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Private Client law covers the legal needs of individuals and families rather than businesses or public bodies. In Nea Smyrni - a residential municipality in the Athens region - Private Client work typically includes estate and succession planning, wills and probate, powers of attorney, family law matters, real estate ownership and transfers, tax and wealth planning, and personal disputes over contracts or property. Legal services often involve coordination with notaries, courts and public registries such as the cadastre - Ktimatologio - and tax authorities.
This guide explains common situations where a lawyer can help, summarizes relevant local legal rules in accessible language, answers frequently asked questions, and points to resources and practical next steps for someone seeking legal assistance in Nea Smyrni.
People often seek a Private Client lawyer when facing personal legal matters that require technical knowledge and formal procedures. Typical reasons include:
- Estate planning and drafting a will that complies with Greek law and protects the wishes of the testator.
- Managing succession and probate after a death - locating and validating a will, notifying heirs, preparing inventory of assets, and completing court or notarial formalities.
- Real estate transactions - buying, selling, transferring or registering property with the cadastre and ensuring clear title.
- Gifts and donations while living - advising on tax consequences and formalities.
- Preparing powers of attorney for healthcare, financial or property matters - ensuring they are valid and fit the client’s needs.
- Family law matters that affect property and inheritance - marriages, civil partnerships, prenuptial agreements and separations.
- Resolving disputes among heirs, co-owners or against third parties - negotiating, mediating or litigating in civil courts.
- Tax planning for inheritance, donation and property taxes - minimizing unexpected liabilities and ensuring timely filings.
- Protecting vulnerable family members - guardianship, administration of estates and protective measures for elderly or incapacitated persons.
- Cross-border matters - when assets or heirs are outside Greece and you need coordination between jurisdictions.
The following points summarize key legal concepts and institutions that are particularly relevant to Private Client matters in Nea Smyrni and more broadly in Greece. This is a high-level overview - specific cases need professional review.
- Civil Code and succession rules - Greek succession law governs how estates pass on death. Close relatives frequently have a legally protected share of the estate - often referred to as a reserved portion - which limits complete disinheritance in many cases.
- Wills and testamentary forms - Greek law recognises different forms of wills. Wills and other testamentary acts must comply with formal requirements to be valid. Notaries commonly assist in drafting public wills and formalizing estate matters.
- Probate and estate administration - After a death the estate must be inventoried, debts paid and property transferred to heirs by following court or notarial procedures. Deadlines apply for claims and tax filings.
- Property registration - Real estate ownership is recorded in the national cadastre - Ktimatologio - or older land registers. Transfers require proper documentation, notarial acts for deeds and registration in the cadastre to secure title.
- Taxation - Inheritance and donation taxes and other transfer taxes apply. Rates and exemptions depend on the relationship between parties and the value of assets. Income tax and capital gains rules may apply to property sales.
- Powers of attorney and notarial acts - Many practical acts such as property sales, bank transactions and certain court filings require notarisation or a valid power of attorney prepared or certified by a notary.
- Family law interactions - Marriage, divorce, legal separation, and parental rights can directly affect property rights and inheritance claims. Matrimonial property regimes determine how assets are owned and divided.
- Courts and dispute resolution - Civil courts in the Athens region handle disputes. Alternative dispute resolution - mediation and negotiation - is often used to resolve family and inheritance conflicts without lengthy litigation.
- Cross-border issues - EU succession rules and international private law can affect estates with assets or heirs abroad. Legal advice is needed to determine which law applies and how to proceed.
Yes - having a will gives you control over how your estate is distributed and can simplify administration for your heirs. A properly drafted and executed will that complies with Greek formalities reduces the risk of disputes and unexpected results under statutory succession rules.
Greek law provides reserved portions for certain close relatives in many cases. Completely disinheriting a close heir may be difficult without valid legal grounds. A lawyer can assess whether your intended arrangements are legally possible and suggest alternatives to achieve your goals.
Bring identification, tax number (AFM), marriage or civil partnership certificates, any existing wills or powers of attorney, property deeds or title documents, recent tax assessments, bank account summaries and any correspondence related to the matter. If relevant, bring death certificates and documents from other jurisdictions.
Property transfer requires establishing the heirs, completing any necessary probate or notarial procedures, settling taxes and registering the new ownership with the cadastre or local land register. A lawyer and a notary usually coordinate the steps to ensure proper registration.
Inheritance and gift taxes depend on the relationship and the value of the assets. Additional taxes or registration fees may apply to real estate transfers. Tax rules change periodically, so get up-to-date advice from a lawyer or tax adviser before accepting or transferring assets.
A power of attorney is useful when you cannot attend to transactions in person or want someone trusted to manage financial, property or healthcare matters on your behalf. Make sure the document is properly drafted and notarised if required by the specific transaction.
Ideally choose a lawyer who speaks your language or arrange for certified translation and interpretation. Accurate communication is important in Private Client matters, so confirm language support at the start of your engagement.
If negotiations or mediation fail, disputes can be litigated in civil court. Litigation can be time-consuming and costly. A lawyer can advise on the strength of claims, alternatives such as mediation, and likely timelines and costs.
No - notaries in Greece play a central role in many Private Client matters. They prepare and certify deeds, wills and powers of attorney, and often certify the execution of documents required for succession and property registration.
Legal aid may be available for those who meet income and asset criteria. The local bar association and the Ministry of Justice administer legal aid schemes and can provide information on eligibility. Some lawyers also offer fixed-fee services or staged engagement to manage costs.
- Athens Bar Association - for lists of local qualified lawyers and information on professional conduct and legal aid.
- Hellenic Ministry of Justice - for information about courts, legal aid and official procedures.
- Hellenic Cadastre - for information and offices handling property registration in the Athens region.
- Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) - for tax guidance and filing requirements on inheritance, donations and property transfers.
- Municipality of Nea Smyrni - local citizen service offices and social services that can help with administrative steps and local documentation.
- Local notaries - for execution of wills, powers of attorney and property deeds.
- Certified translators and interpreters - when documents or proceedings require accurate translation into Greek.
If you need legal assistance in Private Client matters in Nea Smyrni, follow these practical steps:
- Assess your needs - identify whether you need estate planning, probate support, property transaction help, tax advice or dispute resolution.
- Prepare documents - gather identification, tax numbers, property documents, existing wills or powers of attorney, marriage or birth certificates and any relevant correspondence.
- Choose the right lawyer - look for a practitioner experienced in Private Client work, familiar with Greek succession and property law, and able to communicate in your preferred language. Confirm fee structures - hourly rates, fixed fees or staged billing.
- Schedule an initial consultation - use this meeting to clarify the scope of work, timeline, likely costs and required steps. Ask about collaboration with notaries, tax advisors and translators if needed.
- Consider mediation first - for family disputes, a mediated solution can save time, expense and emotional strain.
- Register and update documents - once legal measures are agreed, ensure wills, powers of attorney and property registrations are executed and filed correctly to avoid future problems.
- Keep records - store originals and certified copies of key documents in a safe place, and inform trusted family members or your lawyer where they are located.
Disclaimer - This guide provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a qualified lawyer licensed to practice in Greece and familiar with Private Client matters in the Athens area.
