Inheritance of property is both an emotionally challenging and legally important process. It involves the transfer of ownership, property rights, and obligations of a deceased person to other individuals. To properly formalize your inheritance rights, it is essential to prepare the necessary documents and follow the correct legal procedure.
If you reside abroad, the process of handling inheritance matters in Russia can be more complex—but there are ways to make it easier.
Let’s review the key points below.
What Is Inheritance?
Inheritance refers to the property, rights, and obligations that pass from a deceased person (the testator) to other individuals (the heirs). Heirs may be relatives of the deceased (by law) or any other persons designated in the will.
How to Contact a Notary for Inheritance Matters
Since January 1, 2015, the “Inheritance Without Borders” program has been in effect throughout the Russian Federation. It allows heirs to choose any notary within the notarial district to open an inheritance case. The certificate of inheritance can be issued by any notary authorized in that district.
It is crucial to contact a notary within six months from the date of the testator’s death. The notary who receives the first heir’s application will open the inheritance case and enter details into the unified electronic registry. All other heirs must then contact that same notary.
Main Steps for Formalizing Inheritance
- Prepare the required documents:
- Death certificate of the testator
- Certificate of the testator’s last place of residence
- Passport of the heir
- Documents confirming kinship (birth or marriage certificates)
- Will (if available)
- Proof of ownership of the testator’s assets (property registry extracts, bank account agreements, etc.)
- Apply to a notary to open the inheritance case.
- Pay notarial and state fees.
- Obtain the Certificate of Inheritance issued by the notary.
- Receive the property in physical form and/or register ownership rights (if needed).
If You Live Abroad
If you reside outside Russia, the inheritance procedure includes a few additional steps:
- Find a trusted representative in Russia.
- Prepare a power of attorney in the language of your country of residence.
- Have the power of attorney translated into Russian by a certified translator.
- Have the document notarized by a notary or a Russian consular officer.
- Obtain an apostille if required.
- Send the documents to a notary in Russia, following all legal requirements and timelines.
LAWYERvRF Will Simplify the Process for You
If you reside abroad, the LAWYERvRF Team can handle the inheritance process in Russia on your behalf:
- Review and verify your documents
- Prepare a power of attorney, arrange translation and apostille
- Represent your interests in Russia for inheritance registration
- Obtain any missing documents in Russia (certificates, registry extracts, duplicates, etc.)
- Represent you in court, if necessary
- Keep you informed about every stage of the process
Trust the LAWYERvRF Team to handle your inheritance issues efficiently and confidently!
LAWYERvRF guarantees reliable results.
Conclusion
Even while living abroad, it is entirely possible to formalize inheritance matters in Russia. With timely preparation and the support of LAWYERvRF, you can achieve a successful outcome without unnecessary difficulties.
