How does estate administration work in Turkey? Everything about Probate, Land Registry & Taxes.
The estate administration in Turkey involves several legal and administrative steps – from applying for a Certificate of Inheritance ("Veraset İlamı") to land registry transfer ("İntikal") and filing the inheritance tax declaration. For heirs residing in the UK, USA, or Europe, English-speaking legal support is crucial to avoid delays, double taxation, and formal errors.
At the beginning, the deceased's assets located in Turkey are identified. This includes real estate, bank balances, vehicles, and other assets. Inheritance Turkey undertakes complete research and registry inspection upon request, including verification of land registry data and ongoing court proceedings.
The Certificate of Inheritance confirms who is entitled to inherit under Turkish law. It is applied for at the competent Civil Court of Peace (Sulh Hukuk Mahkemesi). In international cases, certified translations, Apostilles, and powers of attorney are required. Without this step, no transfer of property or accounts is possible.
After receiving the Certificate of Inheritance, the property is transferred to the heirs. This process is registered in the land registry and is a prerequisite for any sale or administration of the estate. Our law firm can handle the transfer completely for you with a notarized power of attorney.
Within four months of the issuance of the Certificate of Inheritance, heirs must submit an Inheritance Tax Declaration (Veraset ve İntikal Vergisi Beyannamesi) to the competent tax office. Tax rates range – depending on the degree of kinship – between 1% and 30%. In international inheritance cases, we examine possibilities for tax credit to avoid double taxation.
After completing legal formalities, real estate can be sold or administered. Inheritance Turkey supports you throughout the entire process: market analysis, sales strategy, contract drafting, and transfer of proceeds to the heirs. Everything is carried out legally compliant and transparently – without you having to be personally present in Turkey.
For representation before Turkish authorities, heirs living abroad need a certified power of attorney. This can be issued at the Turkish consulate in your country of residence. We provide you with the bilingual text for the power of attorney and assist you with appointment scheduling and translation.
Inheritance Turkey is an international law firm specializing in inheritance law and estate administration in Turkey. We represent heirs worldwide – efficiently, bilingually, and legally secure. Our team accompanies you from the Certificate of Inheritance to tax finalization and ensures a smooth transfer of your claims.
Depending on the completeness of documents, the entire procedure usually takes between 3 and 6 months. Delays are mostly caused by missing powers of attorney or translations. With professional support, the process can be significantly shortened.
No. With a notarized or consularly certified power of attorney, our law firm can carry out all steps on your behalf – including Certificate of Inheritance, Land Registry, Tax, and Sale.
Costs depend on the estate value and the scope of legal work. Inheritance Turkey works with transparent flat fees or contingency fees (e.g., percentage of sales proceeds). There are no hidden upfront payments.
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