INHERITANCE & ESTATE TRANSFER IN TURKEY
Inheritance & Estate Transfer in Turkey
Legal representation for foreign heirs dealing with inheritance matters in Turkey, including the legal assessment of the succession, required documentation, and the transfer and registration of inherited assets.
01 — HOW I CAN ASSIST
How I Can Assist
I provide legal representation throughout inheritance and estate transfer matters in Turkey, including the review of the legal position, coordination of required documents and procedures, and the transfer and registration of inherited assets.
02 — KEY ISSUES
Key Issues
Cross-border succession
Heirs and inheritance shares
Certificates of inheritance
Foreign wills and inheritance documents
Affidavits and sworn statements
Real estate and bank assets
Tax and administrative formalities
03 — THE PROCESS
The Process
1. Initial legal review — assessment of the inheritance matter, available foreign and Turkish documents, and the assets concerned in Turkey.
2. Document coordination — preparation, collection and coordination of the documents required for the Turkish proceedings.
3. Legal and administrative proceedings — representation before the relevant courts, Land Registry, tax authorities, banks and other institutions, as required.
4. Transfer and registration — completion of the necessary steps for inherited assets to be transferred or registered in the heirs’ names.
5. Completion — finalisation of the matter and delivery of the relevant official documents and records.
04 — FROM ABROAD
From Abroad
Inheritance and estate transfer matters can often be handled without the heir travelling to Turkey. With a properly prepared power of attorney, I can coordinate foreign documents and related formalities, represent the heir before the relevant Turkish courts, Land Registry, tax authorities, banks and other institutions, and manage the process as far as possible from abroad.
05 — RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Related Publications
Selected Turkish-language publications relevant to cross-border inheritance matters include work on the law applicable to succession and on the role of affidavits in foreign inheritance documentation.
Yabancı Murisin Türkiye’deki Taşınmaz Tereke Unsurları Yönünden Mirasçılarının ve Miras Paylarının Belirlenmesine Uygulanacak Hukuk
Reference translation: Applicable Law to the Determination of Heirs and Inheritance Shares in Respect of a Foreign Decedent’s Immovable Estate Assets in Turkey
İstanbul Barosu Dergisi, Vol. 95, No. 6, 2021, pp. 15–19.
Yabancı Unsurlu Mirasçılık Belgelerinde Yeminli Beyannamelerin Rolü
Reference translation: The Role of Affidavits in Cross-Border Inheritance Documents
İstanbul Barosu Dergisi, Vol. 98, No. 1, 2024, pp. 21–27.
06 — FAQ
FAQ
Do I need to travel to Turkey?
Not necessarily. Many inheritance and estate transfer matters can be handled through a properly prepared power of attorney.
Can the matter be handled under a power of attorney?
In many cases, yes. The scope of the power of attorney will depend on the matter. If an inherited property is expected to be sold after the transfer, the necessary sale-related authorities may also be included as an optional additional authority.
Can you represent me before Turkish authorities and institutions?
Yes. Where appropriate, I can represent clients before the relevant courts, Land Registry, tax authorities, banks and other institutions involved in the process.
How long does the process take?
Timing depends on the documents, assets involved and the legal or administrative steps required in the particular case.
How do I start the process?
Please get in touch with a brief outline of the inheritance matter and the assets concerned in Turkey. I can then review the available information and advise on the next steps.