The new inheritance certificate issued by lawyers: a faster solution for inheritance matters
The ability for lawyers to issue inheritance certificates constitutes an important reform that significantly accelerates inheritance procedures in Greece. Until recently, inheritance certificates were issued exclusively by the court, resulting in substantial delays for citizens and an increased burden on the judicial system.
Interested parties may now apply directly to a lawyer for the issuance of an inheritance certificate through a considerably faster and more flexible process. The inheritance certificate is an official document certifying who the heirs are and defining their inheritance rights, thereby facilitating any transaction related to the estate.
The practical importance of this new regulation is particularly significant, as the inheritance certificate may now serve as a valid legal document even for the sale of inherited real estate, without the prior execution of a separate notarial deed of acceptance of inheritance. In this way, heirs save time, reduce costs, and avoid unnecessary formalities, while property transfers can be completed more quickly and efficiently.
This new framework is expected to contribute substantially to reducing bureaucracy and accelerating transactions, offering citizens a more modern and practical approach to inheritance matters.