Inheritance and Estate Matters for Foreigners
Succession, Tax, Transfer and Estate Division Procedures for Foreign Nationals with Assets in Türkiye
Upon the death of a foreign national who owns real estate, a bank account or other assets in Türkiye, the heirs must separately carry out the certificate of inheritance, tax, transfer and, where applicable, estate division procedures in Türkiye.
For a foreign heir, a certificate of inheritance cannot be issued by a notary. The certificate of inheritance must be obtained from the Civil Court of Peace. This court application does not mean that there is a dispute among the heirs, and it is carried out as part of uncontested inheritance procedures.
Canaydın Law Firm provides services on obtaining a certificate of inheritance from the Civil Court of Peace, using foreign probate documents in Türkiye, determining the estate, inheritance and transfer tax and tax office procedures, transferring real estate and bank assets, estate division and partition procedures, and representing heirs abroad by proxy.
- Certificate of Inheritance
- Inheritance and Transfer Tax
- Transfer
- Representation by Proxy
Inheritance and Transfer Procedures
01 — Obtaining a Certificate of Inheritance from the Civil Court of Peace
The certificate of inheritance that foreign heirs need in order to carry out transactions over assets in Türkiye is obtained by applying to the Civil Court of Peace.
02 — Using Foreign Probate Documents in Türkiye
The legal review, certification and translation process required for probate or inheritance documents issued abroad to be used in Türkiye is assessed according to the specifics of the file.
03 — Determining the Estate
The procedures required to identify the deceased's real estate, bank accounts and other assets in Türkiye are carried out or coordinated.
04 — Inheritance and Transfer Tax and Tax Office Procedures
For the transfer of assets in Türkiye through inheritance, the tax office procedures connected with the inheritance and transfer tax return are carried out; where necessary, the assessment, payment follow-up and obtaining of the tax clearance letter are coordinated.
05 — Transfer of Real Estate to the Heirs
The procedures for transferring real estate in Türkiye to the heirs are followed together with the title deed and related tax office processes.
06 — Transfer of Bank Accounts and Other Assets
The inheritance, tax and institutional documents required to transfer bank accounts and other assets to the heirs are coordinated from a legal standpoint.
07 — Estate Division and Partition Agreements
Where the heirs have reached an agreement on division, the estate division and partition procedures and the necessary contractual structure are prepared or reviewed from a legal standpoint.
08 — Using Foreign Wills in Türkiye
The legal assessment needed for wills drawn up abroad to take effect in Türkiye and to be used in the relevant procedures is carried out.
09 — Representing Heirs Abroad by Power of Attorney
Heirs who wish to carry out procedures without coming to Türkiye can be represented, with an appropriate power of attorney, before the court, the tax office, banks, the land registry and in other inheritance procedures.
What We Do for You
Certificate of Inheritance from the Civil Court of Peace
The court application required to obtain a certificate of inheritance in the name of the foreign heir is prepared and followed up.
Legal Review of Foreign Probate Documents
The need for certification, apostille or translation for using documents from abroad in Türkiye is assessed according to the specifics of the file.
Identification of the Estate and Assets
The procedures required to identify real estate, bank accounts and other assets in Türkiye are coordinated.
Inheritance and Transfer Tax Procedures
The inheritance and transfer tax return and the required procedures and documents at the tax office are followed up.
Title Deed and Bank Transfer Procedures
The transfer of real estate and bank assets to the heirs is followed up.
Estate Division and Partition
The legal structure of the division and partition procedures is prepared in accordance with the agreement among the heirs.
Representation of Heirs Abroad
Procedures before the court, tax office, land registry, banks and elsewhere are carried out under an appropriate power of attorney.
How the Process Works
- 01
Review of the Heirs and Foreign Documents
The heirs' identity and kinship documents, together with foreign probate, death and marital status documents, are reviewed.
- 02
Court Application for the Certificate of Inheritance
The process of obtaining the certificate of inheritance from the Civil Court of Peace in the name of the foreign heir is carried out.
- 03
Determination of the Estate and Assets
Real estate, bank accounts and other assets in Türkiye are identified.
- 04
Inheritance and Transfer Tax Procedures
The tax return and the related tax office procedures are carried out or coordinated.
- 05
Title Deed, Bank and Other Transfer Procedures
The transfer of assets to the heirs is followed up with the required tax and inheritance documents.
- 06
Division, Partition and Final Check
If applicable, the division/partition procedures among the heirs are completed and the documents concluding the procedures are checked.
In Case of a Dispute
If a dispute arises among the heirs regarding the inheritance, the estate, the will or the division, the file is referred to the Inheritance and Estate Disputes and Lawsuits service under Litigation, Enforcement and Dispute Resolution.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does a foreign heir obtain a certificate of inheritance in Türkiye?
A certificate of inheritance requested by a foreign heir cannot be issued by a notary. The certificate of inheritance is obtained by applying to the Civil Court of Peace.
Does obtaining a certificate of inheritance from the court mean there is a dispute among the heirs?
No. For a foreign heir, obtaining a certificate of inheritance through the court does not, in itself, mean that it is a contested inheritance lawsuit.
Do foreign heirs have to carry out inheritance and transfer tax procedures in Türkiye?
When assets in Türkiye are transferred through inheritance, the inheritance and transfer tax return and the related tax office procedures may come into play. The necessary tax documents are followed up separately before the title deed and bank transfers.
Can an heir abroad complete the procedures without coming to Türkiye?
With an appropriate power of attorney, a significant part of the procedures before the court, tax office, land registry and banks, and of estate division, can be carried out by proxy.
What happens if the heirs cannot agree on the division?
If there is a dispute regarding the inheritance, the estate, the will or the division, the file is assessed separately as a contested inheritance and estate dispute, and the necessary legal avenues are determined.