Accepting an Inheritance
What Steps Are Needed
An inheritance can be accepted on the basis of a will, or by law if no will exists. The procedure has a specific deadline and formal requirements.
Testate and intestate succession
If the deceased left a valid will, the property is distributed according to its terms. If there is no will, the estate is distributed in the order set by law — closest relatives first.
Acceptance deadline
The law sets a specific deadline for accepting an inheritance, running from the date of death — commonly cited as 6 months. Missing it complicates matters: in some cases a court can reinstate the deadline where there was a justified reason, but this isn't guaranteed, so meeting the deadline on time matters.
Required documents
Applying to a notary or the relevant body usually requires:
- The death certificate;
- The heir's identity document and documents proving the family relationship;
- If a will exists — the will itself;
- Documents proving ownership of the property.
When there are several heirs
If the heirs cannot agree on dividing the property, the matter is resolved in court. A prior written agreement among the heirs significantly reduces the likelihood of a dispute.