Under the Turkish Civil Code, the estate passes automatically to the heirs upon death. Statutory heirs include descendants, parents and their descendants, grandparents and the surviving spouse.
Shares
The surviving spouse inherits one quarter when there are children, one half with the parents’ line and three quarters with the grandparents’ line. Descendants and parents enjoy reserved shares (saklı pay) that cannot be overridden by will or gift.
Our services
- Obtaining certificates of inheritance (veraset ilamı),
- Identifying estate assets and handling inheritance tax filings,
- Negotiating division agreements between heirs,
- Partition lawsuits (ortaklığın giderilmesi), which now require prior mediation,
- Claims to reduce dispositions that infringe reserved shares,
- Challenging sham sales made to disinherit heirs (muris muvazaası),
- Opening and challenging wills,
- Renunciation of over-indebted estates.
Foreign heirs
We regularly assist heirs living abroad, who can act through a power of attorney issued at a Turkish consulate or apostilled abroad. See our power of attorney guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do foreign heirs inherit property in Turkey?
Foreign heirs can generally inherit real estate in Turkey, subject to reciprocity and certain restrictions. A certificate of inheritance must be obtained and the transfer registered at the land registry.
Can I renounce an inheritance with debts?
Yes. Heirs may renounce an inheritance within three months of learning of the death by applying to the civil court of peace.
Member of the Bursa Bar (Reg. No 7458). Graduate of Ankara University Faculty of Law; former public prosecutor and chief public prosecutor.
