Turkish Inheritance Law – Legal Assistance for Turkish Citizens Living in the UK
Comprehensive Legal Guidance for Inheritance Matters in Türkiye
Inheritance issues can be complex, especially when they involve assets, heirs, and legal procedures across two countries. We specialise in providing professional legal support to Turkish citizens and families based in the United Kingdom who have inheritance matters, estates, or family properties in Türkiye.
We ensure that your rights as an heir or estate owner are fully protected under both Turkish and international private law.
Understanding Turkish Inheritance Law
Turkish inheritance law is primarily regulated under the Turkish Civil Code (Türk Medeni Kanunu). It defines how estates are distributed among heirs, how wills are executed, and how foreign nationals or dual citizens are treated under Turkish succession law.
Key principles include:
- Forced heirship (legally protected shares for certain family members),
- Inheritance hierarchy (spouse, children, parents, siblings, etc.),
- Application of domicile law for movable assets, and lex rei sitae (location of property) for immovable assets,
- Validity and recognition of wills executed abroad.
This means that even if you reside in the UK, your immovable property in Türkiye (such as land, apartments, or houses) will be governed by Turkish law upon death, while certain movable assets may fall under UK jurisdiction.
Our Legal Services for UK-Based Turkish Citizens
Inheritance Investigation and Heirship Certificate (Veraset İlamı)
We assist clients in obtaining Certificates of Inheritance from Turkish courts or notaries, which officially confirm rightful heirs.
We handle all applications on behalf of clients through power of attorney, eliminating the need to travel to Türkiye.
Estate Administration and Property Transfer
- Once the inheritance rights are established, we:
- Register heirs in the Land Registry (Tapu Müdürlüğü),
- Facilitate title deed transfers,
- Arrange property valuation and tax registration,
- Coordinate sale or division of inherited property among heirs.
Recognition of UK Wills and Probate Decisions
If a will or probate document has been issued in the UK, we guide clients through the process of recognition and enforcement in Türkiye (known as tanıma ve tenfiz).
We ensure compliance with Turkish procedural law and translation requirements for notarised and apostilled UK documents.
Inheritance Tax and Financial Matters
We provide full assistance in calculating and filing Turkish inheritance and gift tax (veraset ve intikal vergisi) obligations, helping clients avoid penalties and delays.
We also liaise with accountants and Turkish tax offices on behalf of heirs living abroad.
Legal Disputes and Litigation
When inheritance conflicts arise — such as disputes over wills, property division, or forced heirship shares — our litigation team represents clients before Turkish courts to protect their rightful interests.
Dual Nationality and Cross-Border Legal Considerations
Many of our clients hold dual Turkish–British citizenship or have family members with different nationalities.
In such cases, it is crucial to determine:
- Which jurisdiction applies (UK or Türkiye),
- Whether a will made in the UK is valid under Turkish law, and
- How to harmonise tax and procedural requirements in both countries.
Our firm provides integrated cross-border legal solutions, combining local Turkish legal expertise with UK-based advisory services.