Issues of inheritance and transfers

Inheritance Acceptance

Gift - Parental Provision

Publication of Wills

Management of inheritance assets (transfer of real estate or other assets, closing bank accounts)

Power of attorney
Issue of Inheritance Certificates
Drafting and Contesting Wills
Legal Guidance for Accepting Inheritance

Inheritance law comprises a set of rules aimed at regulating the property of a person after their death. When a person dies, their entire estate, rights (assets), and obligations (liabilities) do not disappear but are transferred to other individuals who succeed them in all legal relationships. Inheritance law regulates issues such as inheritance succession, wills, legal share, inheritance unworthiness, inheritance tax, inheritance by operation of law, inheritance by bequest, etc. Through inheritance law, the continuation of the economic activity of the heir is ensured for the benefit of society, heirs, and creditors of the estate. The provisions of Inheritance Law are contained in the fifth book of the Civil Code (Articles 1710-2035 CC).

What types of inheritance succession exist?

Inheritance succession when there is no will – intestate succession

If a person dies without leaving a will, his/her relatives and spouse acquire direct inheritance rights to his/her property. According to the law, certain orders have been defined on the basis of which the order of succession is carried out. Only when this has been exhausted and the inheritance has not yet been induced, the public authorities are called upon.

Inheritance by will

When a deceased person has left a will, he or she determines who his or her heirs will be and how his or her succession will be arranged. There are a total of three types of wills:

- The public will, which is drawn up before a notary and in the presence of three witnesses or a second notary and one witness.
- The personal will, which is written and signed by the testator himself by hand.
- The secret will, which is written by the testator or a third person and placed in a sealed envelope. It is given to the notary in the presence of witnesses for safekeeping as the testator’s last will and testament.

All types of wills provide the same security for the testator, but they differ in certain respects. For this reason, the testator is invited to be informed in order to make the right decision based on his/her wishes.

Legal fate (compulsory succession)

The law defines forced heirs (legal heirs) who have the right to receive a share of the estate, regardless of the will of the deceased. This share is called the legal share and the descendants (spouse, parents or children) of the deceased person are entitled to it.

Inheritance law: What problems can arise?

In the context of the application of inheritance law, it is a frequent phenomenon that problems arise between the parties concerned. The term inheritance disputes refers to disputes arising from the transfer of the deceased’s property to the heirs and from the relationship between the heirs.

Therefore, inheritance payments are not always quick and easy procedures. The heirs, whether intestate succession or testamentary heirs, are asked to take several necessary steps and make important decisions about whether to accept or renounce the inheritance.

Also, there are many cases where there are unresolved and pending property issues that need to be resolved in order for the acceptance to be completed. Finally, additional issues are likely to arise if there is a will and no beneficiary has been named or it is suspected to be forged.

The services we undertake are:

Διαχείριση κληρονομικών περιουσιακών στοιχείων (μεταβίβαση ακινήτων ή άλλων περιουσιακών στοιχείων, κλείσιμο τραπεζικών λογαριασμών)
Power of attorney
Issue of Inheritance Certificates
Drafting and Contesting Wills
Legal Guidance for Accepting Inheritance
Actions concerning clergy

Knowing how demanding the process of succession and other issues that are part of inheritance law can be, it is of great importance to work with a highly qualified lawyer who has a wide range of knowledge of the legal framework.

We are here to represent you in the best possible way to achieve your desired outcome.

Contact us by calling us on the phone or sending us a message via the contact form to find out more information and book your appointment.