Best Will & Testament Lawyers in Vouliagmeni

About Will & Testament Law in Vouliagmeni, Greece

Vouliagmeni is part of the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni in the Attica region. Wills and succession in Vouliagmeni are governed by Greek national law and, for international estates, by the EU Succession Regulation. You can make a valid will in Greece in several forms, including a handwritten will and a notarial will. After death, a court supervised process publishes the will, heirs accept or renounce the inheritance, taxes are assessed, and any real estate is registered with the Hellenic Cadastre. Because many residents and property owners in Vouliagmeni have cross-border connections, careful planning is important to avoid disputes and delays.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer if you are buying or already own property in Vouliagmeni and want to ensure it passes smoothly to your heirs. Legal help is often required when drafting a Greek-compliant will, coordinating a foreign will with Greek assets, or choosing the applicable law under EU rules. Families commonly seek advice where there are children from previous relationships, questions about the reserved share of heirs, or concerns about disinheritance. A lawyer is also helpful for probate in Attica, where you must locate and publish any will, file inheritance tax, accept or renounce the estate, and register title to real estate. If creditors are involved, if the estate holds a business, or if an heir lives abroad, a lawyer can protect against personal liability and manage filings, translations, and apostilles.

Local Laws Overview

Greek law recognizes several forms of wills. A holographic will is entirely handwritten, dated, and signed by the testator. A public will is dictated to a notary in the presence of two witnesses and signed. A secret will is a signed document delivered sealed to a notary before two witnesses. In exceptional circumstances, special forms of will may be available under strict conditions for people at sea, in military service, or in imminent danger. A lawyer or notary can confirm whether a special form applies in a given case.

Joint or mutual wills by two persons in one document are not permitted under Greek law. A testator can revoke or replace a will at any time if they have capacity. Wills can be deposited with a notary and may be recorded in the national wills registry to facilitate later searches. After a death, a search is typically made in the registries to locate any deposited or recorded will, and the competent court in Attica publishes the will.

Greece protects close family through a reserved portion known as the legitime. In practice, children and, in some cases, parents have rights to a portion of the estate that cannot be freely disposed of. The surviving spouse has strong statutory inheritance and family property protections. The exact shares depend on the family constellation and whether there is a will. Because these rules are technical, local advice is recommended before attempting disinheritance or unequal gifts.

The EU Succession Regulation generally applies the law of the deceased's habitual residence to the entire estate unless the person chose the law of their nationality in a will. This is crucial for foreign nationals who live part or full time in Vouliagmeni. The regulation also provides a European Certificate of Succession to help heirs prove their status across EU member states, which can be issued by the competent Greek authority.

Probate in Attica usually follows this sequence. A wills registry search is conducted and any will is published by the court. Heirs decide whether to accept the inheritance, accept with the benefit of inventory to limit liability, or renounce. Inheritance tax is declared to the tax authority and paid as required. For real estate in Vouliagmeni, the acceptance of inheritance is executed by notarial deed and recorded at the Hellenic Cadastre and any legacy land registry. Banks and other institutions then release funds upon presentation of the required documents.

Deadlines matter. An heir who is in Greece typically has 4 months from learning of the succession to renounce, and an heir abroad typically has 12 months. Inheritance tax is usually due within 6 months of death if the heir is in Greece or 12 months if the heir is abroad. Extensions are possible in defined cases. Missing a deadline can have serious consequences, including personal liability for estate debts.

Language and documents also require attention. A holographic will can be in a foreign language, but courts and registries will require certified translations into Greek for probate. Foreign public documents generally need an apostille or consular legalization. Identification, certificates of death and family status, tax numbers, and proof of property are standard requirements for probate filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of wills are valid in Greece?

Greek law accepts a holographic will that is entirely handwritten, dated, and signed by the testator, a public notarial will signed before a notary with two witnesses, and a secret will delivered sealed to a notary in the presence of two witnesses. There are also special forms for emergencies under strict conditions. Each form has formalities that must be followed exactly.

Can I write my will in English or another language?

Yes, a handwritten will can be written in another language. However, for probate in Greece you will need a certified Greek translation. If you choose a notarial will in Vouliagmeni, the notary will typically draft and execute it in Greek, with an interpreter if needed.

Do I need a notary in Vouliagmeni to make a will?

No, a handwritten will is valid without a notary if it meets all formalities. Many people still use a notary to reduce the risk of errors, to deposit the will securely, and to facilitate later publication. A public notarial will is often recommended for complex estates, gifts with conditions, or cross-border planning.

Are joint or mirror wills allowed for spouses or partners?

No. Greek law does not permit two persons to make a single joint will, and mutual promises to make or not revoke a will are not binding. Each person must make an individual will.

Who can act as a witness to a notarial or secret will?

Witnesses must be adults with legal capacity and not beneficiaries under the will. Close relatives, the notary, and persons with certain conflicts cannot serve. The notary will check eligibility when the will is executed.

Can I disinherit my child or my spouse?

Disinheritance is restricted. Greek law protects close family through a reserved portion that generally cannot be taken away except for narrow legal reasons. Children and, in some cases, parents have reserved rights. The surviving spouse benefits from inheritance rights and strong marital property protections. Always seek advice before attempting disinheritance.

What happens if there is no will?

Intestate succession applies. Greek law sets an order of heirs starting with descendants, then parents and their descendants, then more distant relatives. The surviving spouse inherits alongside other heirs according to statutory shares. The exact shares depend on the family situation at the time of death.

How long does probate take in Attica?

Simple estates can be completed in a few months once all documents are available and taxes are paid. Estates with real property, foreign assets, disputes, or missing documents can take longer. Publication of a will, tax filings, notarial deeds, and land registration each add time. Planning and complete paperwork help avoid delays.

What is the deadline to accept or renounce an inheritance?

From the time an heir becomes aware of the succession, the period is typically 4 months for heirs in Greece and 12 months for heirs abroad. Acceptance can be express by notarial deed or implied by actions. Renunciation is declared at the competent court. Acceptance with the benefit of inventory is available to limit liability to the estate.

What taxes apply to inheritances in Greece?

Inheritance tax applies, with tax brackets and allowances that are more favorable for spouses, children, and parents, and higher for more distant relatives or unrelated persons. A tax return is filed with the tax authority. Deadlines are generally 6 months from death if the heir is in Greece and 12 months if abroad. Property valuations and supporting documents are required.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Ministry of Justice for information on probate and court procedures.

Independent Authority for Public Revenue AADE for inheritance tax rules and filings.

Hellenic Cadastre and local land registry offices for recording inheritance of real estate in Vouliagmeni.

National Chamber of Notaries of Greece and the national wills registry for will deposit and searches.

Athens Bar Association for lawyer referrals in the Attica region.

Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni and local Citizen Service Centers KEP for certificates and administrative guidance.

Greek consulates and apostille authorities for legalization of foreign documents and certified translations.

Next Steps

Clarify your goals and family situation, including marital status, children, and any previous gifts. Identify your assets in Greece and abroad, especially real estate in Vouliagmeni, bank accounts, and business interests. Determine your residence pattern and nationality because these affect which law will govern under EU rules.

Gather key documents. These include identification, tax numbers, marriage and birth certificates, property titles and cadastral information, and any existing wills. For foreign documents, arrange certified translations and apostille or consular legalization.

Consult a local lawyer or a notary in Attica. Ask about the best will form for your case, whether to choose the law of your nationality in your will, and how to protect the reserved portion issues for your family. If there has already been a death, ask the lawyer to conduct wills registry searches, publish any will, and guide acceptance or renunciation within deadlines.

Plan for taxes and registration. Obtain preliminary valuations, prepare inheritance tax filings with the tax authority, and schedule the notarial deed of acceptance of inheritance. Ensure timely recording at the Hellenic Cadastre and any legacy land registry to secure title in Vouliagmeni.

Store and update your plan. Keep your will in safe custody, consider depositing it with a notary, and review it after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or purchase or sale of property. Clear instructions and up-to-date documents help your heirs avoid disputes and delays.

If you need assistance now, contact a qualified lawyer experienced in Greek succession and real estate in the Attica region, explain your objectives and timeline, and request a written plan with steps, costs, and documents required.