Inheritance Law
Losing a loved one is hard enough—dealing with cross-border inheritance procedures should not add to the burden. I guide foreign heirs through the Turkish probate process, ensuring you receive your rightful share of property, bank accounts, and other assets with clarity and efficiency.
1. Services That I Give
Obtaining the certificate of inheritance (veraset ilamı) from Turkish courts for foreign heirs
Estate identification and asset tracing – locating real estate, bank deposits, vehicles, and company shares in Turkey
Inheritance tax declaration – filing the mandatory return and calculating liabilities under Turkish tax law
Title deed transfer (intikal) – registering inherited real property in the heirs’ names at the Land Registry
Cross-border succession coordination – aligning Turkish proceedings with probate or estate administration in your home country
Renunciation of inheritance (mirasın reddi) – filing a formal refusal when the estate’s debts exceed its assets
Inheritance disputes – litigation in case of conflicts among heirs or challenges to the will
2. Key Considerations
Lex rei sitae – Turkish law governs immovable property located in Turkey, regardless of the deceased’s nationality or foreign will; your home-country will cannot override this
Forced heirship rules – Turkish law reserves specific shares of the estate for children, spouse, and parents; these “reserved portions” can override a foreign will’s instructions
Strict tax deadlines – inheritance tax returns must be filed within four months of death (or within four months of the heir learning of the death if abroad); late filing triggers interest and penalties
Veraset ilamı is essential – without this court-issued certificate, you cannot access bank accounts, sell property, or transfer title; I obtain it on your behalf even if you reside abroad
Liability for debts – by accepting an inheritance, you may also inherit the deceased’s debts; I help you weigh acceptance versus renunciation before it’s too late
3. How I Can Help
I lift the legal weight from your shoulders during a difficult time, handling every step remotely if needed:
Immediately apply for the veraset ilamı from the competent Turkish civil court, presenting all necessary foreign documents with sworn translations
Trace and compile a complete inventory of Turkish assets, including hidden or forgotten accounts, so nothing is lost
Calculate and file your inheritance tax return accurately, applying exemptions and deductions available to foreign heirs
Execute the title deed transfer at the Land Registry, ensuring you become the legal owner of real estate without complications
Coordinate with your home-country solicitor to reconcile the Turkish estate process with the foreign probate, avoiding double taxation or conflicting asset distribution
If the estate is overburdened with debt, swiftly file a renunciation of inheritance within the legal three-month period to protect you
Represent you in inheritance litigation should any dispute arise over the validity of a will or the distribution of assets
Inheriting assets across borders should not mean inheriting a legal headache. Let me handle the Turkish process so you can focus on your family. Contact me for a compassionate and clear path forward.