Inheritance Lawyer

Entitlement to inherit and supporting documents

We consider inheritance under a will and intestacy. We review the will’s wording, family relationships and other potential beneficiaries. A will should not be treated as unconditionally excluding every other right: its effect depends on the applicable rules, circumstances and documents.

Initially, we need evidence of death, family relationships and name changes, together with details of the estate proceedings and assets. If some documents are missing, you can agree arrangements for obtaining the documents. Finding a record, issuing a replacement and establishing a legally relevant fact are different tasks and do not automatically replace one another.

Working with a notary and preparing documents

Assistance may include a legal assessment, applications, gathering documents and appropriate representation. Notarial acts are carried out by a competent notary; a lawyer’s support does not replace the notary’s checks or authority. Acting through a representative and any requirement for personal attendance are assessed for each step.

If a notary has already provided a list of missing documents or a refusal, include it. Understanding the obstacle matters more than repeating the same application without clarification. Where necessary, we identify another lawful way to establish a right or resolve a discrepancy in the records.

If estate proceedings have already begun, keep the reference number and the notary’s contact details.

Assets, shares and related liabilities

An inheritance matter may concern a home, commercial property, land, money, company interests or other assets. Ownership by the deceased and any encumbrances or liabilities need to be established. Information about one asset does not amount to a full examination of the estate.

For property we separately review title documents and identification of the asset. Market valuation, a survey and registration have their own purposes and providers. The scope and costs must be agreed, particularly if the asset is to be divided, sold or otherwise transferred.

Deadlines, legally relevant facts and inheritance disputes

If a required step was not taken on time, we first establish the dates and reasons. We do not promise an extension or another remedy for a missed deadline without examining the appropriate grounds. The procedure and evidence required depend on the jurisdiction and actual circumstances.

Enquiries may concern division of an estate, a will, ownership, family relationships or another legally relevant fact. Court recognition of ownership is not a universal replacement for notarial formalities. For court representation the claims, evidence, parties and possible remedy need to be identified.

A beneficiary or documents abroad

If a beneficiary is a foreign national or is in another country, provide their nationality, location and the countries connected with the matter. Properly prepared applications, authority to act, translation or authentication may be needed. None of these steps should be determined solely by the language used with the client.

A foreign document requires its conditions of use to be checked, rather than every form of authentication ordered automatically. Confirmation obtained abroad may not resolve issues concerning other assets. Local assistance and the involvement of professionals in different countries are agreed separately.

Prepare a timeline and list of known assets

State the date of death, last known residence, any possible will, family relationships and other parties. Include applications, the notary’s replies, decisions and asset documents. If details are unknown, say so explicitly: assumptions should not replace established facts.

Mention name changes, previous marriages, discrepancies in records and steps already taken concerning the estate. An international enquiry also requires the intended use of each document. Send originals only once their necessity, recipient and return arrangements have been established.

Agreeing the tasks in sequence

After assessment, we establish whether advice, document preparation, representation or a separate dispute is involved. Fees and additional costs for obtaining documents, translation, valuation and notarial acts are agreed. Any need for a personal application or attendance is checked before authority to act is arranged.

Further steps depend on institutions’ replies and the circumstances established. Our preparation time should not be confused with the duration of the whole inheritance procedure. Tell us about other beneficiaries, a new document or an asset dispute so the agreed plan and scope can be reviewed.