Practice area · Property and estates
Inheritance matters.
Settled once, and settled properly.
Confirmation of inheritance, division of an estate, reserved shares and disputes over wills. We also help when an inheritance means mainly debts - and the deadline for deciding is already running.
§01Types of case
How we help
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Confirmation of inheritance
The first step, formally confirming who inherits and in what shares.
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Division of an estate
Dividing specific assets between the heirs - by agreement or before the court.
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Reserved share
A claim by close family members who were left out of the will.
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Disclaiming an inheritance
Where the estate carries debts - including on behalf of minor children.
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Wills
Cases about the validity of a will, the interpretation of its terms and giving effect to legacies.
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Unworthiness to inherit
Excluding from inheritance a person who has committed defined acts.
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Accounting for lifetime gifts
Bringing gifts into account against a share of the estate on division.
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Debts of the estate
Establishing the extent of liability and protection against the deceased's creditors.
Law as at: September 2026. This content is general information and does not constitute legal advice - assessing a particular case always requires reviewing the documents.
§02Deadlines and steps
What has to be done and when
In inheritance cases most of the trouble comes from missed deadlines. Below are the ones that matter most in practice.
| Step | Deadline | Consequence of doing nothing |
|---|---|---|
| Declaring acceptance or disclaimer of the inheritance | 6 months from learning you were called to the estate | the inheritance is accepted with the benefit of inventory |
| Disclaiming on behalf of a minor | requires the guardianship court's consent | the child risks becoming liable for the debts |
| Confirmation of inheritance | no deadline | no document confirming your rights to the estate |
| Division of an estate | no deadline | the co-ownership continues indefinitely |
| A claim for a reserved share | as a rule 5 years | the claim becomes time-barred |
| Challenging a will | depends on the grounds | the effects of a defective will become entrenched |
The deadlines run separately for each heir - from the day that person learned they were called to the estate.
§03Reserved shares
When a will leaves out close family
The reserved share protects the deceased's closest family - descendants, the spouse and, in defined situations, parents - from being left out of the will altogether. It gives a right to a sum of money, not to particular items.
The amount depends on the share the person would have received on intestacy and on their circumstances. Certain gifts made during the deceased's lifetime are added into the calculation - and that is often the most hotly disputed element of these cases.
A claim for a reserved share becomes time-barred, so delay can be costly. If you are not sure whether you are entitled to one, it is worth finding out before the deadline passes.
§04How we work
How we handle inheritance cases
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Establishing who the heirs are
Before anything can be divided, we need to know who inherits and in what shares.
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Assessing what the estate contains
Property and savings, but also debts and gifts made years ago.
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Settlement where possible
Dividing an estate by agreement is often quicker and cheaper than years of litigation.
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Protection against debts
Disclaiming the inheritance and limiting liability where the liabilities outweigh the assets.
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Valuation and settling up
Applications for an expert report where the value of assets is disputed.
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Reserved share claims
Acting both for the person entitled and for the person liable to pay.
§05How we work together
How an inheritance case unfolds
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The conversation and the documents
We establish the family and financial position and whether any deadlines are running.
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Confirmation of inheritance
An application to the court or a deed certifying inheritance before a notary.
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Establishing what the estate contains
Assets, debts and any gifts that have to be brought into account.
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Division of an estate
A settlement between the heirs, or court proceedings.
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Follow-up matters
Reserved shares, settling up and entries in the land and mortgage register.
§06Questions and answers
Questions about inheritance
Cannot find your question here? Call us on +48 883 406 792 or write to us using the contact form.
The crucial period is the six months from the day you learned you were called to the estate - within that time you can disclaim it. If the deadline passes, the inheritance is treated as accepted with the benefit of inventory, which limits liability to the value of the estate but does not remove it altogether.
Yes, but it requires the guardianship court's consent. It is worth filing the application early, because the procedure takes time and the deadline keeps running.
Confirmation of inheritance establishes who inherits and in what shares. Division of the estate allocates specific assets among the heirs. They are two separate sets of proceedings - and the second is not usually possible without the first.
As a rule the deceased's descendants, spouse and - in defined situations - parents, if they were left out or received less than their reserved share. The claim is brought against the heirs or against those who received gifts.
Yes, if all the heirs agree and attend together - the notary then draws up a deed certifying inheritance. Where there is a dispute, or one of the heirs is absent, the court route remains.
Yes. When an estate is divided and when a reserved share is calculated, certain gifts are added to the value of the estate. This is a frequent point of dispute, particularly where one of the children received a property during the deceased's lifetime.
The first step
Let us talk about your situation
You do not need your documents in order, and you do not need to know the law. Just tell us what is happening - we will plan the way forward together.
§07Contact
Book a legal consultation
