· 5 min read
Accepting an inheritance: deadlines, documents and the decisive 6 months
The biggest mistake in inheritance cases is losing time. The law gives an heir just six months. Here is what must be done within that period.
After losing a loved one, dealing with paperwork is hard. But in inheritance law, time is decisive: by law, an heir must accept the inheritance within six months of the date it opens.
What to do within six months
- File an application with the notary at the deceased’s last place of residence
- Gather the death certificate and documents proving kinship
- Establish what the estate consists of: housing, vehicles, deposits, company shares
- Check whether there is a will
Once six months have passed, the notary issues the heirs a certificate of inheritance. Only then can the property be registered in their names.
What if the deadline was missed?
It does not mean all is lost. If the heir actually used the estate property (for example, lived in the apartment and paid the bills), they may be recognised as having accepted the inheritance in fact. Otherwise, the deadline can be restored through the courts — which requires a valid reason.
Kabir Law accompanies heirs through the whole process — from the first application to the notary to the registration of property — and, where necessary, litigates the restoration of the deadline.