Best Estate Planning Lawyers in Thivais

About Estate Planning Law in Thivais, Greece

Estate planning in Thivais, Greece is based on the Greek Civil Code and the rules of succession and property. It covers how your assets will pass on death, how to protect your family, how to manage tax exposure, and how to handle cross border issues if you have property or heirs in more than one country. Common tools include wills, lifetime gifts, notarial deeds such as acceptance of inheritance, powers of attorney, and careful coordination with the Hellenic Cadastre for real estate. For deaths after August 2015, the EU Succession Regulation applies to most international cases, which helps decide which country’s law governs the estate and provides the European Certificate of Succession.

In Thivais you will typically work with a local lawyer and a notary. Notaries handle the formalities of wills and inheritance deeds, while lawyers advise on strategy, resolve disputes, and represent you at court if needed. Many families also coordinate with a tax advisor for inheritance tax, lifetime gift tax, and property declarations.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer in Thivais for estate planning when you want to draft or update a will in line with Greek law and any forced heirship rules that protect close family members. A lawyer can help you decide how best to structure gifts, legacies, and usufructs so your wishes are respected and the process is efficient.

Legal help is important if you own real estate in Thivais or elsewhere in Greece. Property transfers on death require notarial acts and registration with the Hellenic Cadastre. A lawyer can manage title checks, land registry formalities, and coordination with the tax office.

Cross border situations are common. If you are a foreign national living in Thivais, a Greek national with property abroad, or you have heirs in different countries, legal advice is essential to select the applicable law where allowed, align multiple wills, and avoid conflicts between jurisdictions.

Representation is also helpful for acceptance or renunciation of inheritance, especially if there are debts. In Greece you can accept with the benefit of inventory to limit liability, but deadlines are strict. A lawyer ensures you meet timelines, obtain required certificates, and navigate the court and notary processes.

Disputes may arise over the validity of a will, forced heirship shares, claims of lifetime gifts reducing the disposable portion, or management of jointly owned assets. Counsel can negotiate settlements or litigate if necessary before the competent courts for Thivais.

Local Laws Overview

Succession rules. Greek law provides a default order of heirs when there is no will. Descendants are first in line, followed by parents and siblings, then grandparents, and more distant relatives. The surviving spouse shares with the relevant class. The exact shares depend on which relatives are alive. Even with a will, certain close relatives are protected by forced heirship and must receive at least a reserved portion of what they would have taken under intestacy.

Wills. Greek law recognizes three main types of wills. A holographic will is handwritten, dated, and signed entirely by the testator. A public will is executed before a notary with witnesses. A secret will is written by the testator or another person, sealed, and deposited with a notary in the presence of witnesses. After death the will is opened and published through a court procedure before it can be used.

International element. Under the EU Succession Regulation, the law of the deceased person’s habitual residence usually governs the estate, unless the person chose the law of their nationality in a valid way. The European Certificate of Succession can be issued to prove heirship across EU states. Foreign wills and documents may be recognized in Greece, subject to formal validation, official translation, and any required apostille or consular legalization.

Acceptance and renunciation. Heirs can accept the inheritance unconditionally or with the benefit of inventory, which limits liability to the assets received. Heirs also have the right to renounce. Deadlines are strict, commonly four months from the time the heir learns of the death and their status, extended to one year in cases involving residence abroad. Specific timelines can change, so verification with a lawyer or notary in Thivais is recommended.

Taxes. Inheritance and lifetime gift taxes apply in Greece. Rates and allowances depend on the degree of kinship and the type and value of assets. Deadlines for filing inheritance tax returns often run from six months in domestic cases and may be longer if the deceased or heirs lived abroad. Rules and thresholds are updated from time to time, so local tax guidance is important.

Real estate. To transfer real property located in Thivais after death, heirs typically execute a notarial deed of acceptance of inheritance, file the inheritance tax return, and register the deed with the Hellenic Cadastre. Title checks, cadastral updates, and municipal certificates may be required. Any lifetime gifts of real estate are usually made by notarial deed and recorded at the Cadastre.

Matrimonial property. Greece generally follows a separation of property regime, but a spouse may have a claim for contribution to increases in the other spouse’s property during the marriage. Couples with cross border ties may be able to choose applicable matrimonial property law under EU rules. Prenuptial contracts that fully replace the statutory regime are limited under Greek domestic law, so tailored advice is needed.

Trusts and foundations. Trusts are not native to Greek law. Greece may recognize effects of a valid foreign trust in some circumstances, especially for assets situated abroad, but Greek forced heirship and tax rules can still apply to Greek located assets. If you have a foreign trust or foundation, coordinate Greek and foreign advice to avoid conflicts and unintended tax results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a will in Thivais if I already have one from another country

Possibly. A foreign will may be recognized in Greece if it meets the formal requirements of the place where it was made or of your nationality and after it is validated and translated. However, it may not address Greek forced heirship or practical steps to transfer Greek real estate. Many people keep their existing foreign will for assets outside Greece and make a Greek will focused on Greek assets to streamline local procedures.

What types of wills are valid in Greece

Greek law accepts a holographic will handwritten, dated, and signed by the testator, a public will before a notary with witnesses, and a secret will deposited sealed with a notary. Each type has strict formalities. Errors can invalidate the will, so professional drafting and proper custody are important.

Can I disinherit my children or my spouse

Complete disinheritance of close relatives is very limited. Descendants and in some cases parents are compulsory heirs. The surviving spouse is also protected. You can dispose freely only of the disposable portion of your estate. If your will exceeds that portion, the excess can be reduced to satisfy the reserved shares.

What happens if I die without a will in Thivais

Intestacy rules apply. Your descendants inherit first, sharing with your spouse. If there are no descendants, parents and siblings are next, again with the spouse taking a share. If there are no relatives in the closer classes, more distant relatives and finally the state may inherit. A will gives you more control and can simplify administration.

How do I accept or renounce an inheritance

Heirs may accept unconditionally, accept with the benefit of inventory to limit liability to inherited assets, or renounce. There are strict deadlines that start when you learn about the death and your status as heir. The process involves declarations before a notary or court and obtaining court certificates. Ask a local lawyer promptly to avoid missing deadlines.

How is real estate in Thivais transferred after death

The usual steps are publication of any will, filing of inheritance tax documentation, notarial deed of acceptance of inheritance, and registration with the Hellenic Cadastre. You also update tax records related to property such as the E9 declaration. Title due diligence and municipal clearances may be required before the notary signs the deed.

Can I choose which law will govern my estate

In many international cases the EU Succession Regulation allows you to choose the law of your nationality to govern your entire estate. The choice must be made clearly, usually in a will. If you do not choose, the law of your habitual residence at death generally applies. Even with a choice, Greek forced heirship and tax rules can affect Greek located assets, so integrated planning is important.

What taxes should I expect

Greece imposes inheritance tax and gift tax with rates and allowances that depend on the relationship between the deceased and the heir and on asset values. Filing deadlines are time sensitive, and payment options may include installments. Rules are updated periodically, so get current figures from a tax advisor or the local tax office serving Thivais.

Are lifetime gifts common in Greek estate planning

Yes. Parents often transfer property during life, sometimes reserving a usufruct so they can keep using the property. Lifetime gifts can help with succession planning and sometimes reduce later administrative burdens. They must be documented by notarial deed for real estate and may trigger gift tax. The impact on forced heirship is also important because certain gifts can be brought back into account at death.

How are bank accounts and digital assets handled

Greek banks typically release funds to heirs after they receive proof of heirship and tax compliance. Joint accounts may pass to the surviving account holder, but they can still be considered in forced heirship calculations. Digital assets such as online accounts, social media, and cryptocurrency should be addressed in your instructions and powers of attorney, while respecting provider terms and Greek law.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Ministry of Justice for information on courts, will publication, and certificates used in succession matters.

Independent Authority for Public Revenue AADE for inheritance and gift tax rules, filings, and local tax offices that serve residents of Thivais.

Hellenic Cadastre Ktimatologio for property registration and cadastral requirements in Boeotia where Thivais is located.

Local Notarial Associations and notary offices in Thivais for will drafting, publication of wills, and deeds of acceptance of inheritance.

Bar Association of Thebes for finding licensed lawyers experienced in estate planning and succession.

Municipality of Thiva Citizens Service Center KEP for guidance on administrative documents and certificates that may be needed.

Greek consulates and embassies for document legalization, translations, and cross border inheritance documentation when heirs or assets are abroad.

Next Steps

List your assets and liabilities, including real estate in Thivais, bank and investment accounts, business interests, vehicles, and any assets abroad. Gather deeds, tax numbers, bank statements, marriage certificates, and prior wills.

Map your family situation and your objectives. Consider who should inherit, who should serve as executor or administrator, and whether any heirs have special needs. Think about guardianship wishes for minor children.

Consult a local lawyer in Thivais to review Greek forced heirship, cross border questions, and tax implications. If you are an international client, coordinate with a foreign advisor to align plans across countries.

Choose the right instruments. Decide whether to make a Greek will, a choice of law declaration where appropriate, lifetime gifts or usufruct arrangements, and powers of attorney for property and health decisions. Use a notary for wills and property deeds to ensure validity.

Plan for property transfers. If you own real estate, your advisor will verify title, prepare for Cadastre registration, and coordinate any needed municipal or tax clearances. Address co owned or mortgaged property in your plan.

Prepare for taxes and filings. Clarify expected inheritance or gift tax exposure and filing deadlines. Keep liquidity in mind so your heirs can cover tax and registration costs without forced sales.

Store documents securely and tell your executor and family where to find them. Keep a current list of key contacts such as your lawyer, notary, accountant, and financial institutions. Review your plan after major life events or law changes.

If a death has already occurred, contact a lawyer promptly to manage deadlines for will publication, renunciation or acceptance with benefit of inventory, tax filings, and notarial deeds. Early advice helps preserve options and avoid penalties.