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Private Client law for individuals in Melissia covers legal matters that affect personal affairs - for example estate planning, wills, inheritance and succession, family law, property ownership and transfers, powers of attorney, elder-care arrangements, tax implications for private assets and cross-border personal matters. Melissia is a suburb of Athens, so most legal practice and court procedures follow Greek national law as applied by local Athens courts and notaries. Many matters are handled through the Greek civil code, tax authority procedures and the Hellenic Cadastre - the national land registration system.
Because private-client issues often touch tax, property registration, notarial formalities and family rights, clients often need a mix of legal, notarial and tax advice. For foreigners who own property or have family ties to other countries, cross-border rules and international instruments can also be important.
People seek a private-client lawyer in Melissia for many practical reasons. Common situations include:
- Drafting or updating a will to ensure it meets Greek formal requirements and reflects forced-heirship rules.
- Managing an estate after a death - obtaining the required inheritance certificate or court decision, calculating obligations and transferring title to property.
- Resolving inheritance disputes among heirs, including challenges to wills, questions about genealogy or allocation of compulsory shares.
- Buying or selling residential property - reviewing titles, conducting due-diligence with the Hellenic Cadastre, preparing or reviewing contracts and ensuring tax clearance.
- Arranging powers of attorney, notarial acts and representation for medical, financial or administrative matters.
- Planning for incapacity or elder-care issues, including guardianship or advance directives where relevant.
- Tax planning for private assets and transfers, or navigating inheritance and transfer taxes that affect net outcomes.
- Handling cross-border succession or property matters where foreign law or EU rules could apply.
The Greek legal framework that most affects private clients includes the Civil Code, tax legislation and the notarial and land-registration systems. Key aspects to be aware of:
- Succession and forced-heirship - Greek law protects certain close relatives with compulsory-reserved shares in a deceased person s estate. This limits absolute testamentary freedom and means that wills must be drafted with these rules in mind.
- Wills and notarial formalities - Greek law recognizes different forms of wills. Formal requirements vary by type, and notarial involvement is common for clarity and proof. Holographic-wills must meet precise handwriting and signature requirements to be valid.
- Certificate of inheritance and probate procedures - transfer of property and rights after death typically requires an official inheritance certificate or a court judgment establishing heirs and shares. Notaries and courts play central roles in these procedures.
- Property law and the Hellenic Cadastre - property transfers are completed through deeds before a notary and registration in the Cadastre or local land register. Clear title and accurate registration are essential for secure ownership.
- Taxes and duties - estate transfers and property transactions trigger taxation obligations. These can include inheritance tax, transfer duties and ongoing property taxes. Tax filings and clearance certificates are commonly required before formal transfers.
- Powers of attorney and notarial acts - many private-client transactions require notarization. Foreign documents often need authentication or an apostille and, where necessary, certified translations to be accepted in Greece.
- Cross-border rules - EU instruments such as the EU Succession Regulation may affect which law governs an international succession and can simplify administration of estates across member states. International treaties and private-international-law rules can affect jurisdiction and applicable law.
If you own property in Greece, having a will that deals specifically with your Greek assets is strongly advisable. Greek formalities and forced-heirship rules will affect how property located in Greece is distributed. A local will drafted to comply with Greek requirements reduces the risk of disputes and administrative delays. In cross-border situations, you should also check whether the EU Succession Regulation or other rules allow you to choose the law that governs your succession.
Compulsory-reserved shares are portions of an estate that Greek law reserves for close relatives such as children and sometimes the spouse and parents. These rules limit the amount you can freely leave to other people or charities. When planning a will, it is important to calculate reserved shares to ensure that your dispositions are valid and to avoid successful claims by statutory heirs.
Property transfers commonly require a notarial deed signed before a Greek notary, payment of any applicable transfer taxes or duties, and registration of the change of ownership in the Hellenic Cadastre or local land registry. A lawyer can perform title searches, confirm encumbrances, prepare transaction documents and coordinate tax clearances and registrations.
Typical documents include the deceased person s death certificate, the family status record or birth/marriage certificates proving heirship, the deceased s will if any, property title deeds, tax clearance certificates, and identity documents of the heirs. Specific administrative forms and additional documentation may be required depending on the estate s contents and whether assets are located abroad.
Yes. Powers of attorney and certain notarial instruments can grant another person authority to manage your financial or personal affairs. For long-term incapacity, guardianship procedures exist under Greek law if a court finds a person incapable. Because requirements and consequences differ, drafting enforceable powers of attorney and discussing contingency plans with a lawyer is recommended.
Inheritance and related transfer taxes apply to estate distributions and property transfers. Rates and exemptions depend on the relationship between the deceased and the heir and on the value and type of assets. Because tax rules and rates change and can be complex in cross-border cases, consult a lawyer or tax advisor to estimate liabilities accurately.
Foreign buyers should obtain a Greek tax identification number, check the property title and registration in the Hellenic Cadastre, verify whether planning or zoning restrictions apply, and budget for transfer taxes, notary fees and registration costs. Using a local lawyer to handle due-diligence and to represent the buyer at the notary is recommended to reduce risks.
Duration varies widely - simple estates with clear titles and no disputes can be completed in a few months, while complex estates, disputed successions or cross-border matters can take a year or more. Obtaining tax clearances, resolving title issues and obtaining necessary judicial or notarial decisions are typical time-driving factors.
Notaries in Greece play a central role in authenticating deeds, wills and powers of attorney and often issue the official inheritance certificate in notarized successions. They verify identity and capacity, ensure formal requirements are met and register certain acts. For many property and succession matters, notarial participation is required or highly advisable.
Start by checking membership in the local Bar Association, asking for recommendations from trusted contacts, and seeking lawyers who specialize in private-client, succession and property law. Ask about experience with Athens courts and the Hellenic Cadastre, request a clear fee estimate, check whether they work with translators if you do not speak Greek and confirm who will handle the matter and how often you will receive updates.
Helpful resources and authorities to consult when dealing with private-client matters in Melissia include:
- The local Bar Association - for information about registered lawyers and professional conduct.
- Hellenic Cadastre - for land registry and title information affecting property in Greece.
- Hellenic Tax Authority - for guidance on tax registration, filings and obligations related to property and inheritance.
- Local notaries - for formalization of wills, powers of attorney and deeds.
- Ministry of Justice - for information on succession law, legal aid and court procedures.
- Municipal offices in Melissia or the relevant Athens municipality - for local administrative matters and certificates.
- Your country s consulate or embassy in Greece - if you are a foreign national, for consular assistance and advice about cross-border documents and legal support.
If you need legal assistance with a private-client matter in Melissia, consider this practical approach:
- Identify your primary issue - estate planning, inheritance, property transaction, family matter or incapacity planning. Gather key documents such as IDs, title deeds, marriage or birth certificates, and any existing wills.
- Request an initial consultation with a lawyer who specializes in private-client work. Prepare a short summary of your situation and a list of questions. Ask about languages spoken, fees, likely timeline and who in the firm will handle your case.
- Verify the lawyer s credentials with the local Bar Association and ask for references or examples of similar matters handled.
- If immediate action is required - for example to secure property, preserve rights or meet a legal deadline - inform the lawyer right away so urgent steps can be taken, such as obtaining interlocutory measures or filing required documents.
- Agree written terms of engagement, including scope of work, fee structure and communication preferences. Consider whether you need power-of-attorney documents drafted for remote handling of matters.
- Keep copies of all documents and follow up on tax filings and registrations promptly to avoid penalties. Maintain regular communication with your lawyer until the matter is concluded.
If you are uncertain where to start, a short call or meeting with a local private-client lawyer will clarify your options and outline a tailored plan based on the specifics of your case.
