Inheritance Law

Inheritance law governs the transfer of a person's estate to legal or voluntary heirs upon death, wills and inheritance agreements, estate distribution and the resolution of potential disputes. For families with assets in multiple countries and heirs of foreign nationality in particular, Turkish inheritance law can present a complex picture. Emir Law & Consulting manages inheritance law with due regard for both family dynamics and the comprehensive international dimension.

Wills and Testamentary Dispositions

The Turkish Civil Code recognises three types of wills: official wills (notarised), handwritten wills and, in extraordinary circumstances, oral wills. Each type has different validity requirements; a formal defect can render the will invalid. Our firm advises on: will preparation and management of the notarisation process, preparation of inheritance agreements, calculation of statutory heirship shares and forced heirship portions, and structuring of gifts and testamentary dispositions within legal limits.

Estate Determination and Certificate of Inheritance

Following the death of the decedent, the estate (the decedent's assets) must be identified and its active and passive components separated. We provide legal support in obtaining certificates of inheritance (veraset ilamı), estate determination actions, establishing the true value of the estate and applying for protective measures to preserve assets during the period of co-heirship.

Estate Distribution and Partition

Where consensus cannot be reached among heirs, a partition action (izale-i şüyu) may be filed. We provide representation in both negotiation and litigation regarding physical division or sale-based distribution of immovable property, share transfers and value equalisation. We prepare comprehensive distribution plans particularly for estates comprising family businesses, real property and overseas assets.

Inheritance Litigation: Forced Heirship Reduction, Annulment and Renunciation

We formulate strategic and robust claim or defence strategies in critical inheritance actions such as will annulment actions (incapacity, fraud, duress, formal defect), forced heirship reduction actions (protection of the reserved portion), renunciation of inheritance and actions for annulment of inheritance agreements. We also advise heirs wishing to renounce the inheritance on the renunciation period and procedure.

International Succession: Overseas Assets and Foreign Heirs

The succession of foreign nationals with assets in Türkiye and the estate procedures of Turkish nationals with assets abroad require particular attention within the framework of private international law rules. Our experienced team is at your side on matters including the EU Succession Regulation (Regulation 650/2012), determination of the applicable law, enforcement in Türkiye of foreign court succession decisions and the conduct of estate procedures in Türkiye on behalf of foreign heirs.

Our Services

• Preparation of official and handwritten wills and management of the notarisation process
• Inheritance agreements and testamentary gift contracts
• Forced heirship portion and statutory inheritance share calculations
• Certificates of inheritance (veraset ilamı) and estate determinations
• Partition of co-heirship (izale-i şüyu) actions
• Forced heirship reduction actions (protection of the reserved portion)
• Will annulment and inheritance agreement annulment actions
• Renunciation of inheritance and renunciation procedure advisory
• International succession: foreign heirs and transfer of overseas assets
• Recognition and enforcement of foreign succession decisions in Türkiye

Why Emir Law?

Inheritance proceedings carry emotional burden, technical legal requirements and time pressure simultaneously. An error in technical areas such as forced heirship calculations, will validity requirements or choice of law in the international dimension can result in litigation lasting many years. Our team resolves inheritance proceedings swiftly, equitably and conclusively, with due regard for family dynamics and client interests.