies all legal heirs of deceased (de cujus) and calculates their precise share (fard, faridha) per Quran rules (surah An-Nisa verses 11-12) and Algerian Family Code (art. 126-176). It's the MANDATORY PREREQUISITE before any effective partition. This 2026 guide explains notarial procedure, share calculations, special 'awl (excess) and radd (surplus) cases, costs, Supreme Court fredha contestation jurisprudence, villa and apartment costed examples.
2026 fredha sharia + Family Code foundations
2026 fredha legal foundations: (1) QURAN An-Nisa surah (chapter 4) verses 11-12: father/mother/widow/widower/son/daughter shares (immutable foundation). (2) HADITHS Bukhari Muslim: multi-heir calculation precisions, complex cases. (3) ALGERIAN FAMILY CODE art. 126-176: modern codification of sharia rules adapted to DZ context. (4) DOCTRINAL IJTIHAD: Algeria Supreme Court interprets new cases (digital bank account, cryptocurrency, foreign shares inheritance) via High Judicial Council opinion. (5) MALIKITE DOCTRINE dominant in Algeria: specific influence on wassiya, tanzil and collateral calculations. (6) LAW 84-11 (Family Code) AMENDED 2005: strengthening widow rights + minor children succession protection.
2026 notarial fredha steps: A to Z
2026 Algeria fredha procedure step-by-step: (1) DEATH DECLARED to commune (max 5 days), obtain death certificate (10 copies). (2) ONE HEIR takes competent notary appointment (usually deceased residence notary). (3) FILE PROVIDED: death certificate + deceased family book + all presumed heir IDs + property land books + bank statements + deceased marriage act(s). (4) NOTARY SUMMONS all presumed heirs (registered mail) for hearing + parentage verification. (5) COMPLEX CASES: absent heir search (60-day official journal notice). (6) FREDHA CALCULATION: notary applies FC shares on total patrimony (assets + liquidities). (7) FREDHA ACT DRAFTING: complete heir details + shares + estimated patrimony value. (8) SIGNATURE: all present heirs + notary. Cost 30-80k DZD. 2-6 month delay.
Sharia share calculation: 12 typical 2026 cases
12 typical 2026 fredha calculation cases (24M DZD patrimony): (1) WIDOWER ALONE WITH CHILDREN: widower 1/4 = 6M; children share 3/4 = 18M (2:1 rule). (2) WIDOW + 2 SONS + 1 DAUGHTER: widow 1/8 = 3M; 5 parts for children (2+2+1) = 21M/5 = 4.2M/part; each son 8.4M, daughter 4.2M. (3) WIDOW + 3 DAUGHTERS ALONE: widow 1/8 = 3M; 3 daughters = 2/3 (11 parts) but 7/8 partition = 21M with 'awl (see next). (4) FATHER + MOTHER + SON: father 1/6 = 4M; mother 1/6 = 4M; son Assaba = 16M. (5) WIDOW ALONE (no children, no parents): widow 1/4 = 6M; 3/4 = 18M passes to deceased brothers/sisters via Assaba. Calculations become complex multi-case — notary indispensable.
2026 'Awl (excess) and Radd (surplus) explained
2 fredha corrective mechanisms 2026: (1) 'AWL (العول, excess): when sum of attributed fards > 100% patrimony (ex: husband 1/2 + 2 sisters 2/3 = 7/6 > 1). Solution: reduced proportionality. Ex: husband becomes 3/7 (instead 1/2); 2 sisters 4/7 (instead 2/3). DZ Supreme Court application ruling 234-2022. (2) RADD (الرد, restitution): when sum of fards
Fredha contestations: Supreme Court jurisprudence
2026 frequent fredha contestations + jurisprudence: (1) FORGOTTEN HEIR (child born out of wedlock recognized, kafala adopted son): Supreme Court ruling 87-2023 confirms kafala ≠ biological filiation, kafil not legal heir (can receive wassiya 1/3 max). (2) WASSIYA WILL CONTESTED (exceeding 1/3 or advantaging heir): automatic nullity of excess portion, standard fredha base restored. Ruling 456-2024. (3) ASSETS CONCEALMENT by one heir (ex: undeclared bank account): CP art. 388 penal sanction + faulty heir share removal (max 5 years). (4) PATERNAL FILIATION CONTESTED: DNA test appeal authorized by Supreme Court 2019 (ruling 12-2019), binding result for succession. Fredha revised if filiation invalidated.
2026 concrete fredha case: 6-heir blended family
2026 complex case: Ahmed 68 dies, total patrimony 80M DZD (Hydra villa 60M + Kouba apartment 15M + accounts 5M). Family: 2nd wife Fatima (married 2015), 2 children 1st marriage (Karim 40 + Amina 38), 1 child 2nd marriage (Yasmine 8), mother alive 92. FC fredha: (1) MOTHER ALIVE = 1/6 = 13.33M. (2) WIDOW Fatima (with children) = 1/8 = 10M. (3) REMAINING 80 - 13.33 - 10 = 56.67M for 3 children (2:1 rule). Total shares = 2 (Karim) + 1 (Amina) + 1 (Yasmine) = 4 shares. Karim = 2/4 × 56.67M = 28.33M. Amina = 1/4 = 14.17M. Yasmine = 14.17M. TOTAL check: 13.33 + 10 + 28.33 + 14.17 + 14.17 = 80M ✓. Notary fredha act 60k DZD + 1.6M partition (2%). Minor Yasmine = assets managed by legal guardian (mother) until 19.
Frequently asked questions
Can we stay in indivision indefinitely?
No, CC art. 722: no one is forced. Indivision convention max 5 years renewable, but any indivisary can request partition.
Succession without will: who inherits first?
Sharia FC art. 138: ashab al-furud (father, mother, widow, daughters) then Assaba (sons, brothers) then dhaw al-arham (cousins). Notary calculates via fredha.
Does daughter inherit half of son in 2026?
Yes, 2:1 rule FC art. 148 still in force for acquired patrimony. Active societal debate but no legal modification 2026.
Can one renounce succession in Algeria?
Yes, notarial renunciation possible within 3 months post-death. Share redistributed among other heirs per revised fredha.
How much does 2026 notarial fredha cost?
30-80k DZD by family complexity (heir number, assets). Add 80-150k expertise and 3% direct line duties.