UZT CONSULTANCY
Expert Legal Advice

Following a death, establishing who is entitled to inherit, identifying and protecting the estate, and distributing assets can become complex, particularly where heirs or assets are located in different countries. UZT Consultancy provides clear, careful and tailored legal support to individuals and families in Turkish inheritance and succession matters.

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Inheritance matters involve more than identifying each heir’s share. They may require locating real estate, bank accounts, company interests and other assets; obtaining inheritance documentation; considering a will; dealing with tax and administrative steps; and managing potential disputes between heirs.

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Our Services include:

- Obtaining and reviewing certificates of inheritance

- Identifying movable and immovable assets located in Turkey

- Assessing steps to preserve and protect the estate

- Distribution of the estate and drafting inheritance-partition agreements

- Coordinating inheritance procedures before land-registry offices, banks, companies and other institutions

- Drafting and reviewing wills and inheritance agreements, and handling related disputes

- Assessing issues concerning disclaimer of inheritance, disinheritance and reserved-share claims

- Claims and disputes concerning reduction, recovery of estate assets, sham transactions by the deceased and other disputes between heirs

- Apostille, translation and procedural steps for documents prepared abroad

- Coordinating matters involving heirs abroad and assets located in Turkey

 

The First Steps in an Inheritance Matter

The first steps usually involve identifying the heirs and the assets held in Turkey by the deceased. Death certificates, civil-register documents, evidence of family relationships, wills and records issued by foreign authorities may all be relevant.

 

A certificate of inheritance is one of the principal documents showing who is entitled to inherit. However, obtaining this document alone may not resolve every matter. The scope of the estate, its liabilities, the number of heirs, foreign decisions and any will must also be considered.

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Estate and Asset Procedures

Assets passing by inheritance in Turkey may include real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, company shares, receivables and other rights. Correctly identifying these assets and making applications to the relevant institutions with the appropriate documents is important to the orderly progress of the matter.

 

Where the heirs agree, we can assist in documenting a distribution that reflects their agreement and the applicable legal position. Where there is a dispute, we assess the available options, potential court routes and prospects of settlement in order to protect the client’s interests.

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Wills and Inheritance Disputes

The existence of a will does not necessarily mean that a dispute will arise. However, its form, content, the rights of the heirs and the nature of the estate should be carefully examined. The opening and implementation of a will, challenges to its validity, or disputes about inheritance shares may require legal steps or litigation depending on the circumstances.

 

Support for Heirs Living Abroad

It is not necessary for a person entitled to inherit in Turkey to live in Turkey. With a properly prepared power of attorney, many procedures can be handled through a representative in Turkey. We provide guidance on preparing powers of attorney through a Turkish consulate or local notary, apostille formalities, obtaining documents and arranging Turkish translations.

 

The effect on a Turkish inheritance matter of foreign birth, marriage, divorce or death records, foreign wills and foreign court decisions must be assessed according to the circumstances of each case.

 

If you require assistance with an estate, real estate, bank account or another asset located in Turkey, please contact us to discuss your circumstances. We can help identify the documents required and the legal steps appropriate to your matter.