Best Will & Testament Lawyers in Ukmerge

About Will & Testament Law in Ukmerge, Republic of Lithuania

Wills and testaments in Ukmerge are governed by the national law of the Republic of Lithuania. The rules are set primarily in the Civil Code and are applied uniformly across the country. Notaries play a central role in drafting wills, registering them in national registers, and handling succession after a person passes away. If someone dies domiciled in or owning property in Ukmerge, the inheritance case is typically opened with a notary who serves that territory.

A will lets you decide who should receive your property, appoint trusted people to carry out your wishes, and set instructions for specific assets. Lithuanian law protects certain close family members with compulsory shares, sets strict formalities for valid wills, and requires heirs to accept an inheritance within a set time. Because the rules are technical and deadlines are short, it is common to involve a notary and often a lawyer for planning and for probate.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Many people in Ukmerge seek legal help to ensure their will meets all formal requirements and reflects their wishes clearly. A lawyer can help you choose the right form of will, coordinate with a notary, and avoid wording that could cause disputes later.

Legal advice is especially useful if you have a blended family, wish to leave unequal shares, want to provide for a partner who is not a spouse, or want to exclude someone. Lithuanian law protects certain heirs with compulsory shares, so careful planning is needed.

Cross-border issues are common. If you have assets in several countries, are an expatriate, or want to choose a particular national law to govern your estate, a lawyer can coordinate your plan with the EU Succession Regulation and local practice.

After a death, a lawyer can guide heirs through the notary process, gather documents, handle deadlines, resolve debts and taxes, and represent you in disputes or if a will is challenged for capacity, undue influence, or formal defects.

Local Laws Overview

Governing law and jurisdiction. Lithuanian law governs wills made in Lithuania and succession to persons domiciled in Lithuania. For cross-border estates, the EU Succession Regulation often applies and generally points to the law of the deceased person’s habitual residence, with an option to choose the law of one’s nationality in advance.

Capacity. In general, adults with capacity may make a will. Special rules may apply to minors and persons under guardianship. A will must reflect the free will of the testator.

Forms of will. The most common and safest is a notarial will signed before a notary. Lithuanian law also allows other forms in limited situations, but strict formalities apply and mistakes can invalidate a will. Many people deposit their will with a notary for safekeeping and registration in the central register.

Registration and safekeeping. Notaries can register wills in the national register of wills. This makes it easier to locate and open the will after death. You may store the original with the notary or keep it yourself. If you keep it, tell a trusted person where it is.

Compulsory shares. Certain close family members have a protected right to a compulsory portion of the estate. In Lithuania, this usually includes minor or dependent children and, in some cases, a surviving spouse or dependent parents. The compulsory portion is typically a fraction of what they would receive under intestacy. Your will cannot lawfully deprive these protected heirs of that compulsory minimum without a valid legal basis.

Intestacy. If there is no valid will, the estate passes to heirs by law in set orders of priority. Children and the surviving spouse are first in line, with grandchildren inheriting by representation. If there are no descendants, the spouse and parents may inherit, followed by more distant relatives. Cohabiting partners are generally not heirs by law, so a will is important if you want a partner to inherit.

Acceptance of inheritance. Heirs must formally accept the inheritance by filing an application with a notary within a short statutory period, commonly three months from the date of death. Missing this deadline can have serious consequences, although courts may restore the term in justified cases.

Estate administration and certificates. After the acceptance period, and once required documents are provided, the notary issues an inheritance certificate to heirs and legatees. The notary will also verify title to real estate and other registered assets with national registers.

Debts and liabilities. Estate debts are settled from the estate. Heirs generally assume liabilities only up to the value of the property they receive. Notify the notary about known creditors to avoid later claims.

Marital property. Property acquired during marriage may be community property unless a marital agreement provides otherwise. Before inheritance is distributed, the surviving spouse’s share of community property is usually separated, and only the deceased person’s share is inherited.

Taxes. Lithuania applies inheritance tax rules that depend on the relationship to the deceased and the value of what is inherited. Close family members often benefit from exemptions or reduced burden, while more distant beneficiaries may be taxed. Rates and thresholds can change, so check current guidance from the State Tax Inspectorate before planning or distributing the estate.

Real estate and registration. Transfers of real estate through inheritance must be recorded with the national property registers after the notary issues the inheritance certificate. Additional steps can apply for agricultural land or other regulated assets.

Revocation and updates. You can revoke or change your will at any time while you have capacity. A later valid will replaces earlier instructions to the extent they conflict. Review your will after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or purchase of significant property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can make a will in Ukmerge and what do I need to get started

Any adult with legal capacity can make a will. Prepare an inventory of your assets, a list of intended beneficiaries, and any guardianship wishes for minor children. Bring your passport or ID card and proof of civil status to a notary or lawyer for drafting.

Do I need a notary to make a valid will

The notarial form is strongly recommended because it ensures compliance with formalities, registration in the national register, and secure storage. Other forms may exist in limited situations but are more vulnerable to being contested. In practice most people in Lithuania use a notary.

Can I leave everything to whomever I choose

You have broad freedom to dispose of your property, but Lithuanian law protects certain close family members with compulsory shares. Even if you exclude them in your will, they may still claim their compulsory portion unless a legal ground justifies exclusion.

What happens if I die without a will

Your estate is distributed according to intestacy rules. Children and the surviving spouse usually inherit first. If there are no descendants, parents and the spouse may inherit. More distant relatives inherit only if closer heirs do not exist or do not accept the inheritance.

How long do heirs have to accept the inheritance

Heirs generally have a short period, commonly three months from the date of death, to file an acceptance with a notary. Missing the deadline can be corrected only in limited cases by court. Contact a notary promptly after a death.

Where is the inheritance case opened

The inheritance case is opened with a notary serving the place of the deceased person’s last residence in Lithuania. If the last residence was in the Ukmerge area, an Ukmerge notary will typically handle the case.

Can I choose which law applies to my estate if I have foreign ties

Under the EU Succession Regulation, many people can choose the law of their nationality to govern their worldwide estate. This choice should be made clearly in your will. A lawyer can help coordinate this choice with Lithuanian formalities.

Are there inheritance taxes

Inheritance tax rules apply depending on the relationship to the deceased and the value of what is received. Close family members often qualify for exemptions or lighter treatment, while others may be taxed. Check current rules with the State Tax Inspectorate before making decisions.

Do debts pass to the heirs

Estate debts are paid from the estate. Heirs are typically liable only up to the value of the inheritance they receive. Disclose debts to the notary so they can be addressed during the succession process.

How can I change or revoke my will

You can make a new will at any time, or revoke a prior will by a declaration before a notary. The newest valid will overrides earlier ones where they conflict. Review your plan regularly and after major life changes.

Additional Resources

Local notary offices in Ukmerge for will drafting, registration, and inheritance cases. Notaries can check the national register of wills and issue inheritance certificates.

Lithuanian Chamber of Notaries for information about notarial services, will registration, and notary contact details.

State Tax Inspectorate for current inheritance tax rules, rates, exemptions, and filing procedures.

State Enterprise Centre of Registers for information on registering inherited real estate and other registrable assets.

State Guaranteed Legal Aid Service for information on eligibility for publicly funded legal assistance if you cannot afford a lawyer.

Municipality Civil Registry and Migration offices for death certificates and personal status documents required in inheritance cases.

Next Steps

Clarify your goals. List your assets, debts, and intended beneficiaries. Decide on guardians for minor children and any gifts or instructions for specific items.

Consult a professional. Contact a notary in Ukmerge to discuss will formats and registration. Engage a lawyer if you have a blended family, business assets, cross-border issues, or wish to limit disputes.

Prepare documents. Bring identification, marital status documents, and key property records such as land or apartment titles, company shares, and bank account details.

Draft and execute your will. Have your will prepared and signed in a valid form, ideally before a notary. Consider depositing it with the notary and registering it in the national register of wills.

Inform trusted persons. Let your executor or a trusted family member know that you have made a will and where it is stored.

Keep it current. Revisit your plan after life changes and at regular intervals to ensure it still reflects your wishes and complies with current law.

After a death. Heirs should contact a notary in Ukmerge promptly, normally within three months, to open the inheritance case, file acceptance, and obtain the inheritance certificate. Seek legal help if there are disputes, foreign elements, or missed deadlines.