Inheritance matters require a careful assessment of family relationships, estate assets, potential liabilities, and the legal rights of heirs and beneficiaries.
ACMA LAW FIRM advises individuals, families, members of the Greek diaspora, and international clients on inheritance and succession matters involving assets in Greece.
Our services include identifying heirs, accepting or renouncing an inheritance, preparing wills, obtaining certificates of inheritance, managing estate property, and resolving disputes among beneficiaries.
We also advise on the opportunities introduced by Greece’s reformed inheritance framework, including inheritance agreements, advance waivers of succession rights, reserved-share claims, and family succession planning.
Each matter is assessed in light of the date of death, the available documentation, the composition of the estate, and the applicable transitional provisions.
Identifying Heirs and Succession Rights
The first step in an inheritance matter is determining who is entitled to inherit and the legal basis of each beneficiary’s claim.
ACMA LAW FIRM assists with:
Investigating whether a will exists.
Assessing intestate and testamentary succession.
Identifying heirs and their respective inheritance interests.
Obtaining family status, municipal, and civil registry records.
Securing certificates of next of kin and related documents.
Reviewing the rights of spouses, children, and other relatives.
Assessing reserved-share rights.
Addressing matters involving heirs living abroad or holding different nationalities.
Evaluating the interaction among wills, family arrangements, and succession rights.
Accurate identification of the beneficiaries is essential before any notarial, judicial, banking, or cadastral procedure can be properly organized.
Locating and Reviewing Estate Assets
A Greek estate may include real property, bank deposits, company shares, contractual claims, and other assets.
ACMA LAW FIRM coordinates the investigation of estate property based on the client’s legal standing and the available sources of information.
Our services include:
Searching Greek cadastral and property records.
Reviewing title deeds and ownership documents.
Identifying co-ownership interests, usufruct, and other property rights.
Investigating bank deposits and related claims where legally authorized.
Reviewing corporate holdings and ownership interests.
Examining tax and property records.
Identifying pending legal or administrative matters.
Coordinating with notaries, accountants, engineers, and other qualified professionals.
Our objective is to establish a clear understanding of the estate before significant decisions are made.
Acceptance of Inheritance
Acceptance of an inheritance may be essential to documenting and exercising rights over inherited assets.
Where the estate includes Greek real estate, particular attention must be given to title records, supporting documentation, and cadastral registration.
ACMA LAW FIRM assists with:
Reviewing the identity and respective interests of the heirs.
Collecting certificates and supporting records.
Conducting legal due diligence on inherited property.
Coordinating inheritance-related tax documentation.
Preparing notarial deeds where required.
Drafting powers of attorney for heirs residing abroad.
Working with notaries and technical advisers.
Registering inherited property rights with the competent cadastral authority.
Organizing subsequent sale, leasing, or partition arrangements.
The appropriate process depends on the assets involved and the circumstances of the estate.
Renunciation of Inheritance
Renouncing an inheritance may be appropriate when an estate carries significant liabilities or when an individual does not wish to become an heir.
This decision requires a careful assessment of deadlines, the facts of the case, and the effect on other potential beneficiaries.
Our services include:
Assessing whether renunciation is legally available.
Reviewing the applicable filing period.
Examining the relevance of residence or domicile outside Greece.
Preparing the required documentation.
Drafting appropriate powers of attorney where permitted.
Advising on inheritance matters involving minors.
Determining whether court authorization is required in specific cases.
Assessing the consequences for other family members.
The legal position of each prospective heir should be reviewed before the relevant deadlines expire.
Estate Debts and Protection of Heirs
Debts owed to banks, public authorities, social security institutions, or private creditors can significantly affect the value and risks associated with an inheritance.
ACMA LAW FIRM advises heirs on:
Identifying potential estate liabilities.
Comparing estate assets and debts.
Assessing the extent of potential heir liability.
Reviewing the option of renunciation.
Considering inventory procedures and other available protective mechanisms.
Evaluating applicable transitional protections.
Communicating with creditors and loan servicing companies.
Negotiating outstanding obligations.
Providing representation in estate liquidation proceedings.
Where possible, the estate’s liabilities should be assessed before final decisions are made regarding acceptance or administration.
Wills and Testamentary Planning
A will allows an individual to organize the future distribution of assets and express specific succession preferences.
ACMA LAW FIRM advises on:
Selecting an appropriate form of will.
Structuring testamentary provisions.
Reviewing the impact of reserved-share rights.
Allocating real estate and other assets.
Including specific gifts and legacies.
Addressing family business interests.
Coordinating with a notary where appropriate.
Revising existing testamentary arrangements following family or financial changes.
Assessing transitional rules affecting wills executed before the new inheritance framework applies.
Careful legal drafting can reduce uncertainty and help ensure that the testator’s intentions are properly implemented.
Publication and Challenges to Wills
Following the death of a testator, the relevant will may need to be published, reviewed, or challenged.
ACMA LAW FIRM assists with:
Investigating whether a will has been published.
Preparing the required documentation.
Monitoring the publication process.
Reviewing the formal validity of the will.
Assessing issues relating to testamentary capacity.
Examining subsequent wills or amendments.
Representing clients in disputes concerning validity or interpretation.
Reviewing the interaction between the will and protected succession rights.
Any challenge must be evaluated based on the available evidence and applicable legal requirements.
Certificates of Inheritance
A certificate of inheritance provides formal evidence of succession rights and may be necessary when dealing with banks, authorities, or other third parties.
Our services include:
Assessing whether a certificate of inheritance is needed.
Identifying the relevant heirs and beneficiaries.
Collecting civil registry, court, and family status records.
Preparing and submitting the required application.
Addressing issues involving beneficiaries entitled to a reserved share.
Responding to documentation deficiencies or disputes.
Using the certificate in banking and estate administration matters.
Applying the relevant transitional rules.
The scope and content of the certificate depend on the circumstances of the estate.
Inherited Bank Accounts and Financial Assets
Access to a deceased person’s bank deposits or other financial assets generally requires proof of the claimant’s legal entitlement and compliance with the relevant institution’s procedures.
ACMA LAW FIRM assists with:
Establishing the client’s inheritance status.
Communicating with financial institutions.
Obtaining the required certificates and court documents.
Applying for a certificate of inheritance where necessary.
Investigating related financial claims and liabilities.
Addressing disputes among beneficiaries.
Coordinating matters involving heirs living outside Greece.
Access to banking information and assets remains subject to the client’s legal standing and the procedures of the relevant institution.
Inheritance Agreements
Greece’s reformed inheritance framework introduces inheritance agreements taking effect upon death, subject to specific statutory requirements.
These agreements may provide a structured mechanism for succession planning where a family owns real estate, a business, or other complex assets.
ACMA LAW FIRM advises on:
Whether an inheritance agreement is appropriate.
Identifying the persons who may participate.
Drafting and negotiating the contractual terms.
Reviewing the impact on reserved-share rights.
Assessing potential consequences for other beneficiaries.
Coordinating with the competent notary.
Reviewing publication and implementation requirements.
Integrating the agreement into a broader family succession strategy.
Inheritance agreements taking effect upon death may be executed from September 16, 2026, subject to the applicable statutory and transitional provisions.
Advance Waivers of Future Inheritance Rights
The new succession framework also allows certain agreements involving the advance waiver of future inheritance rights, subject to specific legal conditions.
These agreements require particularly careful review because they may materially affect the parties’ future financial and family interests.
Our services include:
Assessing whether the proposed waiver is legally available.
Identifying the rights affected.
Reviewing the relationship between the waiver and other property benefits.
Negotiating appropriate safeguards.
Assessing the effect on other heirs.
Coordinating with parental gifts, donations, and business arrangements.
Preparing the required notarial documentation.
These agreements may be executed from September 16, 2026, provided that the applicable statutory requirements are satisfied.
Reserved-Share Rights
Greek inheritance law protects certain close relatives through reserved-share rights.
The inheritance reform changes the treatment of these claims for estates falling under the new legal framework.
ACMA LAW FIRM assists with:
Identifying protected beneficiaries.
Assessing and valuing the relevant claim.
Reviewing the effect of wills and inheritance agreements.
Considering the impact of prior gifts or parental transfers where relevant.
Evaluating available protective or security measures.
Negotiating with heirs and other beneficiaries.
Pursuing or defending claims.
Determining the applicable rules based on the date of death.
Reserved-share issues should be considered as part of the overall succession strategy rather than in isolation.
Succession Rights of an Unmarried Partner
The reformed Greek inheritance framework introduces a specific judicial procedure for establishing succession rights of a qualifying unmarried partner.
ACMA LAW FIRM advises on:
Reviewing the relationship and cohabitation history.
Assessing whether the statutory conditions are satisfied.
Collecting supporting evidence.
Preparing the relevant court proceedings.
Representing clients in disputes involving other heirs.
Assessing how the claimed right affects the remaining estate.
A personal relationship or cohabitation alone does not automatically create an inheritance right without satisfaction of the relevant legal requirements.
Inherited Real Estate in Greece
Where an estate includes Greek real estate, succession issues must be coordinated with property, cadastral, notarial, and tax requirements.
ACMA LAW FIRM assists with:
Reviewing title to inherited property.
Searching cadastral and land registry records.
Identifying mortgages, prenotations, and other encumbrances.
Addressing inaccurate cadastral entries.
Coordinating technical and tax documentation.
Organizing acceptance of inheritance.
Registering the inherited ownership interest.
Managing existing lease arrangements.
Preparing the property for sale or partition.
Representing heirs residing abroad.
Cross-Border Inheritance Matters
Where heirs live outside Greece or the family has connections to multiple jurisdictions, additional issues may arise concerning documentation, representation, and the applicable succession rules.
ACMA LAW FIRM assists:
Members of the Greek diaspora.
Heirs residing outside Greece.
Families with multiple nationalities.
Clients using foreign death, birth, or marriage certificates.
Individuals requiring Apostille or certified translations.
Heirs who need Greek powers of attorney.
Clients coordinating with Greek consular authorities.
Families working with professional advisers in more than one country.
Heirs seeking to manage Greek estate property without repeated travel.
Estate Planning and Intergenerational Wealth Transfer
A structured succession plan can protect family assets and reduce the potential for future disputes.
ACMA LAW FIRM advises on:
Reviewing the family’s overall asset position.
Planning the transfer of Greek real estate.
Assessing parental gifts and donations.
Structuring full ownership, bare ownership, and usufruct arrangements.
Preparing and revising wills.
Evaluating inheritance agreements.
Planning the succession of company shares.
Protecting reserved-share rights.
Coordinating family, corporate, property, and tax considerations.
The appropriate succession strategy depends on the family’s structure, the assets involved, and the client’s long-term priorities.
Legal Guidance for Greek Inheritance Matters
Whether you need assistance with accepting an inheritance, renouncing an estate, preparing a will, obtaining a certificate of inheritance, or planning the future transfer of family assets, ACMA LAW FIRM provides comprehensive legal support.
We combine detailed legal analysis with practical coordination and clear communication throughout the succession process.
Contact our team to discuss your inheritance or estate planning matter in Greece.
